Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scalability of microkernel-based systems

Microkernel-based systems divide the operating system functionality into individual and isolated components. The system components are subject to applicationclass protection and isolation. This structuring method has a number of benefits, such as fault isolation between system components, safe extensibility, co-existence of different policies, and isolation between mutually distrusting components. However, such strict isolation limits the information flow between subsystems including information that is essential for performance and scalability in multiprocessor systems. Semantically richer kernel abstractions scale at the cost of generality and minimality–two desired properties of a microkernel. I propose an architecture that allows for dynamic adjustment of scalability-relevant parameters in a general, flexible, and safe manner. I introduce isolation boundaries for microkernel resources and the system processors. The boundaries are controlled at user-level. Operating system components and applications can transform their semantic information into three basic parameters relevant for scalability: the involved processors (depending on their relation and interconnect), degree of concurrency, and groups of resources. I developed a set of mechanisms that allow a kernel to: 1. efficiently track processors on a per-resource basis with support for very large number of processors, 2. dynamically and safely adjust lock primitives at runtime, including full deactivation of kernel locks in the case of no concurrency, 3. dynamically and safely adjust locking granularity at runtime, 4. provide a scalable translation-look-aside buffer (TLB) coherency algorithm that uses versions to minimize interprocessor interference for concurrent memory resource re-allocations, and 5. efficiently track and communicate resource usage in a component-based operating system. Based on my architecture, it is possible to efficiently co-host multiple isolated, independent, and loosely coupled systems on larger multiprocessor systems, and also to fine-tune individual subsystems of a system that have different and potentially conflicting scalability and performance requirements. I describe the application of my techniques to a real system: L4Ka::Pistachio, the latest variant of an L4 microkernel. L4Ka::Pistachio is used in a variety of research and industry projects. Introducing a new dimension to a system — parallelism of multiprocessors — naturally introduces new complexity and overheads. I evaluate my solutions by comparing with the most challenging competitor: the uniprocessor variant of the very same and highly optimized microkernel.
Page decomposition and signature finding via shape classification and geometric layout

Consider the problem of decomposing a page image into text ruling lines, signatures, other line art, and other material. A fast classifier based on a skeletonization of the image and various curve-fitting techniques gives an initial labeling, followed by Baird's language-free layout analysis and a post-processor that uses the geometric layout to refine the decisions about text versus non-text.
Choices and rights: eugenics, genetics and disability equality.

Pre-natal screening is a highly contentious ethical and political issue. The paper discusses aspects of the debate, and focuses on the context in which reproductive decisions are taken and the lack of a disabled voice in genetic policy. Eugenic aspects of the practice of genetics, particularly surrounding the role of professionals and the notion of consent, are explored. The paper concludes with recommendations on a disability equality approach to genetics and obstetrics.
Self-reported pain associated with the use of intermaxillary elastics compared to pain experienced after initial archwire placement.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the pain during the use of intermaxillary elastics and to compare it with that of initial archwire placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixteen orthodontic patients who underwent initial bonding (7 girls, 13 boys; mean age 16.75 ± 2.61 years) and 19 patients who would be using intermaxillary elastics for the first time (13 girls, 7 boys; mean age 16.21 ± 3.01 years) were enrolled in this prospective study. A visual analog scale form was given to each patient to measure the pain levels, and these were measured by the same investigator using a digital caliper. Data were evaluated using Mann Whitney U-test. RESULTS The pain started to increase 2 hours after the application of elastics. The highest levels were achieved at the sixth hour and the same night. The pain levels started to decrease at day 2. Although the pain levels of the elastic group started to decrease after the second day, the pain levels of the initial bonding group were still significantly high. CONCLUSIONS Intermaxillary elastics cause similar amounts of pain compared with initial archwire placement, but the pain of the elastics did not last as long as the pain felt after initial bonding.
Exchange specificities of supplier relationship-building behaviours : the Japanese perspective

This study investigates three types of supplier relationship-building behaviours (responding, alerting, and initiating behaviours) in a structural equation model data collected from 118 Japanese sample firms. It found unique procurement contextspecificities of each behaviour. Building on the findings, we present some operational guidelines for marketing managers on the when’s of each relationship-building behaviour for suppliers’ pursuit of a successful CBSR.
Multiple gene genealogies reveal asymmetrical hybridization and introgression among strongylocentrotid sea urchins

