Israel Electric (Israel)

Abstract Background: Pancreatic cancer remains a major global health challenge. Despite the use of intensive chemotherapy regimens such as FOLFIRINOX (fluorouracil (5-FU), oxaliplatin, irinotecan and leucovorin) or gemcitabine combined with nab-paclitaxel, treatment outcomes remain poor. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) are electric fields that disrupt cellular processes crucial for cancer cell viability, approved for the treatment of glioblastoma, pleural mesothelioma, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A recent phase 3 trial of TTFields therapy concomitant with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel as first-line treatment for unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma demonstrated a significant increase in overall survival. The current study examined preclinically the potential use of TTFields to sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to treatment with FOLFIRINOX. Methods: Human pancreatic cancer cells BxPC3 and AsPC1 were treated for 72h with TTFields (150 kHz for both cell lines; 0.7 V/cm RMS for BxPC3 cells; 1 V/cm RMS for AsPC1 cells), using the inovitro device, with or without increasing concentrations of FOLFIRINOX. Cell count, colony formation, and apoptosis were measured. For mechanistical insight, RNA was isolated from control and TTFields-treated samples following 24- and 48-hours treatment, and protein was isolated from 72h treated samples. RNA-sequencing, real-time PCR, and Western blot were employed for sample analysis. In vivo, Panc02 cells were orthotopically inoculated into C57Bl/6 mice. The mice were randomized into four groups: control, TTFields, FOLFIRINOX, and TTFields with FOLFIRINOX. TTFields were applied continuously for 10 days using the inovivo device. FOLFIRINOX was injected the following day, with two consecutive 5-FU administrations the two following days. At the end of the treatment, the tumors were weighed and their volume measured using a caliper. Results: TTFields application to the pancreatic cells together with FOLFIRINOX reduced cell count and colony formation and induced apoptosis relative to FOLFIRINOX or TTFields alone. TTFields downregulated DNA damage repair, DNA replication, and cell cycle related processes, with reduced expression of several central players in the BRCA DNA damage repair pathway. In vivo, significantly reduced tumor weight and volume compared to control was seen in all treatment groups, with the effect for TTFields and FOLFIRINOX most pronounced. Conclusions: Application of TTFields together with FOLFIRINOX exhibits potential improvement relative to FOLFIRINOX alone in treatment of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo, potentially due to TTFields-induced downregulation of DNA pathways. Citation Format: Sewar Zbidat, Hila Ene, Mariell Sellevoll, Kerem Ben Meir, Hila Gabay, Eyal Dor-On, Itai Tzchori, Tal Kan, Adi Haber, Moshe Giladi, Uri Weinberg, Yoram Palti. Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) together with FOLFIRINOX are effective for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, in vitro and in vivo [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Advances in Pancreatic Cancer Research—Emerging Science Driving Transformative Solutions; Boston, MA; 2025 Sep 28-Oct 1; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(18_Suppl_3):Abstract nr B035.

In the Fully Sharded Data Parallel (FSDP) training pipeline, collective operations can be interleaved to maximize the communication/computation overlap. In this scenario, outstanding operations such as Allgather and Reduce-Scatter can compete for the injection bandwidth and create pipeline bubbles. To address this problem, we propose a novel bandwidth-optimal Allgather collective algorithm that leverages hardware multicast. We use multicast to build a constant-time reliable Broadcast protocol, a building block for constructing an optimal Allgather schedule. Our Allgather algorithm achieves 2× traffic reduction on a 188-node testbed. To free the host side from running the protocol, we employ SmartNIC offloading. We extract the parallelism in our Allgather algorithm and map it to a SmartNIC specialized for hiding the cost of data movement. We show that our SmartNIC-offloaded collective progress engine can scale to the next generation of 1.6 Tbit/s links.

The development of quantum computers poses a risk to the cryptographic algorithms utilized by current public key infrastructure (PKI). High performance computing (HPC), inter- and intra-datacenter communications, and governmental communications are particularly vulnerable to security attacks by quantum computers. In response, there are on-going efforts on implementing post-quantum cryptography (PQC) despite the considerable overhead involved in processing PQC encrypted data packets in comparison with their classical counterparts. This work aims to help with the transition to quantum resistant cryptographic schemes by means of providing a thorough experimental performance comparison of the four algorithms selected by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for standardization when implemented in a data processing unit (DPU). The experiments are conducted at line-rate, demonstrating for the first time operation at almost 100 Gbit/s and hence suitability for high-capacity data center environments.

