Using A Nameserver to Enhance Control System Efficiency

The Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab) control system uses a nameserver to reduce system response time and to minimize the impact of client name resolution on front-end computers. The control system is based on the Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS), which uses name-based broadcasts to initiate data communication. By default, when EPICS process variables (PV) are requested by client applications, all front-end computers receive the broadcasts and perform name resolution processing against local channel name lists. The nameserver is used to offload the name resolution task to a single node. This processing, formerly done on all front-end computers, is now done only by the nameserver. In a control system with heavily loaded front-end computers and high peak client connection loads, a significant performance improvement is seen. This paper describes the name server in more detail, and discusses the strengths and weaknesses of making name resolution a centralized service.Comment: ICALEPCS 200

Heavy Quarkonia Production in p+p Collisions from the PHENIX Experiment

Quarkonia provide a sensitive probe of the properties of the hot dense medium created in high energy heavy ion collisions. Hard scattering processes result in the production of heavy quark pairs that interact with the collision medium during hadronization. These in-medium interactions convey information about the fundamental properties of the medium itself and can be used to examine the modification of the QCD confining potential in the collision environment. Baseline measurements from p+p and d+Au collision systems are used to distinguish cold nuclear matter effects while measurements from heavy ion collision systems are used to quantify in-medium effects. The PHENIX experiment has the capability of detecting heavy quarkonia at $1.2<|\eta|<2.2$ via the $\mu^+\mu^-$ decay channel and at $|\eta|<0.35$ via the $e^+e^-$ decay channel. Recent runs have resulted in the collection of high statistics p+p data sets that provide an essential baseline reference for heavy ion measurements and allow for further critical evaluation of heavy quarkonia production mechanisms. The latest PHENIX results for the production of the $J/\psi$ in p+p collisions are presented and future prospects for $\psi'$, $\chi_{c}$ and $\Upsilon$ measurements are discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, Proceedings for Quark Matter 200

Intercultural Communicative Competence: Beliefs and Practices of Adult English as a Second Language Instructors

Effective and appropriate communication is critical for the successful integration of newcomers in Canada. In this paper, we describe the intercultural communicative competence beliefs and practices of 70 adult English as a second language (ESL) instructors. Responses to an online survey indicated a strong belief in the value of integrating intercultural communicative competence into their instruction; however, instructors’ reported classroom practices revealed that culture was addressed in varying degrees and that intercultural communicative competence was not systematically developed. Findings suggest that enhanced instructor education, appropriate materials development, and research investigating the effective pedagogical development of intercultural communicative competence in the language learning classroom are needed.   La communication efficace et appropriée est critique pour une intégration réussie des nouveaux arrivants au Canada. Dans cet article, nous décrivons les croyances et les pratiques relatives à la compétence communicative interculturelle de 70 enseignants d’anglais langue seconde aux adultes. D’après leurs réponses à un sondage en ligne, les enseignants croient fermement en la valeur de l’intégration de la compétence communicative interculturelle  dans leur pédagogie; toutefois, les commentaires des enseignants portant sur leur pratiques en salle de classe indiquent qu’ils traitent la culture à des degrés variables et qu’ils ne développent pas de la compétence communicative interculturelle systématiquement. Les résultats portent à croire qu’il faudrait offrir une formation accrue aux enseignants, développer du matériel approprié et entreprendre de la recherche traitant du développement efficace de la compétence communicative interculturelle dans les cours de langue.   

A New Physical Picture for AGNs Lacking Optical Emission Lines

In this work, we use ~500 low-redshift (z ~ 0.1) X-ray AGNs observed by XMM-Newton and SDSS to investigate the prevalence and nature of AGNs that apparently lack optical emission lines (``optically dull AGNs''). Although 1/4 of spectra appear absorption-line dominated in visual assessment, line extraction with robust continuum subtraction from the MPA/JHU catalog reveals usable [OIII] measurements in 98% of the sample, allowing us to study [OIII]-underluminous AGNs together with more typical AGNs in the context of the L$_{\mathrm{[OIII]}}$--L$_{X}$ relation. We find that ``optically dull AGNs'' do not constitute a distinct population of AGNs. Instead, they are the [OIII]-underluminous tail of a single, unimodal L$_{\mathrm{[OIII]}}$--L$_{X}$ relation that has substantial scatter (0.6 dex). We find the degree to which an AGN is underluminous in [OIII] correlates with the specific SFR or D$_{4000}$ index of the host, which are both linked to the molecular gas fraction. Thus the emerging physical picture for the large scatter seems to involve the gas content of the narrow-line region. We find no significant role for previously proposed scenarios for the presence of optically dull AGNs, such as host dilution or dust obscuration. Despite occasionally weak lines in SDSS spectra, >80% of X-ray AGNs are identified as such with the BPT diagram. >90% are classified as AGNs based only on [NII]/H$\alpha$, providing more complete AGN samples when [OIII] or H$\beta$ are weak. X-ray AGNs with LINER spectra obey essentially the same \lxo\ relation as Seyfert 2s, suggesting their line emission is produced by AGN activity.Comment: 21 pages, 14 figures, submitted to ApJ. Comments welcom

NASA Experience with the Shuttle External Tank

This report is a presentation reviewing the external tanks which are used to provide the propellants for the space shuttle engines. The design of the external tank, and its lift capability improvements are reviewed. The configuration, materials, and key technologies of the super lightweight tank (SLWT) are also described. Among the key technologies which allow the SLWT project to succeed, are the successful development of an appropriate alloy. The reasons for choosing the alloy, Aluminum-Lithium 2195, and issues involved in welding are reviewed. Tests of the weld procedures, and pictures of the test results are shown. The External Tank Project has successfully made the transition from the LWT design to the SLWT design. The SLWT Provides two thirds of the weight savings required to place the Space Station in a 51.6 Degree Orbit

Planning the qualitative research interview.

This working paper discusses a method for planning the qualitative research interview. The paper briefly considers the variety of purposes for which the interview is used and focuses on increasing the rigour of the investigative interview as a qualitative research technique. A range of dimensions which can be found in any number of interviews are described. A model is presented for dealing with the way in which these dimensions are taken into account in the planning of the qualitative interview. The research context is the determining factor in selecting which dimensions are to be focussed upon and when analysing the degree to which any one of them can impact on any given qualitative interview

Transverse Spin at PHENIX: Results and Prospects

The Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC), as the world's first and only polarized proton collider, offers a unique environment in which to study the spin structure of the proton. In order to study the proton's transverse spin structure, the PHENIX experiment at RHIC took data with transversely polarized beams in 2001-02 and 2005, and it has plans for further running with transverse polarization in 2006 and beyond. Results from early running as well as prospective measurements for the future will be discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, presented at Transversity 2005, Como, Ital

Problem gambling: a suitable case for social work?

Problem gambling attracts little attention from health and social care agencies in the UK. Prevalence surveys suggest that 0.6% of the population are problem gamblers and it is suggested that for each of these individuals, 10–17 other people, including children and other family members, are affected. Problem gambling is linked to many individual and social problems including: depression, suicide, significant debt, bankruptcy, family conflict, domestic violence, neglect and maltreatment of children and offending. This makes the issue central to social work territory. Yet, the training of social workers in the UK has consistently neglected issues of addictive behaviour. Whilst some attention has been paid in recent years to substance abuse issues, there has remained a silence in relation to gambling problems. Social workers provide more help for problems relating to addictions than other helping professions. There is good evidence that treatment, and early intervention for gambling problems, including psycho-social and public health approaches, can be very effective. This paper argues that problem gambling should be moved onto the radar of the social work profession, via inclusion on qualifying and post-qualifying training programmes and via research and dissemination of good practice via institutions such as the Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE). Keywords: problem gambling; addictive behaviour; socia

The uptake of soluble and nanoparticulate imaging isotope in model liver tumours after intra-venous and intra-arterial administration

Delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs to tumours by reformulation as nanoparticles has often been proposed as a means of facilitating increased selective uptake, exploiting the increased permeability of the tumour vasculature. However realisation of this improvement in drug delivery in cancer patients has met with limited success. We have compared tumour uptake of soluble Tc99m-pertechnetate and a colloid of nanoparticles with a Tc99m core, using both intra-venous and intra-arterial routes of administration in a rabbit liver VX2 tumour model. The radiolabelled nanoparticles were tested both in untreated and cationised form. The results from this tumour model in an internal organ show a marked advantage in intra-arterial administration over the intra-venous route, even for the soluble isotope. Tumour accumulation of nanoparticles from arterial administration was augmented by cationisation of the nanoparticle surface with histone proteins, which consistently facilitated selective accumulation within microvessels at the periphery of tumours.Sources of support for this research: Sirtex Medical Ltd, Sydney Australia

Collision geometry scaling of Au+Au pseudorapidity density from sqrt(s_NN) = 19.6 to 200 GeV

The centrality dependence of the midrapidity charged particle multiplicity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt(s_NN) = 19.6 and 200 GeV is presented. Within a simple model, the fraction of hard (scaling with number of binary collisions) to soft (scaling with number of participant pairs) interactions is consistent with a value of x = 0.13 +/- 0.01(stat) +/- 0.05(syst) at both energies. The experimental results at both energies, scaled by inelastic p(pbar)+p collision data, agree within systematic errors. The ratio of the data was found not to depend on centrality over the studied range and yields a simple linear scale factor of R_(200/19.6) = 2.03 +/- 0.02(stat) +/- 0.05(syst).Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, submitted to PRC-R