Browsing by Author "Gutilla, Margaret, committee member"

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Open Access
Analyzing early cancer etiology in golden retrievers using Golden Retriever Lifespan Study (GRLS) data
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Hodo, Kiara, author; Magzamen, Sheryl, advisor; LaRue, Susan, committee member; Gutilla, Margaret, committee member
Background: Although cancer is a burden in both humans and dogs, humans medicine is characterized by established health care organizations, interdisciplinary networks, and databases from which data and research can be complied and shared. No such organization exists in veterinary medicine. Individual registries provide useful data and information on cancer in dogs, but no mechanism exists to summarize data to detect cancer trends, breed-specific measurements of occurrence, and treatment responses. Therefore, there are vast knowledge gaps related to cancers in dogs, especially among early cases. The Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (GRLS) data collected by Morris Animal Foundation is a unique opportunity to evaluate cancer prevalence in a large number of golden retrievers with known pedigree. Data were evaluated for each state and compared to human cancer prevalence provided by the CDC. Differences in cancer prevalence between young and old dogs was evaluated, along with their resident state, sex status, and cancer type. Golden retrievers were recruited from 2012-2015 to participate in the GRLS cohort study and were confirmed to be free of life limiting conditions by a veterinarian. Owners had to have at least a 3-generation pedigree of their dog to be enrolled. Information regarding the dog's health and condition were recorded annually via owner and veterinarian questionnaire, as well as sample collections, and added to the GRLS study data. The GRLS data was refined and cleaned in SAS and R studio evaluate state of diagnosis, age at diagnosis, and sex at diagnosis. The highest prevalence of cancer among GRLS participants was in Louisiana (38.5%) with Arizona as the second highest (17.5%). A cluster of higher prevalence regions were observed in the upper east coast, similarly to the CDC's human data. Although the prevalence was highest in Louisiana and Arizona, neither were found to be statistically significant based on the difference of proportion calculations. A statistically significant difference was found in average age at diagnosis between male neutered and intact cancer dogs, but not when comparing female spayed and intact cancer bearing dogs or when comparing all 4 sex statuses. The average age at diagnosis based on tumor types (mammary, hemangiosarcoma, histiocytoma, lymphoma) was significantly different, most likely due to higher numbers of hemangiosarcoma cases in older dogs and histiocytoma cases observed in younger dogs. Older, male neutered dogs were more susceptible to hemangiosarcoma development (85.5% of cases were old), and younger dogs that had been spayed or neutered were more susceptible to histiocytomas (100% of cases were young). Discussion: One of the interesting findings of this analysis was that there was a statistically significant difference in average age at diagnosis between intact and neutered male dogs, but not between intact and spayed females. Small sample size of cancer dogs could have impacted the power of statistical test results and been a contributor to statistical insignificance seen throughout the analysis. Dogs moving multiple times throughout the duration of the study can affect interpretations and implications from prevalence by state findings. Prevalence was also calculated using only the total GRLS study population the resided in respective states as the denominator, effecting generalizability of the analysis findings.
Embargo
Community noise exposure from oil and gas drilling operations
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Stepherson, Phillip, author; Brazile, William, advisor; VanDyke, Michael, advisor; Gutilla, Margaret, committee member
Due to an increase in oil and gas (O&G) extraction activity near residential areas in Colorado, many community members may be at a higher risk of harmful noise exposure. The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) has identified multiple sources of high-volume sound associated with O&G site preparation, drilling, and fracking including engines, mud circulation systems, rig top drives, and ancillary equipment. Acute and chronic exposure to elevated levels of environmental noise has been found to cause adverse health effects such as sleep disturbance, annoyance, cognitive performance decline, heart disease, and self-reported impact to overall wellbeing. While there is existing literature quantifying the extent and consequences of community noise exposure from other environmental sources (e.g., air traffic, road traffic, and railway transportation) there are limited published studies on noise exposure from proximity to O&G extraction sites. Researchers suggest, however, that oil and gas extraction operations may be producing harmful levels of noise. It also appears that the noise produced includes substantial low-frequency noise which can make it difficult to control. In addition, low frequency noise exposure may exacerbate the health effects associated with general noise exposure. To assess community noise exposure, a comprehensive environmental noise survey was performed at a new O&G extraction site in Northern Colorado during the drilling phase of operations. The research team collected noise emission data 24 hours per day over two months that included 1-second measurements of sound-pressure level, 1/3 octave bands, and triggered audio recordings. Based on the noise-monitoring results, it was determined that the noise levels from the drilling activities exceeded ECMC published noise exposure limits and noise thresholds related to adverse health effects. Distance was found to be a crucial factor in establishing compliance and reducing exposure, especially for low frequency noise. Increasing the O&G operations setback from community residences to 2,000 feet, as compared to the previous setback distance of 350 feet, was estimated to reduce noise levels by 15dB, which, while a substantial improvement, was not entirely sufficient to eliminate the risk of health effects or establish compliance with low frequency noise limits. High noise levels were found to occur on days that the rig's hoisting mechanism and/or drill were likely in use.
