Effects of Heating and Cooling Rates on Phase Transformations in 10 Wt Pct Ni Steel and Their Application to Gas Tungsten Arc Welding

10 wt pct Ni steel is a high-strength steel that possesses good ballistic resistance from the deformation induced transformation of austenite to martensite, known as the transformation-induced-plasticity effect. The effects of rapid heating and cooling rates associated with welding thermal cycles on the phase transformations and microstructures, specifically in the heat-affected zone, were determined using dilatometry, microhardness, and microstructural characterization. Heating rate experiments demonstrate that the Ac₃ temperature is dependent on heating rate, varying from 1094 K (821 °C) at a heating rate of 1 °C/s to 1324 K (1051 °C) at a heating rate of 1830 °C/s. A continuous cooling transformation diagram produced for 10 wt pct Ni steel reveals that martensite will form over a wide range of cooling rates, which reflects a very high hardenability of this alloy. These results were applied to a single pass, autogenous, gas tungsten arc weld. The diffusion of nickel from regions of austenite to martensite during the welding thermal cycle manifests itself in a muddled, rod-like lath martensitic microstructure. The results of these studies show that the nickel enrichment of the austenite in 10 wt pct Ni steel plays a critical role in phase transformations during welding.     

Indicators of Client Engagement: Influences on Alcohol Treatment Satisfaction and Outcomes.

This investigation explored the relationship of client engagement variables (client expectations, therapeutic/working alliance, and session attendance) with treatment satisfaction and posttreatment drinking-related outcomes using data from 2 outpatient alcohol treatment studies (N = 208). Path analysis was used to test a model in which engagement variables jointly influence client satisfaction with treatment and subsequent drinking-related outcomes. The proposed model fit well with the data and accounted for 14-23% of the variance in posttreatment outcomes. The relationships in the model suggest that the link between treatment satisfaction and outcome is clarified by examining client engagement variables, which relate indirectly to outcome by means of client satisfaction. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Personality and job performance: Test of the mediating effects of motivation among sales representatives.

Research shows consistent relations between personality and job performance. In this study the authors develop and test a model of job performance that examines the mediating effects of cognitive-motivational work orientations on the relationships between personality traits and performance in a sales job (N=164). Covariance structural analyses revealed proximal motivational variables to be influential mechanisms through which distal personality traits affect job performance. Specifically, striving for status and accomplishment mediate the effects of Extraversion and Conscientiousness on ratings of sales performance. Although Agreeableness was related to striving for communion, neither Agreeableness nor communion striving was related to success in this sales job. The importance of the proposed motivational orientations model is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Micro‐Mechanical Model for the Rate of Aggregation during Precipitation from Solution

Our group has proposed [1,2] that the rate of aggregation between crystals in a supersaturated solution depends on the rate of collision and on the probability of that collision surviving. It has been suggested that the probability, or efficiency, depends on the strength of the newly formed neck between the crystals and the hydrodynamic force acting to pull them apart. That strength has been quantified by assuming that the crystals first touch at a point and thus the area of the neck increases with the square of time. In this paper, over 400 data points were considered for calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM), and more than 250 for calcite, relating the rate of aggregation in a stirred tank to the stirrer speed, the supersaturation and the particle size and show that the existing model cannot account for the relationship seen. It is proposed instead that the first contact between crystals lies along a line and thus the area of the neck grows linearly with time. A dimensionless strength formulated in this way is able to account for the dependence seen.     

A coastal radar system for tsunami warning

A high-frequency radar system which has been used at coastal locations for measurement of surface current and wave fields is suggested and analyzed as a tsunami detection and warning system. This system would detect the presence and magnitude of a tsunami as it approaches the shore by observing the to-fro current pattern produced by the orbital velocity of the tsunami wave. For the radar system presently in existence, typical warning times exceeding 45 min are shown to be possible for Pacific United States coastal locations.     

Efficacy of an in-feed formulation of ivermectin against adult worms and somatic larvae of Strongyloides ransomi

