On October 17, 2018, the Canadian Federal government legalized the recreational use of marijuana. This shift in the legal status of recreational drug use is far reaching and is generating interest within the research community. One unanticipated consequence of this new law is its effect on canines. This paper analyzes media coverage of the way in which the legalization of cannabis has newly changed the lives of animals, specifically dogs. Through a content analysis there were two broad themes identified: (1) the reduced opportunities for working dogs; (2) the negative health effects of cannabis on dogs. Using a One Health framework, the analysis discusses the potential policy and program development responses available to address the increasing interaction between humans, animals and legal marijuana. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

Twelve pairs of cadaveric pelvic limbs were harvested from skeletally mature dogs. Tibias were randomly assigned pairwise to two study groups: locking buttress screw fixation (LBS) and bone-screw-fastener fixation (BSF). A tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO) was performed. Each specimen was positioned in a servohydraulic testing machine to simulate physiological orientation and loading at the mid-point of the stance phase at the walk. Cyclic loading was performed for 30,000 cycles at 4Hz with a peak-load of 1000N. The cyclic test was then continued by stepwise increasing the peak-load at a rate of 75N per 500 cycles until failure of the construct. The findings of this current study suggest that stabilization of the TPLO with BSF in the proximal part of a locking TPLO plate provided similar biomechanical stability under cyclic axial loading conditions as the LBS. BSF may be an acceptable alternative to LBS for TPLO.

Smart device applications that allow users to interact with a TV show in some way, so called companion apps, are increasingly common. In this paper, we study how the usage of such apps affect viewer engagement when used in groups of three or more people, a common TV viewing scenario. To study these effects, an experiment was conducted, where two participant groups watched multiple clips from a show of their choice, with varying devices running companion apps present. Qualitative analysis of data gathered during these viewings (video recordings, survey responses, and group interviews) show that the usage of companion apps increases viewer engagement in these scenarios by encouraging users to either work together or compete against each other, and that this effect seems to be more prominent among younger viewers. / Applikationer till smarta enheter som möjliggör för TV-tittare att interagera med TV-program de tittar på, så kallade kompanjonappar, blir allt vanligare. I denna studie ämnar vi att undersöka hur användandet av sådana applikationer påverkar tittarnas engagemang i programmet vid TV-tittande i grupper om tre eller fler personer. För att undersöka detta utfördes ett experiment där två deltagargrupper fick välja, och se på, tre klipp från ett TV-program, med olika smarta enheter med tillhörande kompanjonappar tillgängliga. Kvalitativ analys av data från sessionerna (videoinspelningar, enkätsvar och gruppintervjuer) tyder på att användadet av kompanjonappar ökar tittarnas engagemang genom att uppmuntra till sammarbete eller tävling mellan deltagarna, samt att denna effekt verkar mer framträdande hos yngre TV-tittare.

