Failure detection and group membership are two important components of fault-tolerant distributed systems. Understanding their role is essential when developing efficient solutions, not only in failure-free runs, but also in runs in which processes do crash. While group membership provides consistent information about the status of processes in the system, failure detectors provide inconsistent...

This article describes the planning and implementation of a mixed-method community needs assessment with the intent of cre­ ating a system of care for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (GLBTQ) youths in an urban area. Flowing from qualitative to quantitative research strategies, this needs assess­ ment utilized key informant interviews, focus groups, and survey research in a ...

Carrie Banks, Supervising Librarian, Inclusive Services at Brooklyn Public Library Eti Berland, Youth School Engagement Wilmette (IL) Ana-Elba Pavon, Semi-retired/On-Call San Francisco

The vast majority of Americans do not engage in adequate regular physical activity despite its well-known health benefits. Even when individuals attempt to become more active by joining a fitness center, estimates suggest that nearly half terminate their membership within the first 6 months. A better understanding of who is at risk for early membership termination upon joining may help research...