Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Performance Analysis and Optimization of Wireless Heterogeneous Networks

Performance Analysis and Optimization of Wireless Heterogeneous Networks Yicheng Lin Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Toronto 2015 Heterogeneity is becoming a key characteristic of future generations of wireless cellular networks. By deploying different low-power access points in addition to the traditional macro base-stations (BSs), various types of heterogeneous networks (HetNets) can be formed to improve the coverage and transmission rate. Through developing efficient algorithms, analyzing performance and optimizing systems design parameters, this thesis studies three representative HetNet architectures, namely shared relays, multi-tier HetNets, and distributed antenna systems (DAS). Relays utilize an in-band backhaul and have low deployment cost. The first part of the thesis studies a sectorized cellular system with relays and, in particular, focuses on a novel architecture in which each relay is shared by M adjacent cells. We develop a joint user scheduling, resource allocation and beamforming algorithm for shared relaying to maximize the proportionally fair utility, taking into account practical in-band backhaul constraints. The benefit of shared relaying in terms of rate and utility is shown in a system-level simulation. The use of shared wireless medium for the backhaul of relays induces half-duplex loss in relay system, which fundamentally limits the performance gain. Motivated by this fact, the second part of this thesis studies multi-tier HetNets with dedicated wired backhaul. Considering random deployment of BSs, we derive the closed-form mean proportionally fair utility of multi-tier HetNets in both downlink and uplink. The optimal user association and spectrum allocation schemes are obtained by optimizing this utility, and are validated with simulations. In a multi-tier HetNet, BSs typically transmit independently. The third part of the thesis studies a DAS in which distributed antennas are connected via wired backhaul to the central controller and can cooperatively transmit to users. This thesis analyzes the downlink spectral efficiency of DAS where antennas are randomly deployed. We show that for a regular DAS with fixed cell boundaries, selective transmission outperforms blanket transmission in most cases, and the cell-edge spectral efficiency under blanked transmission is upper bounded by a constant. Accounting for random user distribution, the user-centric DAS layout, where no explicit cell boundaries exist, is also analyzed, which is shown to outperform the regular DAS from a network perspective.
Electron-Phonon Coupling and Energy Flow in a Simple Metal beyond the Two-Temperature Approximation

The electron-phonon coupling and the corresponding energy exchange are investigated experimentally and by ab initio theory in nonequilibrium states of the free-electron metal aluminium. The temporal evolution of the atomic mean-squared displacement in laser-excited thin freestanding films is monitored by femtosecond electron diffraction. The electron-phonon coupling strength is obtained for a range of electronic and lattice temperatures from density functional theory molecular dynamics simulations. The electron-phonon coupling parameter extracted from the experimental data in the framework of a twotemperature model (TTM) deviates significantly from the ab initio values. We introduce a nonthermal lattice model (NLM) for describing nonthermal phonon distributions as a sum of thermal distributions of the three phonon branches. The contributions of individual phonon branches to the electron-phonon coupling are considered independently and found to be dominated by longitudinal acoustic phonons. Using all material parameters from first-principles calculations except the phonon-phonon coupling strength, the prediction of the energy transfer from electrons to phonons by the NLM is in excellent agreement with time-resolved diffraction data. Our results suggest that the TTM is insufficient for describing the microscopic energy flow even for simple metals like aluminium and that the determination of the electronphonon coupling constant from time-resolved experiments by means of the TTM leads to incorrect values. In contrast, the NLM describing transient phonon populations by three parameters appears to be a sufficient model for quantitatively describing electron-lattice equilibration in aluminium. We discuss the general applicability of the NLM and provide a criterion for the suitability of the two-temperature approximation for other metals.
Effect of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour on Total Quality Management and Organizational Performance (Case study: Dana Insurance Co.)

This study examines the effect of organizational citizenship behaviour on organizational performance and total quality management. The objective of this study is functional survey in terms of data collection and it uses correlation to analyze data. Reviewing the literature and available models of organizational citizenship behaviour, total quality management and organizational performance, the important variables were identified and the model and hypotheses were developed. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to measure the variables. The studied sample included 217 workers of Dana Insurance, Tehran, selected by simple random sampling method. Test results of hypotheses using structural equation modeling indicate a significant effect of organizational citizenship behavior on components of total quality management as well as a significant effect of these components on organizational performance. Finally, based on the results obtained, suggestions and solutions were presented to the insurance company and future investigators.
Influence of resistant cultivars and crop intervals on clubroot of canola

