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1.
Sensors (Basel) ; 24(4)2024 Feb 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38400226

ABSTRACT

In order to combat greenhouse gas emissions, the sources of these emissions must be understood. Environmental monitoring using low-cost wireless devices is one method of measuring emissions in crucial but remote settings, such as peatlands. The Figaro NGM2611-E13 is a low-cost methane detection module based around the TGS2611-E00 sensor. The manufacturer provides sensitivity characteristics for methane concentrations above 300 ppm, but lower concentrations are typical in outdoor settings. This study investigates the potential to calibrate these sensors for lower methane concentrations using machine learning. Models of varying complexity, accounting for temperature and humidity variations, were trained on over 50,000 calibration datapoints, spanning 0-200 ppm methane, 5-30 °C and 40-80% relative humidity. Interaction terms were shown to improve model performance. The final selected model achieved a root-mean-square error of 5.1 ppm and an R2 of 0.997, demonstrating the potential for the NGM2611-E13 sensor to measure methane concentrations below 200 ppm.

6.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19686993

ABSTRACT

A scanning head has been designed and fabricated that incorporates a 20-MHz, 128-element linear transducer. The scanning head also incorporates -200 V pulsers and a custom 16-channel amplifier. The transducer was constructed with 28 microm PVDF film with an element pitch of 250 microm. The transducer showed an average -20 dB pulse length of 69 ns. The elements of the PVDF array were tested and found to have 7.5 mPa/ radical Hz equivalent noise pressure. The radiated power level for 32 pulsed elements was approximately 1 MPa. An imaging test shows that the system achieves axial and lateral resolutions of 40 microm and 0.2 mm, respectively. The entire scanning head dissipates approximately 1.6 W at a pulse repetition rate of 750 Hz.


Subject(s)
Models, Theoretical , Polyvinyls/chemistry , Transducers , Ultrasonography/instrumentation , Algorithms , Amplifiers, Electronic , Arm/blood supply , Arm/diagnostic imaging , Equipment Design , Humans , Skin/diagnostic imaging
7.
J Am Vet Med Assoc ; 234(4): 486-94, 2009 Feb 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19222358

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that increased severity of periodontal disease in dogs is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular-related events, such as endocarditis and cardiomyopathy, as well as markers of inflammation. DESIGN: Historical cohort observational study. SAMPLE POPULATION: 59,296 dogs with a history of periodontal disease (periodontal cohort), of which 23,043 had stage 1 disease, 20,732 had stage 2 disease, and 15,521 had stage 3 disease; and an age-matched comparison group of 59,296 dogs with no history of periodontal disease (nonperiodontal cohort). PROCEDURES: Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate the risk of cardiovascular-related diagnoses and examination findings in dogs as a function of the stage of periodontal disease (1, 2, or 3 or no periodontal disease) over time while controlling for the effect of potential confounding factors. RESULTS: Significant associations were detected between the severity of periodontal disease and the subsequent risk of cardiovascular-related conditions, such as endocarditis and cardiomyopathy, but not between the severity of periodontal disease and the risk of a variety of other common noncardiovascular-related conditions. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings of this observational study, similar to epidemiologic studies in humans, suggested that periodontal disease was associated with cardiovascular-related conditions, such as endocarditis and cardiomyopathy. Chronic inflammation is probably an important mechanism connecting bacterial flora in the oral cavity of dogs with systemic disease. Canine health may be improved if veterinarians and pet owners place a higher priority on routine dental care.


Subject(s)
Cardiomyopathies/veterinary , Cardiovascular Diseases/veterinary , Dental Care/veterinary , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Endocarditis, Bacterial/veterinary , Periodontal Diseases/veterinary , Animals , Cardiomyopathies/epidemiology , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Cohort Studies , Dogs , Endocarditis, Bacterial/epidemiology , Female , Male , Periodontal Diseases/complications , Periodontal Diseases/pathology , Periodontal Diseases/prevention & control , Proportional Hazards Models , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index
8.
J Am Vet Med Assoc ; 231(1): 94-100, 2007 Jul 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17605670

