Nuclear Ground-State Masses and Deformations

We tabulate the atomic mass excesses and nuclear ground-state deformations of 8979 nuclei ranging from $^{16}$O to $A=339$. The calculations are based on the finite-range droplet macroscopic model and the folded-Yukawa single-particle microscopic model. Relative to our 1981 mass table the current results are obtained with an improved macroscopic model, an improved pairing model with a new form for the effective-interaction pairing gap, and minimization of the ground-state energy with respect to additional shape degrees of freedom. The values of only 9 constants are determined directly from a least-squares adjustment to the ground-state masses of 1654 nuclei ranging from $^{16}$O to $^{263}$106 and to 28 fission-barrier heights. The error of the mass model is 0.669~MeV for the entire region of nuclei considered, but is only 0.448~MeV for the region above $N=65$.Comment: 50 pages plus 20 PostScript figures and 160-page table obtainable by anonymous ftp from t2.lanl.gov in directory masses, LA-UR-93-308

Shear bands and cracking of metallic glass plates in bending

The thickness dependence of yielding and fracture of metallic glass plates subjected to bending is considered in terms of the shear band processes responsible for these properties. We argue that the shear band spacing (and length) scales with the thickness of the plate because of strain relaxation in the vicinity of the shear band at the surface. This is consistent with recent measurements of shear band spacing versus sample size. We also argue that the shear displacements in the shear band scale with the shear band length and plate thickness, thus causing cracks to be initiated in thicker plates at smaller bending strains. This leads to fracture bending strains that decrease markedly with increasing plate thickness, consistent with recent experiments. These results suggest that amorphous metals in the form of foams might have superior ductility and toughness

Attributes, consequences and value of the global integration of supply chain activities and processes in the global company : applying means-end theory and the value hierarchy

This study investigated the value of global integration of supply chain activities and processes for global companies. In-depth interviews were conducted with thirty-five managers in three global businesses, and included representatives from across supply chain functions and geographic regions. The participating businesses represented three industries with different environmental influences. Means-end theoretical frameworks and research methodologies were applied in the analysis process. Hierarchical value maps developed for each business provided a visual representation of the attributes, consequences, goals and values of global integration important to each. Similarities across businesses were examined to identify processes important to achieve global integration. The costs and benefits to the firm, and overall contribution to the firm\u27s goals or objectives were also identifiedDifferences across firms were examined to explain the influence of environmental and organizational factors. Theoretical frameworks and research propositions were developed to describe the relationships between environmental factors and the attributes, consequences, goals, and values of global integration for three distinct areas: (1) at the supplier interface, (2) at the customer interface, and (3) across supply chain functions. The three participating businesses differed in the focus of their global integration initiatives, as well as the degree of cross-functional integration considered important. However, in every case, global integration of specific supply chain activities and processes were important to the firm\u27s ability to achieve business objectives. Global integration at the supplier and customer interface results in increased bargaining power and/or improved relationships with important global suppliers and customers. Global integration of cross-functional supply chain processes results in operating flexibility to dynamically balance global sources of supply with global demand. Such operating flexibility allows the firm to dynamically realign scarce supply to selectively satisfy demand globally. As a result, firms can optimize their product mix and more effectively utilize raw materials and production capacity. Such operating flexibility also gives firms the ability to exploit geographic differentials in growth and profitability, and minimize the risk associated with demand variability

AN ENTERPRISE COMPETITION ANALYSIS OF BEEF PRODUCTION IN THE SOUTH

Livestock Production/Industries,

Classical Hadrodynamics: A New Approach to Ultrarelativistic Heavy-Ion Collisions

We discuss a new approach to ultrarelativistic heavy-ion collisions based on classical hadrodynamics for extended nucleons, corresponding to nucleons of finite size interacting with massive meson fields. This new theory provides a natural covariant microscopic approach that includes automatically spacetime nonlocality and retardation, nonequilibrium phenomena, interactions among all nucleons and particle production. In the current version of our theory, we consider $N$ extended unexcited nucleons interacting with massive neutral scalar ($\sigma$) and neutral vector ($\omega$) meson fields. The resulting classical relativistic many-body equations of motion are solved numerically without further approximation for soft nucleon-nucleon collisions at $p_{\rm lab}$ = 14.6, 30, 60, 100 and 200 GeV/$c$ to yield the transverse momentum imparted to the nucleons. For the future development of the theory, the isovector pseudoscalar ($\pi^+$, $\pi^-$, $\pi^0$), isovector scalar ($\delta^+$, $\delta^-$, $\delta^0$), isovector vector ($\rho^+$, $\rho^-$, $\rho^0$) and neutral pseudoscalar ($\eta$) meson fields that are known to be important from nucleon-nucleon scattering experiments should be incorporated. In addition, the effects of quantum uncertainty on the equations of motion should be included by use of techniques analogous to those used by Moniz and Sharp for nonrelativistic quantum electrodynamics.Comment: 6 pages, LA-UR-94-217

The Prospects for Mechanical Ratcheting of Bulk Metallic Glasses

The major mechanical shortcoming of metallic glasses is their limited ductility at room temperature. Monolithic metallic glasses sustain only a few percent plastic strain when subjected to uniaxial compression and essentially no plastic strain under tension. Here we describe a room temperature deformation process that may have the potential to overcome the limited ductility of monolithic metallic glasses and achieve large plastic strains. By subjecting a metallic glass sample to cyclic torsion, the glass is brought to the yield surface; the superposition of a small uniaxial stress (much smaller than the yield stress) should then produce increments in plastic strain along the tensile axis. This accumulation of strain during cyclic loading, commonly known as ratcheting, has been extensively investigated in stainless and carbon steel alloys, but has not been previously studied in metallic glasses. We have successfully demonstrated the application of this ratcheting technique of cyclic torsion with superimposed tension for polycrystalline Ti-6Al-4V. Our stability analyses indicate that the plastic deformation of materials exhibiting elastic--perfectly plastic constitutive behavior such as metallic glasses should be stable under cyclic torsion, however, results obtained thus far are inconclusive

Milk Flow Rates from bottle nipples used after hospital discharge

To test the milk flow rates and variability in flow rates of bottle nipples used after hospital discharge

An experimental look at reasonable suspicion and police discretion

Purpose This study aims to demonstrate the need for further examination of legal judgments and the exercise of discretion in policing. Design/methodology/approach A factorial vignette survey with traffic stop scenarios based on US Court of Appeals decisions was administered to 396 police officers across six states. Officers were asked to indicate their assessment of the presence of reasonable suspicion and the likelihood that they would extend the stop for investigatory purposes. Findings Officers\u27 reasonable suspicion judgments are significantly influenced by the vignette facts and align with court ruling expectations. However, even in the presence of reasonable suspicion, responses indicate a limited use of officer discretion to extend the stop. Originality/value Analyses of officer decision-making often rely on large datasets with easy indicators of location, officer demographics and citizen demographics, but rarely consider the facts of individual cases. This study suggests more experimental research is needed to consider the impact of case facts on officer judgments and discretionary activity