A prospective observational longitudinal study of new-onset seizures and newly diagnosed epilepsy in dogs

BACKGROUND: Seizures are common in dogs and can be caused by non-epileptic conditions or epilepsy. The clinical course of newly diagnosed epilepsy is sparsely documented. The objective of this study was to prospectively investigate causes for seizures (epileptic and non-epileptic) in a cohort of dogs with new-onset untreated seizures, and for those dogs with newly diagnosed epilepsy to investigate epilepsy type, seizure type and the course of disease over time, including the risk of seizure recurrence. Untreated client-owned dogs experiencing new-onset seizures were prospectively enrolled in a longitudinal observational study including clinical investigations and long-term monitoring at the Copenhagen University Hospital for Companion Animals. A baseline clinical assessment was followed by investigator/owner contact every eight weeks from inclusion to death or end of study. Inclusion of dogs was conducted from November 2010 to September 2012, and the study terminated in June 2014. RESULTS: One hundred and six dogs were included in the study. Seventy-nine dogs (74.5%) were diagnosed with epilepsy: 61 dogs (77.2%) with idiopathic epilepsy, 13 dogs (16.5%) with structural epilepsy and five dogs (6.3%) with suspected structural epilepsy. A non-epileptic cause for seizures was identified in 13 dogs and suspected in 10 dogs. Four dogs in which no cause for seizures was identified experienced only one seizure during the study. In dogs with idiopathic epilepsy 60% had their second epileptic seizure within three months of seizure onset. Twenty-six dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (43%) completed the study without receiving antiepileptic treatment. The natural course of idiopathic epilepsy (uninfluenced by drugs) was illustrated by highly individual and fluctuating seizure patterns, including long periods of remission. Cluster seizures motivated early treatment. In a few dogs with a high seizure frequency owners declined treatment against the investigators advice. CONCLUSIONS: Epilepsy is the most likely diagnosis in dogs presenting with new-onset seizures. The course of idiopathic epilepsy is highly individual and might not necessarily require long-term treatment. This must be considered when advising owners about what to expect with regard to treatment and prognosis

Do we have to Include HCI Issues in Clinical Trials of Medical Devices?:– A Discussion

Digital devices play an important role in medical treatment and will in the future play a larger role in connection to cures of health-related issues. Traditionally medicine has been tested by clinical double blind, randomized trials to document the efficacy and safety profile. When it comes to the use of digital devices in treatments the protocols from the field of medicine is adopted. The question is whether or not this evidence based approach is useful when dealing with digital devices and whether the understanding of the efficiency of a treatment can be obtained without also looking at usability and lifestyle issues.Based on a case study of epilepsy, a literature study of protocols for investigating treatments using digital medical devices, the set-up of studies, the design of a current protocol for clinical trials, and finally preliminary results, we discuss if clinical trials have to include usability studies to determine if a treatment is effective.Digital devices play an important role in medical treatment and will in the future play a larger role in connection to cures of health-related issues. Traditionally medicine has been tested by clinical double blind, randomized trials to document the efficacy and safety profile. When it comes to the use of digital devices in treatments the protocols from the field of medicine is adopted. The question is whether or not this evidence based approach is useful when dealing with digital devices and whether the understanding of the efficiency of a treatment can be obtained without also looking at usability and lifestyle issues.Based on a case study of epilepsy, a literature study of protocols for investigating treatments using digital medical devices, the set-up of studies, the design of a current protocol for clinical trials, and finally preliminary results, we discuss if clinical trials have to include usability studies to determine if a treatment is effective

#HappyInHappyOut - Improving School Climate Through PBIS Implementation

An interactive session to guide participants in utilizing PBIS to foster a more positive school climate. PBIS Team members from Woodland Elementary School, a Fulton County Title 1 school with a diverse population, will describe our journey from 48% to 88% PBIS fidelity in just one school year. We will share how we increased staff implementation, parent involvement, and student support through PBIS. Participants will receive concrete strategies and resources to optimize their school climate. We will provide examples of: Digital content curation for schoolwide behavior resources Behavior matrices for students, staff, and parents How to explicitly teach and reinforce behavior expectations Expectation signs for various school areas Staff developed social-emotional lesson plans Staff and student rewards/incentives How to build staff climate and moral

Performance archery shooting

Bows and arrows can be traced all the way back to 65,000 BC and have evolved from a tool used for hunting, to a tool for war, and today used by hobbyists in competition. The evolution of this technology has progressed for the most part without an understanding of the effect it has on humans. The present study aims to connect how technology effects humans specifically looking at archery. The study measured the muscle activity in the bow arm of the archer and the vibration experienced on the bow arm of the archer during the shooting process. From those measurements, the presence of an impact to the human arm was established. It was also identified the archer was anticipating this impact with higher muscle activation in the bow arm upon releasing of the arrow. This resulted in focusing on research involving the back-tension release. The theory behind this release is it mitigates the anticipation of the impact by creating a surprise factor in shooting. This release reduced the ability of the human to brace in anticipation during the shot by taking away the knowledge of when the shot is going off. The results found in this study concluded the new technology did introduce a surprise factor, but it did not reduce the occurrences of preparatory muscle activation in the human’s arm

Evaluate the performance of closure joints for side-by-side Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) superstructure systems by large-scale testing methods

One of the main goals of an engineer is to effectively and efficiently solve whatever problem is presented to them. Currently, the engineering profession seeks to use resources in the most efficient way possible. Resources is a general term that, for the context of this thesis, includes materials, time, monetary cost, and labor. Due to the increasing issue that the United States is facing with the current aging infrastructure, engineers are tasked with fixing our deteriorating infrastructure quickly and efficiently. One solution widely used is the innovative technology that is currently implemented in both bridge repair and new construction is Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC). ABC aims to reduce construction time, traffic impacts, and overall project performance through the utilization of innovative design, materials, and methods. One such method, which is the topic of this thesis, is the utilization of prefabricated elements assembled with ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) closure joints. Closure joints are essential structural elements that transfer forces from one element to another and provide continuity. This thesis investigates the usage and performance of UHPC as the closure joint material and seeks to alleviate concerns related to UHPC's early-age performance and durability. Due to UHPC exhibiting high compressive strength (approximately 21 ksi at 28 days and varying from 8 ksi to 14 ksi at 1 day) and demonstrating great bond strength; the comprehensive testing program includes shear and flexural performance evaluation of the closure joint deck at both 24 hours and post 28 days. The information and findings aim to allow for simplified reinforcement configurations and faster construction times without sacrificing strength and durability.Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineerin