Updating database schemas without breaking the UI: Modeling using cognitive semantic categories

PublishedData management user interfaces are ubiquitous in information systems and web-based applications. From the oldest spreadsheet to the most modern database, end users and administrators alike have interacted with tabular data. Usually, each concept is represented by a table and columns. Change to the structure of each concept requires structural change to the tables and columns, which is costly. Tailor-made database and web applications may overcome this obstacle by designing UIs on top of the data layer, providing some degree of data independence. However, changes in their schemas do not automatically propagate into the user interface, and so their maintenance is expensive. In this paper we present a user interface that lets the end user alter the schema without the need for programming skills, eliminating the need for expensive software maintenance. To this end we propose an automatically generated user interface to include schema and data management functions. We built and evaluated an Adaptive Information System user interface (AIS UI), incorporating schema evolution functionality. In usability testing, firsttime users were able to perform various data management tasks equally fast or faster than users using Microsoft Access, and on average ̃43% faster than users using Microsoft Excel. Task completion rates using the AIS significantly exceeded those using Microsoft Access and were comparable (>95%) with those using Microsoft Excel. Copyright © 2014 ACM 978-1-4503-2725-1/14/06

Inhibition of receptor binding stabilizes Newcastle disease virus HN and F protein-containing complexes

Receptor binding of paramyxovirus attachment proteins and the interactions between attachment and fusion (F) proteins are thought to be central to activation of the F protein activity; however, mechanisms involved are unclear. To explore the relationships between Newcastle disease virus (NDV) HN and F protein interactions and HN protein attachment to sialic acid receptors, HN and F protein-containing complexes were detected and quantified by reciprocal coimmunoprecipitation from extracts of transfected avian cells. To inhibit HN protein receptor binding, cells transfected with HN and F protein cDNAs were incubated with neuraminidase from the start of transfection. Under these conditions, no fusion was observed, but amounts of HN and F protein complexes increased twofold over amounts detected in extracts of untreated cells. Stimulation of attachment by incubation of untransfected target cells with neuraminidase-treated HN and F protein-expressing cells resulted in a twofold decrease in amounts of HN and F protein complexes. In contrast, high levels of complexes containing HN protein and an uncleaved F protein (F-K115Q) were detected, and those levels were unaffected by neuraminidase treatment of cell monolayers or by incubation with target cells. These results suggest that HN and F proteins reside in a complex in the absence of receptor binding. Furthermore, the results show that not only receptor binding but also F protein cleavage are necessary for disassociation of the HN and F protein-containing complexes

Determination of the fate of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons in natural water systems

The polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAH, are of current concern as water pollutants and potential health hazards. The presence of PAH in natural water systems was evaluated and an analytical technique for specific PAH was developed. It was found that the PAH are not soluble in water but they either are present as particulate material or as material adsorbed on solid surfaces in natural water systems. The photodecomposition of two PAH, 1,2 benzanthracene, or BA, and 3,4 benzpyrene, or BP, was examined. Both compounds decompose under ultraviolet light to form their quinones, which then further decompose. Both BP and BA decompose following first order kinetics in true solution in 20 percent acetone in water. Particulate BA also decomposes following first order reaction kinetics, a1 though particulate BP will decompose only to a depth of 0.2 pm before decomposition stops. This decomposition is relatively unaffected by water chemistry and will occur under solar radiation and in turbid waters.U.S. Department of the InteriorU.S. Geological SurveyOpe

Macroscopic and Microscopic Analyses of Color Changes of Wood Pressure Steam-Dried Above Atmospheric Pressure

Yellow poplar, silver maple, red oak, and southern pine heartwood samples were evaluated for color changes occurring as a result of pressure steam-drying above atmospheric pressure. Luminance significantly decreased, purity increased, and dominant wavelength shifted toward the red zone of the spectrum for yellow poplar and silver maple. Luminance significantly decreased, while other color parameters did not significantly change, for red oak wood. Southern pine wood decreased in luminance and increased in purity. Extractives of all woods appeared to have "softened" upon pressure steam-drying and became migratory, moving from the ray tissue system to the surface through the vessel system for the hardwood species. Pressure steam-dried white oak exhibited a drastically modified tyloses system; tyloses were missing from numerous heartwood vessels and those remaining appeared torn or ruptured

A Note on Density Change Patterns in Charred Wood

Apparent and real densities of seven species of wood and chars were measured. The chars had been prepared by heating in flowing nitrogen at rates of 1, 10 and 50 C/min. Generally, maximum rate of change was between 300 and 350 C. The decrease continued up to 600 C, the maximum charring temperature

Growth-Quality Evaluation of Black Walnut Wood. Part III-An Anatomical Study of Color Characteristics of Black Walnut Veneer

Because wood color is an important quality characteristic in black walnut (Juglans nigra L.), a study was devised to examine some cellular features of heartwood coloration using microspectrophotometric techniques. Five commercially prepared veneer samples exhibiting low macro-luminance (darker) and five exhibiting high macro-luminance (lighter) were chosen for microscopic color analysis. Statistically significant differences were found between the high and low macro-luminance sample groups in the micro-luminance color value in some cellular features (axial parenchyma walls, ray parenchyma walls, fiber walls, and ray parenchyma inclusions). Also observed were large differences in the dominant wavelength of ray parenchyma inclusions between the sample groups. These results suggest that quality of these coloration pigments (phenolics) is more important than quantity for overall color variations

Growth-quality evaluation of Missouri-grown shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata, Mill.)

Digitized 2007 AES.Includes bibliographical references (pages 57-59)

Pruning forest trees

"Pruning trees in both the yard and in the forst can yield many benefits--if it is done correctly."--First page.Carol B. Trokey and E.A. McGinnes, Jr. (School of Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife, College of Agriculture)New 6/89/8

A Note On Effects of Wounds On Heartwood Formation in White Oak (Quercus ALBA L.)

Heartwood formation was retarded by wounds on white oaks in Maine and Missouri. Maine samples with fire wounds had 22-23 rings of sapwood near the wound whereas control trees had 9. Missouri samples subjected to frill and herbicide treatments averaged 16-17 rings of sapwood near the wound, whereas control trees averaged 12. The effects of wounding on Missouri trees were pronounced at heights of 1, 2.5, and 6 m

Pruning forest trees (1993)

Reviewed October 1993