The evolution of incompatibilities between eggs and sperm is thought to play important roles in establishing and maintaining reproductive isolation among species of broadcast‐spawning marine invertebrates. However, the effectiveness of gametic isolation in initiating the speciation process and/or in limiting the introgression of genes among species at later stages of divergence remains largely unknown. In the present study, we collected DNA sequence data from five loci in four species of Strongylocentrotus sea urchins (S. droebachiensis, S. pallidus, S. purpuratus, and S. franciscanus) to test whether the susceptibility of S. droebachiensis eggs to fertilization by heterospecific sperm results in gene flow between species. Despite the potential for introgression, a small but statistically significant signal of introgression was observed only between the youngest pair of sister taxa (S. pallidus and S. droebachiensis) that was strongly asymmetrical (from the former into the latter). No significant gene flow was observed for either S. purpuratus or S. franciscanus despite the ability of their sperm to readily fertilize the eggs of S. droebachiensis. Our results demonstrate that asymmetrical gamete compatibilities in strongylocentrotids can give rise to asymmetrical patterns of introgression but suggest that gamete traits alone cannot be responsible for maintaining species integrities. The genetic boundaries between strongylocentrotid urchin species in the northeast Pacific appear to be related to postzygotic isolating mechanisms that scale with divergence times and not intrinsic gametic incompatibilities per se.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in epileptic pediatric patients: review of the experience in Ramathibodi Hospital.

OBJECTIVE To review a series of epileptic children referred for MR imaging and correlate the structural abnormalities from the MRI findings with clinical data and EEG. MATERIAL AND METHOD Retrospective review of MRI of the brain performed in children, aged less than 15 years with epilepsy at Ramathibodi Hospital from January 1999 to December 2002 was done. There were 100 children (57 girls, 43 boys) with epilepsy, age range from one month to 14 years, mean 7 years and 5 months. Diagnosis of seizure type and epilepsy were classified according to clinical presentation and EEG. RESULTS There were 16 children with primary generalized seizure, 79 children with partial or complex partial seizures with or without secondary generalization. The remaining 5 children had a specific syndrome. The most common etiology of all patients was congenital disease, especially cortical dysplasia. Among children with partial with or without generalization, cortical dysplasia was the most common finding (31%). Mesial temporal sclerosis and combined cortical dysplasia with mesial temporal sclerosis were found in 24% and 13.9%, respectively. Most of the disease categories showed significant concordance of the EEG to the MRI findings, except infectious disease. CONCLUSION The most common etiology of epilepsy in children under 15 years old was cortical dysplasia. For children with partial or complex partial seizure, cortical dysplasia was the most common etiology followed by mesial temporal sclerosis and combined cortical dysplasia with mesial temporal sclerosis, respectively. MRI provides precise etiologic classifications of epilepsy.
Competing Styles of Statistical Mechanics: II. Comparison of Theory and Experiment and Further Illustrations

In the present follow-up article of a previous one [1] we illustrate the use of the Unconventional Statistical Mechanics described and discussed in the latter. This is done via the analysis, resorting to Renyi approach, of experimental results in the case of so-called "anomalous" luminescence in nanometric quantum wells in semiconductor heterostructures, and the so-called "anomalous" cyclic voltammetry in fractal-like electrodes in microbatteries. Also a purely theoretical analysis is done in the cases of an ideal gas and of radiation comparing the conventional and unconventional approaches. In all of these situations it is discussed which is the failure to satisfy the Criteria of Efficiency and/or Sufficiency thus requiring to resort to the unconventional approach, and what determines the value of the infoentropic index in each case, and its dependence on the system characteristics. Moreover, on the basis of the results we obtain, it is conjectured that the infoentropic index may satisfy what we call a law defining a "path to sufficiency". PACS: 05.70. Ln; 82.20. Mj; 82.20. Db Keywords: Renyi Statistics; Escort Probability; Fractal Structured Systems; Power Law Properties.
Regulatory T cells suppress tumor-specific CD8 T cell cytotoxicity through TGF-β signals in vivo

Cancer patients can harbor significant numbers of CD8 and CD4 T cells with specificities to tumor antigens (Ags). Yet, in most cases, such T cells fail to eradicate the tumor in vivo. Here, we investigated the interference of Ag-specific CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg) with the tumor-specific CD8 T cell immune response in vivo, by monitoring the homing, expansion, and effector function of both subsets in draining and nondraining lymph nodes. The results show that CD8 cells expand to the same extent and produce similar levels of IFN-γ in the presence or absence of Ag-specific Treg. Nevertheless, these Treg abrogate CD8 T cell-mediated tumor rejection by specifically suppressing the cytotoxicity of expanded CD8 cells. The molecular mechanism of suppression involves TGF-β because expression of a dominant-negative TGF-β receptor by tumor-specific CD8 cells renders them resistant to suppression and is associated with tumor rejection and unimpaired cytotoxicity.
Recovery mechanism for latency misprediction

