OBJECTIVEDevelopment, initial validation and reliability testing of a shortened version of a web-based questionnaire instrument to measure generic health-related quality of life in companion dogs, to facilitate smartphone and online use.MATERIALS AND METHODSThe original 46 items were reduced using expert judgment and factor analysis. Items were removed on the basis of item loadings and communalities on factors identified through factor analysis of responses from owners of healthy and unwell dogs, intrafactor item correlations, readability of items in the UK, USA and Australia and ability of individual items to discriminate between healthy and unwell dogs. Validity was assessed through factor analysis and a field trial using a "known groups" approach. Test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients.RESULTSThe new instrument comprises 22 items, each of which was rated by dog owners using a 7-point Likert scale. Factor analysis revealed a structure with four health-related quality of life domains (energetic/enthusiastic, happy/content, active/comfortable, and calm/relaxed) accounting for 72% of the variability in the data compared with 64% for the original instrument. The field test involving 153 healthy and unwell dogs demonstrated good discriminative properties and high intraclass correlation coefficients.CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCEThe 22-item shortened form is superior to the original instrument and can be accessed via a mobile phone app. This is likely to increase the acceptability to dog owners as a routine wellness measure in health care packages and as a therapeutic monitoring tool.

OBJECTIVE:To assess agreement between noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP) oscillometrically-derived values from a multiparameter monitor (Datex Ohmeda S/5 Compact) with those obtained by invasive blood pressure (IBP) measurement in anaesthetised horses undergoing elective surgery. STUDY DESIGN:Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS:A total of 40 healthy adult horses. METHODS:Horses were anaesthetised with various anaesthetic protocols (based on clinical requirements). Depending on positioning, cannulation of the facial or lateral metatarsal artery was performed for IBP measurement. The cannula was connected via a transducer to the monitor. An appropriately sized NIBP cuff was placed around the tail base and connected to the same monitor. Systolic (SAP), mean (MAP) and diastolic (DAP) arterial blood pressures were continuously recorded from the invasive system, and at 3 minute intervals from the oscillometric system, throughout the surgical procedure using a Datex iCollect program. An appropriate arithmetic correction factor was applied to the oscillometric results where the cuff was not level with the heart. Assessment of the degree of agreement between invasive and noninvasive readings at each time point was performed using a modified Bland-Altman analysis. RESULTS:While in many horses there was relatively close correlation between the values obtained over time, there was substantial variability in individual animals which resulted in wide Bland-Altman limits of agreement. The oscillometric device over-reads by approximately 32, 23 and 22 mmHg, and under-reads by 26, 17 and 19 mmHg for SAP, MAP and DAP, respectively, compared with the IBP values. However, using the mean difference and standard deviation, the device conforms to American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) standards. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:Oscillometric blood pressure measurement using the Datex Ohmeda S/5 Compact multiparameter monitor conforms to ACVIM standards when the NIBP cuff is placed on the tail. However, because of the wide variability in measurements, we cannot recommend this technique to guide therapy in anaesthetised adult horses.

OBJECTIVES:To evaluate sedation quality and cardiorespiratory variables in dogs sedated using a target-controlled infusion of propofol or propofol-alfentanil admixture.METHODS:A total of 60 dogs undergoing diagnostic imaging were randomly assigned to one of three sedation protocols: propofol alone; propofol with a low concentration of 12 µg of alfentanil per mL of propofol; or propofol with a higher concentration of 24 µg of alfentanil per mL of propofol. Target-controlled infusion was initiated at a propofol target concentration of 1·5 µg/mL and increased until lateral recumbency was achieved. Times to adopt lateral recumbency and recover, pulse rate, respiratory rate, oscillometric mean arterial pressure and oxygen saturation were recorded. Quality of sedation onset and recovery were scored.RESULTS:Propofol target at lateral recumbency differed significantly (P=0·01) between groups with median (range) values of 3·0 (1·5 to 5·5), 2·0 (2 to 4·5) and 2·25 (1·5 to 3·5) µg/mL for propofol alone, propofol with the lower concentration of alfentanil and propofol with the higher concentration of alfentanil groups, respectively. Time to lateral recumbency was longer and quality of onset less smooth for the propofol group. Pulse rate change differed significantly (P<0·001) between groups (mean pulse rate change at onset of sedation: propofol group +2 ±24 bpm, low concentration alfentanil group -30 ±24 bpm, higher concentration alfentanil group -26 ±23 bpm). Hypoxaemia (SpO2 <90%) occurred in 1, 3 and 13 dogs, in the propofol group, the low concentration alfentanil group and the higher concentration of alfentanil group, respectively (P<0·001).CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:Addition of alfentanil to propofol target-controlled infusion did not confer cardiovascular benefits and, at the higher concentration, alfentanil increased the incidence of hypoxaemia.

