Thermographic imaging in cats and dogs : Usability as a clinical method

Thermographic imaging has been studied and used widely in human and equine medicine, but published data from small animal medicine is still lacking. The primary aim of this study was to obtain basic knowledge of the method of thermographic imaging and to map possible areas of its use in companion animals. To determine the requirements for an optimal thermal camera, three cameras with different resolutions (80 x 80 pixels, 180 x 180 pixels and 320 x 240 pixels) were tested. A total of six thermographic images were taken from the hips of 49 dogs of 26 breeds. Two images were shot with each of the three thermal cameras. Two different persons took the thermographic images with the three cameras. Repeatability between thermographers and interpreters was studied. The usability of basic software for interpreting the thermographic images was examined by having three individuals interpret the thermographic images. The camera with the resolution of 320 x 240 pixels was considered the most suitable for thermographic imaging in dogs and, therefore, the rest of the studies were carried out using this camera. The impact of physical exercise on canine superficial temperature was studied with 47 racing greyhounds during two race days. Four superficial temperature points from the right and left hind leg were selected (Tendo calcaneus, Musculus gastrocnemius, Musculus gracilis and Musculus biceps femoris portio caudalis) to compare the changes in superficial temperatures before and after the race. The temperatures differed by 0 4 degrees at each selected point between the right and left legs after the completion of the race. However, no systematic asymmetry was detected between the dogs left and right side. The superficial temperatures were significantly colder when the ambient temperature was lower. Cats are known to be challenging subjects in clinical examinations and, therefore, more feline-friendly study methods are required. Thermographic imaging was used to detect temperature differences between both sides of 103 cats and, further, as an indicator of potentially painful processes. Both long-haired (n = 26) and short-haired (n = 77) cats were included. The cats that tolerated manual manipulation were also physically palpated. Owners filled in a questionnaire about the behaviour of their cat and estimated whether the cat was in any pain. The questionnaire responses, the owner s estimation of pain on a scale and thermographic imaging with palpation suggested that thermographic imaging is a potential tool of choice in clinical practice for detecting and screening cats potentially in pain. Certain drugs used in sedation and anaesthesia affect cardiovascular function. Peripheral temperature changes induced by distinct sedation protocols in dogs (n = 8) were identified by thermographic imaging from the digital and metatarsal foot pads. The obtained foot pad temperatures were compared to the rectal temperature of the same animal. The results indicated that superficial temperature changes caused by certain sedative drugs can be detected and monitored with thermographic imaging. Our studies suggested that thermographic imaging is a practical clinical method with dogs and cats. However, the effects of physical exercise and medications should be taken into consideration when interpreting thermographic images.Lämpökamerakuvantamisessa lämpökameralla havaitaan ja muodostetaan kuva kohteen lämpösäteilystä. Kaikki kohteet, joiden lämpötila ylittää absoluuttisen nollapisteen säteilevät lämpöä. Lämpökamera havaitsee ihmissilmälle näkymättömän lämpösäteilyn, eli infrapunasäteilyn ja muodostaa siitä ihmissilmin nähtävän kuvan. Lämpökameralla otettuja kuvia