67,707 research outputs found
Scalability and Robustness of a Network Resource Allocation System Using Market-Based Agents
No full textIn this paper, we consider issues associated with scalability and robustness in designing a market-based multi-agent system that allocates bandwidth in a communications network. Specifically, an empirical evaluation is carried out to assess the system performance under a variety of design configurations in order to provide an insight into network deployment issues. This extends our previous work in which we developed an application that makes use of market-based software agents that compete in decentralised marketplaces to buy and sell bandwidth resources in a network that is partitioned into regions, each with a separate market server. We investigate the average call success rate and average message load per market server, as the number of markets are scaled up in a fixed size network. The same investigations are performed in the presence of single market failures. Finally, for both the failure and non-failure cases, a trade-off is found between their average call success rates and message load per server in order to find an optimum number of regions to deploy in the network
Scalability and robustness of a market-based network resource allocation system
No full textIn this paper, we consider issues related to scalability and robustness in designing a market-based multi-agent system that allocates bandwidth in a communications network. Specifically, an empirical evaluation is carried out to assess the system performance under a variety of design configurations in order to provide an insight into network deployment issues. This extends our previous work in which we developed an application that makes use of market-based software agents that compete in decentralised marketplaces to buy and sell bandwidth resources. Our new results show that given a light to moderate network traffic load, partitioning the network into a few regions, each with a separate market server, gives a higher call success rate than by using a single market. Moreover, a trade-off in the number of regions was also noted between the average call success rate and the number of messages received per market server. Finally, given the possibility of market failures, we observe that the average call success rates increase with an increasing number of markets until a maximum is reached
Effects of neglecting carrier tunneling on electrostatic potential in calculating direct tunneling gate current in deep submicron MOSFETs
No full textWe investigate the validity of the assumption of neglecting carrier tunneling effects on self-consistent electrostatic potential in calculating direct tunneling gate current in deep submicron MOSFETs. Comparison between simulated and experimental results shows that for accurate modeling of direct tunneling current, tunneling effects on potential profile need to be considered. The relative error in gate current due to neglecting carrier tunneling is higher at higher gate voltages and increases with decreasing oxide thickness. We also study the direct tunneling gate current in MOSFETs with high- gate dielectrics
Resource allocation in communication networks using market-based agents
No full textThis work describes a system that allocates end-to-end bandwidth, in a switched meshed communications network. The solution makes use of market-based software agents that compete in a number of decentralised marketplaces to buy and sell bandwidth resources. Agents perform a distributed depth first search with decentralised markets in order to allocate routes for calls. The approach relies on a resource reservation and commit mechanism in the network. Initial results show that under a light network load, the system sets up a high percentage of calls which is comparable to the optimum value and that, under all network loads, it performs significantly better than a random strategy
Resource allocation in communication networks using market-based agents
No full textThis work describes a system that allocates end-to-end bandwidth, in a switched meshed communications network. The solution makes use of market-based software agents that compete in a number of decentralised marketplaces to buy and sell bandwidth resources. Agents perform a distributed depth first search with decentralised markets in order to allocate routes for calls. The approach relies on a resource reservation and commit mechanism in the network. Initial results show that under a light network load, the system sets up a high percentage of calls which is comparable to the optimum value and that, under all network loads, it performs significantly better than a random strategy
Gate Capacitance of deep submicron MOSFETS with high-K gate dielectrics
No full textWe study gate capacitance of deep submicron MOSFETs with high-K gate dielectrics. Schrödinger’s equation is solved by applying an open boundary condition at silicon-gate dielectric interface. Self-consistent numerical results reveal that accounting for wave function penetration into the gate dielectric causes the carrier distribution to be shifted closer to the gate dielectric. This effect increases with increasing gate voltage and also increases with the decreasing conduction band offset of the gate dielectric material with silicon. Gate capacitance calculated from conventional modeling is found to be independent of dielectric materials for a given equivalent oxide thickness (EOT). But our study shows that when wave function penetration into the gate dielectric is considered, gate capacitance for a given EOT increases with a decrease in the conduction band offset. Effects of substrate doping density on gate capacitance are found to be negligible when wave function penetration effects are incorporated
