Effects of recruit training on police attitudes towards diversity: a randomised controlled trial of a values education programme.

Research Question Did a values education program taught to Queensland police recruits change their attitudes towards police workplace diversity and equality, relative to recruits in the same cohorts who did not received the program? Data A survey designed to measure attitudes towards workplace diversity and related issues was administered three times to 260 police recruits, who were randomly assigned to receive a values education program or not over the 25-week initial police recruit course. The surveys were conducted in week two of the course, at the conclusion of the values education program, and six weeks after the program concluded. Methods Three separate cohorts were split by batch random assignment into experimental and controls, for 132 experimental recruits and 128 controls. Using a variety of validated scales and items, the attitudes of the two groups were compared at all three survey waves, and in comparative longitudinal trends. Findings While the values education program did not improve experimental group recruit attitudes towards diversity in the workplace over time, it protected that group from a clear decline in support for diversity associated with the standard recruit training experience. Because the design was an RCT, the study clearly revealed that the benefit of the program was as a successful buffer against what happened to reduce diversity support among the other recruits. Conclusions The findings show that in at least one police recruit experience, there is a clear shift away from support for diversity by race and gender in the police workplace in the course of initial training. Fortunately, the results also provide at least one possible preventative measure for that problem, in the form of a values education program similar to one used widely in many countries

Seasonal variability in microbial methanol utilisation in coastal waters of the western English Channel

© The authors 2016. Methanol is ubiquitous in seawater and is the most abundant oxygenated volatile organic compound (OVOC) in the atmosphere, where it influences oxidising capacity and ozone formation. Marine methylotrophic bacteria utilise methanol in seawater as an energy and/or growth substrate. This work represents the first fully resolved seasonal study of marine microbial methanol uptake dynamics. Rates of microbial methanol dissimilation in coastal surface waters of the UK varied between 0.7 and 11.2 nmol l-1 h-1 and reached a maximum in February. Rates of microbial methanol assimilation varied between 0.04 and 2.64 10-2 nmol l-1 h-1 and reached a maximum in August. Temporal variability in microbial methanol uptake rates shows that methanol assimilation and dissimilation display opposing seasonal cycles, although overall

Basin-scale variability of microbial methanol uptake in the Atlantic Ocean

© 2018 Author(s). Methanol is a climate-active gas and the most abundant oxygenated volatile organic compound (OVOC) in the atmosphere and seawater. Marine methylotrophs are aerobic bacteria that utilise methanol from seawater as a source of carbon (assimilation) and/or energy (dissimilation). A few spatially limited studies have previously reported methanol oxidation rates in seawater; however, the basin-wide ubiquity of marine microbial methanol utilisation remains unknown. This study uniquely combines seawater 14C labelled methanol tracer studies with 16S rRNA pyrosequencing to investigate variability in microbial methanol dissimilation and known methanol-utilising bacteria throughout a meridional transect of the Atlantic Ocean between 47° N to 39° S. Microbial methanol dissimilation varied between 0.05 and 1.68nmolL-1h-1 in the top 200m of the Atlantic Ocean and showed significant variability between biogeochemical provinces. The highest rates of methanol dissimilation were found in the northern subtropical gyre (average 0.99±0.41nmolL-1h-1), which were up to 8 times greater than other Atlantic regions. Microbial methanol dissimilation rates displayed a significant inverse correlation with heterotrophic bacterial production (determined using 3H-leucine). Despite significant depth stratification of bacterial communities, methanol dissimilation rates showed much greater variability between oceanic provinces compared to depth. There were no significant differences in rates between samples collected under light and dark environmental conditions. The variability in the numbers of SAR11 (16S rRNA gene sequences) were estimated to explain approximately 50% of the changes in microbial methanol dissimilation rates. We estimate that SAR11 cells in the Atlantic Ocean account for between 0.3% and 59% of the rates of methanol dissimilation in Atlantic waters, compared t

EFFECTS OF JOINT PRODUCT MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES ON E.COLI 0157:H7 AND FEEDLOT PROFITS

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 on feedlot profits. Fecal samples from 711 feedlot pens in 73 feedlots in Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas were tested for E. coli 0157:H7. Average daily gain and feed-to-gain ratios were computed for each feedlot pen, and managers from each feedlot provided information on various feedlot management practices. Cattle performance and E. coli 0157:H7 prevalence are both affected by feedlot management practices. The indirect effect of E. coli 0157:H7 on potential feedlot profits was determined by measuring the effects of management practices on E. coli 0157:H7 levels and cattle performance. Management practices that affect cattle performance were identified using ordinary least squares regressions. A negative binomial regression was used to identify management practices that affect E. coli 0157:H7 prevalence. Certain feedlot management practices were identified that have a joint impact on cattle performance and E. coli 0157:H7 prevalence. Using predatory insects to control flies, controlling for stray dogs, foxes, and coyotes in feed areas, removing manure from pens during finishing, and including tallow in the ration were management strategies associated with higher feedlot profits and lower E. coli 0157:H7 prevalence. Using mobile sprinklers for dust control and including alfalfa or sorghum hay or silage in the ration were associated with lower E. coli 0157:H7 prevalence and lower feedlot profits. Increasing days between cleaning water tanks and restricting movement of horses were associated with higher feedlot profits and higher E. coli 0157:H7 levels. Controlling for stray cats in feed areas and including liquid protein in the ration were associated with lower feedlot profits and higher E. coli 0157:H7 levels. These specific management strategies, which were not robust through a sensitivity analysis, should be interpreted with caution. The general categories of management strategies, however, were robust and consistent with past researchLivestock Production/Industries,

