Electronic marking of mathematics assignments using Microsoft Word 2007

This paper describes on-going work within the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at The Open University to enable distance learning students to electronically submit assignments rich in mathematical notation and diagrams, and for those assignments to be marked and returned electronically by their tutor. A trial is currently underway of a prototype system that enables students to submit assignments in a range of electronic formats, which are then converted to Microsoft Word 2007 format to enable tutors to take advantage of various features of this software for marking and providing mathematical comments. The systems developed for this trial are described and preliminary findings presented

Effects of variations of load distribution on network performance

This paper is concerned with the characterization of the relationship between topology and traffic dynamics. We use a model of network generation that allows the transition from random to scale free networks. Specifically, we consider three different topological types of network: random, scale-free with \gamma = 3, scale-free with \gamma = 2. By using a novel LRD traffic generator, we observe best performance, in terms of transmission rates and delivered packets, in the case of random networks. We show that, even if scale-free networks are characterized by shorter characteristic-path- length (the lower the exponent, the lower the path-length), they show worst performances in terms of communication. We conjecture this could be explained in terms of changes in the load distribution, defined here as the number of shortest paths going through a given vertex. In fact, that distribu- tion is characterized by (i) a decreasing mean (ii) an increas- ing standard deviation, as the networks becomes scale-free (especially scale-free networks with low exponents). The use of a degree-independent server also discriminates against a scale-free structure. As a result, since the model is un- controlled, most packets will go through the same vertices, favoring the onset of congestion.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, included in conference proceedings ISCAS 2005, Kobe Japa

Communication models with distributed transmission rates and buffer sizes

The paper is concerned with the interplay between network structure and traffic dynamics in a communications network, from the viewpoint of end-to-end performance of packet transfer. We use a model of network generation that allows the transition from random to scale-free networks. Specifically, we are able to consider three different topologycal types of networks: (a) random; (b) scale-free with \gamma=3; (c) scale free with \gamma=2. We also use an LRD traffic generator in order to reproduce the fractal behavior that is observed in real world data communication. The issue is addressed of how the traffic behavior on the network is influenced by the variable factors of the transmission rates and queue length restrictions at the network vertices. We show that these factors can induce drastic changes in the throughput and delivery time of network performance and are able to counter-balance some undesirable effects due to the topology.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, IEEE Symposium on Circuits and Systems, Island of Kos, Greece, 200

Thermal excitation of molecular spectra

Imperial Users onl

Directed Percolation and Generalized Friendly Walkers

We show that the problem of directed percolation on an arbitrary lattice is equivalent to the problem of m directed random walkers with rather general attractive interactions, when suitably continued to m=0. In 1+1 dimensions, this is dual to a model of interacting steps on a vicinal surface. A similar correspondence with interacting self-avoiding walks is constructed for isotropic percolation.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Phys. Rev. Let

Kanawha research farm celebrates 75 years

In 1931, a group of farmers started the Northern Iowa Research Association to work on problems specific to northern Iowa farmers. The Northern Iowa Research Association purchased a farm on the southern edge of Kanawha and has encouraged Iowa State University researchers to conduct work there. Since its beginning, this farm has conducted research in flax production, sugar beet production, small grain management, corn and soybean breeding, weed management, nutrient management (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), soybean cyst nematode, tillage, replant decisions, and rotations

Reminder: Fall pesticide training

Iowa State University\u27s Extension Pest Management and the Environment program, in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, provides continuing instructional courses (CIC) at sites across Iowa for certified commercial applicators. Obtain a registration form on the Web atwww.extension.iastate.edu/pme or visit your local county extension office

Pilcher named interim coordinator of pest management programs

The new interim director of Iowa State University\u27s Pest Management and the Environment (PME) program and coordinator of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program is no stranger to agriculture. Carol Pilcher was raised on a farm/ranch in southeastern Colorado and has been involved with agriculture most of her life. She was active in 4-H and completed 10 years of projects including gardening, crops, weeds, and entomology. During the summers, Carol collected insects for her 4-H entomology project and operated a light trap for an entomologist at Colorado State University. This is where she started her entomology career path