Gender differences in social support among older adults

The purpose of this study was to determine whether exposure to life stress can help explain gender differences in the use of social support. Findings from a longitudinal study suggest that as the number of stressful life events increase, elderly men and women are equally likely to become more involved in their social network, while gender differences emerge only in response to chronic financial strain. Further analysis indicates that elderly women are more likely than elderly men to report that the support they received increased their feelings of personal control.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/45591/1/11199_2004_Article_BF00289174.pd

Effects of different storage and measuring methods on larval length values for the blow flies (Diptera: calliphoridae) Lucilia sericata and Calliphora vicina

In forensic entomology, the methods of sampling, killing, and storing entomological samples can affect larval age estimation, and, hence, the estimation of the minimum post-mortem interval. In the existing manuals, there is a certain amount of heterogeneity regarding methods and the recommendations for best practice in forensic ento- mology are insufficiently validated. This study evaluated three different length-measurement methods for larval stages and examined the influence of different killing and storing methods on the larval length of two forensically important blow flies, Lucilia sericata and Calliphora vicina. The three different measuring methods were a) a ruler with a 0.1 mm scale, b) a geometrical micrometer, and c) a computer-aided stereomicroscope. They were used to measure the length of L1–L3 C. vicina larvae and detect no significant differences. This supports the view that a simple tool like a geometrical micrometer can produce reli- able results in forensic entomology. Newly hatched larvae of L. sericata and C. vicina were killed with hot water (HW) and divided into two equal sub- samples. Lengths of all larvae were measured immediately after killing, then every 24 h until day 4, and once more after 7 days of storage in ≥70%-ethanol. L. sericata larvae only showed significant changes in length in the HW group stored at room temperature. After 4 and 7 days of storage, these 24-h- and 72-h-old larvae showed a significant decrease in length compared with those in a fridge at 6 °C. This decrease can, however, be considered a negligible natural variation without foren- sically relevant consequences for larval age estimation of L. sericata samples. For C. vicina, an increase in length was observed over time. This was significant only for younger larvae (24-48 h old) stored in 70%-ethanol. This variance in length can lead to a wrong estimation of age; however, only for larvae stored in 70%-ethanol, not for those stored in 96%-ethanol. Novelty statement: We examined the influence of different killing and storing methods on two forensically impor- tant blow flies, Lucilia sericata and Calliphora vicina. For the latter species we additionally were evaluating three different length measurement methods. The results of both experiments suggest that it is possible to kill and store fly larvae directly in (not hot) ≥70%-ethanol. This simplifies the sampling and storing of fly evidence at the crime scene. We also compared the influence of three different measuring methods for estimating the length of L1–L3 C. vicina larvae by using a) a ruler with a 0,1 mm scaling, b) a geometrical micrometer and c) a comput- er-aided stereomicroscope. No significant differences were detected, supporting the view, that a simple tool like a geometrical micrometer can produce reliable results. This study helps to simplify the sampling and evaluation of entomological evidence and to backup or questioning existing guidelines and best practice recommendations

Osteological sex determination using hard palate measurements

Hintergrund: Nach Auffindung von skelettierten menschlichen Überresten ist die Bestimmung des Geschlechts ein wesentliches Element des sog. biologischen Profils. Neben den molekularbiologischen Methoden zur Geschlechtsbestimmung basieren die am häufigsten verwendeten Techniken auf den morphologischen Eigenschaften des Beckens und des Schädels. Da man im forensischen Zusammenhang häufig auf unvollständige Skelette oder fragmentierte Becken- und Schädelknochen trifft, ist es sinnvoll, nach alternativen Merkmalen und Maßen zu suchen, die eine ausreichend gute Korrelation zum Geschlecht aufweisen. Ziel der Arbeit: Anhand postmortaler CT-Daten soll der menschliche Gaumen vermessen und überprüft werden, ob ein Zusammenhang zwischen den Messergebnissen und dem Geschlecht besteht. Material und Methoden: An 58 virtuellen 3D-rekonstruierten Schädeln (40 männlich, Altersmittelwert 41,7 Jahre, und 18 weiblich, Altersmittelwert 46,6 Jahre) wurden die Gaumenmaße (Gaumenhöhe, vordere Gaumenhöhe, Gaumenbreite und vordere Gaumenbreite) digital vermessen. Aus Gaumenhöhe und Gaumenbreite wurde der Gaumenhöhenindex zur Charakterisierung der Gaumenwölbung berechnet. Ergebnisse: Für die vordere Gaumenhöhe, die Gaumenbreite und die vordere Gaumenbreite konnte mithilfe der Korrelationsanalyse nach Pearson statistisch kein signifikanter Zusammenhang mit dem Geschlecht festgestellt werden. Dagegen war für die Gaumenhöhe eine positive Korrelation nach Pearson auf einem Signifikanzniveau von 99 % (2-seitig) nachweisbar. Allerdings ist aufgrund der zu geringen Trennschärfe eine praktische Anwendung zur Geschlechtsdiskrimination nicht ableitbar. Schlussfolgerung: In Bezug auf die Gaumenwölbung konnte bei 20 der 40 männlichen Individuen und bei 6 der 18 weiblichen Individuen der Gaumenhöhenindex berechnet werden. Die meisten männlichen Individuen waren demnach mittelhochgaumig, die meisten weiblichen Individuen niedergaumig und keines hochgaumig. Mittelhoch- und insbesondere Hochgaumigkeit sprechen insofern am ehesten für ein männliches Individuum. Die Gaumenwölbung könnte als ergänzender Feldtest sinnvoll sein. Allerdings wäre eine Überprüfung aller Paramater an einer deutlich größeren Stichprobe zu empfehlen. Hierbei sollte außerdem auf ein ausgeglicheneres Geschlechterverhältnis der Studienpopulation geachtet werden

