Track Shape, Resulting Dynamics and Injury Rates of Greyhounds

Author(s):  
Fatemeh Mahdavi ◽  
Md Imam Hossain ◽  
Hasti Hayati ◽  
David Eager ◽  
Paul Kennedy

A challenge for greyhound racing is optimizing the tracks to minimize the risk of injuries. The effects of different track design variables on greyhound injury rates has not been explored sufficiently. The purpose of this paper is to present some preliminary findings on the effect of greyhound racetrack design variables such as the track curvature and lure alignment. An analysis was carried out of two years of greyhound racing injury data from three different tracks in New South Wales, Australia. The data from before and after an intervention was introduced were compared. Variables in the study, which may affect\ the analysis were investigated to minimize the errors. The analysis showed that there is a reduction in injury rates for a longer lure arm in the tracks with short or no straight section. To verify the effect of track design variables on the greyhound dynamics a kinematic simulation of greyhound center of gravity was created. The simulation considered fundamental variables correlating directly with kinematics between the greyhound and the track. The simulation data showed that the rate of change in the rotation of the greyhound heading direction decreases when the track running path has a more gradual curvature. The result of the simulation showed excellent agreement with that of injury data analysis.

1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (72) ◽  
pp. 123 ◽  
Author(s):  
DR Leece ◽  
Bvan den Ende

Changes in the nutrient-element composition of leaves of 'Trevatt' apricot were measured monthly during the 1971-72 and 1972-73 seasons in New South Wales. The rate of change of leaf composition was least during January-February. Thus, leaf composition standards should be based on January- February samples and diagnostic sampling should be confined to this period where possible. Correction factors for adjusting the composition of early or late samples back to January 31 levels, were calculated from polynomials with time fitted to the leaf composition data. A survey of the leaf composition of well-managed 'Trevatt' apricot orchards was conducted each January from 1971 to 1973 in New South Wales and Victoria. Percentages of orchards classified as low to deficient (-), and high to excess (+) for various nutrients were as follows : New South Wales (averages of 1971 to 1973) N -41 ; P +37; K +49; Mg +56; Fe +1 9 ; Zn -18. Victoria (averages of 1972 and 1973) N -21 and +32; K +10; Fe -35; Mn +17; Zn -20.


2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 135 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Curtin ◽  
D Lunney ◽  
A Matthews

cinereus) in Yengo National Park and Parr State Recreation Area, which together form a major reserve system where P. cinereus were known to be scarce. The first, a community survey which was distributed to 823 residences adjoining the reserves, yielded 139 responses. Of these, 31 responses provided information that allowed 26 P. cinereus locality records to be verified. A further eight P. cinereus locality records were obtained from interviews with neighbours. Most records were road-based. The second, a field survey based on scat searches, produced an additional 13 P. cinereus localities. P. cinereus scats were found under 11 tree species. Eucalyptus punctata was most frequently recorded with scats of those that were adequately sampled. A range of vegetation types and both ridges and gullies were used by P. cinereus. During field surveys, P. cinereus was found to be sparse and occurring throughout much of the survey area, concentrated in the eastern, southern and central parts of the reserve system. Both methods identified P. cinereus to be present before and after the extensive fires of January 1994, which burnt 60 % of the area. An appraisal of the methods revealed that they are complementary. The survey of residents provided recent and historical information and an indication of initial search areas for P. cinereus. The field survey yielded specific information about local P. cinereus habitat. The combination increased the number of P. cinereus records for the area more than four-fold. This study has provided the reserve managers with a clearer picture of the location of the local P. cinereus population.


1986 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
MH Campbell ◽  
MJ Keys ◽  
RD Murison ◽  
JJ Dellow

The effects of time and rate of application of glyphosate, 2,2-DPA and tetrapion on Poa labillardieri and Themeda australis were measured in seven experiments carried out 55 km south of Braidwood, on the southern tablelands of New South Wales between 1980 and 1982. In an eighth experiment (1981) and in a 35-ha demonstration (1983), at the same site, the effects of applying herbicides (before and after the autumn break) and surface-sowing Phalaris aquatica, Festuca arundinacea and Trifiolium repens with fertiliser on the control of P. labillardieri were ascertained. All three herbicides proved effective in reducing the ground cover of P. labillardieri from applications at any time of the year. For T. australis, tetrapion proved effective when applied at any time of the year, while glyphosate and 2,2-DPA were effective in all seasons except winter. Glyphosate at rates between 0.72 and 1.44 kg/ha a.i. was more cost effective than 2,2-DPA (11.1 kg/ha a.i.) and tetrapion (3.75 kg/ha a.i.). Best establishment and development of sown grasses and legumes was attained by applying herbicides after the autumn break but before heavy frosts, and then surface-sowing 1-3 months later. Control of P. labillardieri was best where P. aquatica and F. arundinacea established most densely.


