Not-for-Profit Organizations: Community Benefits, Efficiency and Quality

This study addresses the effect of hospital ownership on the delivery of medical services to patients with financial difficulties in the southern New England community, using two alternative definitions of community benefits. Also, this study examines the impact of government subsidies on the efficiency and quality of care provided by nonprofit hospitals versus for-profit in Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Previous research demonstrates that there are no differences when it comes to efficiency and quality when dealing with nonprofit organization or a for-profit company. Using data from hospitals in Connecticut and Rhode Island, these findings on efficiency and quality have been reinforced. In addition, the study finds that nonprofit hospitals may not provide enough community benefits to cover the subsidies provided by the United States government on a national average. These results are sensitive to the definition of community benefits, thus indicating need for a more explicit identification of both the amount of benefits provided, and what is considered a community benefit

Sterilizable liquid propulsion system Quarterly progress report, Oct. 1 - Dec. 31, 1967

Exposure of assembled and fueled bipropellant liquid rocket propulsion system to ethylene oxide and heat sterilization environment

Evaluation of seals, lubricants, and adhesives used on LDEF

A wide variety of seals, lubricants, and adhesives were used on the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). The results, to date, of the Systems Special Investigation Group (SIG) and the Materials SIG investigation into the effect of the long term low Earth orbit (LEO) exposure on these materials is discussed. Results of this investigation show that if the material was shielded from exposure to LDEF's external environment, the 69 month exposure to LEO had minimal effect on the material. However, if the material was on LDEF's exterior surface, a variety of events occurred ranging from no material change, to changes in mechanical or physical properties, to complete disappearance of the material. The results are from the following sources: (1) visual examinations and/or testing of materials performed by various LDEF experimenters, (2) testing done at Boeing in support of the Materials or Systems SIG investigations, (3) testing done at Boeing on Boeing hardware flown on LDEF

Auditory-Motor Adaptation to Frequency-Altered Auditory Feedback Occurs When Participants Ignore Feedback

Background Auditory feedback is important for accurate control of voice fundamental frequency (F0). The purpose of this study was to address whether task instructions could influence the compensatory responding and sensorimotor adaptation that has been previously found when participants are presented with a series of frequency-altered feedback (FAF) trials. Trained singers and musically untrained participants (nonsingers) were informed that their auditory feedback would be manipulated in pitch while they sang the target vowel [/ɑ /]. Participants were instructed to either ‘compensate’ for, or ‘ignore’ the changes in auditory feedback. Whole utterance auditory feedback manipulations were either gradually presented (‘ramp’) in -2 cent increments down to -100 cents (1 semitone) or were suddenly (’constant‘) shifted down by 1 semitone. Results Results indicated that singers and nonsingers could not suppress their compensatory responses to FAF, nor could they reduce the sensorimotor adaptation observed during both the ramp and constant FAF trials. Conclusions Compared to previous research, these data suggest that musical training is effective in suppressing compensatory responses only when FAF occurs after vocal onset (500-2500 ms). Moreover, our data suggest that compensation and adaptation are automatic and are influenced little by conscious control

Borrowing the Bible, echoing the Koran : the significance of scriptural acumen and exegesis when studying The scarlet letter and Moby-Dick

Includes bibliographical references.Despite their widespread socio-religious influence and prominent endurance over time, the Bible and the Qur’an lack academic precedence in required literary coursework today. As prototypes for future literary works across cultures and historical epochs, the scriptures’ absence in mainstream collegiate study is especially disappointing. This essay, therefore, examines two classic American novels—Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and Herman Melville’s Moby Dick—through a scriptural lens, highlighting their similitude in character types, structure, style, and thematic content. Connecting significant narrative moments and stylistic nuances to biblical and Qur’anic text, this study exposes the importance of scriptural acumen to a deeper and more comprehensive study of the two novels. Moreover, stressing the self-aware and “living” quality of the Bible and the Qur’an reveals the underlying, esoteric threads tying The Scarlet Letter and Moby Dick to their scriptural counterparts. By constructing these literary bridges over spatial and temporal parameters, the paper underscores the need for required coursework in scriptural texts so English students can fully appreciate the unique roots of the American literary canon.B.A. (Bachelor of Arts

Co-op Housing Futures: A Spatial Design Research Approach

This proposal/plan document outlines a research project of the BC-Alberta Social Economy Research Alliance (BALTA). The project explores the potential impact of a participatory action research process using an environmental design planning process with a housing co-op in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The project involved a team of Environmental Design students at the University of Calgary working with the Sunnyhill Housing Cooperative in Calgary to explore options for its future using a design approach. Elements to be considered in the design were post-carbon urban living, socio-cultural, economic and ecological sustainability and resilience, as well as intensification and diversity of land uses. The process was subsequently evaluated to determine the results of the approach and whether it could provide a model for other housing co-ops.BC-Alberta Social Economy Research Alliance (BALTA) ; Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) ; University of Calgary Faculty of Environmental Desig