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Generative Artificial Intelligence in Hollywood: The Turbulent Future that Lies Ahead
Full text linkSince the dawn of time, the human race has used some form of technology to assist their unwavering dedication to push society forward. From the first stone tool to the first computer, some sort of regulation controlled their usage, ranging from government regulations to industry standards. When artificial intelligence (“AI”) entered the arena of technology, regulatory bodies froze at the daunting task of controlling such a powerful tool. Across almost every industry, artificial intelligence has found its home in various work functions. Generative artificial intelligence has furthered the complexity that stems from regulating a new, and never before seen technology. As generative artificial intelligence spread across the world as a fun application to use at home, some industries quickly began experimenting with implementing it into job functions. Hollywood quickly latched on to the artificial intelligence movement, finding different ways to implement generative AI into script writing and, more recently, creating movie scenes and fake characters. However, a crippling court decision holding that AI does not get copyright protection has put the brakes on the Hollywood AI movement for now. If the United States legal system decides that AI work product can hold copyrights, the future of Hollywood may be changed forever
Determining the Attitudes and Knowledge Related to Sexual Health and Activity Related to Practitioner Action
Full text linkBackground: Research has found that many Occupational Therapy practitioners lack confidence, competence, and fear discussing sexual health and activity with their patients, despite many patients wanting to discuss the topic (Rose & Hughes, 2018). This previous knowledge leads to the purpose of this study, to determine if continuing education on topics related to sexual health and activity increases OTPs’ confidence, competence, and sense of importance in addressing this with patients (Rabathaly & Chattu, 2019). Methods: This study assessed pre- and post-data for each participant\u27scompleted course survey in the sequence of the continuing education class. All participants were de-identified and reviewed to ensure they completed all components of the program by the research team. Results: The results indicated significance between pre- and post-data in multiple courses, and various effect sizes throughout the course topics. Confidence, competence, and sense of importance were evaluated for each course and all showed significance throughout the courses except for the importance in the LGBTQIA+ course. Discussion: This study concludes that, overall, the OTPs who completed these courses felt more comfortable, confident, and felt it was important to address sexual health and activity with future patients. This conclusion allows the research team to pinpoint the main barriers contributing to the topic not being addressed and gives direction for future research
Bankruptcy, Ownership Turnover and the Fate of U.S. Coal Mines
Full text linkThis paper examines the survival dynamics of U.S. coal mines following ownership turnover, with particular attention to the role of financial distress and bankruptcy procedures. Using mine-level data on production, employment, and ownership from the Mine Safety and Health Administration, we show that mines transferred through private workouts are substantially more likely to close within a few years. In contrast, court-supervised transfers reduce the likelihood of rapid shutdown relative to private transactions, but their survival rates remain indistinguishable from mines without ownership turnover. These results speak to the efficiency of bankruptcy institutions: private transactions, in line with White’s (1994) model, may produce pooling equilibria where nonviable and distressed-but-viable firms are indistinguishable, leadingto inefficient continuation or liquidation decisions. Court supervision appears to mitigate shortterm inefficiency by screening and reallocating viable assets, but without delivering sustained survival gains
An Initiative to Improve Sevoflurane Gas Flows Among Anesthesia Providers in an Academic Medical Center
Full text linkAbstract
An Initiative to Improve Sevoflurane Gas Flows Among Anesthesia Providers in an
Academic Medical Center
Amy DiNicola
Background: While global warming has been introduced as the most significant public health threat of the 21st century, 10% of carbon emissions in the United States come from healthcare (Shoham et al., 2022). Sevoflurane is a volatile anesthetic gas that requires a carrier gas mixture of oxygen with air or nitrous oxide to reach a patient during anesthesia. The extra gas flow often exceeds physiologic needs, and the excess gets wasted into the atmosphere. Reducing the additional flow of carrier gas can reduce the amount of gas wasted in the atmosphere.
Local Problem: Dr. Kelly Meyers of West Virginia University Ruby Memorial Hospital’s anesthesia department has identified moderate to high fresh gas flow usage as an ongoing problem within the operating rooms (K. Meyers, personal communication, March 30, 2023). Fresh gas flows in clinical practice at Ruby Memorial continue to range from 3 to more than 9L/min (K. Meyers, personal communication, July 19, 2023).
Methods: This quality improvement project provided education and information on low-flow sevoflurane use through intermittent academic detailing of evidence-based practice using low fresh gas flows with sevoflurane.
