diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 747c2d2..8b1eda8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 **Coherence SRE** is a read-only site reliability analysis framework for high-variance, mission-critical environments.
 
-Rather than relying on static thresholds or trained models, Coherence evaluates second-order changes in system telemetry — variance, rate-of-change, and amplification — to identify early indicators of instability that precede service degradation.
+Rather than relying on trained models or opaque scoring, Coherence evaluates deterministic rolling-window signals — variance, rate-of-change, and amplification — against explicit thresholds to identify early indicators of instability that precede service degradation.
 
 The framework is designed for deterministic behavior, reproducible analysis, and safe deployment in air-gapped or regulated infrastructure.
 
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ graph TD
         D -->|StdDev Calculation| E[Threshold Logic];
     end
     
-    E -->|Signal > 2.0σ| F[VETO SIGNAL];
+    E -->|Signal > configured limit| F[VETO SIGNAL];
     E -->|Stream| G[Glass Cockpit];
     
     class A,B,G logic;
diff --git a/src/coherence/core/sentinel.py b/src/coherence/core/sentinel.py
index 61e72f9..ab5854d 100644
--- a/src/coherence/core/sentinel.py
+++ b/src/coherence/core/sentinel.py
@@ -26,6 +26,15 @@
 # --- Adapter Imports ---
 from ..ingestion.adapters import MetricAdapter, LiveAdapter, SimAdapter
 
+
+def calculate_amplification_ratio(sent_delta: int, recv_delta: int) -> float:
+    sent = max(0, sent_delta)
+    received = max(0, recv_delta)
+    if received == 0:
+        return float("inf") if sent > 0 else 1.0
+    return sent / received
+
+
 class CoherenceSentinel:
     def __init__(self) -> None:
         self.history: deque[SystemMetrics] = deque(maxlen=CONFIG.window_size_seconds)
@@ -106,7 +115,7 @@ def analyze(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
             # Net
             s_delta = newest.net_sent_packets - oldest.net_sent_packets
             r_delta = newest.net_recv_packets - oldest.net_recv_packets
-            amp_ratio = (s_delta / r_delta) if r_delta > 0 else 1.0
+            amp_ratio = calculate_amplification_ratio(s_delta, r_delta)
 
             metrics = {
                 "cpu_mean": cpu_mean,
@@ -125,7 +134,7 @@ def analyze(self) -> Dict[str, Any]:
             elif amp_ratio > CONFIG.amplification_ratio_limit:
                 veto = {"type": "INTENT", "action": "CAP_RETRIES", "reason": f"Amp {amp_ratio:.2f}x > Limit"}
 
-            status = "INSTABLE" if veto else "STABLE"
+            status = "UNSTABLE" if veto else "STABLE"
             
             # 3. Advanced Analysis (The Brain)
             # Upgrades the analysis to generate a Narrative
@@ -182,16 +191,16 @@ def make_dashboard(sentinel_data: Dict[str, Any]) -> Layout:
     err = sentinel_data.get("error")
     brain_status = sentinel_data.get("brain", "unknown")
 
-    color_map = {"STABLE": "green", "INSTABLE": "red", "WARMUP": "yellow", "ERROR": "magenta", "STALE": "grey50"}
+    color_map = {"STABLE": "green", "UNSTABLE": "red", "WARMUP": "yellow", "ERROR": "magenta", "STALE": "grey50"}
     
     # Priority: Error > Narrative > Veto > Status
     if narrative and hasattr(narrative, 'risk_score') and narrative.risk_score > 0.5:
         # Advanced Incident detected
         status_disp = "CRITICAL"
         header_col = "red"
-    elif status == "INSTABLE" and not narrative:
+    elif status == "UNSTABLE" and not narrative:
         # Basic Veto only
-        status_disp = "INSTABLE"
+        status_disp = "UNSTABLE"
         header_col = "red"
     else:
         status_disp = status
diff --git a/tests/test_signal_hygiene.py b/tests/test_signal_hygiene.py
index 1d5db0e..d7762bb 100644
--- a/tests/test_signal_hygiene.py
+++ b/tests/test_signal_hygiene.py
@@ -1,7 +1,12 @@
 
 import time
 import pytest
-from coherence.core.sentinel import CoherenceSentinel, SystemMetrics, CONFIG
+from coherence.core.sentinel import (
+    CoherenceSentinel,
+    SystemMetrics,
+    CONFIG,
+    calculate_amplification_ratio,
+)
 
 def test_blindness_veto():
     """
@@ -60,3 +65,35 @@ def test_fresh_signal():
     
     assert analysis["status"] == "STABLE"
     assert analysis["metrics"]["signal_lag"] < 1.0
+
+
+def test_sent_only_network_delta_triggers_amplification_veto():
+    """
+    Egress growth with no matching ingress is retry/fan-out amplification,
+    not a nominal 1:1 ratio.
+    """
+    sentinel = CoherenceSentinel()
+    now = time.time()
+
+    for i in range(5):
+        sentinel.ingest(
+            SystemMetrics(
+                timestamp=now + i,
+                cpu_percent=10.0,
+                memory_used_mb=1024.0,
+                net_sent_packets=1000 + (i * 100),
+                net_recv_packets=1000,
+            )
+        )
+
+    analysis = sentinel.analyze()
+
+    assert analysis["status"] == "UNSTABLE"
+    assert analysis["veto"]["type"] == "INTENT"
+    assert analysis["metrics"]["amp_ratio"] == float("inf")
+
+
+def test_amplification_ratio_handles_counter_resets():
+    assert calculate_amplification_ratio(sent_delta=-10, recv_delta=100) == 0.0
+    assert calculate_amplification_ratio(sent_delta=0, recv_delta=0) == 1.0
+    assert calculate_amplification_ratio(sent_delta=100, recv_delta=0) == float("inf")