title: Dogs' scent detection performance with rapidly changing targets

authors: Chia, Maria Shue Ying

abstract: Scent detection dogs trained to detect one target scent are sometimes needed to detect a different target. Recent studies have demonstrated that scent detection animals can be trained to detect multiple scents simultaneously. However, in some cases, it may be problematic if the dogs indicate on previous targets. Therefore, it would be useful to know how quickly they can learn to detect new target scents, and not to indicate on previously trained target scents. The aim of this study was to evaluate dogs’ ability to learn to detect new target scents while simultaneously rejecting all previously trained target scents. Firstly, five pet dogs were trained to detect a training scent (amyl acetate) using an automated apparatus. The dogs were then required to detect a four new target scents within four phases. Target scents were treated as non-target scents in all subsequent phases; indications on previously trained target scents were not reinforced. Non-target scents in each phase consisted of three randomly selected chemicals that were presented in a randomised rotation. The dogs were required to complete a phase with one target and meet the criteria of more than 80% for correct indication and correct rejection responses, without performing an indication response more than once on the previous target scent for four out of five sessions. The results of the experiment demonstrated that (1) the dogs were able to successfully discriminate between the specified target scent and all non-target scents within each phase; (2) the persistence of indication behaviour on previously trained target scents decreased more rapidly with each phase; and (3) there was a re-emergence of indication responses when each previously trained target scent was presented after extinction conditions. In summary, the present study demonstrates that dogs can be retrained to indicate on new targets and reject previous targets. The learning processes associated with the dogs learning to indicate on new targets, and learning not to indicate on previous target scents must both be considered. These results have significant practical implications and it is hoped that the they will improve our ability to employ individual scent-detection animals to find multiple targets.

text: Dogs' scent detection performance with rapidly changing targets Scent detection dogs trained to detect one target scent are sometimes needed to detect a different target. Recent studies have demonstrated that scent detection animals can be trained to detect multiple scents simultaneously. However, in some cases, it may be problematic if the dogs indicate on previous targets. Therefore, it would be useful to know how quickly they can learn to detect new target scents, and not to indicate on previously trained target scents. The aim of this study was to evaluate dogs’ ability to learn to detect new target scents while simultaneously rejecting all previously trained target scents. Firstly, five pet dogs were trained to detect a training scent (amyl acetate) using an automated apparatus. The dogs were then required to detect a four new target scents within four phases. Target scents were treated as non-target scents in all subsequent phases; indications on previously trained target scents were not reinforced. Non-target scents in each phase consisted of three randomly selected chemicals that were presented in a randomised rotation. The dogs were required to complete a phase with one target and meet the criteria of more than 80% for correct indication and correct rejection responses, without performing an indication response more than once on the previous target scent for four out of five sessions. The results of the experiment demonstrated that (1) the dogs were able to successfully discriminate between the specified target scent and all non-target scents within each phase; (2) the persistence of indication behaviour on previously trained target scents decreased more rapidly with each phase; and (3) there was a re-emergence of indication responses when each previously trained target scent was presented after extinction conditions. In summary, the present study demonstrates that dogs can be retrained to indicate on new targets and reject previous targets. The learning processes associated with the dogs learning to indicate on new targets, and learning not to indicate on previous target scents must both be considered. These results have significant practical implications and it is hoped that the they will improve our ability to employ individual scent-detection animals to find multiple targets.

year: 2020

title: Leisure in the later years

authors: Grant, Bevan C.

subjects: ageing

abstract: It is evident that the changing demographic structure of the population along with the emergence of a consumer culture will have implications with regards to leisure for people in later life. Leisure may afford freedom for self-expression not always available in other life contexts. However, there are a number of challenges at the personal and community level that need to be better understood in order to realise such a possibility. This article highlights some of the opportunities and constraints that impact on and influence the leisure of people in their later years.

text: Leisure in the later years It is evident that the changing demographic structure of the population along with the emergence of a consumer culture will have implications with regards to leisure for people in later life. Leisure may afford freedom for self-expression not always available in other life contexts. However, there are a number of challenges at the personal and community level that need to be better understood in order to realise such a possibility. This article highlights some of the opportunities and constraints that impact on and influence the leisure of people in their later years.

year: 2007

title: The utterance, the body and the law: Seeking an approach to concretizing the sacredness of Maori language

authors: Mika, Carl Te Hira

subjects: Maori language

abstract: In what possible ways does the sacredness of a language have application in an everyday, concrete sense – in a contemporary context? If we want to discuss the sacredness of language, can we conceptualise such sacrality in anything other than an abstracted form? I will consider some places where a proposed sacredness of the Maori language might come to bear, and will particularly question its usage within the process of the law. My primary aim in this article is to conceive of ways, however hypothetical, by which the sacredness within Maori language might be removed from its current role of discursive entity and into the active life of the speaker. Thus Maori language, even in its colonized form, may once more take its own place within the spheres of the practical and the sacred at the same time.

text: The utterance, the body and the law: Seeking an approach to concretizing the sacredness of Maori language In what possible ways does the sacredness of a language have application in an everyday, concrete sense – in a contemporary context? If we want to discuss the sacredness of language, can we conceptualise such sacrality in anything other than an abstracted form? I will consider some places where a proposed sacredness of the Maori language might come to bear, and will particularly question its usage within the process of the law. My primary aim in this article is to conceive of ways, however hypothetical, by which the sacredness within Maori language might be removed from its current role of discursive entity and into the active life of the speaker. Thus Maori language, even in its colonized form, may once more take its own place within the spheres of the practical and the sacred at the same time.

year: 2007