Open Access
Employee noise exposure and octave band analysis in a manufacturing setting
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Gieseck, Darren, author; Brazile, William, advisor; Autenrieth, Daniel, committee member; Gutilla, Margaret, committee member
Worker exposure to hazardous levels of noise continues to be a concern in United States (US) industries. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has estimated that twenty-two million US workers are exposed to hazardous levels of noise each year, increasing the risk for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). One industry sector of concern for worker exposure to noise is metal can manufacturing because of the types and number of machines used in the production areas. To help further characterize the risk NIHL in the metal can manufacturing sector, a comprehensive noise evaluation was performed at a manufacturing site that produced aluminum metal cans. The purpose of this study was to (1) determine if workers in a metal can manufacturing facility were overexposed to hazardous levels of noise that could potentially result in NIHL; (2) determine the machinery frequencies greater than 85 dBC to which employees were exposed; and (3) provide sound mitigation recommendations to the facility's safety team. Area noise levels were collected with a sound level meter (SLM) and personal noise samples were taken using wearable noise dosimeters. 30 production employees participated in sampling over the course of five days and their measured work shift noise exposures were compared to published occupational exposure limits to determine if they were at increased risk of hearing loss. Personal noise exposures were compared to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) noise Action Level (AL) and Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL); the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' (ACGIH) Threshold Limit Value (TLV); and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's (NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Level (REL). Of the 30 employees sampled, 100% exceeded the OSHA AL, 100% exceeded the OSHA PEL, and 100% exceeded the NIOSH REL/ACGIH TLV. To provide statistical support of these findings, a 95% confidence interval was calculated for each occupational exposure standard along with upper and lower prediction limits. Additionally, the frequencies greater than 85 dBC obtained from the area noise samples associated with the production machinery ranged from 63 Hz – 6,300 Hz with noise levels that ranged from 97.1 dBC – 99.6 dBC and Z-weighted frequencies greater than 85 dB ranged from 32 Hz – 8,000 Hz. From these findings, noise mitigation recommendations were provided that were focused on establishing hearing attenuation to 80 dBA. This involved ongoing fit testing of hearing protection for employees, training, and addressing the specific frequencies associated with each machine type.
Open Access
Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of 3D facial measurements
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2023) Olmedo-Nockideneh, Isabel Rosalene, author; Rosecrance, John, advisor; Brazile, William, committee member; Gutilla, Margaret, committee member
The purpose of this study was to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability of a three-dimensional (3D) measurement system for determining the facial anthropometrics of 2,000 individuals. Intra-rater reliability is the degree of agreement among repeated administrations of a measurement system performed by a single rater and inter-rater reliability is the degree of agreement among independent raters who rate, code, or assess the same phenomenon using the same measurement system. Research studies that require the use of novel measurement systems by several raters must first establish that the phenomenon being measured have acceptable levels of both intra- and inter-rater reliability. Assessments of novel measurement systems are useful in refining the measurement tools given to raters by determining if a particular scale is appropriate for measuring a specific phenomenon. The present study was one facet of a larger anthropometric study of 2,000 facial scans, which investigates the demographic variables that may account for differences in facial size and shape. For this reliability study, a random sample of 30 facial scans was hand-digitized by four coders. The randomized sample was used to assess the intra- and inter-rater reliability of 28 facial anthropometric landmarks. The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess rater reliability. The results of the study indicated generally good inter-rater reliability and a steady improvement in both intra- and inter-rater reliability with greater experience. There are no conflicts of interest or a current funding source regarding this study. This study will impact environmental and occupational health by contributing a reliability study to my colleagues.