Organizing Rural Communities for Effective Citizen Science Programs

Citizen science, or the use of volunteers for scientific projects, is becoming a popular way for agencies and organizations to collect data. The benefits of citizen science include saving the agency or organization resources, educating the community about conservation issues, and promoting land stewardship. Currently, many citizen monitoring organizations are based in urban areas, whereas their projects are located near more rural towns. Research shows that demographics such as area of residence can be a factor in the public’s attitude toward any scientific or land management project (Williams et al, 2002; Kellert, 1978, 1985; Vaske et al, 2001). This fact was supported by a citizen science project, led by the author, on the Clearwater National Forest. Currently, no citizen science organizing manuals address the issue of rural/urban difference in volunteer recruitment. Additionally, the question of what qualities citizen science must have to be used by government agencies must be determined so that non-governmental organizations can produce useful data. I interviewed 11 successful urban-based citizen science conservation organizations in order to establish the characteristics of successful volunteer recruitment and retention. Additionally, I interviewed five state or federal agencies that used citizen science data in order to establish the characteristics of effective citizen science programs. Using Glesne (1999) as a guide, interviews were numbered and coded. Results showed that successful recruitment methods differ between rural and urban areas, with word of mouth and local newspapers as most effective. Citizens must believe in the program, have a social atmosphere associated with the program, and have a personal relationship with the project organizer in order to volunteer again. There is a difference in rural and urban communities, having to do with different values, priorities, and environmental awareness. Effective citizen science programs share three main characteristics: a proper training program, scientific accuracy, and a quality control program

Effect of Ergot-Contaminated Barley on GrowingFinishing Pig Performance

Barley samples from Allamakee County were used in a swine feeding study. Pigs fed a barley-corn and soybean meal (SBM) diets containing up to 0.18% ergot (1.62 ppm ergot alkaloids) performed similarly to pigs fed a basal corn-SBM diet. In general, the level of ergot contamination in the final diets was insufficient to depress the performance of growing and finishing pigs

Therapeutic interventions in children and adolescents with patellar tendon related pain: a systematic review

Objective: Evaluate effectiveness and harms of interventions for patellar tendon related pain in children and adolescents.Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Data sources: Medline via Pubmed, Embase via OVID, CINAHL via Ebsco, SportDiscus up until 24 November 2017 were searched.Eligibility criteria for selecting studies: Inclusion criteria were (1) controlled or randomised controlled clinical trials (RCTs), (2) participants with diagnosis of patellar tendon related disorder, (3) participants≤18 years of age at enrolment and (4) published in a peer-reviewed English or Scandinavian language journal.Results: Of 530 studies identified, eight were included after screening, with three included in data synthesis. To be included in data synthesis, we required studies to have included (and have data available for) a minimum of 10 participants under 18 years. All studies were rated as being at high risk of bias. For adolescents with patellar tendinopathy, one RCT compared eccentric exercises to usual care and found no difference between groups. In adolescents with Osgood-Schlatter disease (OSD), injection of local anaesthetic with dextrose proved superior to either usual care or local anaesthetic alone (three armed RCTs). In a retrospective case controlled study in adolescents with OSD, surgery provided no benefit over conservative management in terms of persistent symptoms and had a higher complication rate.Conclusion: There is weak evidence to support the use of dextrose injection with local anaesthetic and no evidence to support the use of specific types of exercises to treat children/adolescents with OSD/patellar tendinopathy. Until further evidence arises, clinicians should include load modification and advise on a return to sport based on symptoms

Quantification of Residual Stresses in Electron Beam Welded Fracture Mechanics Specimens

Residual stress measurements have been made in a range of electron beam welded samples to study how the weld induced residual stresses redistributed during fabrication of compact tension, C(T), specimens. The samples were manufactured from Type 316H stainless steel in the ex-service material condition and in material which had been preconditioned by inducing 8% plastic strain. Measurements made using neutron diffraction, slitting and the contour method were generally in good agreement and showed residual stress components of up to three times the base material's yield strength existed in the samples. When sectioning a sample to perform the contour method, large elastic deformations occurred at the cut tip due to the large residual stresses present. A correction was applied to the measured surface displacements to account for this deformation. Neutron diffraction measurements were made at various stages of the fabrication process, which showed significant stress redistribution occurred as the welded samples were machined into C(T) specimens. However the tensile stresses near the crack tip of the C(T) specimens remained large and could significantly influence subsequent crack growth tests

Current Management Strategies in Osgood Schlatter: A cross‐sectional mixed method study

