University of Charleston

In this paper, calibration results of the hypoplastic clay model are presented by means of correlation analyses. The calibrations were performed using the online calibration application ExCalibre. The study defined two main objectives. First, to evaluate the reliability of the calibration application and, second, to determine comprehensive correlations between the model parameters and soil properties, such as Atterberg’s limits and soil gradation characteristics. While the calibration results are in agreement with critical state soil mechanics, thus proving the credibility of ExCalibre, a comprehensive analysis of the stiffness parameter, with the aid of response envelopes, revealed that this parameter should be treated as state dependent, which will be considered in future developments. Although the correlations found can be used for prompt parameter estimation, in this case, it was determined that the correlations cannot qualitatively replace a comprehensive calibration procedure.

Abstract Measurement is important for the scientific programmes of addictive behaviours. In the present study, we investigated the measurement of gaming disorder, which recently became the first formal mental disorder owing to technology use (International Classification of Diseases 11). In particular, we tested the gambling hypothesis: whether survey studies on gaming disorder are contaminated by a linguistic conflation of gambling and gaming behaviours. The 500 most cited studies were analysed. Both confirmatory and exploratory analyses supported the gambling hypothesis. Of all 13 studies for which authors shared their survey materials, only one had excluded gambling (95% credible interval (CrI) [1.8%, 33.9%]; Bayes factor (BF) compared to 50% prevalence = 45). Based on an exploratory review of 358 full texts, approximately 30% of the studies had excluded gambling (95% CrI [23.54%, 32.80%]; BF compared to 50% prevalence = 2.8 × 10¹4). We further surveyed English (EN; n = 312) and Slovak (SK; n = 319) speakers about their views on gaming and gambling, which revealed terminological confusions in both languages. For instance, about half of the participants (EN = 48.7%/SK = 59.1%) interpreted ‘gambling’ to be ‘gaming’ as well. The majority of gaming disorder survey research appears to be contaminated by a systematic measurement error stemming from conceptual confusion. This problem is linguistic and does not concern all languages similarly. To minimize the impact of the error, we recommend researchers clarify survey instructions and seek alternatives to survey data.

Feline bordetellosis is a respiratory disease caused by Bordetella bronchiseptica, a primary pathogen in domestic cats, dogs, and other species, particularly in densely housed populations. This case report outlines the management of an outbreak of B. bronchiseptica in cats in a suburban, limited-admission animal shelter in the Southeastern United States in October 2023. A group of 43 cats were managed, with 93% (40/43) morbidity and 100% (43/43) live outcomes (adoption) for treated cats. Outbreak management included recognition, case identification, risk assessment, diagnosis and treatment, decontamination, population management, documentation, and communication. The establishment of an offsite isolation facility and targeted treatment based on diagnostic testing were key to timely resolution. With proactive management and in collaboration with shelter medicine specialists, resolution of this outbreak occurred in 45 days.

To describe the properties of a newly approved intranasal powder formulation of dihydroergotamine (DHE) for the acute treatment of migraine headaches. A literature search of MEDLINE was performed without date range exclusions using the search terms dihydroergotamine [title] and intranasal powder. Additional articles were identified from review of clinical trial bibliographies and product monographs. Four English-language articles were identified for analysis of this product, with no date exclusion criteria. Two phase 1 studies compared DHE intranasal powder with DHE nasal spray or intramuscular injection. At the approved dose, the authors found the intranasal powder to have a Cmax of 1870 to 2230 pg/mL, a Tmax of roughly 0.5 hours, and a t1/2 of 12.0 hours. The phase 3 study was open-label and assessed safety across 12 months of use. It yielded expected adverse events, mostly mild to moderate in intensity. In an exploratory efficacy assessment, pain freedom was noted in 12.7%, 36.6%, and 67.1% at 1, 2, and 4 hours post-DHE intranasal powder dose.Relevance to Patient Care and Clinical Practice in Comparison With Existing Drugs:The intranasal powder has no trials to date comparing tolerability or efficacy against other abortive migraine agents. Thus, other drug classes, such as triptans with or without analgesics, remain preferred. The design and pharmacokinetic properties of DHE intranasal powder appear to offer advantages over other DHE dosage forms, but current data do not support its use as a first-line agent for the treatment of migraine headaches.

