ReTiF: A declarative real-time scheduling framework for POSIX systems

This paper proposes a novel framework providing a declarative interface to access real-time process scheduling services available in an operating system kernel. The main idea is to let applications declare their temporal requirements or characteristics without knowing exactly which underlying scheduling algorithms are offered by the system. The proposed framework can adequately handle such a set of heterogeneous requirements configuring the platform and partitioning the requests among the available multitude of cores, so to exploit the various scheduling disciplines that are available in the kernel, matching application requirements in the best possible way. The framework is realized with a modular architecture in which different plugins handle independently certain real-time scheduling features. The architecture is designed to make its behavior customization easier and enhance the support for other operating systems by introducing and configuring additional plugins

ERBB2 mRNA as predictor of response to anti-HER2 antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) in breast cancer (BC)

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Effects of macroscopic polarization in III-V nitride multi-quantum-wells

Huge built-in electric fields have been predicted to exist in wurtzite III-V nitrides thin films and multilayers. Such fields originate from heterointerface discontinuities of the macroscopic bulk polarization of the nitrides. Here we discuss the background theory, the role of spontaneous polarization in this context, and the practical implications of built-in polarization fields in nitride nanostructures. To support our arguments, we present detailed self-consistent tight-binding simulations of typical nitride QW structures in which polarization effects are dominant.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures, uses revtex/epsf. submitted to PR

Imaging of SNR IC443 and W44 with the Sardinia Radio Telescope at 1.5 GHz and 7 GHz

Observations of supernova remnants (SNRs) are a powerful tool for investigating the later stages of stellar evolution, the properties of the ambient interstellar medium, and the physics of particle acceleration and shocks. For a fraction of SNRs, multi-wavelength coverage from radio to ultra high-energies has been provided, constraining their contributions to the production of Galactic cosmic rays. Although radio emission is the most common identifier of SNRs and a prime probe for refining models, high-resolution images at frequencies above 5 GHz are surprisingly lacking, even for bright and well-known SNRs such as IC443 and W44. In the frameworks of the Astronomical Validation and Early Science Program with the 64-m single-dish Sardinia Radio Telescope, we provided, for the first time, single-dish deep imaging at 7 GHz of the IC443 and W44 complexes coupled with spatially-resolved spectra in the 1.5-7 GHz frequency range. Our images were obtained through on-the-fly mapping techniques, providing antenna beam oversampling and resulting in accurate continuum flux density measurements. The integrated flux densities associated with IC443 are S_1.5GHz = 134 +/- 4 Jy and S_7GHz = 67 +/- 3 Jy. For W44, we measured total flux densities of S_1.5GHz = 214 +/- 6 Jy and S_7GHz = 94 +/- 4 Jy. Spectral index maps provide evidence of a wide physical parameter scatter among different SNR regions: a flat spectrum is observed from the brightest SNR regions at the shock, while steeper spectral indices (up to 0.7) are observed in fainter cooling regions, disentangling in this way different populations and spectra of radio/gamma-ray-emitting electrons in these SNRs.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication to MNRAS on 18 May 201

Physics and chemistry of hydrogen in the vacancies of semiconductors

Hydrogen is well known to cause electrical passivation of lattice vacancies in semiconductors. This effect follows from the chemical passivation of the dangling bonds. Recently it was found that H in the carbon vacancy of SiC forms a three-center bond with two silicon neighbors in the vacancy, and gives rise to a new electrically active state. In this paper we examine hydrogen in the anion vacancies of BN, AlN, and GaN. We find that three-center bonding of H is quite common and follows clear trends in terms of the second-neighbor distance in the lattice, the typical (two-center) hydrogen-host-atom bond length, the electronegativity difference between host atoms and hydrogen, as well as the charge state of the vacancy. Three-center bonding limits the number of H atoms a nitrogen vacancy can capture to two, and prevents electric passivation in GaAs as well

Implementation and assessment of a novel non-clinical skills curriculum for urology residents

BackgroundUrology is an increasingly competitive specialty that procures a highly selected and clinically excellent cohort of residents. However, other training needs such as leadership and professional development go underrecognized despite an identified need for formal training in these areas. The aim of this study was to implement, evaluate, and pilot a non-clinical skills curriculum, a novel individualized professional development workshop series, at a single institution.MethodsEighteen urology residents (15/year, 3 graduates/year) participated in this study over the course of two academic years. A pre-curriculum needs assessment was completed by 15 residents in Year 1 for purposes of curriculum design. The curriculum itself was a series of 1-hour monthly workshops given by an expert speaker on topics relevant to healthcare delivery, leadership and career promotion across various contexts. Survey-based assessments tracked gains in subject knowledge and satisfaction via a pre-post test design.ResultsThe pre-curriculum needs assessment indicated that trainees desired additional instruction in non-clinical skills (ps>0.1) and endorsed formal teaching to ensure success in their future careers (p<0.001). Trainees reported pre- to post-curriculum gains across each individual learning topic (Mean=20%, p<0.001) with an aggregate increase in subject knowledge of 17% for senior residents and 21% for junior residents (p<0.001).ConclusionA non-clinical skills curriculum implemented as a pilot ‘Hidden Curriculum’ for urology trainees was feasible and resulted in significant gains in non-clinical subject knowledge. Workshops were highly rated and trainees reported high satisfaction with the curriculum

Fifty Million Elvis Fans Can’t be Wrong

This essay revisits some classic problems in the philosophy of space and time concerning the counting of possibilities. I argue that we should think that two Newtonian worlds can differ only as to when or where things happen and that general relativistic worlds can differ in something like the same way—the first of these theses being quaintly heterodox, the second baldly heretical, according to the mores of contemporary philosophy of physics

Reciprocity as a foundation of financial economics

This paper argues that the subsistence of the fundamental theorem of contemporary financial mathematics is the ethical concept ‘reciprocity’. The argument is based on identifying an equivalence between the contemporary, and ostensibly ‘value neutral’, Fundamental Theory of Asset Pricing with theories of mathematical probability that emerged in the seventeenth century in the context of the ethical assessment of commercial contracts in a framework of Aristotelian ethics. This observation, the main claim of the paper, is justified on the basis of results from the Ultimatum Game and is analysed within a framework of Pragmatic philosophy. The analysis leads to the explanatory hypothesis that markets are centres of communicative action with reciprocity as a rule of discourse. The purpose of the paper is to reorientate financial economics to emphasise the objectives of cooperation and social cohesion and to this end, we offer specific policy advice

Re‐Thinking the Environment, Cities, and Living Spaces for Public Health Purposes, According with the COVID‐19 Lesson: The LVII Erice Charter

Urban planning is a key tool to promote health in cities. The COVID-19 emergency accelerated several social, environmental, and digital challenges, stressing the importance of some issues regarding housing, urban mobility, green areas, and health service networks, urban health policies, and actions. These issues were the subject of an intensive residential course (the 57th) held in Erice, Sicily, in June 2021 in the “International School of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine G. D’Alessandro”, and the main findings are described here. Methods. Lectures presented the topics, subsequently developed them, and argued them in parallel practical sessions using the World Café technique, since it is well suited for the interaction of participants and the involvement of groups. Results. The World Café provides new insights into how to improve the livability and health of urban spaces, and a set of strategies and actions were proposed for each topic. Discussion and Conclusions. All attendees agreed on the importance of participation in the planning processes, but also on the need for strong political support to ensure the resources needed and a full integration of health with other local policies. A multidisciplinary approach to developing systemic operational capacities and health literacy is considered pivotal to raising awareness and participation