Laser wavelength dependence on angular emission dynamics of Nd : YAG laser-produced Sn plasmas

Abstract We investigated the laser wavelength effect on angular atomic and ionic emission from laser-produced Sn plasma, since it is regarded as a viable candidate for an EUV lithography source. For producing plasmas, the fundamental, second and fourth harmonics radiation from a Nd : YAG laser were used. The angular variation of atomic and ionic particle analysis was carried out using quartz crystal microbalance and Faraday cups by moving them in a circular path at a constant distance from the target normal. Along with atomic and ionic emission, we also compared the plasma emission features in the visible and EUV spectral regions. Results indicate strong forward bias in atomic and ionic plasma debris at all wavelengths. Shorter wavelength plasmas are found to generate more atomic particles while ion flux showed a similar trend irrespective of the excitation wavelength

Osteologische Geschlechtsbestimmung anhand von Gaumenmaßen

Hintergrund: Nach Auffindung von skelettierten menschlichen Überresten ist die Bestimmung des Geschlechts ein wesentliches Element des sog. biologischen Profils. Neben den molekularbiologischen Methoden zur Geschlechtsbestimmung basieren die am häufigsten verwendeten Techniken auf den morphologischen Eigenschaften des Beckens und des Schädels. Da man im forensischen Zusammenhang häufig auf unvollständige Skelette oder fragmentierte Becken- und Schädelknochen trifft, ist es sinnvoll, nach alternativen Merkmalen und Maßen zu suchen, die eine ausreichend gute Korrelation zum Geschlecht aufweisen. Ziel der Arbeit: Anhand postmortaler CT-Daten soll der menschliche Gaumen vermessen und überprüft werden, ob ein Zusammenhang zwischen den Messergebnissen und dem Geschlecht besteht. Material und Methoden: An 58 virtuellen 3D-rekonstruierten Schädeln (40 männlich, Altersmittelwert 41,7 Jahre, und 18 weiblich, Altersmittelwert 46,6 Jahre) wurden die Gaumenmaße (Gaumenhöhe, vordere Gaumenhöhe, Gaumenbreite und vordere Gaumenbreite) digital vermessen. Aus Gaumenhöhe und Gaumenbreite wurde der Gaumenhöhenindex zur Charakterisierung der Gaumenwölbung berechnet. Ergebnisse: Für die vordere Gaumenhöhe, die Gaumenbreite und die vordere Gaumenbreite konnte mithilfe der Korrelationsanalyse nach Pearson statistisch kein signifikanter Zusammenhang mit dem Geschlecht festgestellt werden. Dagegen war für die Gaumenhöhe eine positive Korrelation nach Pearson auf einem Signifikanzniveau von 99 % (2-seitig) nachweisbar. Allerdings ist aufgrund der zu geringen Trennschärfe eine praktische Anwendung zur Geschlechtsdiskrimination nicht ableitbar. Schlussfolgerung: In Bezug auf die Gaumenwölbung konnte bei 20 der 40 männlichen Individuen und bei 6 der 18 weiblichen Individuen der Gaumenhöhenindex berechnet werden. Die meisten männlichen Individuen waren demnach mittelhochgaumig, die meisten weiblichen Individuen niedergaumig und keines hochgaumig. Mittelhoch- und insbesondere Hochgaumigkeit sprechen insofern am ehesten für ein männliches Individuum. Die Gaumenwölbung könnte als ergänzender Feldtest sinnvoll sein. Allerdings wäre eine Überprüfung aller Paramater an einer deutlich größeren Stichprobe zu empfehlen. Hierbei sollte außerdem auf ein ausgeglicheneres Geschlechterverhältnis der Studienpopulation geachtet werden

Aerodynamics of a Transitioning Turbine Stator Over a Range of Reynolds Numbers,’’

ABSTRACT Midspan aerodynamic measurements for a three vane-four passage linear turbine vane cascade are given. The vane axial chord was 4.45cm. Surface pressures and loss coefficients were measured at exit Mach numbers of 0.3, 0.7, and 0.9. Reynolds number was varied by a factor of six at the two highest Mach numbers, and by a factor of ten at the lowest Mach number. Measurements were made with and without a turbulence grid. Inlet turbulence intensities were less than 1% and greater than 10%. Length scales were also measured. Pressurized air fed the test section, and exited to a low pressure exhaust system. Maximum inlet pressure was two atmospheres. The minimum inlet pressure for an exit Mach number of 0.9 was one-third of an atmosphere, and at a Mach number of 0.3, the minimum pressure was half this value. The purpose of the test was to provide data for verification of turbine vane aerodynamic analyses, especially at low Reynolds numbers. Predictions obtained using a Navier-Stokes analysis with an algebraic turbulence model are also given. Nomenclatur

Über die Körperhöhenbestimmung anhand von Zahn, Kieferbogen- und Gaumenmaßen

After the discovery of skeletonized human remains, the estimation of stature is an important element of the so-called "biological profile". Typically, long bone lengths are used in regression formulas. If long bones are not available, predictions of stature cannot be made. Human skulls are often the subject of forensic osteological examination, sometimes even detached. Therefore, it seems reasonable to search for skull measurements that have a sufficiently good correlation to stature. The aim of the study presented was to measure odonto-stomatological parameters using post-mortem CT data to check whether the estimation of stature was possible on this basis. Three classic tooth dimensions (MD, BL, ZL), two diagonal tooth dimensions (MBDL, DBML) first described by Lund and MOrnstad in 1999, two tooth dimensions defined for the first time in this study (MKDO, DKMO), the mesiodistal index (MDS) and also the palatal arch dimensions (arch length, arch width, molar length and dental length) - each at maxilla and mandible - were digitally measured on a total of 799 teeth of 48 virtual 3-D-reconstructed skulls (33 males and 15 females). For most of the aforementioned measurements no statistically significant relation to stature was found. There were positive correlations by Pearson at a significance level of 99 % (2-sided) at three measurements: ZL 15, MKDO 14 and MKDO 15. Positive correlations by Pearson at a significance level of 95 % (2-sided) could be determined for eight measurements, but an applicable regression formula could not be calculated for any of the parameters. Despite a statistical correlation of a few teeth parameters with body length, they must be considered unsuitable for estimating stature

Digital forensic osteology--possibilities in cooperation with the Virtopsy project

The present study was carried out to check whether classic osteometric parameters can be determined from the 3D reconstructions of MSCT (multislice computed tomography) scans acquired in the context of the Virtopsy project. To this end, four isolated and macerated skulls were examined by six examiners. First the skulls were conventionally (manually) measured using 32 internationally accepted linear measurements. Then the skulls were scanned by the use of MSCT with slice thicknesses of 1.25 mm and 0.63 mm, and the 33 measurements were virtually determined on the digital 3D reconstructions of the skulls. The results of the traditional and the digital measurements were compared for each examiner to figure out variations. Furthermore, several parameters were measured on the cranium and postcranium during an autopsy and compared to the values that had been measured on a 3D reconstruction from a previously acquired postmortem MSCT scan. The results indicate that equivalent osteometric values can be obtained from digital 3D reconstructions from MSCT scans using a slice thickness of 1.25 mm, and from conventional manual examinations. The measurements taken from a corpse during an autopsy could also be validated with the methods used for the digital 3D reconstructions in the context of the Virtopsy project. Future aims are the assessment and biostatistical evaluation in respect to sex, age and stature of all data sets stored in the Virtopsy project so far, as well as of future data sets. Furthermore, a definition of new parameters, only measurable with the aid of MSCT data would be conceivable