voi tarkastella kameran näytöltä tai tarkoitukseen soveltuvilla tietokoneohjelmilla. Verrattuna yleisesti käytettyihin kuvantamismenetelmiin, kuten ultraäänitutkimus, röntgenkuvaus tai magneettikuvaus, lämpökamerakuvantaminen voidaan tehdä potilaalle täysin turvallisesta koskematta siihen lainkaan. Lämpökamera ei säteile, vaan havaitsee säteilyä. Lämpökameralla voidaan havaita eläimessä tapahtuvat fysiologiset muutokset jo ennen kuin muutos on aiheuttanut muutoksia anatomisissa rakenteissa, kuten jänteissä tai lihaksissa. Lämpökamerakuvantamista voidaan käyttää eläinten tutkimisessa, jolloin kiinnitetään erityistä huomiota epätasaiseen lämpöjakaumaan tai normaalista poikkeaviin lämpimiin tai kylmiin alueisiin. Lämpökamerakuvantamista on tutkittu ja käytetty laajalti humaanilääketieteessä ja hevoseläinlääketieteessä, mutta tutkimukset ja menetelmän käyttö pieneläimillä on vielä vähäistä. Tämän tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli saada perustietoa lämpökamerakuvantamisen käytöstä pieneläimillä normaalissa tutkimustilanteessa sekä kartoittaa mahdollisia käyttöalueita kissoilla ja koirilla. Lämpökameroiden resoluutio vaihtelee eri mallien välillä. Optimaalisen eläinlääketieteelliseen käyttöön soveltuvan resoluution selvittämiseksi testasimme kolmea eri resoluution lämpökameraa (80 x 80 pikseliä, 180 x 180 pikselilä ja 320 x 240 pikseliä). Jokaisella kameralla kuvattiin 49:n koiran lonkan aluetta kahden eri kuvaajan toimesta. Lämpökuvat tulkittiin kolmen eri tutkijan toimesta. Toistettavuus kuvaajien ja kuvien tulkitsijoiden välillä oli paras korkeimman resoluution (320 x 240 pikseliä) lämpökameraa käytettäessä. Muissa tutkimuksissa käytettiin tämän tuloksen perusteella 320 x 240 resoluution lämpökameraa. Fyysinen rasitus vaikuttaa elimistön aineenvaihduntaan ja ihon pintaverenkiertoon. Pintalämpötilan muutosta ennen ja jälkeen urheilusuorituksen tutkittiin kuvaamalla 47 greyhound-rotuista koiraa kahden eri kilpailupäivän aikana. Lämpökuvista valittiin tarkasteltavaksi neljä pistettä takajalkojen alueelta. Kuvien perusteella voitiin havaita merkittäviä lämpötilamuutoksia oikean ja vasemman jalan välillä kilpailun jälkeen. Kissat ovat usein vaikeita tutkittavia, sillä ne peittävät kipunsa ja sairautensa tutkijalta. Kissaystävällisiä tutkimustapojen löytäminen on lääketieteellisesti ja hyvinvointisyistä tärkeää. Lämpökamerakuvantamisella tutkittiin 103:n kissan oikean ja vasemman puolen mahdollisia lämpötilaeroja. Lämpötilaeroja tutkittiin myös indikaattorina mahdolliselle kiputilalle. Ne kissat, jotka eivät stressaantuneet käsittelystä, tutkittiin myös tunnustelemalla. Omistajat vastasivat myös kyselyyn kissan liikkumisesta ja käyttäytymisestä sekä arvioivat, onko heidän kissallaan kipuja. Kyselyn tuloksia verrattiin tunnustelun havaintoihin sekä lämpökamerakuvista saatuihin lämpötilaeroihin oikean ja vasemman puolen välillä. Tulosten perusteella lämpökamerakuvantamista voidaan pitää mahdollisena apuvälineenä kissan kivuliaiden tilojen havaitsemiseen. Suurin osa eläinpotilaista rauhoitetaan lääkkeillä tutkimusta tai toimenpidettä varten. Rauhoitteet vaikuttavat verenkiertoelimistön toimintaan ja myös eläimen pinnalliseen verenkiertoon. Rauhoitteiden vaikutusta pintaverenkiertoon tutkittiin kuvaamalla lämpökameralla eri rauhoiteyhdistelmillä rauhoitettujen koirien polkuanturoita. Rauhoitteiden vaikutuksen pintaverenkiertoon voi havaita, ja lämpötilan muutosta rauhoituksen aikana seurata lämpökamerakuvantamisen avulla. Tutkimustemme perusteella lämpökamerakuvantaminen on käytännöllinen menetelmä käytettäväksi osana kissojen ja koirien kliinisestä eläinlääketieteellisestä tutkimusta. Fyysisen rasituksen ja lääkitysten vaikutus on kuitenkin otettava huomioon lämpökamerakuvia tulkittaessa

