As the Internet evolves, there is a continued demand for high Internet bandwidth. This demand is driven partly by the widely spreading real-time video applications, such as on-line gaming, teleconference, high-definition video streaming. All-optical switches and routers have long been studied as a promising solution to the rapidly growing demand. Nevertheless, buffer sizes in all-optical switches and routers are very limited due to the challenges in manufacturing larger optical buffers. On the other hand, Internet traffic is bursty. The existence of burstiness in network traffic has been shown at all time scales, from tens of milliseconds to thousands of seconds. The widely existing burstiness has a very significant impact on the performance of small buffer networks, resulting in high packet drop probabilities and low link utilization. There have been many solutions proposed in the literature to solve the burstiness issue of network traffic. Traffic engineering techniques, such as traffic shaping and polishing, have been available in commercial routers/switches since the era of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks. Moreover, TCP pacing, as a natural solution to the TCP burstiness, has long been studied. Furthermore, several traffic conditioning and scheduling techniques are proposed to smooth core network traffics in a coordinated manner. However, all the existing solutions are inadequate to efficiently solve the burstiness issue of high-speed traffic. In this dissertation we aim to tackle the burstiness issue in small buffer networks, which refer to the future Internet core network consisting of all-optical routers and switches with small buffers. This dissertation is composed of two parts. In the first part, we analyze the impact of a general pacing scheme on the performance of a tandem queue network. This part serves as a theoretical foundation, based on which we demonstrate the benefits of pacing in a tandem queue model. Specifically, we use the Infinitesimal Perturbation Analysis (IPA) technique to study the impact of pacing on the instantaneous and average queue lengths of a series of nodes. Through theoretical analyses and extensive simulations, we show that under certain conditions there exists a linear relationship between system parameters and instantaneous/average queue lengths of nodes and that pacing improves the performance of the underlying tandem queue system by reducing the burstiness of the packet arrival process. In the second part, we propose a practical on-line packet pacing scheme, named Queue Length Based Pacing (QLBP). We analyze the impact of QLBP on the underlying network traffic in both time and frequency domains. We also present two implementation algorithms that allow us to evaluate the performance of QLBP in real experimental and virtual simulation environments. Through extensive simulations, we show that QLBP can effectively reduce the burstiness of network traffic and hence significantly improve the performance of a small buffer network. More important, the network traffic paced with QLBP does not exhibit a weakened competition capability when competing with non-paced traffic, which makes the QLBP scheme more attractive for ISPs.

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Exercise or activity in high ambient temperatures offers a particular challenge to the thermoregulatory system. It is likely that mechanisms such as sweat evaporation alone are not sufficient for maintaining body temperature within a safe limit (~36.5-38.5˚C) and below 40˚C, which may result in impaired physiological function and performance. Exogenous cooling may be of benefit prior to, during and after events that place increased thermal strain due to increased metabolic heat production and elevated environmental temperatures upon the thermoregulatory system. Conversely, in situations where it is not possible to maintain body temperature via either continued physical activity or elevated ambient temperatures, exogenous heating may be required in order to allow optimal physiological performance. Few studies have directly aligned cooling devices with data detailing effective target regions for cooling to allow a pre-cooling garment to be of minimal weight but maximal cooling efficiency. Conversely, no study has considered the effect of muscle temperature maintenance during rest periods on subsequent power-based activities. The aim of this thesis was to determine ways in which body temperature manipulation is capable of improving exercise performance in both power and endurance-based events. It was hypothesised that the manipulation of body temperature will result in subsequent changes in body temperature that would improve performance. Specifically, the use of pre-cooling would result in a reduction of body temperature and improve endurance exercise performance. Conversely, maintaining Tm following warm up completion would have a beneficial effect on sprint and power related performance. Study one set out to determine differences in regional body heat loss in 12 individual anatomical zones using a water perfused suit. Data obtained from this initial study allowed for the specific targeting of regions that were identified as having high rates of heat loss in subsequent studies that focused on pre-cooling and performance. The anatomical regions identified as having high potential affinity for heat exchange with the surrounding environment and cooling devices were the hands, forearms, upper and lower back and torso. Subsequent