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of vaccine-associated adverse events (VAAEs) diagnosed within 30 days of vaccination in cats and characterize risk factors for their occurrence. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 496,189 cats vaccinated at 329 hospitals. PROCEDURES: Electronic records were searched for VAAEs that occurred after vaccine administration classified by practitioners as nonspecific vaccine reaction, allergic reaction, urticaria, shock, or anaphylaxis. Clinical signs and treatments were reviewed. The association between potential risk factors and a VAAE occurrence was estimated via multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: 2,560 VAAEs were associated with administration of 1,258,712 doses of vaccine to 496,189 cats (51.6 VAAEs/10,000 cats vaccinated). The risk of a VAAE significantly increased as the number of vaccines administered per office visit increased. Risk was greatest for cats approximately 1 year old; overall risk was greater for neutered versus sexually intact cats. Lethargy with or without fever was the most commonly diagnosed VAAE. No localized reactions recorded in the 30-day period were subsequently diagnosed as neoplasia when followed for 1 to 2 years. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although overall VAAE rates were low, young adult neutered cats that received multiple vaccines per office visit were at the greatest risk of a VAAE within 30 days after vaccination. Veterinarians should incorporate these findings into risk communications and limit the number of vaccinations administered concurrently to cats.


Subject(s)
Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems , Cats , Risk Assessment , Vaccination/veterinary , Age Factors , Animals , Body Weight/physiology , Castration/adverse effects , Castration/veterinary , Cat Diseases/immunology , Cat Diseases/prevention & control , Cohort Studies , Female , Incidence , Male , Multivariate Analysis , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Vaccination/adverse effects
9.
Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis ; 7(1): 65-75, 2007.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17417959

ABSTRACT

Knowledge of the geographic range and seasonal activity of vector ticks is important for determining which people or animals are at risk of acquiring tick-borne infections. Several time-consuming methods requiring large-scale organization are used to map geographic and seasonal variations in tick distribution. A cost-effective, complementary approach to study tick distribution using a large nation-wide veterinary database is described in this paper. Prevalence of canine tick infestation in 40 states was estimated by analyzing electronic medical records of more than 8 million dog visits to Banfield veterinary hospitals in 2002-2004. Prevalence was defined as the proportion of dog visits in which tick infestation was recorded, and was expressed per 10,000 dog visits with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The overall prevalence (CI) of tick infestation was 52 (51, 53) dogs per 10,000 dog visits. Among states, Oklahoma (249 [229, 271) dogs with ticks per 10,000 dog-visits), Arkansas (242 [213, 274]), Connecticut (136 [119, 155]), West Virginia (130 [105, 161]), and Rhode Island (122 [97, 154]) ranked highest in prevalence of canine tick infestation. Overall prevalence peaked from May through July, although monthly prevalence varied by geographic region. In multiple logistic regression, younger dogs, male dogs, and sexually intact dogs, were at increased risk of tick infestation. Toy breeds were least likely to be infested, but no linear pattern of risk was evident with body weight. Identified risk factors should enable veterinarians to prevent tick infestation in pet dogs although differences in risk of tick infestation may be related to outdoor activity of dogs. Feasibility of collecting information for surveillance of vectors ticks on a national level using this large, electronic veterinary database is discussed.


Subject(s)
Arachnid Vectors/growth & development , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Tick Infestations/veterinary , Ticks/growth & development , Age Factors , Animals , Dogs , Female , Geography , Logistic Models , Male , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Seasons , Sex Factors , Tick Infestations/epidemiology , Tick-Borne Diseases/epidemiology , Tick-Borne Diseases/veterinary , United States/epidemiology
10.
J Feline Med Surg ; 8(5): 292-301, 2006 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16678461

ABSTRACT

Prevalence and risk factors for feline coccidia and Giardia species infections were estimated for cats visiting 434 Banfield hospitals in 40 states in 2003-2004. Evaluated were 631,021 cats making 1,456,712 office visits (encounters) and having 211,105 fecal examinations. The overall fecal prevalences of coccidia and Giardia species were 1.4% and 0.58%, respectively. Cats at increased risk of coccidia infection were under 4 years of age, intact, and seen during the summer, fall, and spring months compared to winter. Cats at increased risk of Giardia species infection were under 4 years of age. Those at decreased risk were mixed breed and seen during the summer, fall, and spring. The highest regional risk of coccidia and Giardia species infection was for cats in the East South Central region and Mountain region, respectively, compared to the South Pacific region.


