Potential contributions of Albert Outler\u27s John Wesley for Asbury Seminary in this 21st century (Video)

Observation of the 100th anniversary of Albert Outlerhttps://place.asburyseminary.edu/ecommonsatschapelservices/7598/thumbnail.jp

Effect of a maximum permissible journey time (31 h) on physiological responses of fleeced and shorn sheep to transport, with observations on behaviour during a short (1 h) rest-stop

Concern for the welfare of export lambs during long-distance road transport has prompted much research and a recommended change in procedure. The latter envisages an absolute maximum journey time of 31 h and includes a rest-stop (minimum duration 1 h) for feeding and watering. In the present experiment, the physiological and behavioural responses to this new protocol have been investigated in fleeced and shorn lambs (no. = 10 per group) provided with venous catheters and heart rate monitors. The two groups were loaded on a vehicle into separate adjacent pens and driven for 14 h; then unloaded into a lairage, where their behaviour was recorded. After 1 h they were reloaded and driven for a further 15•5 h, finally arriving at a slaughterhouse where carcass condition was evaluated. Blood samples collected at 30- or 60-min intervals by experimenters travelling with the animals were analysed to determine haematocrit, plasma osmolality, plasma concentrations of glucose, creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), and the stress-responsive hormones, cortisol, prolactin, adrenaline and noradrenaline. The results showed that haematocrit increased after loading although the general trend during transport, as with osmolality, was a decline (P < 0•05). No significant changes in plasma glucose were detected but CPK increased in fleeced lambs after loading (P < 0•05). Cortisol release was stimulated by loading, especially in fleeced sheep (P < 0•001) but returned to home pen values within 6 h; heart rates changed in a similar manner. Transport did not markedly affect prolactin release although concentrations were consistently greater in fleeced sheep (P < 0•001). Noradrenaline, however, tended to be higher in shorn animals (P < 0•05). In lairage, both groups readily consumed hay, and especially concentrates, but the shorn lambs spent more time eating (P < 0•001). None of the shorn sheep, and only a few fleeced animals, drank water. There was no evidence for differences in weight loss between the two groups during the experiment and carcass quality at slaughter was within the normal expected range. The implications of these, and other related studies, for future transport policy are discussed, with particular reference to rest-stop duration and handling procedures

Physiological responses of sheep during long road journeys involving ferry crossings

With a view to comparing previous findings from experimental journeys, with observations during commercial transport of sheep, hormonal and other physiological data were gathered during three long journeys (866 to 1178 km) all of which involved a sea crossing (1 h 45 min to 8 h 55 min). One was a commercial journey from the UK to continental Europe and the other two, which were simulated commercial journeys under the control of the investigators, were from a Scottish island to Cambridge. In all journeys there was a break in lairage (duration 13 to 24 h). The stocking rate on the commercial journey (0.17 m2 per sheep for shorn sheep of 35 to 37 kg body weight) was less generous than previously used in experimental journeys. In all journeys there was an apparent increase in plasma concentration of cortisol soon after loading and commencement of travel, with subsequent decline. Transient increases in beta-endorphin and prolactin were also observed but changes in creatine kinase were not obvious. Haematocrit showed slight evidence of a decline during the journeys. These findings are generally similar to those obtained in experimental journeys and there was no evidence of a hormonal response to sea conditions during the ferry crossings. When transport was resumed after a period of rest with food and water off the vehicle, the physiological responses were less marked than they had been during the first stage of the journey. Under the circumstances observed, long journeys of the type commonly practised commercially probably do not of themselves pose a major welfare challenge

The effectiveness of alcohol screening and brief intervention in emergency departments: A multicentre pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial

Background: Alcohol misuse is common in people attending emergency departments (EDs) and there is some evidence of efficacy of alcohol screening and brief interventions (SBI). This study investigated the effectiveness of SBI approaches of different intensities delivered by ED staff in nine typical EDs in England: the SIPS ED trial. Methods and Findings: Pragmatic multicentre cluster randomized controlled trial of SBI for hazardous and harmful drinkers presenting to ED. Nine EDs were randomized to three conditions: a patient information leaflet (PIL), 5 minutes of brief advice (BA), and referral to an alcohol health worker who provided 20 minutes of brief lifestyle counseling (BLC). The primary outcome measure was the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) status at 6 months. Of 5899 patients aged 18 or more presenting to EDs, 3737 (63·3%) were eligible to participate and 1497 (40·1%) screened positive for hazardous or harmful drinking, of whom 1204 (80·4%) gave consent to participate in the trial. Follow up rates were 72% (n = 863) at six, and 67% (n = 810) at 12 months. There was no evidence of any differences between intervention conditions for AUDIT status or any other outcome measures at months 6 or 12 in an intention to treat analysis. At month 6, compared to the PIL group, the odds ratio of being AUDIT negative for brief advice was 1·103 (95% CI 0·328 to 3·715). The odds ratio comparing BLC to PIL was 1·247 (95% CI 0·315 to 4·939). A per protocol analysis confirmed these findings. Conclusions: SBI is difficult to implement in typical EDs. The results do not support widespread implementation of alcohol SBI in ED beyond screening followed by simple clinical feedback and alcohol information, which is likely to be easier and less expensive to implement than more complex interventions. Trial Registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN 93681536 © 2014 Drummond et al