studies demonstrated that cooling of these areas was capable of lowering thermal sensation and improving thermal comfort prior to and during exercise in moderate environmental conditions (24˚C, 50% RH). In these moderate conditions, there was no statistically significant improvement in treadmill based self-paced 5000m running performance. However, in hot conditions (35˚C 50% RH), the use of a cooling vest and sleeves did yield a significant improvement in cycling time trial performance, which equated to 4.8%. This leads to the suggestion that there may be a threshold ambient temperature, above which pre-cooling becomes an important tool in maximizing performance potential. A parallel area of investigation, on the other side of the temperature spectrum, was the effect of muscle temperature manipulation on power-based exercise performance. The relationship between increased muscle temperature and power output is well established, however little is known about the effect of enforced rest or recovery between two bouts of exercise. Therefore, two studies were conducted to establish what affect a delay between warm up completion and exercise has on muscle temperature and subsequent sprint cycling performance. It was shown that with 30-minutes of rest between exercise bouts wearing tracksuit trousers, muscle temperature declined significantly (~1-1.5˚C). This decline was attenuated with the use of external passive electrical heating during the recovery compared to recovery completed in tracksuit trousers alone. The attenuated decline in muscle temperature following the use of the heated trousers resulted in an improvement in sprint cycling performance (~9%), with the use of insulated trousers having no effect on any variables measured, all relative to wearing tracksuit trousers in the rest period. In a follow-up study, the effect of implementing the heated trousers during the warm up and in addition to the rest period had on muscle temperature increase and sprint performance. A secondary area of investigation in this study was to determine the linearity of muscle temperature decline following warm up cessation. This study demonstrated that there was no additional benefit of combining passive heating with an active warm up on either muscle temperature elevations or subsequent sprint performance compared to the active warm up alone. It was shown that when the no heating was used at any stage, muscle temperature declined exponentially. However, when the heated trousers were used during recovery and/or during warm up, muscle temperature levelled off at a higher value towards the end of the recovery period. This study was also able to show significant improvements in absolute, relative and mean power output following the use of the heated trousers in the warm up and recovery, or the recovery alone. This thesis has identified ways in which body temperature may be manipulated in order to benefit both sprint and endurance exercise performance, using both pre-cooling and active heating. A novel concept for minimizing muscle temperature decline during periods of inactivity between different rounds of competition was shown to maximize sprint performance yielding significant improvements in peak and mean power outputs.

In modern business environment, time becomes more and more valuable resource fororganizations. The way managers will organize their time for completing managerialtasks, will influence not only job performance but inner feelings and job satisfaction,and, eventually, organizational performance. Research uses the term t emporaldispositions for analyzing how people are seeing the time. Temporal disposition hasdifferent elements and each of them are considering a different viewpoint of howpeople perceive the time. We found out that the connection between two basicelements of temporal disposition, time urgency and pacing styles, are not researchedproperly which leads into a misunderstanding about these concepts.  The purpose of this study is to d iscover the correlation between two different elementsof temporal dispositions (time urgency and pacing styles) through measuring the timeurgency and pacing styles of middle- and low-level managers. Further, this studyaims to enhance our understanding about Swedish managers’ time urgency andpacing styles. Finally, the thesis attempts to expand the academic field of temporaldisposition through e xplaining how the way managers are feeling about time (timeurgency) affects how they are distributing their time for completing managerial tasks(pacing styles). The quantitative research has been used in this study. A questionnaire with 10 itemshas been developed for this study, and 122 managers have been participated in thesurvey. The following correlation between time urgency and pacing styles has been found:time urgency is positively correlated with U-shaped pacing style and negativelycorrelated with steady-action style. We have not found any significant correlationbetween time urgency and deadline-action pacing style. Further, this study foundthat time patience (the opposite of time urgency) is positively correlated withsteady-action pacing style and negatively correlated with deadline-action pacingstyle. Similarly, results have shown that U-shaped pacing style is used both by timeurgent and time patient managers. Finally, we found that middle-level managers aremostly time urgent and using U-shaped pacing style when completing managerialtasks while low-level managers are mostly time patient and using steady-actionpacing style.

