Noncontact GMR measurements of synthetic spin valves using IR reflection spectroscopy

The magnetorefractive effect has been used in infrared reflection spectroscopy to study the magnetotransport properties of synthetic spin valves. This optical noncontact technique shows excellent correlation with the electrical giant magnetoresistance data

Probation, credibility and justice

This paper explores the difficulties that arise for probation agencies or those that deliver community sanctions in developing and maintaining their credibility in prevailing ‘late-modern’ social conditions. It begins by questioning the limits of the pursuit and promise of ‘public protection’ as a source of credibility, and then proceeds to examine the emergence of an alternative strategy – based principally on reparation and ‘payback’ – in Scotland, arguing that these Scottish developments have much to say to the emerging debates in England and Wales (and elsewhere) about the ‘rehabilitation revolution’ and the proper use of imprisonment. The paper provides a critical account of the development and meaning of the Scottish version of ‘payback’, linking it to some important philosophical and empirical studies that may help to steer the development of payback away from a ‘merely punitive’ drift. In the conclusion, I argue that probation agencies and services need to engage much more deeply and urgently with their roles as justice services, rather than as ‘mere’ crime reduction agencies

Reexamining evidence-based practice in community corrections: beyond 'a confined view' of what works

This article aims to reexamine the development and scope of evidence-based practice (EBP) in community corrections by exploring three sets of issues. Firstly, we examine the relationships between the contested purposes of community supervision and their relationships to questions of evidence. Secondly, we explore the range of forms of evidence that might inform the pursuit of one purpose of supervision—the rehabilitation of offenders—making the case for a fuller engagement with “desistance” research in supporting this process. Thirdly, we examine who can and should be involved in conversations about EBP, arguing that both ex/offenders’ and practitioners’ voices need to be respected and heard in this debate

3D-visualization and analysis of macro- and meso-porosity of the upper horizons of a sodic, texture-contrast soil

The definitive version is available at www.blackwell-synergy.comThe lower E and upper B horizons of sodic, texture-contrast soils are a formidable barrier to most annual and many perennial crops. The research presented here is part of a wider study into the nature of subsoil constraints to root exploration. The aim of this study was to characterize in three dimensions the macro- and meso-porosity across the E horizon–Btn horizon interface of a sodic, texture-contrast soil using X-ray computed tomography (CT). Intact soil cores of 50-cm length and 15-cm diameter were scanned with a medical CT X-ray machine. The pore volume reconstructed from these scans had a resolution of 0.3 × 0.3 × 0.4 cm (in the x, y, z dimensions, respectively). This resolution allowed visualization and quantification of the macroporosity of the intact cores. Undisturbed samples of 1.5-cm diameter and 4-cm length were carefully excised from the interface and scanned with micro-CT X-ray equipment. The reconstructed pore volumes had an isotropic resolution of 19 μm that allowed analysis of the mesoporosity just on the boundary between the E and Btn horizons. Mesoporosity decreased across the interface and increased lower in the Btn horizon. The distribution of the pores at the macro- and meso-scales showed the importance of the smaller pores in the A and E horizons, whereas most of the porosity in the Btn horizon was attributed to the larger pores. Pores in this sodic, texture-contrast soil were not distributed homogeneously at either the macro- or meso-scale. A greater proportion of the pores in the E–B interface were horizontal than in the upper A1, upper E and lower Btn horizons. Some ‘coiling’ of the pores was also apparent in the interface. The shape of some pores (long tubular pores) suggested formation by roots as they drilled through the soil. The orientation of these pores was a function of physical (and possibly chemical) impedance at the interface.L. Jassogne, A. McNeill & D. Chittleboroug

Estimation of In-Situ Clay Strengths Using Marine Sediment Penetrators

A method has been developed to calculate soil shear strengths from the measured decelerations of a free-fall penetrator. The method is easy to apply, and appears to yield accurate estimates of in-situ soil strength over a wide variety of soil conditions, and for many different sizes and weights of penetrators. For gassy and/or sensitive soils, the method may yield strength values more accurate than those determined by conventional boring, sampling, and laboratory testing