Global Perspective on Diabetic Foot Ulcerations

Over the last decade, it is becoming increasingly clear that diabetes mellitus is a global epidemic. The influence of diabetes is most readily apparent in its manifestation in foot complications across cultures and continents. In this unique collaboration of global specialists, we examine the explosion of foot disease in locations that must quickly grapple with both mobilizing medical expertise and shaping public policy to best prevent and treat these serious complications. In other areas of the world where diabetic foot complications have unfortunately been all too common, diagnostic testing and advanced treatments have been developed in response. The bulk of this book is devoted to examining the newest developments in basic and clinical research on the diabetic foot. It is hoped that as our understanding of the pathophysiologic process expands, the devastating impact of diabetic foot complications can be minimized on a global scale

Acupuncture in Modern Medicine

This book contains four integrated sections: 1) Acupuncture Research; 2) New Developments in Acupuncture; 3) Acupuncture Therapy for Clinical Conditions and 4) Assessment and Accessibility in Acupuncture Therapy. Section 1 provides updates on acupuncture research. From acupuncture effects in modulation of immune system to the role of nitric oxide in acupuncture mechanisms, chapters in this section offer readers the newest trends in acupuncture research. Section 2 summarizes new developments in acupuncture. The included chapters discuss new tools and methods in acupuncture such as laser acupuncture, sham needles, and new technologies. Section 3 discusses acupuncture therapy for clinical conditions. The chapters in this section provide comprehensive and critical views of acupuncture therapy and its application in common clinical practice. Section 4 takes a new look at the issues related to assessment and accessibility in acupuncture therapy. These issues are central to developing new standards for outcome assessment and policies that will increase the accessibility to acupuncture therapy

State of the art of audio- and video based solutions for AAL

Working Group 3. Audio- and Video-based AAL ApplicationsIt is a matter of fact that Europe is facing more and more crucial challenges regarding health and social care due to the demographic change and the current economic context. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has stressed this situation even further, thus highlighting the need for taking action. Active and Assisted Living (AAL) technologies come as a viable approach to help facing these challenges, thanks to the high potential they have in enabling remote care and support. Broadly speaking, AAL can be referred to as the use of innovative and advanced Information and Communication Technologies to create supportive, inclusive and empowering applications and environments that enable older, impaired or frail people to live independently and stay active longer in society. AAL capitalizes on the growing pervasiveness and effectiveness of sensing and computing facilities to supply the persons in need with smart assistance, by responding to their necessities of autonomy, independence, comfort, security and safety. The application scenarios addressed by AAL are complex, due to the inherent heterogeneity of the end-user population, their living arrangements, and their physical conditions or impairment. Despite aiming at diverse goals, AAL systems should share some common characteristics. They are designed to provide support in daily life in an invisible, unobtrusive and user-friendly manner. Moreover, they are conceived to be intelligent, to be able to learn and adapt to the requirements and requests of the assisted people, and to synchronise with their specific needs. Nevertheless, to ensure the uptake of AAL in society, potential users must be willing to use AAL applications and to integrate them in their daily environments and lives. In this respect, video- and audio-based AAL applications have several advantages, in terms of unobtrusiveness and information richness. Indeed, cameras and microphones are far less obtrusive with respect to the hindrance other wearable sensors may cause to one’s activities. In addition, a single camera placed in a room can record most of the activities performed in the room, thus replacing many other non-visual sensors. Currently, video-based applications are effective in recognising and monitoring the activities, the movements, and the overall conditions of the assisted individuals as well as to assess their vital parameters (e.g., heart rate, respiratory rate). Similarly, audio sensors have the potential to become one of the most important modalities for interaction with AAL systems, as they can have a large range of sensing, do not require physical presence at a particular location and are physically intangible. Moreover, relevant information about individuals’ activities and health status can derive from processing audio signals (e.g., speech recordings). Nevertheless, as the other side of the coin, cameras and microphones are often perceived as the most intrusive technologies from the viewpoint of the privacy of the monitored individuals. This is due to the richness of the information these technologies convey and the intimate setting where they may be deployed. Solutions able to ensure privacy preservation by context and by design, as well as to ensure high legal and ethical standards are in high demand. After the review of the current state of play and the discussion in GoodBrother, we may claim that the first solutions in this direction are starting to appear in the literature. A multidisciplinary 4 debate among experts and stakeholders is paving the way towards AAL ensuring ergonomics, usability, acceptance and privacy preservation. The DIANA, PAAL, and VisuAAL projects are examples of this fresh approach. This report provides the reader with a review of the most recent advances in audio- and video-based monitoring technologies for AAL. It has been drafted as a collective effort of WG3 to supply an introduction to AAL, its evolution over time and its main functional and technological underpinnings. In this respect, the report contributes to the field with the outline of a new generation of ethical-aware AAL technologies and a proposal for a novel comprehensive taxonomy of AAL systems and applications. Moreover, the report allows non-technical readers to gather an overview of the main components of an AAL system and how these function and interact with the end-users. The report illustrates the state of the art of the most successful AAL applications and functions based on audio and video data, namely (i) lifelogging and self-monitoring, (ii) remote monitoring of vital signs, (iii) emotional state recognition, (iv) food intake monitoring, activity and behaviour recognition, (v) activity and personal assistance, (vi) gesture recognition, (vii) fall detection and prevention, (viii) mobility assessment and frailty recognition, and (ix) cognitive and motor rehabilitation. For these application scenarios, the report illustrates the state of play in terms of scientific advances, available products and research project. The open challenges are also highlighted. The report ends with an overview of the challenges, the hindrances and the opportunities posed by the uptake in real world settings of AAL technologies. In this respect, the report illustrates the current procedural and technological approaches to cope with acceptability, usability and trust in the AAL technology, by surveying strategies and approaches to co-design, to privacy preservation in video and audio data, to transparency and explainability in data processing, and to data transmission and communication. User acceptance and ethical considerations are also debated. Finally, the potentials coming from the silver economy are overviewed.publishedVersio

