281 research outputs found
Modeling and Design of Millimeter-Wave Networks for Highway Vehicular Communication
Connected and autonomous vehicles will play a pivotal role in future
Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITSs) and smart cities, in general.
High-speed and low-latency wireless communication links will allow
municipalities to warn vehicles against safety hazards, as well as support
cloud-driving solutions to drastically reduce traffic jams and air pollution.
To achieve these goals, vehicles need to be equipped with a wide range of
sensors generating and exchanging high rate data streams. Recently, millimeter
wave (mmWave) techniques have been introduced as a means of fulfilling such
high data rate requirements. In this paper, we model a highway communication
network and characterize its fundamental link budget metrics. In particular, we
specifically consider a network where vehicles are served by mmWave Base
Stations (BSs) deployed alongside the road. To evaluate our highway network, we
develop a new theoretical model that accounts for a typical scenario where
heavy vehicles (such as buses and lorries) in slow lanes obstruct Line-of-Sight
(LOS) paths of vehicles in fast lanes and, hence, act as blockages. Using tools
from stochastic geometry, we derive approximations for the
Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) outage probability, as well as
the probability that a user achieves a target communication rate (rate coverage
probability). Our analysis provides new design insights for mmWave highway
communication networks. In considered highway scenarios, we show that reducing
the horizontal beamwidth from to determines a minimal
reduction in the SINR outage probability (namely, at
maximum). Also, unlike bi-dimensional mmWave cellular networks, for small BS
densities (namely, one BS every m) it is still possible to achieve an
SINR outage probability smaller than .Comment: Accepted for publication in IEEE Transactions on Vehicular Technology
-- Connected Vehicles Serie
Reproductive aging in Caenorhabditis elegans: From molecules to ecology
Aging animals display a broad range of progressive degenerative changes, and one of the most fascinating is the decline of female reproductive function. In the model organis
How public health teams navigate their different roles in alcohol premises licensing:ExILEnS multistakeholder interview finding
Background: In England and Scotland, local governments regulate the sale of alcohol by awarding licences to premises to permit the sale of alcohol for consumption on or off the premises, under certain conditions; without such a licence, alcohol cannot be legally sold. In recent years, many local public health teams have become proactive in engaging with alcohol licensing, encouraging licensing authorities to act in ways intended to improve population health. Objective: This research aimed to explore and understand the approaches and activities of public health stakeholders (i.e. NHS staff and other public health professionals) in seeking to influence local alcohol licensing policy and decisions, and the views of licensing stakeholders (i.e. licensing officers/managers, police staff with a licensing remit, elected members and licensing lawyers/clerks) on the acceptability and effectiveness of these approaches. Participants: Local public health teams in England and Scotland were directly informed about this multisite study. Scoping calls were conducted with interested teams to explore their level of activity in alcohol licensing from 2012 across several categories. Twenty local authority areas with public health teams active in licensing matters were recruited purposively in England (nâ=â14) and Scotland (nâ=â6) to vary by region and rurality. Fifty-three in-depth telephone interviews (28 with public health stakeholders and 25 with licensing stakeholders outside health, such as local authority licensing teams/lawyers or police) were conducted. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically in NVivo 12 (QSR International, Warrington, UK) using inductive and deductive approaches. Results: Public health stakeholdersâ approaches to engagement varied, falling into three main (and sometimes overlapping) types. (1) Many public health stakeholders in England and all public health stakeholders in Scotland took a âchallengingâ approach to influencing licensing decisions and policies. Reducing health harms was felt to necessitate a focus on reducing availability and generating longer-term culture change, citing international evidence on the links between availability and alcohol-related harms. Some of these stakeholders viewed this as being a narrow, ânanny stateâ approach, whereas others welcomed public health expertise and its evidence-based approach and input. (2) Some public health stakeholders favoured a more passive, âsupportiveâ approach, with some reporting that reducing availability was unachievable. They reported that, within the constraints of current licensing systems, alcohol availability may be contained (at least in theory) but cannot be reduced, because existing businesses cannot be closed on availability grounds. In this âsupportiveâ approach, public health stakeholders supplied licensing teams with data on request