A modeling analysis program for the JPL table mountain Io sodium cloud data

Research in the third and final year of this project is divided into three main areas: (1) completion of data processing and calibration for 34 of the 1981 Region B/C images, selected from the massive JPL sodium cloud data set; (2) identification and examination of the basic features and observed changes in the morphological characteristics of the sodium cloud images; and (3) successful physical interpretation of these basic features and observed changes using the highly developed numerical sodium cloud model at AER. The modeling analysis has led to a number of definite conclusions regarding the local structure of Io's atmosphere, the gas escape mechanism at Io, and the presence of an east-west electric field and a System III longitudinal asymmetry in the plasma torus. Large scale stability, as well as some smaller scale time variability for both the sodium cloud and the structure of the plasma torus over a several year time period are also discussed

The impacts of replacing air bubbles with microspheres for the clarification of algae from low cell-density culture

Dissolved Air Flotation (DAF) is a well-known coagulation–flotation system applied at large scale for microalgae harvesting. Compared to conventional harvesting technologies DAF allows high cell recovery at lower energy demand. By replacing microbubbles with microspheres, the innovative Ballasted Dissolved Air Flotation (BDAF) technique has been reported to achieve the same algae cell removal efficiency, while saving up to 80% of the energy required for the conventional DAF unit. Using three different algae cultures (Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlorella vulgaris and Arthrospira maxima), the present work investigated the practical, economic and environmental advantages of the BDAF system compared to the DAF system. 99% cells separation was achieved with both systems, nevertheless, the BDAF technology allowed up to 95% coagulant reduction depending on the algae species and the pH conditions adopted. In terms of floc structure and strength, the inclusion of microspheres in the algae floc generated a looser aggregate, showing a more compact structure within single cell alga, than large and filamentous cells. Overall, BDAF appeared to be a more reliable and sustainable harvesting system than DAF, as it allowed equal cells recovery reducing energy inputs, coagulant demand and carbon emissions

Paying more or accepting less child support: Parental compromises in CSA private collect

We extend our two earlier articles in this special issue by conducting a detailed cross-case analysis of the reason(s) that individual payers and payees gave for paying more or taking less child support than required. We focus on apparently consensual arrangements occurring in the context of private transfers because the ‘black box’ nature of these transfers means that the presence of financial abuse may be hidden. Data were collected in 2008 (ie, pre-child support reform). The analytic sample (n=107) comprised: (a) 64 female payees who reported accepting less child support than was due; (b) 43 male payers who reported paying more child support than was due. Among those who reported private transfers of child support, we found evidence of both cooperation and possible financial coercion. Future research needs to explore potential gender differences in the language of financial ‘pressure’ and ‘intimidation’, and examine the nature of private child support arrangements struck as a result of intimidation and/or pressure

Bargaining in the shadow of the child support agency? cooperative versus coercive private arrangements.

There is a notable lack of empirical data on the prevalence of private child support arrangements and the dynamics surrounding them. This article examines the reasons some non-resident fathers give for paying more than their ‘official’ child support obligation, as well as the reasons some resident mothers report accepting lower payments. We analyse data from 733 separated parents registered with the Child Support Agency surveyed as part of a large national study conducted in early 2008. One quarter (n=185) of respondents reported paying more, or taking less, child support than was due. As might be expected, the majority of those private child support arrangements appeared to occur in cases where the Child Support Agency was not responsible for collecting payments. Our data suggest that private child support arrangements may be more widespread than previously discussed, and can be motivated by the desire to: (a) protect or encourage parent–child contact; (b) stop fights over parenting arrangements; (c) improve the perceived fairness of payments — or some combination of these. Our data also suggest that female payees were more likely to report feeling intimidated and/or pressured to take less child support than male payers who reported paying over and above their child support assessment. These pre-reform data raise the spectre that coercion may underpin a number of private child support arrangements, and that some male payers may be informally paying extra child support in order to have regular contact with their children

'Private' child support arrangements in Australia: A brief primer

This is the first article in a three-part series examining ‘private’ child support arrangements in Australia. This brief primer sets out the basic ‘nuts and bolts’ of administrative assessments and the provisions for formal child support agreements that can be accepted by the Child Support Registrar. It also sets out the options for parents to make ‘informal’ agreements that do not conform with the official child support register. This piece acts as useful technical background to the two accompanying empirical articles by the authors in this issue

Law reform for shared-time parenting after separation: reflections from Australia

Shared-time parenting is an emerging family form in many Western countries. Legislative reform in Australia in 2006 introduced a presumption of ‘equal shared parental responsibility’ and a requirement that Courts explicitly consider the making of orders which provide for children to spend ‘equal time’ or ‘substantial and significant time’ with each parent. These reforms occurred in the context of an already increasing prevalence of shared time parenting arrangements. In this article, we highlight key changes to family law legislation in Australia over the last four decades which evidence an increasing emphasis on the involvement of both parents in a child’s life after separation. We then turn to demography, identifying some common characteristics of families who adopt shared-time parenting arrangements and exploring the prevalence and incidence of shared-time arrangements. In particular, considering whether prevalence and incidence appear to have been affected by legislative reform. We conclude by offering some reflections for other countries on the Australian experience of legislating to encourage shared parenting in the broadest sense