A practical WSI experimental programme

At Brunel University, research has been underway for several years to assess the architectural, electrical and physical benefits and constraints of the WASP wafer-scale Associative String Processor (ASP). This is intended to implement a massively parallel processor entirely within the constraints of WSI. WASP 1 and WASP 2 were the technology demonstrators of the UK funded Alvey programme (starting 1984), researching fundamental design methodologies for WSI. They are both examples of the Associative String Processor (ASP) architecture, developed by Brunel University. Further demonstrators are currently funded by a 31/2-year US ONR IS&T programme (starting 1987), involving both further technology demonstration, applications research and fundamental packaging and manufacturing design issue

A Review of Spartina Management in Washington State, US

Management of non-native Spartina plants including Spartina alterniflora Lois., Spartina anglica C. Hubb and Spartina patens (Ait.) Muhl. in Washington State, U.S. evolved during the 1990s from small-scale field trials to a large-scale integrated pest management program. The development and implementation of the program were significantly hindered by stakeholder conflict, particularly regarding the use of herbicide in estuarine environments. In 1995, Washington State Department of Agriculture was appointed to manage these invasive species. Agency coordination and strategy reviews were undertaken. A wide range of control techniques, including physical removal, mowing and herbicide, were established, with all techniques demonstrating considerable limitations. The combination of mowing and herbicide provided the greatest efficacy but was expensive. Development of biological control options is in progress but will take years to prove effectiveness for Spartina management. Program progress based on existing mapping and efficacy data is difficult to gauge. This program demonstrates that Spartina plants are difficult and expensive to eradicate. Between 1995 and 2000, infestations increased in area by 250%, affecting more than 8,093 ha of intertidal land. During this period, approximately 15% of the infestation was treated annually. Although the program has evolved considerably, substantially increasing knowledge on the management of Spartina, infestations in Washington State continue to present a range of management challenges, including the development of a standardized and integrated mapping procedures, cost-effective control techniques and improvements to stakeholder management

The Changing Narratives of Death, Dying, and HIV in the United Kingdom

Death and infection were closely linked from the start of the HIV epidemic, until successful treatments became available. The initial impact of mostly young, gay men dying from HIV was powerful in shaping UK responses. Neoliberal discourses developed at the same time, particularly focusing on how citizens (rather than the state) should take responsibility to improve health. Subsequently “successful ageing” became an allied discourse, further marginalising death discussions. Our study reflected on a broad range of meanings around death within the historical UK epidemic, to examine how dying narratives shape contemporary HIV experiences. Fifty-one participants including people living with HIV, professionals, and activists were recruited for semistructured interviews. Assuming a symbolic interactionist framework, analysis highlighted how HIV deaths were initially experienced as not only traumatic but also energizing, leading to creativity. With effective antiretrovirals, dying changed shape (e.g., loss of death literacy), and better integration of palliative care was recommended

Furniture Usage and Activity Budgets of Captive Black and White Ruffed Lemurs (Varecia variegata variegata) and Ring- Tailed Lemurs (Lemur catta) at Bramble Park Zoo, Watertown, South Dakota

A behavioral study was conducted on the black and white ruffed lemurs and ring-tailed lemurs at Bramble Park Zoo in summer 2004 to determine if the furniture in the exhibit was sufficient to enable them to display their natural behaviors. The study was performed using a time sampling method of one minute, and ten hours of data was gathered. Both species of lemur spent a significant portion of the observed time resting, more so than has been found in wild populations of lemurs. The time spent foraging (.33% and 2.5% for the ruffed lemurs and 2.1% for the ring-tails) and the time spent displaying locomotion behaviors (1.6% and 7.0%for the ruffedlemursand4.45%for the ring-tails) were found to be lower in the captive lemurs compared to data for wild lemurs (-30-40% foraging and 17% locomotion behaviors). Black and white ruffed lemurs, which are primarily arboreal in the wild, spent a majority of time on the ground. The ring-tailed lemurs, a semi-terrestrial species, spent around 50% of the time in the tree and around 40% of time on the ground, which is similar to ring-tailed lemurs in the wild; however, most of that time was spent resting rather than foraging or displaying locomotion behaviors. Several ideas pertaining to furniture modifications and food presentation methods were suggested as a means to increase natural behaviors as well as decrease the amount of time spent resting

The Politics of Educational Vouchers

The circumstances which prompted this proposal reflect the desire to show that my present pursuit of a double major in elementary education and political science are of relative value to one another. This issue obviously reflects educational matters, but it also contends with those of a political nature such as government control, regulation, budgeting, and public policy. This paper engages in a comprehensive normative study which examines the origin and progression of the idea of an educational voucher system from the mid-nineteenth century to the present. Special emphasis focuses upon the theoretical arguments which support educational vouchers. Evidence obtained through extensive research has shown that an educational voucher system may be designed and implemented in such a way that positive outcomes are produce.d A few of these positives outcomes include: the provision of equal funding for all pupils on a statewide level; implementation of parental and pupil choice within the educational system; increase in the economic efficiency of education operations; and an increase in teacher effectiveness due to competitive market effects. A discussion of the forerunners who originated the idea of a voucher system such as Adam Smith, Thomas Paine, and John Stuart Mill will illustrate the reasons why these men believed this type of system would be of value. A look at twentieth century voucher schemes developed by authors such as Milton Friedman, Christopher Jencks, and John Coons will provide insight as to why the time may be ripe to implement testable voucher proposals