The Influence of the Pennsylvania Mainline of Public Works

The Pennsylvania Mainline of Public Works, authorized and begun by Governor John Andrew Schulze in 1826, was the main transportation artery across Pennsylvania from the beginning of its operations in 1828 until the Pennsylvania Railroad purchased it in 1857. Though it was only in service for about thirty years, the Mainline was instrumental in shaping and affecting individuals, both passengers and employees of the canal; as well as Pennsylvania towns such as Saltsburg, Alexandria, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. This in turn affected national commerce

Photosensor Characterization for the Cherenkov Telescope Array: Silicon Photomultiplier versus Multi-Anode Photomultiplier Tube

Photomultiplier tube technology has been the photodetector of choice for the technique of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes since its birth more than 50 years ago. Recently, new types of photosensors are being contemplated for the next generation Cherenkov Telescope Array. It is envisioned that the array will be partly composed of telescopes using a Schwarzschild-Couder two mirror design never built before which has significantly improved optics. The camera of this novel optical design has a small plate scale which enables the use of compact photosensors. We present an extensive and detailed study of the two most promising devices being considered for this telescope design: the silicon photomultiplier and the multi-anode photomultiplier tube. We evaluated their most critical performance characteristics for imaging gamma-ray showers, and we present our results in a cohesive manner to clearly evaluate the advantages and disadvantages that both types of device have to offer in the context of GeV-TeV gamma-ray astronomy.Comment: submitted to SPIE Optics+Photonics proceeding

Antimicrobial stewardship: the need to cover all bases

Increasing antimicrobial resistance has necessitated an approach to guide the use of antibiotics. The necessity to guide antimicrobial use via stewardship has never been more urgent. The decline in anti-infective innovation and the failure of currently available antimicrobials to treat some serious infections forces clinicians to change those behaviors that drive antimicrobial resistance. The majority of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs function in acute-care hospitals, however, hospitals are only one setting where antibiotics are prescribed. Antimicrobial use is also high in residential aged care facilities and in the community. Prescribing in aged care is influenced by the fact that elderly residents have lowered immunity, are susceptible to infection and are frequently colonized with multi-resistant organisms. While in the community, prescribers are faced with public misconceptions about the effectiveness of antibiotics for many upper respiratory tract illnesses. AMS programs in all of these locations must be sustainable over a long period of time in order to be effective. A future with effective antimicrobials to treat bacterial infection will depend on AMS covering all of these bases. This review discusses AMS in acute care hospitals, aged care and the community and emphasizes that AMS is critical to patient safety and relies on government, clinician and community engagement

Sifting through ashes

Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on September 12, 2013).The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Thesis advisor: Dr. Thomas McKenneyInstrumentation: flute, clarinet in B♭, violin, cello, vibraphone, piano.Master of Music University of Missouri--Columbia 2013.Dissertations, Academic -- University of Missouri--Columbia -- Music."May 2013"A varied and elaborated form of a simple theme serves as basis for the refrain material in a seven-part rondo. Via additive process, the initial motive is revealed, recognizable yet harmonically distant. While purely melodic compositional techniques such as augmentation, diminution, etc., allow for great flexibility, I use an expanded harmonic palette for the episodic material while still retaining the original melody. I utilize a compositional technique used by both Béla Bartók of John Coltrane, specifically equal divisions of the octave in thirds, fourths and other distributions. While such division is nothing new (diminished and augmented chords), I use it differently. Instead of chordal motion in thirds (a la Coltrane's Giant Steps), I combine notes from triads a third apart (as well as their corresponding dominant chords) to create 'modes;' (Bb major triad + D major triad = D, F, F#, A, Bb pentachord, etc). Such melodic and harmonic principals are used in all episodes, albeit to different effect. After the final 'A' section and a brief coda, the unadorned theme is repeated, forming a musical bookend to this 10-minute piece

Emerging health care-associated infections in the geriatric population.

The increasing number of persons >65 years of age form a special population at risk for nosocomial and other health care-associated infections. The vulnerability of this age group is related to impaired host defenses such as diminished cell-mediated immunity. Lifestyle considerations, e.g., travel and living arrangements, and residence in nursing homes, can further complicate the clinical picture. The magnitude and diversity of health care-associated infections in the aging population are generating new arenas for prevention and control efforts

Elvis’ Gospel music: Between the secular and the spiritual?

Do fans sanctify their heroes? In the past, I have argued that Elvis fandom is not a neo-religious practice but that attention to a modified version of Durkheim’s theory of religion can, nevertheless, help to explain it as a form of social interaction. I take that argument further here, first by revealing the ethical and analytical advantages of neo-Durkheimian theory, then by pitting this theory against three aspects of Elvis’ sincere engagement with gospel music. Elvis Presley won three Grammy awards for his gospel albums and was the musician who did most to bring the gospel quartet tradition to the mainstream. His eclectic personal ties to spirituality and religion have become a focus of debate within his fan culture. They offer a set of discursive resources through which to explain the emotional impact and social influence of his music. If star musicians are positioned as centres of attention, what happens when they use their privileged position in the spotlight to offer a “spiritual” message

Roles and Responsibilities When Learners Have CVI: Perspectives From Vision Professionals

Introduction: The roles and responsibilities outlined in a white paper by Mazel et al., outline a scope of practice for vision professionals when learners are diagnosed with cerebral visual impairment (CVI). The goal of the current study was to identify teachers’ knowledge and skills to apply these roles and responsibilities in practice. Methods: Participants in this study had to be a certified vision teacher or orientation and mobility specialist and have at least one child with CVI on their caseload. Participants (n = 238) were surveyed and asked to rate their skills and knowledge, agreement, and current practice given seven statements that described their roles and responsibilities. Participants were also asked to rank barriers to their practice. Results: The percentage of respondents who strongly agreed with each statement ranged from 78% to 97%. The percentage of respondents who rated their knowledge and skills at a high level across the seven statements ranged from 64% to 88%. Professionals most commonly identified a need for more training and a lack of time in the professional day as barriers to implementing the seven statements of practice. Discussion: Although most vision professionals reported high knowledge and skills in the identified roles and responsibilities, there continues to be a need for more understanding in their role in providing direct services to CVI learners. Implications for Practitioners: The need for more professional development opportunities, specifically in relation to assessment of students with CVI, was identified through the survey. Although vision professionals rated this task as high in their agreement and practice, it was rated as one of the lowest by respondents in terms of their knowledge and skills