Design Space Exploration for MPSoC Architectures

Multiprocessor system-on-chip (MPSoC) designs utilize the available technology and communication architectures to meet the requirements of the upcoming applications. In MPSoC, the communication platform is both the key enabler, as well as the key differentiator for realizing efficient MPSoCs. It provides product differentiation to meet a diverse, multi-dimensional set of design constraints, including performance, power, energy, reconfigurability, scalability, cost, reliability and time-to-market. The communication resources of a single interconnection platform cannot be fully utilized by all kind of applications, such as the availability of higher communication bandwidth for computation but not data intensive applications is often unfeasible in the practical implementation. This thesis aims to perform the architecture-level design space exploration towards efficient and scalable resource utilization for MPSoC communication architecture. In order to meet the performance requirements within the design constraints, careful selection of MPSoC communication platform, resource aware partitioning and mapping of the application play important role. To enhance the utilization of communication resources, variety of techniques such as resource sharing, multicast to avoid re-transmission of identical data, and adaptive routing can be used. For implementation, these techniques should be customized according to the platform architecture. To address the resource utilization of MPSoC communication platforms, variety of architectures with different design parameters and performance levels, namely Segmented bus (SegBus), Network-on-Chip (NoC) and Three-Dimensional NoC (3D-NoC), are selected. Average packet latency and power consumption are the evaluation parameters for the proposed techniques. In conventional computing architectures, fault on a component makes the connected fault-free components inoperative. Resource sharing approach can utilize the fault-free components to retain the system performance by reducing the impact of faults. Design space exploration also guides to narrow down the selection of MPSoC architecture, which can meet the performance requirements with design constraints.

MANAGEMENT OF MAIZE STOVER WITH UNDERDOSES RATES OF GLYPHOSATE APPLICATIONS IN NO-TILLAGE

ABSTRACTGlyphosate has significant effects on the growth and development of plants when in underdoses. This work was developed to verify the effect of the application of glyphosate in underdoses in lignin synthesis and consequently decomposition of maize stover. Two experiments were conducted; the first one in a greenhouse for underdoses adjustments and the second one in the production area. The experimental design of the first trial was completely randomized with four replications. The treatments consisted in the application of the underdoses: 0, 25, 50 and 100 g ha-1 of glyphosate. In the production area, the experimental design was a randomized block with four replications, in underdoses: 0, 12.5, 25 and 50 g ha-1. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and regression. The underdoses of 25 g a.e. ha-1in a greenhouse promoted 36% increase in productivity of stover, in addition to increasing the lignin content in 16%, with no change in the unwanted growth of maize plants. In the production area, the concentration of 12.5 g a.e. ha-1 of glyphosate reduced the lignin content and the other underdoses have not changed this feature in maize plants. None of the underdoses affected the height and biomass produced by the maize plants. The highest underdose tested promoted acceleration in the decomposition of maize stover.

Självkänsla och familjestöd hos ungdomar med olika aggressionsroll : en representativ studie bland högstadieelever i Österbotten

Objektive: To examine differences in the degree of self-esteem and family support among adolescents involved in different aggression roles from Ostrobothnia in Finland and to examine the relation between aggression role, family support and self-esteem. Method: A sample of 3512 adolescents in school at grades 7 and 9 from Ostrobothnia was considered for this study. The sample consisted of 1741 boys and 1771 girls with the mean age of 14.3 years and SD of 1.10 years. Aggression was measured with the Mini Direct Indirect Aggression inventory (Mini-DIA) by Österman and Björkqvist (2008), self-esteem was measured with the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) by Rosenberg (1965) and family support was measured with the family support part from the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (PSSS) by Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet and Farley (1988). Chi-square test, multivariate analysis and regression analyses were carried out. Results: The boys reported higher self-esteem and received higher family support than girls. The adolescents who were involved in aggression as victims or perpetrators reported lower self-esteem and family support than adolescents who were not involved in aggression. The regression analyses showed that family support and aggression role had significant effects on the adolescents’ self-esteem in both boys and girls. There was also an interaction effect between family support and aggression role for girls, so that the difference in self-esteem between perpetrator-victims and control group for example was higher for girls with low family support than for girls with high family support.