Abstract: Clubroot, caused by Plasmodiophora brassicae, is an important constraint on canola (Brassica napus) production in Canada. Rotations of clubroot-resistant (CR) canola cultivars in various sequences and planting intervals between canola with non-host crops and fallow periods were evaluated to determine their effects on clubroot severity and P. brassicae resting spore populations under field and micro-plot conditions. Under micro-plot conditions, the rotation sequences including CR canola, continuous fallow, and the non-host barley reduced gall weight by 63%–100% and clubroot severity by 34%–100% compared with continuous planting of susceptible canola. No visible clubroot symptoms developed following continuous fallow or the non-host crop. Under field conditions, clubroot severity was very high (78% disease index) in the continuous susceptible canola sequence. Most of the CR canola rotation sequences significantly reduced clubroot severity by 12%–23%, but continuous fallow, continuous barley, and alternating the CR canola cultivars ‘45H29’ or ‘73-47’ with ‘TC72429-10’ reduced clubroot severity by 32%–36%. A comparison of intervals between canola crops and four cropping sequences (continuous susceptible canola, alternating canola with barley or pea, a 2-yr non-host interval between canola crops, and a 3-yr non-host interval between canola crops) was conducted over 5 yr. A 2- or 3-yr non-host interval improved plant height, plant biomass, and seed yield, and reduced gall mass, P. brassicae propagules in the soil, and clubroot severity. A significant yield increase of more than 3600% was observed in a 3-yr non-host interval.
The Metformin-Induced Changes on BMI, TSH, and Thyroid Hormones Profileof Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the effect of metformin on BMI, TSH, thyroid hormones profile, and some clinical symptoms in 32 women with PCOS. Methods: The patients received metformin at a dose of 500 mg/day which was gradually increased to 1500 mg/day and continued for 3 months. The level of BMI, TSH, T4, and T3 was measured at baseline, 3 months after treatment with metformin and 3 months after drug withdrawal. The association of metformin therapy with prevalence of constipation, hypersomnia, cold intolerance, and dry skin was also determined in these times. Results: Three months after treatment with metformin, mean BMI and TSH was significantly decreased from baseline to 28.34±2.5 kg/m2 and 2.27±0.89 μUI/ml, respectively. There was no significant difference in TSH levels before treatment and 3 months after drug withdrawal. Mean T3 and T4 levels was slightly increased during metformin therapy and significantly decreased after drug withdrawal. Treatment with metformin significantly decreased the prevalence of hypersomnia and dry skin in patients. Conclusion: The effect of metformin on TSH and thyroid hormones profile gives us an idea about the efficacy of metformin as a sole therapy or as an adjuvant in patients with PCOS and subclinical hypothyroidism, respectively.
IN VITRO DEVELOPMENT OF VITRIFIED RABBIT EMBRYOS: EFFECT OF DOE HORMONAL TREATMENTS AND EMBRYO DEVELOPMENTAL STAGES

The effects of donors hormonal treatment and embryo developmental stages on the survival of vitrified rabbit embryos were examined. Thirty six virgin New Zealand White rabbit does aging 6-7 months were divided in two groups. Does in the 1 st group (n=24) were treated with intramuscular injection of 20 µg GnRH/doe for induction of ovulation and artificially inseminated. Does in the 2 nd group (n=12) were treated with subcutaneous injection of 80 IU PMSG/doe and 68 h later with intravenous injection of 50 IU hCG/doe for the induction of superovulation and artificially inseminated following hCG administration. Eight and four does from the 1 st and 2 nd groups respectively were slaughtered in each of 24-26, 48-50 and 72-74 h after insemination for embryo collection. Embryos at various developmental stages were vitrified. Upon de-vitrification, embryos were evaluated for viability as indicated by the morphological appearance and subsequent development in culture medium for 48 h. The percentage of normal embryos vitrified and embryos post-thawing with morphologically normal appearance recovered from GnRH treated does were higher than that obtained from superovulated donors (93.05 vs. 77.43% and 75.86 vs. 67.43%, respectively). Only 63 (36%) of 175 superovulated embryo vitrified was cleaved in vitro post-vitrification compared to 89 (51.15%) of 174 control embryos. No significant differences were observed among embryo developmental stages in the percentage of vitrified normal embryos. The percentages of embryos recovered post-vitrification with morphologically normal appearance were significantly (P<0.05) higher in later developmental stages compared to earlier stages. The best percentage of embryos developed in vitro have been obtained after de-vitrification at the early blastocyst stage, followed by that at compacted morulae and morulae stages, whereas the lower percentage were recorded with embryos vitrified at 2-and 4- cell stages. Markedly high in vitro development rates (84.85-92.31%) were obtained in morulae, compacted morulae and early blastocyst stages in control embryos compared to 63.33-81.48% in embryos produced through superovulation. These results show that treating donor with GnRH achieve the best embryos for cryopreservation and also rabbit embryos at morulae, compacted morulae and early blastocyst stages are appear to be proper candidate stages for cryopreservation.
Universal spectrum for atmospheric aerosol size distribution: Comparison with PCASP-B observations of VOCALS 2008