Esforços físicos prolongados em ritmo dinâmico parecem promover menor demanda metabólica, estresse fisiológico e cardiovascular comparado a tarefas em ritmo constante. Contudo, os mecanismos não são completamente descritos. Além disso, sugere-se que o tempo que o indivíduo é capaz de suportar um exercício em intensidade máxima (TLim[FCmax]) correlaciona-se com o desempenho no ciclismo. Assim, os objetivos do presente estudo foram verificar como a estratégia de prova (EP) influencia nas respostas fisiológicas, no controle autonômico cardiovascular e no desempenho de tarefas aeróbias subseqüentes. Adicionalmente, verificar se o Lim[FCmax] correlaciona-se com o desempenho em teste contrarelógio de 3 km (CR3KM). Participaram desse estudo oito ciclistas treinados masculinos. Após avaliações antropométricas e familiarização com os cicloergômetros, os indivíduos foram submetidos: (i) teste máximo progressivo para determinação da potência aeróbia máxima e dos limiares metabólicos; (ii) teste TLim[FCmax]; (iii) teste de 20 km adotando diferentes EP, mas mantendo a potência média em todas as sessões; (iv) teste CR3KM realizado 30 minutos após as EP. A frequência cardíaca (FC), a variabilidade da FC, a percepção de esforço (PSE) e o lactato sanguíneo [Lac] foram registrados em todas as situações experimentais. A transformada de Fourier e a amostragem entrópica foram empregadas para analisar a VFC, ao passo que a FC foi descrita por função exponencial. Adicionalmente, a ANOVA two way (estratégia de prova x distância) e a correlação produto momento de Pearson foram utilizadas para comparações estatísticas. Para todas as análises, foi assumido um p < 0,05. Os principais achados foram que o TLim[FCmax] não correlacionou-se o desempenho do CR3KM, a EP não modificou o teste CR3KM subseqüente. No entanto, houve menores incrementos de [Lac], FC e PSE na EP positiva. Possivelmente o início rápido na EP positiva reduz o déficit anaeróbio de oxigênio, reduzindo a contribuição glicolítica nesse período inicial. Finalmente, a VFC apresentou menor complexidade imediatamente após a tarefa, comparado ao repouso e aos minutos finais de recuperação, indicando maior redundância do sistema na tentativa de evitar eventos catastróficos ao organismo / Prolonged physical efforts in variable pacing promote lower metabolic demand, physiological and cardiovascular stress compared with workouts in even pacing. However, the mechanisms is not completely understanding. Additionally, one suggests that the period of time that someone can support exercises in maximal intensity (TLim[FCmax]) could be correlate with performance on the cycling. Thus, the objectives of this study were verified if the pacing strategy (EP) could influence the physiological responses, cardiovascular autonomic control and the performance of the subsequent aerobic exercises. Additionally, to verify the correlation between TLim[FCmax] with the performance on time trials of 3 km (CR3KM). Eight male trained cyclists took part of this study. After anthropometric tests and familiarization with the ergometers, the subjects were submitted: (i) maximal progressive test to determinate the maximal aerobic power and metabolic thresholds; (ii) TLim[FCmax] test; (iii) 20 km test taken different EP, but keeping the average power output in all sessions; (iv) CR3KM test performed 30 minutes after EP. The heart rate (FC), the heart rate variability (VFC), the perceived of effort (PSE) and the blood lactate [Lac] were recorded in all experimental tests. The fast Fourier transformer and the sample entropy were used to analyze the VFC, whilst the FC was analyzed employing exponential function. Further, the ANOVA two way (pacing strategy x distance) and the Pearson product moment correlation were used to statistical comparison. For all the analysis, we assumed p < 0,05. The mains finding were that TLim[FCmax] did not correlate with performance on the CR3KM and the EP did not modify the subsequent CR3KM test . However, there was lower increment for [Lac], FC and PSE on positive EP. Possibly the fast start in the positive EP reduce the anaerobic oxygen deficit, narrowing the glycolytic contribution on the initial effort. Finally, the VFC showed lower complexity immediately after the workout than the rest and the last minutes of recovery, suggesting higher redundancy of the system, probably trying avoid catastrophic occurrence to the organism