2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodney P. Kavanagh ◽  
Rodney P. Kavanagh

Populations of arboreal marsupials were assessed in forests before and after logging at different levels of logging intensity to determine the sensitivity of these species to habitat disturbance. The logging treatments imposed were unlogged controls and two intensities of integrated logging for sawlogs and woodchips. The mean basal area of trees retained in logged blocks ranged from 83% to 35% of pre-logging levels. The objective of the study was to develop better methods for managing arboreal marsupials within the wood production forests of southeastern New South Wales. Seven species of arboreal marsupials were recorded during the study, but the Greater Glider Petauroides volans was the only species recorded in sufficient numbers for analysis (86% of all records). No significant differences were observed between the treatments in counts of the Greater Glider before and after logging. However, given the observed trend and an a priori expectation of a decline in numbers of this species following intensive logging, a one-tailed statistical test was applied which resulted in a significant difference at P = 0.08 for the contrast between the unlogged controls and the most intensively logged treatment. The existence of a threshold in logging intensity within the range of 21 % to 39% retention of tree basal area, below which numbers of the Greater Glider suffer a marked decline, was inferred on the basis of comparisons with the results of other studies. Factors other than logging were important in determining the distribution of the Greater Glider. Elevation, in particular, was a significant environmental variable, with Greater Gliders more likely to occur in forests above 845 m a.s.1. The presence and absence of particular tree species also influenced the distribution of the Greater Glider. Forests containing Manna Gum E. viminalis and Mountain Gum E. dalrympleana were highly preferred compared to forests with a high proportion of E. obliqua. The presence of E. cypellocarpa appeared to improve the quality of habitat for the Greater Glider in forests dominated by E. obliqua. This study has shown that Greater Glider populations can be maintained at or near pre-logging levels when at least 40% of the original tree basal area is retained thoughout logged areas and when the usual practice of retaining unlogged forest in riparian strips is applied.


1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (71) ◽  
pp. 822 ◽  
Author(s):  
DR Leece ◽  
AR Gilmour

Changes in the nutrient-element composition of leaves of peach cvs. Golden Queen, Gaum6, and Halehaven were measured monthly during the 1971 -72 and 1972-73 seasons in New South Wales. For all cultivars, the rate of change of leaf composition was least during January and February. Thus leaf composition standards should be based on January-February samples and diagnostic sampling should be confined to this period where possible. Correction factors for adjusting the composition November, December and March samples back to January 31 levels were calculated from polynomials with time fitted to the leaf composition data.


2000 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 504-511 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Brooks

Objective: The Health of Nation Outcome Scales (HoNOS) was developed to assess mental health outcomes. The aim of the studies is to examine the psychometric properties, reliability and validity of the HoNOS. Method: Three studies were conducted within St John of God Hospitals in New South Wales, Australia. They examined the reliability and the validity of the HoNOS. The first study examined the interrater reliability of the HoNOS, before and after staff training in the use of the HoNOS. The second study examined the validity of the HoNOS with the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL90-R) and the third study examined the validity of the HoNOS with the Short-Form 36 (SF-36). Results: The first study showed an improvement in the interrater reliability (IRR) of the HoNOS due to training. However, a generally unsatisfactory IRR (range 0.50–0.65) was achieved. The second study found no correlation between the SCL90-R and the HoNOS on admission (r = 0.04) and discharge (r = 0.06). The third study found no significant correlation between the Mental Component Score of the SF-36 and the HoNOS on admission (r = −0.033) nor on discharge (r = −0.104). Conclusions: The HoNOS has at best moderate interrater reliabilities. Further, the validity of the HoNOS is under question, that is, it does not correlate with a major measure of mental health symptoms, nor with a major measure of health status. As such, it is concluded that the psychometric properties of the HoNOS do not warrant its use as a routine measure.


