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The purpose of this study is to further advance the multiple space/time subdomain framework with model reduction. Existing linear multistep (LMS) methods that are second-order time accurate, and useful for practical applications, have a significant limitation. They do not account for separable controllable numerical dissipation of the primary variables. Furthermore, they have little or no significant choices of altogether different algorithms that can be integrated in a single analysis to mitigate numerical oscillations that may occur. In lieu of such limitations, under the generalized single-step single-solve (GS4) umbrella, several of the deficiencies are circumvented.

The GS4 framework encompasses a wide variety of LMS schemes that are all second-order time accurate and offers controllable numerical dissipation. Unlike existing state-of-art, the present framework permits implicit–implicit and implicit–explicit coupling of algorithms via differential algebraic equations (DAE). As further advancement, this study embeds proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) to further reduce model sizes. This study also uses an iterative convergence check in acquiring sufficient snapshot data to adequately capture the physics to prescribed accuracy requirements. Simple linear/nonlinear transient numerical examples are presented to provide proof of concept.

The present DAE-GS4-POD framework has the flexibility of using different spatial methods and different time integration algorithms in altogether different subdomains in conjunction with the POD to advance and improve the computational efficiency.

The novelty of this paper is the addition of reduced order modeling features, how it applies to the previous DAE-GS4 framework and the improvement of the computational efficiency. The proposed framework/tool kit provides all the needed flexibility, robustness and adaptability for engineering computations.

The increasing accumulation of synthetic plastic waste in oceans and landfills, along with the depletion of non-renewable fossil-based resources, has sparked environmental concerns and prompted the search for environmentally friendly alternatives. Biodegradable plastics derived from lignocellulosic materials are emerging as substitutes for synthetic plastics, offering significant potential to reduce landfill stress and minimise environmental impacts. This study highlights a sustainable and cost-effective solution by utilising agricultural residues and invasive plant materials as carbon substrates for the production of biopolymers, particularly polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), through microbiological processes. Locally sourced residual materials were preferred to reduce transportation costs and ensure accessibility. The selection of suitable residue streams was based on various criteria, including strength properties, cellulose content, low ash and lignin content, affordability, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, shelf-life, mechanical and physical properties, short maturation period, antibacterial properties and compatibility with global food security. Life cycle assessments confirm that PHB dramatically lowers CO₂ emissions compared to traditional plastics, while the growing use of lignocellulosic biomass in biopolymeric applications offers renewable and readily available resources. Governments worldwide are increasingly inclined to develop comprehensive bioeconomy policies and specialised bioplastics initiatives, driven by customer acceptability and the rising demand for environmentally friendly solutions. The implications of climate change, price volatility in fossil materials, and the imperative to reduce dependence on fossil resources further contribute to the desirability of biopolymers. The study involves fermentation, turbidity measurements, extraction and purification of PHB, and the manufacturing and testing of composite biopolymers using various physical, mechanical and chemical tests.

The aim of the paper is to examine whether there really is a shortage of VET teachers, and if so, whether there are links to the salary offered and to the qualifications required.

The paper uses three main approaches to examine the narrative of a shortage of VET teachers in Australia.

There was no documented evidence of a VET teacher shortage, beyond a general perception of shortage in line with other occupations due to the post-COVID economic recovery. Salaries for VET teachers were found to compare well with other education occupations and other jobs in the economy. There was no evidence of the required qualifications deterring entry. The main concern appears to be whether VET can adequately train workers for other sectors in shortage.

The research did not include empirical survey work and suggests that this needs to be carried out urgently.

The research provides evidence that will challenge current assumptions and help in the recruitment of VET teachers.

It argues for a recognition of the importance of the VET sector beyond its function of serving industry.

It highlights ways to make VET teaching a more attractive proposition and to better promote its advantages.

To understand how parents make the decision to implant their deaf young children with cochlear implants, focusing specifically on the concepts of normality, medicalization, and stigma.