Computationally efficient quantum-mechanical technique to calculate direct tunnelling gate leakage current in metal-oxide-semiconductor structures
No full textWe propose a computationally efficient, accurate and numerically stable quantum- mechanical technique to calculate the direct tunneling (DT)gate current in metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) structures. Knowledge of the imaginary part G of the complex eigenenergy of the quasi-bound inversion layer states is required to estimate the lifetimes of these states. Exploiting the numerically obtained exponential dependence of G on the thickness of the gate-dielectric layer even in the sub-1-nm-thickness regime, we have simplified the determination of G in devices where it is too small to be calculated directly. It is also shown that the MOS electrostatics, calculated self-consistently with open boundary conditions, is independent of the dielectric layer tickness provided that the other parameters remain unchanged. Utilizing these findings, a computationally efficient and numerically stable method is developed for calculating the tunneling current–gate voltage characteristics. The validity of the proposed model is demonstrated by comparing simulation results with experimental data. Sample calculations for MOS transistors with high-K gate-dielectric materials are also presented. This model is particularly suitable for DT current calculation in devices with thicker gate dielectrics and in device or process characterization from the tunneling current measurement
Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and biological activities of plants of the genus Gynura
No full textEthnopharmacological relevance: The genus Gynura (Compositae) includes around 46 species and is native to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia, Africa and Australia. Many species within this genus are used in ethnomedicine to treat various disorders including skin diseases, injuries, ulcers, wounds, burns, sores, scalds, as well as for the management of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, constipation, rheumatism, bronchitis and inflammation. Aim of the review: This review is an attempt to provide scientific information regarding the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological and toxicological profiles of Gynura species along with the nomenclature, distribution, taxonomy and botanical features of the genus. A critical analysis has been undertaken to understand the current and future pharmaceutical prospects of the genus. Materials & methods: Several electronic databases, including Google scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Semantic Scholar, MEDLINE and CNKI Scholar, were explored as information sources. The Plant List Index was used for taxonomical authentications. SciFinder and PubChem assisted in the verification of chemical structures. Results: A large number of phytochemical analyses on Gynura have revealed the presence of around 342 phytoconstituents including pyrrolizidine alkaloids, phenolic compounds, chromanones, phenylpropanoid glycosides, flavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, steroids, steroidal glycosides, cerebrosides, carotenoids, triterpenes, mono- and sesquiterpenes, norisoprenoids, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides and proteins. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated the pharmacological potential of Gynura species, including antidiabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antihypertensive and anticancer activities. Although the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids within a few species has been associated with possible hepatotoxicity, most of the common species have a good safety profile. Conclusions: The importance of the genus Gynura both as a prominent contributor in ethnomedicinal systems as well as a source of promising bioactive molecules is evident. Only about one fourth of Gynura species have been studied so far. This review aims to provide some scientific basis for future endeavors, including in-depth biological and chemical investigations into already studied species as well as other lesser known species of Gynura
RETHINKING INDUSTRIAL POLICY
No full textDespite the hold of the neoliberal orthodoxy on policy making in developing countries, industrial policy remains important for the promotion of industrial development. However, the context for the design of industrial policy has profoundly changed as a result of new rules governing international trade, the rise of global value chains and marketing networks, and other aspects of globalization. Traditionally, the case for industrial policy has been framed in terms of “market failures” but the paper argues that that is not a sufficient basis. After addressing the traditional points of criticism, an attempt is made to outline the “domains” of industrial policy in the current circumstances, especially for industrially lagging countries. As country contexts differ widely there are no satisfactory blueprints for policy making that countries can readily adopt. As in production decisions, considerable ingenuity and innovation is needed in designing policies. This is all the more necessary as the WTO rules have become increasingly stringent and the rise of international trading networks has created new barriers for young firms to enter the world market. These developments have changed the context but not the importance of policy in industrial development. The paper identifies areas where government intervention is needed and can still make a positive difference.
