Commentary: Evidence to Guide Gun Violence Prevention in America

Gun violence is a major threat to the public's health and safety in the United States. The articles in this volume's symposium on gun violence reveal the scope of the problem and new trends in mortality rates from gunfire. Leading scholars synthesize research evidence that demonstrates the ability of numerous policies and programs -- each consistent with lessons learned from successful efforts to combat public health problems -- to prevent gun violence. Each approach presents challenges to successful implementation. Future research should inform efforts to assess which approaches are most effective and how to implement evidence-based interventions most effectively

On the determination of atmospheric path length by passive microwave radiometer

Microwave radiometer techniques were evaluated for use in atmospheric path length correction of Pacific Plate Motion Experiment interferometer measurements. It is shown that passive microwave radiometry allows precise measurement of the brightness temperature of the sky. It is also noted that the technological requirements of radiometers are very different from the requirements of radio astronomy. The technology was used in the construction of radiometers which are sufficient for use in the path length correction problem. A simulation study shows that, when combined with surface meteorology data, passive microwave radiometer data would allow a determination of the path length correction to better than 2 cm at the zenith. By a careful choice of frequencies, a dual frequency system would allow a measurement of the path length correction to better than 4 cm at zenith angles as great as 60 deg. Because of the wide range of weather conditions to be expected for the PPME sites (which include Alaska, Hawaii and Massachusetts), it will probably be necessary to use a separate correction algorithm for each site

Observations of the Earth's magnetic field from the shuttle: Using the Spartan carrier as a magnetic survey tool

The shuttle-deployed and recovered Spartan shows promise as an inexpensive and simple support module for potential field measurements. The results of a preliminary engineering study on the applications of the Spartan carrier to magnetic measurements shows: (1) Extension of the mission duration to as long as 7 days is feasible but requires more reconfiguration of the internal systems; (2) On-board recording of Global Positioning System signals will provide position determination with an accuracy consistent with the most severe requirements; and (3) Making Spartan a magnetically clean spacecraft is straight forward but requires labor-intensive modifications to both the data and power systems. As a magnetic survey tool, Spartan would allow surveys at regularly spaced intervals and could make quick-reaction surveys at times of instability in the secular variation

Improved calorimeter provides accurate thermal measurements of space batteries

Isothermal continuous flow calorimeter measures the thermal characteristics of space batteries undergoing typical orbital cycling. This is 28 times as sensitive as calorimeters previously used

Heater improves cold-temperature capacity of silver-cadmium batteries

Eight heaters are included in 14-cell package to provide 14-Vdc. Each heater is 11-ohm self-adhesive strip placed across broad face of each pair of cells. They are installed before cells are wired. Heaters are in series and are connected through pair of redundant thermostats

Describing results of 4000 hours of multi environment model verification test Final report

Investigating categorization and formulation of stress and strength factors for semiconductor diodes to provide improved failure rate prediction from mathematical model

New functional redundancy approaches for attitude control thruster systems

Functional redundancy safeguards for inert gas attitude control thruster system

Research into fundamental phenomena associated with spacecraft electrochemical devices - calorimetry of nickel-cadmium cells Progress report, 1 Oct. 1966 - 31 Dec. 1966

Cycling, charge efficiency, and transducer studies with nickel-cadmium cell for spacecraft power supply system

Categorification of quantum symmetric pairs I

We categorify a coideal subalgebra of the quantum group of $\mathfrak{sl}_{2r+1}$ by introducing a $2$-category \`a la Khovanov-Lauda-Rouquier, and show that self-dual indecomposable $1$-morphisms categorify the canonical basis of this algebra. This allows us to define a categorical action of this coideal algebra on the categories of modules over cohomology rings of partial flag varieties and on the BGG category $\mathcal{O}$ of type B/C.Comment: final version, to appear in Quantum Topolog

How Cities Can Combat Illegal Guns and Gun Violence

Though gun violence peaked in American cities in the early 1990s, firearms are still used in more than 30 homicides per day in the U.S.One major challenge is how to stanch the flow of guns to criminals. Researchers from the School's Center for Gun Policy and Research have recently zeroed in on illegal sales by licensed dealers (the dominant means of diverting guns into illegal markets). These sales include unrecorded, "off the books" transactions and "straw purchases" in which a person unable to pass a federal background check relies on another individual for the purchase.Daniel Webster, MPH, ScD '91, Center co-director, wants to increase the accountability of gun dealers. This report outlines how to reduce illegal gun trafficking, reduce illegal gun carrying, and use technology to prevent gun violence