Transforming Transsexual and Transgender Rights

State and federal employment anti-discrimination statutes have failed to adequately protect transsexual and transgendered individuals in the workplace. Although advancements have been made in recent years regarding the protection of sexual minorities, transsexual and transgendered employees continue to receive sporadic and noncomprehensive protection. Various approaches have been taken to extend protection against discrimination to these individuals, including the utilization of disability protection statutes, the expansion of anti-discrimination statutes, and the protection of transsexual and transgendered individuals as a class; however, these approaches have proven flawed in providing adequate protection. An examination of anti-discrimination law shows that these measures, while perhaps desirable, are not necessary to protect transsexual and transgendered persons. This Article argues that existing legislation already provides a basis for protecting these minorities. That is, courts should recognize discrimination against transsexual and transgendered individuals as classic sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and corresponding state anti-discrimination statutes

Coaxial prime focus feeds for paraboloidal reflectors

A TE11 - TM11 dual mode coaxial feed for use in prime focus paraboloidal antenna systems is investigated. The scattering matrix parameters of the internal bifurcation junction was determined by the residue calculus technique. The scattering parameters and radiation fields of the aperture were found from the Weinstein solution. The optimum modeing ratio for minimum cross-polarization was determined along with the corresponding optimum feed dimensions. A peak cross-polarization level of -58 dB is predicted. The frequency characteristics were also investigated and a bandwidth of 5% is predicted over which the cross-polarization remains below -30 dB, the input VSWR is below 1.15, and the phase error is less than 10 deg. Theoretical radiation patterns and efficiency curves for a paraboloidal reflector illuminated by this feed were computed. The predicted sidelobe level is below -30 dB and aperture efficiencies greater than 70% are possible. Experimental results are also presented that substantiates the theoretical results. In addition, experimental results for a 'short-cup' coaxial feed are given. The report includes extensive design data for the dual-mode feed along with performance curves showing cross-polarization as a function of feed parameters. The feed is useful for low-cost ground based receiving antennas for use in direct television satellite broadcasting service

Penetration and cratering experiments of graphite by 0.5-mm diameter steel spheres at various impact velocities

Cratering experiments have been conducted with 0.5-mm diameter AISI 52100 steel spherical projectiles and 30-mm diameter, 15-mm long graphite targets. The latter were made of a commercial grade of polycrystalline and porous graphite named EDM3 whose behavior is known as macroscopically isotropic. A two-stage light-gas gun launched the steel projectiles at velocities between 1.1 and 4.5 km s 1. In most cases, post-mortem tomographies revealed that the projectile was trapped, fragmented or not, inside the target. It showed that the apparent crater size and depth increase with the impact velocity. This is also the case of the crater volume which appears to follow a power law significantly different from those constructed in previous works for similar impact conditions and materials. Meanwhile, the projectile depth of penetration starts to decrease at velocities beyond 2.2 km s 1. This is firstly because of its plastic deformation and then, beyond 3.2 km s 1, because of its fragmentation. In addition to these three regimes of penetration behavior already described by a few authors, we suggest a fourth regime in which the projectile melting plays a significant role at velocities above 4.1 km s 1. A discussion of these four regimes is provided and indicates that each phenomenon may account for the local evolution of the depth of penetration

Improving empathy of physicians through guided reflective writing

Objectives: This study was designed to explore how guided reflective writing could evoke empathy and reflection in a group of practicing physicians. Methods: Total participants recruited included 40 staff physicians at Cleveland Clinic, a tertiary care academic medical center. Twenty physicians (intervention group) were assigned to participate in a 6-session faculty development program introducing narrative medicine and engaging in guided reflective writing. Ten physicians (comparison group 1) received the assigned course reading materials but did not participate in the course sessions. Ten physicians (comparison group 2) neither received the reading materials nor participated in the sessions. Qualitative analysis of the physicians\u27 reflective writings was performed to identify major themes. The Jefferson Scale of Empathy was administered three times during the course. Results: Qualitative analysis of physicians\u27 writings showed themes of both compassionate solidarity and detached concern. Exploration of negative emotions occurred more frequently than positive ones. The most common writing style was case presentation. A total of 36 staff physicians completed the Jefferson Scale of Empathy. Results of statistical analysis suggested an improvement in empathy in the intervention group at the end of the course (p \u3c 0 .05). Conclusions: These results suggest a faculty development program using guided narrative writing can promote reflection and may enhance empathy among practicing physicians. These findings should encourage medical educators to design additional strategies for enhancing reflection and empathic behavior in trainees and specifically practicing physicians who can role model these behaviors to achieve the ultimate goal of improving the quality of patient care

SOFIP: A Short Orbital Flux Integration Program

A computer code was developed to evaluate the space radiation environment encountered by geocentric satellites. The Short Orbital Flux Integration Program (SOFIP) is a compact routine of modular compositions, designed mostly with structured programming techniques in order to provide core and time economy and ease of use. The program in its simplest form produces for a given input trajectory a composite integral orbital spectrum of either protons or electrons. Additional features are available separately or in combination with the inclusion of the corresponding (optional) modules. The code is described in detail, and the function and usage of the various modules are explained. A program listing and sample outputs are attached

Microscopic Observations of Voids in Anodic Oxide Films on Aluminum

The relationship was explored between nanoscale voids in anodic aluminum oxide films and the surface condition of aluminum samples prior to anodizing. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) detected voids on the order of 10 nm in anodic films. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) of these films, obtained after partial oxide dissolution, revealed surface cavities; comparison of TEM and AFM suggested that the cavities were the oxide voids. AFM images after variable extents of oxide dissolution showed that the voids were distributed evenly through the inner 60% of the film thickness, indicating that they were formed at the metal-oxide interface during film growth. Both AFM and TEM showed that the void concentration in the film was sensitive to the extent of dissolution of the aluminum samples in NaOH prior to anodizing. Positron annihilation spectroscopy had previously detected voids in samples without anodic films, located in the metal near the oxide-metal interface; the quantity of these interfacial voids was controlled by NaOH dissolution. The void concentration in the inner part of the anodic films was proportional to the quantity of these pre-existing interfacial voids. It was inferred that the oxide voids were formed by incorporation, during anodizing, of interfacial metal voids into the oxide film. The uniform concentration of oxide voids in the inner film suggested that interfacial metal voids formed continuously during anodizing and that metal voids were generated repeatedly at specific interfacial sites during film growth