2007 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 342 ◽  
Author(s):  
James P. Dawson ◽  
Andrew W. Claridge ◽  
Barbara Triggs ◽  
David J. Paull

The relationship between the diet of the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) and the abundance of its prey was investigated in rain-shadow woodland habitat in southern New South Wales for one year before and two years after a high-intensity, broad-scale wildfire. Scats were variously collected from quoll latrines and live-trapped animals during winter for each of the three years and analysed to determine prey items. Estimates of abundance of key ground-dwelling and arboreal medium-sized mammals were simultaneously obtained using plot-based survey techniques and spotlighting. Over the duration of the study, quoll diet was dominated by medium-sized mammals, particularly brushtail possums (Trichosurus spp.) and lagomorphs (rabbit and hare), followed by small and large-sized mammals. After the fire there was a shift in utilisation of food resources in response to significant changes in prey availability. Monitoring revealed that brushtail possums, lagomorphs and bandicoots were all significantly less abundant in the winter following the fire, and populations of lagomorphs, but not possums, then increased in the second winter after the fire. Quolls adapted to this by taking significantly more lagomorphs in each of the two years after the fire and by taking advantage of a short-term increase in the availability of carrion. The results of this study reaffirm that the spotted-tailed quoll is adaptable in its utilisation of available food, and that fires are not necessarily detrimental to the species and its prey base.


2017 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Ainsworth ◽  
Patricia Hansen

It is not uncommon to hear foster carers and child protection case workers comment about a child's behaviour both before and after parental contact. Frequently these comments are negative, the view being expressed that contact should be reduced because the children get upset at seeing their parents for a limited time, and then at having to separate from them. The child's resultant distress seems too difficult to manage for foster carers. Some foster parents even go so far as to suggest that parental contact should completely cease. This article sets out the rationale for parent–child contact after a Children's Court has ruled that there is “no realistic possibility of restoration” of a child to parental care. In doing so, the article revisits many of the old arguments put forward for reducing parent contact. However, alternative ways of approaching children's difficult behaviours both pre- and post-contact are also proposed to suggest different ways of managing these behaviours. The legislation and child protection practice in New South Wales provides the frame of reference for this article.


1975 ◽  
Vol 15 (72) ◽  
pp. 112 ◽  
Author(s):  
DR Leece

Changes in the leaf composition of Prunus domestica cv. D'Agen and P. salicina cv. Mariposa, were measured monthly during the 1971 -72 and 1972-73 seasons in New South Wales. The rate of change of leaf composition was least during January-February for D'Agen and during December-February for Mariposa. Thus, leaf composition standards should be based on January-February samples for D'Agen and December- February samples for Mariposa, and diagnostic sampling should be confined to these periods where possible. Correction factors for adjusting the composition of early or late samples back to January 31 levels, were calculated for D'Agen from polynomials with time fitted to the leaf composition data. A survey of the leaf composition of well-managed orchards was also conducted each January from 1971 to 1973. Of the European prune orchards surveyed, 51 per cent were low in nitrogen, 37 per cent were low in phosphorus, 28 per cent were low in iron, 25 per cent were high in copper, 10 per cent were high in manganese and 23 per cent were high in boron. Of the Japanese plum orchards surveyed, 33 per cent were high in nitrogen, 14 per cent were high in potassium, 22 per cent were low in calcium, 18 per cent were high in copper and 15 per cent were high in manganese.


1990 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 307 ◽  
Author(s):  
GM Murray ◽  
RH Martin ◽  
BR Cullis

The severity of epidemics of Septoria tritici blotch (STB) in wheat, caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola, was recorded for a 38-year period at Temora in southern New South Wales. The disease was rated as severe in 11 years, moderate in 11 and nil to light in 15, while very wet conditions prevented sowing in one year. The correlation of disease severity (S, where 0 =nil, 7 =very severe) with environmental and management factors was examined: the correlation was positive with days from sowing to heading and with rainfall ( R-4W , R+4W, mm) and the number of rainy days in the 4-week periods before and after heading; negative with the time of sowing (DS, day of year) and with mean daily maximum temperature in the 4-week periods before and after heading. Days from sowing to heading were negatively correlated with sowing day, and rainy days and mean daily maximum temperature were correlated with total rainfall in the same time period. Addition of these terms did not significantly improve the prediction of severity. The cumulative sum of the recursive residuals from this regression showed a trend with time that was associated with the average susceptibility (SAV, where 1 =highly resistant, 7 =extremely susceptible) of wheat cultivars to STB grown in the district in the previous year. The second model showed that the reduction of the average susceptibility of cultivars grown in an area will reduce the severity of STB. It provided justification for minimum disease standards for cultivars to be grown where STB is potentially severe. Further, it explained the distribution of severity of STB in New South Wales.


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