Suostuttelevat mobiilisovellukset terveellisten elämäntapojen edistämiseen
No full textAbstractPromoting a healthy lifestyle has attracted a significant amount of attention in recent years. This is also the case in workplaces, where the focus on wellbeing at work and changes in personal health behaviours has been raised. Technology-enhanced interventions are a possible solution for motivating people towards healthy lifestyle promotion, such as healthy eating and physical activity (PA). Persuasive applications have been proposed as a promising technique for fostering behavioural change and promoting healthy lifestyles. The major limitation of most existing mobile health (mHealth) applications is that they are not grounded in theoretical concepts. On the other hand, value propositions (VPs) might increase the effectiveness of persuasive applications.This study aimed to develop mHealth behavioural change interventions, that is, persuasive mHealth applications based on psychological theories to promote healthy eating and PA in the workplace. Four VPs were proposed and implemented to enhance the efficacy of the persuasive mHealth application. Elaborated Intrusion (EI) theory was applied to develop a healthy eating application (iCrave) and self-determination theory (SDT) was used to develop a PA application (iGO). iCrave allowed users to track their snack cravings and record whether they chose to eat healthily or unhealthily. iGO allowed users to promote their PA, and to decide whether to select PA after breakfast or lunch. The design of the applications was performed by an iterative User-centered design (UCD) process. The feasibility of the applications was assessed by experimental studies with quantitative and qualitative surveys. The results of the study demonstrate that the design process of the applications was a successful approach and can be used in future persuasive mHealth applications.Original papersOriginal papers are not included in the electronic version of the dissertation.Haque, M. S., Arman, A., Kangas, M., Jämsä, T., & Isomursu, M. (2017). Towards Value Propositions for Persuasive Health and Wellbeing Applications. In Precision Medicine Powered by pHealth and Connected Health (pp. 217–221). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7419-6_36Self-archived versionHsu, A., Yang, J., Yilmaz, Y. H., Haque, M. S., Can, C., & Blandford, A. E. (2014). Persuasive technology for overcoming food cravings and improving snack choices. Proceedings of the 32nd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - CHI ’14. https://doi.org/10.1145/2556288.2557099Haque, M. S., Jämsä, T., & Kangas, M. (2017). A theory-driven system model to promote physical activity in the working environment with a persuasive and gamified application. In M. Meder, A. Rapp, T. Plumbaum, & F. Hopfgartner. Proceedings of the Data-Driven Gamification Design Workshop, MINDTREK 2017, 37–44.Self-archived versionHaque, M. S., Abdullah, W. M., Rahaman, S., Kangas, M., & Jämsä, T. (2016). Persuasive health and wellbeing application: A theory-driven design in promoting physical activity. Presented at the 2016 International Conference on Medical Engineering, Health Informatics and Technology (MediTec). https://doi.org/10.1109/meditec.2016.7835369Self-archived versionHaque, M. S., Isomursu, M., Kangas, M., & Jämsä, T. (2018). Measuring the influence of a persuasive application to promote physical activity. In R. Orji, M. Kaptein, J. Ham, K. Oyibo, & J. Nwokeji. Proceedings of the Personalization in Persuasive Technology Workshop, Persuasive Technology 2018, 43–57.Self-archived versionHaque, M. S., Kangas, M., & Jämsä, T. (2019). Feasibility of a Persuasive mHealth Behavioural Change Intervention in Promoting Physical Activity in the Workplace (Preprint). JMIR Formative Research. https://doi.org/10.2196/15083Self-archived versionTiivistelmäTerveellisten elämäntapojen edistäminen on viime vuosina saanut kasvavaa huomiota. Myös työpaikoilla keskitytään yhä enemmän työhyvinvointiin ja henkilökohtaiseen terveyskäyttäytymiseen. Teknologian avulla tuetut interventiot ovat mahdollisia ratkaisuja motivoida ihmisiä edistämään terveellisiä elämäntapoja, kuten terveellistä ruokailua ja fyysistä aktiivisuutta. Suostuttelevia sovelluksia on ehdotettu lupaavaksi ratkaisuksi käyttäytymisen muutoksen edistämiseksi ja terveellisten elämäntapojen parantamiseksi. Suurin rajoite useimmissa olemassa olevissa terveyteen liittyvissä mobiilisovelluksissa (mHealth) on se, että niillä ei ole teoreettista perustaa. Toisaalta arvoehdotukset voivat lisätä suostuttelevien sovellusten tehokkuutta.Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli kehittää käyttäytymisteorioihin perustuvia suostuttelevia mHealth-sovelluksia terveellisen ruokavalion ja fyysisen aktiivisuuden edistämiseksi työpaikoilla. Työssä toteutettiin neljä arvoehdotusta suostuttelevan mHealth-sovelluksen tehokkuuden parantamiseksi. Elaborated Intrusion (EI) -teoriaa sovellettiin terveellistä syömistä edistävän sovelluksen (iCrave) kehittämiseen ja itsemääritysteoriaa fyysistä aktiivisuutta edistävän sovelluksen (iGO) kehittämiseen. iCrave antoi käyttäjille mahdollisuuden seurata heidän välipalatoiveitaan ja valita terveellisiä tai epäterveellisiä vaihtoehtoja. iGO edisti käyttäjän fyysistä aktiivisuutta kannustamalla liikkumaan joko aamiaisen tai lounaan jälkeen. Sovellukset toteutettiin käyttäen iteratiivista käyttäjäkeskeistä suunnittelua. Sovellusten toimivuus arvioitiin kokeellisissa tutkimusasetelmissa määrällisillä ja laadullisilla kyselytutkimuksilla. Tutkimuksen tulokset osoittavat, että sovellusten suunnitteluprosessi oli onnistunut lähestymistapa, ja sitä voidaan käyttää tulevaisuuden suostuttelevissa mHealth-sovelluksissa.OsajulkaisutOsajulkaisut eivät sisälly väitöskirjan elektroniseen versioon.Haque, M. S., Arman, A., Kangas, M., Jämsä, T., & Isomursu, M. (2017). Towards Value Propositions for Persuasive Health and Wellbeing Applications. In Precision Medicine Powered by pHealth and Connected Health (pp. 217–221). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7419-6_36Rinnakkaistallennettu versioHsu, A., Yang, J., Yilmaz, Y. H., Haque, M. S., Can, C., & Blandford, A. E. (2014). Persuasive technology for overcoming food cravings and improving snack choices. Proceedings of the 32nd Annual ACM Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems - CHI ’14. https://doi.org/10.1145/2556288.2557099Haque, M. S., Jämsä, T., & Kangas, M. (2017). A theory-driven system model to promote physical activity in the working environment with a persuasive and gamified application. In M. Meder, A. Rapp, T. Plumbaum, & F. Hopfgartner. Proceedings of the Data-Driven Gamification Design Workshop, MINDTREK 2017, 37–44.Rinnakkaistallennettu versioHaque, M. S., Abdullah, W. M., Rahaman, S., Kangas, M., & Jämsä, T. (2016). Persuasive health and wellbeing application: A theory-driven design in promoting physical activity. Presented at the 2016 International Conference on Medical Engineering, Health Informatics and Technology (MediTec). https://doi.org/10.1109/meditec.2016.7835369Rinnakkaistallennettu versioHaque, M. S., Isomursu, M., Kangas, M., & Jämsä, T. (2018). Measuring the influence of a persuasive application to promote physical activity. In R. Orji, M. Kaptein, J. Ham, K. Oyibo, & J. Nwokeji. Proceedings of the Personalization in Persuasive Technology Workshop, Persuasive Technology 2018, 43–57.Rinnakkaistallennettu versioHaque, M. S., Kangas, M., & Jämsä, T. (2019). Feasibility of a Persuasive mHealth Behavioural Change Intervention in Promoting Physical Activity in the Workplace (Preprint). JMIR Formative Research. https://doi.org/10.2196/15083Rinnakkaistallennettu versioAcademic dissertation to be presented with the assent of the Doctoral Training Committee of Health and Biosciences of the University of Oulu for public defence in the Leena Palotie auditorium (101A) of the Faculty of Medicine (Aapistie 5 A), on 29 May 2020, at 12 noonAbstract
Promoting a healthy lifestyle has attracted a significant amount of attention in recent years. This is also the case in workplaces, where the focus on wellbeing at work and changes in personal health behaviours has been raised. Technology-enhanced interventions are a possible solution for motivating people towards healthy lifestyle promotion, such as healthy eating and physical activity (PA). Persuasive applications have been proposed as a promising technique for fostering behavioural change and promoting healthy lifestyles. The major limitation of most existing mobile health (mHealth) applications is that they are not grounded in theoretical concepts. On the other hand, value propositions (VPs) might increase the effectiveness of persuasive applications.
