The Iterated Weakest Link

We outline a model for security investment that reflects dynamic interaction between a defender, who faces uncertainty, and an attacker, who repeatedly targets the weakest link. Using the model, we derive and compare optimal security investment over multiple periods, exploring the delicate balance between proactive and reactive security investment.     

The use of bovine serum protein as an oral support therapy following coronavirus challenge in calves

The objective of this experiment was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of a supplemental bovine serum protein blend fed to calves challenged with virulent coronavirus. Twelve Holstein bull calves (approximately 3 wk of age) were allocated by initial body weight to Control (n = 5) and treated (n = 7) groups. On d 0, all calves were orally challenged with 1 x 10(7) plaque-forming units of virulent coronavirus isolate. Infection was allowed to progress for 24 h before treatment was started. On d 1, treated calves began receiving 160 g of dry bovine serum powder (16 g IgG) mixed into milk replacer powder (67 g) at both an a.m. and p.m. feeding. Control calves received only milk replacer powder (227 g) at both feedings. Response to coronavirus challenge and dietary treatment was monitored prior to a.m. and p.m. feeding by the collection of multiple clinical measures. Fecal consistency was decreased by coronavirus challenge but was not affected by dietary treatment. Mean daily rectal temperature and heart rate were not affected by dietary treatment. Average packed cell volume was higher in treated calves than in control (35.0 and 27.0%). Coronavirus challenge resulted in an immediate increase in respiration rate, decreasing by d 7. Control calves tended to have a greater average respiration rate compared with treated (28.7 vs. 26.8 breaths/min). Treated calves had a higher average feed intake than control (0.57 vs. 0.44 kg/d). These data suggest that bovine-serum supplemented milk replacer may decrease the severity of disease in young calves exposed to coronavirus.     

Correction to Perruchet et al. (2006).

Reports an error in "Do We Need Algebraic-Like Computations? A Reply to Bonatti, Pena, Nespor, and Mehler (2004)" by Pierre Perruchet, Ronald Peereman, and Michael D. Tyler (Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 2006[May], 135(2), 322-326). The page numbers that Dr. Perruchet cited from Dr. Bonatti et al.'s article were printed incorrectly. These page numbers should appear as follows in the correction. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 2006-06642-011.) L. L. Bonatti, M. Pena, M. Nespor, and J. Mehler (see record 2006-06642-010) argued that P. Perruchet, M. D. Tyler, N. Galland, and R. Peereman (see record 2004-21166-008) confused the notions of segmentation and generalization by ignoring the evidence for generalization in M. Pena, L. L. Bonatti, M. Nespor, and J. Mehler (see record 2002-06215-001). In this reply, the authors reformulate and complement their initial arguments, showing that their way of dealing with segmentation and generalization is not due to confusion or ignorance but rather to the fact that the tests used in Pena et al. make it likely that neither segmentation nor generalization were captured in their experiments. Finally, the authors address the challenge posed by Pena et al. of accounting for the whole pattern of their results without invoking rule-based, algebraic-like computations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Oracle Erp and Network Computing Architecture: Implementation and Performance

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems enable firms to attain information technology integration. Such integration results in a uniform information system across the entire organization, thus augmenting performance. in this article, the issues and performance of Oracle ERP are discussed based on perspicacious exploratory analyses conducted in two manufacturing firms located in Ohio and Wisconsin. the factors of influence to implement Oracle ERP systems, various issues involved in the process of implementation, and performance of the systems are discussed in detail. the triangulation technique was used to make sure that the qualitative and quantitative findings were congruent. the results of the quantitative analysis and details of the constructs and items identified to measure the constructs are explained elsewhere by the first author. Oracle ERP systems enabled these firms to perform better by simplifying and streamlining their information retrieval and dissemination processes. Oracle's Web-based network computing architecture (NCA) offers many advantages, such as higher scalability and better coordination with suppliers and customers. These case studies provided a foundation for future research to build theoretical models.     

Modeling the combined effect of static and varying phase distortions on the performance of adaptive optical systems

The end-to-end performance achieved by an adaptive optical (AO) imaging system is determined by a combination of the residual time-varying phase distortions associated with atmospheric turbulence and the quasi-static unsensed and uncorrectable aberrations in the optical system itself. Although the effects of these two errors on the time-averaged Strehl ratio and the time-averaged optical transfer function (OTF) of the AO system are not formally separable, such an approximation is found to be accurate to within a few percent for a range of representative residual wave-front errors. In these calculations, we combined static optical system aberrations and time-varying residual phase distortion characteristics of a deformable mirror fitting error, wave-front sensor noise, and anisoplanatism. The static aberrations consist of focus errors of varying magnitudes as well as a combination of unsensed and uncorrectable mirror figure errors derived from modeling by the Gemini 8-Meter Telescopes Project. The overall Strehl ratios and OTF's that are due to the combined effect of these error sources are well approximated as products of separate factors for the static and time-varying aberrations, as long as the overall Strehl ratio that is due to both errors is greater than approximately 0.1. For lower Strehl ratios, the products provide lower bounds on the actual values of the Strehl ratio and the OTF. The speckle transfer function is also well approximated by a product of two functions, but only where AO compensation is sufficiently good that speckle imaging techniques are usually not required.     

