title: Canine accuracy in the scent detection and discrimination of invasive fish

authors: Seal, Laura Claire

abstract: The scent-detection accuracy of dogs (Canis familiaris) was assessed as they learned to discriminate between water samples from aquaria containing koi carp (Cyprinus carpio), goldfish (Carassius auratus) or no fish, at systematically diluted concentrations. The study was conducted using an automated apparatus. Three dogs were trained in a go/no-go task where hits on target (koi carp) samples were reinforced and correct rejections of non-target (goldfish and no-fish) samples had no programmed consequences. Conducting a control test indicated that the dogs’ accuracy measures were likely influenced by extraneous variables. Consequently, modifications were made to procedures and the apparatus. A multiple-probe design experiment found the dogs were able to detect koi carp scent at all of the concentrations tested (from 0.098 mL/100 mL to 0.00094 mL/100 mL), equivalent to an effective biomass range of between 72.5 and 0.4 kg/ha. No clear relationship between accuracy measures and the systematic dilution of the sample concentration was observed for any of the dogs. A test of the dogs’ accuracy with the samples removed from the apparatus suggested that volatiles evaporating from the sampled aquarium water may have been accumulating in the segments as the dogs continued to respond according to the status of the samples that were previously in each segment. Sensitivity was found to be similar across first trials and second trials for target samples. Specificity was found to increase for non-target samples from first trials to second trials. These results have significant practical implications for the use of scent-detection dogs for koi carp detection and the further development of research methods for their training and assessment.

text: Canine accuracy in the scent detection and discrimination of invasive fish The scent-detection accuracy of dogs (Canis familiaris) was assessed as they learned to discriminate between water samples from aquaria containing koi carp (Cyprinus carpio), goldfish (Carassius auratus) or no fish, at systematically diluted concentrations. The study was conducted using an automated apparatus. Three dogs were trained in a go/no-go task where hits on target (koi carp) samples were reinforced and correct rejections of non-target (goldfish and no-fish) samples had no programmed consequences. Conducting a control test indicated that the dogs’ accuracy measures were likely influenced by extraneous variables. Consequently, modifications were made to procedures and the apparatus. A multiple-probe design experiment found the dogs were able to detect koi carp scent at all of the concentrations tested (from 0.098 mL/100 mL to 0.00094 mL/100 mL), equivalent to an effective biomass range of between 72.5 and 0.4 kg/ha. No clear relationship between accuracy measures and the systematic dilution of the sample concentration was observed for any of the dogs. A test of the dogs’ accuracy with the samples removed from the apparatus suggested that volatiles evaporating from the sampled aquarium water may have been accumulating in the segments as the dogs continued to respond according to the status of the samples that were previously in each segment. Sensitivity was found to be similar across first trials and second trials for target samples. Specificity was found to increase for non-target samples from first trials to second trials. These results have significant practical implications for the use of scent-detection dogs for koi carp detection and the further development of research methods for their training and assessment.

year: 2019

title: Who goes to a sexual health clinic? Gender differences in service utilisation.

authors: Morgan, Jane

subjects: sexual health

abstract: Aim: Our aim was to review utilisation of the Hamilton Sexual Health Clinic
(Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand) with regard to gender differences.
Methods: Notes of those attending during 9 months (1 February 2008–31 October
2008) were reviewed—and their demographic details, source of referral, reasons for
attending, and diagnostic coding data were compared. In addition, Waikato Hospital
laboratory provided Chlamydia trachomatis test results for the study period. Data was
analysed for gender differences.
Results: Overall, more women attended than men. By age bands, more 15–19 year old
women than men attended (23.3% vs 12.5%, p<0.001) but, for all age-bands 20 years
and older, men were at least as likely to attend as women. Further, for those aged 25–
29 years (20.3% vs 17%, p<0.5) and 45 years and older (11.9% vs 7.4%, p<0.001),
more men than women of the same-age band were seen. Men who attended were
more likely to self-refer (58.5% vs 43%, p<0.001) and less likely to be asymptomatic
(30.3% vs 38.4%, p<0.001).
Conclusions: Our data suggest men aged 20 years and older are at least, if not more,
likely than women to attend a sexual health clinic for sexual health concerns.
However, there appears to be under-utilisation by younger men. To improve sexual
health for men and women, help-seeking must be timely and effective. We need to
better understand and address sexual healthcare barriers for young men.

text: Who goes to a sexual health clinic? Gender differences in service utilisation. Aim: Our aim was to review utilisation of the Hamilton Sexual Health Clinic
(Hamilton, Waikato, New Zealand) with regard to gender differences.
Methods: Notes of those attending during 9 months (1 February 2008–31 October
2008) were reviewed—and their demographic details, source of referral, reasons for
attending, and diagnostic coding data were compared. In addition, Waikato Hospital
laboratory provided Chlamydia trachomatis test results for the study period. Data was
analysed for gender differences.
Results: Overall, more women attended than men. By age bands, more 15–19 year old
women than men attended (23.3% vs 12.5%, p<0.001) but, for all age-bands 20 years
and older, men were at least as likely to attend as women. Further, for those aged 25–
29 years (20.3% vs 17%, p<0.5) and 45 years and older (11.9% vs 7.4%, p<0.001),
more men than women of the same-age band were seen. Men who attended were
more likely to self-refer (58.5% vs 43%, p<0.001) and less likely to be asymptomatic
(30.3% vs 38.4%, p<0.001).
Conclusions: Our data suggest men aged 20 years and older are at least, if not more,
likely than women to attend a sexual health clinic for sexual health concerns.
However, there appears to be under-utilisation by younger men. To improve sexual
health for men and women, help-seeking must be timely and effective. We need to
better understand and address sexual healthcare barriers for young men.

year: 2008-12

title: An evaluation of Te Rau Puawai workforce 100: Addressing the recruitment and retention of Maori students in tertiary education institutions: A literature review

authors: Nikora, Linda Waimarie

subjects: Maori students

abstract: To evaluate the Te Rau Puawai programme, the Ministry of Health commissioned the
Maori and Psychology Research Unit of the University of Waikato in July 2001. The
overall aim of the evaluation was to provide the Ministry with a clearer understanding
of the programme including: the perceived critical success factors, the barriers if any
regarding Te Rau Puawai, the impact of the programme, the extent to which the
programme may be transferable, gaps in the programme, and suggested
improvements.
To achieve this end, a review of relevant literature was undertaken to provide a
framework to understand the patterns that arose from the information that we
collected as part of this evaluation.
The review of literature is presented in this technical report.

text: An evaluation of Te Rau Puawai workforce 100: Addressing the recruitment and retention of Maori students in tertiary education institutions: A literature review To evaluate the Te Rau Puawai programme, the Ministry of Health commissioned the
Maori and Psychology Research Unit of the University of Waikato in July 2001. The
overall aim of the evaluation was to provide the Ministry with a clearer understanding
of the programme including: the perceived critical success factors, the barriers if any
regarding Te Rau Puawai, the impact of the programme, the extent to which the
programme may be transferable, gaps in the programme, and suggested
improvements.
To achieve this end, a review of relevant literature was undertaken to provide a
framework to understand the patterns that arose from the information that we
collected as part of this evaluation.
The review of literature is presented in this technical report.

year: 2002-05-01