O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar os efeitos da execução prévia de exercício físico e cognitivo sobre os componentes central e periférico da fadiga neuromuscular durante um teste contrarrelógio de 4 km de ciclismo. Para tanto, oito ciclistas treinados (n = 8) participaram de três diferentes estudos. No estudo 1, os atletas realizaram o teste contrarrelógio após assistir documentário (CON) ou após tarefa cognitiva (TC). No estudo 2, o teste de 4 km de ciclismo foi realizado após 100 drop jumps (DJ), 48 horas após 100 drop jumps (48h-DJ) e sem a realização prévia de exercício (CON). No estudo 3, o teste contrarrelógio foi realizado após fadiga prévia de membros superiores (FB) e inferiores (FP) e sem fadiga prévia (CON). Em todos os estudos, parâmetros de fadiga central e periférica foram avaliados por meio da técnica de estimulação elétrica no nervo femoral em repouso, pré e pós 4km de ciclismo. Estudo 1: O desempenho foi similar (P> 0,05) entre CON (376 ± 26,9 s) e TC (376,3 ± 26 s). Do mesmo modo, não encontramos diferenças significativas (P> 0,05) para parâmetros de fadiga central e periférica entre CON e TC. Estudo 2. O desempenho foi significativamente (P< 0,05) prejudicado em DJ (-2,3%) e houve uma tendência em 48h-DJ (-1,8%). A redução no desempenho em 48h-DJ foi devido à menor potência na parte inicial da prova (P< 0,05). Em DJ a piora no desempenho foi em decorrência de menor potência (P< 0,05) na parte inicial e final da prova. Houve uma exacerbada (P< 0,05) fadiga periférica após o contrarrelógio em DJ (1Hzpot= -44,7%) comparado com CON (1Hzpot= -20,1%). Além disso, significante fadiga de baixa frequência foi observada em DJ comparado com CON. Por outro lado, parâmetros de fadiga central e periférica apresentaram valores similares entre CON e 48h-DJ (P> 0,05). No entanto, foi encontrado aumento significativo (P< 0,05) na dor muscular tardia em 48hDJ comparado com CON e DJ. Estudo 3: O desempenho foi reduzido em FP (-2,3%) e FB (-1,5%) quando comparado com CON. O menor desempenho nas condições FP e FB foi acompanhado por redução na potência (P< 0,05) na parte inicial (condição FP) e na parte final (condições FP e FB) a prova. Ao final dos 4 km de ciclismo, os participantes apresentaram menor (P< 0,05) fadiga periférica em FB (1Hzpot= -11,9%) comparado com CON (1Hzpot= -20,1%). Em FP, houve maior fadiga periférica em comparação a condição CON e FB. Em conclusão, os resultados destes estudos sugerem que apenas a execução prévia de exercício envolvendo a musculatura utilizada no ciclismo promove alterações nos componentes periféricos da fadiga neuromuscular após 4 km de ciclismo / The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of previous execution of physical exercise and cognitive on the central and peripheral components of the neuromuscular fatigue during a 4 km cycling time trial. Eight trained cyclists (n = 8) participated of three different studies. In study 1, the athletes performed the 4 km cycling time trial test after watching a documentary (CON) or after a cognitive task (CT). In study 2, the 4-km cycling test was performed after 100 drop jumps (DJ), 48 hours after 100 drop jumps (48h-DJ) and without previous exercise (CON). In study 3, the time trial was performed after pre-fatigue of the upper (FU) and lower (FL) body and without prefatigue (CON). In all studies, central and peripheral fatigue parameters were evaluated via electrical stimulation in femoral nerve at rest, before and after 4km cycling. Study 1: Performance was similar (P> 0.05) between CON (376 ± 26.9 s) and TC (376.3 ± 26 s). Likewise, we found no significant differences (P> 0.05) for parameters of central and peripheral fatigue between CON and CT. Study 2: Performance was significantly (P< 0.05) impaired in DJ (-2.3%) and there was a trend in 48h-DJ (-1.8%). This reduction in performance in 48h-DJ was due to a lower power at first part of the time trial (P< 0.05). In DJ condition, loss in performance was due to lower power (P< 0.05) at the start and end phases of the test. There was exacerbated (P <0.05) peripheral fatigue after the time trial in DJ (1Hzpot = -44.7%) compared to CON (1Hzpot = 20.1%). Furthermore, a significant low frequency fatigue was observed in DJ compared