Aerospace medicine and biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes (supplement 324)

This bibliography lists 200 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information System during May, 1989. Subject coverage includes: aerospace medicine and psychology, life support systems and controlled environments, safety equipment, exobiology and extraterrestrial life, and flight crew behavior and performance

Aerospace Medicine and Biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes (supplement 245)

This bibliography lists 363 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA scientific and technical information system in April 1983

Proceedings SIAMOC 2019

Il congresso annuale della Società Italiana di Analisi del Movimento in Clinica, giunto quest'anno alla sua ventesima edizione, ritorna a Bologna, che già ospitò il terzo congresso nazionale nel 2002. Il legame tra Bologna e l'analisi del movimento è forte e radicato, e trova ampia linfa sia nel contesto accademico che nel ricco panorama di centri clinici d'eccellenza. Il congresso SIAMOC, come ogni anno, è l’occasione per tutti i professionisti dell’ambito clinico, metodologico ed industriale di incontrarsi, presentare le proprie ricerche e rimanere aggiornati sulle più recenti innovazioni nell’ambito dell’applicazione clinica dei metodi di analisi del movimento. Questo ha contribuito, in questi venti anni, a fare avanzare sensibilmente la ricerca italiana nel settore, conferendole un respiro ed un impatto internazionale, e a diffonderne l'applicazione clinica per migliorare la valutazione dei disordini motori, aumentare l'efficacia dei trattamenti attraverso l'analisi quantitativa dei dati e una più focalizzata pianificazione dei trattamenti, ed inoltre per quantificare i risultati delle terapie correnti

Proceedings SIAMOC 2019

Il congresso annuale della Società Italiana di Analisi del Movimento in Clinica, giunto quest'anno alla sua ventesima edizione, ritorna a Bologna, che già ospitò il terzo congresso nazionale nel 2002. Il legame tra Bologna e l'analisi del movimento è forte e radicato, e trova ampia linfa sia nel contesto accademico che nel ricco panorama di centri clinici d'eccellenza. Il congresso SIAMOC, come ogni anno, è l’occasione per tutti i professionisti dell’ambito clinico, metodologico ed industriale di incontrarsi, presentare le proprie ricerche e rimanere aggiornati sulle più recenti innovazioni nell’ambito dell’applicazione clinica dei metodi di analisi del movimento. Questo ha contribuito, in questi venti anni, a fare avanzare sensibilmente la ricerca italiana nel settore, conferendole un respiro ed un impatto internazionale, e a diffonderne l'applicazione clinica per migliorare la valutazione dei disordini motori, aumentare l'efficacia dei trattamenti attraverso l'analisi quantitativa dei dati e una più focalizzata pianificazione dei trattamenti, ed inoltre per quantificare i risultati delle terapie correnti