I conducted 33 semi-structured interviews with the hearing parents or parent of children with cochlear implants. In all but two families I interviewed the primary caretaker which in all cases was a mother. In the remaining two interviews, I interviewed both parents together. Because of the relative scarcity of families with children with cochlear implants, and the difficulty in connecting with these families, I used a convenience sample, and I did not stratify it in any way. The only requirement for parents to be interviewed is that they had at least one deaf child who had been implanted with at least one cochlear implant. Although this is a small sample, the findings are transferable to other families with the same sociodemographic characteristics as those in my study.

Parents in the study focused on three key concepts: normality, risk analysis, and being a good parent. Dispositional factors such as the need to be “normal” and the desire for material success for one's children appeared to moderate the cost-benefit calculus.

This interview project concentrated on hearing families who had implanted their deaf children with cochlear implants; it does not include culturally Deaf parents who choose to use American Sign Language (ASL) with their Deaf children. Understanding how Deaf families understand the concepts of normality, medicalization, and stigma would shed light on how a distinctly “abnormal” group (by a statistical conception of normal) – ASL-using Deaf people-explain normality in the face of using a non-typical communication method. One can learn a lot by studying the absence of a phenomena, in this case, not implanting children with cochlear implants. It is possible that the existential threat felt by some Deaf people, specifically the demographic problem presented by cochlear implants, led Deaf educators or parents to resist being the subject of research.

Overwhelmingly the sample was female, and white. Only two participants were male, and none of the participants were non-white. The lack of diversity in the sample does not necessarily reflect a lack of diversity of children receiving cochlear implants. Medicaid, which disproportionately covers families of color, covers cochlear implants in most cases, so low SES/racial intersectionality should not have affected the lack of diversity in the sample. However, the oral schools are all private pay, with few scholarships available, so low SES/racial intersectionality in the sampling universe (all children who attend oral schools), may have played a part in the lack of racial diversity within the sample.

Parents in this study were very specific about the fact that they believed cochlear implants would lead to academic, professional, and personal success. They weaved narratives of normality, medicalization, and stigma through their stories. Normality is an important lens from which to see stories about disability and ability, as well as medical correction. As medical science continues to advance, more and more conditions will become medicalized, leading to more and more people taking advanced medical treatments to address problems that were previously considered “problems with living” that are now considered “medical problems” that can be treated with advanced science.

This chapter's contribution to the sociological cochlear implant literature is it's weaving of narratives about normality, stigma, and medicalization into parental stories about the cochlear implant decision-making process. Most literature about the cochlear implant decision-making process focus on cost-benefit analysis, and logical decision-making processes, whereas this paper focuses on decision-making factors stemming from bias, emotions, and values.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of catastrophic household health expenditure in Nigeria, with particular focus on Out-of-Pocket (OOP) health expenditure. Payments for healthcare through OOP are the major means of channeling funds to healthcare providers in many developing countries including Nigeria. It has great consequence on household well-being, especially when it is difficult for household to meet up with spending on other necessity goods.

The demand for health theory provided the theoretical framework. The study used data from 2018/2019 Nigeria Living Standard Survey (NLSS) with catastrophic thresholds of 10 and 25%. A logistic regression model was used, while Pearson chi-squared test was used for models' goodness of fit.

Based on the obtained result using Pearson chi-squared, at 10% threshold of total non-food expenditure, the likelihood of experiencing catastrophic health expenditure increased with secondary education, for those without health insurance and for severely ill or injured by 1.48, 2.57 and 8.70, respectively. It fell for those who consulted patent medicine vendors/chemists for illness or injury by 0.63 compared to orthodox practitioners. Enhancement of post-secondary education and widening the coverage of the available social health insurance would minimise the financial burden on many households.

This paper fulfills the need to examine the determinants of catastrophic household health expenditure on two catastrophic thresholds and two forms of household expenditure.

The case describes a hypothetical hedge fund manager who is examining whether to invest in bitcoin. The case discusses potential risks and rewards of investing in bitcoin, the role of bitcoin and digital currencies more broadly, and financial innovation in the space, such as ICOs. It can be taught as part of a second-year MBA elective course in investments, financial institutions/capital markets, or fintech.