AbstractBackground: Osgood Schlatter (OS) is the most common knee condition in adolescent athletes aged 9-16. Without evidence to guide clinical practice it is unclear how OS is managed. The aim of this study is to investigate how international healthcare professionals (General Practitioners, Physiotherapists, Rheumatologists, Sports and Exercise Medicine Doctors and Orthopaedic Surgeons) diagnose and manage OS.Methods: This mixed-method study used a convergent parallel design. A quantitative questionnaire and semi-structured interview covered prognosis, diagnosis, treatment, and return to play of adolescents with OS. For quantitative data those who reported likely/very likely considered 'for' and unlikely/very unlikely 'against' (for specific diagnostic/management strategy). Qualitative data analysis used a phenomenological approach.Results: Two hundred and fifty-one healthcare professionals completed the questionnaire. The most common diagnostic criterion was pain at the tibial tuberosity (97% for). The most common treatments were patient education (99%) and exercise therapy (92%). Other treatments options were more heterogeneous, e.g. pain medication (31% for, and 34% against). Managing training load (97%), pain intensity (87%) and psychological factors (86%) were considered the most important factors influencing the return to activities. Several themes emerged from the interviews (on N=20) including imaging, pain management, family, psychosocial factors influencing prognosis.Conclusion: Diagnosis criteria of OS was relatively well agreed upon, whereas triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data showed heterogeneity of treatments. Psychosocial factors including family were highlighted as critical in the management of OS.Keywords: Adolescents; Apophysitis; Musculoskeletal Pain; Osgood Schlatter; Osteochondrosis

A comprehensive MRI investigation to identify potential biomarkers of Osgood Schlatter disease in adolescents: a cross sectional study comparing Osgood Schlatter disease with controls

Background Osgood–Schlatter disease (OSD) is the most common knee pain complaint among adolescents playing sports. Despite this, there remains controversy over the pathophysiology and whether specific anatomical characteristics are associated with OSD. Purpose This study aimed to systematically and comprehensively characterize adolescents with OSD using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to pain-free controls, including both tissue abnormalities that may be associated with OSD, as well as anatomical characteristics. A secondary objective was to identify potential imaging biomarkers associated with pain. Study Design Cross-sectional study. Methods Adolescents with OSD and controls were recruited from 2020 to 2022. Following a clinical exam, demographics, pain, sports participation, and Tanner stage were collected. Knee MRI was conducted on the participants' most symptomatic knee (OSD) or the dominant leg (controls). Results Sixty-seven adolescents (46 with OSD and 30 controls) were included. 80% of participants with OSD had at least one tissue alteration compared to 54% of controls. Compared to controls, OSD had 36.3 (95%CI 4.5 to 289.7) higher odds of bony oedema at the tibial tuberosity, and 32.7 (95%CI 4.1 to 260.6) and 5.3 (95%CI 0.6 to 46.2) higher odds of bony oedema at the tibial epiphysis and metaphysis respectively. Participants with OSD also had higher odds of fluid/oedema at the patellar tendon (12.3 95%CI 3.3 to 46.6), and superficial infrapatellar bursitis (7.2). Participants with OSD had a more proximal tendon attachment (mean tibial attachment portion difference, −0.05, 95% CI: −0.1 to 0.0, p = 0.02), tendon thickness (proximal mean difference, −0.09, 95% CI: −0.4 to 0.2, p = 0.04; distal mean difference, −0.6, 95% CI: −0.9 to −0.2, p = 0.01). Those with bony/tendon oedema had 1.8 points (95% CI: 0.3 to 3.2) higher pain on palpation than those without (t = −2.5, df = 26.6, p = 0.019), but there was no difference between these groups in a functional single leg pain provocation. Conclusion Adolescents with OSD present with tissue and structural abnormalities on MRI that differed from age-matched controls. The majority had findings in the patellar tendon and bone, which often co-occurred. However, a small proportion of OSD also presents without alterations. It appears these findings may be associated with clinical OSD-related pain on palpation of the tibial tuberosity. Clinical Relevance Our highlight the pathophysiology on imaging, which has implications for understanding the mechanism and treatment of OSD

ROTOЯ Transdisciplinary Dialogue and Debate: A Public Engagement Case Study

In 2011, the University of Huddersfield commenced a partnership with Huddersfield Art Gallery, to offer a public engagement exhibitions programme, entitled “ROTOЯ”. Featuring the art and design work of University staff, this series of exhibitions, public events and talks acts as a platform for disseminating and communicating practice-based-research, showcasing a community of artists, designers and curators whose ideas and connective practices migrate and span art and design production. For ROTOЯ, interpretation acts as a pivot between academic research, interpretation and public engagement, where points of intersection are considered and debated from multiple perspectives. In 2013, we hosted a symposium at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, London, which questioned how we measure the role and effects of public engagement in art and design. This paper presents the ROTOЯ public engagement exhibitions programme as a case study of public engagement in light of these questions

A comprehensive MRI investigation to identify potential biomarkers of Osgood Schlatter disease in adolescents: A cross sectional study comparing Osgood Schlatter disease with controls