Intervention: An educational presentation was created and shared with the anesthesia providers at the large academic center on lower fresh gas flows with sevoflurane use. The presentation was followed by educational follow-up throughout the implementation phase, including dissemination of a journal article, follow-up emails, and using a low-flow board in the anesthesia lounge for stakeholder engagement. A post-education survey assessed acceptability among anesthesia providers. A monthly random sampling of 200 same-day-surgery adults (\u3e18 years old) cases using general anesthesia with sevoflurane lasting 240 minutes or less was completed. The baseline data before educational interventions were compared with each month’s data for average fresh gas flow, total fresh gas volume in liters, average sevoflurane rate, total sevoflurane use in liters, and total sevoflurane run time. These data sets were analyzed using T-test.
Results: Provider acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness were measured using the average means of the Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM), and Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM) questionnaires. The average fresh gas flow decreased from the baseline month 1 to month 3, attaining statistical significance with a decrease of 7.32%.
Conclusions: Educational interventions increase anesthesia provider acceptability, feasibility, and appropriateness of use regarding low fresh gas flows with sevoflurane in adult same-day-surgery patients. Reducing fresh gas flows with sevoflurane use can improve waste anesthesia gases and reduce their environmental impact.
Keywords: Sevoflurane, fresh gas flows, evidence-based practice, sustainability, green anesthesia, greenhouse gase
Comparative Analysis of Electrode Encapsulation Reliability: Planar vs. Thermoformed Interdigitated Neural Electrodes in Biomedical Engineering
Full text linkDurable dielectric encapsulation is crucial for the long-term function of implantable neural electrodes; however, the reliability of curved, thermoformed coatings remains underexplored. This study addresses that gap by comparing planar (non-thermoformed) and thermoformed interdigitated neural electrodes (IDEs) encapsulated in Polyimide-2611. Both device types underwent accelerated in vitro aging in phosphate‑buffered saline (PBS) at 67 °C for approximately 91 days, simulating two years of physiological exposure. Post-accelerated aging evaluation included electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) from 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz to monitor moisture‑induced leakage, and high‑voltage breakdown testing under saline immersion to assess dielectric strength. After aging, all electrodes maintained impedance magnitudes above 10⁹ Ω at 0.1 Hz, 10⁶ Ω at 1 kHz, and 10⁴ Ω at 100 kHz. Initial breakdown voltages for Channel 1 averaged 3.4 kV for planar electrodes and 3.2 kV for thermoformed electrodes, indicating comparable insulation performance. Failure‑mode analysis localized leaks to the integration procedure at the solder pad interface rather than to the bulk polyimide film. These results demonstrate that thermoforming enables anatomically conformal electrode geometries without compromising long‑term encapsulation integrity, supporting the development of flexible neural interfaces
Introduction of Polar Functional Groups to Pyridinedipyrrolide Zirconium Photosensitizers Through Post-Synthetic Modifications
Full text linkPhotosensitizers are vital components to applications such as photoredox catalysis, photodynamic therapy, and various avenues of solar energy production. The abilities of transition metal photosensitizers containing precious metals have been well studied over the years. However, because of the growing scarcity of these metals, there has been a shift in finding more earth abundant alternatives. To help fill this gap in the literature, the Milsmann group has developed and studied the photophysical properties of Zr(IV) complexes with various ligand systems. Due to the electron deficient metal center, these complexes exhibit ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT), unlike the metal-to-ligand charge transfer commonly seen in precious metal complexes. A complex of interest in the group is Zr(MesPDPPh)2, due to its air and water stability and optical properties, including a long-lived excited state (τ=350µs) attributed to thermally activated delay fluorescence (TADF). Zr(MesPDPPh)2 has been used in applications like photon upconversion and photoredox catalysis. While the complex checks multiple boxes for being a good candidate for solar energy applications such as photovoltaics and solar fuels production, its applicability is hindered by insolubility in polar solvents and lack of groups for surface attachment. The aim of this research was to modify Zr(MesPDPPh)2 with polar functional groups in attempt to make it a viable candidate for polar solvent driven applications and solar cell design. Due to the synthetic hindrances of the required zirconium starting material, polar groups had to be installed post metalation. To achieve this, a series of ligands were designed and synthesized with a tertiary amine or various ether-protecting groups. The ligands were used for complex synthesis and deprotection. Ultimately, a combination of the knowledge gained from this research and inspiration from the literature led to the synthesis and isolation of Zr(MesPDPPhOH)2. Two polar functionalized complexes, Zr(MesPDPPhOH)2 and Zr(MesPDPPhNMe3)2·4OTf, were synthesized, and structural and photophysical characterization was obtained. Installation of polar groups led to a drastic increase in polar solvent solubility, while having no effect on the optical properties. The complexes were both capable co-catalysts in photocatalytic CO2 reduction. The deprotected complex, Zr(MesPDPPhOH)2, was further modified to generate the intermediate Zr(MesPDPPhOTf)2. This complex was used for the synthesis of a complex with phosphonate ester anchoring groups, Zr(MesPDPPhPO(OEt)2)2. The anchoring group functionalized complex adheres to silica, has a high quantum yield (φ=0.71), and also exhibits an increased solubility in polar solvents
NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF PRESSURIZED OXY-COMBUSTION
No full textPressurized oxy-combustion (POC) is emerging as a promising and transformative technology for carbon capture, utilization, and storage, offering advantages of low cost, low emissions, and high efficiency. POC operates by burning pulverized coal at elevated pressures in a recycled flue gas environment, typically rich in O₂ and CO₂. This study presents a comprehensive numerical investigation into the fundamental behaviors of lab-scale POC reactors, using both two-dimensional (2D) Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations and three-dimensional (3D) Large-Eddy Simulations (LES) with the commercial computational fluidized dynamics (CFD) software package ANSYS Fluent.