to CON. On the other hand, central and peripheral fatigue parameters showed similar values between CON and 48h-DJ (P> 0.05). However, a significant increase in delayed onset muscle soreness was found in 48h-DJ than CON and DJ. Study 3: Performance was reduced in FU (-2.3%) and FL (-1.5%) compared to CON. The lowest performance was accompanied by a reduction in power (P< 0.05) in the initial (FL) and final (FL and FU phases of the time trial. After 4 km cycling, participants had a lower (P< 0.05) peripheral fatigue in FU (1Hzpot = -11.9%) compared with CON (1Hzpot = -20.1%). In FL, there was a greater peripheral fatigue compared to CON and FB condition. In conclusion, the results of these studies suggest that only the previous execution of exercise involving the muscles used in cycling causes changes in the peripheral components of the neuromuscular fatigue after 4 km of cycling

Captive environments like zoo exhibits offer limited space, lacking many of the environmental stimuli that are present in the wild. This may reduce animal welfare and potentially lead to the development of stereotypic behaviour like pacing. Environmental enrichment is used to prevent and reduce pacing and enhance animal well-being. The aim of this project was to evaluate sensory enrichments, and the effect of such enrichment on pacing in a group of Northern lynx by means of new, automated monitoring technologies in combination with traditional visual observations. The lynxes were exposed to valerian, catnip and cinnamon as olfactory enrichment. The acoustic enrichments were play-backed mouse squeals, roe deer barking and lynx vocalizations, and live crickets. The responses of the lynx were recorded by logging their subcutaneous HDX pit tags, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags mounted on collars and using a wildlife camera. The results showed that catnip elicited clear “catnip responses” i.e sniffing, rubbing, biting and licking. The sounds were found to attract the lynxes and increase their arousal. One of the sounds, the lynx calls, elicited social behaviour. However, none of the sensory treatments reduced pacing. The combination of these automated technologies with visual observation was powerful to evaluate the effect of enrichment on captive lynxes and to monitor their activity patterns and stereotypic behaviours. Sensory enrichment could also be used in the wild as lures to attract lynxes to BLE or HDX PIT tag logging stations and to wildlife cameras, as part of monitoring a lynx population.

Esforços físicos prolongados em ritmo dinâmico parecem promover menor demanda metabólica, estresse fisiológico e cardiovascular comparado a tarefas em ritmo constante. Contudo, os mecanismos não são completamente descritos. Além disso, sugere-se que o tempo que o indivíduo é capaz de suportar um exercício em intensidade máxima (TLim[FCmax]) correlaciona-se com o desempenho no ciclismo. Assim, os objetivos do presente estudo foram verificar como a estratégia de prova (EP) influencia nas respostas fisiológicas, no controle autonômico cardiovascular e no desempenho de tarefas aeróbias subseqüentes. Adicionalmente, verificar se o Lim[FCmax] correlaciona-se com o desempenho em teste contrarelógio de 3 km (CR3KM). Participaram desse estudo oito ciclistas treinados masculinos. Após avaliações antropométricas e familiarização com os cicloergômetros, os indivíduos foram submetidos: (i) teste máximo progressivo para determinação da potência aeróbia máxima e dos limiares metabólicos; (ii) teste TLim[FCmax]; (iii) teste de 20 km adotando diferentes EP, mas mantendo a potência média em todas as sessões; (iv) teste CR3KM realizado 30 minutos após as EP. A frequência cardíaca (FC), a variabilidade da FC, a percepção de esforço (PSE) e o lactato sanguíneo [Lac] foram registrados em todas as situações experimentais. A transformada de Fourier e a amostragem entrópica foram empregadas para analisar a VFC, ao passo que a FC foi descrita por função exponencial. Adicionalmente, a ANOVA two way (estratégia de prova x distância) e a correlação produto momento de Pearson foram utilizadas para comparações estatísticas. Para todas as análises, foi assumido um p < 0,05. Os principais achados foram que o TLim[FCmax] não correlacionou-se o desempenho do CR3KM, a EP não modificou o teste CR3KM subseqüente. No