A pressure based method for the solution of viscous incompressible turbomachinery flows

A new technique was developed for the solution of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The numerical technique, derived from a pressure substitution method (PSM), overcomes many of the deficiencies of the pressure correction method. This technique allows for the direct solution of the actual pressure in the form of a Poisson equation which is derived from the pressure weighted substitution of the full momentum equations into the continuity equation. Two dimensional internal flows are computed with this method. The prediction of cascade performance is presented. The extention of the pressure correction method for the solution of three dimensional flows is also presented

Automated code generation for discontinuous Galerkin methods

A compiler approach for generating low-level computer code from high-level input for discontinuous Galerkin finite element forms is presented. The input language mirrors conventional mathematical notation, and the compiler generates efficient code in a standard programming language. This facilitates the rapid generation of efficient code for general equations in varying spatial dimensions. Key concepts underlying the compiler approach and the automated generation of computer code are elaborated. The approach is demonstrated for a range of common problems, including the Poisson, biharmonic, advection--diffusion and Stokes equations

Isolation and empathy: Documenting cancer culture

In this article, the author provides insight to a culture of cancer by describing a single day of chemotherapy treatment. The author and his caregiver document the process through photography. Wrapped in the context of a global pandemic, the author draws connections between life in cancer culture and broader cultural modifications created by COVID-19. Through this manuscript, the author shares a personal narrative with the hope of building empathy and community

Organic Farming Policies and the Growth of the Organic Sector in Denmark and the UK: A Comparative Analysis

There has been little systematic analysis of the extent to which organic farming policies have influenced growth in the organic sector. Analyses of organic farming policy instruments, for the most part, provide extensive and detailed reviews of instruments applied either in a single country or across countries. Hence, there is a great need to examine systematically whether there is a relationship between the introduction of organic farming policies and the growth of the organic food sector, and whether particular designs of organic farming policies are more effective than others. In this paper, we take the first step in the endeavour of analysing the effects of organic farming by undertaking an econometric analysis of the relationship between organic farming policies in Denmark and the UK and their effects on the number of farmers and growers converting to organic production.organic farming, policy, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management,

BAYES' ESTIMATES OF THE DOUBLE HURDLE MODEL IN THE PRESENCE OF FIXED COSTS

We present a model of market adoption (participation) where the presence of non-negligible fixed costs leads to non-zero censoring of the traditional double-hurdle regression. Fixed costs arise due to household resources that must be devoted a priori to the decision to participate in the market. These costs-usually a cost of time-motivate two-step decision-making and focus attentions on the minimum-efficient scale of operations (the minimum amount of milk sales) at which market entry becomes viable. This focus, in turn, motivates a non-zero-censored Tobit regression estimated through routine application of Markov chain Monte Carlo Methods.market participation, fixed costs, double-hurdle model, censored regression., Financial Economics, O1, O11, C34, O13, Q16, D1,

Homeschooling in the state of Missouri : how advocacy coalitions influence regulation of the home school

The state of Missouri has no justiciable regulations for homeschooling, which leaves some Missouri children without their guaranteed state protections. Utilizing the Advocacy Coalition Framework (ACF), this qualitative study analyzed the narratives of two homeschooling advocacy coalitions, the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE), to identify any consistencies or inconsistencies between coalition narratives and those of actual homeschoolers. This study applies the ACF to contribute to literary scholarship using the ACF in qualitative research on homeschooling policy and the educational practice of Missouri public school teachers and leaders who may benefit from an improved understanding of the parental right to homeschool. Study outcomes reveal how the policy narratives of the HSLDA are likely to keep Missouri homeschooling unregulated and how their resources compare to the counter-narratives and operations of the CRHE as part of the process of keeping homeschooling unregulated. Also identified are the discrepancies between coalition and participant policy positions. Following the ACF, this study seeks to provoke policyoriented learning that may induce policy change and ensure all Missouri children benefit from their state-authorized protections and rights.Includes bibliographical references