The primary focus of this work is to understand flame stabilization and system dynamics pressurized conditions. The study evaluates various burner and combustor configurations operating at half-load (50 kW) and full-load (100 kW) capacities. The 2D RANS simulations are used to analyze recirculation zones and the mechanisms behind flame stabilization. Key parameters examined include the bluff-body blockage ratio, bluff-body geometry (comparing disk-shaped and tulip-shaped designs), and oxidizer mass flow rate. For the disk-shaped burner, results reveal that an optimal blockage ratio enhances flame stability, and the flame anchoring position varies as the blockage ratio changes. In contrast, the tulip-shaped burner generates a significantly different recirculation structure, producing a larger hot zone in the near-burner region, which may contribute to improved flame stability.
LES is employed to capture POC system dynamics and flow structures. This allows for detailed observation of the flame-flow interplay. Notably, larger temperature fluctuations are observed in the upstream region compared to downstream. Particle behavior is also investigated using LES, revealing the distribution and motion of coal particles in the POC system. Particle dynamic analyses show that particle size plays a significant role in determining flame stability, heat transfer, and trajectory within the pressurized combustor. Stokes numbers based on turbulent fluctuations, extracted from LES results, indicate that particles smaller than 100 µm closely follow the gas flow, while larger particles deviate more significantly. Moreover, particle trajectories are sensitive to particle release location and particle size.
Another important aspect of the study involves examining how boundary conditions influence particle concentration at the burner inlet. Under high-pressure conditions, the volumetric concentration of coal particles often approaches—or exceeds—the limitations of CFD solvers such as ANSYS Fluent. This necessitates a re-evaluation of particle–fluid–wall interactions. To address this, the effects of particle release method, injection location, and particle size are systematically analyzed. In simulations of a 15-bar, 100 kWₜₕ combustor, modeled using the RANS approach, an unusual velocity profile is observed near the inlet wall of the fuel flow—characterized by a velocity “blip”—which deviates from classical fully developed tube flow. This observation motivates further investigation into the role of particle loading in this region. It is found that adjusting the particle injection location helps align the gas-phase velocity with that of the single-phase flow.
Given the distinct thermophysical conditions in POC systems compared to conventional atmospheric coal combustion, existing CFD radiation models require re-examination. The gray-gas assumption for gas–particle mixtures is evaluated for both RANS and LES approaches. A large-particle radiation model is used to estimate the emissivity and absorptivity of the gas–particle mixture under elevated pressures and high CO₂/H₂O concentrations—conditions that significantly influence radiative heat transfer. This study performs a detailed thermal radiation analysis, incorporating both the statistical narrow-band model and large-particle model. Results show that, at a furnace temperature of 1500 K and with minimal particle loss, thermal radiation is dominated by the particulate cloud. Under these conditions, the gas–particle mixture behaves effectively as a graybody. For example, with a gas mixture containing 40% H₂O and 60% CO₂ by volume, an increase in pressure to 15 bar and a radiation path length of 100 cm yields a spectral radiation profile that closely resembles that of a blackbody at the same temperature. Furthermore, the emissivity of the particulate cloud is found to increase with particle concentration and decrease with particle diameter (when mass is held constant). Notably, emissivity in oxy-combustion conditions exceeds that observed in conventional air-fired combustion. These findings support the validity of the gray-gas assumption for POC systems and provide crucial insights for the design and simulation of next-generation pressurized combustors
Three-Dimensional Spreading of Magnetic Reconnection Between Non-Parallel Flux Ropes with a Guide Field
Full text linkMagnetic reconnection is a fundamental plasma process that facilitates the rapid conversion of magnetic energy into particle acceleration, plasma flows, and heating. It plays a central role in explosive astrophysical events such as solar flares, where vast amounts of magnetic energy are released on short time scales. A key structure in many reconnection sites is the magnetic flux rope, a column of plasma carrying current threaded by helical magnetic fields, which is frequently involved in or generated by reconnection. Understanding how reconnection unfolds in such flux rope systems is critical for interpreting both space weather phenomena and laboratory plasma dynamics. This study investigates the three-dimensional dynamics of reconnection in non-parallel flux ropes in the presence of a background magnetic field called a guide field, with particular emphasis on how reconnection spreads. Electron-magnetohydrodynamics (EMHD) simulations using