Tall fescue grasslands are the dominant form of grasslands in the North American transition zone, however, warm-season forages provide necessary forage for livestock in the summer. Pollinators require steady forage availability in the same fashion as cattle. Native warm-season grasses (NWSG) and wildflowers (WF) could be incorporated into tall fescue (TF) grasslands to improve pollinator resources within agricultural landscapes without sacrificing livestock production. This balance of ecosystem services can be considered bee-friendly beef. Previous establishment experiments suggests that bee-friendly beef is a possibility, although establishment and persistence of NWSG-WF stands warrants additional research. Three small plot experiments were conducted to evaluate different planting methods designed to optimize establishment of NWSG-WF stands. Additionally, a grazing study examined whether NWSG-WF pasture enhancement could improve animal performance in TF grazing systems. The small plot experiments experienced extreme weed competition in the establishment year, although plots with higher NWSG content had fewer weeds over time. Floral production was comparable across treatment, which suggests lower WF seeding rates can generate comparable pollinator resources. Major findings from these experiments suggested that spatial or temporal separation of NWSGWF was unnecessary to generate successful establishment, varying the ratio of NWSG-WF in seed mixtures produced similar establishment outcomes, and that adding companion crops to NWSG-WF mixtures did not improve establishment success appreciably. In the grazing experiment, animal performance was improved in the biodiverse grazing systems when heifers 3 had access to the NWSG. Biodiverse and shaded grazing systems modified animal behavior and reduced body temperature relative to control grazing systems, although only biodiverse grazing systems improved animal performance. Native WF species failed to establish within the biodiverse grazing system, but white clover provided all subsequent floral production. Establishing WF in pastures is challenging and warrants additional study on more effective weed control strategies and systems to ensure establishment success. Selecting WF for agronomic performance or breeding such plant material will be necessary to improve emergence and establishment dynamics. Ideally trait data can identify the optimal WF species for specific grazing systems. Biodiverse NWSG-WF can be highly effective at improving summer weight gain in beef cattle. Future studies should focus on finding a more optimal balance of NWSG, WF, and TF that can benefit beef cattle production, pollinator services, and ecosystem services regarding soil and water quality, as well as pasture resiliency to dynamic conditions. / Doctor of Philosophy / Tall fescue grasslands are the dominant form of grasslands in the North American transition zone, however, warm-season forages provide necessary forage for livestock in the summer. Pollinators require steady forage availability in the same fashion as cattle. Native warm-season grasses (NWSG) and wildflowers (WF) could be incorporated into tall fescue (TF) grasslands to improve pollinator resources within agricultural landscapes without sacrificing livestock production. This balance of ecosystem services can be considered bee-friendly beef. Previous establishment experiments suggests that bee-friendly beef is a possibility, although establishment and persistence of NWSG-WF stands warrants additional research. Three small plot experiments were conducted to evaluate different planting methods designed to optimize establishment of NWSG-WF stands. Additionally, a grazing study examined whether NWSG-WF pasture enhancement could improve animal performance in TF grazing systems. The small plot experiments experienced extreme weed competition in the establishment year, although plots with higher NWSG content had fewer weeds over time. Floral production was comparable across treatment, which suggests lower WF seeding rates can generate comparable pollinator resources. Major findings from these experiments suggested that spatial or temporal separation of NWSGWF was unnecessary to generate successful establishment, varying the ratio of NWSG-WF in seed mixtures produced similar establishment outcomes, and that adding companion crops to NWSG-WF mixtures did not improve establishment success appreciably. In the grazing experiment, animal performance was improved in the biodiverse grazing systems when heifers 3 had access to the NWSG. Biodiverse and shaded grazing systems modified animal behavior and reduced body temperature relative to control grazing systems, although only biodiverse grazing systems improved animal performance. Native WF species failed to establish within the biodiverse grazing system, but white clover provided all subsequent floral production. Establishing WF in pastures is challenging and warrants additional study on more effective weed control strategies and systems to ensure establishment success. Selecting WF for agronomic performance or breeding such plant material will be necessary to improve emergence and establishment dynamics. Ideally trait data can identify the optimal WF species for specific grazing systems. Biodiverse NWSG-WF can be highly effective at improving summer weight gain in beef cattle. Future studies should focus on finding a more optimal balance of NWSG, WF, and TF that can benefit beef cattle production, pollinator services, and ecosystem services regarding soil and water quality, as well as pasture resiliency to dynamic conditions.

The reviewed book's organization around themes reflects the domination of cultural history in the field of Renaissance Studies today.

Thirty-two canine tibiae with patellae and patellar tendons were harvested from 17 skeletally mature cadavers. Each tibia was randomly allocated to a construct group: plate and pin (Plate), plate with countersink compression screw (HCS), plate with tension band (TB), or plate with HCS and TB (HCSTB). Samples were loaded by distraction until failure. The stiffness, yield load, and ultimate load were compared between each fixation method. No difference in stiffness of the constructs was detected between groups. Yield load and ultimate load for the HCSTB group was greater than the TB group, the HCS group, and the Plate group. CBLO fixation augmented with a TB and HCS provided a stronger construct that withstood a greater yield load and ultimate load than either augmentation strategy alone. Augmenting a CBLO fixation with a TB and a HCS can provide increased construct strength.

