Should the Rich be Taxed More? The Fiscal Inequality Coefficient

This paper holistically addresses the effective (relative) income tax contribution of a given income (or, wealth) group. The widely acclaimed standard in public policy is the absolute benefaction of a given income group in filling up the fiscal coffers. Instead, we focus on the ratio of the average income tax rate of an income group divided by the percentage of national income (or wealth) appropriated by the same income group. In turn, we develop the Fiscal Inequality Coefficient which compares the effective percentage income tax payments of pairs of income (or wealth) groups. Using data for the US, we concentrate on pairs such as the Bottom 90% versus Top 10%, Bottom 99% versus Top 1%, and Bottom 99.9% versus Top 0.1%. We conclude that policy makers with a strong social conscience should re-evaluate the progressivity of the income tax system and make the richest echelons of the income and wealth distributions pay a fairer and higher tax

Advanced Gamma-Ray Detection Concepts Combined with Real-Time Compton Suppression for Nondestructive, Gamma-Ray Characterization of Remote Handled Waste

Nondestructive gamma ray characterization of remote-handled waste is significantly complicated by the presence of Compton scattering in the detector and waste matrix produced by intense cesium gamma rays. This research seeks to understand the photophysics of a new type of inorganic scintillation gamma ray detector, optimize the combination of this gamma ray detector with a Compton guard detector, develop new Monte Carlo solution algorithms for modeling Compton scattering in the waste, and to model the real time intensity of cesium produced Compton scattering. A successful research program will provide the fundamental information needed to design and develop advanced Compton spectrometers for assay of remote handled waste and new higher sensitivity spectrometers for environmental measurements

Greek community needs assessment: Reducing the negative impact of alcohol and drugs

Participants representing Clemson\u27s Greek community have designed a research project that aims to define the problems associated with alcohol and drug misuse in the Greek community at Clemson University and to implement action steps based on sound evidence to mitigate the negative consequences associated with that misuse. The team is made up of Greek student leaders who are passionate about making a difference in their community and ultimately creating a plan to reduce alcohol and drug abuse among members. The team has conducted IRB and National PanHellenic approved focus groups and is in the process of coding the data. This poster reflects a preliminary analysis of that data

The Computation of the Magnetic Field of any Axisymmetric Current Distribution—with Magnetospheric Applications

It is shown that the vector potential A of the magnetic field of any axisymmetric electric current distribution can be expressed in the form ∑ A n (r) P 1 n (cos θ). This series is used to compute the field of two model magnetospheric ring currents; the field of one of these was previously determined by double integrations by Akasofu, Cain & Chapman. The calculation of the functions A n (r) does not require double integrations. The two sets of results are in good agreement. The first term in the series for A gives the external magnetic moment of the ring current. The magnetic field energy is calculated for the field as a whole and for each term in the series for A. The field isointensity lines are drawn, and also the field lines for the ring current and for its field combined with that of the geomagnetic dipole. They illustrate the considerable distortion of the field in the magnetosphere during magnetic storms. The series for A may also be helpful in calculating the paths of cosmic rays in the deformed magnetosphere. The numerical convergence of the results is improved by the use of CesÀro summation.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72484/1/j.1365-246X.1966.tb03088.x.pd

A European multi-language initiative to make the general population aware of independent clinical research: the European Communication on Research Awareness Need project

BACKGROUND: The ECRAN (European Communication on Research Awareness Needs) project was initiated in 2012, with support from the European Commission, to improve public knowledge about the importance of independent, multinational, clinical trials in Europe. METHODS: Participants in the ECRAN consortium included clinicians and methodologists directly involved in clinical trials; researchers working in partnership with the public and patients; representatives of patients; and experts in science communication. We searched for, and evaluated, relevant existing materials and developed additional materials and tools, making them freely available under a Creative Commons licence. RESULTS: The principal communication materials developed were: 1. A website ( http://ecranproject.eu ) in six languages, including a Media centre section to help journalists to disseminate information about the ECRAN project 2. An animated film about clinical trials, dubbed in the 23 official languages of the European Community, and an interactive tutorial 3. An inventory of resources, available in 23 languages, searchable by topic, author, and media type 4. Two educational games for young people, developed in six languages 5. Testing Treatments interactive in a dozen languages, including five official European Community languages 6. An interactive tutorial slide presentation testing viewers' knowledge about clinical trials CONCLUSIONS: Over a 2-year project, our multidisciplinary and multinational consortium was able to produce, and make freely available in many languages, new materials to promote public knowledge about the importance of independent and international clinical trials. Sustained funding for the ECRAN information platform could help to promote successful recruitment to independent clinical trials supported through the European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network

Structural Characteristics and Stellar Composition of Low Surface Brightness Disk Galaxies

We present UBVI surface photometry of a sample of low surface brightness (LSB) disk galaxies. LSB disk galaxies are fairly well described as exponential disks with no preferred value for either scale length, central surface brightness, or rotational velocity. Indeed, the distribution of scale lengths is indistinguishable from that of high surface brightness spirals, indicating that dynamically similar galaxies (e.g., those with comparable Rv^2) exist over a large range in surface density. These LSB galaxies are strikingly blue. The complete lack of correlation between central surface brightness and color rules out any fading scenario. Similarly, the oxygen abundances inferred from HII region spectra are uncorrelated with color so the low metallicities are not the primary cause of the blue colors. While these are difficult to interpret in the absence of significant star formation, the most plausible scenario is a stellar population with a young mean age stemming from late formation and subsequent slow evolution. These properties suggest that LSB disks formed from low initial overdensities with correspondingly late collapse times.Comment: Astronomical Journal, in press 45 pages uuencoded postscript (368K) including 9 multipart figures also available by anonymous ftp @ ftp.ast.cam.ac.uk /pub/ssm/phot.uu CAP-30-210442962983742937

New Perspectives on Substorm Injections

There has been significant progress in understanding substorm injections since the Third International Conference on Substorms in 1996. Progress has come from a combination of new theories, quantitative modeling, and observations--particularly multi-satellite observations. There is now mounting evidence that fast convective flows are the mechanism that directly couples substorm processes in the mid tail, where reconnection occurs, with substorm processes the inner magnetosphere where Pi2 pulsations, auroral breakups, and substorm injections occur. This paper presents evidence that those flows combined with an earthward-propagating compressional wave are responsible for substorm injections and discusses how that model can account for various substorm injection signatures

Receptor Activation and Inositol Lipid Hydrolysis in Neural Tissues

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/66228/1/j.1471-4159.1987.tb05618.x.pd