He walked right in, turned around and walked right out again

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/3144/thumbnail.jp

Map-induced journey-planning biases for a simple network: A Docklands Light Railway study

A usability study was conducted to identify the most effective prototype Docklands Light Railway map for installation on trains. This comprised a series of tasks that required station finding and also planning of routes between pairs of stations, with response time and accuracy as measures of performance. In addition, subjective ratings of map design were collected via questionnaire-based evaluations, and also ranked preferences between designs. A clear best-option was easily identifiable as a result of this research. The existing design was associated with the most journey planning errors, and two of the prototypes were associated with inefficient journey choices. The latter finding suggested that respondents were using unsophisticated planning strategies that were put at a disadvantage by certain route depictions. This has wider implications for suggestions that schematic maps should maintain topographical relationships in order to facilitate appropriate journey choices, with the danger that the inevitable increased complexity of line trajectories for such designs would simultaneously reduce the ability of passengers to identify the most appropriate routes

Establishing Observational Baselines for Two δ Scuti Variables: V966 Herculis and V1438 Aquilae

We have examined the previously understudied δ Scuti stars V966 Herculis and V1438 Aquilae. We find that V966 Her is a stable pulsator with a refined period of 0.1330302 days with a full V amplitude of 0.096 mag. We also find that V966 Her has an average radial velocity of +7.8 km s-1, a full radial velocity amplitude of 7.6 km s-1, and a v sin i = 63.8 km s-1. For V1438 Aql we report a revised Hipparcos period of 0.1612751 days with a full amplitude of 0.056. The average radial velocity is found to be -43 km s-1, with full amplitude of 9.7 km s-1, and a v sin i = 76.7 km s-1. Due to some anomalies seen in V1438 Aql we feel that a much larger photometric and spectroscopic campaign is required to determine the true nature of this star

A Close-up Examination of Racial Disparities in Infant and Maternal Outcomes in Montgomery County, Ohio

Background: Infant and maternal outcomes in Montgomery County, Ohio, are among the worst in the state and rival that of many low-income nations. This study compares maternal and infant outcomes across 3 zip codes in Montgomery County to discern factors that are influencing health outcomes for their residents. The zip codes represent 3 distinct communities with unique racial and socioeconomic makeups. Methods: A cohort of mother-infant dyads (n=5098) who delivered at Miami Valley Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital from January 1, 2009, to January 1, 2019, was analyzed via retrospective chart review. Maternal health outcome composite score (MCS) and infant health outcome composite score (ICS) from Trotwood, Ohio, (zip code 45426) were compared to those of 2 nearby zip codes (45415 and 45424), which were chosen for their lower infant mortality rates and proximity to Trotwood. Continuous variables were compared by ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey tests. Categorical variables were compared via chi-square analysis. Results: The MCS and ICS were stratified by zip code and maternal age, race, and BMI. There was a statistically significant difference in MCS for race and BMI across all zip codes, but no statistically significant difference for maternal age. There was no statistically significant difference in ICS across maternal age, race, and BMI. Conclusion: Maternal outcomes for Black women were consistently worse across communities while outcomes for other races varied. Our study shows that maternal outcomes did not correlate with infant outcomes, indicating that interventions focusing on improving maternal outcomes may be inadequate at addressing infant outcomes. Investigations surrounding race-specific interventions in all populations are needed

Convergence is Only Skin Deep: Craniofacial Evolution in Electric Fishes from South America and Africa (Apteronotidae and Mormyridae)

