Article
Veterinary Sciences
Paolo Martelli, Sophie St-Hilaire, Wai-Suk Hui, Karthiyani Krishnasamy, Ioannis Magouras, Omid Nekouei
Summary: This study assessed the serological response to rabies vaccination in Hong Kong macaques and provided evidence-based recommendations for the vaccination interval implemented by the Government of Hong Kong. The results showed that a majority of macaques developed antibodies against rabies after vaccination, indicating the potential benefits of the current vaccination strategy to protect the population from rabies.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Scott Napper, Hermann M. Schatzl
Summary: Prion diseases are a class of infectious diseases caused by misfolded cellular prion proteins (PrPC), which propagate and result in fatal neurodegenerative disorders. Among them, chronic wasting disease (CWD) is considered the most significant threat due to its geographical spread, environmental persistence, uptake into plants, unpredictable evolution, and potential zoonotic transmission. The development of an effective CWD vaccine is challenging but recent progress in antigen selection, formulation, and oral delivery strategies has shown promising results. This review highlights these strategies to accelerate the development and evaluation of candidate CWD vaccines.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Rongna Feng, Xinyue Lu, Wenhong Xiao, Jiawei Feng, Yifei Sun, Yu Guan, Limin Feng, James L. D. Smith, Jianping Ge, Tianming Wang
Summary: Livestock grazing poses a threat to wildlife worldwide, especially to rare large carnivores like tigers and leopards. Through camera-trapping data analysis, this study found that the presence of cattle affects the habitat use and daily activities of sympatric wildlife species in the forest landscape, highlighting the importance of minimizing livestock disturbance to ensure the sustained recoveries of these species.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hechi Wang, Xinxin Chen, Jianwei Ge, Zhaoyi Yan, Xinyi He, Yingqiu Song, Qi Zhou
Summary: The rebirth of educational architectural heritage plays a crucial role in urban tourism economy, and studying the integration of educational heritage and tourism is of great significance. This article focuses on the educational heritage in Nanjing, China from 1840 to 1952, and combines qualitative and quantitative research methods to analyze the distribution characteristics and propose a cultural tourism strategy. The research results provide reference for educational heritage tourism in other cities in China and around the world.
Article
Zoology
Mingzhang Liu, