The relationship between the stockperson's personality and attitudes and the productivity of dairy cows

This study investigated the relationships amongst personality traits and attitudes of 311 dairy stockpeople and the milk yield they obtained. A questionnaire pack consisting of a big-five measure of personality (which includes the traits of extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability and intellect), a four-factor attitude questionnaire and associated demographic and production questions was posted out to Northern Ireland dairy farmers. Pearson correlations were used to assess the relationship between personality and attitudes and partial correlations were calculated between milk yield and these psychometric measures. The personality traits of agreeableness and conscientiousness were most strongly correlated to positive attitudes towards working with dairy cows. None of the stockpeople's personality traits were significantly correlated with the milk yield they obtained. Three of the attitude scales, however, were significantly correlated with milk yield; milk yield was related to higher levels of empathy and job satisfaction and lower levels of negative beliefs. These findings, along with previous research, suggest stockperson attitudes may be important in relation to dairy cow welfare and production.     

Geriatric patient - psychological and emotional considerations during dental treatment

Objective: The world’s population is ageing rapidly with an increase in the age related diseases and disabilities. With the increase in the life span, chronic diseases play a significant role and the dental diseases are the most prevalent chronic condition. Diagnosis and treatment planning for the elderly must include considerations of the biological, psychological, social and economic status of the patient in addition to the obvious dental problems. The aim of this article is to provide a review of the psychological and emotional factors involved in the dental treatment and the methods to develop a right dental attitude. Background: Authorities in dental medicine have long recognized a relationship between psychology and dentistry and have attempted to describe the factors that require consideration during the dental therapy. The theoretical approaches are now replaced by practical approach of patient management. Materials and method: The article reviews the literature regarding the etiology for the development of psychological and emotional disturbances, factors that influence the patient’s response and methods to develop the right dental attitude. Conclusion: The dentist is concerned with the emotional and psychological state of the patient, for it is an essential component of treatment and the success of the treatment often depends on the emotional state of the patient. It is thus important for the dentist to be aware of practical‐ problem‐ oriented approach that helps in patient management and in maintaining and improving dental health as part of total healthcare services available to the elderly.     

支气管哮喘患儿病情控制的影响因素及其家长知信行问卷调查分析

摘要 目的：调查支气管哮喘患儿家长知信行情况,并分析支气管哮喘患儿病情控制的影响因素。方法：于2016年7月~2020年7月期间,选取我院收治的500例支气管哮喘患儿及其家长作为研究对象。患儿家长知信行情况采用《哮喘患儿家长知信行问卷》调查。患儿近4周的病情控制水平参照《诸福棠实用儿科学(第8版)》中的相关标准进行确定,病情控制水平包括良好控制、部分控制和未控制。将良好控制、部分控制的患儿纳为哮喘控制组,将未控制的患儿纳为哮喘未控制组。采用本院自制的调查量表调查患儿及其家长的信息,分析支气管哮喘患儿病情控制的影响因素。结果：支气管哮喘儿童家长知信行情况不容乐观。支气管哮喘患儿病情控制率为38.06%（187/491）。单因素分析结果表明,支气管哮喘患儿病情控制与家庭人均月收入、患儿个人过敏史、家长受教育程度、哮喘家族史、是否坚持长期用药、是否定期复诊有关（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示,家长受教育程度、家庭人均月收入、患儿个人过敏史、哮喘家族史、是否坚持长期用药、是否定期复诊均是支气管哮喘患儿病情控制的影响因素（P<0.05）。结论：本研究中支气管哮喘患儿病情控制水平一般,且支气管哮喘儿童家长知信行情况不容乐观,其中家长受教育程度、家庭人均月收入、患儿个人过敏史等均是支气管哮喘患儿病情控制的影响因素,临床中应结合相关因素进行针对性的干预或治疗,以期实现对支气管哮喘患儿病情的良好控制。     

Evaluation of farmers' attitude and perception toward production risk: Lessons from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province,Pakistan

The variations in farming risk are classified into three key categories: market liberalization, natural disasters such as floods or drought, and climate change. This study aims at filling the existing research gap by the assessment of risk attitude and risk perceptions toward various types of risks. Primary data of 600 respondents were collected through a structured questionnaire in four flood-prone districts namely Peshawar, Mardan, Charsadda, and Nowshera of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province of Pakistan. Equally Likely Certainty Equivalent and risk matrix techniques were utilized in determining the risk attitude and risk perceptions among the farmers. A probit regression model was used to analyze the relationships among dependent and independent variables. Findings of the study show that majority of the farmers were risk-averse, and floods, high input prices, crop diseases, and excessive precipitation were the main risks perceived by the farmers. Results of the probit regression model indicated that age, education level, farm location, off-farm income, and access to market information were the main factors that affect the farmers' risk attitude and perceptions. The research offers essential findings that can be used by policy-makers in the farming sector and researchers to understand risk attitude and perceptions of farmers empirically.     

Factors influencing stakeholders' attitudes toward cross-kingdom gene transfer in rice

The purpose of this study was to identify the relevant factors influencing stakeholders' attitudes toward the transfer of an animal (mouse) gene into rice for vitamin C enhancement. A survey was carried out on 434 respondents from various stakeholder groups in Malaysia. Results of the survey have confirmed that attitudes toward cross-kingdom gene transfer, such as genetically modified (GM) rice, are the result of a complex decision-making process that involves the cumulative interaction of various factors. The most important direct predictors of a positive attitude toward GM rice were specific application-linked perceptions about the religious acceptability and risks of such rice. The attitude toward GM rice also involves interplay between other factors, such as familiarity and the perceived benefits of GM rice, and more general attitudinal variables, such as moral beliefs about biotechnology, attitudes toward labeling, attitudes toward patenting, attitudes toward nature, and confidence in biotechnology regulations.     