Subject(s)
Cat Diseases/epidemiology , Coccidia/isolation & purification , Coccidiosis/veterinary , Giardia/isolation & purification , Giardiasis/veterinary , Animals , Animals, Domestic , Cat Diseases/diagnosis , Cats , Coccidiosis/epidemiology , Confidence Intervals , Female , Giardiasis/epidemiology , Male , Multivariate Analysis , Odds Ratio , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors
11.
Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis ; 6(1): 14-23, 2006.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16584323

ABSTRACT

A National Companion Animal Surveillance Program (NCASP) was established at Purdue University to monitor clinical syndromes and diseases using the electronic medical records of >80,000 companion animals visiting >500 Banfield hospitals weekly in 44 states. With funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NCASP was initially developed for syndromic surveillance of Category A agents of bioterrorism. Surveillance was expanded through inclusion of electronic reports from Antech Diagnostics, a nationwide network of integrated veterinary diagnostic laboratories serving >18,000 private veterinary practices. NCASP characterizes and displays temporal and spatial patterns of diseases in dogs, cats, and other companion animals. It detects unusual clusters of potential emerging/zoonotic infections and monitors flea and tick activity. Data is processed and analyzed using SAS and ESRI software products. The NCASP can be used by veterinarians to enhance their practice of evidence-based medicine by providing information needed to individualize vaccine protocols for animals in specific geographic areas.


Subject(s)
Animals, Domestic , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/epidemiology , Population Surveillance/methods , Public Health Informatics , Zoonoses/epidemiology , Animals , Arachnid Vectors/microbiology , Cat Diseases/epidemiology , Cats , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/diagnosis , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/prevention & control , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Dog Diseases/transmission , Dogs , Humans , Influenza, Human/epidemiology , Insect Vectors/physiology , Leptospirosis/diagnosis , Leptospirosis/epidemiology , Lyme Disease/epidemiology , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Siphonaptera/physiology , Tick Infestations/epidemiology , Ticks/microbiology , Zoonoses/transmission
12.
J Am Vet Med Assoc ; 228(6): 885-92, 2006 Mar 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16536699

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To estimate prevalences of roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm infections in pet cats in the United States and identify risk factors for parasitism. DESIGN: Retrospective period prevalence survey. STUDY POPULATION: 356,086 cats examined at 359 private veterinary hospitals during 2003. PROCEDURE: Electronic medical records were searched to identify cats for which fecal flotation tests had been performed and to determine proportions of test results positive for roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. Potential risk factors for roundworm and hookworm infection were identified by means of multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 80,278 tests were performed on fecal samples from 66,819 cats. Calculated prevalences of roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm infection were 2.92%, 0.63%, and 0.031%, respectively. Age, reproductive status, breed, and season were significant risk factors for roundworm infection, with cats < 4 years old; sexually intact cats; mixed-breed cats; and cats examined during the summer, fall, or winter more likely to be infected. Age, reproductive status, and season were significant risk factors for hookworm infection, with cats < 1 year old, sexually intact cats, and cats examined during the summer more likely to be infected. Regional differences in prevalences of roundworm and hookworm infection were found. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that prevalences of nematode infections among pet cats in the United States may be lower than previously suspected on the basis of prevalences reported among cats in humane shelters and those reported in more geographically focused studies.


Subject(s)
Cat Diseases/epidemiology , Nematode Infections/veterinary , Age Factors , Animals , Breeding , Castration/veterinary , Cats , Feces/parasitology , Female , Logistic Models , Male , Nematode Infections/epidemiology , Prevalence , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Seasons , Sex Factors , United States/epidemiology
13.
Q J Exp Psychol A ; 58(8): 1447-61, 2005 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16365949

ABSTRACT

The nominal competitor effect suggests that, when a person has two names associated with them, recall of either name is more difficult than if they just had one name. Drawing on a connectionist framework, this effect could arise either if multiple names were represented as being connected to a single person identity node (PIN), or if multiple names were represented as being connected via one-to-one links to multiple PINs. Whilst the latter has intuitive appeal, results from two experiments support the former architecture. Having two names connected to a single PIN not only gives rise to a nominal competitor effect (Experiment 1), but also gives rise to a familiarity enhancement effect (Experiment 2). These empirical results are simulated using an extension of Brédart, Valentine, Calder, and Gassi's (1995) connectionist architecture, which reveals that both effects hold even when the association of both names to the PIN is unequal. These results are presented in terms of a more complete model for person recognition, and the representation of semantic information within such a model is examined.


Subject(s)
Association Learning , Mental Recall , Names , Adolescent , Adult , Decision Making , Face , Female , Humans , Male , Neural Networks, Computer , Pattern Recognition, Visual , Reaction Time , Retention, Psychology , Semantics
15.
J Am Vet Med Assoc ; 227(7): 1102-8, 2005 Oct 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16220670

