Epidemiology of diabetes mellitus among 193,435 cats attending primary-care veterinary practices in England

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrine disease of cats. The prevalence of DM in cats in England is not well‐defined. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and identify risk factors for DM in a large population of cats attending primary‐care practices. ANIMALS: A cohort of 193,563 cats in the VetCompass Programme attending 118 primary‐care practices in England. METHODS: Cross‐sectional analysis of cohort clinical data. Data were extracted covering September 1st 2009 and August 31st 2014. Period prevalence of DM was calculated. Associations between risk factors and DM were assessed using logistic regression modelling. RESULTS: Of 1,128 DM cases were identified among 194,563 cats (period prevalence 0.58%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54–0.61). Multivariable modelling indicated that Tonkinese (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.8–9.6; P = .001), Norwegian Forest (odds ratio [OR] 3.5; 95% CI 1.3–9.6; P = .001) and Burmese (OR 3.0; 95% CI 2.0–4.4; P < .001) cats had increased odds of DM compared with crossbred cats. DM odds increased as bodyweight categories increased above 4 kg (P < .001), as cats aged beyond 6 years old (P < .001) and in insured cats (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.6–2.4; P < .001) but sex was not significantly associated with DM. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Diabetes mellitus is an important component of the primary‐care practice caseload with 1‐in‐200 cats affected. An increased risk of DM in certain cat breeds supports a genetic predisposition. These results can guide future research and preventative healthcare

Direct digital control of an efficient silicon+lequid crystal phase shifter

We demonstrate a phase shifter based on a silicon slot waveguide infiltrated with liquid crystal. We achieve a phase shift of 73 pi for a 5V drive voltage, with a voltage-length product of 0.022V.mm around 1V. We can drive the phase shifter directly with a 1V, duobinary pulse-width-modulated signal, allowing direct digital CMOS control of an analog optical phase shifter

Multi-level optical signal generation using a segmented-electrode InP IQ-MZM with integrated CMOS binary drivers

We present a segmented-electrode InP IQ-MZM, capable of multi-level optical signal generation (5-bit per I/Q arm) by employing direct digital drive from integrated, low-power (1W) CMOS binary drivers. Programmable, multi-level operation is demonstrated experimentally on one MZM of the device

Planning for and Managing Digital Projects

Part of the Ready, Set, Digitize workshop series hosted by CLRC and SCLRC. Cortland, NY, September 10, 2007. The full-day workshop described types of digitization projects and discussed infrastructure, funding, standards for file formats and metadata, and the impact on public services /reference

Pragmatism and Compromise in Conservation

I write this from the perspective of an apprentice-trained bookbinder and conservator who has spent most of his career working in academic research libraries in the US, work that has included working primarily with special collections, but also heavily used circulating collections and digitization. During this time I have also worked with many other conservators, interns from conservation/preservation programs and students of museum studies and librarianship. While the mission ensuring the long-term health of and continued access to the Library’s collections has not changed, how we do that work and prioritize activities has. This has been a result of changes in staffing, funding, and the priorities of the organization writ large

The Preserving of Gifts and Donors

The workshop dealt with accepting gifts to collections and the impact of the implications of preservation and conservation concerns with those items

William Anthony Fine Binder

William “Bill” Anthony (1926-1989) was arguably one of the most influential bookbinders and conservators in the US. His impact cannot be measured by his work alone but also by his legacy as demonstrated by all those he trained, many of whom are now leaders in the field in their own right. Lawrence Yerkes’ forward and Helen Ryan’s introduction to the catalog describe not only Anthony’s life and work, but also the emotional bond they had with him and his spirit that touched so many