the \texttt{F3D} code are performed under experimentally relevant conditions from the PHAse Space MApping (PHASMA) laboratory device at West Virginia University. These simulations have initial conditions motivated by %reproduce the experimentally observed configuration of two tilted flux ropes initiated by plasma guns in a background magnetic field. The simulations reveal that the reconnection dynamics depends strongly on both the geometry of the flux ropes and the strength of the guide field. In double flux rope configurations, parallel ropes reconnect nearly simultaneously along their length, while non-parallel ropes exhibit zipper-like spreading at low guide fields. As the guide field increases, the spreading direction reverses resulting in reverse zipper reconnection spreading. At intermediate guide field strengths, the flux ropes exhibit a combination of zipper and reverse zipper spreading. These behaviors arise from a competition between rotational and mutual attraction forces on the flux ropes. These findings advance the understanding of three-dimensional reconnection in electron-scale systems and are relevant to space plasmas where guide fields and non-parallel structures are common, such as the solar corona, solar wind, and magnetotail. They also offer insights into interpreting laboratory observations from PHASMA, which serves as the experimental basis for this work
An Evidence-Based Practice Initiative to Improve Blood Pressure Control
No full textIntroduction/Background: High blood pressure (HBP) is a significant public health concern. It affects millions of adults in the United States (US) and half of the adult population in the Appalachia regions. High blood pressure is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality Appalachia. Complications associated with high blood pressure result in substantial economic burdens for patients and their families, healthcare systems, and national economies. High blood pressure is a significant health issue in West Virginia (WV), with an estimated 602,000 people suffering from HBP.
Purpose: The purpose of this project was to improve knowledge, utilization, and self-efficacy of out-of-office blood pressure measurement (OBPM) to improve blood pressure control among adults in primary care.
Intervention: A comprehensive, evidence-based home blood pressure monitoring protocol (HBPM) was developed for the adult primary care population with HBP.
Method: The HBPM protocol\u27s population of interest was the adult primary care population with HBP. Ten participants with HBP were chosen based on blood pressure (BP) readings obtained from the Epic electronic medical records (EMR). The participants were provided a validated electronic BP cuff and educated on proper preparation, optimal measurement conditions, and correct positioning for HBPM performance. Participants documented BP measurements on a paper log or the MyChart BP electronic flowsheet. Weekly touch-base phone calls were conducted to assess the utilization of HBPM.
Results: Six of the ten participants enrolled completed the HBPM protocol. Knowledge and self-efficacy of proper preparation, optimal measurement conditions, and correct positioning for HBPM performance increased significantly. Self-efficacy in completing BP measurements twice daily and recording results decreased. Utilization of HBPM decreased over time.
Conclusion: The project demonstrated the potential to enhance the diagnosis and management of HBP within the primary care setting, decreasing the prevalence of CVD and controlling healthcare costs
Supporting the Professional Development of Mentor Teachers: A School-Based Community Approach
No full textThis study explored how implementing a practical, school-based professional learning community (PLC) in which mentor teachers examined mentoring practices influenced mentor teachers’ understanding of mentoring, their mentoring practices, and mentor identity. Findings suggest TE and schools alike should provide professional learning communities (PLCs) for mentor teachers to examine practices for its benefits on mentor learning. Nuanced conceptions of mentoring can help teacher education (TE) and schools better support mentor teachers in their learning (Clarke et al., 2014). Conceptions of mentoring as well as interacting discourses, such as school, teacher education, and neoliberal discourses, influenced the mentor teachers’ practices and identities. Mentor teachers at times felt constrained in their practices and the kinds of mentors they wanted to be. The school context limited the time to engage in the PLC. When provided the time, mentor teachers could engage in examining mentoring practices, learning new practices, and transforming practices to meet the needs of the pre-service teachers (PSTs) in learning to teach. Mentors came to see their identities not as static, but complex and evolving. They began to explore areas in their practices where there was autonomy and flexibility. The educative mentoring conception was found to disrupt power in the mentoring relationships and impelled the mentor teachers to reimagine mentoring practices to better support PSTs. As a result of the PLC, mentor teachers did not feel isolated in their mentoring practices and looked to the community for support of their own practices