Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The design and implementation of microdrivers

Device drivers commonly execute in the kernel to achieve high performance and easy access to kernel services. However, this comes at the price of decreased reliability and increased programming difficulty. Driver programmers are unable to use user-mode development tools and must instead use cumbersome kernel tools. Faults in kernel drivers can cause the entire operating system to crash. User-mode drivers have long been seen as a solution to this problem, but suffer from either poor performance or new interfaces that require a rewrite of existing drivers. This paper introduces the Microdrivers architecture that achieves high performance and compatibility by leaving critical path code in the kernel and moving the rest of the driver code to a user-mode process. This allows data-handling operations critical to I/O performance to run at full speed, while management operations such as initialization and configuration run at reduced speed in user-level. To achieve compatibility, we present DriverSlicer, a tool that splits existing kernel drivers into a kernel-level component and a user-level component using a small number of programmer annotations. Experiments show that as much as 65% of driver code can be removed from the kernel without affecting common-case performance, and that only 1-6 percent of the code requires annotations.
A Review of Temporal Aspects of Hand Gesture Analysis Applied to Discourse Analysis and Natural Conversation

Lately, there has been an increasing interest in hand gesture analysis systems. Recent works have employed pattern recognition techniques and have focused on the development of systems with more natural user interfaces. These systems may use gestures to control interfaces or recognize sign language gestures, which can provide systems with multimodal interaction; or consist in multimodal tools to help psycholinguists to understand new aspects of discourse analysis and to automate laborious tasks. Gestures are characterized by several aspects, mainly by movements and sequence of postures. Since data referring to movements or sequences carry temporal information, this paper presents a literature review about temporal aspects of hand gesture analysis, focusing on applications related to natural conversation and psycholinguistic analysis, using Systematic Literature Review methodology. In our results, we organized works according to type of analysis, methods, highlighting the use of Machine Learning techniques, and applications.
Experimental Comparison of Lock-in and Pulsed Thermography for the Nondestructive Evaluation of Aerospace Materials

Infrared thermography is a nondestructive evaluation technique aimed to the detection of surface temperature variations related to the presence of subsurface defects. Several inspection techniques have been developed over the years with basically two approaches, lock-in thermography and pulsed thermography. These two techniques are based on the principle of heat diffusion and thermal wave reflection, but they differ in the way they are practically implemented. In lock-in thermography (LT), an amplitude modulated heat wave is applied to the inspected specimen in steady state. The presence of an anomaly is revealed by a phase shift between the thermal evolution for a non-defective region and a defective one. In pulsed thermography (PT), on the other hand, the inspected specimen is stimulated by a heat pulse of short duration and the surface thermal evolution is monitored in transient state. In this case, the thermal profiles of defective and non-defective regions on the surface will diverge at a given time, which is related to the defect depth. This paper presents some comparative results obtained with these two techniques for the case of aerospace materials. The advantages and limitations of each technique for both qualitative and quantitative analysis are discussed and illustrated with some examples.
Ownership Structure and Corporate Firm Performance

Corporate Governance deals with the issue, how suppliers of finance to corporations assure themselves of getting a return on their investment. Several Studies have examined the relationship between managerial ownership and firm performance. Using different samples most of the studies provide general support for the argument that increase in managerial ownership increases firm performance. However, these results have been questioned recently. This work examines empirically the effects of ownership structure on the firm performance for a large sample of Indian Corporate Firms, from an ’agency perspective’. We examine the literature on this topic by examining the effect of interactions between corporate, foreign, financial, institutional, and managerial ownership. We provide empirical evidence, which suggests that firm size and age in non-linearly related to the firm performance. Using panel data framework, we show that a large fraction of cross-sectional variation, in performance, found in several studies, is explained by unobserved firm heterogeneity, rather than the share holders holding. We do not find any evidence that the differences in Ownership structure, affect firm performance; after controlling for observed firm characteristics and firm fixed effects. JEL Classification: G32; G34.
The Role of Cysteine Proteinases and their Inhibitors in the Host-Pathogen Cross Talk

Proteinases and their inhibitors play essential functional roles in basic biological processes in both hosts and pathogens. Endo/lysosomal cathepsins participate in immune response in pathogen recognition and elimination. They are essential for both antigen processing and presentation (host adaptive immune response) and activation of endosomal Toll like receptors (innate immune response). Pathogens can produce proteases and also natural inhibitors to subvert the host immune response. Several pathogens are sensed through the intracellular pathogen recognition receptors, but only some of them use the host proteolytic system to escape into the cytosol. In this review, I provide an update on the most recent developments regarding the role of proteinases and their inhibitors in the initiation and regulation of immune responses.
Use of thermo‐coagulation as an alternative treatment modality in a ‘screen‐and‐treat’ programme of cervical screening in rural Malawi

