Blade tip rubbing stress prediction

A linear analysis was performed to determine the dynamic response of a turbine blade to intermittent rubbing against a tip seal. The response analysis consisted of a parametric study where the rubbing friction force was assumed to vary as a half sine wave over a preselected contact arc. The length of the contact arc, as well as the pump speed, was varied to determine the effects of each. Results show that for a given contact arc there are distinct critical speeds at which the blade response becomes a maximum

The Distribution and Abundance of Fishes Caught with a Trawl in the St. Andrew Bay System, Florida

Fish collections were made by trawling bi-weekly at 12 stations in the deeper portions (1.5-12.2 m) of the St. Andrew Bay system, Florida, from September 1972 through August 1973. In 312 trawl hauls, 207,44 7 fishes were caught, and 128 species (51 families) were identified from the collections. The St. Andrew Bay system is characterized by high salinity and low turbidity waters similar to the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This permits the occurrence of many marine shore fishes in the bay and greatly increases the faunal diversity. In general, these shore species are more numerous in, but not restricted to, the higher salinity waters of the lower bay area. One subarea, however, was more typical of other estuaries of the northern Gulf of Mexico due to its lower salinity waters and occurrence of significantly greater numbers of juveniles of estuarine dependent fishes such as the gulf menhaden (Brevoortia patronus), spot (Leiostomus xanthurus), and Atlantic croaker (Micropogon undulatus). This nursery area, North Bay, receives most of the fresh water that is discharged into the system. An unusual abundance of Atlantic threadfin (Polydactylus octonemus) occurred during the latter half of the sampling period. This abundance was also observed over a widespread area in the northeastern Gulf of Mexico. Marked seasonal abundance of the catches was observed. The numbers of fish that were caught during the winter declined to about 6% of the total catch. Movements out of the sampling area in response to low water temperature is inferred. Other movements into and within the bay system are discussed. Size analysis for some of the more abundant species shows that smaller individuals were found in the lower salinity area and the larger were more frequently observed in the higher salinity water

Reckoning with Food Apartheid: Lessons from U.S. Cities and Counties

In recent years, food justice activists and scholars have pushed to move away from the use of “food desert,” a misleading term that implies a naturally occurring phenomenon, and towards a “food apartheid” framing, which better reflects the intentionality and racially discriminatory approaches that have led to inequitable access to food seen in the U.S. today. Numerous cities and counties across the U.S. have established food justice programs to address these racialized inequities. Through interviews with staff members, this report explores the planning and policy interventions being implemented to fight food apartheid and sheds light on the language local governments are using to frame their work. These findings highlight the impact of language on how food insecurity is approached, and provide food apartheid-informed strategies for city and county staff to consider in this work.Master of City and Regional Plannin

Spatial and Temporal Trends in Travel for COVID-19 Vaccinations

Highlights : Disparities in distances people traveled for vaccinations by demographics exist. Males and White people traveled longer distances for vaccination appointments. Travel distances of over 10 miles for vaccination likely required motorized transportation. Introduction: Understanding spatial and temporal trends in travel for COVID-19 vaccinations by key demographic characteristics (i.e., gender, race, age) is important for ensuring equitable access to and increasing distribution efficiency of vaccines and other health services. The aim of this study is to examine trends in travel distance for COVID-19 vaccinations over the course of the vaccination rollout in North Carolina. Methods: Data were collected using electronic medical records of individuals who had first- or single-dose COVID-19 vaccination appointments through UNC Health between December 15, 2020, and August 31, 2021 (N = 204,718). Travel distances to appointments were calculated using the Euclidean distance from individuals’ home ZIP code centroids to clinic addresses. Descriptive statistics and multivariable regression models with individuals’ home ZIP codes incorporated as fixed effects were used to examine differences in travel distances by gender, race, and age. Results: Males and White individuals traveled significantly farther for vaccination appointments throughout the vaccination rollout. On average, females traveled 14. 4 miles, 3.5% shorter distances than males; Black individuals traveled 13.6 miles, 10.0% shorter distances than White individuals; and people aged 65 and older traveled 14.5 miles, 2.6% longer distances than younger people living in the same ZIP code. Conclusions: Controlling for socioeconomic status and spatial proximity to vaccination clinics at the ZIP code level, males and White individuals traveled longer distances for vaccination appointments, demonstrating more ability to travel for vaccinations. Results indicate a need to consider differential ability to travel to vaccinations by key demographic characteristics in COVID-19 vaccination programs and future mass health service delivery efforts