or waited for guidance from licensing teams on when and how to get involved. Therefore, public health action supported the licensing team in their aim of promoting âsafeâ and âresponsibleâ retailing of alcohol and/or focused on short-term outcomes other than health, such as crime. (3) Some public health stakeholders favoured a âcollaborativeâ approach in which they worked in close partnership with licensing teams; this could include a focus on containing availability or responsible retail of alcohol, or both. Conclusions: In engaging with alcohol licensing, public health stakeholders adapted their approaches, sometimes resulting in a diminished focus on public health goals. Sampling did not include lower-activity areas, in which experiences might differ. The extent to which current licensing systems enable achievement of public health goals is questionable and the effectiveness of public health efforts merits quantitative evaluation
Periodic Golay pairs and pairwise balanced designs
In this paper we exploit a relationship between certain pairwise balanced designs with v points and periodic Golay pairs of length v, to classify periodic Golay pairs of length less than 40. In particular, we construct all pairwise balanced designs with v points under specific block conditions having an assumed cyclic automorphism group, and using isomorph rejection which is compatible with equivalence of corresponding periodic Golay pairs, we complete a classification up to equivalence. This is done using the theory of orbit matrices and some compression techniques which apply to complementary sequences. We use similar tools to construct new periodic Golay pairs of lengths greater than 40 where classifications remain incomplete and demonstrate that under some extra conditions on its automorphism group, a periodic Golay pair of length 90 will not exist. Length 90 remains the smallest length for which existence of a periodic Golay pair is undecided. Some quasi-cyclic self-orthogonal codes are constructed as an added application
Factors influencing public health engagement in alcohol licensing in England and Scotland including legal and structural differences:comparative interview analysis
BACKGROUND: Greater availability of alcohol is associated with higher consumption and harms. The legal systems, by which premises are licensed to sell alcohol in England and Scotland, differ in several ways. The 'Exploring the impact of alcohol licensing in England and Scotland' study measured public health team activity regarding alcohol licensing from 2012 to 2019 and identified seven differences between England and Scotland in the timing and type of activities undertaken.OBJECTIVES: To qualitatively describe the seven previously identified differences between Scotland and England in public health approaches to alcohol licensing, and to examine, from the perspective of public health professionals, what factors may explain these differences.METHODS: Ninety-four interviews were conducted with 52 professionals from 14 English and 6 Scottish public health teams selected for diversity who had been actively engaging with alcohol licensing. Interviews focused primarily on the nature of their engagement (n = 66) and their rationale for the approaches taken (n = 28). Interview data were analysed thematically using NVivo. Findings were constructed by discussion across the research team, to describe and explain the differences in practice found.FINDINGS: Diverse legal, practical and other factors appeared to explain the seven differences. (1) Earlier engagement in licensing by Scottish public health teams in 2012-3 may have arisen from differences in the timing of legislative changes giving public health a statutory role and support from Alcohol Focus Scotland. (2) Public Health England provided significant support from 2014 in England, contributing to an increase in activity from that point. (3) Renewals of statements of licensing policy were required more frequently in Scotland and at the same time for all Licensing Boards, probably explaining greater focus on policy in Scotland. (4) Organisational structures in Scotland, with public health stakeholders spread across several organisations, likely explained greater involvement of senior leaders there. (5) Without a public health objective for licensing, English public health teams felt less confident about making objections to licence applications without other stakeholders such as the police, and instead commonly negotiated conditions on licences with applicants. In contrast, Scottish public health teams felt any direct contact with applicants was inappropriate due to conflicts of interest. (6) With the public health objective in Scotland, public health teams there were more active in making independent objections to licence applications. Further in Scotland, licensing committee meetings are held to consider all new applications regardless of whether objections have been submitted; unlike in England where there was a greater incentive to resolve objections, because then a meeting was not required. (7) Finally, Scottish public health teams involved the public more in licensing process, partly because of statutory licensing forums there.CONCLUSIONS: The alcohol premises licensing systems in England and Scotland differ in important ways including and beyond the lack of a public health objective for licensing in England. These and other differences, including support of national and local bodies, have shaped opportunities for, and the nature of, public health engagement. Further research could examine the relative success of the approaches taken by public health teams and how temporary increases in availability are handled in the two licensing systems.FUNDING: This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Reseacrh programme as award number 15/129/11.</p
