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Very soft grain assemblies have unique shape-changing capabilities that allow them to be compressed far beyond the rigid jammed state by filling void spaces more effectively. However, accurately following the formation of these systems by monitoring the creation of new contacts, the changes in grain shape, and measuring grain-scale stresses is challenging. We developed an experimental method overtaking these challenges and connecting their microscale behavior to their macroscopic response. By tracking the local strain energy during compression, we reveal a transition from granular-like to continuous-like material. Mean contact geometry is shown to vary linearly with the packing fraction, which is supported by a mean field approximation. We also validate a theoretical framework which describes the compaction from a local view. Our experimental framework provides insights into the granular micro-mechanisms and opens new perspectives for rheological analysis of highly deformable grain assemblies in various fields ranging from biology to engineering.

We present an experimental apparatus specifically designed to investigate the precursors of failure in granular materials. A sample of granular material is placed between a latex membrane and a glass plate. A confining effective pressure is applied by applying vacuum to the sample. Displacement-controlled compression is applied in the vertical direction, while the specimen deforms in plane strain. A Diffusing Wave Spectroscopy visualization setup gives access to the measurement of deformations near the glass plate. After describing the different parts of this experimental setup, we present a demonstration experiment where extremely small (of order $10^{-5}$) heterogeneous strains are measured during the loading process.

In a granular material, a macroscopically homogeneous deformation does not correspond to a homogeneous displacement field when looking at the individual grains. The deviation of a grain displacement from the value dictated by the continuum field (referred to as fluctuation) is likely to hold valuable information about the characteristic length(s) involved in grains' rearrangement, which is the principal mechanism of irreversible deformation for granular materials. This paper shows a selection of results from a series of shear tests on a 2D analogue granular material. We have followed the route opened by the pioneering work of Radja\"i and Roux (2002), and used the same framework to analyze our experimental data on displacement fluctuations. Digital Image Correlation has been used to measure and characterize the displacement fluctuations. The analysis of their spatial organization reveals the emergence of a minimum length scale that is in the order of 10 times the mean particle size., Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures. To be published in "G\'eotechnique Letters", available online

Examines the new brand of federalism and of welfare reform. Looks at policy initiatives that will affect children, research priorities for the future, and ways to counter the spread of the conservative social agenda. Claims that welfare reform research must be disseminated so as to promote children's well-being. (RJM)

The prevocational program at the School for Contemporary Education (SCE), Springfield, Virginia, for severely handicapped students (4 to 18 years old) aims at mastery of annual work adjustment objectives by the students and involves development of evaluation procedures, development and implementation of vocational modules for work adjustment instruction, and setting vocational objectives for each student's individualized education plan (IEP). The program is based on a K through 12 concept with a six stage vocational development process: identifying with a worker (career awareness), acquiring the basic habits of industry (career exploration), acquiring identity as a worker in the occupational structure (preoccupational), becoming a productive person, maintaining a productive society, and contemplating a productive and responsible life. Among program objectives is to provide each student with entry level vocational skills necessary for advancement to more specific vocational opportunities either in the community or in a sheltered environment. The work adjustment training element provies opportunities to learn skills of a general nature which are directly related to employment. Placements in community or sheltered environments are evaluated at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after initial placement through the vocational followup services. (SBH)