State of the Art of Audio- and Video-Based Solutions for AAL

It is a matter of fact that Europe is facing more and more crucial challenges regarding health and social care due to the demographic change and the current economic context. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has stressed this situation even further, thus highlighting the need for taking action. Active and Assisted Living technologies come as a viable approach to help facing these challenges, thanks to the high potential they have in enabling remote care and support. Broadly speaking, AAL can be referred to as the use of innovative and advanced Information and Communication Technologies to create supportive, inclusive and empowering applications and environments that enable older, impaired or frail people to live independently and stay active longer in society. AAL capitalizes on the growing pervasiveness and effectiveness of sensing and computing facilities to supply the persons in need with smart assistance, by responding to their necessities of autonomy, independence, comfort, security and safety. The application scenarios addressed by AAL are complex, due to the inherent heterogeneity of the end-user population, their living arrangements, and their physical conditions or impairment. Despite aiming at diverse goals, AAL systems should share some common characteristics. They are designed to provide support in daily life in an invisible, unobtrusive and user-friendly manner. Moreover, they are conceived to be intelligent, to be able to learn and adapt to the requirements and requests of the assisted people, and to synchronise with their specific needs. Nevertheless, to ensure the uptake of AAL in society, potential users must be willing to use AAL applications and to integrate them in their daily environments and lives. In this respect, video- and audio-based AAL applications have several advantages, in terms of unobtrusiveness and information richness. Indeed, cameras and microphones are far less obtrusive with respect to the hindrance other wearable sensors may cause to one’s activities. In addition, a single camera placed in a room can record most of the activities performed in the room, thus replacing many other non-visual sensors. Currently, video-based applications are effective in recognising and monitoring the activities, the movements, and the overall conditions of the assisted individuals as well as to assess their vital parameters. Similarly, audio sensors have the potential to become one of the most important modalities for interaction with AAL systems, as they can have a large range of sensing, do not require physical presence at a particular location and are physically intangible. Moreover, relevant information about individuals’ activities and health status can derive from processing audio signals. Nevertheless, as the other side of the coin, cameras and microphones are often perceived as the most intrusive technologies from the viewpoint of the privacy of the monitored individuals. This is due to the richness of the information these technologies convey and the intimate setting where they may be deployed. Solutions able to ensure privacy preservation by context and by design, as well as to ensure high legal and ethical standards are in high demand. After the review of the current state of play and the discussion in GoodBrother, we may claim that the first solutions in this direction are starting to appear in the literature. A multidisciplinary debate among experts and stakeholders is paving the way towards AAL ensuring ergonomics, usability, acceptance and privacy preservation. The DIANA, PAAL, and VisuAAL projects are examples of this fresh approach. This report provides the reader with a review of the most recent advances in audio- and video-based monitoring technologies for AAL. It has been drafted as a collective effort of WG3 to supply an introduction to AAL, its evolution over time and its main functional and technological underpinnings. In this respect, the report contributes to the field with the outline of a new generation of ethical-aware AAL technologies and a proposal for a novel comprehensive taxonomy of AAL systems and applications. Moreover, the report allows non-technical readers to gather an overview of the main components of an AAL system and how these function and interact with the end-users. The report illustrates the state of the art of the most successful AAL applications and functions based on audio and video data, namely lifelogging and self-monitoring, remote monitoring of vital signs, emotional state recognition, food intake monitoring, activity and behaviour recognition, activity and personal assistance, gesture recognition, fall detection and prevention, mobility assessment and frailty recognition, and cognitive and motor rehabilitation. For these application scenarios, the report illustrates the state of play in terms of scientific advances, available products and research project. The open challenges are also highlighted. The report ends with an overview of the challenges, the hindrances and the opportunities posed by the uptake in real world settings of AAL technologies. In this respect, the report illustrates the current procedural and technological approaches to cope with acceptability, usability and trust in the AAL technology, by surveying strategies and approaches to co-design, to privacy preservation in video and audio data, to transparency and explainability in data processing, and to data transmission and communication. User acceptance and ethical considerations are also debated. Finally, the potentials coming from the silver economy are overviewed

Aerospace medicine and biology: A cumulative index to the 1986 issues (supplement 293)

This publication is a cumulative index to the abstracts contained in the Supplements 281 through 292 of Aerospace Medicine and Biology: A Continuing Bibliography. It includes seven indexes - subject, personal author, corporate source, foreign technology, contract number, report number, and accession number