Atmospheric flows exhibit scale-free fractal fluctuations. A general systems theory based on classical statistical physical concepts visualizes the fractal fluctuations to result from the coexistence of eddy fluctuations in an eddy continuum, the larger scale eddies being the integrated mean of enclosed smaller scale eddies. The model predicts (i) the eddy energy (variance) spectrum and corresponding eddy amplitude probability distribution are quantified by the same universal inverse power law distribution incorporating the golden mean. (ii) The steady state ordered hierarchical growth of atmospheric eddy continuum is associated with maximum entropy production. (iii) atmospheric particulate size spectrum is derived in terms of the model predicted universal inverse power law for atmospheric eddy energy spectrum. Model predictions are in agreement with observations. Universal inverse power law for power spectra of fractal fluctuations rules out linear secular trends in meteorological parameters. Global warming related climate change, if any, will be manifested as intensification of fluctuations of all scales manifested immediately in high frequency fluctuations. The universal aerosol size spectrum presented in this paper may be computed for any location with two measured parameters, namely, the mean volume radius and the total number concentration and may be incorporated in climate models for computation of radiation budget of earth-atmosphere system.
New Evidence on Gay and Lesbian Household Incomes

Using independent data from the Centers for Disease Control, the author tests a key assumption of previous research on gay and lesbian incomes: that same-sex unmarried partner households are, indeed, gay or lesbian. The author shows that this independent data suffers from less severe underreporting of same-sex unmarried partner households than the 1990 Decennial Census. Furthermore, individual level information on sexual behavior and family planning is used to show that these households exhibit sexual behavior that is systematically different from married and different-sex couples and that is consistent with a large body of public health and HIV literature on gay men and lesbians. Finally, the author replicates, confirms, and extends previously published Census-based results on the household income penalty faced by gay male couples, showing that these results are not an artifact of deficient data. He finds similar results for lesbian couples. (JEL "J1", "J3") Copyright 2004 Western Economic Association International.
The surprising place of cognitive psychology in the work of F.A. Hayek

In 1920, when Hayek was a student, he wrote a manuscript on cognitive psychology, which was published in 1952 as The Sensory Order. From the 1920s to the early 1940s Hayek developed his business cycle theory. The perceptions of economic agents play a central part in this theory. Contrary to what one might expect, however, none of the mental mechanisms of his earlier theory on perception and cognition play a part in his economics. The answer to this apparent anomaly lies in the programmatic character of the whole of Hayek's work, and in the specific way in which his ideas evolved. His psychology played a prominent role in the later development of his ideas. If Hayek's psychology influenced his early economics, it did so indirectly, by shaping his methodology. However, there may also be a common influence underlying both Hayek's psychology and his economic methodology.
Satellite-derived products of solar and longwave irradiances used for snowpack modelling in mountainous terrain

Abstract. In mountainous terrain, the snowpack is strongly affected by incoming shortwave and longwave radiation. In this study, a thorough evaluation of the solar and longwave downwelling irradiance products (DSSF and DSLF) derived from the Meteosat Second Generation satellite was undertaken in the French Alps and the Pyrenees. The satellite-derived products were compared with forecast fields from the meteorological model AROME and with analysis fields from the SAFRAN system. A new satellite-derived product (DSLFnew) was developed by combining satellite observations and AROME forecasts. An evaluation against in situ measurements showed lower errors for DSSF than AROME and SAFRAN in terms of solar irradiances. For longwave irradiances, we were not able to select the best product due to contrasted results falling in the range of uncertainty of the sensors. Spatial comparisons of the different datasets over the Alpine and Pyrenean domains highlighted a better representation of the spatial variability of solar fluxes by DSSF and AROME than SAFRAN. We also showed that the altitudinal gradient of longwave irradiance is too strong for DSLFnew and too weak for SAFRAN. These datasets were then used as radiative forcing together with AROME near-surface forecasts to drive distributed snowpack simulations by the model Crocus in the French Alps and the Pyrenees. An evaluation against in situ snow depth measurements showed higher biases when using satellite-derived products, despite their quality. This effect is attributed to some error compensations in the atmospheric forcing and the snowpack model. However, satellite-derived irradiance products are judged beneficial for snowpack modelling in mountains, when the error compensations are solved.
Seeing things differently? The promise of qualitative longitudinal research on the third sector

