Thesis (M. P. A.)--University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Title proper from title frame. Also available in printed format.

This two-study dissertation aimed to develop a comprehensive understanding of mental health need identification, service referral process, availability of services, and type of mental health services in Ontario for children who have experienced maltreatment with a specific focus on childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The first study was descriptive and involved an email questionnaire completed by Directors of Service in each of the 53 Ontario Children’s Aid Societies (CAS). While the primary purpose of study 1 was to inform the sample for study 2, it also provided information about the identification of mental health needs and the referral process to mental health services for children who have experienced maltreatment. Based on the finding that the majority of mental health service referrals are made to community-based psychologists (80%), study 2 was designed to assess the availability, type, and empirical support of treatments provided by Ontario psychologists and psychological associates to children who have experienced CSA. Through the first provincial census of child and adolescent psychology clinicians registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, this study addressed the following questions: (1) What are the demographic, work setting, and treatment provision characteristics of these clinicians? (2) Within this population, what is the proportion and distribution of clinicians who provide treatment to children who have experienced CSA?; (3) To what extent do these treatment services map onto empirically-supported treatments (ESTs) for children who have experienced CSA?; and (4) How do clinicians’ demographic, work setting, treatment provision characteristics, and attitudes toward ESTs predict their approach to intervention? Results indicated that clinicians who worked with children who have experienced CSA differed significantly from other clinicians in terms of age, work setting, self-reported theoretical orientation, and clients’ primary presenting problems. Moreover, clinician age, self-reported theoretical orientation, time devoted to clinical training activities, and general attitudes toward ESTs predicted the use of ESTs among clinicians who work with children who have experienced CSA. Limitations and implications for future research are addressed within each study.

Two factors presumed to affect the behavioural response of cattle (<i>Bos Taurus</i>) to artificial weaning were investigated: the termination of nursing, and the physical separation of cows and calves. A two-stage process was used to disconnect these traditionally linked components. First, the behaviour of cows and calves was quantified in response to preventing nursing by having calves wear an antisucking device (Stage 1). Then the behavioural response of cows and calves to being separated was observed (Stage 2). Control pairs were weaned abruptly; nursing ended when cows and calves were separated. Preventing nursing while pairs were still together had almost no effect on measures of general activity with the exception of causing a slight increase in the rate of vocalizing. Calves wearing antisucking devices spent the same amount of time eating as controls. The behavioural responses of two-stage pairs to separation were favourably reduced compared to controls. In one study, two-stage cows vocalized 84% less than controls, spent 60% less time walking, and 13% more time lying, compared to controls. Two-stage calves called 97% less than controls, spent 61% less time walking, and 30% more time eating. In another study, preventing nursing for longer (3 versus 14 d) had no noticeable beneficial effects on the behaviour response to separation. In three separate trials two-stage calves gained more weight during the first week after separation from their dams. The two-stage process further reduced the behaviour responses when compared to weaning by fenceline contact. The benefits of two-stage weaning were also observed with dairy calves weaned from their dams at 5 weeks of age. The combined results of these studies indicate that the traditional method of weaning, by simultaneously terminating nursing and separating pairs, exacerbates the behavioural responses of cows and calves. Imposing these in two separate stages did not produce the same additive effect suggesting that the traditional weaning method produces a negative synergistic effect on the behaviour response. Based on the evidence two-stage weaning offers a viable production practice that is likely to improve the welfare of cows and calves.

This two-study dissertation aimed to develop a comprehensive understanding of mental health need identification, service referral process, availability of services, and type of mental health services in Ontario for children who have experienced maltreatment with a specific focus on childhood sexual abuse (CSA). The first study was descriptive and involved an email questionnaire completed by Directors of Service in each of the 53 Ontario Children’s Aid Societies (CAS). While the primary purpose of study 1 was to inform the sample for study 2, it also provided information about the identification of mental health needs and the referral process to mental health services for children who have experienced maltreatment. Based on the finding that the majority of mental health service referrals are made to community-based psychologists (80%), study 2 was designed to assess the availability, type, and empirical support of treatments provided by Ontario psychologists and psychological associates to children who have experienced CSA. Through the first provincial census of child and adolescent psychology clinicians registered with the College of Psychologists of Ontario, this study addressed the following questions: (1) What are the demographic, work setting, and treatment provision characteristics of these clinicians? (2) Within this population, what is the proportion and distribution of clinicians who provide treatment to children who have experienced CSA?; (3) To what extent do these treatment services map onto empirically-supported treatments (ESTs) for children who have experienced CSA?; and (4) How do clinicians’ demographic, work setting, treatment provision characteristics, and attitudes toward ESTs predict their approach to intervention? Results indicated that clinicians who worked with children who have experienced CSA differed significantly from other clinicians in terms of age, work setting, self-reported theoretical orientation, and clients’ primary presenting problems. Moreover, clinician age, self-reported theoretical orientation, time devoted to clinical training activities, and general attitudes toward ESTs predicted the use of ESTs among clinicians who work with children who have experienced CSA. Limitations and implications for future research are addressed within each study.

