University of Guelph

The measurement of gamma-rays from decaying nuclei allow for the investigation into nuclear structure. True coincidence summing occurs when two gamma-rays from a single decay get detected in a single detector and their energies sum together to give false peaks in the energy spectrum. Corrections to this summing effect are crucial for an accurate determination of nuclear decay events. The summing correction formalism of Semkow et al. (1990) is generalized here into the Semkow matrix formalism and is extended into a multiplicity expansion. This formalism is used to calculate the matrix probabilities for 180-degree coincidence events as a method for correcting coincidence summing. In doing so, the deviation between the full correction and this 180-degree correction is shown as a function of multiplicity. This formalism is extended to the partitioned matrix formalism, to calculate probabilities for gated gamma rays, where two gamma-rays of interest are taken in multi-detector coincidence. The summing correction probabilities for gated gamma-rays are provided and the deviation is shown in a manner similar to that of the singles. Terms such as measurability, event equivalence, and ontic and epistemic events are defined. It is shown that within these definitions, the sufficient measurability of coincidence summing is statistically bounded by the deviations derived. A toy model nuclear level scheme results in deviations on the order of 10-3%. These results show that the 180-degree coincidence method is sufficient for most gamma-ray spectroscopy experiments.

Review of: Montreal Standard Time: The Early Journalism of Mavis Gallant , Neil Besner, Martha Dvorák and Bill Richardson (eds) (2024) Montreal: Véhicule Press, 303 pp., ISBN 978-1-55065-670-1, p/bk, USD 29.95

Volunteer firefighters face elevated cancer risks from exposure to combustion by-products, exacerbated by limited decontamination resources, especially in rural departments. This proof-of-concept study assessed the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of an online educational intervention to improve cancer prevention behaviors among Canadian English and French volunteer firefighters. A two-arm cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted across 23 volunteer fire departments. Departments were assigned to a 6-month online intervention (health letters, moderated chat room, and a 45-minute summary course) or a waitlist control. Firefighters completed the 20-item Firefighter Exposure to Carcinogens Scale (FECS) at baseline and 6 months, assessing intention, perceived importance, behavior, and barriers. A total of 115 firefighters enrolled; participant retention rates were 48.39% in the intervention group and 81.13% in the control group. The intervention group showed greater improvement in perceived importance (p = .04) and a trend toward reduced perceived barriers (p = .05). Intention scores trended positively (p = .08). Behavioral changes were not significant in the primary analysis, but when clustering was accounted for, behavior improvement reached significance (p = .01). Perceived barriers were negatively correlated with intention, importance, and behavior, with stronger correlations post-intervention. The intervention was feasible and showed potential to improve cancer prevention-related perceptions and behaviors. Recruitment challenges indicate the need for enhanced engagement strategies. Online educational programs may support scalable cancer prevention training for volunteer fire departments, especially for rural and resource-limited settings.

While most fatty acids in milk are bound, some are in free form. Although free fatty acids (FFA) only represent approximately 0.1 % of total milk fat, they can have a large, detrimental impact on milk quality. Free fatty acids are products of milk fat lipolysis and begin at the farm level. Elevated concentrations of FFA in milk (≥1.2 mmol FFA/100 g of fat) can reduce milk foamability, impair cheese coagulation, decrease shelf life, and increase milk rancidity. By directly deteriorating the quality of milk, elevated FFA is a concern to the sustainability of dairy production that impacts all stakeholders. Since 2018, Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) have tested FFA levels on every bulk tank milk sample, which is collected at every pick-up on all Ontario, Canada dairy farms. Results are reported to farmers, allowing for milk quality transparency and monitoring. In 2023, DFO field staff triggered an investigation of elevated FFA on a dairy farm with an average FFA of 1.32 ± 0.50 mmol/100 g of fat (between August 2018 and October 2022). The objective of this case report was to apply previously identified FFA risk factors in this on-farm investigation to identify farm-specific contributors to elevated FFA. The main FFA risk factors present on the farm were short and unequal milking intervals, poor milking equipment maintenance and sanitization, increased bulk tank milk agitation, and temperature fluctuations. High levels of fat supplements used in the lactating ration at certain times of the year may have also been a contributing factor. Elevated FFA concentrations are multifactorial, and increased awareness of farm-level risk factors through real-world examples can help farms implement management changes to improve milk quality.

BackgroundRegistered veterinary technologists/technicians (RVTs) are experiencing high rates of burnout, alongside reports of feeling underutilised and underappreciated, raising concerns regarding retention. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a 5‐day professional skills and knowledge training programme on RVTs’ clinical communication confidence.MethodsElectronic surveys measured communication self‐confidence prior to the professional skills and knowledge training, immediately after training and 2 months post‐training. Open‐ended questions asked participants’ experience regarding the training programme. Communication self‐confidence scores were compared using Friedman's test or repeated‐measures ANOVA. Open‐ended questions were analysed using manifest content analysis.ResultsOut of 38 individuals enrolled, 29 (76.3%) completed all three surveys. Participants’ communication self‐confidence scores significantly increased by the 2‐month follow‐up survey compared to pre‐programme and post‐programme. Open‐ended questions found: (1) positive perceptions of the programme immediately after training, and (2) differences in participants’ perception of their job at 2 months post‐training, based on opportunity to implement training upon returning to work.LimitationsThis study may have been prone to selection bias and may not be representative of all RVTs.ConclusionDedicated professional skills and knowledge training can increase RVT communication self‐confidence. A plan for implementation after returning to practice is important. Further research is needed to examine the impact of engaging RVTs in professional skills and knowledge training on professional and clinical outcomes.