48440 research outputs found
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Plants Restoring Wairarapa Moana
No full textWairarapa Moana, an ecologically and culturally significant wetland east of Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, is facing declining water quality and threats to environmental health. This project explores the past and future of plant-based restoration for both the land and its people. In 15 open-ended interviews, we uncovered shared hopes, concerns, and a collective vision for the future of the Moana. In our documentary film we amplified these voices, showcasing ongoing restoration efforts and aspirations for future initiatives. The film highlights the importance of indigenous wisdom, sustainable governance, and ecological balance between communities. Through respectful storytelling we documented a shared commitment to strengthening the future of plant-based restoration in Wairarapa Moana
Policy Analysis with Generative AI: Harnessing Language Models and System Dynamics for Deeper Insights
No full textThe team aimed to create a comprehensive data set for the use of causal inference to fine-tune a large language model (LLM) with the use of system thinking and economic modeling for analyzing the causal relationships in literature about immigration. By creating a dataset to train an LLM, the team hopes to simplify the process for researchers to identify key variables in immigration policy and automating the creation of causal maps through the use of AI. These maps will help understand the potential impacts of policies, allowing for quicker and more accurate predictions of how different policy implementations affect society. At the end of this project, the goal is to have trained an LLM to analyze immigration policy efficiently and with accurate analytical depth from the curated dataset
Positioning the Hawaiʻi Project Center for the Future
No full textWorcester Polytechnic Institute's Hawaiʻi Project Center (HPC) builds partnerships between WPI faculty members, students, and local organizations, or project partners, to research and support community challenges. This study aims to assess and improve the impact of the HPC on both students and project partners, while strengthening local marketing efforts and the dissemination of student research. Interviews and surveys with former project partners and students revealed that while partners valued student research, many lacked the ability to fully implement deliverables. Students showed growth in understanding cultural and societal issues. A feedback survey was created to track the project’s impact on both project partners and students at the conclusion of each project. Additionally, to improve local marketing, past project partners shared their methods of contact and advertisement amongst local community organizations and identified potential new project partners. Informed by research on dissemination methods and expert interviews, the open-access journal WPI Pūnāwai was established to showcase student articles
Design and Realization of A Surgical Manipulator based on 2-DoF Remote-Center-of-Motion Planar Mechanism
No full textThis paper presents the design and implementation of a novel surgical manipulator for applications in Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery (RMIS). The manipulator is based on a previously developed two degrees-of-freedom (DoF) remote-center-of-motion (RCM) mechanism that provides pitch and translation through its mechanical design. This approach enhances kinematic performance and reduces the footprint of the system. A prototype was constructed, and the mechanism’s capabilities were demonstrated via teleoperated commands, showcasing its ability to maintain the RCM. Future work will focus on completing the integration with haptic devices, enhancing adaptability for complex surgical maneuvers, and improving compatibility with advanced imaging systems to refine the user experience
CS-Neamtu: Increasing Accessibility at the Worcester Ecotarium
No full textAs technology advances, so too should societal standards of accessibility. Digital tools can present visually impaired people with the opportunity to experience attractions previously out of reach. The EcoTarium museum of science and nature recognizes this potential, and supported our team of four Worcester Polytechnic Institute undergraduates as we continued development on the EcoTarium Explorer mobile application. Through research, development, and testing, we expanded the outdoor navigation capabilities of this tool beyond its original completion and made additional enhancements to the overall user experience. In doing so, we contributed to what we hope will be a long-lasting effort to empower visually impaired individuals to engage more fully with the world around them
Nomads in Nature: The Future of Remote Work at Campanario Biological Station
No full textCampanario Biological Station aims to become a digital nomad hub but lacks the necessary infrastructure and market insights. Understanding digital nomad preferences in Costa Rica—such as reliable Wi-Fi, power, and workspace comfort—helps identify key improvements. Our research suggests that upgrading connectivity, securing funding from sponsors, and enhancing amenities like diverse meals and affordable excursions would make the station more appealing. With strategic investment, Campanario could offer a unique remote work experience in the Osa Peninsula’s natural beauty
Purification and characterization of CLoG1 from Physcomitrium patens
No full textThis study aimed to develop and validate a protein purification workflow for isolating HaloTag® fused CLoG1 from Physcomitrium patens to investigate its potential role in microtubule association and plant cell growth regulation. While the experimental scope did not progress to CLoG1–microtubule interaction assays, work focused on producing and testing a HaloTag®–PreScission protease (PPX) system using HaloTag®–mEGFP as a model substrate. The HaloTag®–mEGFP fusion was successfully expressed and purified from moss, and the HaloTag®–PPX construct was produced and subjected to cleavage assays. Although PPX activity was initially observed, cleavage efficiency decreased in subsequent tests, indicating possible protease instability or loss of function after purification. These findings highlight the technical feasibility of the approach while identifying key optimization points for future studies. Once cleavage conditions are refined, this workflow can be applied to Halo–CLoG1, enabling downstream microtubule depletion assays to clarify CLoG1’s biochemical role in plant cell growth
Estimating Congestion and Usage Patterns on Acadia National Park Carriage Roads
No full textA continual increase in recreational visitation to national parks has left many feeling Acadia National Park’s Carriage Roads are overcrowded. This study aimed to explore these claims by developing daily total visitation estimates for the first half of the 2025 season. Using manual counts, trail cameras, and automated Eco-Counter sensors, a regression model was created, comparing daily total visitation to Eagle Lake West Eco-Counter data. The model featured a strong correlation and aligned closely with a previous calibration in 2014. Daily use estimates were then developed for the period 6/1/2025 - 7/14/2025 and compared to estimates from the 2014 calibration. Findings suggest that, although the seasonal carrying capacity was not breached during the study period, an individual day is estimated to have exceeded 3,000 visitors, and multiple others approach it. We recommend continued monitoring, additional automated sensors, and real-time data synchronization to support effective, proactive park management
Crowdsourcing Visitor Data in Acadia National Park using QR Codes
No full textOur sponsor, Acadia National Park (ANP), has been making constant efforts to improve visitor experience. In order to adequately assess this critical part of park management, constant collection of visitor data is required. The goal of this project was to assist ANP in determining whether QR codes are an effective method of crowdsourcing visitor data. To assess feasibility, we deployed a survey integrated within a QR code in the park, while varying the appearance of the poster to determine how appearance affected response rate. People who chose to scan a code were likely to engage with its content, presenting a 90% response rate. These strong results are impactful in the correct conditions - a posted QR code must be highly visible and utilize official park branding
Protecting the Knees that Power Dreams
No full textThis project aims to prevent ACL injuries, particularly in basketball, by developing video submission platforms and fostering community engagement. ACL tears can significantly impact an athlete's career. There are both physical and psychological detriments associated with this injury. This study explores the mechanisms of injury of ACL tears, highlighting movements like the valgus collapse and improper landings. In order to enhance the videos received, AI tools like OpenPose and Topaz Video Enhance AI are considered for motion tracking and resolution improvements. In search for participants and support, social media recruitment and website engagement are employed, aiding in the collection of injury footage