Transportation barriers to care among frequent health care users during the COVID pandemic

Background: Transportation problems are known barriers to health care and can result in late arrivals and delayed or missed care. Groups already prone to greater social and economic disadvantage, including low-income individuals and people with chronic conditions, encounter more transportation barriers and experience greater negative health care consequences. Addressing transportation barriers is important not only for mitigating adverse health care outcomes among patients, but also for avoiding additional costs to the health care system. In this study, we investigate transportation barriers to accessing health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic among high-frequency health care users. Methods: A web-based survey was administered to North Carolina residents aged 18 and older in the UNC Health system who were enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare and had at least six outpatient medical appointments in the past year. 323 complete responses were analyzed to investigate the prevalence of reporting transportation barriers that resulted in having arrived late to, delayed, or missed care, as well as relationships between demographic and other independent variables and transportation barriers. Qualitative analyses were performed on text response data to explain transportation barriers. Results: Approximately 1 in 3 respondents experienced transportation barriers to health care between June 2020 and June 2021. Multivariate logistic regressions indicate individuals aged 18–64, people with disabilities, and people without a household vehicle were significantly more likely to encounter transportation barriers. Costs of traveling for medical appointments and a lack of driver or car availability emerged as major transportation barriers; however, respondents explained that barriers were often complex, involving circumstantial problems related to one’s ability to access and pay for transportation as well as to personal health. Conclusions: To address transportation barriers, we recommend more coordination between transportation and health professionals and the implementation of programs that expand access to and improve patient awareness of health care mobility services. We also recommend transportation and health entities direct resources to address transportation barriers equitably, as barriers disproportionately burden younger adults under age 65 enrolled in public insurance programs

Transportation barriers to care among frequent health care users during the COVID pandemic

Background Transportation problems are known barriers to health care and can result in late arrivals and delayed or missed care. Groups already prone to greater social and economic disadvantage, including low-income individuals and people with chronic conditions, encounter more transportation barriers and experience greater negative health care consequences. Addressing transportation barriers is important not only for mitigating adverse health care outcomes among patients, but also for avoiding additional costs to the health care system. In this study, we investigate transportation barriers to accessing health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic among high-frequency health care users. Methods A web-based survey was administered to North Carolina residents aged 18 and older in the UNC Health system who were enrolled in Medicaid or Medicare and had at least six outpatient medical appointments in the past year. 323 complete responses were analyzed to investigate the prevalence of reporting transportation barriers that resulted in having arrived late to, delayed, or missed care, as well as relationships between demographic and other independent variables and transportation barriers. Qualitative analyses were performed on text response data to explain transportation barriers. Results Approximately 1 in 3 respondents experienced transportation barriers to health care between June 2020 and June 2021. Multivariate logistic regressions indicate individuals aged 18–64, people with disabilities, and people without a household vehicle were significantly more likely to encounter transportation barriers. Costs of traveling for medical appointments and a lack of driver or car availability emerged as major transportation barriers; however, respondents explained that barriers were often complex, involving circumstantial problems related to one’s ability to access and pay for transportation as well as to personal health. Conclusions To address transportation barriers, we recommend more coordination between transportation and health professionals and the implementation of programs that expand access to and improve patient awareness of health care mobility services. We also recommend transportation and health entities direct resources to address transportation barriers equitably, as barriers disproportionately burden younger adults under age 65 enrolled in public insurance programs