A Cost-benefit Analysis of the Australian Carbon Tax and the Economics of Climate Change

Within economic literature, the topic of global warming and efforts to mitigate it are being thoroughly discussed. The ability for climate change to impact businesses and households globally has driven economists worldwide to develop policy proposals with carbon emissions reductions as a primary concern. This report discusses climate policy within the United States, the European Union and Australia with the intent of highlighting key difficulties associated with implementing climate policy. Australia receives particular attention in this report due its history regarding the implementation and repeal of a carbon tax. The cost-benefit analysis of the Australian carbon tax conducted within this report suggests the Australian government’s decision to repeal the tax was founded

A Framework for Improving Teacher Efficacy in High-Poverty Schools

This qualitative research study examined the change of teachers’ levels of poverty awareness and their sense of efficacy after being exposed to targeted research-based strategies and resources. The focus was on building leadership capacity; fostering safe, healthy learning environments; and focusing on students, professionals, and systems of learning to address turning high-poverty schools to high-performing schools. Eight high-poverty urban schools participated in the study with five focus schools analyzed throughout the study (sample=XX). Study participants completed pre- and post-assessment measures of poverty awareness and their sense of efficacy to impact achievement for high-poverty students. Participants were given access to resources, strategies, and literacy sources in the period between the pre- and post-assessments to build teacher capacity. The SPSS analysis tool was used to analyze correlations, differences, frequency distributions, and trends in the data in order to determine changes in teacher efficacy levels. Data were also analyzed by demographic subgroups and by the three types of efficacy to determine trends and patterns. The study found that there were statistically significant differences in African-American, lateral entry, and experienced teacher subgroups’ levels of poverty awareness and efficacy. The data revealed that there were negative changes in awareness of poverty from the beginning of the study to the end in 21 of 24 comparisons. The results of this study suggest implications on preservice and district teacher orientation programs to design curriculum to meet the needs of teachers in high-poverty schools as well as attention to providing strategic professional development. This professional development should address deficits in efficacy of engagement, classroom management, and instructional strategies for teachers practicing in these learning environments

Reconstructing the Local Twist of Coronal Magnetic Fields and the Three-Dimensional Shape of the Field Lines from Coronal Loops in EUV and X-Ray Images

Non-linear force-free fields are the most general case of force-free fields, but the hardest to model as well. There are numerous methods of computing such fields by extrapolating vector magnetograms from the photosphere, but very few attempts have so far made quantitative use of coronal morphology. We present a method to make such quantitative use of X-Ray and EUV images of coronal loops. Each individual loop is fit to a field line of a linear force-free field, allowing the estimation of the field line's twist, three-dimensional geometry and the field strength along it. We assess the validity of such a reconstruction since the actual corona is probably not a linear force-free field and that the superposition of linear force-free fields is generally not itself a force-free field. To do so, we perform a series of tests on non-linear force-free fields, described in Low & Lou (1990). For model loops we project field lines onto the photosphere. We compare several results of the method with the original field, in particular the three-dimensional loop shapes, local twist (coronal alpha), distribution of twist in the model photosphere and strength of the magnetic field. We find that, (i) for these trial fields, the method reconstructs twist with mean absolute deviation of at most 15% of the range of photospheric twist, (ii) that heights of the loops are reconstructed with mean absolute deviation of at most 5% of the range of trial heights and (iii) that the magnitude of non-potential contribution to photospheric field is reconstructed with mean absolute deviation of at most 10% of the maximal value.Comment: submitted to Ap

Sensor-based Particulate Measurement (Some Tall Tales from the Trenches)

Current evidence indicates that a relatively small number of vehicles are responsible for the majority of excess in-use emissions, e.g. about 10% of the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) equipped vehicles are believed to contribute about 70% of excess particulate matter (PM) emissions. But conventional I/M measurements (snap-acceleration opacity) and other similar ‘stop-and-test’ procedures are not sensitive enough to measure the difference between a properly functioning and a moderately malfunctioning DPF system, and can even be cross-sensitive to the by-products of some modern emission control systems, e.g. NO2 from Selective Catalytic Reduction. As a result, one of the key elements of a more effective next-generation emissions ‘stop-and-test’ procedure for modern vehicles would be a new ‘SMOG Check’ system. Here, using provisional data for several recent and on-going studies, we propose a sensor-array strategy based on the 3DATx parSYNC as an alternative to simply replacing one metric (opacity) with another. We present data on the effectiveness of this approach, and describe options to address cross-sensitivity. We also consider the analytical compromises required to build an instrument suitable for use in a commercial garage at a price-point that will make it viable, as well as the extended diagnostic capabilities of a multi-dimensional description of vehicle particulate emissions