The microclimate within naturally-ventilated transport trailers hauling Canadian cattle to slaughter was investigated by recording temperature and relative humidity in one-minute intervals during commercial transport. Conditions on the outside of the trailer (ambient), at the trailer ceiling and at the animal tag-level were monitored. These metrics were used to calculate humidity ratio and temperature humidity index (THI) to further investigate the moisture content of the air and the apparent thermal conditions within the vehicle, respectively. The trailer micro-environment was assessed between trailer compartments and between planes within a given compartment. Five commercial long-haul (940 km) and five commercial short-haul (85 km) warm weather journeys (average daily temperature 24.5°C) were conducted to represent common distances traveled by finished Canadian heifers during summer and early fall. Variations in temperature, THI and humidity ratio were evident within the trailer and the results illustrated the most challenging compartments, in terms of thermal environment, at the front of the trailer and on the top level. Thermal conditions were greater inside the trailer compared to ambient (average 1.97°C for long and short distances combined), greater at the animal-level compared to the trailer ceiling (3.03°C for long and short distances combined) and greater in the center plane compared to the outside walls during long distance journeys. The physiological effect of transport on the cattle was measured through on-going monitoring of vaginal temperature of focal heifers located throughout the trailer. Body temperature recordings showed the ability of the animals under these conditions to dissipate heat acquired through the loading period. Cattle transported long distance however showed a better ability to return to near-baseline body temperature values. Shrink, or body weight loss, was calculated by each compartment of animals for all journeys. Cattle that travelled further lost a greater percentage of body weight (P < 0.001) with values of 4.5% and 1.6% for long and short distances, respectively. Further, cattle located in compartments that had higher temperatures and greater moisture levels recorded in the microclimate data showed correspondingly increased body weight loss (P < 0.05) suggesting that the nose compartment in particular had a greater potential to induce thermal stress.

Voluntary social welfare organisations

Trade unionism in Orissa state

Trade unionism in Orissa state

Deaf child and his family

Two factors presumed to affect the behavioural response of cattle (<i>Bos Taurus</i>) to artificial weaning were investigated: the termination of nursing, and the physical separation of cows and calves. A two-stage process was used to disconnect these traditionally linked components. First, the behaviour of cows and calves was quantified in response to preventing nursing by having calves wear an antisucking device (Stage 1). Then the behavioural response of cows and calves to being separated was observed (Stage 2). Control pairs were weaned abruptly; nursing ended when cows and calves were separated. Preventing nursing while pairs were still together had almost no effect on measures of general activity with the exception of causing a slight increase in the rate of vocalizing. Calves wearing antisucking devices spent the same amount of time eating as controls. The behavioural responses of two-stage pairs to separation were favourably reduced compared to controls. In one study, two-stage cows vocalized 84% less than controls, spent 60% less time walking, and 13% more time lying, compared to controls. Two-stage calves called 97% less than controls, spent 61% less time walking, and 30% more time eating. In another study, preventing nursing for longer (3 versus 14 d) had no noticeable beneficial effects on the behaviour response to separation. In three separate trials two-stage calves gained more weight during the first week after separation from their dams. The two-stage process further reduced the behaviour responses when compared to weaning by fenceline contact. The benefits of two-stage weaning were also observed with dairy calves weaned from their dams at 5 weeks of age. The combined results of these studies indicate that the traditional method of weaning, by simultaneously terminating nursing and separating pairs, exacerbates the behavioural responses of cows and calves. Imposing these in two separate stages did not produce the same additive effect suggesting that the traditional weaning method produces a negative synergistic effect on the behaviour response. Based on the evidence two-stage weaning offers a viable production practice that is likely to improve the welfare of cows and calves.