The efficacy of an in-feed formulation (IVOMEC premix) containing 0.6% ivermectin was tested against Strongyloides ransomi in swine. The efficacy of ivermectin against patent infections of S. ransomi when given via the feed at 2 ppm for 7 days (Days 0-7) to provide 100 mcg ivermectin kg-1 body weight day-1 was evaluated in a study with 16 3-month-old male castrated piglets. Seven days prior to treatment each piglet was infected subcutaneously with 2500 infective larvae of S. ransomi. Fecal egg counts were carried out on Days -7, 0, 7 and 14, and worm counts on Day 14. Efficacy was 100% in all treated piglets. Two trials involving 40 pregnant gilts were carried out to evaluate the efficacy of ivermectin against the somatic larval stages of S. ransomi when given at a daily dose of 100 mcg kg-1 body weight for 7 days starting on Days 66, 78, 92 or 103 of pregnancy. The gilts were each experimentally infected with three subcutaneous injections of 250,000 infective larvae, with the last infection given between 12 and 30 days prior to commencement of treatment. Gilts were confirmed free of pre-existing intestinal stages of S. ransomi prior to ivermectin treatment. Fecal nematode egg counts were carried out in gilts/sows and piglets subsequently born. The Strongyloides larvae present in sow milk 1, 2 and 7 days post partum were counted. Fourteen days post natum, worm counts were performed in four randomly selected piglets for each litter. IVOMEC premix given to pregnant gilts prevented shedding of larvae in sow milk, egg output in feces and the establishment of S. ransomi in piglets.     

Conscientiousness and performance of sales representatives: Test of the mediating effects of goal setting.

Used 91 sales representatives to test a process model that assessed the relationship of conscientiousness to job performance through mediating motivational (goal-setting) variables. Linear structural equation modeling showed that sales representatives high in conscientiousness are more likely to set goals and are more likely to be committed to goals, which in turn is associated with greater sales volume and higher supervisory ratings of job performance. Results also showed that conscientiousness is directly related to supervisory ratings. Consistent with previous research, results showed that ability was also related to supervisory ratings of job performance and, to a lesser extent, sales volume. Contrary to expectations, 1 other personality construct, extraversion, was not related to sales volume or to supervisory ratings of job performance. Implications and future research needs are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rough Surface Scattering Based on the Specular Point Theory

The average number of specular points per unit area for a two-dimensionally rough surface is derived in terms of the surface statistics. Expressions for the average of the product of the principal radii of curvature of the specular point are also obtained. These quantities are then substituted into the average scattering cross section per unit area derived from the stationary-phase approach, and two probability models are considered. The results are general and apply to bistatic as well as backscatter, and are valid for finitely as well as perfectly conducting surface materials.     

Eprinomectin: a novel avermectin for control of lice in all classes of cattle

An early intensive anthracycline therapy can improve therapeutic outcome in adult acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) but is usually associated with marked myelosuppressive effects and significant morbidity by infections. To reduce this risk, we employed granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF, filgrastim 5 microg/kg/d) as an adjunct to a myelotoxic, 14-day long induction regimen with idarubicin-vincristine-L-asparaginase-prednisone (IVAP). Owing to changes in study design, patients received 'late' (n = 28) or 'early' (n = 37) G-CSF from days 15 or 4 of IVAP, respectively, until resolution of severe neutropenia. Study endpoints included time to recovery from neutropenic nadir, duration of neutropenia <0.5 x 10(9)/l, incidence of infectious complications, assessment of variables affecting G-CSF response, clinical outcome and costs. Sixty-five consecutive cases were evaluable. Patients in early G-CSF group recovered significantly faster from the neutropenic nadir (p < 0.002), contracted less infectious complications (p = 0.007), and required less intravenous antibiotic (p = 0.008) and antifungal (p = 0.002) medications. Although these reductions did not compensate for the increased G-CSF treatment cost, the overall supportive care cost was not significantly increased by early G-CSF. Interestingly, T-ALL phenotype (p = 0.02) and higher neutrophil presentation count (p = 0.03) were associated with a shorter neutropenic course even with late G-CSF. Early G-CSF may be a valid approach to mitigate chemotherapy-induced neutropenia of IVAP and other similarly myelosuppressive adult ALL regimens.     

Recalcitrant nonunion

One surgeon treated 13 patients with 14 long home fractures that remained ununited for 10 or more years (average, 16 years) and after an average of three prior surgeries. The clavicle was involved in two cases, the humerus in five (one proximal, three diaphyseal, and one distal intraarticular), the femoral diaphysis in three, and the tibial diaphysis in four. The patients were observed for an average of 54 months. All of the fractures healed, and every patient in the series regained functional use of the involved limb without reports of pain, instability, or persistent swelling related to the site of nonunion. Three patients had persistent leg length discrepancies, and five had substantial residual stiffness of one or both adjacent joints. This experience has shown that despite the longevity of the nonunions, healing can be achieved using the basic concepts of the creation of a stable skeletal fixation in the presence of a well vascularized environments with the addition of autogenous bone graft. By the same token, the duration of the nonunion will lead to soft tissue maladaptation and contracture that at times compromise successful restoration of limb length or adjacent articular mobility.