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Physical Sciences and Mathematics

2017

Epidemiology

Articles 1 - 15 of 15

Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Seasonal Forcing In Stochastic Epidemiology Models, Lora Billings, Eric Forgoston Nov 2017

Seasonal Forcing In Stochastic Epidemiology Models, Lora Billings, Eric Forgoston

Lora Billings

The goal of this paper is to motivate the need and lay the foundation for the analysis of stochastic epidemiological models with seasonal forcing.We consider stochastic SIS and SIR epidemic models, where the internal noise is due to the random interactions of individuals in the population. We provide an overview of the general theoretic framework that allows one to understand noise-induced rare events, such as spontaneous disease extinction. Although there are many paths to extinction, there is one path termed the optimal path that is probabilistically most likely to occur. By extending the theory, we have identified the quasi-stationary solutions …

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Seasonal Forcing In Stochastic Epidemiology Models, Lora Billings, Eric Forgoston Nov 2017

Seasonal Forcing In Stochastic Epidemiology Models, Lora Billings, Eric Forgoston

Eric Forgoston

The goal of this paper is to motivate the need and lay the foundation for the analysis of stochastic epidemiological models with seasonal forcing.We consider stochastic SIS and SIR epidemic models, where the internal noise is due to the random interactions of individuals in the population. We provide an overview of the general theoretic framework that allows one to understand noise-induced rare events, such as spontaneous disease extinction. Although there are many paths to extinction, there is one path termed the optimal path that is probabilistically most likely to occur. By extending the theory, we have identified the quasi-stationary solutions …

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Organic Solvent Exposure And Depressive Symptoms Among Licensed Pesticide Applicators In The Agricultural Health Study, Miriam Siegel, Sarah E. Starks, Wayne T. Sanderson, Freya Kamel, Jane A. Hoppin, Fred Gerr Nov 2017

Organic Solvent Exposure And Depressive Symptoms Among Licensed Pesticide Applicators In The Agricultural Health Study, Miriam Siegel, Sarah E. Starks, Wayne T. Sanderson, Freya Kamel, Jane A. Hoppin, Fred Gerr

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Purpose

Although organic solvents are often used in agricultural operations, neurotoxic effects of solvent exposure have not been extensively studied among farmers. The current analysis examined associations between questionnaire-based metrics of organic solvent exposure and depressive symptoms among farmers.

Methods

Results from 692 male Agricultural Health Study participants were analyzed. Solvent type and exposure duration were assessed by questionnaire. An “ever-use” variable and years of use categories were constructed for exposure to gasoline, paint/lacquer thinner, petroleum distillates, and any solvent. Depressive symptoms were ascertained with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D); scores were analyzed separately as continuous (0–60) …

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Vetcompass Australia: A National Big Data Collection System For Veterinary Science, Paul Mcgreevy, Peter Thomson, Navneet K. Dhand, David Raubenheimer, Sophie Masters, Caroline S. Mansfield, Timothy Baldwin, Ricardo J. Soares Magalhaes, Jacquie Rand, Peter Hill, Anne Peaston, James Gilkerson, Martin Combs, Shane Raidal, Peter Irwin, Peter Irons, Richard Squires, David Brodbelt, Jeremy Hammond Sep 2017

Vetcompass Australia: A National Big Data Collection System For Veterinary Science, Paul Mcgreevy, Peter Thomson, Navneet K. Dhand, David Raubenheimer, Sophie Masters, Caroline S. Mansfield, Timothy Baldwin, Ricardo J. Soares Magalhaes, Jacquie Rand, Peter Hill, Anne Peaston, James Gilkerson, Martin Combs, Shane Raidal, Peter Irwin, Peter Irons, Richard Squires, David Brodbelt, Jeremy Hammond

Paul McGreevy, PhD

VetCompass Australia is veterinary medical records-based research coordinated with the global VetCompass endeavor to maximize its quality and effectiveness for Australian companion animals (cats, dogs, and horses). Bringing together all seven Australian veterinary schools, it is the first nationwide surveillance system collating clinical records on companion-animal diseases and treatments. VetCompass data service collects and aggregates real-time, clinical records for
researchers to interrogate, delivering sustainable and cost-effective access to data from hundreds of veterinary practitioners nationwide. Analysis of these clinical records will reveal geographical and temporal trends in the prevalence of inherited and acquired diseases, identify frequently prescribed treatments, revolutionize clinical …

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Dietary Inflammatory Index And Colorectal Cancer Risk – A Meta-Analysis, Nitin Shivappa, Justyna Godos, James R. Hébert, Michael David Wirth, Gabriele Piuri, Attilio Speciani, Giuseppe Grosso Sep 2017

Dietary Inflammatory Index And Colorectal Cancer Risk – A Meta-Analysis, Nitin Shivappa, Justyna Godos, James R. Hébert, Michael David Wirth, Gabriele Piuri, Attilio Speciani, Giuseppe Grosso

Faculty Publications

Diet and chronic inflammation of the colon have been suggested to be risk factors in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). The possible link between inflammatory potential of diet, measured through the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®), and CRC has been investigated in several populations across the world. The aim of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis on studies exploring this association. Data from nine studies were eligible, of which five were case-control and four were cohort studies. Results from meta-analysis showed a positive association between increasing DII scores, indicating a pro-inflammatory diet, and CRC. Individuals in the highest versus …