Routing optimization refers to finding the most efficient path for data to travel between two devices on a network. In this paper, we propose the use of the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) as a novel approach to routing optimization in the context of 6G networks. To this end, we first develop a cost function for single source single destination routing, which is then converted into a Quadratic Unconstrained Binary Optimization formulation. We subsequently extract the equivalent Variational Quantum Circuit of the QAOA from the optimization formulation. To test the performance of the QAOA, we utilize IBM's Qiskit toolkit and QASM-simulator and the Constrained by Linear Approximation optimizer to update the circuit parameters. Simulation results show that the proposed approach converges to the optimal solution, and only after less than 25 iteration, the QAOA was able to find the optimal path for the routing problem.

Abstract Introduction: Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) therapy is an approved treatment for glioblastoma (GBM), the most abundant malignant brain tumor. TTFields therapy is delivered to patients suffering from GBM continuously by two array pairs placed on their scalp. Since arrays for TTFields application to the mouse head are lacking, and as most GBM animal models are based on mice, in vivo studies of GBM treatment with TTFields are limited. The development of such arrays is challenging due to the small dimensions and specific geometries of the mouse head, but is needed to allow continued preclinical studies to broaden the understanding of the effects of TTFields on GBM. Methods: We tested various array layouts to identify one that will be suited to the specific geometries of the mouse head. For animal well-being, the selected array was required to minimally restrict head movement. Additionally, we investigated adhesive tapes to allow on one hand good adherence of the arrays to the skin, and on the other hand easy array removal. To examine the feasibility of treating mice with these arrays, they were applied to mice for 11 days, while recording the electric currents and the actual treatment time (from which the percent usage could be calculated). To validate that the selected array layout delivers meaningful field intensity to the desired region, we performed field measurements using a floating scope. Results: To tackle the limitation of the small head size, we developed an array layout in which only two arrays were situated on the head, while the opposing arrays were located on the mouse torso. Additionally, the arrays on the head were divided into two smaller disks. We also identified a thin and transparent adhesive tape (facilitating correct arrays positioning), that offered good tackiness and allowed easy removal without leaving residual adhesive on the skin. The arrays met the minimum treatment requirements: current ≥50 mA, usage ≥75%, field intensity ≥1 V/cm RMS. At the posterior side of the mouse head, at a location more directly underneath the arrays, field intensity was higher than at the anterior position. Conclusion: TTFields could be delivered at sufficient intensities to mice heads by utilizing specifically engineered arrays. Our newly developed arrays are flexible and strongly adhering to enable efficient electric field delivery. By allowing TTFields delivery to mice heads, we will facilitate further advancing this research field. Citation Format: Sewar Zbidat, Roni Blatt, Mariell Sellevoll, Martin Gabay, Inbar Schlachet, Shay Cahal, Shiri Davidi, Itai Tzchori, Adi Haber, Moshe Giladi, Yoram Palti. Designing arrays for delivering tumor treating fields (TTFields) to the mouse head [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 5808.

This research demonstrates the potential contribution of synchronverters with virtual friction to the damping of interarea oscillations and the enhancement of the transient stability of a power system. Virtual friction creates additional torque acting on the virtual rotor of the synchronverter, which is equivalent to viscous friction being present between this synchronverter and the virtual rotor of another (usually remote) synchronverter or bus bar. This function is realized by creating communication lines between synchronverters in different areas of a power system and expanding the synchronverter algorithm. Our study is based on simulations in PSS/E for an IEEE benchmark two-area network.

