Navarro College

This article examines the role of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) as a mediator of critical thinking and learning autonomy in higher education. The expansion of tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot has transformed teaching and learning processes by offering conversational environments capable of dynamically generating, analyzing, and reflecting on information. However, this technological mediation raises ethical and pedagogical challenges related to cognitive dependence, authorship, and the reliability of information. The study argues that the critical and formative integration of GAI in higher education can enhance student autonomy and critical thinking when guided by metacognitive strategies, formative assessment, and ethical supervision.

This revision was prepared to document changes to the data-collection activities. Specifically, the drilling and completion of the wells have been revised, and enhancements to the surface geophysics measurements have been included. Corrective action is needed because underground radioactive contamination exists in these areas resulting from historic underground nuclear testing. The PM CAUs are located in the northwestern portion of the Nevada National Security Site and comprise 82 corrective action sites. A total of 85 underground nuclear detonations took place within the area covered by the PM CAUs between 1965 and 1992 and resulted in the release of radionuclides in the subsurface in the vicinity of the test cavities.

To evaluate differences in sociodemographic factors and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) between unemployed and employed patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and to explore work-related issues (WRIs). Data from an online survey of 680 unselected patients of the Atlas of Axial Spondyloarthritis in Spain 2017 were analyzed. Active workforce participants were divided into employed and unemployed groups according to International Labour Organization definitions. Sociodemographic characteristics, PROs (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index [0-10], Spinal Stiffness Index [3-12], Functional Limitation Index [0-54], and psychological distress through the 12-item General Health Questionnaire [0-12]) were assessed. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association with unemployment status. Four hundred fifteen (63.6%) patients with axSpA were categorized in the active population, of which 325 (78.3%) were employed and 90 (21.7%) unemployed. Of the unemployed patients, 62.8% (n = 54) declared that their joblessness was due to axSpA. Of the employed patients, 170 (54.3%) reported WRIs in the year prior to the survey, the most frequent being difficulty fulfilling working hours (44.1%), missing work for doctor appointments (42.9%), and taking sick leave (37.1%). Being unemployed was associated with lower educational level (OR = 2.92), disease activity (OR = 1.37), spinal stiffness (OR = 1.21), functional limitation (OR = 1.05), worse mental health (OR = 1.15), anxiety (OR = 2.02), and depression (OR = 2.69) in the univariable models; and with lower educational level (OR = 2.76) and worse mental health (OR = 1.15) in the multivariable analysis. Results show significant differences between employed and unemployed patients with axSpA. Employed patients with axSpA endure many problems at work related to their condition, whereas unemployed patients present worse disease outcomes associated with greater psychological distress.

Introduction: White matter hyperintensities (WMH) are a radiographic marker for cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Conditions altering cerebral venous outflow such as elevated central venous pressure and right atrial pressure in individuals with cardiac valvular disease have been implicated in the development of WMH. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that increased right-heart chamber size in individuals without significant cardiac valvular disease is associated with worse WMH. Methods: A retrospective chart review of adults with a brain MRI and a 2-dimensional transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) was performed. Worst burden of WMH by way of Fazekas score, either periventricular or deep white matter, served as the primary outcome. Statistical analysis was performed using a multivariate ordinal logistic regression model. Results: A total of 132 individuals were included. Right atrial area (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.00, p = 0.0041), right ventricular internal diameter (OR 0.48, 95%CI 0.27 to 0.83, p = 0.008) and left atrial area (OR 0.93, 95%CI 0.88 to 0.98, p = 0.007) was identified as being significant. Cardiac functional markers were not significant, including tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (OR 0.99, 95%CI 0.93 to 1.05, p = 0.670), right ventricular ejection fraction (OR 0.99, 95%CI 0.96 to 1.02, p = 0.670) and left ventricular ejection fraction (OR 0.99, 95%CI 0.96 to 1.02, p = 0.567). Analysis of isolated DWM or PVWM Fazekas scores did not find significant predictors in relation to cardiac structure or function. Conclusions: Through non-invasive cardiac imaging, we identified that cardiac structural abnormalities as opposed to functional abnormalities were associated with worse WMH. Mechanistically this may result from altered intracerebral arteriovenous coupling or a shared pathophysiologic pathway between WMH and coronary microvascular disease.

Resumen: En este artículo se presenta la edición del primer testamento del rey Pedro El Ceremonioso (1336-1387), hasta el momento inédito, y otros textos que rodean su composición. Los documentos que se editan se hallan custodiados en la Real Academia de la Historia (RAH, España), en una serie facticia dentro de los fondos de la Colección Salazar y Castro. Palabras clave: Pedro el Ceremonioso, testamentos regios, Corona de Aragón, siglo xiv. Abstract: This paper offers the first edition of the unpublished firts will of King Peter The Ceremonious (1336-1387), jontly with other related texts. The documents that are published are kept in the Royal Academy of History (RAH, Spain), in a factitious series within the documentary funds of the Salazar y Castro Collection. Key words: Peter the Ceremonious, royal wills, Crown of Aragon, 14th century.