The incidence of cervical cancer in Malawi is the highest in the world and projected to increase in the absence of interventions. Although government policy supports screening using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), screening provision is limited due to lack of infrastructure, trained personnel, and the cost and availability of gas for cryotherapy. Recently, thermo‐coagulation has been acknowledged as a safe and acceptable procedure suitable for low‐resource settings. We introduced thermo‐coagulation for treatment of VIA‐positive lesions as an alternative to cryotherapy within a cervical screening service based on VIA, coupled with appropriate, sustainable pathways of care for women with high‐grade lesions and cancers. Detailed planning was undertaken for VIA clinics, and approvals were obtained from the Ministry of Health, Regional and Village Chiefs. Educational resources were developed. Thermo‐coagulators were introduced into hospital and health centre settings, with theoretical and practical training in safe use and maintenance of equipment. A total of 7,088 previously unscreened women attended VIA clinics between October 2013 and March 2015. Screening clinics were held daily in the hospital and weekly in the health centres. Overall, VIA positivity was 6.1%. Almost 90% received same day treatment in the hospital setting, and 3‐ to 6‐month cure rates of more than 90% are observed. Thermo‐coagulation proved feasible and acceptable in this setting. Effective implementation requires comprehensive training and provider support, ongoing competency assessment, quality assurance and improvement audit. Thermo‐coagulation offers an effective alternative to cryotherapy and encouraged VIA screening of many more women.
THE ROLE OF CLOUD MICROPHYSICS PARAMETERIZATION IN THE SIMULATION OF MESOSCALE CONVECTIVE SYSTEMS AND ANVIL CLOUDS IN THE TROPICAL WESTERN PACIFIC

Notice: This manuscript has been authored by employees of Brookhaven Science Associates, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC0298CH10886 with the U.S. Department of Energy. The publisher by accepting the manuscript for publication acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, world-wide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes.
Self-dual effective action of N = 4 SYM revisited

More evidence is provided for the conjectured correspondence between the D3-brane action in AdS5 × S5 and the low-energy effective action for = 4 SU(N) SYM on its Coulomb branch, where the gauge group SU(N) is spontaneously broken to SU(N−1) × U(1) and the dynamics is described by a single = 2 vector multiplet corresponding to the U(1) factor of the unbroken group. Using an off-shell formulation for = 4 SYM in = 2 harmonic superspace, within the background-field quantization scheme we compute the two-loop quantum correction to a holomorphic sector of the effective action, which is a supersymmetric completion of interactions of the form Ω((F+)2|Y|−4)(F+)2(F−)2|Y|−4, with F± the (anti) self-dual components of the U(1) gauge field strength, and Y the complex scalar belonging to the vector multiplet. In the one-loop approximation, Ω was shown in [13] to be constant. It is demonstrated in the present paper that Ω∝(F+)2|Y|−4 at the two-loop order. The corresponding coefficient proves to agree with the F6 coefficient in the D3-brane action, after implementing the nonlinear field redefinition which was sketched in [4] and which relates the = 2 vector multiplet component fields with those living on the D3-brane. In the approximation considered, our results are consistent with the conjecture of [4] that the = 4 SYM effective action is self-dual under = 2 superfield Legendre transformation, and also with the stronger conjecture of [5] that it is self-dual under supersymmetric U(1) duality rotations.
Does Foreign Ownership Matter? Russian Experience

The paper both compares productivity of Russian firms that have foreign direct investments with productivity of fully domestically owned firms and analyses spillovers from foreign-owned firms to domestic firms. Foreign firms are found to be more productive than domestic ones, but productivity of the former is negatively affected by slow progress of reforms in the regions where they operate. It is also found that there are positive spillovers from foreign-owned firms to domestic firms in the same industry, but negative effects on domestic firms that are vertically related to foreign-owned firms. The stock of human capital in regions where foreign firms operate is one of the factors which help domestic firms to benefit from the entry of foreign firms.
Gravitational waves from an early matter era

We investigate the generation of gravitational waves due to the gravitational instability of primordial density perturbations in an early matter-dominated era which could be detectable by experiments such as laser interferometer gravitational wave observatory (LIGO) and laser interferometer space antenna (LISA). We use relativistic perturbation theory to give analytic estimates of the tensor perturbations generated at second order by linear density perturbations. We find that large enhancement factors with respect to the naive second-order estimate are possible due to the growth of density perturbations on sub-Hubble scales. However very large enhancement factors coincide with a breakdown of linear theory for density perturbations on small scales. To produce a primordial gravitational-wave background that would be detectable with LIGO or LISA from density perturbations in the linear regime requires primordial comoving curvature perturbations on small scales of order 0.02 for advanced LIGO or 0.005 for LISA; otherwise numerical calculations of the nonlinear evolution on sub-Hubble scales are required.
Leveraged Buyouts and Private Equity

