Microstructure and superconductivity of bulk BPSCCO/LPMO composite

Bulk superconducting (SC) ceramics containing BPSCCO and LPMO (Lanthanum/Lead – manganite phase) have been produced. The initial components were prepared by a low-temperature Pechini method. The submicron powders in weight ratio 90/10 Bi_1.6Pb_0.4Sr₂Ca₂Cu₃O_z/La_0.6Pb_0.4MnO₃ (nominal composition) were heat treated at 840°C. The duration of the heat treatment effect (60 and 100?h) of the composite on the transformation of the microstructure was studied. The obtained composites were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and by the method of energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). They contain several phases. It was established that the SC 2212 phase is predominate in the composite. The phase La_0.6Pb_0.4MnO₃ transforms in solid solution with preliminary composition La_0.5(Sr?+?Ca)_0.5Mn_{1? z} Cu _z O₃, which after full replacement of the La and Mn ions leads to the appearance of phases with nominal composition Sr_{1? x} Ca _x CuO _y . AC and DC magnetization measurements were used to study the SC and magnetic properties of the samples. Both samples are SC with critical temperatures 75 and 77?K, respectively. It was concluded that the SC and magnetic phases stably coexist in the composite sintered at 60?h heat treatment at 840°C.     

A RAPID METHOD FOR EVALUATING THE NECESSITY FOR BOTH A BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTION AND METHYLPHENIDATE

We examined the effects of a behavioral intervention and methylphenidate (MPH) on inappropriate behavior and sleep disturbance displayed by a 6-year-old boy who had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Results showed that the behavioral intervention was effective in reducing inappropriate behaviors to near-zero levels regardless of the presence or absence of MPH.     

Close relationships and acting for self-set goals

The study addressed the influence of a close relationship with a partner. The hypothesis that stronger interpersonal bonds (partner's support, cohesiveness, emotional ties) lead a goal pursuer to expand greater effort and to feel greater satisfaction in working toward self-set goal was tested. The data were collected from 200 Ss involved in a close relationship by means of a Goal Questionnaire referring to goal properties (importance, expectancy, conflict), to action dimensions (effort, persistence, satisfaction) and to interpersonal relations between a goal pursuer and his partner (support, dependence, emotional control). The data analysis (ANOVA) revealed that the high support (vs. low) was significantly related to greater effort, persistence and satisfaction. Also high emotional control was related to higher persistence and high dependence resulted in stronger satisfaction from goal-related activity. The path analysis showed that partner's support influences the goal-related activity in two ways, directly through enhancing persistence and satisfaction and indirectly by increasing individual's expectancy of successful goal attainment.     

BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS OF SELF-SET GOALS FOR DIFFERENT TIME RANGES

The effects of self-set goals on self-reported goal-directed activity in different time ranges were investigated. The relationship between goal specificity, future time perspective and goal-directed activity were also examined. Subjects wrote down goals they had set for times ranges from 1 week to life span and then completed the Goal Questionnaire in reference to one goal, randomly selected by the experimenter. By means of factor analyses three goal-properties scales, importance, expectancy, conflict, and three action scales, effort, persistence, and satisfaction were created. Analyses revealed that with increasing time range there is an increase in level of importance, effort, persistence, and satisfaction, and a decrease in conflict. Goal expectancy appeared relatively stable. More specific analyses revealed that high importance leads to higher effort and satisfaction but to lower persistence. All action indices were positively related to expectancy of success and subjectively expected goal value. Effort and satisfaction were negatively related to goal conflict. The predictability of action dimensions from the goal's properties (percent of accounted variance) generally decreased with time ranges. It was also found that a higher goal specificity and a longer future time perspective lead to greater persistence and satisfaction in the pursuit of more proximal goals.     

Ethnic Identity and Prosocial Attitudes

In this study, I examined the relationships between ethnic identity, social support within one's own group, activity with one's own group, and readiness to cooperate with people of another group. The hypothesis that there will be a stronger link between ethnic identity and prosocial activity in a minority group was tested using a questionnaire collected from 60 Byelorussians and 62 Poles living in the same villages of eastern Poland. The analyses showed that Byelorussians had lower ethnic identity and social support than Poles but higher readiness to cooperate with Poles than the reverse. For the Byelorussians, the correlational analysis revealed significant coefficients between ethnic identity and social support, between ethnic identity, social support, and prosocial activity, and between social support and readiness to cooperate, whereas the relationships among these variables were not significant in the Polish group. On a cognitive level, therefore, the members of the dominant group identified more with the nation and country than the members of a minority, whose ethnic identity was more salient in social attitudes and ingroup and outgroup activities.     

Extreme Values of Maternal Serum Analytes in Second Trimester Screening: Looking Beyond Trisomy and NTD’s

Second trimester maternal serum screening can identify high risk pregnancies and fetuses at risk for birth defects (in addition to those in the standard interpretation). The purpose of this study was to quantify such risks to improve counseling. We compared outcomes of 692 pregnancies that had abnormal levels of at least one analyte with a cohort of 713 pregnancies with normal analytes. Increased risks include: demise with high AFP and low uE3; intrauterine growth restriction with high AFP, high and low hCG, and low uE3; placental abnormalities with high AFP; fetal stress with high AFP and high hCG. Birth defects are increased with high AFP, high hCG, and low hCG. When two or more analytes are abnormal, 46% have a poor outcome. Abnormal levels of maternal serum analytes provide information in addition to the risks for neural tube defects, Down syndrome, and trisomy 18. This information is important for counseling and pregnancy management.