Musculoskeletal injury can substantially affect orthopaedic surgeons and productivity. The objective of this study was to assess occupation-related neck pain and cervical radiculopathy/myelopathy among orthopaedic surgeons and to identify the potential risk factors for injury. An online survey was sent to orthopaedic surgeons via their state orthopaedic society. The survey consisted of items related to orthopaedic practices, such as the number of arthroscopic procedures done and the use of microscopes/loupes. The prevalence, potential causes, and reporting practices of neck pain and cervical radiculopathy/myelopathy among orthopaedic surgeons were also assessed. There were 685 responses from surgeons representing 27 states. A total of 59.3% of respondents reported neck pain and 22.8% reported cervical radiculopathy. After adjusting for age and sex, surgeons performing arthroscopy had an odds ratio of 3.3 (95% confidence interval: 1.4 to 8.3, P = 0.007) for neck pain. Only five of the surgeons with neck pain and one of the surgeons with cervical radiculopathy/myelopathy had ergonomic evaluations. Neck pain and cervical radiculopathy/myelopathy are common among orthopaedic surgeons. Associated factors included older age, higher stress levels, and performing arthroscopy. Cervical injuries are rarely reported, and ergonomic workplace evaluations are infrequent.

Well ER-2-2 was drilled for the U.S. Department of Energy, Nevada National Security Administration Nevada Field Office in support of the Underground Test Area (UGTA) Activity. The well was drilled from January 17 to February 8, 2016, as part of the Corrective Action Investigation Plan (CAIP) for Corrective Action Unit 97: Yucca Flat/Climax Mine, Nevada Test Site, Nevada. The primary purpose of the well was to collect hydrogeologic data to evaluate uncertainty in the flow and transport conceptual model and its contamination boundary forecasts, and to detect radionuclides in groundwater from the CALABASH (U2av) underground test. Well ER-2-2 was not completed as planned due to borehole stability problems. As completed, the well includes a piezometer (p1) to 582 meters (m) (1,909 feet [ft]) below ground surface (bgs) installed in the Timber Mountain lower vitric-tuff aquifer (TMLVTA) and a 12.25-inch (in.) diameter open borehole to 836 m (2,743 ft) bgs in the Lower tuff confining unit (LTCU). A 13.375-in. diameter carbon-steel casing is installed from the surface to a depth of 607 m (1,990 ft) bgs. Data collected during borehole construction include composite drill cutting samples collected every 3.0 m (10 ft), geophysical logs to a depth of 672.4 m (2,206 ft) bgs, water-quality measurements (including tritium), water-level measurements, and slug test data. The well penetrated 384.05 m (1,260 ft) of Quaternary alluvium, 541.93 m (1,778 ft) of Tertiary Volcanics (Tv) rocks, and 127.71 m (419 ft) of Paleozoic carbonates. The stratigraphy and lithology were generally as expected. However, several of the stratigraphic units were significantly thicker then predicted—principally, the Tunnel formation (Tn), which had been predicted to be 30 m (100 ft) thick; the actual thickness of this unit was 268.22 m (880 ft). Fluid depths were measured in the borehole during drilling as follows: (1) in the piezometer (p1) at 552.15 m (1,811.53 ft) bgs and (2) in the main casing (m1) at 551.69 m (1,810.01 ft) bgs. As expected, field measurements for tritium were above the Safe Drinking Water Act limit (20,000 picocuries per liter) for a portion of the Tertiary volcanic section near the water table. Tritium concentrations were at or near the field detection limit in the Lower carbonate aquifer (LCA) while drilling. During drilling, a sample was collected while circulating in the LCA. The sample was submitted for off-site laboratory analysis. The sample results indicated low but measurable tritium concentrations. All Fluid Management Plan requirements were met during drilling activities.

Sampling Period: October 10–12, 2016. This semiannual event includes sampling groundwater and surface water at the Monticello Disposal and Processing Sites. Sampling and analyses were conducted as specified in the Sampling and Analysis Plan for U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management Sites (LMS/PRO/S04351, continually updated) and Program Directive MNT-2016-01. Samples were collected from 54 of 64 planned locations (16 of 17 former mill site wells, 15 of 18 downgradient wells, 7 of 9 downgradient permeable reactive barrier wells, 3 of 3 bedrock wells, 4 of 7 seeps and wetlands, and 9 of 10 surface water locations).

The Young - Rainey STAR Center (Science, Technology, and Research Center) at the Pinellas County, Florida, Site is a former U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facility constructed in the mid-1950s. The 96-acre STAR Center is located in Largo, Florida, and lies in the northeast quarter of Section 13, Township 30 South, Range 15 East (Figure 1). While it was owned by DOE, the purpose of the site was to develop and manufacture components for the nation’s nuclear weapons program. In 1987, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) performed a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act Facility Assessment (EPA 1988) at the site to gather information on potential releases of hazardous materials. In February of 1990, EPA issued a Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments permit to DOE, requiring DOE to investigate and perform remediation activities in those areas designated as solid-waste management units (SWMUs) contaminated by hazardous materials resulting from DOE operations. A total of 17 SWMUs were identified and investigated at the STAR Center. By 1997, 13 of the 17 SWMUs had been remediated or approved for no further action. More recently, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) executed Conditional Site Rehabilitation Completion Orders for the Northeast Site and the Wastewater Neutralization Area on July 27, 2016, stating that no further action is required for those SWMUs. The Building 100 Area (a combination of the Old Drum Storage Site and the Building 100-Industrial Drain Leaks SWMUs) comprises the only two active SWMUs at the STAR Center (Figure 2). This document serves as the semiannual progress report for the SWMUs by providing the results of recent monitoring activities and a summary of ongoing and projected work. The STAR Center is owned by the Pinellas County Industrial Development Authority, but DOE is responsible for remediation activities at the site. Additional background information for the site is contained in the Long-Term Surveillance and Maintenance Plan for the Pinellas Site (DOE 2016a). That document and other site-related documents can be accessed at this website: http://www.lm.doe.gov/Pinellas/Sites.aspx.