Test well exploration in the Myakka River Basin area, Florida

In recent years, difficulties encountered in obtaining ground-water supplies with acceptable chemical characteristics in the Myakka River basin area led to the implementation of a test drilling program. Under this program, well drilling and data collection were executed in such a manner that all water-producing zones of the local aquifers, together with the quality and quantity of the water available, were effectively identified. A step-drilling method was utilized which allowed the collection of formation cuttings, water samples, and water-level data, from isolated zones in the well as drilling proceeded. The step drilling procedure is described. The driller's logs, geophysical logs, and chemical quality of water tables are presented.(Document has 66 pages.

Break-up of shells under explosion and impact

A theoretical and experimental study of the fragmentation of closed thin shells made of a disordered brittle material is presented. Experiments were performed on brown and white hen egg-shells under two different loading conditions: fragmentation due to an impact with a hard wall and explosion by a combustion mixture giving rise to power law fragment size distributions. For the theoretical investigations a three-dimensional discrete element model of shells is constructed. Molecular dynamics simulations of the two loading cases resulted in power law fragment mass distributions in satisfactory agreement with experiments. Based on large scale simulations we give evidence that power law distributions arise due to an underlying phase transition which proved to be abrupt and continuous for explosion and impact, respectively. Our results demonstrate that the fragmentation of closed shells defines a universality class different from that of two- and three-dimensional bulk systems.Comment: 11 pages, 14 figures in eps forma

Increased resistance to stress corrosion of aluminum alloys

Stress corrosion resistance is increased by distorting surface grain-boundary structure and by interrupting the corrosion and stress corrosion. The first is accomplished by machining or shot peening and the second by removal from and later reexposure to the corrosive environment

A shortcut to the riddle of the moon

The Lunar Data Information Center which serves as a reference and lending collection is described. The Center incorporates such methods as a classification scheme for mission-oriented documentation, sample photo browse files, lunar feature index, and color coding; a computer-based Moon Literature Bibliography provides search capability

Rapid and precise analysis for calcium in blood serum

Differential absorption spectrophotometric technique, using murexide, gives a highly precise analysis of calcium in volumes of blood serum as small as 0.01 ml. The method of additions and proper timing allows compensation to be made for fading, variation in type of serum or plasma, and aging of the specimen

Enhanced domain wall velocity near a ferromagnetic instability

Assuming a Fermi liquid behavior for $s$-conduction electrons, we rewrite the extended Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert (LLG) equation renormalized by interactions through the Landau parameters $F^{a}_{l}$ ($l=0,1,2 \cdots$) in an explicit form to describe the dynamic of a domain wall (DW) due to spin transfer torque phenomenon. The interaction between spins of the \textit{s}-conduction electrons explains qualitatively the DW velocity experimental observations in $\mathrm{Ni_{81}}\mathrm{Fe_{19}}$ (Permalloy) recalculated by us without defects or impurity hypothesis. Close to Stoner ferromagnetic instability point where $F^{a}_{0} \approx -0.99$, the DW velocity becomes high ($v^{*}_{DW}\approx 600$ $ms^{-1}$) and critical spin current density becomes reduced ($j^{*}_{c}\approx1\times10^{12}$ $Am^{-2}$) when compared to that calculated by nonadiabatic approach. At the critical point, the DW velocity diverges while critical spin current density at the same point goes to zero. Our theory also provides a prediction to looking for materials in which is possible applies a smallest critical spin current density and observes higher DW velocity.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figure

Conceptual and socio-cognitive support for collaborative learning in videoconferencing environments

Studies have shown that videoconferences are an effective medium for facilitating communication between parties who are separated by distance. Furthermore, studies reveal that videoconferences are effective when used for distance learning, particularly when learners are engaged in complex collaborative learning tasks. However, as in face-to-face communication, learners benefit most when they receive additional support for such learning tasks. This article provides an overview of three empirical studies to illustrate more general insights regarding some of the more and less effective ways of supporting collaborative learning with videoconferencing. The focus is on conceptual support, such as structural visualization and socio-cognitive support, such as scripts. Based on the results of the three studies, conclusions can be drawn about the conceptual and socio-cognitive support measures that promote learning. Conclusions can also be reached about the need for employing both conceptual and socio-cognitive support to provide learners with the most benefit