103,715 research outputs found
Punzi-loss:: a non-differentiable metric approximation for sensitivity optimisation in the search for new particles
No full textWe present the novel implementation of a non-differentiable metric approximation and a corresponding loss-scheduling aimed at the search for new particles of unknown mass in high energy physics experiments. We call the loss-scheduling, based on the minimisation of a figure-of-merit related function typical of particle physics, a Punzi-loss function, and the neural network that utilises this loss function a Punzi-net. We show that the Punzi-net outperforms standard multivariate analysis techniques and generalises well to mass hypotheses for which it was not trained. This is achieved by training a single classifier that provides a coherent and optimal classification of all signal hypotheses over the whole search space. Our result constitutes a complementary approach to fully differentiable analyses in particle physics. We implemented this work using PyTorch and provide users full access to a public repository containing all the codes and a training example
Punzi-loss: a non-differentiable metric approximation for sensitivity optimisation in the search for new particles
No full textInternational audienceWe present the novel implementation of a non-differentiable metric approximation and a corresponding loss-scheduling aimed at the search for new particles of unknown mass in high energy physics experiments. We call the loss-scheduling, based on the minimisation of a figure-of-merit related function typical of particle physics, a Punzi-loss function, and the neural network that utilises this loss function a Punzi-net. We show that the Punzi-net outperforms standard multivariate analysis techniques and generalises well to mass hypotheses for which it was not trained. This is achieved by training a single classifier that provides a coherent and optimal classification of all signal hypotheses over the whole search space. Our result constitutes a complementary approach to fully differentiable analyses in particle physics. We implemented this work using PyTorch and provide users full access to a public repository containing all the codes and a training example
Effects of Cadmium and GC-Macrophage Activating Factor (GcMAF) on intracellular HIV targets in normal and transformed human breast cells
No full textBreast cancer is of particular importance among non-AIDS defining cancers (NADCs), because of its incidence in industrialized and developing countries. Here we studied the effects of a known human carcinogen, the highly persistent heavy metal cadmium, on cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and on two of the main intracellular targets of HIV, heat shock protein 90 (hsp90, targeted by Tat protein, known to be imported into the nucleus of human breast cancer cells), and
poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP, involved in DNA repair and oxidative stress associated with HIV infection). The effects of nontoxic doses of cadmium (1–10 lM) on intracellular HIV targets were studied in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and in their normal counterpart (MCF-10A). The effects of Gc-Macrophage Activating Factor (GcMAF), a protein demonstrated to be effective in HIV and breast cancer treatment (J Med Virol 81:16–26, 2009. Int J Cancer
122: 461–7, 2008) were also studied in MCF-7 cells. Cell proliferation was studied by 5-bromo-deoxiuridine labelling and by MTT based assay. Hsp90b expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. PARP expression was studied by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Angiogenesis was studied in chick embryo chorionallantoic membrane (CAM). Proliferation of normal and transformed cells in serum-starved medium was inhibited by cadmium in dose-dependent manner. GcMAF (1 ng/ml) significantly inhibited MCF-7proliferation. The effect of cadmium was partially reversed by zinc. Hsp90b and PARP expression levels were increased by cadmium in dose-dependent manner in both types of cells, thus mimicking the effects of HIV on those intracellular targets. The effects of cadmium on angiogenesis were opposite in the two cell lines; MCF-7-induced angiogenesis in CAM was inhibited, whereas
MCF-10-induced angiogenesis was stimulated. GcMAF (1 ng/ml) significantly inhibited MCF-7-induced angiogenesis. These results indicate that cadmium and HIV recognize as intracellular molecular targets two of the principal regulators of cell responses to stress, i.e. hsp90 and PARP. In human breast cancer cells, increased expression of hsp90 and PARP was associated with reduced cell proliferation and inhibition of angiogenesis. Since cadmium and GcMAF exerted similar effects on MCF-7 and on MCF-7-induced angiogenesis, we
hypothesize that hsp90 and PARP are involved in the GcMAF signalling pathway. These results also open the perspective of studying HIV-associated angiogenesis in NADCs with the goal of controlling the progression of NADCs via inhibition of angiogenesis
Il caregiver in oncologia : tra ruolo e bisogni
No full textCancer is not only an individual problem, but it affects the entire family, disrupting relationships, daily routines and social relations.
In our country, assistance to cancer patients is mostly the responsibility of the family and in particular, of those who are in charge with administering the treatment: the caregivers. Based upon scientific research, the present paper is aimed at focusing attention to caregivers, going through their responsibilities during the different stages of the disease and the possible outcomes on their well-being and quality of life.