Carcinoids of unknown origin: comparative analysis with foregut, midgut, and hindgut carcinoids

The purpose of this study was to analyze our results of surgical treatment of arthrogryposis of the elbow and to compare our tendon transfer results using range of motion (ROM) criteria versus functional use criteria. Eighteen tendon transfers for elbow flexion in 14 children with arthrogryposis with an average follow-up period of 4 years (range, 1-14 years) and 6 elbow capsulotomies with triceps lengthening in 6 children with arthrogryposis with an average follow-up period of 5 years (range, 2-9 years) were evaluated. Each child was assessed by a questionnaire regarding functional use of the upper extremity, physical examination of ROM and strength, and a videotaped activities of daily living evaluation. Tendon transfer results were classified and compared using 2 methods of evaluation: postoperative strength and ROM and effective functional use of the tendon transfer to perform activities of daily living. The 6 elbow capsulotomies improved from an average preoperative arc of 17 degrees of motion (average extension, -2 degrees; average flexion, 19 degrees) to an average final follow-up arc of 67 degrees (average extension, -25 degrees; average flexion, 92 degrees). The 18 tendon transfers evaluated by strength and ROM criteria showed 9 triceps to biceps transfers in 9 arms (7 good, 1 fair, and 1 poor), 5 pectoralis to biceps transfers in 4 arms (1 good, 3 fair, and 1 poor), and 4 latissimus dorsi to biceps transfers in 3 arms (2 good and 2 fair). Evaluation by functional use criteria gave the same result in 13 transfers and downgraded the result in 5; the downgraded results were due to resultant flexion contracture or limited functional use because the transfer was in the nondominant arm. Based on this review, optimal surgical candidates for tendon transfer are children older than 4 years, who have full passive ROM of the elbow in the dominant arm, and at least grade 4 strength of the muscle to be transferred.     

Energy use in Minnesota State-owned facilities

This paper describes and analyzes the contents of a large data base containing information on monthly energy use at state-owned facilities in Minnesota. The data base, managed by the State Department of Administration, includes information on 42 community colleges, state universities, hospitals, prisons, and the St. Paul Capitol Complex. The data span a seven year period (1972 – 1978) and include about 3,500 observations.Several data base management issues are discussed. These include errors and their correction, development of simple and consistent definitions for key terms, and collection of information on key determinants of energy use at these facilities.Total annual energy use at these 42 institutions averaged 245 kBtu/ft² (2.78 GJ/m²) for 1978. Fossil fuels accounted for 56% of this total; electricity accounted for the remainder. Energy use at the Capitol Complex, hospitals and prisons was higher than average.Regression equations were developed to predict monthly heating fuel use and total energy use. These equations show that more than 60% of the variation in energy use per unit floorspace can be explained by a few variables: heating degree days; electricity and fossil fuel prices; number of buildings; number of boilers; facility age; and whether or not the facility is all electric.     

The influence of outcomes and procedures on satisfaction with formal leaders.

Tested the hypothesis that the procedures used by leaders to allocate outcomes have an impact on leadership evaluations that is independent of outcome level or outcome fairness. Two studies tested this hypothesis within the context of 132 college students' evaluations of teachers, and two tested it within the context of citizen evaluations of political leaders; Ss in the latter 2 studies were 50 residents of a university town and 156 undergraduates. The procedural justice hypothesis was strongly supported by all 4 studies. In each, strong procedural influences on evaluation were found, influences that were independent of outcome level or outcome fairness. In addition, in both surveys of naturally occurring evaluations, variations in procedural fairness had a much greater impact on leadership endorsement than did variations in outcome level, outcome satisfaction, or outcome fairness. Findings suggest that in experimental settings, Ss can be sensitive to both outcomes and procedures. In natural settings, however, individuals focus on procedures rather than outcomes in forming their evaluations of leaders. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Parental competence and styles of problem solving/play behavior with children.

The relationship of parental psychosocial competence to parent interaction behaviors in a joint problem-solving/play session was studied in 23 adult–preschool child pairs. Parents were assessed using self-report questionnaires to determine degrees of self-efficacy, optimistic trust, and an active, competent coping style. Children and parents participated in a semistructured problem-solving/play task with observers rating the parental behaviors in the interactions; child responses were not specifically studied. More competent parents treated the child as being more capable and resourceful, showed generally warm and positive feelings, and were more helpful with problem solving. Thus, these parental competence attributes are confirmed as significant variables relating to parental behavior and to their styles of interaction, which are part of the socialization context of their children. (21 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

An oscillating superleak sound transducer

A resonator has been constructed in which a rigid superleak, fixed at one point across an annular cavity filled with liquid ⁴He, behaves as a differential filter for superfluid flow. The boundary conditions which obtain at the superleak determine the motion of the total fluid in the annulus and, by its reaction force on the superleak, the motion of the resonator as a whole. The condition for resonance motion of the resonator when driven (externally) by a periodic torque has given information about the temperature dependence of the superfluid density in the superleak which, in these experiments, was porous vycor glass.