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On The Analysis Of The Sir Epidemic Model For Small Networks: An Application In Hospital Settings, Martin Lopez-Garcia May 2017

On The Analysis Of The Sir Epidemic Model For Small Networks: An Application In Hospital Settings, Martin Lopez-Garcia

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

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Methods For Parameter Estimation Of A Stochastic Seir Model, Kaitlyn Martinez May 2017

Methods For Parameter Estimation Of A Stochastic Seir Model, Kaitlyn Martinez

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

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Analyzing Sexual Transmission In The Spread Of The Zika Virus In Colombia, Victoria M. Kelley May 2017

Analyzing Sexual Transmission In The Spread Of The Zika Virus In Colombia, Victoria M. Kelley

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

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Sexual Transmission As A Potential Driver Of Zika Emergence In The United States, Michael A. Robert, Helen J. Wearing May 2017

Sexual Transmission As A Potential Driver Of Zika Emergence In The United States, Michael A. Robert, Helen J. Wearing

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

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Evolution Of Influenza H3n2: A Random Walk In High Dimensions, James R. Moore May 2017

Evolution Of Influenza H3n2: A Random Walk In High Dimensions, James R. Moore

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

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A Hysteresis-Like Effect For Insect Control Strategies, Winfried Just May 2017

A Hysteresis-Like Effect For Insect Control Strategies, Winfried Just

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

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Control Policies And Sensitivity Analysis In A Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Model: A Case Study In Cusco Region, Peru., Rocio M. Caja-Rivera, Ignacio Barradas May 2017

Control Policies And Sensitivity Analysis In A Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Model: A Case Study In Cusco Region, Peru., Rocio M. Caja-Rivera, Ignacio Barradas

Biology and Medicine Through Mathematics Conference

No abstract provided.

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The Battle Against Malaria: A Teachable Moment, Randy K. Schwartz Feb 2017

The Battle Against Malaria: A Teachable Moment, Randy K. Schwartz

Journal of Humanistic Mathematics

Malaria has been humanity’s worst public health problem throughout recorded history. Mathematical methods are needed to understand which factors are relevant to the disease and to develop counter-measures against it. This article and the accompanying exercises provide examples of those methods for use in lower- or upper-level courses dealing with probability, statistics, or population modeling. These can be used to illustrate such concepts as correlation, causation, conditional probability, and independence. The article explains how the apparent link between sickle cell trait and resistance to malaria was first verified in Uganda using the chi-squared probability distribution. It goes on to explain …

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Epidemiological, Clinical And Genetic Aspects Of Adult Onset Isolated Focal Dystonia In Ireland, L. Williams, E. Mcgovern, O. Kimmich, A. Molloy, I. Beiser, John Butler, F. Molloy, P. Logan, D.G. Healy, T. Lynch, R. Walsh, L. Cassidy, P. Moriarty, H. Moore, T. Mcswiney, C. Walsh, S. O'Riordan, M. Hutchinson Jan 2017

Epidemiological, Clinical And Genetic Aspects Of Adult Onset Isolated Focal Dystonia In Ireland, L. Williams, E. Mcgovern, O. Kimmich, A. Molloy, I. Beiser, John Butler, F. Molloy, P. Logan, D.G. Healy, T. Lynch, R. Walsh, L. Cassidy, P. Moriarty, H. Moore, T. Mcswiney, C. Walsh, S. O'Riordan, M. Hutchinson

Articles

Background: Adult onset idiopathic isolated focal dystonia presents with a number of phenotypes. Reported prevalence rates vary considerably; well-characterized cohorts are important to our understanding of this disorder.

Aim: To perform a nationwide epidemiological study of adult onset idiopathic isolated focal dystonia in the Republic of Ireland.

Methods: Patients with adult onset idiopathic isolated focal dystonia were recruited from multiple sources. Diagnosis was based on assessment by a neurologist with an expertise in movement disorders. When consent was obtained, a number of clinical features including family history were assessed.

Results: On the prevalence date there were 592 individuals in Ireland …

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Impact Of Disease On The Survival Of Three Commercially Fished Species, John M. Hoenig, Maya L. Groner, Matthew W. Smith, Wolfgang K. Vogelbein, David M. Taylor, Donald F. Landers Jr., John T. Swenarton, David T. Gauthier Jan 2017

Impact Of Disease On The Survival Of Three Commercially Fished Species, John M. Hoenig, Maya L. Groner, Matthew W. Smith, Wolfgang K. Vogelbein, David M. Taylor, Donald F. Landers Jr., John T. Swenarton, David T. Gauthier

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Recent increases in emergent infectious diseases have raised concerns about the sustainability of some marine species. The complexity and expense of studying diseases in marine systems often dictate that conservation and management decisions are made without quantitative data on population-level impacts of disease. Mark-recapture is a powerful, underutilized, tool for calculating impacts of disease on population size and structure, even in the absence of etiological information. We applied logistic regression models to mark-recapture data to obtain estimates of disease-associated mortality rates in three commercially important marine species: snow crab (Chionoecetes opilio) in Newfoundland, Canada, that experience sporadic epizootics …

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