A Novel QoS provisioning Scheme for OBS networks

This paper presents Classified Cloning, a novel QoS provisioning mechanism for OBS networks carrying real-time applications (such as video on demand, Voice over IP, online gaming and Grid computing). It provides such applications with a minimum loss rate while minimizing end-to-end delay and jitter. ns-2 has been used as the simulation tool, with new OBS modules having been developed for performance evaluation purposes. Ingress node performance has been investigated, as well as the overall performance of the suggested scheme. The results obtained showed that new scheme has superior performance to classical cloning. In particular, QoS provisioning offers a guaranteed burst loss rate, delay and expected value of jitter, unlike existing proposals for QoS implementation in OBS which use the burst offset time to provide such differentiation. Indeed, classical schemes increase both end-to-end delay and jitter. It is shown that the burst loss rate is reduced by 50% reduced over classical cloning

LEAD Program Evaluation: Recidivism Report

The LEAD program was established in 2011 as a means of diverting those suspected of low-level drug and prostitution criminal activity to case management and other supportive services instead of jail and prosecution. The primary aim of the LEAD program is to reduce criminal recidivism. Secondary aims include reductions in criminal justice service utilization and associated costs as well as improvements for psychosocial, housing and quality-of-life outcomes. Because LEAD is the first known pre-booking diversion program of its kind in the United States, an evaluation is critically needed to inform key stakeholders, policy makers, and other interested parties of its impact. The evaluation of the LEAD program described in this report represents a response to this need.Background: This report was written by the University of Washington LEAD Evaluation Team at the request of the LEAD Policy Coordinating Group and fulfills the first of three LEAD evaluation aims. Purpose: This report describes findings from a quantitative analysis comparing outcomes for LEAD participants versus "system-as-usual" control participants on shorter- and longer-term changes on recidivism outcomes, including arrests (i.e., being taken into custody by legal authority) and criminal charges (i.e., filing of a criminal case in court). Arrests and criminal charges were chosen as the recidivism outcomes because they likely reflect individual behavior more than convictions, which are more heavily impacted by criminal justice system variables external to the individual. Findings: Analyses indicated statistically significant recidivism improvement for the LEAD group compared to the control group on some shorter- and longer-term outcomes

Parenting interventions for ADHD: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis

Objective. To evaluate the evidence base relating to the effectiveness of parent-administered behavioral interventions for ADHD

A survey of teacher feeling in selected areas concerned with evaluation of teacher service to children

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

A novel ingress node design for video streaming over optical burst switching networks

This paper introduces a novel ingress node design which takes advantage of video data partitioning in order to deliver enhanced video streaming quality when using H.264/AVC codec over optical burst switching networks. Ns2 simulations show that the proposed scheme delivers improved video traffic quality without affecting other traffic, such as best effort traffic. Although the extra network load is comparatively small, the average gain in video PSNR was 5 dB over existing burst cloning schemes, with a maximum end-to-end delay of 17 ms, and jitter of less than 0.35 ms

Methods for Ex Post Economic Evaluation of Free Trade Agreements

Evaluating the economic impact of an FTA is an important part of the monitoring and surveying process that should follow the establishment of an FTA. This paper presents methods for evaluating the trade and welfare effects of an FTA. These methods show how to (i) compute indicators for the utilization and value of preferences, (ii) qualitatively assess trade creation and diversion, (iii) quantitatively analyze the FTA‘s trade effects with trade indicators and the gravity model, and (iv) make inferences about economic welfare. This paper specifies the formulas, computational techniques, and data used for each evaluation method, and describes how to interpret the output from each method with examples taken from countries such as Viet Nam, Indonesia, and Cambodia. The strengths and limitations of each method are also discussed.regionalization; evaluation methods; preferential tariffs; trade indicators; gravity model; free trade agreements; Asia

Quantifying responses of dung beetles to fire disturbance in tropical forests:the importance of trapping method and seasonality