PERFORMANCE OF THE EXACT AND CHI-SQUARE TESTS ON SPARSE CONTINGENCY TABLES

A cross-sectional observational study design was used to determine the prevalence of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 in wild deer feces. Samples were voluntarily submitted at a number of different locations. In order to determine if the proportions of E. coli 0157: H7 positive samples submitted were equal for each of the 26 locations, a 26 by 2 contingency table was analyzed. There were only four E. coli 0157:H7 positive samples, which resulted in a sparse table. It is possible to obtain statistically significant results in sparse tables using Fisher\u27s exact test, whereas the chi-square test is generally unreliable in such situations. Thus, Fisher\u27s exact test should be considered when small expected cell counts bring into question the validity of the chi-square test. However, the statistical conclusions based on either the exact test or an asymptotic chi-square test are shown to vary drastically by slight alterations in the distribution of non-empty cells. Therefore, a different statistical conclusion very easily could have been reached if a volunteer had submitted a sample at a different location. In addition, we show that the computational times for exact tests in SAS® can be an applicational limitation

Explanation and Elaboration Document for the STROBE-Vet Statement: Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology—Veterinary Extension

The STROBE (Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) statement was first published in 2007 and again in 2014. The purpose of the original STROBE was to provide guidance for authors, reviewers and editors to improve the comprehensiveness of reporting; however, STROBE has a unique focus on observational studies. Although much of the guidance provided by the original STROBE document is directly applicable, it was deemed useful to map those statements to veterinary concepts, provide veterinary examples and highlight unique aspects of reporting in veterinary observational studies. Here, we present the examples and explanations for the checklist items included in the STROBE-Vet Statement. Thus, this is a companion document to the STROBE-Vet Statement Methods and process document, which describes the checklist and how it was developed

Preparatory Work for the Future Development of Scientific Opinions on Animal Health

This final report summarizes the results of two reviews and a scoping study related to Canine leishmaniosis (CanL). Three objectives were addressed in this project. Objective 1 was to summarize relative sensitivity and specificity estimates of assays used to detect infection in dogs with Leishmania infantum in studies of naïve dogs in areas where Leishmania infantum infection is endemic. Objective 2 was to summarize data available to estimate the prevalence of parasitological cure (failure to detect organism) after a 12-month follow-up period in animals treated with meglumine antimoniate, miltefosine, and allopurinol or combinations of these drugs for canine leishmaniosis. Objective 3 was to assess diagnostic test characteristics of PCR assays and serological assays (ELISA or IFAT) from studies that use experimental models of Canine leishmaniosis. The same comprehensive search was used for all objectives. The searches yielded 7,405 records. After duplicates were removed, 3,865 records remained. Of these, 243 were broadly identified as diagnostic test evaluation studies and at the 2nd level of screening 18 were considered longitudinal studies. The 18 references were then assessed based on the full text and 7 were considered relevant to the review. The assays assessed by these studies were PCR on skin, buffy coat, bone marrow, blood and conjunctiva, and IFAT and ELISA. For objective 2, 40 potentially relevant records were identified as treatment comparison studies. After full-text screening, 13 studies were included in the review. The treatments varied greatly, and few comparative efficacy estimates were provided. No treatment was associated with 100% cure after 180 days follow-up. For objective 3, 513 citations were identified and the full texts of 169 articles were obtained. Sixty-two articles described at least one of the assays requested (PCR, ELISA or IFAT) and 18 articles described the use of a PCR and either ELISA and/or IFAT

Does early surgery improve outcomes for periprosthetic fractures of the hip and knee? : A systematic review and meta-analysis

Open access via Springer Compact AgreementPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Systematic Review of the Effect of Perch Height on Keel Bone Fractures, Deformation and Injuries, Bone Strength, Foot Lesions and Perching Behavior

This report provides a summary of four systematic reviews on the impact of perch height on laying hen keel bone fractures, deformation and injuries, bone strength, foot lesions and perching behavior. After conducting a scoping review and identifying outcomes of interest, the review protocols were developed. An extensive literature search was conducted in information sources such as CABI, PUBMED and relevant conference proceedings. 1518 abstracts were assessed for relevance and 9 studies reported perch use and 1 reported keel injuries. No studies reported summary effect sizes; therefore it was not possible to conduct a meta-analysis. In lieu of a formal meta-analysis, a descriptive analysis was conducted, which plotted reported perch height against metrics of perch use. This descriptive analysis was not able to account for lack of independence, differences in sample size and other importance sources of heterogeneity such as cage height. The descriptive analysis suggested a positive association with metrics that measured perch use and height, i.e., increased usage was associated with increased height

Please Share! Online Word of Mouth and Charitable Crowdfunding

During the last few years, charitable crowdfunding has become an increasingly popular method of online fundraising for personal and charitable causes. Many such crowdfunding platforms encourage and facilitate the use of online word of mouth (WOM) through social networks and social media, to spread the word about the crowdfunding campaigns. While online WOM is commonly used to share information about crowdfunding campaigns, there is hitherto limited understanding as to whether or how this information sharing affect individuals’ contribution behavior or the outcome of crowdfunding campaigns. In this study, using a unique dataset from 590 crowdfunding campaigns observed over 12 days, we examine to what extent, and how quickly online WOM affect the rate of contributions. In addition, we explore the effect of different phases of fundraising (over time or as they approach their target goals) and of the coverage of the campaigns in major online news websites