BackgroundOsgood–Schlatter disease (OSD) is the most common knee pain complaint among adolescents playing sports. Despite this, there remains controversy over the pathophysiology and whether specific anatomical characteristics are associated with OSD.PurposeThis study aimed to systematically and comprehensively characterize adolescents with OSD using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) compared to pain-free controls, including both tissue abnormalities that may be associated with OSD, as well as anatomical characteristics. A secondary objective was to identify potential imaging biomarkers associated with pain.Study DesignCross-sectional study.MethodsAdolescents with OSD and controls were recruited from 2020 to 2022. Following a clinical exam, demographics, pain, sports participation, and Tanner stage were collected. Knee MRI was conducted on the participants' most symptomatic knee (OSD) or the dominant leg (controls).ResultsSixty-seven adolescents (46 with OSD and 30 controls) were included. 80% of participants with OSD had at least one tissue alteration compared to 54% of controls. Compared to controls, OSD had 36.3 (95%CI 4.5 to 289.7) higher odds of bony oedema at the tibial tuberosity, and 32.7 (95%CI 4.1 to 260.6) and 5.3 (95%CI 0.6 to 46.2) higher odds of bony oedema at the tibial epiphysis and metaphysis respectively. Participants with OSD also had higher odds of fluid/oedema at the patellar tendon (12.3 95%CI 3.3 to 46.6), and superficial infrapatellar bursitis (7.2). Participants with OSD had a more proximal tendon attachment (mean tibial attachment portion difference, −0.05, 95% CI: −0.1 to 0.0, p = 0.02), tendon thickness (proximal mean difference, −0.09, 95% CI: −0.4 to 0.2, p = 0.04; distal mean difference, −0.6, 95% CI: −0.9 to −0.2, p = 0.01). Those with bony/tendon oedema had 1.8 points (95% CI: 0.3 to 3.2) higher pain on palpation than those without (t = −2.5, df = 26.6, p = 0.019), but there was no difference between these groups in a functional single leg pain provocation.ConclusionAdolescents with OSD present with tissue and structural abnormalities on MRI that differed from age-matched controls. The majority had findings in the patellar tendon and bone, which often co-occurred. However, a small proportion of OSD also presents without alterations. It appears these findings may be associated with clinical OSD-related pain on palpation of the tibial tuberosity.Clinical RelevanceOur highlight the pathophysiology on imaging, which has implications for understanding the mechanism and treatment of OSD

Final report on project SP1210: Lowland peatland systems in England and Wales – evaluating greenhouse gas fluxes and carbon balances

Lowland peatlands represent one of the most carbon-rich ecosystems in the UK. As a result of widespread habitat modification and drainage to support agriculture and peat extraction, they have been converted from natural carbon sinks into major carbon sources, and are now amongst the largest sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the UK land-use sector. Despite this, they have previously received relatively little policy attention, and measures to reduce GHG emissions either through re-wetting and restoration or improved management of agricultural land remain at a relatively early stage. In part, this has stemmed from a lack of reliable measurements on the carbon and GHG balance of UK lowland peatlands. This project aimed to address this evidence gap via an unprecedented programme of consistent, multi year field measurements at a total of 15 lowland peatland sites in England and Wales, ranging from conservation managed ‘near-natural’ ecosystems to intensively managed agricultural and extraction sites. The use of standardised measurement and data analysis protocols allowed the magnitude of GHG emissions and removals by peatlands to be quantified across this heterogeneous data set, and for controlling factors to be identified. The network of seven flux towers established during the project is believed to be unique on peatlands globally, and has provided new insights into the processes the control GHG fluxes in lowland peatlands. The work undertaken is intended to support the future development and implementation of agricultural management and restoration measures aimed at reducing the contribution of these important ecosystems to UK GHG emissions

From climate change to pandemics: decision science can help scientists have impact

Scientific knowledge and advances are a cornerstone of modern society. They improve our understanding of the world we live in and help us navigate global challenges including emerging infectious diseases, climate change and the biodiversity crisis. For any scientist, whether they work primarily in fundamental knowledge generation or in the applied sciences, it is important to understand how science fits into a decision-making framework. Decision science is a field that aims to pinpoint evidence-based management strategies. It provides a framework for scientists to directly impact decisions or to understand how their work will fit into a decision process. Decision science is more than undertaking targeted and relevant scientific research or providing tools to assist policy makers; it is an approach to problem formulation, bringing together mathematical modelling, stakeholder values and logistical constraints to support decision making. In this paper we describe decision science, its use in different contexts, and highlight current gaps in methodology and application. The COVID-19 pandemic has thrust mathematical models into the public spotlight, but it is one of innumerable examples in which modelling informs decision making. Other examples include models of storm systems (eg. cyclones, hurricanes) and climate change. Although the decision timescale in these examples differs enormously (from hours to decades), the underlying decision science approach is common across all problems. Bridging communication gaps between different groups is one of the greatest challenges for scientists. However, by better understanding and engaging with the decision-making processes, scientists will have greater impact and make stronger contributions to important societal problems