LibCPIXE: a PIXE simulation open-source library for multilayered samples

Most particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE) data analysis codes are not focused on handling multilayered samples. We have developed an open-source library called "LibCPIXE", for PIXE data analysis. It is written in standard C and implements functions for simulating X-ray yields of PIXE spectra taken from arbitrary samples, including multilayered targets. The library is designed to be fast, portable, modular and scalable, as well as to facilitate its incorporation into any existing program. In order to demonstrate the capabilities of the library, a program called CPIXE was developed and used to analyze various real samples involving both bulk and layered samples. Just as the library, the CPIXE source code is freely available under the General Public License. We demonstrate that it runs both under GNU/Linux systems as well as under MS Windows. There is in principle no limitation to port it to other platforms

Mapping therapy for sentence production impairments in nonfluent aphasia

This study investigated a new treatment in which sentence production abilities were trained in a small group of individuals and nonfluent aphasia. It was based upon a mapping therapy approach which holds that sentence production and comprehension impairments are due to difficulties in mapping between the meaning form (thematic roles) and the syntactic form of sentences. We trained production of both canonical and noncanonical reversible sentences.Three patients received treatment and two served as control participants. Patients who received treatment demonstrated acquisition of all trained sentence structures. They also demonstrated across-task generalisation of treated and some untreated sentence structures on two tasks of constrained sentence production, and showed some improvements on a narrative task. One control participant improved on some of these measures and the other did not. There was no noted improvement in sentence comprehension abilities following treatment. Results are discussed with reference to the heterogeneity of underlying impairments in sentence production impairments in nonfluent patients, and the possible mechanisms by which improvement in sentence production might have been achieved in treatment

NASA/Ames Research Center DC-8 data system

In-flight facility data acquisition, distribution, and recording on the NASA Ames Research Center (ARC) DC-8 are performed by the Data Acquisition and Distribution System (DADS). Navigational and environmental data collected by the DADS are converted to engineering units and distributed real-time to investigator stations once per second. Selected engineering units data are printed and displayed on closed circuit television monitors throughout flights. An in-flight graphical display of the DC-8 flight track (with barbs indicating wind direction and magnitude) has recently been added to the DADS capabilities. Logging of data run starts/stops and commentary from the mission director are also provided. All data are recorded to hard disk in-flight and archived to tape medium post-flight. Post-flight, hard copies of the track map and mission director's log are created by the DADS. The DADS is a distributed system consisting of a data subsystem, an Avionic Serial Data-to-VMEbus (ASD2VME) subsystem, and a host subsystem. Each subsystem has a dedicated central processing unit (CPU) and is capable of stand-alone operation. All three subsystems are housed in a single 20-slot VME chassis and communicate with each other over the VMEbus. The data and host subsystems are briefly discussed, and the DC-8 DADS internal configuration and system block diagram are presented

Perceptions of the Cognitive, Social, and Physical Competence of Speech Impaired Individuals

Listeners\u27 perceptions of the cognitive, social, and physical competence of a speech impaired individual were investigated. Thirty-eight adults (31 female and 7 male) between 19 and 51 years of age listened to prerecorded audiotape interviews; one with a speech impaired speaker, or one with a normally speaking peer. Listeners rated the perceived cognitive, social, and physical competence of both a speech impaired speaker and a normal speaker using a modified version of the Teacher\u27s Rating Scale of Child\u27s Actual Competence. An independent two-sample t-test statistic resulted in significant difference between the groups in cognitive, social, and physical competence subscales. The speech-impaired individual was perceived as less competent than his normally speaking peer in cognitive, social, and physical competence

Chronic gastritis

This issue of eMedRef provides information to clinicians on the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and therapeutics of chronic gastritis

The Use of Derivatives by Corporate Bond Mutual Funds

This paper examines the use of derivatives by corporate bond mutual funds. Using a sample of 1,657 U.S. corporate bond funds from Morningstar during 2002-2018, I document a significant positive relation between the use of derivatives and corporate bond fund performance, even after controlling various fund characteristics. This relation is mainly driven by investment grade funds, but not high yield funds. Finally, while the positive relation holds for non-crisis periods, the use of derivatives appears to be negatively related to corporate bond fund performance during the crisis period. Overall, the results show that corporate bond funds that use derivatives significantly outperform those non-users especially during non-crisis periods, suggesting that the use of derivatives is indicative of corporate bond fund managers’ superior skills

Postpartum Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy and Sexual Functioning

Poster PresentationIn the United States in 2020, there were 2,462,904 registered vaginal births, which equates to roughly 68% of the births in the U.S. that year (Osterman, 2022). Women experience a combination of physical, hormonal, and psychological changes with vaginal deliveries that impact female sexual functioning. Physical alterations to the pelvic floor muscles that occur during a vaginal delivery, such as hypotonicity and poor healing may have a large influence on postpartum sexual functioning (Pourkhiz, 2017). Pelvic floor muscle therapy (PFMT) is a subspecialty of physiotherapy that can be utilized to increase the strength of the pelvic muscles during the postpartum period and PFMT may be able to be utilized as a first-line therapy for postpartum sexual functioning. The purpose of this evidence-based practice review is to explore the impact of pelvic floor physiotherapy, or PFMT exercises, on sexual functioning in postpartum women, following a vaginal delivery. Nurses or other healthcare providers can use this information to facilitate the delivery of comprehensive education options to postpartum women upon hospital discharge. Inclusion of education about specific PFMT exercises and protocols can be reinforced by nursing staff and may provide a significant improvement to postpartum sexual self-efficacy and sexual functioning