Polarized electron probes of magnetic surfaces

The magnetic properties of surfaces are now being explored with electron spectroscopies that use electron spin polarization techniques. The increased activity in surface magnetic measurements with polarized electron beams is spurred by new scientific and technological challenges and is made feasible by recent advances in the technology of sources and detectors of polarized electrons. The ability to grow thin films and to engineer artificial structures permits new phenomena to be investigated at magnetic surfaces and interfaces. For such investigations, spin-polarized electron techniques-such as polarized electron scattering, polarized photoemission, polarized Auger spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy with polarization analysis-have been and will probably continue to be used to great advantage.     

Sweden beyond oil: the efficient use of energy

Technology now being introduced in industry, buildings, and transportation is much more energy-efficient than today's average technology. Changes in production and consumption are tending to decrease the intensity of energy use. By applying available economic technology, it may be possible to reduce energy use in Sweden from the present 1400 petajoules per year to about 900 petajoules per year soon after the turn of the century, even with a 50 percent increase in the consumption of goods and services. Technology now being developed could reduce energy demand even further.     

Geologic remote sensing

Remote-sensing techniques are now being used routinely in geologic interpretation for mineral and energy exploration, plant siting, waste disposal, and the development of models for regional and continental tectonics. New spaceborne methods and associated technologies are being developed to produce data from which geologic information about large areas can be derived much more rapidly than by conventional techniques.     

Quantum theory of chemical reaction dynamics

It is now possible to use rigorous quantum scattering theory to perform accurate calculations on the detailed state-to-state dynamics of chemical reactions in the gas phase. Calculations on simple reactions, such as H + D2 --> HD + D and F + H2 --> HF + H, compete with experiment in their accuracy. Recent advances in theory promise to extend such accurate predictions to more complicated reactions, such as OH + H2 --> H2O + H, and even to reactions of molecules on solid surfaces. New experimental techniques for probing reaction transition states, such as negative-ion photodetachment spectroscopy and pump-probe femtosecond spectroscopy, are stimulating the development of new theories.     

Cavitands: organic hosts with enforced cavities

Organic hosts are now being designed and synthesized which contain enforced cavities large enough to complex and even surround simple inorganic or organic guest compounds.     

Seeing with a new light: synchrotron radiation

The special properties of synchrotron light are leading to a rapid increase in its utilization for both research and technology. At wavelength in the ultraviolet region of the broad spectrum in these beams a number of atomic, molecular, and solid-state spectroscopies are being pursued; soft x-rays are being used for spectroscopy, lithography, microscopy, and topography; at still shorter wavelengths, advantage is taken of scattering properties to probe the structure of matter. Characteristics of synchrotron radiation and of the sources which produce it are described, and some typical investigations and applications are presented to suggest the versatility of these sources.     

关于西气东输工程中管道止裂问题的思考

管道的断裂分为脆性断裂和延性断裂两大类，随着理论研究的学入和冶金工业的发展，脆性断裂问题已基本解决，而在输送压力和钢材等级提高以后，延性断裂及其止裂成为主要的研究领域，对于止裂问题，着重阐述了缺陷的允许值及临界裂纹长度与起裂，管道止裂的Rudinger试验，Battelle止裂试验和止裂条件，以及定货规范中对CVN值的要求等理论问题，根据我国目前有关止裂问题的理论与实际研究现状，提出了深入开展止裂研究的若干重大建议以及管道试压介质选择必须注意的问题。     

关于西气东输工程管道止裂问题的思考

管道的断裂分为脆性断裂和延性断裂两大类,随着理论研究的深入和冶金工业的发展,脆性断裂问题已基本解决。而在输送压力和钢材等级提高以后,延性断裂及其止裂成为主要的研究领域。对于止裂问题,着重阐述了缺陷的允许值及临界裂纹长度与起裂、管道止裂的Rudinger试验、Battelle止裂试验和止裂条件,以及定货规范中对CVN值的要求等理论问题。根据我国目前有关止裂问题的理论与实际研究现状,提出了深入开展止裂研究的若干重大建议以及管道试压介质选择必须注意的问题。     

Some computer-based developments in sociology

Sociological data sets are now being computer analyzed by means of a variety of sophisticated procedures, to produce results that reflect the intricacy of social life. Computers also are being used to conduct simulations of social processes based on mathematical models and to collect the data for analysis. Portable computers allow computing power to be used in field studies, and the relatively low cost of computers is expanding the range of sociologists who use them. While opening up new research opportunities, computers also bring certain problems for social researchers and teachers.     

The use of NMR spectroscopy for the understanding of disease

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy can now be used to investigate the biochemical energetics of human tissues and organs noninvasively. The method already has increased our understanding of some muscle diseases, has provided information from muscle metabolism about whole-body functions, control, and hormonal status, has helped in the elucidation of hitherto unrecognized causes of disease, and yielded new ideas about the control of bioenergetics in vivo. Studies on the biochemistry of human brain, liver, heart, and kidney are just beginning. Further investigations of well-selected patients are likely to bring biochemistry and clinical practice closer together.     

Controlling and coordinating development in vector-transmitted parasites

Vector-borne parasites cause major human diseases of the developing world, including malaria, human African trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, filariasis, and schistosomiasis. Although the life cycles of these parasites were defined over 100 years ago, the strategies they use to optimize their successful transmission are only now being understood in molecular terms. Parasites are now known to monitor their environment in both their host and vector and in response to other parasites. This allows them to adapt their developmental cycles and to counteract any unfavorable conditions they encounter. Here, I review the interactions that parasites engage in with their hosts and vectors to maximize their survival and spread.     

