The “Qualitative” Differences in Problem-Solving Procedures and Thinking Structures Between Science and Nonscience Majors

This study was conducted to explore the differences of problem-solving procedures and thinking structures between science majors and nonscience majors. A total of eleven Chinese graduate students, consisting of 5 science majors and 6 nonscience majors, participated in this study and completed the same task. The interview data showed us that: (1) Nonscience majors began with personal experience questions whereas science majors promptly designed an experiment; (2) Nonscience majors tended to confirm expected answers whereas science majors tended to explore some questions with unknown answers; (3) Nonscience majors preferred to process the procedures by creating the plan mentally in advance, whereas science majors preferred to proceed by doing, adjusting the plan as the procedures progressed; (4) Science majors would consider the assumption and the validity of the test whereas nonscience majors rarely did; and (5) Nonscience majors were curious about how they would fare if given the same testing situation whereas science majors completed only the required task. Further discussion revealed that the reasoner's epistemology or academic experiences might strongly influence these problem-solving processes, thinking and actions. The implications of this study for improving current curriculum design were discussed.     

Antiferroelectric liquid crystals derived from a new optically active (R)-3-ethylmercapto-2-methylpropionic acid

A new optically active (R)-3-ethylmercapto-2-methylpropionic acid has been synthesized using D(-)—2,10-camphorsultam as a chiral auxiliary. The optical purity of the acid obtained was greater than 98 per cent. Its derivatives, (R)-4-(3-ethylmercapto-2-methylpropionyl)phenyl 4'-alkoxybiphenyl-4-carboxylates (EMMPPmBC; m = 7-16), have been prepared for the investigation of liquid crystalline properties as a function of peripheral alkyl chain length. Optical studies showed that all members exhibited an antiferroelectric S*c_A phase. The results also indicate that a lengthened alkyl chain length is favoured for S_cA* phase formation.     

A model for establishing the ultimate enhancements (A∞) in the low to high magnetic field transfer dynamic nuclear polarization experiment

In a preliminary report, we have demonstrated transfer of a flowing bolus enhanced in low magnetic fields (e.g., 0.33 T) with dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), but monitored in a high magnetic field (4.7 T). The advantages of the high magnetic field monitoring approach include: 1) greater chemical shift dispersion, and 2) improved signal strength in comparison with static low field DNP experiments. In the present study, a model is developed to predict ultimate DNP enhancements (A_∞) in this experiment for flow liquid/liquid intermolecular transfer (L²IT). L²IT¹H and¹³C data is obtained for benzene and chloroform in order to test the validity of the model. The ultimate¹H and¹³C DNP enhancements obtained for benzene/TEMPO are ?150 and ?220, respectively. For a chloroform/TEMPO (L²IT) sample, the ultimate enhancements are close to the¹H dipolar (?330) and the¹³C scalar (+2660) limit, respectively. In the latter case, the observed¹³C DNP enhancement exceeds the thermal Boltzmann magnetization at 4.7 T by a factor of 21. For a 1-chlorobutane/TEMPO sample selective enhancements were observed at different sites in the molecule. For example, the C-1 carbon exhibits a large scalar enhancement, whereas, the other carbons exhibit dipolar enhancements. Data illustrating the importance of three-spin effects in¹³C DNP studies is also presented. Alternative methods of sample transfer from the low to high magnetic field are also discussed.     

Ionization Behavior and Ionization-Dependent Conformation of Raclopride,a Dopamine D2 Receptor Antagonist

Raclopride, an antipsychotic 6-methoxysalicylamide (= 2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzamide) derivative, was shown by titrimetry and UV-pholometry to exist in zwitterionic form at physiological pH. Calculations revealed that the neutral and zwitterionic forms differ considerably in their conformational behavior, the latter form being energetically favored by an intramolecular phenolate–ammonium ionic bond. These findings indicate that raciopride and other halogenated 6-melhoxysalicylamides with a highly acidic phenolic group may not resemble other ortho-methoxybenzamides in their stereoelectronic structure and mode of binding to the dopamine D₂ receptor.     

The thermoelectric power of the metallic glass Ca0.8Al0.2

We report the first measurement of the thermoelectric power Q, of a metallic glass that contains only normal metals. The thermoelectric power of amorphous Ca_0.8Al_0.2 has been measured as a function of temperature from 10 K to 420 K. It is found that Q is positive, varies linearly with temperature and has a small slope. This is similar to the thermoelectric power found for other metallic glasses containing large concentrations of transition metal atoms.     

Two particle rapidity correlation in proton-emulsion nucleus interactions at 400 GeV

We present a study of two-particle correlations in proton-emulsion nucleus reactions at 400 GeV. In particular the correlations at different nuclear excitations and different rapidity regions are treated. Positive correlations, depending on nuclear excitation, are observed in the rapidity region η<1.5.     

Interstitial site of Cu in Ca

Fluorescence EXAFS was used to study the siting of a dilute solution of Cu in Ca. The Cu is interstitial in Ca, and no more than .4Å away from the center of the octahedral site. No lattice dilation was seen about the Cu atom, even though Cu is “too big” to fit into the interstitial site.     

Marangoni convection in weld pools with a free surface

A steady-state two-dimensional model of heat transfer and fluid flow was developed to describe Marangoni convection in the weld pool. Both the pool surface and the fusion boundary were calculated. The validity of the model was verified against an asymptotic solution for Marangoni-convection-induced free surface geometry. Two different cases were studied, i.e. a negative surface tension temperature coefficient ?γ/?T a positive one, and the resultant shapes of the weld pool surface were compared.