Understanding how biodiversity responds to environmental changes is essential to provide the evidence-base that underpins conservation initiatives. The present study provides a standardized comparison between unbaited flight intercept traps (FIT) and baited pitfall traps (BPT) for sampling dung beetles. We examine the effectiveness of the two to assess fire disturbance effects and how trap performance is affected by seasonality. The study was carried out in a transitional forest between Cerrado (Brazilian Savanna) and Amazon Forest. Dung beetles were collected during one wet and one dry sampling season. The two methods sampled different portions of the local beetle assemblage. Both FIT and BPT were sensitive to fire disturbance during the wet season, but only BPT detected community differences during the dry season. Both traps showed similar correlation with environmental factors. Our results indicate that seasonality had a stronger effect than trap type, with BPT more effective and robust under low population numbers, and FIT more sensitive to fine scale heterogeneity patterns. This study shows the strengths and weaknesses of two commonly used methodologies for sampling dung beetles in tropical forests, as well as highlighting the importance of seasonality in shaping the results obtained by both sampling strategies

Categorized bibliography for a conceptual model of salt marsh management on Merritt Island, Florida

Enclosed is a bibliography of 556 published articles, technical reports, theses, dissertations, and books that form the basis for a conceptual model of salt marsh management on Merritt Island, Florida (Section 1). A copy of each item is available on file at the Florida Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Gainesville. Some relevant proprietary items and unpublished drafts have not been included pending permission of the authors. We will continue to add pertinent references to our bibliography and files. Currently, some topics are represented by very few items. As our synthesis develops, we will be able to indicate a subset of papers most pertinent to an understanding of the ecology and management of Merritt Island salt marshes. (98 page document

Economic analysis of health care utilization and perceived illness ; ethnicity and other factors

Paqueo and Gonzalez look at the determinants of health-seeking behavior of the Mexican population and within this context focus on the effect of ethnicity. They address the following questions: To what extent are the indigenous people at a disadvantage health care-wise and in what particular health services are they disadvantaged? Is the health care gap due to indigenous cultures by itself as opposed to the impact of socioeconomic differences? What policy instruments can be used to reduce the gap? The authors find that contrary to expectations, the indigenouspeople in Mexico tend to have a positive behavior toward modern preventive care compared with the nonindigenous population, holding socioeconomic factors constant. Apparently, there is no cultural barrier in regard to these services. But ethnicity remains negatively associated with the use of inpatient hospital care and medical and dental consultations. Insurance has a significant and positive effect on health care use. Therefore, it appears to be an effective instrument for addressing the health care disadvantages faced by the indigenous population in regard to inpatient care and the use of outpatient services of doctors, nurses, and dentists.Early Child and Children's Health,Health Systems Development&Reform,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Public Health Promotion,Health Economics&Finance,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Health Systems Development&Reform,Health Economics&Finance,Housing&Human Habitats,Gender and Health

Status of the Instream Flow Issue in Arkansas, 1987

Expansion of Arkansas\u27 population with concurrent increases in the state\u27s domestic, industrial, and agricultural water uses and possible out-of-state diversion are placing substantial demands on the state\u27s water resources. In an attempt to address this growing concern, Act 1051 (1985) of the Arkansas legislature was passed requiring the determination of present and future state water needs. A specific area of this mandate was the quantification of instream flow requirements. Basic instream flow needs are maintenance of the aquatic ecosystem and dependent riparian environment. Flow reservation may compliment other instream uses such as recreation, navigation, water quality, and groundwater recharge. However, offstream uses (e.g. irrigation and industry) may compete for these same flows and often at the most critical time of year. In order to answer questions concerning instream flow requirements, over 40 methods of instream flow determination have been developed, the majority in the semi-arid western United States. These individual procedures may be classified into four major methodologies: (1) discharge, (2) single transect, (3)multiple transect, and (4) regression analysis of historical data. Requirements of these four types vary according to necessary level of expertise, time and effort expended, and monetary outlay. In one year, requests for fish and wildlife instream flow needs for approximately 60 stream reaches throughout Arkansas limited the possible options. Modification and further development of a well-known method is outlined as an initial step in the process of quantifying Arkansas\u27 instream flow needs. Examples are given for some of the major river basins throughout the state