Abstract Purpose: Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among cancers of the female reproductive system. Surgery and platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy followed by PARP inhibitor (PARPi) maintenance therapy is standard treatment for most patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The mechanism of action of PARPi and platinum-based therapy involves the induction of DNA damage, which requires the Fanconi Anemia (FA)- BRCA pathway for repair, making these agents most beneficial in cancers with BRCA mutations. However, 75% of patients with ovarian cancer have BRCA wild type tumors and therefore their benefit from PARPi is limited. TTFields are electric fields that disrupt cellular processes critical for cancer cell viability and tumor progression, ultimately leading to cancer cell death. Recent research demonstrated TTFields induce a state of BRCAness in multiple cancer types, as well as anticancer effects in ovarian cancer preclinical models. This study investigated the impact of TTFields concomitant with carboplatin or PARPi in ovarian cancer cell lines. Methods: A2780 (BRCA wild type), OVCAR3 (BRCA mutated), and A2780cis (platinum-resistant) ovarian cancer cells were treated with TTFields (1 V/cm RMS, 200 kHz, 72 h), alone or concomitant with application of carboplatin or a PARPi (olaparib or niraparib). Efficacy assessments included cell count, colony formation, and apoptosis induction. The overall effect was calculated by multiplying the effects on cell count and colony formation. Results: TTFields treatment reduced cell count, increased overall effect, and elevated apoptosis. Carboplatin, olaparib, and niraparib exhibited dose-dependent effects in all cell lines. When TTFields were applied together with these drugs, a synergistic interaction was observed in the BRCA wild-type A2780 cells and platinum-resistant A2780cis cells, while an additive effect was noted in the BRCA mutant OVCAR-3 cells. Conclusions: This data implies potential advantages for TTFields concomitant with platinum-based chemotherapy and PARPi in ovarian cancer, even without underlying BRCA mutations. This aligns with the BRCAness state induced by TTFields and suggests a benefit in platinum resistant cancer. Overall, TTFields may augment the efficacy of ovarian cancer treatment in both adjuvant and maintenance settings. Citation Format: Antonia Martinez-Conde, Hila Ene, Kerem Ben-Meir, Roni Frechtel-Gerzi, Eyal Dor-On, Adi Haber, Moshe Giladi, Uri Weinberg, Yoram Palti. Preclinical efficacy of Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields) applied with PARP inhibitors or carboplatin in ovarian cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: DNA Damage Repair: From Basic Science to Future Clinical Application; 2024 Jan 9-11; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(1 Suppl):Abstract nr B027.

Abstract The appearance of quantum computing in the short foreseeable future and its capability to break conventional cryptographic algorithms forces to change the paradigm of secure real‐time communications. Thus, government organizations, data centers, and enterprises among others are migrating their public key infrastructure towards using post‐quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms in order to mitigate the security threats posed by quantum computers. This letter presents the first quantum resilient secure end‐to‐end communication link based on PQC algorithms operating between two data‐processing units DPU. Both data‐processing units employ on‐board ARM processors to perform the computationally expensive cryptographic building blocks—in that case CRYSTALS‐Kyber as a key encapsulation mechanism and CRYSTALS‐Dilithium for digital signature scheme in combination with advanced encryption standard with 256‐bit key.

Edge computing is envisioned as a key enabler in future cellular networks by bringing the computing, networking and storage resources closer to the end users and enabling offloading for computation-intensive or latency-critical tasks coming from the emerging 5G/6G applications. Such technology also introduces additional challenges when it comes to deciding when to offload or not since the dynamic wireless environment plays a significant role in the overall communication and computation costs when offloading workload to the nearby edge nodes. In this paper, we focus on the communication cost in computation offloading via wireless channels, by formulating an <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\alpha$</tex> -fair utility-based radio resource allocation (RRA) problem tailored for offloading in a multi-user urban scenario where the uplink connection is the main focus. We begin by modeling the wireless channel with large- and small-scale fading at both lower and millimetre-wave frequencies, followed by data rate calculation based on 3GPP for a more realistic approach. Then, while assessing the fairness of the RRA, we simulate the resource allocation framework while taking into account both users who need to offload and users who are only interested in high downlink data rates. Simulation results show that the weighted proportional fairness method adapted for computation offloading can provide a good trade-off between fairness and performance compared to other benchmark schemes.

A 224-Gb/s pulse amplitude modulation 4-level (PAM4) ADC-based SerDes receiver (RX) is implemented in a 5-nm FinFET process. The RX consists of a low-noise hybrid analog front-end (AFE) that incorporates both inductive peaking and source degeneration, a 64-way time-interleaved ADC, digital equalization consisting of an up to 30 tap feed-forward equalizer (FFE), optional decision-feedback equalizer (DFE), and a clock-data-recovery (CDR) loop utilizing a 14-GHz digitally controlled oscillator (DCO). The RX was characterized for medium-to-long reach channels (20.6-, 27-, 31.4-, and 38-dB insertion loss at Nyquist) with a corresponding pre-forward error correction (FEC) bit error rates of 1.9E-11, 5.2E-10, 1.2E-8, and 6E-7, respectively. The analog power consumption of the RX is 1.41 pJ/b.