There has been a rapidly growing interest in longitudinal research methods and dynamic analysis in recent decades. A longitudinal research gaze offers the promise of seeing things differently, and of understanding the dynamic processes involved in social change, of what happens next and why. This paper explores the potential of qualitative longitudinal research for developing understanding of the dynamics of the third sector. The Third Sector Research Centre has embarked upon a qualitative longitudinal study of third sector activities called ‘Real Times’. The paper sets out the thinking behind the study. As well as providing a basic description of the rationale, design and structure of ‘Real Times’, the paper discusses the methodological interest in qualitative longitudinal research in the third sector, the substantive contextual issues the third sector is experiencing as the study takes place, and some of the theoretical thinking involved in the study. In particular it discusses three theoretical ‘imaginings’ which inform the research: the different temporalities involved in the third sector; a ‘relational’ account of the third sector as a contested field; and lastly the idea of strategic action in context.
MSC-Derived Exosomes-Based Therapy for Peripheral Nerve Injury: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy

Although significant advances have been made in synthetic nerve conduits and surgical techniques, complete regeneration following peripheral nerve injury (PNI) remains far from optimized. The repair of PNI is a highly heterogeneous process involving changes in Schwann cell phenotypes, the activation of macrophages, and the reconstruction of the vascular network. At present, the efficacy of MSC-based therapeutic strategies for PNI can be attributed to paracrine secretion. Exosomes, as a product of paracrine secretion, are considered to be an important regulatory mediator. Furthermore, accumulating evidence has demonstrated that exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can shuttle bioactive components (proteins, lipids, mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA, circRNA, and DNA) that participate in almost all of the abovementioned processes. Thus, MSC exosomes may represent a novel therapeutic tool for PNI. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of MSC exosomes related to peripheral nerve repair and provide insights for developing a cell-free MSC therapeutic strategy for PNI.
The Apparent Host Galaxy of PKS 1413+135: Hubble Space Telescope, ASCA, and Very Long Baseline Array Observations

PKS 1413+135 (z = 0.24671) is one of very few radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with an apparent spiral host galaxy. Previous authors have attributed its nearly exponential infrared cutoff to heavy absorption but have been unable to place tight limits on the absorber or its location in the optical galaxy. In addition, doubts remain about the relationship of the AGN to the optical galaxy given the observed lack of reemitted radiation. We present new Hubble Space Telescope (HST), ASCA, and Very Long Baseline Array observations, which throw significant new light on these issues. The HST observations reveal that the active nucleus of PKS 1413+135 has an extremely red color, (V-H) = 6.9 mag, requiring both a spectral turnover at a few microns because of synchrotron aging and an absorbing region the size of a giant molecular cloud. Combining constraints from the HST and ASCA data, we derive an intrinsic column NH = 4.6 × 1022 cm-2 and covering fraction f = 0.12. The spin temperature of the molecular absorption lines found by previous authors suggests that the cloud is located in the disk of the optical galaxy, making our sight line rather unlikely (P ∼ 2 × 10-4). The properties of this region appear typical of large giant molecular clouds in our own Galaxy. The H I absorber appears centered 25 mas away from the nucleus, while the X-ray and nearly all of the molecular absorbers must cover the nucleus, implying a rather complicated geometry and cloud structure, in particular requiring a molecular core along our line of sight to the nucleus. Interestingly, the HST/NICMOS data require the AGN to be decentered relative to the optical galaxy by 13 ± 4 mas. This could be interpreted as suggestive of an AGN location far in the background compared with the optical galaxy, but it can also be explained by obscuration and/or nuclear structure, which is more consistent with the observed lack of multiple images.
Impact of hybridisation in two Cossypha robin-chat species in southern Africa

Chorister Robin-Chat Cossypha dichroa, a South African forest endemic, and Red-capped Robin-Chat C. natalensis, a widely distributed species in African forest and woodland, are inferred to hybridise in areas of sympatry. DNA was extracted from blood samples of C. dichroa (n = 18), C. natalensis (n = 47), and two phenotypic hybrids. The mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene was amplified by PCR and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the sequence data to investigate taxonomic status and putative interspecific hybridisation. Phenotypic hybrids grouped with C. natalensis, suggesting maternal parentage from that species. Intra- and interspecific genetic and geographic distances were compared between C. dichroa and C. natalensis to assess genetic introgression. Seven of the thirteen microsatellite primer pairs developed for C. natalensis cross amplified in C. dichroa. These seven markers were then used for further analysis. STRUCTURE v2.3. 4 was used to assign individuals to a particular genetic cluster and determine any admixture. NEWHYBRIDS v1.1 was used to assign hybrid status to samples beyond the F1 generation. Despite the hybridisation events recorded between C. dichroa and C. natalensis they still form two separate clusters as expected, and two genetic clusters (K=2) were identified using STRUCTURE. These two species are proficient vocal mimics and it is likely that reproductive isolation mechanisms are overcome through vocalisations. Genotypic hybrids are evident in the sampled population and hybridisation and backcrossing across a zone of sympatry is occurring. However, hybridisation is expected to have very little evolutionary influence on the integrity of recently diverged species which retain reproductive isolation across a wide region of sympatry through call distinctness.