Hundar anses vara det första domesticerade husdjuret men behoven för hundraser med specifika arbetsuppgifter har kraftigt förändrats. Oavsett tidigare ursprung hålls de flesta hundar idag som sällskapshundar och egenskaper som exempelvis vakt- och vallhundar uppvisar går inte alltid hand i hand med kraven på den moderna sällskapshunden. För att möta samhällets krav behöver hundarna i första hand vara trygga, lätthanterliga och lätta att träna men trots detta ligger fokus inom aveln ofta på exteriör och de ursprungliga egenskaperna kvarstår. För att möta de nya behoven blir det istället intressant att titta på andra genetiskt betingade egenskaper och i den här studien avser frågeställningen lekbeteenden och dess eventuella samband med hur väl hundar presterar på nationella lydnadsprov. Frågan undersöktes genom tre hypoteser som avser hundar som uppvisar högre poäng på Beteende- och personlighetsbeskrivning H1 ) för lek med egen leksak presterar i genomsnitt högre poäng på nationella lydnadsprov än hundar som uppvisar lägre poäng för lek med egen leksak på Beteende- och personlighetsbeskrivning, H2 ) för lek med ny leksak presterar i genomsnitt högre poäng på nationella lydnadsprov än hundar som uppvisar lägre poäng för lek med ny leksak på Beteende- och personlighetsbeskrivning och H3 ) för dragkampsintresse presterar i genomsnitt högre poäng på nationella lydnadsprov än hundar som uppvisar lägre poäng för dragkampsintresse på Beteende- och personlighetsbeskrivning. Genom datainsamling för fyra raser; rhodesian ridgeback, dvärgschnauzer, mellanpudel och cocker spaniel avseende enskilda poäng för tre olika typer av lekbeenden under standardiserad beteende- och personlighetsbeskrivning samt medelpoäng för nationella lydnadsprov har frågan undersökts med Pearson´s korrelationstest. Resultatet visar positivt samband för H2 ) med en signifikans på 0,04 (P<0,05) och en korrelationskoefficient där r = 0,21. Resultaten i den här studien stödjer delvis tidigare studier som visar att lekfullhet ger en bättre förutsättning för inlärningsförmåga och tävlingsprestation, så även på nationella lydnadsprov. Verktygen för att möta de nya behoven av en modern sällskapshund finns tillgängliga genom beteendebeskrivningar men prioriteringar i aveln måste ses över och nyttan med verktygen måste synliggöras ännu mer. Lekfullhet bör vara en parameter att ta hänsyn till i tilltänkta avelskombinationer både för att gynna populationen i stort men också för att stärka djurvälfärden på individnivå. / Dogs are considered the first domesticated animal but the need for dog breeds with specific working traits has changed dramatically. Regardless of their previous origins, most dogs today are kept as pure companion dogs and hereditary characteristics such as for guarding or herding do not always match with the requirements of the modern companion dog. In order to meet society's demands, the dogs should be safe, easy to handle and easy to train. Despite this, the focus in breeding is often on the appearance and the original behavioural characteristics have remained. In order to meet the new requirements, we need to look at other genetically determined characteristics such as play behavioural and personality. In this study the question concerns specifically play behavior and whether there is a positive correlation between playfulness and how well dogs perform in national obedience tests. The question is investigated through three hypotheses concerning dogs that exhibit higher scores for 1 ) play with their own toy 2 ) play with a new toy 3) tug of war interest. Data was collected from a national database for four breeds, rhodesian ridgebacks, miniature schnauzers, medium sized poodles and cocker spaniels. Individual scores for three different types of play behaviour under standardized Behaviour and Personality Assessment were correlated with average scores for national obedience tests, using Pearson's correlation tests. The result showed there was a significant positive correlation (r=0,21, P<0,05) between playing with a new toy and obedience. Playing with their own toy and tug-of-war was not significantly correlated with obedience. The results of this study thus partially support previous studies that characteristics such as playfulness provide better conditions for learning ability and performance on national obedience tests. The tools to meet the new requirements of a modern companion dog are available through Behaviour and Personality Assessment but priorities in breeding must be reviewed and the utility of the tools must be made even more visible. Playfulness should be a characteristic to take into account when considering a breeding combination, both to benefit the population and the society at large but also to strengthen animal welfare on an individual level.