Stimulated mast cells promote maturation of myocardial microvascular endothelial cell neovessels by modulating the angiopoietin-Tie-2 signaling pathway

Angiopoietin (Ang)-1 and Ang-2 interact in angiogenesis to activate the Tie-2 receptor, which may be involved in new vessel maturation and regression. Mast cells (MCs) are also involved in formation of new blood vessels and angiogenesis. The present study was designed to test whether MCs can mediate angiogenesis in myocardial microvascular endothelial cells (MMVECs). Using a rat MMVEC and MC co-culture system, we observed that Ang-1 protein levels were very low even though its mRNA levels were increased by MCs. Interestingly, MCs were able to enhance migration, proliferation, and capillary-like tube formation, which were associated with suppressed Ang-2 protein expression, but not Tie-2 expression levels. These MCs induced effects that could be reversed by either tryptase inhibitor [N-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK)] or chymase inhibitor (N-tosyl-L-phenylalanyl chloromethyl ketone), with TLCK showing greater effects. In conclusion, our data indicated that MCs can interrupt neovessel maturation via suppression of the Ang-2/Tie-2 signaling pathway.

Optimization of microwave drying conditions of two banana varieties using response surface methodology

AbstractOptimization of microwave drying conditions of Luvhele and Mabonde banana varieties were studied using response surface methodology. The drying was performed using a central composite rotatable design for two variables: microwave power level (100, 200 and 300 W) and drying time (40, 26, and 12 min.) for Luvhele; (100, 200 and 300 W) and (42, 27, and 12 min) for Mabonde. The colour and texture (hardness) data were analyzed using ANOVA and regression analysis. The fitness of the models obtained was good as the lack of fit for each of the models was not significant. The coefficient of determination R2 of the models was relatively high, hence the models obtained for the responses were adequate and acceptable. Drying conditions of 178.76 W, 12 min. drying time were found optimum for product quality at a desirability of 0.91 for Luvhele; while 127.67 W, 12 min. with a desirability of 0.86 was predicted for Mabonde. The result of this study could be used as a standard for microwave processing of Luvhele and Mabondebanana varieties.

Methods for overcoming dormancy in Dinizia excelsa Ducke seeds

The impermeability of seed coat to water is common mechanism in Fabaceae seeds. Treatments to overcome hardseededness include scarification with sulphuric acid, scarification on abrasive surface and soaking in water among others. The objective of this study was to identify an effective method to overcome dormancy in Dinizia excelsa seeds. A pre-test (untreated seed) and three experiments were carried out: immersion of seeds in acid sulphuric for 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60min (experiment 1); scarification on abrasive surface at the positions distal end, near of the mycrophyle and on the lateral tissue and tegument clipping at 1mm of the distal end, near of the mycrophyle and on the lateral tissue (experiment 2); scarification on abrasive surface and immersion in water for 0, 12, 24 and 48h (experiment 3). The experimental design was completely with four replications of 50 seeds for each treatment. The statistical analysis was carried out by ANOVA and regression analysis. Seedlings emergence on untreated seeds started on the 8th day after sowing and reached 52.5% on the 1,709th day. In general, the treatments to overcome dormancy increase emergence. Emergence was higher for seeds treated with sulphuric acid for 20 and 30min with emergence of 93.6% and 86.6%, respectively. For seeds scarified on abrasive surface higher emergences were recorded for scarification on distal end, near of the mycrophyle and on the lateral, 82.7%, 74.3% and 75.7%, respectively. Seeds scarified manually showed higher emergence when not immersed in water (75%), or when immersed for 12 and 24h (75%, 73.6% and 65.6%, respectively). Immersion seeds in sulphuric acid for 20 and 30min and scarification on abrasive surface of distal end are effective to overcome dormancy in D. excelsa.

