Emergent quality of service - a bacterial approach

A possible model for future network quality of service control is proposed. This is based on a community of bacterial strains, each organism handling network requests in the same way as bacteria metabolise energy sources. This model makes use of the unique methods that bacteria use to transfer and share genetic material, to create a more robust solution to the service provision problems associated with future data networks

Adaptive management of an active services network

The benefits of active services and networks cannot be realised unless the associated increase in system complexity can be efficiently managed. An adaptive management solution is required. Simulation results show that a distributed genetic algorithm, inspired by observations of bacterial communities, can offer many key management functions. The algorithm is fast and efficient, even when the demand for network services is rapidly varying

Positioning with opportunistic cellular signals

Review of the use of cellular signals designed for communication, also for positioning purpose

Ten top tips for social scientists seeking to influence policy

The complex, “wicked” problems that afflict contemporary societies pose a significant challenge to those making policy decisions. The work of social scientists can be crucial to understanding the human and social consequences of such decisions, yet little guidance exists to help them bring their influence to bear. Nadine Marshall and Chris Cvitanovic have compiled ten top tips for social scientists seeking to increase their influence in the policy arena; emphasising the the importance of process, engagement, empathy and acumen

Nebraska Department of Social Services\u27 Child Support Enforcement Unit Demonstration Project: Final Evaluation Report

In July 1987, the Nebraska Department of Social Services successfully applied to the U.S. Family Support Administration\u27s Office of Child Support Enforcement for funds to conduct a Demonstration Project. This Demonstration Project, The Nebraska IV-D/IV-A Intake and Phone Collection Project, was designed to increase telephone activities and improve intake practice as part of the ongoing child support collection activities. It was expected that such improvements would result in an increased level of absent parent location and an increased level of child support payment

Urine Test Strips to Exclude Cerebral Spinal Fluid Blood

Introduction: Determining the presence or absence of red blood cells (RBC) or their breakdown products in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is essential for the evaluation of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in headache patients. Current methodology for finding blood in the CSF is either spectrophotometric detection of pigment, which is time consuming and labor intensive, or visual assesment of samples for color change (xanthochromia), which is inaccurate. Bayer Multistix® urine test strips are designed to test urine for RBC by detecting the presence of hemoglobin. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the perfomance of urine reagent test strips for ruling out the presence of RBC in CSF.Methods: We compared color changes on Multistix® urine test strips to the standard of spectrophotometric absorbtion at 415nm and initial RBC counts in 138 visually clear CSF samples.Results: We performed Pearson Chi-Square and likelihood ratios on the results and found a correlation between a negative result on the urine test strip and less than 5 RBC per high power field and a spectrophotometric absorbance of less than 0.02% at 415nm in a CSF sample.Conclusion: These results warrant further investigation in the form of a prospective clinical validation as it may alter the emergency department evaluation for SAH. [West J Emerg Med. 2011;12(1):63-66.

A Single Geostationary Satellite for Mobile Terrestrial Transmitter Tracking

This paper will describe the Energetics Satellite Locating Service (ESLS) which is a unique, patented, proprietary satellite based geolocation system. This system called SAT/TRAC for Satellite Tracking, Ranging and Communications may be used to quickly determine the present location within 50 feet of any person, vehicle or object that is equipped with a ESLS low power transmitter. This technology represents a novel approach to radio tracking. The single point location system uses a single satellite with a 165 foot inflatable antenna