Thrust performance of isolated plug nozzles with two types of 40-spoke noise suppressor at Mach numbers from 0 to 0.45

Plug nozzles with two types of 40-spoke noise suppressor were tested at free-stream Mach numbers from 0 to 0.45 and over a range of nozzle pressure ratios from 1.5 to 4.0. In additon, an unsuppressed plug nozzle and a Supersonic Tunnel Association nozzle were also tested to provide baseline levels of thrust performance. The unsuppressed plug nozzle had an efficiency of 98 percent at an assumed takeoff pressure ratio of 3.0 and at Mach 0.36. At the same condition the suppressor nozzles had efficiencies of approximately 83.5 percent

A Foundation of Dust: Analyzing the Relationship between Famine and Political Stability in Developing States

Despite a modern agricultural surplus relative to humanity's food needs and established means of transport, famine remains a threat for several states around the world. It would seem obvious that famine would be a strong destabilizing force, but this has not always been the case. This study compares several prominent famines in Ethiopia (1970-74, 1980-85), India (1966-67, 1971-1973) and Bangladesh (1974) in order to determine what factors resulting from famine actually cause political instability by analyzing historical events through the stability criteria of the World Bank. This research will demonstrate that while famine is economically destructive and often results in political instability, the primary driver of stability or instability after a famine is the relative degree of government intervention for positive or negative effect. This adds to our understanding of government's role in influencing the effects of food shortage upon society and overall stability of the state

Losing Ground: Foreclosures in the Subprime Market and Their Cost to Homeowners

The "Losing Ground" study is the first comprehensive, nationwide review of millions of subprime mortgages originated from 1998 through the third quarter of 2006. CRL finds that despite low interest rates and a favorable economic environment during the past several years, the subprime market has experienced high foreclosure rates, and we project that one out of five (19.4%) subprime loans issued during 2005-2006 will fail.The report discusses a number of factors that drive subprime foreclosures-these include adjustable rate mortgages with steep built-in rate and payment increases, prepayment penalties, limited income documentation, and no escrow for taxes and insurance. We also determine that these features cause a higher risk of default regardless of the borrower's credit score.Our study also finds that recent high appreciation in many areas has masked problems in the subprime market, and that the cooling housing market will cause failure rates to rise sharply in many major markets. California, Arizona, Nevada, and greater Washington DC will be especially hard hit. Also in this report, we project lifetime foreclosure rates for 2006-originated subprime loans in each MSA in the United States

Evaluation of an Interdisciplinary Ketogenic Diet Clinic for the Treatment of Pediatric Refractory Epilepsy

Pediatric refractory epilepsy affects approximately 30% of all children diagnosed with epilepsy. Childhood refractory epilepsy patients pose a challenge for traditional approaches to epilepsy management due to their complex and unique needs. Refractory epilepsy negatively impacts a patient’s ability to attend school or hold a job, and patients have a generally poor health status related to seizures as well as pharmaceutical side effects (Conway et al., 2016). The ketogenic diet (KD) is an alternative option for the treatment of pediatric refractory epilepsy due to established efficacy, manageable side effects, and reduced health care-associated costs due to reduced emergency department (ED) visits, and reduced inpatient admissions (Hallbook et al., 2015; Khoo et al., 2016; Lambrechts et al., 2017; Martin et al., 2016; Pasca et al., 2018; Whiting et al., 2017; Wijnen et al., 2017). When attempting to address the complex needs of a child with this chronic medical condition, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary clinics have been shown to improve patient outcomes in various pediatric fields including refractory epilepsy, when compared to general, traditional clinics (Williams et al., 1995). An interdisciplinary pediatric ketogenic diet clinic (KDC) was created in 2015 to provide a more coordinated approach to the management of pediatric refractory epilepsy patients on the KD. The clinic was staffed by a pediatric epileptologist, pediatric neurology nurse practitioner, registered dietician, and social worker. Through a retrospective design, data from pediatric KD patients were analyzed to determine the interdisciplinary KDC’s effects on seizure frequency, seizure related hospitalizations, number of seizure medications (AEDs), and adherence to the treatment regimen by both patients and providers when compared to the management of KD patients prior to implementation of the KDC, the traditional approach. The interdisciplinary approach to the KD yielded more seizure free patients, improved adherence to KD standards of care, reduced epilepsy related inpatient admissions, and demonstrated a greater number of patients experiencing a reduction in the number of AEDs when compared to the traditional approach

Temperature Influences of Lake Erie

It is a generally accepted fact that large bodies of water exert a decided influence on the climate and on the cultural development in the immediate vicinity. Just how much and at what times this influence is most felt has always been more or less a matter of conjecture. There are many variables which force themselves into the picture to the extent that it is difficult to determinate which one is at work at a particular time. Among these variables might be mentioned distance from the lake, elevation of land above the lake, angle of incidence of the sun\u27s ray, percentage of cloudiness, and wind directions. Among the many climatic factors, such as snowfall, barometric pressure, wind direction and cloudiness, perhaps the most discussed and the one which effects more people directly is temperature. It was therefore thought best to represent those phases of temperature in a graphical way so that its effects could be seen in a quantitative way as well as in a qualitative way. The series of maps and graphs included in this paper illustrate just when and to some degree how much the lake influences the temperature of the surrounding land area. The limitations placed on the how much part of the preceding statement are necessary because of the many other factors entering to affect the temperature at the same time the lake is casting its influence

Clergy Tax Rules Extend Beyond Churches

Whether an individual qualifies as a minister for tax purposes is determined based on who employs the individual and the duties the individual performs. An individual does not have to work for a church or denomination to be considered a minister but must perform the duties of a minister as specified in the regulations to be treated as a minister. Ministers are subject to special tax rules, including eligibility for a tax-free parsonage or housing allowance, being treated as self-employed for Social Security tax purposes, and being exempt from federal income tax withholding. If an employee provides the minister a housing allowance, the exclusion is limited to the lesser of the amount designated in advance by the employer as a housing allowance, the fair rental value of the residence, or the actual expenses incurred

Personality Preferences and Success in Introductory Accounting

Introductory accounting is a crucial course for students considering a career in accounting as well as accounting educators seeking to identify students who will excel in the profession. This study examines student performance in introductory accounting to determine if those with a sensing preference, as measured using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, have significantly higher performance. This study adds to the literature by replicating studies conducted at larger universities and improves upon the methodology of many prior studies by incorporating a control variable to account for students’ general academic aptitude. The results confirm that students with a sensing preference have higher performance. Based on the results, educators should consider incorporating a wide range of learning activities to engage students with both sensing and intuitive preferences

Securing Charitable Contribution Deductions

Issues regarding charitable contributions have been a frequent source of contention between the IRS and taxpayers - the charitable contribution deduction was identified as one of the most litigated issues in the National Taxpayer Advocate’s latest report to Congress.1 Thus, a review of the key issues taxpayers encounter in claiming this deduction is warranted