Manipulation of adenovirus early region 1 rescue plasmids by homologous recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The manipulation of large (>10 kb) plasmid systems amplifies problems common to traditional cloning strategies. Unique or rare restriction enzyme recognition sequences are uncommon and very rarely located in opportunistic locations. Making site-specific deletions and insertions in larger plasmids consequently leads to multiple step cloning strategies that are often limited by time-consuming, low efficiency linker insertions or blunt-end cloning strategies. Manipulation ofthe adenovirus genome and the genomes ofother viruses as bacterial plasmids are systems that typify such situations. Recombinational cloning techniques based on homologous recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that circumvent many ofthese common problems have been developed. However, these techniques are rarely realistic options for such large plasmid systems due to the above mentioned difficulties associated with the addition ofrequired yeast DNA replication, partitioning and selectable marker sequences. To determine ifrecombinational cloning techniques could be modified to simplify the manipulation of such a large plasmid system, a recombinational cloning system for the creation of human adenovirus EI-deletion rescue plasmids was developed. Here we report for the first time that the 1,456 bp TRP1/ARS fragment ofYRp7 is alone sufficient to foster successful recombinational cloning without additional partitioning sequences, using only slight modifications of existing protocols. In addition, we describe conditions for efficient recombinational cloning involving simultaneous deletion of large segments ofDNA (>4.2 kb) and insertion of donor fragment DNA using only a single non-unique restriction site. The discovery that recombinational cloning can foster large deletions has been used to develop a novel recombiliational cloillng technique, selectable inarker 'kilockouf" recombinational cloning, that uses deletion of a yeast selectable marker coupled with simultaneous negative and positive selection to reduce background transformants to undetectable levels. The modification of existing protocols as described in this report facilitates the use of recombinational cloning strategies that are otherwise difficult or impractical for use with large plasmid systems. Improvement of general recombinational cloning strategies and strategies specific to the manipulation ofthe adenovirus genome are considered in light of data presented herein.

Managing Volunteers in Canadian Community Sport Organizations

This study examined the use of human resource management (HRM) practices with volunteers in Canadian Community Sport Organizations (CSOs). Using the Volunteer Management Inventory (VMI; Cuskelly, Taylor, Hoye & Darcy, 2006), 219 leaders of associations in basketball, curling, ice hockey, skating, skiing, swimming, and volleyball participated in this study and identified current trends in HRM practices and perceived issues in the retention of volunteers. Data collected was analyzed using mean and descriptive statistics, T-tests, ANOVAs, and regression analyses. Results indicate that there is a varying use of HRM practices amongst the organizations, and also a significant correlation between the use of HRM practices and the retention of volunteers, particularly board members. Implications and future research directions are discussed regarding how HRM practices and principles may be applied to CSOs.

A stochastic dynamic programming approach for pricing options on stock-index futures

The aim of this thesis is to price options on equity index futures with an application to standard options on S&P 500 futures traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Our methodology is based on stochastic dynamic programming, which can accommodate European as well as American options. The model accommodates dividends from the underlying asset. It also captures the optimal exercise strategy and the fair value of the option. This approach is an alternative to available numerical pricing methods such as binomial trees, finite differences, and ad-hoc numerical approximation techniques. Our numerical and empirical investigations demonstrate convergence, robustness, and efficiency. We use this methodology to value exchange-listed options. The European option premiums thus obtained are compared to Black's closed-form formula. They are accurate to four digits. The American option premiums also have a similar level of accuracy compared to premiums obtained using finite differences and binomial trees with a large number of time steps. The proposed model accounts for deterministic, seasonally varying dividend yield. In pricing futures options, we discover that what matters is the sum of the dividend yields over the life of the futures contract and not their distribution.