Signalling result availability from the functional units to the instruction scheduler can increase the cycle time and/or the effective latency of the instructions. The knowledge of all instruction latencies would allow the instruction scheduler to operate without the need for external signalling. However, the latency of some instructions is unknown; but, the scheduler can optimistically predict the latency of these instructions and speculatively issue their dependent instructions. Although prediction techniques have great performance potential, their gain can vanish due to misprediction handling. For instance, holding speculatively scheduled instructions in the issue queue reduces its capacity to lookahead for independent instructions. The paper evaluates a recovery mechanism for latency mispredictions that retains the speculatively issued instructions in a structure apart from the issue queue: the recovery buffer. When data becomes available after a latency misprediction, the dependent instructions will be re-issued from the recovery buffer. Moreover in order to simplify the reissue logic of the recovery buffer, the instructions will be recorded in issue order. On mispredictions, the recovery buffer increases the effective capacity of the issue queue to hold instructions waiting for operands. Our evaluations in integer benchmarks show that the recovery buffer mechanism reduces issue-queue size requirements by about 20-25%. Also, this mechanism is less sensitive to the verification delay than the recovery mechanism that retains the instructions in the issue queue.
Multicode STBC in Frequency Selective Fading

Multicode operation in space-time block coded (STBC) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems can provide additional degrees of freedom in code domain to achieve high data rates. In such multicode STBC systems, the receiver experiences code domain interference (CDI) in frequency selective fading. In this paper, we propose a linear parallel interference cancellation (LPIC) approach to cancel the CDI in multicode STBC signals in frequency selective fading. The proposed detector first performs LPIC followed by STBC decoding. We present an SINK for the proposed detector. We evaluate the bit error rate (BER) performance of the system, and show that the proposed detector effectively cancels the CDI and achieves improved error performance. Our BER results further illustrate how the combined effect of interference cancellation, transmit diversity, and RAKE diversity affects the performance of the system.
Identity regulation in neo-liberal societies: Constructing the ‘occupationally disabled’ individual

This article studies the formation and regulation of individual identities among a group of people who after long periods of unemployment are put in a specialized work program for so called ‘occupationally disabled’ individuals. In contrast to its official aim to activate and rehabilitate participants back to the labour market, the study suggests that the work program constitutes the participants as passive and unable to meet the criteria of employability on the labour market. The term ‘occupationally disabled’ emerges not as a medical label referring to already existing, inner characteristic of the individuals concerned, but as an identity that they take on as they pass through the work program. The article contributes to existing research of the formation and regulation of individual identities in organizations in two regards: first, by showing how medicine participates in the formation and regulation of individual identities in organizations, and second, by relating the formation and regulation of individual identities to broader societal issues concerning neoliberal government. Our study suggests that there is a tendency in neo-liberal societies to combine medical and economic expertise into a ‘medico-economic discourse’ within which issues concerning individuals’ activity and agency are transformed into matters of illness and disability. That is, whereas active and self-governing individuals are governed as parts of a high-performing segment of the working population, our study suggests that passive and dependent individuals tend to be governed not just as parts of a low performing segment of the working population, but also as a disabled segment.
Effect of levodopa on cognitive function in Parkinson’s disease with and without dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies

Background: Levodopa (L-dopa) is the gold standard treatment for Parkinson’s disease, but a lack of clear efficacy combined with a perceived liability to neuropsychiatric side effects has limited L-dopa use in patients with parkinsonism and dementia. Therefore, the effect of L-dopa on the cognitive profile of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease with dementia (PDD) is unclear. Aim: To ascertain the acute and long-term effects of L-dopa on aspects of attention and cognition in patients with DLB and PDD, and to compare these with the effects in Parkinson’s disease. Method: Baseline cognitive and motor function was assessed off L-dopa in patients with Parkinson’s disease (n = 22), PDD (n = 27) and DLB (n = 11) using standard “bedside” measures and a computerised programme detecting reaction times and accuracy. All patients then underwent an acute L-dopa challenge with subsequent subjective and objective analysis of alertness, verbal recall, reaction times and accuracy. The same parameters were measured after 3 months on L-dopa to assess the prolonged effect. Results: Acute L-dopa challenge considerably improved motor function and subjective alertness in all patients without compromising either reaction times or accuracy, but increased fluctuations were noted in both groups with dementia. Neuropsychiatric scores improved in patients with Parkinson’s disease both with and without dementia on L-dopa at 3 months. Although patients with Parkinson’s disease also had better mean global cognitive function at this time, mean verbal attention and memory deteriorated, and patients with PDD had slower reaction times in some tests. No patient had a marked deterioration over this time. Patients with DLB did not experience any adverse cognitive or neuropsychiatric effects after 3 months of L-dopa treatment. Conclusion: The use of L-dopa in patients with parkinsonism with dementia does not adversely affect cognitive function.
Trace Elements in Ovaries: Measurement and Physiology1