Factors influencing public health engagement in alcohol licensing in England and Scotland including legal and structural differences:Comparative interview analysis
BACKGROUND: Greater availability of alcohol is associated with higher consumption and harms. The legal systems, by which premises are licensed to sell alcohol in England and Scotland, differ in several ways. The 'Exploring the impact of alcohol licensing in England and Scotland' study measured public health team activity regarding alcohol licensing from 2012 to 2019 and identified seven differences between England and Scotland in the timing and type of activities undertaken.OBJECTIVES: To qualitatively describe the seven previously identified differences between Scotland and England in public health approaches to alcohol licensing, and to examine, from the perspective of public health professionals, what factors may explain these differences.METHODS: Ninety-four interviews were conducted with 52 professionals from 14 English and 6 Scottish public health teams selected for diversity who had been actively engaging with alcohol licensing. Interviews focused primarily on the nature of their engagement (n = 66) and their rationale for the approaches taken (n = 28). Interview data were analysed thematically using NVivo. Findings were constructed by discussion across the research team, to describe and explain the differences in practice found.FINDINGS: Diverse legal, practical and other factors appeared to explain the seven differences. (1) Earlier engagement in licensing by Scottish public health teams in 2012-3 may have arisen from differences in the timing of legislative changes giving public health a statutory role and support from Alcohol Focus Scotland. (2) Public Health England provided significant support from 2014 in England, contributing to an increase in activity from that point. (3) Renewals of statements of licensing policy were required more frequently in Scotland and at the same time for all Licensing Boards, probably explaining greater focus on policy in Scotland. (4) Organisational structures in Scotland, with public health stakeholders spread across several organisations, likely explained greater involvement of senior leaders there. (5) Without a public health objective for licensing, English public health teams felt less confident about making objections to licence applications without other stakeholders such as the police, and instead commonly negotiated conditions on licences with applicants. In contrast, Scottish public health teams felt any direct contact with applicants was inappropriate due to conflicts of interest. (6) With the public health objective in Scotland, public health teams there were more active in making independent objections to licence applications. Further in Scotland, licensing committee meetings are held to consider all new applications regardless of whether objections have been submitted; unlike in England where there was a greater incentive to resolve objections, because then a meeting was not required. (7) Finally, Scottish public health teams involved the public more in licensing process, partly because of statutory licensing forums there.CONCLUSIONS: The alcohol premises licensing systems in England and Scotland differ in important ways including and beyond the lack of a public health objective for licensing in England. These and other differences, including support of national and local bodies, have shaped opportunities for, and the nature of, public health engagement. Further research could examine the relative success of the approaches taken by public health teams and how temporary increases in availability are handled in the two licensing systems.FUNDING: This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Reseacrh programme as award number 15/129/11.</p
How public health teams navigate their different roles in alcohol premises licensing: ExILEnS multistakeholder interview findings
