The Star Formation Histories of Two Northern LMC Fields

Ground-based UBV photometry of two fields in the northern disk of the LMC are presented. A distance modulus of (m-M)_0 = 18.41 +/- 0.04 and an extinction of A_V = 0.30 +/- 0.05 has been calculated for these fields. The measurable star formation history of the LMC began no more than 12 Gyr ago with a strong star forming episode with [Fe/H] = -1.63 +/- 0.10 that accounted for approximately half (by mass) of the LMC's total star formation in the first 3 Gyr. The data does not give accurate star formation rates during intermediate ages, but there appears to have been a recent increase in the star formation rate in these fields, beginning approximately 2.5 Gyr ago, with the current metallicity in the region being [Fe/H] = -0.38 +/- 0.10. The two fields have had very similar star formation rates until 200 Myr ago, at which point one shows a large increase.Comment: 8 pages, 11 figures Accepted for publication in MNRA

Perioperative Glycemic Management

Proposals and Goals: 1. We propose creating a standard easy to use and safe protocol for glycemic management for same day/elective surgical patients. 2. Following implementation in same day and elective surgical procedures, we propose expanding the protocol to be effective in urgent and emergent inpatient surgical procedures.https://jdc.jefferson.edu/patientsafetyposters/1068/thumbnail.jp

From Baking a Cake to Solving the Schrodinger Equation

The primary emphasis of this study has been to explain how modifying a cake recipe by changing either the dimensions of the cake or the amount of cake batter alters the baking time. Restricting our consideration to the genoise, one of the basic cakes of classic French cuisine, we have obtained a semi-empirical formula for its baking time as a function of oven temperature, initial temperature of the cake batter, and dimensions of the unbaked cake. The formula, which is based on the Diffusion equation, has three adjustable parameters whose values are estimated from data obtained by baking genoises in cylindrical pans of various diameters. The resulting formula for the baking time exhibits the scaling behavior typical of diffusion processes, i.e. the baking time is proportional to the (characteristic length scale)^2 of the cake. It also takes account of evaporation of moisture at the top surface of the cake, which appears to be a dominant factor affecting the baking time of a cake. In solving this problem we have obtained solutions of the Diffusion equation which are interpreted naturally and straightforwardly in the context of heat transfer; however, when interpreted in the context of the Schrodinger equation, they are somewhat peculiar. The solutions describe a system whose mass assumes different values in two different regions of space. Furthermore, the solutions exhibit characteristics similar to the evanescent modes associated with light waves propagating in a wave guide. When we consider the Schrodinger equation as a non-relativistic limit of the Klein-Gordon equation so that it includes a mass term, these are no longer solutions.Comment: 23 pages, 10 Postscript figure

Experiences of Music Therapy Junior Faculty Members: A Narrative Exploration

Very few music therapists have educational background or training to be proficient at teaching at institutions of higher education. With only minimal (if any) training in andragogy and in research methodology, music therapy junior faculty (MTJF) members find themselves novice academics in the highly structured, competitive environment of the academy. In order for music therapists to be successful in their career change from clinical work to the academy, improvements and modifications to the education of future music therapy professors are likely, but data are necessary to intimate and to guide those changes. This narrative research study explored the lived experiences of nine MTJF members as they sought to become successful members in the academy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and participants reviewed their narratives. Transformative Learning Theory was used as the theoretical framework and social constructivism as the interpretive paradigm. This study’s findings indicated participants had similar experiences in their paths to music therapy, in their preparation for a future in higher education, in their pivotal relationships, in the tenure process, in their struggles, and in their knowledge of self. Recommendations for modifications to the music therapy graduate curriculum and for music therapy programs are made based on indications from the findings. These modifications include expanding opportunities for teaching, researching, and exposure to institutional politics; implementing extensive professor-graduate student mentorship; requiring a doctoral degree for tenure-track positions; extending professor mentorship to junior faculty members; developing a textbook on the academy for potential music therapy professors; and striving for improved diversity in graduate programs

Standardized Consent Forms for Surgical Procedures: An Intervention to Improve the Resident-led Informed Consent Process

Objectives and Goals: To provide high quality, consistent consent forms for common surgical procedures and improve resident workflow by creating and implementing standardized printed consents for common surgical procedures. These consents will be used by residents consenting patients in the ED or inpatient setting. Consents shall include standardized procedure descriptions, risks and benefits of the procedure, and alternative treatment option descriptions, risks and benefitshttps://jdc.jefferson.edu/patientsafetyposters/1057/thumbnail.jp

Action is demonstrative of critical reflection and “disorienting dilemma” is démodé

This paper explores transformative learning and 1) roles of decision-making and actions as outward expressions of critical reflection and 2) vocabulary that encapsulates the essence of the “disorienting dilemma.

NGC 1866: First Spectroscopic Detection of Fast Rotating Stars in a Young LMC Cluster

High-resolution spectroscopic observations were taken of 29 extended main sequence turn-off (eMSTO) stars in the young ($\sim$200 Myr) LMC cluster, NGC 1866 using the Michigan/Magellan Fiber System and MSpec spectrograph on the Magellan-Clay 6.5-m telescope. These spectra reveal the first direct detection of rapidly rotating stars whose presence has only been inferred from photometric studies. The eMSTO stars exhibit H-alpha emission (indicative of Be-star decretion disks), others have shallow broad H-alpha absorption (consistent with rotation $\gtrsim$150 km s$^{-1}$), or deep H-alpha core absorption signaling lower rotation velocities ($\lesssim$150 km s$^{-1}$ ). The spectra appear consistent with two populations of stars - one rapidly rotating, and the other, younger and slowly rotating.Comment: 9 pages, 4 figures, Accepted for publication in ApJ Letter