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Notes: Transport in the collisional regime is analyzed here for tokamaks and compact toroid of any shape. Toroidal axisymmetry is assumed. The treatment is performed with an improved system of coordinates, here described. Pfirsch–Schlüter current is determined in a general case. The average velocity around a magnetic surface is found as a function of closed geometrical integrals and separated factors that include the electric and magnetic fields. The contribution of the induced electric field Ecursive-phi is analyzed and the similarities with the Ware pinch are shown. The general equations have been applied to families of nested curves with elliptic shapes. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: This paper reports experimental results showing that coherent helical structures are formed in the reversed field pinch (RFP) self-organizing plasma core as a result of transitions to states where the n-spectrum of the m=1 modes is dominated by a single (1,nmax) geometrical helicity. These states are dubbed quasi-single helicity (QSH) states. Their magnetic and thermal properties measured in the reverse field experiment (RFX) [G. Rostagni, Fusion Eng. Des. 25, 301 (1995)] device are described. The present theoretical understanding of QSH states is discussed and some recent theoretical results are presented. The role of aspect ratio is discussed. These results represent a significant step to open a path beyond the standard paradigm that a bath of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modes is intrinsic to the RFP. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: The general reaction behavior of the 3A process under the thermal explosion mode of synthesis has been investigated via a continuum model. The continuum model uses mass and energy balances to predict temperature difference (Ts,avg−Tf) curves, as well as profile curves of the reactant conversions and sample temperature. In particular, the effect of the dimensionless parameters associated with the rate of local heat generation (β, the thermicity factor), the activation energy (γ, the Arrhenius number), the rate of heat redistribution (α, the modified thermal diffusivity), the rate of heat transfer by convection (Bi, the Biot number or convective heat transfer parameter), and the rate of heat transfer by radiation (Ω, the radiative heat transfer parameter) were investigated. Conditions to control the reaction process, which should produce high-density final products, were determined. It was found that the overall maximum temperature may be reduced for high γ, low β, high α, and high Bi and Ω. In terms of processing conditions, this may be obtained by reducing the initial reactant concentrations, optimizing the particle size, using small sample sizes and high compaction pressure, and increasing the heat loss by using a high thermal conductivity inert gas.

Notes: It is believed that the segregation of oversized dopant ions to grain boundaries in Al2O3 hinders grain-boundary diffusion, thereby reducing the tensile creep rate in this system by ∼2–3 orders of magnitude. In order to explain this improvement in creep behavior, it is helpful to characterize both the effective cation and interstitial volumes at grain boundaries, because the relative openness of some boundary structures suggests a great accommodation of oversized ions. In this study, the boundary volume is determined by a spatially local Voronoi construction, which highlights cation (Al3+) substitutional sites as well as large interstitial voids. In particular, we examine the spatial distribution of free volume near grain boundaries and, in addition, the dependence of the driving force for segregation on misfit strain in doped Al2O3. We interpret our results in light of recent evidence that selective codoping can provide a more efficient means of filling available space near boundaries, thereby further enhancing creep resistance.

Notes: Objectives 1. To determine the prevalence of endometrial hyperplasia in postmenopausal women taking standard proprietary regimens of sequential oestrogen/progestogen; 2. to determine the effects of nine months treatment with an oral continuous combined regimen of 2 mg 17ß-oestradiol and 1 mg norethisterone acetate (Kliofem [Kliogest outside the UK]; Novo Nordisk, Denmark) on endometrial histology in postmenopausal women.Design An open, prospective study in postmenopausal women.Setting Fifty-four menopause clinics in the UK.Participants 2028 postmenopausal women: 1312 (Group A) taking sequential oestrogen-progestogen hormone replacement therapy (HRT), and 716 (Group B) not taking HRT, were recruited. In Group A, 388 women took preparations containing 10 days of progestogen, 921 had 12 days, and 3 had 13 days per cycle.Methods Endometrial aspiration biopsies were taken towards the end of a three-month run-in period (Group A) or at study entry (Group B), before administration of the continuous combined HRT regimen. Biopsies were repeated at the end of the nine month treatment period.Main outcome measure Endometrial histology.Results Initial endometrial biopsy data were available for 1106 women in Group A, who by the time of endometrial investigation had been taking HRT for a median duration of 2.56 years (5th to 95th centiles: 0.77 to 8.49 years). Data were available for 661 untreated women, who had no bleeding and had not taken HRT within the last year (Group B). Complex hyperplasia was found in 59 women (5.3%), and atypical hyperplasia in a further eight (0.7%) in Group A. In Group B there were no cases with complex hyperplasia, but one woman showed atypical hyperplasia (0.2%). At the end of the nine months of continuous combined therapy there was no case of hyperplasia among 1196 biopsies (upper 95% confidence limit of risk 0.31%) in women completing the study. Within this Group all of the women with complex hyperplasia arising during previous sequential HRT and who completed the study (n= 38) reverted to normal endometrial patterns. There was no case of endometrial carcinoma during the study.Conclusions Despite taking standard regimens of sequential HRT containing at least 10 days of progestogen, there was a 5.3% prevalence of complex endometrial hyperplasia, and a 0.7% prevalence of atypical hyperplasia. However, continuous combined HRT (Kliofem) containing daily progestogen is not associated with an increased risk of hyperplasia and will convert the endometrium to normal in those with complex hyperplasia arising during previous sequential HRT.

