Placebo verification technique in the analysis and interpretation of turbulent velocity fields

An artificially synthesized velocity field with known properties is used as a control set of data when analysis and interpretation of turbulent velocity field isperformed. The benefits of such an approach, including a greater objectivity of the interpretation of structural features, are illustrated by considering the relationshipbetween streaks and vortices. The analysis indicates that this relationship can be less significant than it may seem

RISK BELIEFS AND SMOKING BEHAVIOR

"We analyze smoking risk beliefs and smoking behavior using individual data from 1997 for the United States and 1998 for Massachusetts. Smokers and adults more generally overestimate the lung cancer risks of smoking and the mortality risks and life expectancy loss. Higher risk beliefs decrease the probability of starting to smoke and increase the probability of quitting among those who begin. Better educated smokers have lower and more accurate risk beliefs, but education decreases the probability of smoking. Higher state cigarette taxes correlate with risk beliefs but not with smoking status. The uninsured are especially likely to remain current smokers. "("JEL "I12, I18, D80) Copyright (c) 2008 Western Economic Association International.