We describe and present time series evidence on the leveraged buyout / private equity industry, both firms and transactions. We discuss the existing empirical evidence on the economics of the firms and transactions. We consider similarities and differences between the recent private equity wave and the wave of the 1980s. Finally, we speculate on what the evidence implies for the future of private equity.
A Comparative Study That Measures Ball Mill Load Parameters Through Different Single-Scale and Multiscale Frequency Spectra-Based Approaches

Data-driven modeling based on the shell vibration and acoustic signals of ball mills is normally applied to overcome the subjective errors of human inference. Many previously proposed selective ensemble (SEN) modeling approaches are based on “the manipulation of input features” from the multiinformation fusion perspective, which cannot selectively and jointly fuse the information hidden in multiscale spectral features and under several operating conditions (training samples). Therefore, this study suggests a new soft measuring procedure based on ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and SEN. An improved kernel partial least-squares algorithm for SEN that is based on “subsample training samples” is utilized to construct a soft measuring model with the selected features and training samples. This study compares such data-driven soft measuring methods. The comparative results of bootstrap-based prediction performance estimation show that different methods have specific advantages in terms of simplicity, prediction accuracy, and interpretability. The industrial application of the EEMD-SEN method is discussed in this paper, and a new virtual sample generation method is proposed to address the modeling problem based on small sample spectral data.
Ethics Problems in the New Public Service: Back to a Service Ethic?

This article argues that ethical compliance under the New Public Service presents a number of challenges not readily addressed under the ethical considerations of traditional public administration or the New Public Management. Specifically, citizens have limited capacity as coproducers aside from the traditional democratic role of service requests. Team production problems can arise under such coproductive arrangements that incentivize either shirking or rent-seeking behaviors. These problems, while certainly ethical, have structural priors that must be addressed before a solution can be pursued. The article argues that structural elements are addressed in the changing relationship between the bureaucracy and elected authority, but that a solution to the remaining ethical issues is found in a return to the service ethic.
Impact of Temperature and Humidity on Host–Pathogen Interactions Between Beauveria bassiana and a Coccinellid

We tested the effect of 2 exposure methods and 2 environmental factors, temperature and humidity, on Beauveria bassiana (Deuteromycotina: Hyphomycetes) mycosis in Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). We found that the standard EPA bioassay method of exposing nontarget insects by immersion resulted in a per-insect dose that was 5 times greater than that from spray applications. However, this difference did not significantly affect mycosis levels in a simulation of field applications conducted in the greenhouse. In contrast, differences in environmental conditions between the laboratory and greenhouse had a large effect on mycosis. Constant temperatures between 15 and 35°C had a significant effect on both germination rate and vegetative growth of B. bassiana , with the fastest germination occurring at 25-32°C and the fastest growth occurring at 30°C. Although temperature affected the rate of conidial germination, total germination eventually reached 97-100% at all temperatures. Contrary to these results, levels of mycosis in lady beetles decreased as temperatures increased over this same range. Although high levels of humidity are required for conidial germination, we found no well-defined threshold period of high humidity exposure required for mycosis in this insect. In other words, the effects of temperature and humidity on free-living stages of the pathogen are not sufficient to explain the effect of these factors on mycosis. We suggest that temperature and humidity also affect physiological interactions between the host and pathogen.
Uncertainty Modelling in Automated Concept Formation Flaminia Cavallo

Categorisation and classification are areas that have been well studied in machine learning. However, the use of cognitive theories in psychology as a basis to implement a category formation system designed for creative purposes and based on human behaviour is still largely unexplored. Our aim in this project is to verify how some of the ideas on uncertainty and ambiguity in classification could influence concept classification in an automated theory formation system.
Parental culture maintenance, bilingualism, identity, and well-being in Javanese, Batak, and Chinese adolescents in Indonesia

