Feral cats (Felis catus) are recognized as a problem internationally due to their negative impact... more Feral cats (Felis catus) are recognized as a problem internationally due to their negative impact on wildlife and potential to spread infectious disease to people and other animals. Trap-neuterreturn (TNR) programs are employed in many areas to control feral cat populations as a humane method, and this approach is used on a limited basis in Knox County, Tennessee. Despite the frequent use of TNR as a strategy, its effectiveness remains controversial. The objective of this mathematical model is to predict the impact of selected strategies on the population of feral cats. The model with three age classes predicts the population over a period of 5 years in one month time steps. TNR rates are varied to investigate the effects of targeting spay/neuter programs seasonally, and such targeting predicts a measurable decline in feral cat population growth over a five year period. Targeting TNR intervention at adult females during the time prior to mating season in highly populated feral colonies may further decrease the population. These results suggest a more efficacious strategy than non-targeted TNR programs.
Revisional laparoscopic surgery after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has been linked to substant... more Revisional laparoscopic surgery after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has been linked to substantial complications and morbidity. To investigate the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic gastric plication with the StomaphyX device vs a sham procedure for revisional surgery in RYGB patients to reduce regained weight. A prospective, single-center, randomized, single-blinded study from July 2009 through February 2011, evaluating revisional surgery using StomaphyX was conducted in patients with initial weight loss after RYGB performed at least 2 years earlier. We planned for 120 patients to be randomized 2:1 to multiple full-thickness plications within the gastric pouch and stoma using the StomaphyX device with SerosFuse fasteners or a sham endoscopic procedure and followed up for 1 year. The primary efficacy end point was reduction in pre-RYGB excess weight by 15% or more excess body mass index (BMI) (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) loss and BMI ...
The global aerosol problem First, some background. Atmospheric aerosol particles are tiny solid o... more The global aerosol problem First, some background. Atmospheric aerosol particles are tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in air. Their diameters can range from a nanometer to 100 micrometers-about the diameter of human hair; a cubic centimetre of air can contain hundreds of them or millions. They can be made of carbon from fires and combustion, sea salt, mineral dust, organic matter, sulphate or many other things. They can travel a long way: orange particles from Africa can sometimes be seen on car windscreens in Britain. Aerosol particles can affect the climate in many ways. They can do it directly, by reflecting or absorbing solar radiation. As bright dusts travels across dark ocean it reflects more sunlight back into space and therefore cools the ocean surface. Black carbon deposited on bright ice or snow has the opposite effect: it absorbs heat and warms the surface below. Uncertainties in climate models Living with uncertainty in an uncertain world Climate change is hugely complicated, physically and statistically. Debate rages about predictions and the uncertainties within them. Understanding such uncertainties is vital. Lindsay Lee works on the Leeds University GLOMAP model of aerosols in the atmosphere and the changes they may bring. This article was a runner-up in the Significance/Young Statisticians Section writers' competition earlier this year.
Feral cats (Felis catus) are recognized as a problem internationally due to their negative impact... more Feral cats (Felis catus) are recognized as a problem internationally due to their negative impact on wildlife and potential to spread infectious disease to people and other animals. Trap-neuterreturn (TNR) programs are employed in many areas to control feral cat populations as a humane method, and this approach is used on a limited basis in Knox County, Tennessee. Despite the frequent use of TNR as a strategy, its effectiveness remains controversial. The objective of this mathematical model is to predict the impact of selected strategies on the population of feral cats. The model with three age classes predicts the population over a period of 5 years in one month time steps. TNR rates are varied to investigate the effects of targeting spay/neuter programs seasonally, and such targeting predicts a measurable decline in feral cat population growth over a five year period. Targeting TNR intervention at adult females during the time prior to mating season in highly populated feral colonies may further decrease the population. These results suggest a more efficacious strategy than non-targeted TNR programs.
Revisional laparoscopic surgery after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has been linked to substant... more Revisional laparoscopic surgery after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) has been linked to substantial complications and morbidity. To investigate the safety and effectiveness of endoscopic gastric plication with the StomaphyX device vs a sham procedure for revisional surgery in RYGB patients to reduce regained weight. A prospective, single-center, randomized, single-blinded study from July 2009 through February 2011, evaluating revisional surgery using StomaphyX was conducted in patients with initial weight loss after RYGB performed at least 2 years earlier. We planned for 120 patients to be randomized 2:1 to multiple full-thickness plications within the gastric pouch and stoma using the StomaphyX device with SerosFuse fasteners or a sham endoscopic procedure and followed up for 1 year. The primary efficacy end point was reduction in pre-RYGB excess weight by 15% or more excess body mass index (BMI) (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) loss and BMI ...
The global aerosol problem First, some background. Atmospheric aerosol particles are tiny solid o... more The global aerosol problem First, some background. Atmospheric aerosol particles are tiny solid or liquid particles suspended in air. Their diameters can range from a nanometer to 100 micrometers-about the diameter of human hair; a cubic centimetre of air can contain hundreds of them or millions. They can be made of carbon from fires and combustion, sea salt, mineral dust, organic matter, sulphate or many other things. They can travel a long way: orange particles from Africa can sometimes be seen on car windscreens in Britain. Aerosol particles can affect the climate in many ways. They can do it directly, by reflecting or absorbing solar radiation. As bright dusts travels across dark ocean it reflects more sunlight back into space and therefore cools the ocean surface. Black carbon deposited on bright ice or snow has the opposite effect: it absorbs heat and warms the surface below. Uncertainties in climate models Living with uncertainty in an uncertain world Climate change is hugely complicated, physically and statistically. Debate rages about predictions and the uncertainties within them. Understanding such uncertainties is vital. Lindsay Lee works on the Leeds University GLOMAP model of aerosols in the atmosphere and the changes they may bring. This article was a runner-up in the Significance/Young Statisticians Section writers' competition earlier this year.
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