Apteronotidae and Mormyridae are species-rich clades of weakly electric fishes from Neotropical and Afrotropical freshwaters, respectively, known for their high morphological disparity and often regarded as a classic example of convergent evolution. Here, we use CT-imaging and 3D geometric morphometrics to quantify disparity in craniofacial morphologies, and to test the hypothesis of convergent skull-shape evolution in a phylogenetic context. For this study, we examined 391 specimens representing 78 species of Apteronotidae and Mormyridae including 30 of 37 (81%) of all valid genera with the goal to sample most of the craniofacial disparity known in these clades. We found no overlap between Apteronotidae and Mormyridae in the skull-shape morphospace using PCA and a common landmark scheme, and therefore no instances of complete phenotypic convergence. Instead, we found multiple potential instances of incomplete convergence, and at least one parallel shift among electric fish clades. The greatest components of shape variance in both families are the same as observed for most vertebrate clades: heterocephaly (i.e., opposite changes in relative sizes of the snout and braincase regions of the skull), and heterorhynchy (i.e., dorsoventral changes in relative snout flexion and mouth position). Mormyrid species examined here exhibit less cran- iofacial disparity than do apteronotids, potentially due to constraints associated with a larger brain size, ecological constraints related to food-type availability. Patterns of craniofacial evolution in these two clades depict a complex story of phenotypic divergence and convergence in which certain superficial similarities of external morphology obscure deeper osteological and presumably developmental differences of skull form and function. Among apteronotid and mormyrid electric fishes, craniofa- cial convergence is only skin deep

Liposomal Bupivacaine Infiltration and Transversus Abdominis Plane Block Versus Standard of Care for Post Caesarean Pain Control: A Retrospective Chart Review

Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block and wound infiltration with local anesthetics are shown to reduce opiate use and pain scores when compared to controls who received narcotic pain medications. With the current opiate epidemic, finding different ways to control pain without opiates is important,-to prevent unnecessary use of these drugs and reduce the potential for addiction in patients having a Cesarean delivery who often times receive opiate medications on schedule regardless of their reported pain

Integrating an Evidence Based Medicine Module Presentation into the Ob-Gyn Clerkship

Introduction: During the preclinical curriculum, students are introduced to EBM principles, however structured application to clinical medicine varies throughout clinical experiences. Application of EBM in a clinical educational environment affords students opportunities to practice required skills. Methods: Students selected a patient case and formulated a question related to diagnosis ortreatment using the PICO framework. Students selected research publications related to the patient case, critically appraised their validity and generalization, and developed a comprehensive presentation involving a case summary and related EBM topics, which were evaluated by a faculty member using a rubric developed for the project. To assess the effectiveness of the curriculum addition, students were administered a survey to rate their knowledge of EBM before and after completing the EBM project. Results: One full academic year of clerkship cohorts (n=103) were surveyed. Regardless of EBM knowledge before the project, comparison of self-reported knowledge increased to above-average level of understanding as a result of the project (mean=4.0, SD=1.07, CI=3.75-4.19). Furthermore, student presentation percentage scores using the rubric showed an above average understanding of EBM (mean=96, SD=4.40). Conclusion: It is important for students to integrate EBM into their practice early in their training. This curriculum addition was effective and could be utilized in other clerkships

Obstetrics Emergency Labor and Delivery Case Simulations with Normal Vaginal Delivery Demonstration: A Hands-on Simulation for Clerkship Students

Introduction: Simulation is rarely used for medical student education in the field of obstetrics. This method is an effective model of learning for topics that are encountered in clinical situations and for topics that pose significant risk to patients when an untrained individual is involved. Methods: A 2-hour obstetric delivery simulation session was developed and incorporated into the third-year obstetrics and gynecology clerkship rotation at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine. Medical students completed self-guided content reviews with resources provided prior to the session. During the session, each medical student conducted a normal vaginal delivery and one of the emergent cases (umbilical cord prolapse, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, shoulder dystocia, and postpartum hemorrhage). During each case the Resident facilitator followed a script which included asking questions using gamification strategies to promote a low-stress learning environment. Critical action checklists were used to ensure students gained a strong understanding of topics. Simulation sessions were conducted both remotely and in-person. The simulation experience was evaluated using surveys and quizzes completed prior to and after participating in the simulation session. Results: Students reported that the simulation experience increased their comfort with emergent obstetric situations, increased their medical knowledge, and was beneficial to their education. Discussion: Simulation is an untapped learning method in obstetrics. We developed simulations for obstetric events to provide medical students with hands-on exposure to important obstetric experiences. This simulation session provides the framework for other medical schools to incorporate these obstetric simulations into their clerkship curriculum