Towards Biomechanics-Aware Design of a Steerable Drilling Robot for Spinal Fixation Procedures with Flexible Pedicle Screws

Towards reducing the failure rate of spinal fixation surgical procedures in osteoporotic patients, we propose a unique biomechanically-aware framework for the design of a novel concentric tube steerable drilling robot (CT-SDR). The proposed framework leverages a patient-specific finite element (FE) biomechanics model developed based on Quantitative Computed Tomography (QCT) scans of the patient's vertebra to calculate a biomechanically-optimal and feasible drilling and implantation trajectory. The FE output is then used as a design requirement for the design and evaluation of the CT-SDR. Providing a balance between the necessary flexibility to create curved optimal trajectories obtained by the FE module with the required strength to not buckle during drilling through a hard simulated bone material, we showed that the CT-SDR can reliably recreate this drilling trajectory with errors between 1.7-2.2%Comment: 6 pages, 7 figures, Accepted for Publication at the 2023 International Symposium on Medical Robotic

Evaluation of motorists perceptions toward collision of an endangered large herbivore in Iran

Large herbivores possess high dispersal rates and require vast areas to roam due to their ecology. This will make them susceptible to anthropogenic threats such as vehicle-collisions. Persian onager (Equus hemionus onager), as the only representative of Artiodactyla in Iran, is not an exception. Persian onager-vehicle collision can not only be lethal for themselves but also for motorists. Given the importance of this twofold issue, an important step being taken to reduce collisions was the installation of signs that warn motorists of the high probability of onager-vehicle collisions. We developed a questionnaire to (1) assess the effectiveness of warning signs from motorists’ perspective, and (2) to identify the most important factors affecting motorist beliefs in the effectiveness of warning signs. We solicited responses to our questionnaire from motorists on a road with a high Persian onager-vehicle-collision rate in Southern Iran (Hassan Abad-Meshkan Road). To identify factors affecting motorists' beliefs in the effectiveness of warning signs we used logistic regression and for classifying motorists’ beliefs in the effectiveness of warning signs we used decision tree. Our result showed that motorists' driving speed, lack of adequate safety equipment on the road (e.g. light, police camera), using cellphone while driving, and concern about wildlife damage while driving on the road were the significant factors affecting motorists' beliefs toward the effectiveness of Persian onager warning signs. It is necessary to increase road safety equipment, install standard warning signs at the Persian onager crossing points, and study the behavior of motorists and the rate of road casualties after the mitigation methods to protect this species

Surveying the Institutional Collaboration in the Food Supply Chain: A Qualitative Study of Livestock Production Cooperatives

Context and purpose. Agricultural cooperatives are mainly considered as key actors in the food supply chain. Although these actors can play a role in the formation of cooperative relationships in different stages of the food supply chain, they lack a comprehensive pattern for mapping cooperation. Accordingly, the current study seeks to provide a model for the collaboration of livestock production cooperatives across the food supply chain. Methodology/approach. This qualitative study was conducted using classic grounded theory. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 32 experts and cooperatives' managing directors. Snowball and theoretical sampling techniques were used to select participants. In order to facilitate data collection and analysis, a five-step process was performed using Glaser's 6Cs coding family. Findings and conclusions. The results showed that the formation of a collaboration triangle among cooperatives, members, and the union, based on the contract approach, directs the activities of the cooperatives across the supply chain. This collaboration triangle is facilitated or restricted by various factors, such as trust-based action. Overall, the collaboration structure of cooperatives has a potential context, and in order to provide a real model of this cooperation, it is necessary to implement the principles of cooperation agreements at three levels of production, management, and marketing and market in such a way that the capacities of cooperatives and the needs of the market are taken into account. In the meantime, transparency and formalization of the capacity-need model seem inevitable

The role of social capital in Iranian agricultural students' acquisition of generic skills