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine incidence rates and potential risk factors for vaccine-associated adverse events (VAAEs) diagnosed within 3 days of administration in dogs. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 1,226,159 dogs vaccinated at 360 veterinary hospitals. PROCEDURE: Electronic records from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2003, were searched for possible VAAEs (nonspecific vaccine reaction, allergic reaction, urticaria, or anaphylaxis) diagnosed within 3 days of vaccine administration. Information included age, weight, sex, neuter status, and breed. Specific clinical signs and treatments were reviewed in a random sample of 400 affected dogs. The association between potential risk factors and a VAAE was estimated by use of multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: 4,678 adverse events (38.2/10,000 dogs vaccinated) were associated with administration of 3,439,576 doses of vaccine to 1,226,159 dogs. The VAAE rate decreased significantly as body weight increased. Risk was 27% to 38% greater for neutered versus sexually intact dogs and 35% to 64% greater for dogs approximately 1 to 3 years old versus 2 to 9 months old. The risk of a VAAE significantly increased as the number of vaccine doses administered per office visit increased; each additional vaccine significantly increased risk of an adverse event by 27% in dogs < or = 10 kg (22 lb) and 12% in dogs > 10 kg. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Young adult small-breed neutered dogs that received multiple vaccines per office visit were at greatest risk of a VAAE within 72 hours after vaccination. These factors should be considered in risk assessment and risk communication with clients regarding vaccination.


Subject(s)
Body Weight/physiology , Dogs/immunology , Risk Assessment , Vaccination/veterinary , Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems , Age Factors , Animals , Castration/adverse effects , Castration/veterinary , Cohort Studies , Dog Diseases/immunology , Dog Diseases/prevention & control , Female , Incidence , Male , Multivariate Analysis , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Vaccination/adverse effects
16.
Vaccine ; 23(48-49): 5557-62, 2005 Dec 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-16112259

ABSTRACT

Electronic medical records of a large veterinary practice were used for surveillance of potential space-time clustering of adverse events associated with rabies vaccination in dogs. The study population was 257,564 dogs vaccinated in 169 hospitals in 13 US metropolitan areas during a 24-month period. Using a scan statistic for population rate data, significant space-time clusters were identified involving the Atlanta and Tampa/St. Petersburg areas during a 4-month period. Separate spatial-temporal analyses of these cities using coordinates for individual address coordinates identified one significant patient cluster (P=0.002), associated with a 23.26 km-radius area in Atlanta (20 adverse events in 702 dogs; 2.85%) from November 2002 through February 2003. This percentage of adverse events was significantly increased after adjustment for host-related factors and the number of concurrent vaccinations.


Subject(s)
Rabies Vaccines/adverse effects , Rabies/prevention & control , Viral Vaccines/adverse effects , Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems , Animals , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Dog Diseases/etiology , Dog Diseases/prevention & control , Dogs , Hospitals, Animal , Population Surveillance , Rabies/immunology , Rabies Vaccines/immunology , Rabies virus/immunology , Records/veterinary , Space-Time Clustering , Viral Vaccines/immunology
17.
J Am Vet Med Assoc ; 226(6): 909-12, 2005 Mar 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-15786992

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine incidence of and risk factors for adverse events associated with distemper and rabies vaccine administration in ferrets. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 3,587 ferrets that received a rabies or distemper vaccine between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2003. PROCEDURES: Electronic medical records were searched for possible vaccine-associated adverse events. Adverse events were classified by attending veterinarians as nonspecific vaccine reactions, allergic reactions, or anaphylaxis. Patient information that was collected included age, weight, sex, cumulative number of distemper and rabies vaccinations received, clinical signs, and treatment. The association between potential risk factors and occurrence of an adverse event was estimated with logistic regression. RESULTS: 30 adverse events were recorded. The adverse event incidence rates for administration of rabies vaccine alone, distemper vaccine alone, and rabies and distemper vaccines together were 0.51%, 1.00%, and 0.85%, respectively. These rates were not significantly different. All adverse events occurred immediately following vaccine administration and most commonly consisted of vomiting and diarrhea (52%) or vomiting alone (31%). Age, sex, and body weight were not significantly associated with occurrence of adverse events, but adverse event incidence rate increased as the cumulative number of distemper or rabies vaccinations received increased. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only the cumulative number of distemper vaccinations received was significantly associated with the occurrence of an adverse event. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that in ferrets, the risk of vaccine-associated adverse events was primarily associated with an increase in the number of distemper vaccinations.


Subject(s)
Diarrhea/veterinary , Ferrets , Rabies Vaccines/adverse effects , Viral Vaccines/adverse effects , Vomiting/veterinary , Animals , Cohort Studies , Diarrhea/epidemiology , Diarrhea/etiology , Distemper Virus, Canine/immunology , Female , Incidence , Logistic Models , Male , Rabies virus/immunology , Retrospective Studies , Risk Factors , Vomiting/epidemiology , Vomiting/etiology
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