Promising Practices of Dairy, Horse, and Livestock Evaluation Career Development Event Coaches: A Mixed-Methods Study

The present study describes promising practices of successful dairy, horse, and livestock judging coaches. Expert coaches were interviewed regarding previous experience, coaching philosophy, coaching objectives, coaching style, and advice. Twenty-seven promising practices and eight themes were identified from the interviews. A questionnaire was sent to the accessible population of coaches to determine practice usage and relationship to youth performance. Influential and motivating practices were found to be most used by coaches. Youth performance was related to use of competitive and expectancy related promising practices. Findings suggest use of promising practices would facilitate greater coaching success in competition and youth development

Re‐weighing the 5% tagging recommendation: assessing the potential impacts of tags on the behaviour and body condition of bats

Considerable advances and breakthroughs in wildlife tracking technology have occurred in recent years, allowing researchers to gain insights into the movements and behaviours of a broad range of animals. Considering the accessibility and increase in use of tracking devices in wildlife studies, it is important to better understand the effects on these on animals. Our endeavour revisits a guideline established in 1988, which proposes that bats may encounter body condition or health problems and alter their behaviour when carrying tags weighing more than 5% of their body mass. Through a systematic literature review, we conducted a meta‐analysis to identify the impacts of tags on bats, including 367 papers from 1976 to 2023 that discussed, mentioned, employed, or quantified tagging of bats. We noted that the proportion of studies exceeding the 5% rule has not changed in recent years. However, the impact of tags was quantified in few studies for behaviour (n = 7) and body condition (n = 10) of bats. We were unable to assess whether tags weighing less or more than 5% of the bat's body mass impacted bats, but our meta‐analysis did identify that tags, irrespective of mass, affect the behaviour and body condition of bats. Although the overall magnitude of measured effects of tags on bats was small, progress has been made to advance our understanding of tag mass on bats. Naturally, there is a bias in reporting of significant results, illustrating the need of reporting results when there is no apparent effect of tags on bats. Our findings highlight the need for rigorous reporting of behaviour and body condition data associated with tagging of animals and illustrate the importance for studies comparing how tracking devices of different dimensions and masses may impact bat species to ensure research meets rigorous ethical standards

The biogeography of community assembly: latitude and predation drive variation in community trait distribution in a guild of epifaunal crustaceans

While considerable evidence exists of biogeographic patterns in the intensity of species interactions, the influence of these patterns on variation in community structure is less clear. Studying how the distributions of traits in communities vary along global gradients can inform how variation in interactions and other factors contribute to the process of community assembly. Using a model selection approach on measures of trait dispersion in crustaceans associated with eelgrass (Zostera marina) spanning 30 degrees of latitude in two oceans, we found that dispersion strongly increased with increasing predation and decreasing latitude. Ocean and epiphyte load appeared as secondary predictors; Pacific communities were more overdispersed while Atlantic communities were more clustered, and increasing epiphytes were associated with increased clustering. By examining how species interactions and environmental filters influence community structure across biogeographic regions, we demonstrate how both latitudinal variation in species interactions and historical contingency shape these responses. Community trait distributions have implications for ecosystem stability and functioning, and integrating large-scale observations of environmental filters, species interactions and traits can help us predict how communities may respond to environmental change.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dual requirement of cytokine and activation receptor triggering for cytotoxic control of murine cytomegalovirus by NK cells

Natural killer (NK) cells play a critical role in controlling murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) and can mediate both cytokine production and direct cytotoxicity. The NK cell activation receptor, Ly49H, is responsible for genetic resistance to MCMV in C57BL/6 mice. Recognition of the viral m157 protein by Ly49H is sufficient for effective control of MCMV infection. Additionally, during the host response to infection, distinct immune and non-immune cells elaborate a variety of pleiotropic cytokines which have the potential to impact viral pathogenesis, NK cells, and other immune functions, both directly and indirectly. While the effects of various immune deficiencies have been examined for general antiviral phenotypes, their direct effects on Ly49H-dependent MCMV control are poorly understood. To specifically interrogate Ly49H-dependent functions, herein we employed an in vivo viral competition approach to show Ly49H-dependent MCMV control is specifically mediated through cytotoxicity but not IFNγ production. Whereas m157 induced Ly49H-dependent degranulation, efficient cytotoxicity also required either IL-12 or type I interferon (IFN-I) which acted directly on NK cells to produce granzyme B. These studies demonstrate that both of these distinct NK cell-intrinsic mechanisms are integrated for optimal viral control by NK cells

Values and Norms Matter - On the Basic Determinants of Long-Run Economic Development