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the role of social capital in Iranian agricultural students' acquisition of generic skills. For this purpose, the effect of various social capital dimensions on students' generic skills development was examined. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was conducted among 190 third- and fourth-year undergraduate students in one of the colleges of agriculture and natural resources in Iran. The partial least square method was used to examine the relationships among various social capital dimensions (i.e. social values, social trust, social networks, social cohesion, social participation, social communications and information sharing) with students' generic skills. Findings: The findings showed that social networks and social participation are effective factors in the generic skills development of students. A model designed for the development of students' generic skills based on their social capital level predicted up to 33% of generic skills' variances. Furthermore, the multi-group analysis showed that males and females vary on how various social capital dimensions affect their generic skills. In this respect, the social participation dimension had a significantly greater impact on female students' generic skills, whereas the generic skills of male students were influenced more by the social cohesion dimension. Practical implications: Developing generic skills through social capital can be considered as an effective strategy in countries that do not have formal programs for developing students' generic skills. Additionally, higher education policymakers should present a more supportive approach for developing generic skills of female students through social participation in the campuses. Originality/value: So far, no study has examined the relationships among various social capital dimensions and students' generic skills in Iran. The picture is even more unclear when it comes to the differences between male and female students. The results of this study confirmed the importance of social networks and social participation in the universities to support students and to improve their generic skills and, consequently, their employability competencies. Furthermore, it could be inferred that male and female students have similarities and also differences in terms of the effect of social capital on developing generic skills that can provide a path for future studies.</p

Fear of Wolves in Relation to Attacks on People and Livestock in Western Iran

We evaluated local communities’ fear of wolves in a scenario of wolf attacks on people and livestock in Western Iran. In particular, we investigated the interaction between experiences of wolf attacks (both on people and livestock) and three factors: behavioral action (management action, e.g., livestock carcass management), religious (e.g., the belief that wolves can be a curse if harmed by humans), and cultural norms (e.g., village elders have taught their children not to kill or harm wolves). We surveyed 400 randomly chosen households throughout the villages located in Hamadan province, Iran. Participants (mean age = 48.5 years) reported experiences of wolf attacks on people and on livestock in 40% and 60% of interviews, respectively. The majority of the respondents were afraid of seeing a wolf in the wild (66.5%). The majority of interviewees abandoned their livestock carcasses near agricultural lands, rangelands, and rural areas. Our results suggest that cultural factors play an active role in allaying fear of wolves, and this influence occurs regardless of having or not having experiences of wolf attacks. However, experiences of wolf–livestock attacks did not have a meaningful role in decreasing or increasing the effect of culture, religion, and behavior on fear. Efforts to reduce human fear of wolves should consider minimizing risky encounters for people, particularly focusing on unsupervised children (<12 years old). Training programs on how to properly handle livestock carcasses (e.g., appropriate methods of disposal and not abandoning livestock carcasses close to human settlements) may reduce the frequency of wolf attacks.We thank the National Geographic Society who funded this research under the grant GEFNE128-14 and the UK Wolf Conservation Trust. J.V.L.B. was supported by a Ramon & Cajal research contract (RYC-2015-18932) from the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Competitiveness

Integrating spatial analysis and questionnaire survey to better understand human-onager conflict in Southern Iran

Abstract Southern Iran is a conservation priority area for the endangered Persian onager (Equus hemionus onager), which is threatened by habitat fragmentation and conflict with local communities. To better understand factors that influence onager conservation, we administered a questionnaire in local communities to survey their ecological knowledge, personal experience related to onager, and attitudes toward traditional solutions for reducing crop damage by onager. In addition, we used resistant kernel and factorial least-cost path analyses to identify core areas and corridors for onager movement, and spatial randomization of vehicle collisions and crossing locations to test the predictive ability of resistant kernel and factorial least-cost path predictions of movement. We found that local communities that were knowledgeable about onagers experienced less crop damage from onager compared with those who used traditional methods. Habitat connectivity models revealed that core areas of movement are highly concentrated at the center of protected areas. Some sections of core areas have been cut off by roads where most vehicle collisions with onagers occurred. We propose that effective onager conservation will require integrated landscape-level management to reduce mortality risk, protection of core areas and corridors, development of mitigation strategies to reduce vehicle collisions, and conflict mediation between local communities and onagers