A ground-based experimental test program to duplicate and study the spacecraft glow phenomenon

The use of a plasma device, the Advanced Concepts Torus-I, for producing atoms and molecules to study spacecraft glow mechanisms is discussed. A biased metal plate, located in the plasma edge, is used to accelerate and neutralize plasma ions, thus generating a neutral beam with a flux approx. 5 x 10 to the 14th power/sq cm/sec at the end of a drift tube. Our initial experiments are to produce a 10 eV molecular and atomic nitrogen beam directed onto material targets. Photon emission in the spectral range 2000 to 9000 A from excited species formed on the target surface will be investigated

Coffee inventory through orbital imagery

There are no author-identified significant results in this report

Spatial Variation of Protein, Oil, and Starch in Corn

Significant spatial yield variations are known to exist in cornfields with different soil types, topsoil depth, and other variables. Similarly, variations might also be found among the highly valued chemical components (oil, protein, and starch) in corn kernels due to local differences in soil type, fertility, acidity/pH, organic matter, etc. This study quantified the spatial variability of protein, oil, and starch content of corn from two conventional cornfields and two high-oil cornfields. Whole ears were harvested by hand from 20 to 40 randomly selected locations within each field. A differential global positioning system (DGPS) receiver recorded the location of each collection site. Samples were also collected from hauling vehicles with a segmented probe prior to transport from the field and from the grain stream as trucks were unloaded. A NIRSystems ® 6500 near-infrared reflectance instrument was used to measure the protein, oil, and starch concentration of each sample collected. Yield maps were plotted for each type of corn along with protein, oil, and starch variation. Results showed large variations between the conventional and high-oil cornfields. Slight variations were found between truck probe samples from the same field. Oil content was more variable than protein or starch. Probe samples appeared to provide the most representative results. Segregation of grain based on average values of components in hauling vehicles appeared to be feasible. The oil concentration between truck hoppers was significantly different and could be used for binning corn of different concentrations. However, segregation on the combine during harvest does not appear to be feasible due to the large variations that occurred within fields at the same location. For example, the oil concentration of individual ears varied between 1 and 7 percentage points at the same location within the field

Effect of Moisture Content and Broken Kernels on the Bulk Density and Packing of Corn

Shelled yellow dent corn samples were conditioned to three moisture content levels (12%, 15%, and 18% w.b.) and mixed with a prescribed amount of broken corn particles of known size (geometric mean diameter of 1.0, 1.4, 2.0, 2.8, and 4.0 mm) and concentration (2.5%, 5.0%, and 7.5% by weight) levels. The initial bulk density and grain compaction under simulated overburden pressure tests were determined for each sample. Uniaxial compression tests were performed for seven vertical pressure levels (3.4, 6.9, 14, 28, 55, 110, and 165 kPa) with a minimum of three replications each. Tests were performed at two locations with identical apparatus, which was fully described by Thompson and Ross (1983). These devices used compressed air injected beneath a rubber diaphragm to apply vertical pressure uniaxially to a volume of granular material. Deflections of the grain mass were measured with a dial gauge and were used to calculate changes in bulk density and grain packing. Statistical models were tested for the initial bulk density and packing factor as a function of moisture content, broken corn particle size, and broken corn concentration level and their interactions. For clean corn, the initial bulk density was inversely affected by grain moisture while packing increased slightly with grain moisture. For corn mixed with fines, the initial bulk density decreased with grain moisture and the interaction of broken corn particle size and concentration but increased with the interaction of grain moisture and concentration of fines. Packing of corn mixed with fines increased slightly with grain moisture and broken corn concentration. For a given pressure, the predicted bulk density from the developed model was within 4% of the observed value, which was within the variation among test replications and may in fact represent observed differences in bulk density caused by bin loading methods that have been reported by other engineers. The results can improve predictions by WPACKING, the ASAE standard for estimating capacities of cylindrical grain storage structures