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The Effect of Loading Frequency on Meniscal Wear Behavior
No full textAs we walk each step, it places stress on the knee joint and over timee this repetitive loading contributes to the breakdown of meniscal tissue. The meniscus acts as a shock stabilizer and shock absorber in the knee during daily activities; however, its function can be jeopardized due to injury or degeneration. Mechanical factors are known to influence meniscal wear; more specifically, loading frequency may play a role in this process. Hence, the objective of this study was to examine how different frequencies affect meniscal wear behavior. A custom-built Pin-on-Plate device was used to apply a linear motion between a bovine cartilage pin and meniscal plate at different frequencies (0.5, 1, 2.0 Hz). After steady state was achieved, each frequency was run for 5,000 cycles, and the wear rate was collected. Studies have discovered that frequency can affect the lubrication mechanism of the meniscus; as a result, we expect to see changes in wear rates and behavior with varying frequency. Ultimately, this experiment may contribute to the understanding of meniscal wear behavior, opening the doors to alternative treatments
The MMIWG2 Database: Addressing Canada\u27s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, & Two-Spirit People Crisis
No full textNorth America has a history of systemic oppression against Indigenous people that has contributed to a tragic epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two Spirit people. While Canada has recently begun to keep track of reported cases, there is a sufficient lack in research and attention to this crisis. Indigenous people suffer disproportionately high rates of violence and mistreatment, and official estimates cannot show the full scope of this problem. Data being inaccurate leaves cases undetected and unacknowledged. To address this problem, the MMIWG2 research actively collects and compiles all known information about Indigenous cases into a comprehensive database. This process clears up data discrepancies to improve government responses and prevent future violence for MMIWG2 individuals and their families. This research is ongoing and the MMIWG2 database needs continuous collaboration. These efforts will provide a more complete picture of this issue and support bringing justice and closure to affected communities
Using Raman Spectroscopy to Test Whether Intracrystalline Chemical Variations Induce Pressure Gradients
No full textIn theory, chemical gradients in crystals can induce pressure gradients due to localized volume mismatch during the interdiffusion of large vs. small ions. In garnet, calcium (which is a large cation) commonly shows compositional “steps” from high to low concentrations that theoretically should induce pressure gradients. This study uses the pressure-dependence of Raman peak positions to quantify the magnitude of intracrystalline pressure gradients across calcium compositional steps in garnet. Measurements were collected on traverses both along polished surfaces and at 50 µm depth. Peak positions at depth are frequently offset from surface peak positions, indicating the presence of pressure gradients, and pressures change systematically along traverses. Stresses are typically up to a few kbar of compression and are sometimes tensile. All observations are consistent with theory. Such shifts may help explain unexpectedly large scatter in Raman peak positions for quartz inclusions and provide insight on diffusional reequilibration for calcium relative to iron, magnesium, and manganese. Corrections for stress may improve models of cation diffusion in minerals and thermobarometry using mineral inclusions
Development and Evaluation of 3D Printing Filament from Mixed Plastic Waste: An Alternative Recycling Strategy
No full textThe accumulation of mixed plastic waste (MPW), largely composed of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), presents a growing environmental challenge due to rising demand and the absence of economically viable recycling methods. This project explored the feasibility of repurposing MPW into 3D printing filament through custom extrusion and printing techniques, with adjustments to extrusion and print settings such as temperature, speed, and bed adhesion techniques to optimize filament quality and printability.
Initial mechanical testing showed that MPW-based filaments perform similar to pure PP filaments, with tensile strengths of 16.1 MPa (MPW) and 16.9 MPa (PP), and Young’s modulus of 823 MPa and 1001 MPa, respectively. Additionally, flow and elasticity were evaluated using rheometry, while thermal properties were assessed through calorimetry. Overall, MWP and PP filaments are flexible and have low strength compared to commonly used polylactic acid (PLA) filaments. Our findings suggest that MPW filaments could serve as a replacement for PP in many applications, and as a limited substitute for PLA where high strength is not required. By transforming waste destined for landfill into reusable material, our project promotes a circular economy and supports sustainable manufacturing practices
Predicting Clinical Outcomes Using Principal Component Analysis-Derived Knee Morphology
No full textINTRODUCTION: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that causes chronic knee pain and mobility loss, affecting hundreds of millions globally. OA-related joint changes could be streamlined with predictive tools. This study aims to predict OA outcomes using principal component analysis (PCA)-derived knee bone morphologies from magnetic resonance (MR) images.
METHODS: MR images were segmented using an auto-segmentation algorithm and registered to a low-density template knee. The dataset was split into training (80%) and testing (20%) sets. PCA was applied to the training set, and machine learning models were trained to classify and predict specific clinical outcomes based on the resulting principal components.
RESULTS: The first 21 principal components captured the majority of shape variation in the test set. Reconstruction accuracy was evaluated using average Euclidean distances between original and reconstructed nodes: femur (0.63 mm), tibia (0.76 mm), and patella (0.65 mm). Initial modeling results suggest strong potential for outcome prediction based on morphology.
DISCUSSION: These findings support the utility of PCA-derived morphology as a compact and accurate representation of knee shape that retains predictive value for joint mechanics and disease state.
