The Hyperion system: Compiling multithreaded Java bytecode for distributed execution

A preliminary version of this work has been presented as a Distinguished Paper at the Euro-Par 2000 Conference, Munich, Germany, August 2000.International audienceOur work combines Java compilation to native code with a runtime library that executes Java threads in a distributed memory environment. This allows a Java programmer to view a cluster of processors as executing a single JAVA virtual machine. The separate processors are simply resources for executing Java threads with true parallelism, and the run-time system provides the illusion of a shared memory on top of the private memories of the processors. The environment we present is available on top of several UNIX systems and can use a large variety of communication interfaces thanks to the high portability of its run time system. To evaluate our approach, we compare serial C, serial Java, and multithreaded Java implementations of a branch and-bound solution to the minimal-cost map-coloring problem. All measurements have been carried out on two platforms using two different communication interfaces: SISCI/SCI and MPI BIP/Myrinet

A meta-analysis of social skills training and related interventions for psychosis

Objective Evidence suggests that social skills training (SST) is an efficacious intervention for negative symptoms in psychosis, whereas evidence of efficacy in other psychosis symptom domains is limited. The current article reports a comprehensive meta-analytic review of the evidence for SST across relevant outcome measures, control comparisons, and follow-up assessments. The secondary aim of this study was to identify and investigate the efficacy of SST subtypes. Methods A systematic literature search identified 27 randomized controlled trials including N = 1437 participants. Trials assessing SST against active controls, treatment-as-usual (TAU), and waiting list control were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. A series of 70 meta-analytic comparisons provided effect sizes in Hedges’ g. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed. Results SST demonstrated superiority over TAU (g = 0.3), active controls (g = 0.2–0.3), and comparators pooled (g = 0.2–0.3) for negative symptoms, and over TAU (g = 0.4) and comparators pooled (g = 0.3) for general psychopathology. Superiority was indicated in a proportion of comparisons for all symptoms pooled and social outcome measures. SST subtype comparisons were underpowered, although social-cognitive approaches demonstrated superiority vs comparators pooled. SST treatment effects were maintained at proportion of follow-up comparisons. Conclusions SST demonstrates a magnitude of effect for negative symptoms similar to those commonly reported for cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for positive symptoms, although unlike CBT, SST is not routinely recommended in treatment guidelines for psychological intervention. SST may have potential for wider implementation. Further stringent effectiveness research alongside wider pilot implementation of SST in community mental health teams is warranted

Implementing Java consistency using a generic multithreaded DSM runtime system

International audienceThis paper describes the implementation of Hyperion, an environment for executing Java programs on clusters of computers. To provide high performance, the environment compiles Java bytecode to native code and supports the concurrent execution of Java threads on multiple nodes of a cluster. The implementation uses the PM2 distributed, multithreaded runtime system. PM2 provides light weight threads and efficient inter-node communication. It also includes a generic, distributed shared memory layer (DSM-PM2) which allows the efficient and flexible implementation of the Java memory consistency model. This paper includes preliminary performance figures for our implementation of Hyperion/PM2 on clusters of Linux machines connected by SCI and Myrinet

individual participant data meta-analysis of randomised trials study protocol

Introduction Parenteral anticoagulants may improve outcomes in patients with cancer by reducing risk of venous thromboembolic disease and through a direct antitumour effect. Study-level systematic reviews indicate a reduction in venous thromboembolism and provide moderate confidence that a small survival benefit exists. It remains unclear if any patient subgroups experience potential benefits. Methods and analysis First, we will perform a comprehensive systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library, hand search scientific conference abstracts and check clinical trials registries for randomised control trials of participants with solid cancers who are administered parenteral anticoagulants. We anticipate identifying at least 15 trials, exceeding 9000 participants. Second, we will perform an individual participant data meta-analysis to explore the magnitude of survival benefit and address whether subgroups of patients are more likely to benefit from parenteral anticoagulants. All analyses will follow the intention-to- treat principle. For our primary outcome, mortality, we will use multivariable hierarchical models with patient-level variables as fixed effects and a categorical trial variable as a random effect. We will adjust analysis for important prognostic characteristics. To investigate whether intervention effects vary by predefined subgroups of patients, we will test interaction terms in the statistical model. Furthermore, we will develop a risk-prediction model for venous thromboembolism, with a focus on control patients of randomised trials. Ethics and dissemination Aside from maintaining participant anonymity, there are no major ethical concerns. This will be the first individual participant data meta-analysis addressing heparin use among patients with cancer and will directly influence recommendations in clinical practice guidelines. Major cancer guideline development organisations will use eventual results to inform their guideline recommendations. Several knowledge users will disseminate results through presentations at clinical rounds as well as national and international conferences. We will prepare an evidence brief and facilitate dialogue to engage policymakers and stakeholders in acting on findings. Trial registration number PROSPERO CRD4201300352

Review Section : Nature/Nurture Revisited I

Biologically oriented approaches to the study of human conflict have thus far been limited largely to the study of aggression. A sample of the literature on this topic is reviewed, drawing upon four major approaches: comparative psychology, ethology (including some popularized accounts), evolutionary-based theories, and several areas of human physiology. More sophisticated relationships between so-called "innate" and "acquired" determinants of behavior are discussed, along with the proper relevance of animal behavior studies for human behavior. Unless contained in a comprehensive theory which includes social and psychological variables, biolog ically oriented theories (although often valid within their domain) offer at best severely limited and at worst highly misleading explanations of complex social conflicts. The review concludes with a list of several positive contributions of these biological approaches and suggests that social scientists must become more knowledgeable about them.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/68270/2/10.1177_002200277401800206.pd