A latent variable modeling approach to identifying subtypes of serious and violent female offenders

Females have recently become an important population in research related to serious and violent juvenile offending. Although a small body of research exists on girls in the deep end of the system, very few studies have examined the degree of heterogeneity within high-risk female samples. This study applied latent class analysis (LCA) to identify subgroups of female juvenile offenders based on their self-report of offending profiles (N=133). Results supported a three-class solution with subgroups characterized by patterns of \u27violent and delinquent\u27, \u27delinquency only\u27, and \u27low\u27 offending patterns. The LCA solution was replicated in an independent sample of high-risk females. The \u27violent and delinquent\u27 class was characterized by significantly higher rates of DSM-IV diagnoses for internalizing disorders, affect dysregulation, exposure to violence (within the home, school and neighborhood), and familial histories of criminality. Implications for future research, policy and clinical practice are discussed

The Detection of Iridium Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Although one thinks of a thruster as utilizing both a fuel and an oxidizer, as well as an ignition source to release molecular energy, thrusters exist that combine the fuel and oxidizer in a single fluid. These monopropellant thrusters can utilize either an ignition source or a catalyst to release the molecular energy stored within the propellant. Monopropellant thrusters are especially attractive for space flight systems because they only require a single propellant line which reduces systems weight and complexity. Some monopropellant thrusters, including legacy hydrazine thrusters, and newer thrusters using hydrazine replacements, that utilize a heterogeneous catalyst have experienced performance anomalies due to the degradation of the catalyst bed. At the Air Force Research Laboratory, current state-of-health diagnostic techniques ate being developed to better understand this catalyst bed degradation for the new hydrazine replacement monopropellant, AF-M315E. Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) is being used to detect and quantify active catalyst materials in the exhaust plume, such as iridium. Previous work has been unsuccessful in detecting iridium. However, by shortening the delay settings on the camera detector, the spectrometer used in LIBS will be able to pick up more of the emissions from the laser-ablated sample, leading to the detection of iridium. DISTRIBUTION A: Approved for public release: distribution unlimited

Direct Measurements of Magnetic Twist in the Solar Corona

In the present work we study evolution of magnetic helicity in the solar corona. We compare the rate of change of a quantity related to the magnetic helicity in the corona to the flux of magnetic helicity through the photosphere and find that the two rates are similar. This gives observational evidence that helicity flux across the photosphere is indeed what drives helicity changes in solar corona during emergence. For the purposes of estimating coronal helicity we neither assume a strictly linear force-free field, nor attempt to construct a non-linear force-free field. For each coronal loop evident in Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) we find a best-matching line of a linear force-free field and allow the twist parameter alpha to be different for each line. This method was introduced and its applicability was discussed in Malanushenko et. al. (2009). The object of the study is emerging and rapidly rotating AR 9004 over about 80 hours. As a proxy for coronal helicity we use the quantity averaged over many reconstructed lines of magnetic field. We argue that it is approximately proportional to "flux-normalized" helicity H/Phi^2, where H is helicity and Phi is total enclosed magnetic flux of the active region. The time rate of change of such quantity in the corona is found to be about 0.021 rad/hr, which is compatible with the estimates for the same region obtained using other methods Longcope et. al. (2007), who estimated the flux of normalized helicity of about 0.016 rad/hr

Time-Accurate Unsteady Flow Simulations Supporting the SRM T+68-Second Pressure Spike Anomaly Investigation (STS-54B)

