Anecdote

The reports were that water condensed from the vapor phase into 10-100-/im quartz or pyrex capillaries had physical properties distinctly different from those of bulk liquid water. Confirmations came from a variety of laboratories around the world (see the August 1971 issue of Journal of Colloid Interface Science), and it was proposed that a new phase of water had been found many called this water polywater rather than the original Deijaguin term, anomalous water. There were confirming theoretical calculations (see Refs. 121, 122) Eventually, however, it was determined that the micro-amoimts of water that could be isolated from small capillaries was always contaminated by salts and other impurities leached from the walls. The nonexistence of anomalous or poly water as a new, pure phase of water was acknowledged in 1974 by Deijaguin and co-workers [123]. There is a mass of fascinating anecdotal history omitted here for lack of space but told very well by Frank [124]. 

As a somewhat anecdotal aside, there has been an interesting question as to whether gold is or is not wet by water, with many publications on either side. This history has been reviewed by Smith [119]. The present consensus seems to be that absolutely pure gold is water-wet and that the reports of non wetting are a documentation of the ease with which gold surface becomes contaminated (see Ref. 120, but also 121). The detection and control of surface contaminants has been discussed by White [121] see also Gaines [122]. 

Some scientific studies indicate that the gam in performance obtained through the use of anabolic steroids is small This may be a case though in which the anecdotal evidence of the athletes may be closer to the mark than the scientific studies The scientific studies are done under ethical conditions in which patients are treated with prescription level doses of steroids A 240 pound offensive tackle ( too small by todays standards) may take several ana bolic steroids at a time at 10-20 times their pre scribed doses in order to weigh the 280 pounds he (or his coach) feels is necessary The price athletes pay for gams in size and strength can be enormous This price includes emotional costs (friendships lost because of heightened aggressiveness) sterility testicular atro phy (the testes cease to function once the body starts to obtain a sufficient supply of testosterone like steroids from outside) and increased risk of prema ture death from liver cancer or heart disease... 

Many of the problems inherent in parallel processing are illustrated by the following anecdote. 

Fox s perfectionism is illustrated by an anecdote At a meeting held at ICI (his previous employer), Fox presented his final design for a two-mile cable transporter. Suddenly he clapped his hand to his head and exclaimed How could I have made such an error Then he explained to his alarmed colleagues I forgot to allow for the curvature of the Earth . 

There are a number of grim anecdotes about him in wartime thus, at that time he always carried a cyanide capsule for the eventuality of his capture, and when a fellow professor asked him to find him one too, he responded This poison is for professors of chemistry only. You, as a professor of mechanics, will have to use the rope . 

Anecdotal evidence exists that some companies have relaxed their material identification programs when their suppliers systems comply with quality standards. In view of the serious results of occasional minor errors—minor from the suppliers point of view—it is doubtful if this is wise. 

Examples and anecdotes are often useful an overreliance on personal experience or "war stories" loses attention. Similarly, an argument that tries to address every conceivable contingency, quirk, and variation will almost certainly fail to convince, because of simple overkill. 

Use formal and/or anecdotal examples from conferences, industry associations, CCPS, etc.)... 

Remember also to take advantage of the team s individual, anecdotal experience with your company s management systems. Defining your company s management systems approach will be greatly enhanced by drawing on expert judgment as well as quantitative methods. 

Assembling the pilot test results can be assigned to one or two PSM team members, rather than needing the full group participation. Consider holding a debriefing with the facility manager to assure that you have anecdotal as well as quantitative information. 

You will greatly enhance the effectiveness of any communications medium if you are able to incorporate favorable anecdotes from participants in the pilot test. First-person accounts of positive experience lend considerable credibility, and you may wish to consider recruiting the test-site facility manager (or other personnel) to assist the team. 

The results should be treated with caution because the technique is subject to loss from memory, of detail, fabrication, and recall of anecdotal events. 

He took an enduring interest in promoting the welfare and careers of his students and colleagues. The biographical articles that he wrote demonstrate his insight into the personalities of those he knew. A raconteur of note, he had a rich collection of anecdotes about major figures in the carbohydrate world, in particular of Haworth and his stem regime. He was always in demand as a speaker, and his infectious enthusiasm communicated science as effectively to lay audiences as to experts. 

The use of mentoring and other one-to-one development methods reflects a widespread recognition of the limitations of formal classroom-based teaching and training. Both empirical research and anecdotal accounts suggest that the latter can be ineffective in various ways, notably the transferral of knowledge and skills... 

A formal evaluation of the 10 mentoring pairs has not yet taken place although some anecdotal evidence suggests that the scheme is beginning to benefit some businesses. Plans to carry out an evaluation do exist, and the methods to be employed are likely to involve both joint as well as separate intermews with mentors and mentees. 

There is at present no formal evaluation of the mentoring, but anecdotal evidence repeatedly confirms that the scheme has been highly successful - a statement that one is prepared to accept simply by considering the sheer number of volunteer participants since its start several years ago globally, there are hundreds of mentors and thousands of mentees. So attraction has never been a problem, and management support continues to grow. Furthermore, Lindy points out that ... 

On the basis of case studies, anecdotes and field experience, practitioners view the individual and organizational benefits of formal schemes as shown in Table 4.4. It can be seen that each of the points under the heading of organizational benefits has a coimterpart under individual benefits. ... 

Unfortunately, some of the points listed in Table 4.4 are still solely based on anecdotal information. This criticism relates mainly to performance, best use of talent and opportunities to learn. Notwithstanding this argument, these benefits have nonetheless been reported and/or observed and carmot be ignored. 

Virtually all of the benefits of formal mentoring that are reported and documented are drawn from anecdotes, case studies or field experience. Notwithstanding the power of these, there ought to be empirical studies to corroborate the existing information. 

Since we have previously touched on this topic, you will probably remember that occurrences of this kind are very rare indeed - so to begin with, you can reassure those concerned of this fact. To back this up, it would be good if you found research evidence or anecdotal reports from other companies or divisions that nm mentoring schemes. Next, you should also formulate program guidelines stating that sexual relationships between mentors and mentees are prohibited, and that the onset of such a relationship wiU lead to the immediate termination of the mentoring association. 

You know the benefits that mentoring can bring to your organization and its people, and you have sufficient evidence to back up any claims regarding these. This evidence could stem from case studies, anecdotes and published research data. 

No systematic studies of tolerance to the reinforcing effects of inhaled nitrites have been reported. However, anecdotal observations in workers with high exposure to nitrites have suggested that tolerance to the subjective effects of this compound occurs after a few days of exposure (Marsh and Marsh... 

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