A bstract As the educational landscape becomes increasingly complex due to rapid technological advancements, shifting demographics, and evolving societal needs, traditional hierarchical leadership models are no longer sufficient. This paper explores the transformative role of teacher leadership in navigating 21st-century educational challenges, emphasizing the importance of empowering teachers as agents of change. Drawing from qualitative research and lived experiences, the authors examine the Seven Domains of Teacher Leadership as articulated by the Teacher Leadership Exploratory Consortium (2011), providing historical context and evidence-based best practices for implementation in school settings. The work synthesizes key leadership theories – including relational, distributed, and complexity leadership – and underscores the essential 21st-century competencies such as Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration. Veteran teachers, with their extensive classroom experience and institutional knowledge, emerge as vital contributors to instructional Leadership, mentoring, and school-wide improvement efforts. However, the paper also confronts the challenges inherent in implementing teacher leadership, such as technological readiness, institutional barriers, and role ambiguity. By integrating theory, research, and field-based insights, this study not only contributes to the growing body of scholarship on teacher leadership but also offers practical strategies for fostering leadership capacity among educators. Ultimately, it argues that cultivating strong teacher leaders is imperative to enhancing student achievement and ensuring educational equity in the 21st Century.

Introduction: Temporary mechanical support (tMCS) devices (intra-aortic balloon pump [IABP], Impella CP, Impella 5.5) are commonly used in cardiogenic shock (CS) and are often placed at regional centers (RC) to stabilize patients for transfer to a CS hub center (HC). Aims: To assess whether initial tMCS device placement for CS at an RC before transfer to HC is associated with more device-related adverse events (DRAEs) and worse outcomes than with initial device placement at a HC. Methods: All patients admitted to a single center from 8/2021 to 8/2023 with CS requiring tMCS were identified using CPT codes. Baseline characteristics, CS severity, DRAEs, and outcomes were collected. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality and “unfavorable outcome” (death prior to heart transplant, durable LVAD implant, or discharge). Patients were stratified by location of initial tMCS device placement (RC vs HC). Characteristics, DRAEs, and outcomes were compared. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to account for baseline differences. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess consistency of results by device exposure. Results: 268 patients were included, 214 (79.9%) with initial device placed at HC and 54 (20.1%) at RC. The initial device was IABP in 54.1%, Impella CP in 28.0%, and Impella 5.5 in 17.9%. Median age was 60 (44, 67) years, 59.3% were Black, and 71.6% male (similar between groups). Compared to HC implanted patients, RC patients more commonly had non-ischemic CM (63% vs 37%, p=0.02), de novo HF-CS (41% vs 14%, p=0.02), and cardiac arrest (32% vs 11%; p<0.01) but less commonly had prior HFrEF (51% vs 69%, p=0.02) and kidney disease (9% vs 25%, p=0.01). RC implanted patients had more advanced CS (Stage E CS in 30% vs 8%; p<0.01). DRAEs were more common in RC than HC implanted patients (1.19 vs 0.46 events per patient-week on tMCS support; p<0.01)(Fig 1). RC implanted patients had higher unadjusted odds of in-hospital mortality and unfavorable outcome (Fig 2). This finding was similar after adjustment for baseline differences and CS etiology but no longer statistically significant after adjusting for CS severity and cardiac arrest. These findings were consistent in the sensitivity analyses among patients with any IABP and any Impella exposure. Conclusions: Patients with tMCS devices placed for CS at RC have more DRAEs and worse outcomes than those with initial device placed at a HC. The higher mortality in RC implanted patients may be due to greater CS severity.