This study aimed to develop mHealth behavioural change interventions, that is, persuasive mHealth applications based on psychological theories to promote healthy eating and PA in the workplace. Four VPs were proposed and implemented to enhance the efficacy of the persuasive mHealth application. Elaborated Intrusion (EI) theory was applied to develop a healthy eating application (iCrave) and self-determination theory (SDT) was used to develop a PA application (iGO). iCrave allowed users to track their snack cravings and record whether they chose to eat healthily or unhealthily. iGO allowed users to promote their PA, and to decide whether to select PA after breakfast or lunch. The design of the applications was performed by an iterative User-centered design (UCD) process. The feasibility of the applications was assessed by experimental studies with quantitative and qualitative surveys. The results of the study demonstrate that the design process of the applications was a successful approach and can be used in future persuasive mHealth applications.Tiivistelmä
Terveellisten elämäntapojen edistäminen on viime vuosina saanut kasvavaa huomiota. Myös työpaikoilla keskitytään yhä enemmän työhyvinvointiin ja henkilökohtaiseen terveyskäyttäytymiseen. Teknologian avulla tuetut interventiot ovat mahdollisia ratkaisuja motivoida ihmisiä edistämään terveellisiä elämäntapoja, kuten terveellistä ruokailua ja fyysistä aktiivisuutta. Suostuttelevia sovelluksia on ehdotettu lupaavaksi ratkaisuksi käyttäytymisen muutoksen edistämiseksi ja terveellisten elämäntapojen parantamiseksi. Suurin rajoite useimmissa olemassa olevissa terveyteen liittyvissä mobiilisovelluksissa (mHealth) on se, että niillä ei ole teoreettista perustaa. Toisaalta arvoehdotukset voivat lisätä suostuttelevien sovellusten tehokkuutta.
Tämän tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli kehittää käyttäytymisteorioihin perustuvia suostuttelevia mHealth-sovelluksia terveellisen ruokavalion ja fyysisen aktiivisuuden edistämiseksi työpaikoilla. Työssä toteutettiin neljä arvoehdotusta suostuttelevan mHealth-sovelluksen tehokkuuden parantamiseksi. Elaborated Intrusion (EI) -teoriaa sovellettiin terveellistä syömistä edistävän sovelluksen (iCrave) kehittämiseen ja itsemääritysteoriaa fyysistä aktiivisuutta edistävän sovelluksen (iGO) kehittämiseen. iCrave antoi käyttäjille mahdollisuuden seurata heidän välipalatoiveitaan ja valita terveellisiä tai epäterveellisiä vaihtoehtoja. iGO edisti käyttäjän fyysistä aktiivisuutta kannustamalla liikkumaan joko aamiaisen tai lounaan jälkeen. Sovellukset toteutettiin käyttäen iteratiivista käyttäjäkeskeistä suunnittelua. Sovellusten toimivuus arvioitiin kokeellisissa tutkimusasetelmissa määrällisillä ja laadullisilla kyselytutkimuksilla. Tutkimuksen tulokset osoittavat, että sovellusten suunnitteluprosessi oli onnistunut lähestymistapa, ja sitä voidaan käyttää tulevaisuuden suostuttelevissa mHealth-sovelluksissa
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