The caregiver meets the patient’s requirements mainly in two respects: medical nursing care and emotional well-being. Research demonstrated the outcomes on the psychological and physical balances and on the daily activities of the family as well as the professional and social areas.
The caregiver has a variety of practical and emotional needs. In particular one need goes throughout all the stages of the disease: a clear and correct communication, that could improve the relationships between patient, caregiver and physician, providing exhaustive and comprehensible information about all the aspects of the disease.
The caregiver, in fact, takes on responsibilities that are physically and emotionally demanding, considering that he/she does not have any specialisation for this role. On this basis, more information is needed about the disease and more psychological support, with special reference to emotional aspects
La filosofia nella scienza giuridica: Il ragionamento giuridico di Giuseppe Terranova
No full textIl ragionamento giuridico di Giuseppe Terranova merita un’attenta lettura per il modo in cui incardina categorie e problematiche filosofiche sulla riflessione sul diritto positivo, così mettendo in discussione alcuni luoghi comuni che hanno spesso pregiudicato il dialogo tra giuristi e filosofi
Recensione a T. Patera, «Parler dulcement d’amur». Identità, desiderio, racconto nei testi francesi della leggenda di Tristano (XII sec.), 2018
No full textRecensione a Teodoro Pater
Letter, [Author unclear] to Paulina T. Merritt
No full textHandwritten letter to Paulina Merritt from an unknown author, October 1, 1876.
An Organocatalytic Approach to the Synthesis of Six-Membered Heterocycles
No full textIn the last few years, the new era of organocatalysis opened up an effective and efficient way to high yielding metal free, enantio- and diastereoselective reactions leading to six-membered heterocycles. This review provides an overview of the current achievements in the organocatalytic synthesis of these crucial building blocks. Ranging from hetero-Diels-Alder to cycloadditions, from one step cyclizations to cascade reactions, recent results offer new powerful tools to obtain six membered heterocycles with facile procedures in high yields and stereoselection, often leading to many new stereogenic centres in a single reaction. The total syntheses of natural products having heterocyclic ring formation as crucial stage, are also reported. When available, alternative supported organocatalysts have been examined
Macrophages of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) as key elements of the immune response to vitamin D binding protein-macrophage activating factor
No full textMacrophages are key elements of the immune response and vitamin D binding protein-macrophage activating factor (DBP-MAF, also known as GcMAF) has been successfully used in treatment of immunodeficiency (J Med Virol 81:16-26, 2009). Here we report the effects of DBP-MAF on the immune system of HIV/AIDS patients as well as the effects of an original probiotic preparation, putatively containing DBP-MAF. Eight HIV/AIDS patients were treated with 100 ng/week DBP-MAF (from www.gcmaf.eu) i.v. for 15 weeks. During treatment, patients did not assume antiretroviral drugs. Blood monocyte count rose in six patients, indicating a response to DBP-MAF consistent with the effects of DBP-MAF described in Immunol Cell Biol 76:237-44, 1998. Individual response appeared to be associated with vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms (BsmI and FokI). Within the time frame of administration, however, no significant increase in CD4 cell count or decrease in viral load was observed. Therefore, searching for an alternative approach, we tested an original milk-derivative (MAF 3 14®) that contains microorganisms introduced in order to maximize natural DBP-MAF production. We hypothesized that natural DBP-MAF, once ingested, activated the Mucosa-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (MALT) widely diffused in the walls of the entire gastrointestinal tract. In fact, enzymes of certain strains of microorganisms contained in yogurt and kefir are able to convert milk Gc-protein into active DBP-MAF and it is known that kefir modulates the immune response in mice, increasing the phagocytic activity (i.e. activating) of peritoneal and pulmonary macrophages (Immunobiology 211:149-56, 2006). It is also known that probiotic yogurt consumption is associated with an increase of CD4 count among people living with HIV/AIDS (J Clin Gastroenterol 44:e201-5, 2010). Thus, members of the research team consumed 125 ml/day of MAF 3 14® for three weeks. Participants did not assume any drug or supplement and did not modify their usual diet and lifestyle. Blood analyses were performed two weeks before beginning consumption, and after three week consumption. After three week consumption, CD4 count dramatically increased in those of us who started with low CD4 count (subject # 1, before consumption CD4: 372; CD8: 206. After consumption: CD4: 609; CD8: 448), or abnormal CD4/CD8 ratio (subject # 2, before consumption: CD4: 857; CD8: 794. After consumption: CD4: 1279; CD8: 640). Also these effects appeared to be associated with VDR gene polymorphisms
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