The Present State of Sexual Harassment Law: Perpetuating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in Sexually Harassed Women

This Note will argue that current federal legislation was developed, and has subsequently been interpreted by the courts, with little or no consideration for a victimized woman. Instead of addressing the causes and effects of sexual harassment head on, the legislature has largely ignored the realities of sexual harassment as a traumatizing experience faced by thousands of working women each year. Part H of this Note will address the development and current state of sexual harassment law, as well as the Supreme Court\u27s ruling in Meritor Savings Bank, FSB v. Vinson. Part III will discuss Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a frequent, yet unrecognized, repercussion of sexual harassment in the workplace. The last Part of this Note will discuss how the current state of sexual harassment law perpetuates Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in sexually harassed women, both before and after a victim enters a courthouse

Graphene Gold Nanoparticle Hybrid Based Near Infrared Photodetector

This paper presents novel and simplistic approach towards the development of graphene based near infrared (NIR) photodetectors. The developed device comprises of Au nanoparticles integrated within the channel of the back-gated graphene field effect transistors. The introduction of Au nanoparticles enhanced response of the device under IR illumination due improved NIR absorption. Further, dynamic response of the device under IR illumination is presented. This study will trigger the development of novel hybrid graphene device for graphene based photodetectors in IR regime

Tuning Electrical Conductivity of CNT-PDMS Nanocomposites for Flexible Electronic Applications

This paper presents a study into the electrical conductivity of multi-wall carbon nanotube-polydimethylsiloxane (MWNT-PDMS) nanocomposite and their dependence on the filler concentration. It is observed that the electrical conductivity of the composites can be tailored by altering the filler concentration. Accordingly, the nanocomposites with filler weight ratio ranging from 1% to 8% were prepared and tested. Finally, the significance of results presented here for flexible pressure sensors and stretchable interconnects for electronic skin applications have been discussed

Molecular bases of circadian rhythmicity in renal physiology and pathology

The physiological processes that maintain body homeostasis oscillate during the day. Diurnal changes characterize kidney functions, comprising regulation of hydro-electrolytic and acid-base balance, reabsorption of small solutes and hormone production. Renal physiology is characterized by 24-h periodicity and contributes to circadian variability of blood pressure levels, related as well to nychthemeral changes of sodium sensitivity, physical activity, vascular tone, autonomic function and neurotransmitter release from sympathetic innervations. The circadian rhythmicity of body physiology is driven by central and peripheral biological clockworks and entrained by the geophysical light/dark cycle. Chronodisruption, defined as the mismatch between environmental-social cues and physiological-behavioral patterns, causes internal desynchronization of periodic functions, leading to pathophysiological mechanisms underlying degenerative, immune related, metabolic and neoplastic diseases. In this review we will address the genetic, molecular and anatomical elements that hardwire circadian rhythmicity in renal physiology and subtend disarray of time-dependent changes in renal patholog

Acoustic emission waveform picking with time delay neural networks during rock deformation laboratory experiments

We report a new method using a time delay neural network to transform acoustic emission (AE) waveforms into a time series of instantaneous frequency content and permutation entropy. This permits periods of noise to be distinguished from signals. The model is trained in sequential batches, using an automated process that steadily improves signal recognition as new data are added. The model was validated using AE data from rock deformation experiments, using Darley Dale sandstone in fully drained conditions at a confining pressure of 20 MPa (approximately 800 m simulated depth). The model is initially trained by manual picking of five high-amplitude waveforms randomly selected from the dataset (experiment). This is followed by semisupervised training on a subset of 300 waveforms

Multiscale seismic characterization and monitoring of a potentially unstable rock mass: the Madonna del Sasso (NW Italy) rockfall

Active (e.g. surface refraction and cross-hole tomography) and passive (monitoring of microseismic events) seismic methods can provide a proper characterization of the inner structure of the rock mass and are key to the comprehension of the mechanisms enhancing the instability of rock masses.We propose a multiscale approach for the characterization of the potentially unstable granitic cliff of Madonna del Sasso (NW Italian Alps) integrating prospecting surveys, laboratory tests, long-term microseismic monitoring and numerical modeling. The complex 3-D fracture setting, the geometry of the unstable sector was achieved through field observations, photogrammetric geomechanical analysis and interpretation of on-site seismic surveys, which revealed to be fundamental for constraining the fracture geometry and opening at depth within the rock mass. Physical and mechanical properties of the investigated medium were obtained through laboratory tests on granite samples. Continuous monitoring of ambient vibration at the site (October 2013 - present) did not highlight irreversible changes in the rock mass properties precursory to an acceleration to failure. However, a strong thermal control was found to govern the stability of the cliff, with reversible seasonal opening and closing of fractures resulting from thermal contraction and expansion. Moreover, the vibration modes of the unstable sector were found to be strongly controlled by the complex 3-D geometry of the main fracture planes affecting the site. Detection and location of microseismic events within the prone-to-fall rock mass highlighted the concentration of low energy releases close to the major fracture planes. Microseismic monitoring at the laboratory scale of deformation and rupture processes is expected to further highlight the relationships between energy release, seismic signatures and seismic sources. Finally, finite element modeling on the 3-D geometry allowed an experimental validation and interpretation

An integrated approach based on archaeometry, use-wear analysis and experimental archaeology to investigate the function of a specific type of basin diffused in the Predynastic sites of lower Egypt (4th mill. BC)

This paper focuses on the functional analysis of a specific oval shaped basin diffused in Lower Egyptian Predynastic sites during the first half of the 4th millennium BC. These oval shallow ceramic basins are characterised by a flat and wide inner surface that is covered by a layer of small rock fragments pressed into the clay matrix. Several archeologists have interpreted them as grinding tools, but the limited number of samples unearthed thus far and their poor state of preservation made this interpretation uncertain. Here we present the results of a preliminary integrated study based on the combination of experimental archaeology and petrographic, use-wear and residue analyses carried out on two samples from the Predynastic site of Maadi. The use-wear analysis of the archaeological fragments highlighted traces of an intentional grinding and light pounding of oily substances, which is also partially supported by the organic residue investigation. These results were tested through experimental tests that confirmed these basins are most likely mortars. Establishing the actual functional activities performed in such a unique type of vessel is important not only for understanding the social behaviors of the Lower Egyptian Predynastic communities and the dynamics related to the diffusion of such basins, but it also provides a new methodological framework for Egyptian Predynastic studies

Analysis of Self-Organized Criticality in the Olami-Feder-Christensen model and in real earthquakes

We perform a new analysis on the dissipative Olami-Feder-Christensen model on a small world topology considering avalanche size differences. We show that when criticality appears the Probability Density Functions (PDFs) for the avalanche size differences at different times have fat tails with a q-Gaussian shape. This behaviour does not depend on the time interval adopted and is found also when considering energy differences between real earthquakes. Such a result can be analytically understood if the sizes (released energies) of the avalanches (earthquakes) have no correlations. Our findings support the hypothesis that a self-organized criticality mechanism with long-range interactions is at the origin of seismic events and indicate that it is not possible to predict the magnitude of the next earthquake knowing those of the previous ones.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures. New version accepted for publication on PRE Rapid Communication

Exploring the role of fallopian ciliated cells in the pathogenesis of high-grade serous ovarian cancer

High-grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women and the first among gynecological malignancies. Despite an initial response to standard chemotherapy, most HGSOC patients relapse. To improve treatment options, we must continue investigating tumor biology. Tumor characteristics (e.g., risk factors and epidemiology) are valuable clues to accomplish this task. The two most frequent risk factors for HGSOC are the lifetime number of ovulations, which is associated with increased oxidative stress in the pelvic area caused by ovulation fluid, and a positive family history due to genetic factors. In the attempt to identify novel genetic factors (i.e., genes) associated with HGSOC, we observed that several genes in linkage with HGSOC are expressed in the ciliated cells of the fallopian tube. This finding made us hypothesize that ciliated cells, despite not being the cell of origin for HGSOC, may take part in HGSOC tumor initiation. Specifically, malfunction of the ciliary beat impairs the laminar fluid flow above the fallopian tube epithelia, thus likely reducing the clearance of oxidative stress caused by follicular fluid. Herein, we review the up-to-date findings dealing with HGSOC predisposition with the hypothesis that fallopian ciliated cells take part in HGSOC onset. Finally, we review the up-to-date literature concerning genes that are located in genomic loci associated with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) predisposition that are expressed by the fallopian ciliated cells