ABSTRACT Traditionally, research in the field of trace element biology and human and animal health has largely depended on epidemiological methods to demonstrate involvement in biological processes. These studies were typically followed by trace element supplementation trials or attempts at identification of the biochemical pathways involved. With the discovery of biological molecules that contain the trace elements, such as matrix metalloproteinases containing zinc (Zn), cytochrome P450 enzymes containing iron (Fe), and selenoproteins containing selenium (Se), much of the current research focuses on these molecules, and, hence, only indirectly on trace elements themselves. This review focuses largely on two synchrotron-based x-ray techniques: X-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray fluorescence imaging that can be used to identify the in situ speciation and distribution of trace elements in tissues, using our recent studies of bovine ovaries, where the distribution of Fe, Se, Zn, and bromine were determined. It also discusses the value of other techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, used to garner information about the concentrations and elemental state of the trace elements. These applications to measure trace elemental distributions in bovine ovaries at high resolutions provide new insights into possible roles for trace elements in the ovary.
1 Identification of Potentially Human-pathogenic Enterocytozoon bieneusi Genotypes 1 in Various Birds 2 3 Running title : Microsporidia in birds 4

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Unidade de Protozoários Oportunistas/VIH e 16 outras Protozooses, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Rua da Junqueira, 96, 17 1349-008 Lisboa-Portugal. Phone: (351) 21-363-2600. Fax: (351)-21-363-2105. E-mail: 18 omatos@ihmt.unl. pt 19 20 AC CE PT ED Copyright © 2006, American Society for Microbiology and/or the Listed Authors/Institutions. All Rights Reserved. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. doi:10.1128/AEM.01394-06 AEM Accepts, published online ahead of print on 25 August 2006
Distance- and Rank-based Music Mainstreaminess Measurement

A music listener's mainstreaminess indicates the extent to which her listening preferences correspond to those of the population at large. However, formal definitions to quantify the level of mainstreaminess of a listener are rare and those available define mainstreaminess based on fractions between some kind of individual and global listening profiles. We argue, in contrast, that measures based on a modified version of the well-established Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence as well as rank-order correlation coefficient may be better suited to capture the mainstreaminess of listeners. We therefore propose two measures adopting KL divergence and rank-order correlation and show, on a real-world dataset of over one billion user-generated listening events (LFM-1b), that music recommender systems can notably benefit when grouping users according to their level of mainstreaminess with respect to these two measures. This particularly holds for the frequently neglected listener group which is characterized by low mainstreaminess.
Phonological Constraints and Morphological Preprocessing for Grapheme-to-Phoneme Conversion

Grapheme-to-phoneme conversion (g2p) is a core component of any text-to-speech system. We show that adding simple syllabification and stress assignment constraints, namely ‘one nucleus per syllable’ and ‘one main stress per word’, to a joint n-gram model for g2p conversion leads to a dramatic improvement in conversion accuracy. Secondly, we assessed morphological preprocessing for g2p conversion. While morphological information has been incorporated in some past systems, its contribution has never been quantitatively assessed for German. We compare the relevance of morphological preprocessing with respect to the morphological segmentation method, training set size, the g2p conversion algorithm, and two languages, English and German.
The effect of network mixing patterns on epidemic dynamics and the efficacy of disease contact tracing

In networks, nodes may preferentially contact other nodes with similar (assortatively mixed) or dissimilar (disassortatively mixed) numbers of contacts. Different patterns of contact support different epidemic dynamics, potentially affecting the efficacy of control measures such as contact tracing, which aims to identify and isolate nodes with infectious contacts. We used stochastic simulations to investigate the effects of mixing patterns on epidemic dynamics and contact-tracing efficacy. For uncontrolled epidemics, outbreaks occur at lower infection rates for more assortatively mixed networks, with faster initial epidemic growth rate and shorter epidemic duration than for disassortatively mixed networks. Contact tracing performs better for assortative mixing where epidemic size is large and tracing rate low, but it performs better for disassortative mixing at higher contact rates. For assortatively mixed networks, disease spreads first to highly connected nodes, but this is balanced by contact tracing quickly identifying these same nodes. The converse is true for disassortative mixing, where both disease and tracing are less likely to target highly connected nodes. For small epidemics, contact tracing is more effective on disassortative networks due to the greater resilience of assortative networks to link removal. Multi-step contact tracing is more effective than single-step tracing for assortative mixing, but this effect is smaller for disassortatively mixed networks.