Multicast-based inference of network-internal loss characteristics

Robust measurements of network dynamics are increasingly important to the design and operation of large internetworks like the Internet. However, administrative diversity makes it impractical to monitor every link on an end-to-end path. At the same time, it is difficult to determine the performance characteristics of individual links from end-to-end measurements of unicast traffic. In this paper, we introduce the use of end-to-end measurements of multicast traffic to infer network-internal characteristics. The bandwidth efficiency of multicast traffic makes it suitable for large-scale measurements of both end-to-end and internal network dynamics. We develop a maximum-likelihood estimator for loss rates on internal links based on losses observed by multicast receivers. It exploits the inherent correlation between such observations to infer the performance of paths between branch points in the tree spanning a multicast source and its receivers. We derive its rate of convergence as the number of measurements increases, and we establish robustness with respect to certain generalizations of the underlying model. We validate these techniques through simulation and discuss possible extensions and applications of this work     

Social desirability corrections in personality measurement: Issues of applicant comparison and construct validity.

Research investigating the validity of personality measures has established these measures as useful selection tools. However, personality measures are vulnerable to response distortion leading to employer concerns about the influence of applicant faking, with specific concerns about the influence of social desirability. A traditional method used to circumvent this is the application of a correction based on a social desirability scale score. This study sought to evaluate whether such corrections are effective tools for removing the influence of intentional distortion. A within-subjects design facilitated comparisons between honest, faked, and corrected scores. The goal was to evaluate whether a social desirability correction allows one to approximate an individual's honest score. The results suggest that a social desirability correction is ineffective and fails to produce a corrected score that approximates an honest score. Results are interpreted with respect to applicant comparison and construct validity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

MMPI-2 with male and female state and federal prison inmates.

This study examined the base rates, patterns, and configurations of male and female prisoners on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2; J. N. Butcher, W. G. Dahlstrom, J. R. Graham, A. Tellegen, & B. Kaemmer, 1989) validity, basic, supplementary, and content scales and compares them with the MMPI-2 adult norms and with the performance of offenders on the original MMPI (S. R. Hathaway & J. C. McKinley, 1943). Expectations as to which scales would show significant and meaningful elevations and effect scores were generally upheld. The most prominent MMPI-2 scales are Infrequency, 4, 6, 9, MacAndrew Alcoholism Scale-Revised, and Antisocial Practices for both genders, and Scales 5 and Addiction Admission Scale among women. Scales 0 and Responsibility scale appeared to be inhibitory scales. Men and women had similar profile configurations, but the female offenders' scores were more deviant than those of the men. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Land suitability analysis for the upper Gila River watershed

In the United States, federal management agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Bureau of Land Management are required to assess the capability of land for future use. In addition, Arizona law now requires local jurisdictions to prepare comprehensive and general plans. Suitability analysis can be used for compliance with several elements of these plans. Here, a framework for land suitability analysis is presented for the upper Gila River watershed in Arizona and New Mexico. The framework is based on a thorough ecological inventory of the watershed. A goal of suitability analysis is to explicitly identify constraints and opportunities for future land conservation and development. This is accomplished by determining the fitness of a given tract of land for a defined use. Four land uses were targeted by local officials for analysis: low-density housing, commercial development, industrial development, and recreation. The framework can be useful for natural resource management as well as town, city, county, and federal planning in the watershed.     

结构裂纹故障实用振动诊断法初探

本文探索了一种以锤击法模态试验为手段,对结构物各局部子结构进行模态分析,并以结构固有频率和低阶动柔度峰值构成的敏感因子进行裂纹诊断的振动诊断法.这种诊断法具有简便实用、诊断灵敏度高的特点.     

Offspring produced from heterotopic ovarian allografts in male and female recipient mice

Studies on human ovarian xenografts and mouse allografts indicate that the male hormonal milieu and exogenous gonadotrophin administration stimulate antral follicle growth. However, it is not known whether oocytes produced under these conditions are developmentally competent. The objective of our study was to evaluate the developmental competence of oocytes produced in heterotopic mouse ovarian grafts placed in male and female recipient mice. Gonadotrophins were 7.5 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) alone or 7.5 IU PMSG and 7.5 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin or were not given prior to oocyte collection. The developmental competence of oocytes was assessed by performing in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer to recipients. When no gonadotrophins were given the cleavage rate was similar for oocytes collected from ovarian grafts in male and female recipients. Gonadotrophin treatment significantly (P < 0.05) increased two-cell formation by oocytes grown in female graft recipients but not in male recipients. Implantation rates, fetal development and the birth of live young were unaffected by the sex of the graft recipient or gonadotrophin treatment. Live offspring were produced from oocytes collected from ovarian grafts in male and female recipients treated with or without gonadotrophins. In conclusion, this work has shown that the hormonal environment of male mice can support the growth of oocytes in ovarian allografts and that these oocytes can produce live offspring.     

Critical Science Issues for Direct Drive Inertial Fusion Energy

There are several topics that require resolution prior to the construction of an Inertial Fusion Energy [IFE] laboratory Engineering Test Facility [ETF]: a pellet that produces high gain; a pellet fabrication system that cost-effectively and rapidly manufactures these pellets; a sufficiently uniform and durable high repetition-rate laser pellet driver; a practical target injection system that provides accurate pellet aiming; and, a target chamber that will survive the debris and radiation of repeated high-gain pellet implosions. In this summary we describe the science issues and opportunities that are involved in the design of a successful high gain direct drive Inertial Confinement Fusion [ICF] pellet.     

Implementation of a marketplace approach to broadcast regulation

Deregulation is a frequently used term within the telecommunications industry in the United States. Advocated by Chairman Mark Fowler of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the emphasis of deregulation is to let the marketplace dictate the economic and technological forces in the telecommunications environment. Through reduced governmental burdens, a marketplace approach could promote a social Darwinism philosophy in weeding out the weak competition and thereby establishing economic prices at the most competitive level in the telecommunications field. This article first addresses the marketplace approach to broadcast regulation in terms of Congressional and FCC actions. Then, factors outside the FCC that shape the telecommunications industry will be discussed. Last, marketplace “unregulation” in the 1980's will be explained.