In this paper, in order to reduce the location update cost in wireless mobile networks, we propose a cooperative location update scheme. The proposed scheme first discovers the statistical relation between mobile stations according to their history of location update and paging. In order to reduce the total cost of mobility management, we propose integrating the cooperative location update scheme with the concurrent search scheme. We use analytical results and simulation results to justify the usage of the proposed approach.

With the state-of-the-art IC technology, we can share a variety of digital content stored in our mobile devices via wireless communications. When requests for digital content arrive, base stations have to search for at least one copy of the digital content. We extend the concurrent search approach to efficiently location digital content. In addition, we propose the opportunistic concurrent search scheme in which a base station could use a single channel to page a number of mobile stations simultaneously. We use computer simulations to evaluate the performance and justify the usage of the proposed schemes.

No description available.

In this thesis, a series of in vitro diffusion studies were performed to evaluate the transmembrane permeation of picaridin and oxybenzone across human epidermis and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) membrane. Transdermal permeation of picaridin and oxybenzone from four commercially available repellent and sunscreen products was also investigated by using different application concentrations and sequences. The results obtained were then compared to those of the repellent DEET and the sunscreen oxybenzone under identical experimental conditions. Permeation of picaridin and oxybenzone across human epidermis was suppressed when both compounds were used concurrently. Increasing concentration of the test compounds further reduced the permeation percentage of picaridin and oxybenzone. While permeation characteristics were correlative between human epidermis and artificial PDMS membrane, permeability of PDMS membrane was significantly larger than that of human epidermis. This finding was different from concurrent use of DEET and oxybenzone in which a synergistic permeation enhancement was observed between the two substances. Transdermal permeation of picaridin across human epidermis from various commercially available spray preparations was significantly lower than that of DEET from similar spray products, both alone and in combination with sunscreen oxybenzone. Concurrent application of the commercial products resulted in either no change or suppression of permeation of picaridin and oxybenzone. This finding was also different from concurrent application of DEET and oxybenzone using commercial preparations. In addition, permeation of picaridin and oxybenzone across human epidermis was dependent on application concentration, use sequence, and preparation type.It was concluded from this thesis that picaridin would be a better candidate for concurrent application with sunscreen preparations in terms of percutaneous permeation.

No description available.

No description available.

In this thesis, a series of in vitro diffusion studies were performed to evaluate the transmembrane permeation of picaridin and oxybenzone across human epidermis and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) membrane. Transdermal permeation of picaridin and oxybenzone from four commercially available repellent and sunscreen products was also investigated by using different application concentrations and sequences. The results obtained were then compared to those of the repellent DEET and the sunscreen oxybenzone under identical experimental conditions. Permeation of picaridin and oxybenzone across human epidermis was suppressed when both compounds were used concurrently. Increasing concentration of the test compounds further reduced the permeation percentage of picaridin and oxybenzone. While permeation characteristics were correlative between human epidermis and artificial PDMS membrane, permeability of PDMS membrane was significantly larger than that of human epidermis. This finding was different from concurrent use of DEET and oxybenzone in which a synergistic permeation enhancement was observed between the two substances. Transdermal permeation of picaridin across human epidermis from various commercially available spray preparations was significantly lower than that of DEET from similar spray products, both alone and in combination with sunscreen oxybenzone. Concurrent application of the commercial products resulted in either no change or suppression of permeation of picaridin and oxybenzone. This finding was also different from concurrent application of DEET and oxybenzone using commercial preparations. In addition, permeation of picaridin and oxybenzone across human epidermis was dependent on application concentration, use sequence, and preparation type.It was concluded from this thesis that picaridin would be a better candidate for concurrent application with sunscreen preparations in terms of percutaneous permeation.

Objectives: To determine the level of adoption and which characteristics are most strongly associated with the adoption of a clinical innovation in Mental Health and Addiction Service organizations in Ontario, one year after dissemination. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a voluntary quantitative mail-out survey, using a self administered questionnaire that was sent to 260 mental health and addiction service organizations in Ontario. Linear regression analysis was conducted to identify significant predictors of the overall adoption-decision of the best practice recommendations. Results: Individuals’ tenure within the organization and the provision of screening (organizational variable) was identified to be predictors of adoption for the organization. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated the majority of the organizations are on the path towards a finale decision of adopting or rejecting the recommendations. The results also demonstrate the importance of individual characteristics and organizational characteristics in identifying predictors of adoption.

This thesis discusses a practical approach to the concurrent analysis and synthesis of reconfigurable robot manipulators based on the alternative design methodology of Linguistic Mechatronics (LM) as well as the utilization of a modular Robotic Hardware-In-the-Loop Simulation (RHILS) platform. Linguistic Mechatronics is a systematic design methodology for mechatronic systems, which formalizes subjective notions and simplifies the optimization process, in the hope that numerous naturally different design variables can be considered concurrently. The methodology redefines the ultimate goal of design based on the qualitative notions of wish and must satisfactions. The underlying concepts of LM are investigated through a simulation case study. In addition, the RHILS platform involving physical joint modules and a control unit, which takes into account various physical phenomena and reduces the simulation complexities, is employed to the design architecture. Ultimately, the new approach is applied to redesigning kinematic, dynamic and control parameters of an industrial manipulator.

Objectives: To determine the level of adoption and which characteristics are most strongly associated with the adoption of a clinical innovation in Mental Health and Addiction Service organizations in Ontario, one year after dissemination. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a voluntary quantitative mail-out survey, using a self administered questionnaire that was sent to 260 mental health and addiction service organizations in Ontario. Linear regression analysis was conducted to identify significant predictors of the overall adoption-decision of the best practice recommendations. Results: Individuals’ tenure within the organization and the provision of screening (organizational variable) was identified to be predictors of adoption for the organization. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated the majority of the organizations are on the path towards a finale decision of adopting or rejecting the recommendations. The results also demonstrate the importance of individual characteristics and organizational characteristics in identifying predictors of adoption.