Teachers' professional learning within communities of mathematics-for-teaching practice

Ontario bansho is an emergent mathematics instructional strategy used by teachers working within communities of practice that has been deemed to have a transformational effect on teachers' professional learning of mathematics. This study sought to answer the following question: How does teachers' implementation of Ontario bansho within their communities of practice inform their professional learning process concerning mathematics-for-teaching? Two other key questions also guided the study: What processes support teachers' professional learning of content-for-teaching? What conditions support teachers' professional learning of content-for-teaching? The study followed an interpretive phenomenological approach to collect data using a purposive sampling of teachers as participants. The researcher conducted interviews and followed an interpretive approach to data analysis to investigate how teachers construct meaning and create interpretations through their social interactions. The study developed a model of professional learning made up of 3 processes, informing with resources, engaging with students, and visualizing and schematizing in which the participants engaged and 2 conditions, ownership and community that supported the 3 processes. The 3 processes occur in ways that are complex, recursive, nonpredictable, and contextual. This model provides a framework for facilitators and leaders to plan for effective, content-relevant professional learning by placing teachers, students, and their learning at the heart of professional learning.

Photograph - Landscape, Lake

A landscape photograph of a lake and surrounding trees.

Méthodes d’inférence exactes pour un modèle de régression avec erreurs AR(2) gaussiennes

Ce texte propose des méthodes d’inférence exactes (tests et régions de confiance) sur des modèles de régression linéaires avec erreurs autocorrélées suivant un processus autorégressif d’ordre deux [AR(2)], qui peut être non stationnaire. L’approche proposée est une généralisation de celle décrite dans Dufour (1990) pour un modèle de régression avec erreurs AR(1) et comporte trois étapes. Premièrement, on construit une région de confiance exacte pour le vecteur des coefficients du processus autorégressif (φ). Cette région est obtenue par inversion de tests d’indépendance des erreurs sur une forme transformée du modèle contre des alternatives de dépendance aux délais un et deux. Deuxièmement, en exploitant la dualité entre tests et régions de confiance (inversion de tests), on détermine une région de confiance conjointe pour le vecteur φ et un vecteur d’intérêt M de combinaisons linéaires des coefficients de régression du modèle. Troisièmement, par une méthode de projection, on obtient des intervalles de confiance «marginaux» ainsi que des tests à bornes exacts pour les composantes de M. Ces méthodes sont appliquées à des modèles du stock de monnaie (M2) et du niveau des prix (indice implicite du PNB) américains

Facteurs de risque de chutes chez les aînés vivant dans la communauté et ayant recours aux services de soutien à domicile : covariables dépendantes du temps et événements récurrents