Racial Disparities in Breast Cancer Survival: The Mediating Effects of Macro-Social Context and Social Network Factors

ABSTRACT This study attempts to clarify the associations between macro-social and social network factors and continuing racial disparities in breast cancer survival. The study improves on prior methodologies by using a neighborhood disadvantage measure that assesses both economic and social disadvantage and an ego-network measurement tool that assesses key social network characteristics. Our population-based sample included 786 breast cancer patients (nHWhite=388; nHBlack=398) diagnosed during 2005-2008 in Chicago, IL. The data included census-derived macro-social context, self-reported social network, self-reported demographic and medically abstracted health measures. Mortality data from the National Death Index (NDI) were used to determine 5-year survival. Based on our findings, neighborhood concentrated disadvantage was negatively associated with survival among nHBlack and nHWhite breast cancer patients. In unadjusted models, social network size, network density, practical support, and financial support were positively associated with 5-year survival. However, in adjusted models only practical support was associated with 5-year survival. Our findings suggest that the association between network size and breast cancer survival is sensitive to scaling of the network measure, which helps to explain inconsistencies in past findings. Social networks of nHWhites and nHBlacks differed in size, social support dimensions, network density, and geographic proximity. Among social factors, residence in disadvantaged neighborhoods and unmet practical support explained some of the racial disparity in survival. Differences in late stage diagnosis and comorbidities between nHWhites and nHBlacks also explained some of the racial disparity in survival. Our findings highlight the relevance of social factors, both macro and inter-personal in the racial disparity in breast cancer survival. Findings suggest that reduced survival of nHBlack women is in part due to low social network resources and residence in socially and economically deprived neighborhoods. Our findings indicate that, to improve survival among breast cancer patients, policies need to focus on continued improvement of access to care and reduction of racially patterned social and economic hardship. Additionally, our findings support the need for health care providers to assess social support resources of breast cancer patients at the time of diagnosis

Influence of charge on filtration across renal basement membrane films in vitro

AbstractInfluence of charge on filtration across renal basement membrane films in vitro. The filtration of differently charged species of myoglobin and dextran across films of isolated basement membrane in vitro showed that the filtration behavior of both polymers was influenced by charge. Rejection increased with increasing negative charge. Titration of the isolated basement membrane revealed an isoionic point of pH 5.5 and an isoelectric point of pH 5.7. The net negative charge at pH 7.4 was 0.15 mEq/g protein; this charge was attributed to carboxylate anion. Glycosaminoglycan sulphate did not contribute significantly to the net charge. Filtration of narrow range dextran fractions across films of basement membrane at the isoelectric point markedly reduced differences in filtration due to charge confirming that the differences in behavior found at pH 7.4 were due to charge interactions between the solutes and the membranes. Physical characterization of the charged and uncharged dextran fractions revealed no substantial differences in size or shape for the differently charged species.Influence de la charge sur la filtration à travers des films de membrane basale rénale in vitro. La filtration d'espèces différemment chargées de myoglobine et de dextran à travers des films de membrane basale isolée in vitro a montré que le comportement de filtration des deux polymères était influencé par la charge. Le rejet s'élevait lorsque la charge négative augmentait. La titration de la membrane basale isolée a révélé un point isoionique de pH 5,5 et un point isoélectrique de pH 5,7. La charge négative nette à pH 7,4 était de 0,15 mEq/g protéines; cette charge a été attribuée à l'anion carboxylate. Le sulfate de glycosaminoglycan ne contribuait pas significativement à la charge nette. La filtration de fractions d'étendues étroites de dextran à travers des films de membrane basale au point isoélectrique réduisait de façon marquée les différences de filtration dûes à la charge, confirmant que ses différences de comportement trouvées à pH 7,4 étaient dûes à des interactions de charge entre les solutes et les membranes. La caratérisation physique des fractions de dextran chargées ou non n'a pas révélé de différence substantielle dans la taille ou la forme des espèces de charges différentes