Background: In England and Scotland, local governments regulate the sale of alcohol by awarding licences to premises to permit the sale of alcohol for consumption on or off the premises, under certain conditions; without such a licence, alcohol cannot be legally sold. In recent years, many local public health teams have become proactive in engaging with alcohol licensing, encouraging licensing authorities to act in ways intended to improve population health. Objective: This research aimed to explore and understand the approaches and activities of public health stakeholders (i.e. NHS staff and other public health professionals) in seeking to influence local alcohol licensing policy and decisions, and the views of licensing stakeholders (i.e. licensing officers/managers, police staff with a licensing remit, elected members and licensing lawyers/clerks) on the acceptability and effectiveness of these approaches. Participants: Local public health teams in England and Scotland were directly informed about this multisite study. Scoping calls were conducted with interested teams to explore their level of activity in alcohol licensing from 2012 across several categories. Twenty local authority areas with public health teams active in licensing matters were recruited purposively in England (n = 14) and Scotland (n = 6) to vary by region and rurality. Fifty-three in-depth telephone interviews (28 with public health stakeholders and 25 with licensing stakeholders outside health, such as local authority licensing teams/lawyers or police) were conducted. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically in NVivo 12 (QSR International, Warrington, UK) using inductive and deductive approaches. Results: Public health stakeholdersâ approaches to engagement varied, falling into three main (and sometimes overlapping) types. (1) Many public health stakeholders in England and all public health stakeholders in Scotland took a âchallengingâ approach to influencing licensing decisions and policies. Reducing health harms was felt to necessitate a focus on reducing availability and generating longerterm culture change, citing international evidence on the links between availability and alcohol-related harms. Some of these stakeholders viewed this as being a narrow, ânanny stateâ approach, whereas others welcomed public health expertise and its evidence-based approach and input. (2) Some public health stakeholders favoured a more passive, âsupportiveâ approach, with some reporting that reducing availability was unachievable. They reported that, within the constraints of current licensing systems, alcohol availability may be contained (at least in theory) but cannot be reduced, because existing businesses cannot be closed on availability grounds. In this âsupportiveâ approach, public health stakeholders supplied licensing teams with data on request or waited for guidance from licensing teams on when and how to get involved. Therefore, public health action supported the licensing team in their aim of promoting âsafeâ and âresponsibleâ retailing of alcohol and/or focused on short-term outcomes other than health, such as crime. (3) Some public health stakeholders favoured a âcollaborativeâ approach in which they worked in close partnership with licensing teams; this could include a focus on containing availability or responsible retail of alcohol, or both. Conclusions: In engaging with alcohol licensing, public health stakeholders adapted their approaches, sometimes resulting in a diminished focus on public health goals. Sampling did not include loweractivity areas, in which experiences might differ. The extent to which current licensing systems enable achievement of public health goals is questionable and the effectiveness of public health efforts merits quantitative evaluation. Study registration: The study is registered with the Research Registry as researchregistry6162. Funding: This project was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme and will be published in Public Health Research. See the NIHR Journals Library website for further project information
Chemistry in Infrared Dark Cloud Clumps: a Molecular Line Survey at 3 mm
We have observed 37 Infrared Dark Clouds (IRDCs), containing a total of 159
clumps, in high-density molecular tracers at 3 mm using the 22-meter ATNF Mopra
Telescope located in Australia. After determining kinematic distances, we
eliminated clumps that are not located in IRDCs and clumps with a separation
between them of less than one Mopra beam. Our final sample consists of 92 IRDC
clumps. The most commonly detected molecular lines are (detection rates higher
than 8%): N2H+, HNC, HN13C, HCO+, H13CO+, HCN, C2H, HC3N, HNCO, and SiO. We
investigate the behavior of the different molecular tracers and look for
chemical variations as a function of an evolutionary sequence based on Spitzer
IRAC and MIPS emission. We find that the molecular tracers behave differently
through the evolutionary sequence and some of them can be used to yield useful
relative age information. The presence of HNC and N2H+ lines do not depend on
the star formation activity. On the other hand, HC3N, HNCO, and SiO are
predominantly detected in later stages of evolution. Optical depth calculations
show that in IRDC clumps the N2H+ line is optically thin, the C2H line is
moderately optically thick, and HNC and HCO+ are optically thick. The HCN
hyperfine transitions are blended, and, in addition, show self-absorbed line
profiles and extended wing emission. These factors combined prevent the use of
HCN hyperfine transitions for the calculation of physical parameters. Total
column densities of the different molecules, except C2H, increase with the
evolutionary stage of the clumps. Molecular abundances increase with the
evolutionary stage for N2H+ and HCO+. The N2H+/HCO+ and N2H+/HNC abudance
ratios act as chemical clocks, increasing with the evolution of the clumps.Comment: Accepted to ApJ. 29 page
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