12 research outputs found
Recommended from our members
Robocasting -- material design and business proposal
Robocasting is a freeform fabrication method that involves the rapid prototyping of various materials for hard tissue and bone replacement. A design was completed of both a standard bone replacement material with appropriate porous and structural properties as well as a customized bone replacement for the ball and stem of a hip using multiple materials to achieve desired properties. Market assessments and available funding possibilities were evaluated to make recommendations for research at WPI's future Gateway Park and Bioengineering Institute
Recommended from our members
National Art Library: Services and Expansion
The goal of this report is to assist the National Art Library with their upcoming expansion and refurbishment. We performed case studies of comparable institutions, conducted interviews with Library Staff, and researched products related to library management and technological displays. We were then able to provide our sponsor with a number of recommendations to improve the quality of service to the current customers and to broaden the user base during the re-opening the West Room
Recommended from our members
An ecological framework for contextualizing carnivore-livestock conflict.
Carnivore predation on livestock is a complex management and policy challenge, yet it is also intrinsically an ecological interaction between predators and prey. Human-wildlife interactions occur in socioecological systems in which human and environmental processes are closely linked. However, underlying human-wildlife conflict and key to unpacking its complexity are concrete and identifiable ecological mechanisms that lead to predation events. To better understand how ecological theory accords with interactions between wild predators and domestic prey, we developed a framework to describe ecological drivers of predation on livestock. We based this framework on foundational ecological theory and current research on interactions between predators and domestic prey. We used this framework to examine ecological mechanisms (e.g., density-mediated effects, behaviorally mediated effects, and optimal foraging theory) through which specific management interventions operate, and we analyzed the ecological determinants of failure and success of management interventions in 3 case studies: snow leopards (Panthera uncia), wolves (Canis lupus), and cougars (Puma concolor). The varied, context-dependent successes and failures of the management interventions in these case studies demonstrated the utility of using an ecological framework to ground research and management of carnivore-livestock conflict. Mitigation of human-wildlife conflict appears to require an understanding of how fundamental ecological theories work within domestic predator-prey systems
Recommended from our members
An ecological framework for contextualizing carnivore-livestock conflict.
Carnivore predation on livestock is a complex management and policy challenge, yet it is also intrinsically an ecological interaction between predators and prey. Human-wildlife interactions occur in socioecological systems in which human and environmental processes are closely linked. However, underlying human-wildlife conflict and key to unpacking its complexity are concrete and identifiable ecological mechanisms that lead to predation events. To better understand how ecological theory accords with interactions between wild predators and domestic prey, we developed a framework to describe ecological drivers of predation on livestock. We based this framework on foundational ecological theory and current research on interactions between predators and domestic prey. We used this framework to examine ecological mechanisms (e.g., density-mediated effects, behaviorally mediated effects, and optimal foraging theory) through which specific management interventions operate, and we analyzed the ecological determinants of failure and success of management interventions in 3 case studies: snow leopards (Panthera uncia), wolves (Canis lupus), and cougars (Puma concolor). The varied, context-dependent successes and failures of the management interventions in these case studies demonstrated the utility of using an ecological framework to ground research and management of carnivore-livestock conflict. Mitigation of human-wildlife conflict appears to require an understanding of how fundamental ecological theories work within domestic predator-prey systems
An ecological framework for contextualizing carnivore–livestock conflict
Carnivore predation on livestock is a complex management and policy challenge, yet it is also intrinsically an ecological interaction between predators and prey. Human-wildlife interactions occur in socioecological systems in which human and environmental processes are closely linked. However, underlying human-wildlife conflict and key to unpacking its complexity are concrete and identifiable ecological mechanisms that lead to predation events. To better understand how ecological theory accords with interactions between wild predators and domestic prey, we developed a framework to describe ecological drivers of predation on livestock. We based this framework on foundational ecological theory and current research on interactions between predators and domestic prey. We used this framework to examine ecological mechanisms (e.g., density-mediated effects, behaviorally mediated effects, and optimal foraging theory) through which specific management interventions operate, and we analyzed the ecological determinants of failure and success of management interventions in 3 case studies: snow leopards (Panthera uncia), wolves (Canis lupus), and cougars (Puma concolor). The varied, context-dependent successes and failures of the management interventions in these case studies demonstrated the utility of using an ecological framework to ground research and management of carnivore-livestock conflict. Mitigation of human-wildlife conflict appears to require an understanding of how fundamental ecological theories work within domestic predator-prey systems
SARS-CoV-2 variant introduction following spring break travel and transmission mitigation strategies
Contemporary practice patterns for palliative radiotherapy of bone metastases: Impact of a quality improvement project on extended fractionation
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: Radiotherapy (RT) effectively palliates bone metastases, though variability exists in practice patterns. National recommendations advocate against using extended fractionation (EF) with courses greater than ten fractions. We previously reported EF utilization of 14.8%. We analyzed practice patterns within a statewide quality consortium to assess EF use in a larger patient population following implementation of a quality measure focused on reducing EF.