Time-accurate unsteady flow simulations are being performed supporting the SRM T+68sec pressure 'spike' anomaly investigation. The anomaly occurred in the RH SRM during the STS-54 flight (STS-54B) but not in the LH SRM (STS-54A) causing a momentary thrust mismatch approaching the allowable limit at that time into the flight. Full-motor internal flow simulations using the USA-2D axisymmetric code are in progress for the nominal propellant burn-back geometry and flow conditions at T+68-sec--Pc = 630 psi, gamma = 1.1381, T(sub c) = 6200 R, perfect gas without aluminum particulate. In a cooperative effort with other investigation team members, CFD-derived pressure loading on the NBR and castable inhibitors was used iteratively to obtain nominal deformed geometry of each inhibitor, and the deformed (bent back) inhibitor geometry was entered into this model. Deformed geometry was computed using structural finite-element models. A solution for the unsteady flow has been obtained for the nominal flow conditions (existing prior to the occurrence of the anomaly) showing sustained standing pressure oscillations at nominally 14.5 Hz in the motor IL acoustic mode that flight and static test data confirm to be normally present at this time. Average mass flow discharged from the nozzle was confirmed to be the nominal expected (9550 lbm/sec). The local inlet boundary condition is being perturbed at the location of the presumed reconstructed anomaly as identified by interior ballistics performance specialist team members. A time variation in local mass flow is used to simulate sudden increase in burning area due to localized propellant grain cracks. The solution will proceed to develop a pressure rise (proportional to total mass flow rate change squared). The volume-filling time constant (equivalent to 0.5 Hz) comes into play in shaping the rise rate of the developing pressure 'spike' as it propagates at the speed of sound in both directions to the motor head end and nozzle. The objectives of the present analysis are to: (1) capture the dynamic responses of the motor combustion gas flow to correlate with available low-frequency (less than 12.5 sample/sec) data and (2) observe the high-frequency (up to 50 Hz) characteristics of the response to determine any potentials for dynamic coupling

Unsteady Flow Simulations in Support of the SSME HEX Turning Vane Cracking Investigation with the ATD HPOTP

Unsteady flow computations are being performed with the P&W (ATD) and the Rocketdyne baseline configurations of the SSME LO2 turbine turnaround duct (TAD) and heat exchanger (HEX). The work is in support of the HEX inner turning vane cracking investigation. Fatigue cracking has occurred during hot firings with the P&W configuration on the HEX inner vane, and it appears the fix will involve changes to the TAD splitter vane position and to the TAD inner wall curvature to reduce the dynamic loading on the inner vane. Unsteady flow computations on the P&W baseline and fix and on the Rocketdyne baseline reference follow steady-flow screening computations done by MSFC/ED32 on several trial configurations arriving at the fix. The P&W TAD inlet velocity profile has a strong radial velocity component that directs the flow toward the inner wall and raises the local velocity a factor of two and the dynamic pressure a factor, of four. The fix is intended to redistribute the flow more evenly across the HEX inner and outer vanes like the Rocketdyne baseline reference. Vane buffeting at frequencies around 4,000 Hz is the leading suspected cause of the problem. Our simulations (work in progress) are being done with the USA 2D axisymmetric code approximating the flow as axisymmetric u+v 2D (axial, u, and radial, v, components only). The HEX coils are included in the model to make sure the fix does not adversely affect the HEX environment. Turbulent kinetic energy, k, levels where k = 1/2 v' rms2 are locally as high as 10,000 ft2/sec2 for the P&W baseline at the engine interface (between the TAD and HEX) at the HEX inner vane location. However, k is less than 8,000 on the HEX outer vane and only about 4,500 on the HEX inner vane for the Rocketdyne baseline. Unsteady turbulence intensity, v'rms/v, and pressure, p', are being computed in the present computations to compare with steady-flow Reynolds-averaged computations where p'rms = const (pk) for overall rms random turbulence from 0.1 to 12,000 Hz frequency. Random overall static, p'rms fluctuations as large as 1.7 psi are estimated from k on the HEX inner vane for the P&W baseline configuration but only about 0.7 psi for the Rocketdyne configuration

Comparing the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) and the Psychopathy Checklist–Youth Version (PCL-YV) Among Offending Girls

Using a multimeasure longitudinal research design, we measured psychopathy with the Youth Psychopathic Traits Inventory (YPI) and the Psychopathy Checklist–Youth Version (PCL-YV) among 122 offending girls. We examined the psychometric properties of the YPI, investigated the association between the YPI and the PCL-YV, and assessed their concurrent and longitudinal association with externalizing problems on the Youth/Adult Self-Report and violent and delinquent behaviors on the Self-Report of Offending. Alphas for the YPI were adequate and there were small to moderate correlations between the YPI and PCL-YV, suggesting that each assesses distinctive personality features. The YPI and the PCL-YV were approximately equivalent in their association with concurrent and longitudinal outcomes with two exceptions, where the YPI demonstrated a stronger association with antisocial behavior. Concurrently, there was a divergent relationship between the psychopathy factor scores and antisocial outcomes. Within 2 years, the psychopathy affective factor, which constrained the YPI and PCL-YV to be equivalent, was associated with externalizing behaviors and the YPI affective factor was associated with violent offending. Approximately 4½ years later, neither measure was significantly related to antisocial behavior after accounting for past behavior. Reasons for continuity and discontinuity in risk identification are discussed