Visitor Perceptions of Captive,Endangered Barbary Macaques (Macaca sylvanus) Used as Photo Props in Jemaa El Fna Square,Marrakech, Morocco

ABSTRACT

Visitors to Jemaa El Fna Square can pay to have their photograph taken with Barbary macaques. Our aim was to characterize visitors’ perceptions of such photo props, enabling demand-reducing interventions to be targeted appropriately and destination managers to maintain or enhance the visitor experience. Visitors to Jemaa El Fna (n = 513) were surveyed using a 25-item questionnaire including closed and open questions. Most visitors (88%) neither intended to use macaque photo props nor did; 7% either intended to or did use photo props; while 5% both used photo props and had intended to do so. Moroccans were more likely than foreigners to use macaque photo props or intend to do so. Among international visitors, those who had their photo taken or intended to were younger, with a lower level of education and lower income than those who neither had their photo taken nor intended to. Visitors who did not use photo props pitied the animals’ treatment, disapproved of captivity or exploitation, had concerns over hygiene or safety, and disliked trader harassment. Visitors who did use photo props valued novelty and contact with the animal, although half of them also described negative experiences including trader harassment and animal mistreatment. While 16% felt the presence of macaques makes Marrakech lively and interesting, 40% recognized risks to health and safety, and 57% thought Marrakech would be a better place without macaque photo props. Although 66% agreed the practice should be illegal, 80% were unaware that it is illegal. Only 25% correctly identified the Barbary macaque as endangered. Macaque photo props undermine current conservation objectives and legislation, contribute to Disneyfication of macaques, and may threaten the image of the destination; however, their appeal to a minority of visitors indicates a desire to interact with animals, which visitor education might divert toward more responsible tourism.     

保护区及周边居民对野猪容忍性的影响因素——以黑龙江凤凰山国家级自然保护区为例

以黑龙江凤凰山国家级自然保护区为例,于2010年9、10月份,采用问卷调查法和实地考察法相结合的形式,调查该保护区及周边地区野猪危害农田的情况,以及居民对野猪的容忍性和认知度。结合Mann-Whitey U检验和Kruskal-Wallis H检验方法比较各个因素对保护区及周边居民野猪容忍性的影响差异,用主成分分析法对主要影响因素进行辨析。结果表明:农田收入比例、文化程度、人均农田面积以及野猪毁田面积是影响居民对野猪容忍性的主要因素。被访问的居民中,66.19%的居民希望野猪种群减少或消失;63.38%的居民赞同或者完全赞同保护措施;毁田事件发生后,46.48%的居民赞同或完全赞同捕杀野猪;在村外遇见野猪时,66.20%的居民不赞同或者完全不赞同捕杀野猪;在山野遇见野猪时,65.59%的居民不赞同或者完全不赞同捕杀野猪,说明遇到野猪的地点对居民所持捕杀态度基本没有影响。     

Sheep and wolves: Is the occurrence of large predators a limiting factor for sheep grazing in the Czech Carpathians?

Extensive sheep grazing in the West Carpathians is a very important management tool for the protection of the traditional landscape character of the Central European countryside, as well as providing biologically valuable habitats of pastures and meadows. In this paper we describe the main characteristics of sheep farming in the Beskydy region and test the hypothesis that large carnivores are a limiting factor for sheep grazing management of landscapes in this region, the only area of the Czech Republic where all three species of large European carnivores – the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), grey wolf (Canis lupus) and brown bear (Ursus arctos) – occur. Data obtained from the monitoring of large carnivores and a questionnaire-based survey of the perspective of sheep farmers in the Beskydy region were analysed. Although the lynx is the most abundant large predator within the study area, the highest number of attacks on sheep was attributed to wolves. However, the annual frequency of attacks was very low and, moreover, an important number of the attacks could have been committed by dogs rather than wolves. From the perspective of sheep breeders, the major economic factor is a low consumer demand for sheep products, and not the presence of large carnivores. However farmers expressed a view that some level of safeguarding was needed and this should come in the form of financial compensation for damage resulting from attacks on sheep by large predators and a modification of the current system of agricultural subsidies. Subsidies for sheep breeders should respect the regional specifics including the risk arising from the presence of large carnivores and provide support for active measures to protect the livestock against them. Regarding the protection of populations of large carnivores in the Beskydy Mountains, it will be necessary to continue to monitor their presence.     

Measuring rice farmers’ risk perceptions and attitude: Evidence from Pakistan

Abstract

The agriculture sector is confronting numerous types of risk. Like other crops’ farmers, rice growers are also facing multifarious challenges, including production and environmental risk. On the one hand, they are suffering from water shortage. On the other hand, if a flood occurs, there is no proper water reservation management, especially in developing countries. Global warming is another erotic topic for agriculture sustainability. To address the growers’ perceptions and their attitudes toward such types of risks, a farm base survey was carried out, and rice farmers were investigated in Pakistan. Methods of equally likely certainty equivalent and risk matrix were applied to investigate the farmers’ risk perceptions and attitude. A probit model was also used to estimate the factors that influence farmers’ perceptions and attitudes toward risks. The outcomes of the study show that flood, input high prices, increasing temperature, and crop diseases are the perceiving risks among rice farmers. Different types of socio-economic factors are influencing farmers’ risk perceptions and their attitudes, such as age, education level, a distance of farms from rivers, and non-farm income. This study provides valuable information to the policymakers and concerning authorities to apprehend agricultural risks among rice farmers and farming sustainability, especially in developing countries.