Notes: Capacitance measurements are used to investigate a series of single-barrier n-i-n GaAs/AlAs/GaAs heterostructures incorporating a layer of self-assembled InAs quantum dots into the AlAs barrier. They reveal a low-density, excess positive charge in the AlAs barrier which we attribute to defects associated with quantum dot formation. The quantity of positive charge is proportional to the amount of AlAs deposited on top of the dots. © 2000 American Institute of Physics.

Notes: 〈list style="custom"〉1The Hydrachnidia (water mites, Hydracarina) are the most diversified group of the Acari in freshwaters and are abundant and speciose in lotic habitats. Lower-order streams may contain up to 50 species (including benthic and hyporheic forms) and small springs up to 20 crenobiont species.2Water mites are grouped into 8 superfamilies, 50 families, 300 genera containing more than 5 000 species. Representatives of all superfamilies (about 3 000 species worldwide) occur in lotic ecosystems, although most lotic species belong to the Hydryphantoidea, Lebertioidea and Hygrobatoidea. Identification of water mite families, genera and subgenera, throughout the world, is possible using taxonomic publications. Keys to species level are also available but mainly for local faunas. Descriptions of larvae and deutonymphs are rare.3The life cycle of the Hydrachnidia is unique among the Acari and is similar to that of holometabolous insects, with a heteromorphic parasitic/phoretic larva and two pupa-like resting stages. The larva parasitises mainly insect hosts with apparently no strict host-specificity. Deutonymphs and adults are voracious predators feeding mainly on insect eggs, insect larvae and microcrustaceans. In some cases, water mite parasitism and predation may substantially affect the structure of lotic communities.4Most species show a high degree of habitat/microhabitat specialization. Temperature, current-speed, substratum type, physiographic and geomorphological factors are the major determinants of species composition in water mite communities.5The complex, fully aquatic, life cycle and multilevel biocoenotic interactions make water mites well suited for the detection of physical and chemical disturbances to lotic ecosystems.6Future research should address the distribution, biology, autecology, community dynamics and ecological interactions of lotic water mites.

Notes: The reaction sintering of TixAly–Al2O3 composites from TiO2/Al starting powder mixtures has been characterized by thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), in situ temperature measurements, and predictions via a continuum model. In order to model the TiO2/Al reaction system, it was necessary to first determine the postmill reactant concentrations and the dominant reaction. The postmill reactant concentrations were obtained from TG/DTA measurements in air, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to gain insight into the reaction mechanisms. A continuum model of the process was fitted to in situ temperature measurements by adjusting two parameters. The model was then used to investigate the effects of various processing conditions on the reaction behavior.

Notes: The toughness-curve (T-curve) behavior of a composite that is composed of 30 vol% spherical, polycrystalline, fine-grained alumina agglomerates dispersed throughout a constant-toughness 50-vol%-alumina—50-vol%-mullite matrix was compared to that for a coarse-grained agglomerate version of the composite, with the intent of identifying the operative toughening mechanisms in the latter. The T-curve behavior was evaluated using the indentation-strength method, and the underlying T-curves were deconvoluted from experimental data using an indentation-fracture-mechanics model. Compared to the T-curve of the coarse-grained composite, the toughness of the “fine-grained” composite increased from a similar initial toughness and over a similar crack-length range but to a lower saturation value. The T-curve of the fine-grained composite can be explained as being derived predominantly from unbroken bridging elements in the crack wake, set up by agglomerate-induced crack-path deflections in the matrix. This mechanism is proposed to function to the same degree and account for the majority of the observed toughening in the coarse-grained composite, with the remaining toughening increment being derived from intra-agglomerate grain bridging. Calculations suggest that unbroken bridging elements do not behave as simple elastic cantilevered beams that bend uniaxially with increasing crack-opening displacement.