ABSTRACT We examined the importance of parental culture maintenance behaviour, bilingualism, ethnic identity, and national identity for the well-being of adolescents in multicultural Indonesia. We tested a mediation model in which the link between (perceived) parental culture maintenance behaviour and well-being is mediated through speaking Bahasa at home and national identity on the one hand and speaking the ethnic language at home and ethnic identity on the other hand. Participants were 448 adolescents (261 females) from four Indonesian ethnic groups (Chinese from Java, Chinese from North Sumatra, Batak, and Javanese), aged between 12 and 19 years (Mage = 15.92 years). We found support that parental culture maintenance was positively related to both ethnic and national identity, was correlated to the usage of ethnic language at home, but not correlated to usage of Bahasa Indonesia at home, language usage was not associated with identity; there was no link between parental culture maintenance behaviour and usage of languages at home with well-being, but both national and ethnic identity were positively associated with children’s well-being across groups. We conclude that parental culture maintenance, ethnic identity, and national identity are important for the well-being of adolescents, whereas speaking the language is independent from well-being and ethnic identity.
Tropical Cyclone Simulation and Response to CO2Doubling in the GFDL CM2.5 High-Resolution Coupled Climate Model

AbstractGlobal tropical cyclone (TC) activity is simulated by the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) Climate Model, version 2.5 (CM2.5), which is a fully coupled global climate model with a horizontal resolution of about 50 km for the atmosphere and 25 km for the ocean. The present climate simulation shows a fairly realistic global TC frequency, seasonal cycle, and geographical distribution. The model has some notable biases in regional TC activity, including simulating too few TCs in the North Atlantic. The regional biases in TC activity are associated with simulation biases in the large-scale environment such as sea surface temperature, vertical wind shear, and vertical velocity. Despite these biases, the model simulates the large-scale variations of TC activity induced by El Nino–Southern Oscillation fairly realistically. The response of TC activity in the model to global warming is investigated by comparing the present climate with a CO2 doubling experiment. Globally, TC frequency decreases .
Decreased IRS2 and TIMP3 Expression in Monocytes From Offspring of Type 2 Diabetic Patients Is Correlated With Insulin Resistance and Increased Intima-Media Thickness

OBJECTIVE In humans, it is unclear if insulin resistance at the monocyte level is associated with atherosclerosis in vivo. Here we have studied first-degree relatives of patients with type 2 diabetes to investigate whether a reduction in components of the insulin signal transduction pathways, such as the insulin receptor (InsR) or InsR substrate 1 or 2 (IRS1 or IRS2), or a reduction in genetic modifiers of insulin action, such as the TIMP3/ADAM17 (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3/A disintegrin and metalloprotease domain 17) pathway, is associated with evidence of atherosclerosis. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Insulin sensitivity was analyzed through euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, and subclinical atherosclerosis was analyzed through intimal medial thickness. Monocytes were isolated through magnetic cell sorting, and mRNA and proteins were extracted and analyzed by quantitative PCR and pathscan enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. RESULTS In monocyte cells from human subjects with increased risk for diabetes and atherosclerosis, we found that gene expression, protein levels, and tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS2, but not InsR or IRS1, were decreased. TIMP3 was also reduced, along with insulin resistance, resulting in increased ectodomain shedding activity of the metalloprotease ADAM17. CONCLUSIONS Systemic insulin resistance and subclinical atherosclerosis are associated with decreased IRS2 and TIMP3 expression in circulating monocytes.
Does the Underground Economy Hold Back Financial Deepening? Evidence from the Italian Credit Market

The paper investigates the relationship between underground activities and financial deepening. We find a strong negative impact of the share of irregular employment on outstanding credit to the private sector. A shift of 1 per cent of employees from regular activities to irregular ones corresponds to a decline of 1-2 percentage points in lending and of 0.3 percentage points in outstanding credit to households, both expressed as ratios to GDP. By analysing the 2002 regularisation programme for immigrant workers, we also find that irregular labour has a negative effect on banks' decisions entry into local credit markets. [Il lavoro studia la relazione tra economia sommersa e sviluppo del sistema finanziario. I risultati indicano che la diffusione del lavoro irregolare ha un impatto negativo molto forte sul credito al settore privato. Uno spostamento di un punto percentuale della quota di occupati da attivita' regolari al sommerso corrisponde a un calo dei prestiti in rapporto al valore aggiunto dell'ordine di 1-2 punti percentuali per le imprese e di 0,3 punti per le famiglie. Dall'analisi degli effetti delle misure di regolarizzazione degli immigrati introdotte nel 2002 emerge che l'incidenza del lavoro sommerso ha effetti negativi anche sulle decisioni delle banche di aprire dipendenze nei mercati bancari locali. ]
The formation of plessite in meteoritic metal

Abstract— Plessite is a mixture of body‐centered cubic (bcc) kamacite (α), face‐centered cubic (fcc) taenite (γ), and/or ordered FeNi‐tetrataenite (γ“) phases and is observed in the metal of iron, stony‐iron, and chondritic meteorites. The formation of plessite was studied by measuring the orientation of the bcc and fcc phases over large regions of plessite using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analysis in five ataxites, the Carlton IAB‐IIICD iron, and zoneless plessite metal in the Kernouve H6 chondrite.