A Range-Division User Relay Selection Scheme and Performance Analysis in NOMA-based Cooperative Opportunistic Multicast Systems

The original user relay (UR) selection scheme of non-orthogonal multiple access-based cooperative opportunistic multicast scheme, which realizes inter-group cooperation between two multicast groups, ignores the distribution trend of candidate UR in the cell and adopts fixed efficient relay selection range (ERSR) to select UR. It results in high UR selection ratio. Then the coverage efficiency, defined as the ratio of successfully received users to URs, is low. To tackle this problem, a range-division user relay (RDUR) selection scheme is proposed in this paper. Firstly, it divides the circular coverage range of base station into several continuous annular areas (AAs). Secondly, different ERSRs are assigned to unsuccessfully received users in different AAs. Under different ERSR assignments, the performances of UR selection ratio and coverage ratio are analyzed. Lastly, the radius set of ERSR that optimizes system coverage efficiency is used to perform UR selection. From simulation results, with different radius sets, analytical results of UR selection ratio and coverage ratio match well with their simulated ones. It is proved that ERSR allocation affects UR selection ratio and coverage ratio. With RDUR scheme, coverage efficiency increases by at least 14% and capacity efficiency has also been improved.

The Influence of Competition on Motivation to Fake in Employment Interviews

Many applicants fake, or intentionally misrepresent information, in employment interviews. Recent theories of faking propose that applicants may fake more when there are situational cues that signal intense competition for the job. We tested this proposition by manipulating the number of competitors and selection ratio in selection scenarios, and assessed individuals’ faking intentions. We also examined whether Honesty-Humility moderated the relation between competition and faking intentions. Hypotheses were tested using a between-subjects study with 775 participants. Results show that faking intentions increased with few competitors and a small selection ratio. Honesty-Humility did not moderate the relation between competition and faking intentions. Findings support competition as a situational predictor of faking intentions, lending support to models of faking.

A reformulation of the selection ratio shed light on resource selection functions and leads to a unified framework for habitat selection studies

The selection ratio (SR), i.e. the ratio of proportional use of a habitat over proportional availability of this habitat, has for long been the standard metric of habitat selection analyses. It is easy to compute and directly estimates disproportionate use. Its apparent restriction to habitat selection analyses using categorical predictors led to the development of the resource selection functions (RSF) approach, which has now become the norm.The RSF approach has however led to debates and confusion. For instance, what functional form can be used remains debated, and the concept of relative probability of selection is often misunderstood.I propose a reformulation of the SR demonstrating that it can be estimated in a regression context, and thus even with continuous predictors. This reformulation suggests that RSF can be seen as an intermediate step in the calculation of SR. This reformulation also clarifies some long-standing debates about RSF and data-selection/fitting practices.I further suggest that SR estimates the strength of habitat selection, but that the contribution of selection in determining use, which should be more directly linked to fitness than selection per se, should be estimated by another metric, the selection effect on use (SE). SE could be estimated simply as the difference between proportional use and proportional availability, and can be computed from SR and a density estimation of availability.I conduct a habitat selection analysis of plains zebras to demonstrate the added-value of going beyond RSF scores and using SR estimated in a regression context, and of combining SR and SE.Overall, I highlight the inter-relation between various metrics used to study habitat selection (i.e., SR, other selection indices, RSF scores, marginality). I conclude by proposing that SR and SE can be the unifying metrics of habitat selection, as together they offer a comprehensive view on the strength of habitat selection and its effect on habitat use.

Forward, backward selection and variation analysis of growth traits in half-sib Larix kaempferi families

Tree height and diameter at breast height of 30 half-sib Larix kaempferi families were analyzed at different ages. Analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in growth among dif­ferent families. Phenotypic variation coefficients of the traits tree height and diameter at breast height among families of different ages ranged from 11.04 % to 31.74 % and 19.01 % to 19.83 %, respectively. Average heritability of tree height and diameter at breast height ranged from 0.87 to 0.96 and 0.93 to 0.96, respectively. Significant positive correlations were obser­ved among all traits at different ages. By the method of multip­le-traits comprehensive, six families (L18, L12, L8, L3, L25 and L20) were selected as being elite using a 20 % selection ratio at 12 years of age. Average values of these elite families were 11.15 % and 16.83 % higher than the total average for height and diameter at breast height, and genetic gains were 10.53 % and 15.79 %, respectively. Forty five elite individual plants were selected using a 5 % selection ratio which were 23.47 % and 24.90 % higher than the overall average for height and diame­ter at breast height, respectively.

The Arbitrary Choice of the Predictor in Meritocratic Selection to Higher Education Affects the Selection Outcomes

Predictive validity considerations in selection dictate choice of the predictor with the highest predictive validity. Implementation of this principle in any specific selection process inevitably entails choice between imperfectly correlated alternative predictors, real or hypothetical, which are equivalent in terms of predictive validity. We show that use of different predictors necessarily results in the admission of partially overlapping groups of candidates. The amount of non-overlap is inversely related to the correlation between predictors and to the selection ratio. For typical values of these factors, the amount of non-overlap is considerable (50%-80%). Thus, the predictor’s identity affects the identity and characteristics of the admitted candidates independently of its validity and can be intentionally used to bias the selection outcomes in a desired direction.

Assessment of fire selectivity in relation to land cover and topography: a comparison between Southern European countries

Land cover distribution is one of the factors that influence fire behaviour and its consequences in the landscape. The relation between land cover type and fire was investigated at a broad scale, in order to analyse land cover differences in fire proneness. The selection ratio for nine different land cover categories was calculated for the fire perimeters mapped in Southern Europe between 2000 and 2008. The results obtained were then compared per country and region. The fire proneness of topographic classes and its potential association with land cover types were also assessed. At a broad scale, shrublands and grasslands were the most preferred by fire, whereas artificial surfaces and agricultural areas were less fire prone. Forests showed intermediate values of selection ratio. Principal components and cluster analysis identified three regions with significant differences among them: the Mediterranean area, the Balkans and Turkey–Cyprus. Slopes >25% and with a north aspect were also less susceptible to burning. The identification of common land cover and topographic characteristics allows for the application of common management strategies in Southern Europe, coupled with particular measures adjusted to the conditions that are country- and region-specific.