entanto, houve menores incrementos de [Lac], FC e PSE na EP positiva. Possivelmente o início rápido na EP positiva reduz o déficit anaeróbio de oxigênio, reduzindo a contribuição glicolítica nesse período inicial. Finalmente, a VFC apresentou menor complexidade imediatamente após a tarefa, comparado ao repouso e aos minutos finais de recuperação, indicando maior redundância do sistema na tentativa de evitar eventos catastróficos ao organismo / Prolonged physical efforts in variable pacing promote lower metabolic demand, physiological and cardiovascular stress compared with workouts in even pacing. However, the mechanisms is not completely understanding. Additionally, one suggests that the period of time that someone can support exercises in maximal intensity (TLim[FCmax]) could be correlate with performance on the cycling. Thus, the objectives of this study were verified if the pacing strategy (EP) could influence the physiological responses, cardiovascular autonomic control and the performance of the subsequent aerobic exercises. Additionally, to verify the correlation between TLim[FCmax] with the performance on time trials of 3 km (CR3KM). Eight male trained cyclists took part of this study. After anthropometric tests and familiarization with the ergometers, the subjects were submitted: (i) maximal progressive test to determinate the maximal aerobic power and metabolic thresholds; (ii) TLim[FCmax] test; (iii) 20 km test taken different EP, but keeping the average power output in all sessions; (iv) CR3KM test performed 30 minutes after EP. The heart rate (FC), the heart rate variability (VFC), the perceived of effort (PSE) and the blood lactate [Lac] were recorded in all experimental tests. The fast Fourier transformer and the sample entropy were used to analyze the VFC, whilst the FC was analyzed employing exponential function. Further, the ANOVA two way (pacing strategy x distance) and the Pearson product moment correlation were used to statistical comparison. For all the analysis, we assumed p < 0,05. The mains finding were that TLim[FCmax] did not correlate with performance on the CR3KM and the EP did not modify the subsequent CR3KM test . However, there was lower increment for [Lac], FC and PSE on positive EP. Possibly the fast start in the positive EP reduce the anaerobic oxygen deficit, narrowing the glycolytic contribution on the initial effort. Finally, the VFC showed lower complexity immediately after the workout than the rest and the last minutes of recovery, suggesting higher redundancy of the system, probably trying avoid catastrophic occurrence to the organism

When excitable cardiac tissue is electrically paced at a sufficiently high rate, the duration of excitation can alternate from beat to beat despite a constant stimulation period. This rhythm, known as alternans, has been identified as an early stage in a sequence of increasingly complex instabilities leading to the lethal arrhythmia ventricular fibrillation (VF). This connection served as as a motivation for research into the control of alternans as a strategy to prevent VF. Control methods that do not use a model of the dynamics have been used for the suppression of alternans. However, these methods possess limitations. In this thesis we study theoretically model-based control techniques with the goal of developing protocols that would overcome the shortcomings of non model-based approaches. We consider one dimensional tissue in two different geometrical configurations: a ring and a fiber with free ends (open fiber). We apply standard control methods for linear time invariant systems to a stroboscopic map of the linearized dynamics around the normal rhythm. We found that, in the ring geometry, model-based control is able to suppress alternans faster and with lower current, thereby reducing the risk of tissue damage, compared with non-model-based control. In the open fiber, model-based control is able to suppress alternans for longer fibers and higher pacing frequencies in comparison with non-model-based control. The methodology presented here can be extended to two- and three-dimensional tissue, and could eventually lead to the suppression of alternans on the entire ventricles.

published_or_final_version / Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine / Master / Master of Medical Sciences