Uncertainty in predictions of models arrises from, among other sources, the model structure representing the real world system, the scenario reflecting different views of the future, the uncertainty in the model parameters, and the model code. Attention has been devoted to studying these sources of uncertainties. The fundamental purpose of this study is to identify and highlight the significance of another important source of uncertainty which is often ignored. We call this type of uncertainty u0027modeller uncertaintyu0027 which may arise because of a number of reasons, such as different modelleru0027s interpretation of both the model and the scenario can vary, different modellers can draw different conclusions from the same output depending on the context of the problem and the attitude of the modeller, the modelleru0027s limited experience of modelling concepts, and the modelleru0027s incomplete knowledge of the system being modeled. Therefore, the resulting model predictions can depend largely upon a modeller. In this study, we look at this aspect of uncertainty in the context of environmental radioactivity modeling, using real world data from the Chernobyl accident.

Baited underwater cameras are becoming a popular tool to monitor fish and invertebrate populations within protected and inshore environments where trawl surveys are unsuitable. Modelling the arrival times of deep-sea grenadiers using an inverse square relationship has enabled abundance estimates, comparable to those from bottom trawl surveys, to be gathered from deep-sea baited camera surveys. Baited underwater camera systems in the shallow water environments are however, currently limited to relative comparisons of assemblages based on simple metrics such as MaxN (maximum number of fish seen at any one time). This study describes a stochastic simulation approach used to model the behaviour of fish and invertebrates around a BUC system to enable absolute abundance estimates to be generated from arrival patterns. Species-specific models were developed for the tropical reef fishes the black tip grouper (Epinephelus fasciatus) and moray eel (Gymnothorax spp.) and the Antarctic scavengers; the asteroid (Odontaster validus) and the nemertean worm (Parbolasia corrugatus). A sensitivity analysis explored the impact of input parameters on the arrival patterns (MaxN, time to the arrival of the first individual and the time to reach MaxN) for each species generated by the model. Sensitivity analysis showed a particularly strong link between MaxN and abundance indicating that this model could be used to generate absolute abundances from existing or future MaxN data. It in effect allows the slope of the MaxN vs. abundance relationship to be estimated. Arrival patterns generated by each model were used to estimate population abundance for the focal species and these estimates were compared to data from underwater visual census transects. Using a Bland–Altman analysis, baited underwater camera data processed using this model were shown to generate absolute abundance estimates that were comparable to underwater visual census data.

This article moves on to discuss a type of statistical testing different from those we have discussed previously, namely a General Linear Model. This system incorporates a number of other statistical models and is a powerful tool used widely in modern statistics.

BACKGROUND:It is suggested the declining male birth proportion in some industrialized countries is linked to ubiquitous endocrine disruptor exposure. Stress and advanced parental age are determinants which frequently present positive findings. Multi-factorial influences on population sex ratio are rarely explored or tested in research.OBJECTIVES:To test the hypothesis that dual factors of pollution and population stress affects sex proportion at birth through geographical analysis of Central Scotland.METHODS:The study incorporates the use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) tools to overlay modeled point source endocrine disruptor air emissions with "small-area" data on multiple deprivation (a proxy measurement of stress) and birth sex. Historical review of regional sex ratio trends presents additional data on sex ratio in Scotland to consider.RESULTS:There was no overall concentration in Central Scotland of low sex ratio neighborhoods with areas where endocrine disruptor air pollution and deprivation or economic stress were high. Historical regional trends in Scotland (from 1973), however, do show significantly lower sex ratio values for populations where industrial air pollution is highest (i.e. Eastern Central Scotland).CONCLUSIONS:Use of small area data sets and pollution inventories is a potential new method of inquiry for reproductive environmental and health protection monitoring and has produced interesting findings.

