Optimized gyrosynchrotron algorithms and fast codes

Gyrosynchrotron (GS) emission of charged particles spiraling in magnetic fields plays an exceptionally important role in astrophysics. In particular, this mechanism makes a dominant contribution to the continuum solar and stellar radio emissions. However, the available exact equations describing the emission process are extremely slow computationally, thus limiting the diagnostic capabilities of radio observations. In this work, we present approximate GS codes capable of fast calculating the emission from anisotropic electron distributions. The computation time is reduced by several orders of magnitude compared with the exact formulae, while the computation error remains within a few percent. The codes are implemented as the executable modules callable from IDL; they are made available for users via web sites.Comment: Proceedings of the IAU Symposium 274 "Advances in Plasma Astrophysics

AN INCOMPLETE CONTRACTS MODEL OF DAIRY ENTERPRISE ORGANIZATION

An empirical incomplete contracts approach is used to analyze optimal integration schemes in a Minnesota dairy farm supply chain that transfers feed and manure. The results show that the forage enterprise is the constraining factor. The preferred ownership structure is for a forage producer to own cropping and dairy assets.Industrial Organization, Livestock Production/Industries,

INTERTEMPORAL ALLOCATION OF GROUND WATER IN THE CENTRAL OGALLALA FORMATION: AN APPLICATION OF A MULTISTAGE SEQUENTIAL DECISION MODEL

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Enhancing Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy through Prenatal Education

The benefits of breastfeeding are becoming widely recognized. The majority of women believe breast milk to be the optimal food for infants. This is evidenced by the high initiation rates. Despite the high initiation rate, there is a significant drop off rate after the women go home from the hospital (Bernaix, Beaman, Schmidt, Harris, & Miller, 2010). This decline suggests that new mothers have been given the information, but not the tools to be successful. The steep drop off in breastfeeding rates during the first few weeks of the infant’s life represents a gap in breastfeeding education. Women need more than information. They need the tools to be successful. This starts prenatally before the baby is born. A strong sense of self-efficacy encourages individuals to engage themselves fully in the activity, to endure hardships and setbacks. Someone with high self-efficacy will be determined to succeed despite failed attempts. Many women report issues with breastfeeding in the initial months postpartum (Dennis 1999). This illustrates why early breastfeeding education prenatally is of great importance. The purpose of this project is to create, implement and evaluate a curriculum for breastfeeding education that will increase a woman’s self-efficacy

ECONOMICS OF SOME SWINE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS WITH REFERENCE TO ANIMAL WELFARE

Livestock Production/Industries,

AN ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF LOW INVESTMENT SWINE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

This publication summarizes an evaluation of smaller and lower investment swine production systems. The systems analyzed range from pasture operations with production during the warmer months to rather intense year-round use of remodeled buildings. In each case the system emphasizes use of facilities that can be constructed and remodeled by the farm operator. The report includes one section for each type of hog production: feeder pig production, farrow-to-finish operations and hog finishing.Livestock Production/Industries,