Loneliness among young adults has risen over the past years and today around 62% ofyoung adults say they have been or are negatively affected by it (Stickley & Koyangi, 2016). Thiscan lead to depression, anxiety but in the worst case addiction, self-harming or suicidal thoughts.This study examines how AI-based interventions, such as virtual companions, can be designedand implemented to reduce loneliness among young adults. By exploring the possibilities andchallenges of the design and development of creating an AI companion. This study uses asystematic literature study and semi-structured interview based on 20 participants. The semi-structured interview was then analyzed with a thematic analysis. Which then was visualized witha concept map. The findings of the study presents four themes: “Empowering Loneliness Combatwith AI”, “Treading the Thin Line of Human-like AI”, “Irreplaceable Human Connection” and“Nurturing Trust in the AI Ecosystem”. With this knowledge that this study presents, it can helpsupport the knowledge needed to design and develop an AI companion to ease loneliness inyoung adults.

Humans and animals have a widely varying relationship which has been studied at length. Examining our interactions with animals in negative contexts can help us further understand the factors that’s influence the nature of the human-animal relationship, particularly with our most popular companion animals. This study continues the use of a jury design, previously used in studies regarding animal abuse, to examine responses to a scenario of an altercation resulting in a dog biting a person. In this study, 243 undergraduate students read the scenario presented to them and completed a survey examining their judgements of blame and punishment for the incident. In the interest of examining the effects of different variables, participants were randomly presented with 1 of 18 potential scenarios in which the role of the human in potentially provoking the dog, the breed of the dog involved, and the degree of damage inflicted were manipulated. Results showed an avoidance toward making any judgements on the dog’s disposition, neither positively nor negatively. Additionally, some gender differences were discovered in responses related to euthanasia, blame on the owner, and the promotion of an obedience training program. Surprisingly, degree of damage did not have significant effects on responses, while dog breed differences revealed that participants placed greater blame and responsibility on owners of Pit bulls rather than the dog itself, which is potentially explained by the sample’s age demographics. The manipulation of human provocation of the incident proved to have the most significant effect of participant responses of blame and punishment, affecting perceptions of blame attributed to the dog and the victim, as well as the punishments and protections deemed appropriate. The results suggest an emphasis on human component in the perceptions of the human-animal relationship and provide insight on the variables relevant to the relationship.

Dog ownership is highly common in the United States and has a large impact on the U.S. economy due to dogs' required expenses. Thus, it is important to assess dog owners' method of dog obtainment, as it is the first step to canine companionship. Dog owner personality traits and their relationship with where dogs are obtained has not yet been studied. To assess this relationship, we reached current dog owners through an online survey containing the Donnellan et al. (2006) Mini-International Personality Item Pool (IPIP) scale and asked participants where they obtained their dog. Results indicated 90% of participants were female (N = 411); consequently, we limited our analysis to only female dog owners. Female dog owners' personality scores were related to their dog obtainment location (i.e., Breeder, Pet Store or Online, Rescue or Shelter, and Informal). Female dog owners who obtained their dog from a Rescue or Shelter had significantly higher scores of Agreeableness than female dog owners who obtained their dog from a Breeder. Female dog owners who obtained their dog from a Breeder had significantly higher scores of Conscientiousness than those who obtained their dog Informally or from a Rescue or Shelter. Additional exploratory Likert scale questions were posed to participants, asking why they chose their obtainment location and why they chose their dog specifically. Our study revealed there is a relationship between dog owner personality and method of dog obtainment. This information is useful for rescues and shelters looking to increase adoption because they can develop methods to attract less Agreeable and highly Conscientious women. We hope our findings can make future and current dog owners aware of how their personality relates to their choice of dog obtainment location and that they will take all methods of dog obtainment into consideration.