MATERIALS/METHODS: Patients treated for bone metastases within a statewide radiation oncology quality consortium were prospectively enrolled from March 2018 through October 2020. The EF quality metric was implemented March 1, 2018. Data on patient, physician and facility characteristics, fractionation schedules, and treatment planning and delivery techniques were collected. Multivariable binary logistic regression was used to assess EF.
RESULTS: 1,445 consecutive patients treated with 1,934 plans were enrolled by 28 facilities. The median number of treatment plans per facility was 52 (range, 7-307). 60 different fractionation schedules were utilized. EF was delivered in 3.4% of plans. Initially, EF use was lower than expected and remained low over time. Significant predictors for EF use included complicated metastasis (OR 2.04, 95% CI: 1.04-4.02, p=0.04), lack of associated CNS or visceral disease (OR 2.27, 95% CI: 1.2-4.2, p=0.01), non-teaching versus teaching facilities (OR 8.97, 95% CI: 2.1-38.5, p\u3c0.01), and treating physicians with more years in practice (OR 12.82, 95% CI: 3.9-42.4, p\u3c0.01).
CONCLUSIONS: Within a large, prospective population-based dataset, fractionation schedules for palliative RT of bone metastases remain highly variable. Resource-intensive treatments including EF persist, though EF use was low following implementation of a quality measure. Complicated metastases, lack of CNS or visceral disease, treatment at non-teaching facilities or by physicians with more years in practice significantly predict use of EF. These results support ongoing efforts to more clearly understand and address barriers to high value radiation approaches in the palliative setting
Synbiotic-IgY Therapy Modulates the Mucosal Microbiome and Inflammatory Indices in Dogs with Chronic Inflammatory Enteropathy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CE) is a common cause of persistent gastrointestinal signs and intestinal inflammation in dogs. Since evidence links dysbiosis to mucosal inflammation, probiotics, prebiotics, or their combination (synbiotics) may reduce intestinal inflammation and ameliorate dysbiosis in affected dogs. This study’s aim was to investigate the effects of the synbiotic-IgY supplement on clinical signs, inflammatory indices, and mucosal microbiota in dogs with CE. Dogs with CE were enrolled in a randomized prospective trial. Twenty-four client-owned dogs were fed a hydrolyzed diet and administered supplement or placebo (diet) for 6 weeks. Dogs were evaluated at diagnosis and 2- and 6-week post-treatment. Outcome measures included clinical activity, endoscopic and histologic scores, inflammatory markers (fecal calprotectin, C-reactive protein), and composition of the mucosal microbiota via FISH. Eleven supplement- and nine placebo-treated dogs completed the trial. After 6 weeks of therapy, clinical activity and endoscopic scores decreased in both groups. Compared to placebo-treated dogs, dogs administered supplement showed decreased calprotectin at 2-week post-treatment, decreased CRP at 2- and 6-week post-treatment increased mucosal Clostridia and Bacteroides and decreased Enterobacteriaceae in colonic biopsies at trial completion. Results suggest a beneficial effect of diet and supplements on host responses and mucosal microbiota in dogs with CE
Coronal Heating as Determined by the Solar Flare Frequency Distribution Obtained by Aggregating Case Studies
Flare frequency distributions represent a key approach to addressing one of
the largest problems in solar and stellar physics: determining the mechanism
that counter-intuitively heats coronae to temperatures that are orders of
magnitude hotter than the corresponding photospheres. It is widely accepted
that the magnetic field is responsible for the heating, but there are two
competing mechanisms that could explain it: nanoflares or Alfv\'en waves. To
date, neither can be directly observed. Nanoflares are, by definition,
extremely small, but their aggregate energy release could represent a
substantial heating mechanism, presuming they are sufficiently abundant. One
way to test this presumption is via the flare frequency distribution, which
describes how often flares of various energies occur. If the slope of the power
law fitting the flare frequency distribution is above a critical threshold,
as established in prior literature, then there should be a
sufficient abundance of nanoflares to explain coronal heating. We performed
600 case studies of solar flares, made possible by an unprecedented number
of data analysts via three semesters of an undergraduate physics laboratory
course. This allowed us to include two crucial, but nontrivial, analysis
methods: pre-flare baseline subtraction and computation of the flare energy,
which requires determining flare start and stop times. We aggregated the
results of these analyses into a statistical study to determine that . This is below the critical threshold, suggesting that Alfv\'en
waves are an important driver of coronal heating.Comment: 1,002 authors, 14 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables, published by The
Astrophysical Journal on 2023-05-09, volume 948, page 7