Moving from the Consortium to the Reference Desk: Keeping Chat and Improving Reference at the MSU Libraries

The experience of the Mississippi State University (MSU) Libraries illustrates the challenges presented by moving from consortial to local chat, as well as an evaluation of the advantages of chat reference in an academic setting. Countering the consortial, instant-messaging model prevalent in virtual reference today, the MSU Libraries have found chat offers advantages in an academic community. Moving to a local setting, it was possible for the MSU Libraries to maintain quality control over chat transactions while building relationships with faculty and students across campus.     

An integrated high-performance beam optics-nuclear processes framework with hybrid transfer map-Monte Carlo particle transport and optimization

An integrated beam optics-nuclear processes framework is essential for accurate simulation of fragment separator beam dynamics. The code COSY INFINITY provides powerful differential algebraic methods for modeling and beam dynamics simulations in absence of beam-material interactions. However, these interactions are key for accurately simulating the dynamics of heavy ion fragmentation and fission. We have developed an extended version of the code that includes these interactions, and a set of new tools that allow efficient and accurate particle transport: by transfer map in vacuum and by Monte Carlo methods in materials. The new framework is presented, along with several examples from a preliminary layout of a fragment separator for a facility for rare isotope beams.     

Permeation of several gases through elastomers,with emphasis on the deuterium/hydrogen pair

The diffusion and permeation coefficients for He, H₂, D₂, O₂, and N₂ in a variety of elastomers were measured by simple manometric methods. The elastomers studied were butyl rubber; Hypalon® 40 and 45; Viton® E60 and GF; Hydrin® 100 and filled Hydrin® 100; Kraton® G, FG, and KG VTEOS; EPDM; epoxidized natural rubber; and neoprene. Consistent with earlier studies, elastomers with higher glass transition temperatures exhibited lower diffusion coefficients. The ratio of diffusion coefficients of the hydrogen isotope pair differed from the purely molecular-weight-based prediction. Deuterium's slightly smaller size relative to hydrogen is consistent with observed deviations from the molecular-weight-based diffusion coefficient ratio. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Modification of the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Scale for use in bipolar illness (BP): the CGI-BP

The Clinical Global Impressions Scale (CGI) was modified specifically for use in assessing global illness severity and change in patients with bipolar disorder. Criticisms of the original CGI were addressed by correcting inconsistencies in scaling, identifying time frames for comparison, clarifying definitions of illness severity and change, and separating out assessment of treatment side effects from illness improvement during treatment. A Detailed User's Guide was developed to train clinicians in the use of the new CGI-Bipolar Version (CGI-BP) for rating severity of manic and depressive episodes and the degree of change from the immediately preceding phase and from the worst phase of illness. The revised scale and manual provide a focused set of instructions to facilitate the reliability of these ratings of mania, depression, and overall bipolar illness during treatment of an acute episode or in longer-term illness prophylaxis. Interrater reliability of the scale was demonstrated in preliminary analyses. Thus, the modified CGI-BP is anticipated to be more useful than the original CGI in studies of bipolar disorder.