Over the last couple of decades, it has become a commonplace to claim that institutions matter for economic development. Yet, institutions are not exogenous but the result of hu-man action. It is argued here that the values and norms held by substantial parts of society’s members are an important determinant of its institutions. It is further argued that values and norms have both a direct and an indirect effect on economic development: the direct effect materializes because the values and norms also contain the work ethic which, if transformed into behavior, should have direct consequences on economic development. The indirect effect is conjectured to work via the relevant institutions: if institutions are important for economic development and institutions are influenced by the values and norms, then this is a more indi-rect channel through which values and norms can display their impact

Supplementary material from "The biogeography of community assembly: latitude and predation drive variation in community trait distribution in a guild of epifaunal crustaceans"

While considerable evidence exists of biogeographic patterns in the intensity of species interactions, the influence of these patterns on variation in community structure is less clear. Studying how the distributions of traits in communities vary along global gradients can inform how variation in interactions and other factors contribute to the process of community assembly. Using a model selection approach on measures of trait dispersion in crustaceans associated with eelgrass (Zostera marina) spanning 30° of latitude in two oceans, we found that dispersion strongly increased with increasing predation and decreasing latitude. Ocean and epiphyte load appeared as secondary predictors; Pacific communities were more overdispersed while Atlantic communities were more clustered, and increasing epiphytes were associated with increased clustering. By examining how species interactions and environmental filters influence community structure across biogeographic regions, we demonstrate how both latitudinal variation in species interactions and historical contingency shape these responses. Community trait distributions have implications for ecosystem stability and functioning, and integrating large-scale observations of environmental filters, species interactions and traits can help us predict how communities may respond to environmental change.This research was funded by National Science Foundation grants to J.E.D., J.J.S. and K.A.H. (NSF-OCE 1336206, OCE 1336905, and OCE 1336741). C.B. was funded by the Åbo Akademi University Foundation.Peer reviewe

Effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker initiation on organ support-free days in patients hospitalized with COVID-19

IMPORTANCE Overactivation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may contribute to poor clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. Objective To determine whether angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) initiation improves outcomes in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS In an ongoing, adaptive platform randomized clinical trial, 721 critically ill and 58 non–critically ill hospitalized adults were randomized to receive an RAS inhibitor or control between March 16, 2021, and February 25, 2022, at 69 sites in 7 countries (final follow-up on June 1, 2022). INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomized to receive open-label initiation of an ACE inhibitor (n = 257), ARB (n = 248), ARB in combination with DMX-200 (a chemokine receptor-2 inhibitor; n = 10), or no RAS inhibitor (control; n = 264) for up to 10 days. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome was organ support–free days, a composite of hospital survival and days alive without cardiovascular or respiratory organ support through 21 days. The primary analysis was a bayesian cumulative logistic model. Odds ratios (ORs) greater than 1 represent improved outcomes. RESULTS On February 25, 2022, enrollment was discontinued due to safety concerns. Among 679 critically ill patients with available primary outcome data, the median age was 56 years and 239 participants (35.2%) were women. Median (IQR) organ support–free days among critically ill patients was 10 (–1 to 16) in the ACE inhibitor group (n = 231), 8 (–1 to 17) in the ARB group (n = 217), and 12 (0 to 17) in the control group (n = 231) (median adjusted odds ratios of 0.77 [95% bayesian credible interval, 0.58-1.06] for improvement for ACE inhibitor and 0.76 [95% credible interval, 0.56-1.05] for ARB compared with control). The posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitors and ARBs worsened organ support–free days compared with control were 94.9% and 95.4%, respectively. Hospital survival occurred in 166 of 231 critically ill participants (71.9%) in the ACE inhibitor group, 152 of 217 (70.0%) in the ARB group, and 182 of 231 (78.8%) in the control group (posterior probabilities that ACE inhibitor and ARB worsened hospital survival compared with control were 95.3% and 98.1%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this trial, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, initiation of an ACE inhibitor or ARB did not improve, and likely worsened, clinical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT0273570

