MRF: A Framework for Source and Destination Based Bandwidth Differentiation Service

In this paper, we shall generalize the concepts of fairness, TCP-friendliness and TCP-compatibility such that more source adaptation schemes can be designed to support diverse applications over the Internet. A simple but efficient framework, in the form of a monotonic response function (MRF), is proposed for the analysis and the design of memoryless window-based source adaptation protocols by using these concepts. We first derive a necessary and sufficient condition for step-wise convergence to the weighted fairness. It is then used to construct increase-decrease policies. The requirements of our increase-decrease policy are less conservative than those of the CYRF (Choose Your Response Function) that was proposed in . Our MRF is suitable for transmission control protocol (TCP) and user datagram protocol (UDP), and can be used to design TCP-friendly and multimedia-friendly source adaptation schemes. Meanwhile, our MRF can be applied to provide bandwidth differentiation service without any change to the router of the existing Internet.     

QoS provisioning in cellular networks based on mobility prediction techniques

In cellular networks, QoS degradation or forced termination may occur when there are insufficient resources to accommodate handoff requests. One solution is to predict the trajectory of mobile terminals so as to perform resource reservations in advance. With the vision that future mobile devices are likely to be equipped with reasonably accurate positioning capability, we investigate how this new feature may be used for mobility predictions. We propose a mobility prediction technique that incorporates road topology information, and describe its use for dynamic resource reservation. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the improvement in reservation efficiency compared with several other schemes.     

Delayed delivery of surviving triplet after fetal reduction and spontaneous abortion

In multiple pregnancies, survival of remaining fetuses after premature death and delivery of one fetus is uncommon. We report a case of a triplet pregnancy that was reduced to twins at the 14th gestational week and then had preterm premature rupture of membranes and intrauterine fetal death of one twin at the 17th gestational week. To save the surviving fetus, delivery of the dead fetus and ligation of the umbilical cord at the cervical level were performed. We also performed McDonald cervical cerclage to keep the placenta of the dead fetus as well as that of the surviving one in the uterine cavity. After a series of aggressive procedures, including immediate administration of tocolytic agents, and antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infection and preterm labor, the surviving fetus was delivered vaginally 73 days later due to intractable uterine contractions. After a 10-week hospital stay, the infant boy, weighing 2,500 g, was discharged without any sequelae. To our knowledge, this was the longest interval between deliveries in a triplet pregnancy reported in Taiwan. With adequate intensive management, a satisfactory outcome of the fetus and mother in such cases is possible.     

Downward comparison, prejudice, and evaluations of others: Effects of self-esteem and threat.

In two studies, we explored the effects of trait self-esteem and threats to the self-concept on evaluations of others. In Study 1, subjects high, moderate, and low in self-esteem received either success, failure, or no feedback on a test and later evaluated three pairs of targets: ingroups and outgroups based on a minimal intergroup manipulation, those who scored above average and those who scored below average on the test, and themselves and the average college student. Study 2 explored the effects of self-esteem and threat on ingroup favoritism in a real-world setting, campus sororities. Together, the results of these studies indicate that individuals high in self-esteem, but not those low in self-esteem, respond to threats to the self-concept by derogating outgroups relative to the ingroup when the group boundaries have evaluative implications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Characterization of zero locations of polytopes of real polynomials

Given a stability region of a polytope of polynomials, the edge theorem can be used to verify certain root-clustering properties of the polytope. The authors consider the inverse problem; starting with a polytope of real polynomials, they present a result that allows the construction of the smallest set of regions in the complex plane which characterizes its zero location     

Implementing CS1 with embedded instructional research design in laboratories

Closed laboratories are becoming an increasingly popular approach to teaching introductory computer science courses. Unlike open laboratories that tend to be an informal environment provided for students to practice their skills with attendance optional, closed laboratories are structured meeting times that support the lecture component of the course, and attendance is required. This paper reports on an integrated approach to designing, implementing, and assessing laboratories with an embedded instructional research design. The activities reported here are parts of a departmentwide effort not only to improve student learning in computer science and computer engineering (CE) but also to improve the agility of the Computer Science and Engineering Department in adapting the curriculum to changing technologies, incorporate research, and validate the instructional strategies used. This paper presents the design and implementation of the laboratories and the results and analysis of student performance. Also described in this paper is cooperative learning in the laboratories and its impact on student learning.     

Feminist identity and feminist therapy behaviors of women psychotherapists.

Investigated whether (1) feminist identity development for women therapists was related to their use of feminist therapy behaviors (FTBs) and (2) feminist identity development and use of FTBs for women therapists were related to self-identification as a feminist therapist. 153 women psychologists (aged 30–77 yrs) were administered a women's issues in therapy questionnaire, which included a short version of the Feminist Identity Scale (FIS; K. M. Rickard, 1989, 1990). Ss were categorized into stages of feminine identity development according to their scores on 4 subscales of the FIS: Passive-Acceptance (PA), Revelation (REV), Embeddedness (EMB), and Synthesis (SYN). Ss scoring high on SYN and REV, and low on PA, reported greater use of FTBs; scores on the EMB were not related to the use of FTBs. All 4 subscales were predictive of women therapists who self-identified as feminist therapists. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)