Real time event reconstruction plays a fundamental role in High Energy Physics experiments. The CDF experiment at the Tevatron collider performs a fast online reconstruction of high-resolution tracks ...using the Silicon Vertex Trigger (SVT). We will describe the architecture, the performance and the impact on CDF physics program of a next generation online track fitter, the GigaFitter, developed to improve the SVT track reconstruction efficiency as the Tevatron instantaneous luminosity increases. The core of the GigaFitter is implemented in a modern Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA chip, rich in powerful DSP arrays. The higher computation power allows to perform many tasks in parallel, reducing the track parameter reconstruction to a few clock cycles: as a result, the GigaFitter can perform more than one fit per nanosecond. The Gigafitter installation and commissioning were successfully completed in February 2010: 12 Track Fitter boards, one per each azimuthal sector of the silicon detector, have been replaced by a single Gigafitter board receiving the data from the entire tracking detector. Besides being much more compact and robust than the previous system, the Gigafitter increases the SVT track reconstruction efficiency and acceptance and copes more effectively with the high-occupancy events that occur frequently at the high luminosities the Tevatron currently delivers. Moreover, its architecture is general enough to be adapted to different experimental environments: the experience gained with the Gigafitter upgrade will be essential for future SVT-like tracking processor such as FTK at Atlas experiment.
Recent advances in single-cell sequencing technologies enable the generation of large-scale data sets of paired TCR sequences from patients with autoimmune disease. Methods to validate and ...characterize patient-derived TCR data are needed, as well as relevant model systems that can support the development of antigen-specific tolerance inducing drugs. We have generated a pipeline to allow streamlined generation of ‘artificial’ T cells in a robust and reasonably high throughput manner for in vitro and in vivo studies of antigen-specific and patient-derived immune responses. Hereby chimeric (mouse-human) TCR alpha and beta constructs are re-expressed in three different formats for further studies: (i) transiently in HEK cells for peptide-HLA tetramer validation experiments, (ii) stably in the TCR-negative 58 T cell line for functional readouts such as IL-2 production and NFAT-signaling, and lastly (iii) in human HLA-transgenic mice for studies of autoimmune disease and therapeutic interventions. As a proof of concept, we have used human HLA-DRB1∗04:01 restricted TCR sequences specific for a type I diabetes-associated GAD peptide, and an influenza-derived HA peptide. We show that the same chimeric TCR constructs can be used in each of the described assays facilitating sequential validation and prioritization steps leading to humanized animal models.
•Peptide-HLA-TCR interactions are central to autoimmune disease and can be targeted.•Experimental model systems are needed to study patient peptide-HLA-TCR interactions.•Large scale TCR sequencing efforts need assays to validate and prioritize patient TCRs.•Chimeric TCR expression constructs can be used as a versatile discovery platform.
Background Tumor size is a criterion of staging in nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumors as well as a predictor of outcome after curative resection. This study analyzes the correlation between ...tumor size and malignancy in patients with nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumors. Methods All patients with nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumors who underwent curative resection (R0) at our institution between 1990 and 2008 were considered. Their clinicopathologic characteristics were compared among 3 different groups according to tumor size. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed. Results Over the study period, 177 patients were identified. Overall, 90 patients (51%) had a tumor size ≤2 cm (group 1), 46 (26%) had tumor size between >2 cm and ≤4 cm (group 2), and 41 (23%) had tumor size >4 cm (group 3). Tumors ≤2 cm were more frequently incidentally discovered (group 1, 57% vs group 2, 51% vs group 3, 32%; P = .014) and benign (group 1, 81% vs group 2, 65% vs group 3, 5%; P < .0001). The presence of a nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumor >2 cm and a nonincidental diagnosis of the tumor were independent predictors of malignancy at multivariable analysis. None of the 51 patients (29%) with a pancreatic endocrine tumor ≤2 cm that was incidentally diagnosed died of disease. Conclusion A strict correlation between tumor size and malignancy in nonfunctioning pancreatic endocrine tumors was demonstrated. A nonoperative management could be advocated for tumors ≤2 cm when discovered incidentally.
Early growth response gene 1 (Egr1) codes for a transcriptional regulator that contains a zinc-finger DNA binding domain. Egr1 expression is induced by a variety of extracellular stimuli including ...TCR-ligand interactions. Its pattern of expression in the thymus and dependence on ERK activation have led to speculation that it has a role in T cell development, but the exact nature of this role has been undefined. To more clearly define the role of Egr1 in thymocyte development, we have analyzed thymocytes from Egr1-deficient mice. We find that thymuses from Egr1-deficient mice contain twice as many cells as age-matched controls, and the increase in thymocyte number is apparent at the early CD4/CD8 double negative stage of development. Subsequent maturation to the CD4/CD8 double positive stage and survival of the double positive cells both appear normal in Egr1-deficient animals. We also find that Egr1 promotes positive selection of both CD4 and CD8 single positive cells without playing a major role in negative selection. Egr1 influences positive selection by enhancing expression of the helix-loop-helix inhibitor Id3 and the anti-apoptosis molecule bcl-2. Thus, Egr1 translates developmental signals into appropriate changes in gene expression at multiple stages of thymocyte development.
In the early Greek tradition--from Homer to Hesiod--the term mythos obviously meant "word," "discourse," and "account." In fact, Romans equate mythos with fabula. The Greek myths collected by Hyginus ...in his homonymous work are fabulae, as fabulae are called the Greek myths from which the philosopher must keep his distance, according to Cicero's Balbus. Here, Bettini discusses the fascinating world of Roman fabula.
A two-level pattern trigger for the MAGIC telescope Bastieri, D.; Bettini, M.; Bigongiari, C. ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
04/2001, Volume:
461, Issue:
1
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Strong scientific motivation are pushing the second generation of ground base Cherenkov telescopes to lower as much as possible their energy threshold. MAGIC will be the biggest single telescope, in ...terms of collection area (250 m
2), foreseen for the second-half of 2001. The large collection area, the new photodetector and the electronic design will allow the telescope to lower the energy threshold below 30
GeV. For this telescope a two-level pattern trigger is designed to work in severe high pixel rate. The MAGIC trigger architecture and its implementation is presented.
College students audiotaped interaction with one of their grandparents in which grandparents told story that captured meaning of life for them and grandchildren told similar story. Students were ...divided into similar numbers of same and mixed sex grandparent-grandchild relationships. Results revealed some gender differences in types of stories grandparents shared with grandchildren. (Author/NB)
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