Health Equity Series: Responding to LGBT Health Disparities August 2012

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals experience poorer health outcomes than their heterosexual peers .These poor outcomes are a result of differences in access to health coverage; limited availability of culturally competent health care services; absence of medical settings that are affirming and free of discrimination; scarcity of medical staff trained in LGBT health issues; health behaviors that do not foster good health; and social and economic systems that have not supported and protected minorities .This paper draws on research from multiple sources, therefore a variety of terms are used to describe sexual and gender minorities (SGM) . The background section of this paper presents definitions of the terms used, as well and an explanation of why one overarching term was not selected . Following the background, this issue brief explores common experiences among LGBT individuals that impact their ability to lead healthy lives . This paper concludes with a review of current policies in Missouri, and offers policy recommendations that will lead to greater health equity and improved health outcomes for all Missourians

Regeneration efficiency, shuttle heat loss and thermal conductivity in epoxy-composite annualr gap regenerators from 4K to 80K

A test apparatus designed to simulate a section of a Stirling cycle cryocooler was built. Measurements of regeneration efficiency, shuttle heat loss and thermal conductivity reported for several regenerator test sections. The test composites were epoxy glass, epoxy glass with lead particles, epoxy glass with activated charcoal and epoxy graphite. Losses measured for these materials were approximately the same. Losses are in good agreement with those calculated theoretically for an epoxy glass (C-10) composite. The implications of these results on cryocooler design are discussed

Multiple boundary peak solutions for some singularly perturbed Neumann problems

We consider the problem \left \{ \begin{array}{rcl} \varepsilon^2 \Delta u - u + f(u) = 0 & \mbox{ in }& \ \Omega\\ u > 0 \ \mbox{ in} \ \Omega, \ \frac{\partial u}{\partial \nu} = 0 & \mbox{ on }& \ \partial\Omega, \end{array} \right. where \Omega is a bounded smooth domain in R^N, \varepsilon>$is a small parameter and f is a superlinear, subcritical nonlinearity. It is known that this equation possesses boundary spike solutions such that the spike concentrates, as \varepsilon approaches zero, at a critical point of the mean curvature function H(P), P \in \partial \Omega . It is also known that this equation has multiple boundary spike solutions at multiple nondegenerate critical points of H(P) or multiple local maximum points of H(P). In this paper, we prove that for any fixed positive integer$K$there exist boundary$K-peak$solutions at a local minimum point of$H(P)$. This implies that for any smooth and bounded domain there always exist boundary$K-peak$ solutions. We first use the Liapunov-Schmidt method to reduce the problem to finite dimensions. Then we use a maximizing procedure to obtain multiple boundary spikes

On the Erigone family and the z2z_2 secular resonance

The Erigone family is a C-type group in the inner main belt. Its age has been estimated by several researchers to be less then 300 My, so it is a relatively young cluster. Yarko-YORP Monte Carlo methods to study the chronology of the Erigone family confirm results obtained by other groups. The Erigone family, however, is also characterized by its interaction with the $z_2$ secular resonance. While less than 15% of its members are currently in librating states of this resonance, the number of objects, members of the dynamical group, in resonant states is high enough to allow to use the study of dynamics inside the $z_2$ resonance to set constraints on the family age. Like the ${\nu}_{6}$ and $z_1$ secular resonances, the $z_2$ resonance is characterized by one stable equilibrium point at $\sigma = 180^{\circ}$ in the $z_2$ resonance plane $(\sigma, \frac{d\sigma}{dt})$, where $\sigma$ is the resonant angle of the $z_2$ resonance. Diffusion in this plane occurs on timescales of $\simeq 12$ My, which sets a lower limit on the Erigone family age. Finally, the minimum time needed to reach a steady-state population of $z_2$ librators is about 90 My, which allows to impose another, independent constraint on the group age.Comment: This paper has 11 pages, 12 figures, and 1 table. Accepted for publication in MNRA

High Efficiency Large Area Polysilicon Solar Cells

Large area (100 sq cm) polysilicon solar cells having efficiencies of up to 14.1% (100 mW/sq cm, 25 C) were fabricated and a detailed analysis was performed to identify the efficiency loss mechanisms. The 1-5 characteristics of the best cell were dominated by recombination in the quasi-neutral base due to the combination of minority carrier diffusion length and base resistivity. An analysis of the microstructural defects present in the material and their effect on the electrical properties is presented

Coorbital Satellites of Saturn: Congenital Formation

Saturn is the only known planet to have coorbital satellite systems. In the present work we studied the process of mass accretion as a possible mechanism for coorbital satellites formation. The system considered is composed of Saturn, a proto-satellite and a cloud of planetesimals distributed in the coorbital region around a triangular Lagrangian point. The adopted relative mass for the proto-satellite was 10^-6 of Saturn's mass and for each planetesimal of the cloud three cases of relative mass were considered, 10^-14, 10^-13 and 10^-12 masses of Saturn. In the simulations each cloud of planetesimal was composed of 10^3, 5 x 10^3 or 10^4 planetesimals. The results of the simulations show the formation of coorbital satellites with relative masses of the same order of those found in the saturnian system (10^-13 - 10^-9). Most of them present horseshoe type orbits, but a significant part is in tadpole orbit around L_4 or L_5. Therefore, the results indicate that this is a plausible mechanism for the formation of coorbital satellites.Comment: 10 pages, 9 figures, 4 table

Experimental performance of the regenerator for the Chrysler upgraded automotive gas turbine engine

Automobile gas turbine engine regenerator performance was studied in a regenerator test facility that provided a satisfactory simulation of the actual engine operating environment but with independent control of airflow and gas flow. Velocity and temperature distributions were measured immediately downstream of both the core high-pressure-side outlet and the core low-pressure-side outlet. For the original engine housing, the regenerator temperature effectiveness was 1 to 2 percent higher than the design value, and the heat transfer effectiveness was 2 to 4 percent lower than the design value over the range of test conditions simulating 50 to 100 percent of gas generator speed. Recalculating the design values to account for seal leakage decreased the design heat transfer effectiveness to values consistent with those measured herein. A baffle installed in the engine housing high-pressure-side inlet provided more uniform velocities out of the regenerator but did not improve the effectiveness. A housing designed to provide more uniform axial flow to the regenerator was also tested. Although temperature uniformity was improved, the effectiveness values were not improved. Neither did 50-percent flow blockage (90 degree segment) applied to the high-pressure-side inlet change the effectiveness significantly