The latitudinal distribution of clouds on Titan

Clouds have been observed recently on Titan, through the thick haze, using near-infrared spectroscopy and images near the south pole and in temperate regions near 40 degrees S. Recent telescope and Cassini orbiter observations are now providing an insight into cloud climatology. To study clouds, we have developed a general circulation model of Titan that includes cloud microphysics. We identify and explain the formation of several types of ethane and methane clouds, including south polar clouds and sporadic clouds in temperate regions and especially at 40 degrees in the summer hemisphere. The locations, frequencies, and composition of these cloud types are essentially explained by the large-scale circulation.     

Vapor-phase fabrication and properties of continuous-filament ceramic composites

The continuous-filament ceramic composite is becoming recognized as necessary for new, high-temperature structural applications. Yet because of the susceptibility of the filaments to damage from traditional methods for the preparation of ceramics, vapor-phase infiltration has become the fabrication method of choice. The chemical vapor infiltration methods for producing these composites are now being studied in earnest, with the complexity of filament weaves and deposition chemistry being merged with standard heat and mass-transport relationships. Two of the most influential effects on the mechanical properties of these materials are the adhesion and frictional force between the fibers and the matrix, which can be controlled by a tailored interface coating. A variety of materials are available for producing these composites including carbide, nitride, boride, and oxide filaments and matrices. Silicon carbide-based materials are by far the most advanced and are already being used in aerospace applications.     

Targeting tyrosine kinases in cancer: the second wave

One of the most exciting developments in cancer research in recent years has been the clinical validation of molecularly targeted drugs that inhibit the action of pathogenic tyrosine kinases. Treatment of appropriately selected patients with these drugs can alter the natural history of their disease and improve survival. The clinical validation of these "first-generation" tyrosine kinase inhibitors has been the prelude to a second wave of advances in molecular targeting that is expected to further change the way we classify and treat cancer. Efforts are now being directed at identifying the tumor subtypes and patients who will benefit the most from these drugs. In addition, new compounds that circumvent acquired resistance to the first-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors are being tested in patients with refractory disease. Agents directed against new molecular targets are also being explored.     

Toward the realization of a josephson computer

High-quality Josephson junctions, with both electrodes made from niobium and with an aluminum-oxide insulating barrier, were introduced in 1983. This niobium junction is very stable, reliable, controllable, and reproducible. Because of these excellent characteristics, these junctions can be applied to large-scale integrated (LSI) circuits, such as microprocessors having a few thousand gates and a few kilobits of memory. These circuits operate much faster and consume less power than any semiconductor circuit now available. Integrated Josephson circuits are now being tested in a closed-cycle refrigerator. The next step is to design a special-purpose, small-scale Josephson computer and to demonstrate its high performance.     

Assessing methane emissions from global space-borne observations

In the past two centuries, atmospheric methane has more than doubled and now constitutes 20% of the anthropogenic climate forcing by greenhouse gases. Yet its sources are not well quantified, introducing uncertainties in its global budget. We retrieved the global methane distribution by using spaceborne near-infrared absorption spectroscopy. In addition to the expected latitudinal gradient, we detected large-scale patterns of anthropogenic and natural methane emissions. Furthermore, we observed unexpectedly high methane concentrations over tropical rainforests, revealing that emission inventories considerably underestimated methane sources in these regions during the time period of investigation (August through November 2003).     

Solar chemistry of metal complexes

Electronic excited states of certain transition metal complexes undergo oxidation-reduction reactions that store chemical energy. Such reactions have been extensively explored for mononuclear complexes. Two classes of polynuclear species exhibit similar properties, and these complexes are now being studied as possible homogeneous sensitizer-catalysts for hydrogen production from aqueous solutions.     

Detection and Characterization of the Cumulene Carbenes H2C5 and H2C6

Two cumulene carbenes, H2C5 and H2C6, were detected in a supersonic molecular beam by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. Their rotational and leading centrifugal distortion constants were determined with high accuracy, such that the entire radio spectrum can now be calculated. Like the known carbenes H2C3 and H2C4, both molecules have singlet electronic ground states and linear carbon-chain backbones. They can be produced in sufficiently high concentrations in the laboratory that their electronic spectra, expected to lie in the visible, should be readily detectable by laser spectroscopy. The microwave spectra of other, more exotic isomers may be detectable as well.     

Ecology. The value of nature and the nature of value

Ecosystems are capital assets: When properly managed, they yield a flow of vital goods and services. Relative to other forms of capital, however, ecosystems are poorly understood, scarcely monitored, and--in many important cases--undergoing rapid degradation. The process of economic valuation could greatly improve stewardship. This potential is now being realized with innovative financial instruments and institutional arrangements.     

Superconducting Magnets in High-Energy Physics: Large-scale magnets that dissipate no electrical power are under construction for high-energy physics research

The promise of superconductivity making possible large magnets that dissipate no power is now being realized. Most of the early difficulties have been overcome; hence it is now a straight-forward engineering problem to design and build a large stable supermagnet. The application of such magnets to research in high-energy physics can be expected to grow rapidly in the next few years.