Show horse welfare

In recent years there has been an increase in the public\u27s attention to situations where trainers, owners, and handlers have compromised the well-being of show horses for the sake of winning. These situations may be due to training negligence or naivety of individuals working with the horse. Either way, due to these incidents, increasing pressure has been placed on the horse industry to address show horse welfare. The purpose of this research was to expound on the welfare of stock-type show horses through the perspective of those directly involved; considering the understanding of welfare, the value placed on welfare, and ethical and mooral decisions that impact the welfare of stock-type show horses. Chapter 3 presents a study on the viewpoints of horse show officials. The purpose of this first study was to gain a better understanding of horse show officials\u27 views on compromises to horse welfare. Thirteen horse show officials, including judges, stewards and show managers, were interviewed. Findings revealed the officials had an incomplete understanding of animal welfare and a high level of concern regarding the public\u27s perception of show horse welfare. Most frequently observed compromises to show horse welfare were attributed to a) novices\u27, amateurs\u27, and young trainers\u27 lack of experience or expertise and b) trainers\u27 and owners\u27 unrealistic expectations and prioritization of winning over horse welfare. The officials emphasized a need for distribution of responsibility among associations, officials, and individuals within the industry. Chapter 4 presents a study on horse show competitors\u27 understanding, awareness, and perceptions of horse welfare. The purpose of this second study was not only to gain a better understanding of stock-type horse show competitors understanding of welfare and level of concern for stock-type show horses\u27 welfare, but also to gain a better understanding of empathic traits related to the perception of understanding of horse welfare. The participants of this study were competitors of stock-type horse shows within the United States, which included individuals who competed at stock-type breed shows, open shows, and reining competitions. Data were collected through an online questionnaire, which included questions relating to (a) interest and general understanding of horse welfare, (b) welfare concerns in the horse show industry as a whole, and specifically the stock-type horse show industry, (c) decision-making influences, and (d) level of empathic characteristics in survey participants. Findings revealed a high level of interest about the topic of show horse care and treatment. The vast majority of respondents indicated they agreed or strongly agreed that physical metrics should be a factor when assessing horse welfare while fewer agreed behavioral and mental metrics should be a factor of assessment. Overall respondent empathy levels were moderate to high and were positively correlated to the belief that mental and behavioral metrics should be a factor of assessing horse welfare. Participants had the greatest concern about horse welfare for the saddle-type horse show industry, and nearly half respondents indicated a high level of concern for the welfare of stock-type show horses. Chapter 5 presents a study on understanding and addressing show horse industry legitimacy. The purpose of this third study was to use the Social Cognitive Theory and its moral disengagement framework to emphasize the need for stock-type horse associations to minimize potential and actual threats to their legitimacy in an effort to maintain and strengthen self-regulating governance, specifically relating to the occurrence of inhumane treatment to horses. Despite having stated rules within their handbooks, the actions of leading stock-type associations in response to reports of inhumane treatment provide evidence of their ability to self-regulate. The findings from the three studies informed the design of an educational e-learning course and a model for understanding and influencing behaviors related to the care and treatment of show horses. The design of the e-learning course is presented in Chapter 6 and was based on the theories and principles discussed in Chapter 2 and the findings from Chapters 3, 4, and 5. The ARCS Motivational Design Model was used to guide the process and ensure integration of appropriate motivational tactics with the instructional components. The intent of the course was to address the educational needs which emerged from the findings of Chapters 3, 4, and 5. (Abstract shortened by UMI.

Promising practices of dairy, horse, and livestock evaluation Career Development Event coaches

Career Development Events (CDEs) are a traditional learning experience offered to thousands of youth through venues such as 4-H, FFA and breed associations. Adults coaching these youth come from a variety of backgrounds, with a wide range of formal and non-formal training in preparation and coaching of a team. Professionals have observed a wide range of preparedness and performance of many youth participating in horse, dairy, and livestock CDE\u27s, and believe content competence, coaching competence, and self-efficacy of the coach directly impact preparedness and success of youth. The purpose of the present study was to describe promising practices of successful dairy, horse, and livestock CDE coaches in Indiana. Utilizing the theoretical frameworks of symbolic interactionism, social cognitive theory, and cognitive apprenticeship theory, the researcher interviewed expert dairy, horse, and livestock CDE coaches taking into account previous experience, coaching philosophy, coaching objectives, coaching style, and advice. Additionally, a questionnaire was sent to the accessible population of all Indiana dairy, horse, and livestock CDE coaches to determine utilization of promising coaching practices and relationship to student performance. Twenty-six promising practices and eight central tendencies were identified from the interviews of expert coaches. Central tendencies included expectations, effective coach, experience, goals, knowing the youth, foundational knowledge, youth development, and positive environment. The expert coaches interviewed shared a deep sense of passion and dedication toward youth development and coaching, as well as a desire to see new coaches gain the resources and experience to be successful. Coach and youth related influential and motivating promising practices were found to be most utilized by coaches. Additionally, youth performance was related to utilization of promising practices, specifically competitive and expectancy related promising practices. Findings from this study suggest the utilization of promising practices would facilitate greater coaching success in terms of competition and youth development