SIGNIFICANCE: This approach may streamline OA diagnosis and prognosis, reducing clinician workload through automated, shape-based predictions
\u3cem\u3eKlebsiella\u3c/em\u3e Bacteriophage P-2 Retains Stability in Human Fluids
No full textMultidrug resistance is an increasing threat that requires alternative treatment options. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy is becoming a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics. However, despite the effectiveness of phages in treating certain infections, their stability in human body fluids is still unknown. This is important information to create effective phage cocktails for systematic treatment. Ten phages and nineteen bacterial strains were isolated from wastewater samples from Pocatello wastewater treatment plant, BlackFoot wastewater treatment plant, and Portneuf Regional Medical Center wastewater. The phage P-2, isolated on bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae, was chosen for stability testing in human fluids due to its high titer. Simulated human fluids were prepared for human saliva, urine and serum. P-2 was exposed to each of these fluids over a 12 hour period and plated to determine plaque efficiency and ultimately stability in human fluids for applications in phage therapy. P-2 in saliva and serum retained higher stability than in urine after 12 hours
Examining the Carbon Utilization of Bacteria and Fungi Isolated from the Pitcher Plant \u3cem\u3eSarracenia purpurea\u3c/em\u3e Using Biolog Ecoplate
No full textFungal yeasts and bacteria are found almost everywhere on Earth, including the fluid-filled leaves of the pitcher plant Sarracenia purpurea. The carnivorous pitcher plant species, S. purpurea, does not rely solely on the secretion of digestive fluids but also uses yeast and bacteria to break down prey into essential nutrients that the plant can access. In these pitcher plants, yeast and bacteria serve similar degradative functions, but likely break down different molecules at different rates and efficiencies. To explore this, we examined the carbon utilization of three bacterial strains and three yeast strains using Biolog assays with 31 different carbon sources and a negative control of water, all in triplicate. Overall, the bacteria tested utilized carbon sources more widely and at a faster rate than the yeasts. Additionally, none of the bacteria or fungi tested grew well on 2-Hydroxy Benzoic Acid (salicylic acid) compared to other carbon sources. Our results suggest that the carbon sources different strains of yeast and bacteria use help to define their niches in the pitcher ecosystem. They also help to further understanding on microbial diversity, nutrient cycling, and the trophic structure of communities associated with the pitcher plant S. purpurea
Bitcoin Visualization of Outliers in Behavior and Transactions Using Band Depth Analysis
No full textWith a blockchain system like Bitcoin, patterns in the transactions can sometimes be difficult to see. This is especially apparent when it comes to looking at mass histograms of addresses and seeing their behaviors overtime. Obviously we can see extreme outliers, but how can we see the outliers that are relatively similar to every other normal address? Over the last several years, trying to identify these patterns has become a large talking point for analysts and researchers alike. Outliers can look very different depending on the behavior that they possess, the transactions they are involved in, and the overall amount of Bitcoin that they hold and/or use in transactions. For our research project, we have come up with a new way to look at all kinds of data over a time series, including address information, transaction data, and block data. By using a band-depth approach to both our analysis and visualization, we are able to look at anomalies and outliers in our curves that we otherwise would not have been able to do with other visualization techniques
Exploring Whether Beta-Amyloid Accumulates in Sympathetic Nerves within Pancreatic Islets as Part of the Aging Process
No full textPancreatic islets contain beta cells that synthesize and release insulin, a key hormone in glucose metabolism. Islets are innervated by sympathetic innervation, which inhibits insulin release when activated. Research from our lab has shown an increase in sympathetic varicosity size in older animals, but the mechanism underlying this remains unclear. This research hypothesizes that the age-related increase in sympathetic varicosity size is associated with beta-amyloid aggregation. According to this hypothesis, beta-amyloid accumulation may compromise the release of the sympathetic neurotransmitter norepinephrine, thereby impacting hormone release. Using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy, we standardized labeling of the beta-amyloid and sympathetic varicosities within pancreatic islets from young (4-5months), middle (10-11 months), and old (18-22months) mouse groups. Our preliminary data shows a clear signal of beta-amyloid and sympathetic varicosities within pancreatic islets across different age groups. Our next step is to evaluate whether the two signals colocalize and if there are age-associated changes. This research will contribute to determining the specific mechanisms associated with the increase in sympathetic varicosities related to aging
Adherence to Mediterranean Diet and Perinatal Health
Get PDFPostpartum weight retention has a significant impact on long-term health consequences in women. Suboptimal lifestyle behaviors (e.g. poor diet and low physical activity) are associated with postpartum weight retention in women. In various populations, the Mediterranean Diet is associated with reduced risk of obesity-associated chronic diseases. This study’s goal is to analyze the relationship between Mediterranean Diet adherence with perinatal maternal weight status and diabetes risk. The Mediterranean Diet emphasizes plant-based foods and healthy fats: plenty of fruits, vegetables, bread and other grains, potatoes, beans, nuts, and seeds. The primary fat sources are olive oil and dairy products; eggs, fish, and poultry are moderately consumed. This will be a subanalysis of an ongoing study to investigate associations between Mediterranean Diet adherence and perinatal weight (baseline, 4-week, and 8-week postnatal), gestational diabetes, and postnatal glucose homeostasis. The findings from this study will be used to develop educational material for women on the importance of diet patterns during the postpartum period to prevent long-term health consequences