This short addition to our series on clinical statistics concerns relationships, and answering questions such as "are blood pressure and weight related?" In a later article, we will answer the more interesting question about how they might be related. This article follows on logically from the previous one dealing with categorical data, the major difference being here that we will consider two continuous variables, which naturally leads to the use of a Pearson correlation or occasionally to a Spearman rank correlation coefficient.

This, the fifth of our series of articles on statistics in veterinary medicine, moves onto modelling categorical data, in particular assessing associations between variables. Some of the questions we shall consider are widely discussed in many clinical research publications, and we will use the ideas of hypothesis tests and confidence intervals to answer those questions.

In a previous article, we tackled the question “How are we related?” for the simple case of one explanatory variable or covariate. Now we can move onto a natural extension, with still only one response variable, but more than one explanatory variable.

In a previous article, we asked the simple question “Are we related?” and used scatterplots and correlation coefficients to provide an answer. In this article, we will take this question and reword it to “How are we related?” and will demonstrate the statistical techniques required to reach a conclusion.

The fourth in our series of articles on statistics for clinicians focuses on how we determine the appropriate number of subjects to include in an experimental study to provide sufficient statistical power.

Dealing with numerical results from a research study can be a daunting task for the non-statistician. This article highlights some of the ways in which such data can be expressed to facilitate subsequent analysis.

The manner in which organisations incorporate evidence into their decision-making processes has been the subject of considerable discussion within the literature. The nature of evidence, and the uncertainty that surrounds its construction, use, and legitimisation, is an issue that remains problematic when dealing with low probability, high consequence events. Of particular interest is the manner in which organisations narrow their 'boundaries of consideration' when dealing with policy decisions and the emergence of hazards. This paper seeks to explore the manner in which organisations incorporate different forms of evidence in the policy making process around 'extreme events' and the role of the precautionary principle for 'high risk' activities.

This, the third of our series of articles on statistics in veterinary medicine, moves onto the more complex concepts of hypothesis testing and confidence intervals. As these two areas are widely discussed in many clinical research publications, an awareness of the underlying methodology behind their use is essential to appreciate the information they convey.

European Journal of PainVolume 13, Issue S1 p. S79-S79 248 DEVELOPMENT OF QUANTITATIVE MECHANICAL SENSORY TESTING APPROACHES FOR PAIN ASSESSMENT IN PIGS D. Sandercock, D. Sandercock University of Glasgow, Division of Cell Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Glasgow, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorI. Gibson, I. Gibson University of Glasgow, Division of Cell Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Glasgow, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorH. Brash, H. Brash University of Edinburgh, Department of Hepatology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorM. Scott, M. Scott University of Glasgow, Department of Statistics, Glasgow, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorA. Nolan, A. Nolan University of Glasgow, Division of Cell Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Glasgow, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this author D. Sandercock, D. Sandercock University of Glasgow, Division of Cell Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Glasgow, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorI. Gibson, I. Gibson University of Glasgow, Division of Cell Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Glasgow, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorH. Brash, H. Brash University of Edinburgh, Department of Hepatology, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorM. Scott, M. Scott University of Glasgow, Department of Statistics, Glasgow, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this authorA. Nolan, A. Nolan University of Glasgow, Division of Cell Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Glasgow, United KingdomSearch for more papers by this author First published: 12 January 2012 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1090-3801(09)60251-2Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume13, IssueS1September 2009Pages S79-S79 RelatedInformation

Mass populations of toxin-producing cyanobacteria commonly develop in fresh-, brackish- and marine waters and effective strategies for monitoring and managing cyanobacterial health risks are required to safeguard animal and human health. A multi-interdisciplinary study, including two UK freshwaters with a history of toxic cyanobacterial blooms, was undertaken to explore different approaches for the identification, monitoring and management of potentially-toxic cyanobacteria and their associated risks. The results demonstrate that (i) cyanobacterial bloom occurrence can be predicted at a local- and national-scale using process-based and statistical models; (ii) cyanobacterial concentration and distribution in waterbodies can be monitored using remote sensing, but minimum detection limits need to be evaluated; (iii) cyanotoxins may be transferred to spray-irrigated root crops; and (iv) attitudes and perceptions towards risks influence the public's preferences and willingness-to-pay for cyanobacterial health risk reductions in recreational waters.