Les chutes chez les personnes âgées représentent un problème majeur. Il n’est donc pas étonnant que l’identification des facteurs qui en accroissent le risque ait mobilisé autant d’attention. Les aînés plus fragiles ayant besoin de soutien pour vivre dans la communauté sont néanmoins demeurés le parent pauvre de la recherche, bien que, plus récemment, les autorités québécoises en aient fait une cible d’intervention prioritaire. Les études d’observation prospectives sont particulièrement indiquées pour étudier les facteurs de risque de chutes chez les personnes âgées. Leur identification optimale est cependant compliquée par le fait que l’exposition aux facteurs de risque peut varier au cours du suivi et qu’un même individu peut subir plus d’un événement. Il y a 20 ans, des chercheurs ont tenté de sensibiliser leurs homologues à cet égard, mais leurs efforts sont demeurés vains. On continue aujourd’hui à faire peu de cas de ces considérations, se concentrant sur la proportion des personnes ayant fait une chute ou sur le temps écoulé jusqu’à la première chute. On écarte du coup une quantité importante d’information pertinente. Dans cette thèse, nous examinons les méthodes en usage et nous proposons une extension du modèle de risques de Cox. Nous illustrons cette méthode par une étude des facteurs de risque susceptibles d’être associés à des chutes parmi un groupe de 959 personnes âgées ayant eu recours aux services publics de soutien à domicile. Nous comparons les résultats obtenus avec la méthode de Wei, Lin et Weissfeld à ceux obtenus avec d’autres méthodes, dont la régression logistique conventionnelle, la régression logistique groupée, la régression binomiale négative et la régression d’Andersen et Gill. L’investigation est caractérisée par des prises de mesures répétées des facteurs de risque au domicile des participants et par des relances téléphoniques mensuelles visant à documenter la survenue des chutes. Les facteurs d’exposition étudiés, qu’ils soient fixes ou variables dans le temps, comprennent les caractéristiques sociodémographiques, l’indice de masse corporelle, le risque nutritionnel, la consommation d’alcool, les dangers de l’environnement domiciliaire, la démarche et l’équilibre, et la consommation de médicaments. La quasi-totalité (99,6 %) des usagers présentaient au moins un facteur à haut risque. L’exposition à des risques multiples était répandue, avec une moyenne de 2,7 facteurs à haut risque distincts par participant. Les facteurs statistiquement associés au risque de chutes incluent le sexe masculin, les tranches d’âge inférieures, l’histoire de chutes antérieures, un bas score à l’échelle d’équilibre de Berg, un faible indice de masse corporelle, la consommation de médicaments de type benzodiazépine, le nombre de dangers présents au domicile et le fait de vivre dans une résidence privée pour personnes âgées. Nos résultats révèlent cependant que les méthodes courantes d’analyse des facteurs de risque de chutes – et, dans certains cas, de chutes nécessitant un recours médical – créent des biais appréciables. Les biais pour les mesures d’association considérées proviennent de la manière dont l’exposition et le résultat sont mesurés et définis de même que de la manière dont les méthodes statistiques d’analyse en tiennent compte. Une dernière partie, tout aussi innovante que distincte de par la nature des outils statistiques utilisés, complète l’ouvrage. Nous y identifions des profils d’aînés à risque de devenir des chuteurs récurrents, soit ceux chez qui au moins deux chutes sont survenues dans les six mois suivant leur évaluation initiale. Une analyse par arbre de régression et de classification couplée à une analyse de survie a révélé l’existence de cinq profils distinctifs, dont le risque relatif varie de 0,7 à 5,1. Vivre dans une résidence pour aînés, avoir des antécédents de chutes multiples ou des troubles de l’équilibre et consommer de l’alcool sont les principaux facteurs associés à une probabilité accrue de chuter précocement et de devenir un chuteur récurrent. Qu’il s’agisse d’activité de dépistage des facteurs de risque de chutes ou de la population ciblée, cette thèse s’inscrit dans une perspective de gain de connaissances sur un thème hautement d’actualité en santé publique. Nous encourageons les chercheurs intéressés par l’identification des facteurs de risque de chutes chez les personnes âgées à recourir à la méthode statistique de Wei, Lin et Weissfeld car elle tient compte des expositions variables dans le temps et des événements récurrents. Davantage de recherches seront par ailleurs nécessaires pour déterminer le choix du meilleur test de dépistage pour un facteur de risque donné chez cette clientèle.

L'évaluation du risque de récidive chez les agresseurs sexuels adultes

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

Une approche multi-agents pour le développement d'un jeu vidéo

Un système multi-agents est composé de plusieurs agents autonomes qui interagissent entre eux dans un environnement commun. Ce mémoire vise à démontrer l’utilisation d’un système multi-agents pour le développement d’un jeu vidéo. Tout d’abord, une justification du choix des concepts d’intelligence artificielle choisie est exposée. Par la suite, une approche pratique est utilisée en effectuant le développement d’un jeu vidéo. Pour ce faire, le jeu fut développé à partir d’un jeu vidéo mono-agent existant et mo- difié en système multi-agents afin de bien mettre en valeur les avantages d’un système multi-agents dans un jeu vidéo. Le développement de ce jeu a aussi démontré l’applica- tion d’autres concepts en intelligence artificielle comme la recherche de chemins et les arbres de décisions. Le jeu développé pour ce mémoire viens appuyer les conclusions des différentes recherches démontrant que l’utilisation d’un système multi-agents per- met de réaliser un comportement plus réaliste pour les joueurs non humains et bien plus compétitifs pour le joueur humain.