Rhetoric and Ethics of the Ownership of Genetic Data

Life sciences have expanded rapidly in recent years. Genetic testing particularly shows promise as a medical research tool, using databases containing thousands of digitized human genes as both products and extensions of the people they come from. With that in mind, who is entitled to own genetic data? People who volunteer their genetic material, or companies that extract it to fund research and analysis? I use the AMP v. Myriad case to discuss the ethical quandaries in determining ownership in the life sciences

Effects of Off-the-Shelf Foot Orthoses on Plantar Foot Pressures in Patients with Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often affects feet with progressive pathologic changes to foot morphology and pressure distribution. Studies in RA suggest that reductions in forefoot peak pressures can reduce pain. We investigated the effects of offthe- shelf foot orthoses on plantar foot pressures in patients with early RA. Methods: Thirty-five patients with early RA were recorded walking. Variables measured were forefoot peak plantar pressure (PPPft), forefoot pressure-time integral (PTIft), and hallux and lesser toe and midfoot contact areas. Patients were analyzed while walking barefoot, with shoes, and with shoes and foot orthoses. Measurements were taken at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. Results: There were significantly increased PPPft values between barefoot and shod and between barefoot and orthoses (P <.01). However, there was a significant reduction in PPPft during the 6 months with orthoses compared with shoes only (P <.01). Foot orthoses significantly reduced PTIft over 6 months (P <.01). Results also demonstrated a significant increase in hallux and lesser toe (P <.01) and midfoot (P <.01) contact areas during the 6 months with foot orthoses. Conclusions: In patients with early RA, off-the-shelf foot orthoses cause a significant reduction of 22% in PPPft and 14% in PTIft as soon as insoles are worn compared with shod. Further reductions for orthoses compared with baseline were found by 3 months (15% in PPPft and 14% in PTIft) and 6 months (33% in PPPft and 33% in PTIft). These findings could contribute to reductions in foot pain.sch_pod104pub3661pub

The use of 'off-the-shelf' orthoses in the reduction of foot symptoms in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis

Background Foot pain in patients diagnosed with early rheumatoid arthritis is common. Objectives To investigate effects of off-the-shelf foot orthoses on outcomes of swollen and tender joints, and pain, in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis. Methods Thirty-five patients with painful and swollen foot joints were recruited. None had previously used foot orthoses or had contraindications to their use. Any patients with concomitant musculoskeletal disease, endocrine disorders, and neurological disease, were excluded. At baseline, participants were prescribed a customised off-the-shelf foot orthosis with chair-side modifications. Data was collected at baseline, three and six months. Foot pain (using Visual Analogue Scale) and the number of tender and swollen foot joints was measured. Results There was a trend towards a reduction in the number of swollen and tender joints by 3 months with a further improvement by 6 months. Statistically (p<0.05) and clinically significant reductions in pain levels was also noted. Conclusion Patients diagnosed with early RA may benefit from using off-the-shelf foot orthoses with the majority of their pain reduction occurring within the first 3 months of use, but with some small further symptomatic improvement up to 6 months. Their was a tendency to a reduction in swollen and tender joints although more studies are required to substantiate these findings.sch_pod23pub3226pub

Remapping King Philip's War: Gaining New Perspectives About Its Impact on the Nipmuc, Wampanoag, and Narragansett Nations Using GIS

This is an interactive mapping project showing key events in King Philip’s War (1675-1678). We used GeoJSON and Leaflet to build our maps. GeoJSON is a visual data format that sets points, areas, and other annotations on maps. Leaflet is a JavaScript library for GeoJSON that displays images and annotations. It arose in New England between English colonists and the nations which had lived there for eons (e.g., the Wampanoag, Narragansett, and Nipmuc). For centuries, colonists told only their side of the war, as they had control over the press. Yet that story can be unfair to people who were not colonists. This project aims to validate non-colonist views as worthwhile. We want our maps to urge closer looks at King Philip’s War and inspire other maps for events in euro-indigenous history

Reducing Air Pollution in Nigeria: Teaching Women to Cook Cleanly

https://digitalcommons.wpi.edu/gps-posters/1509/thumbnail.jp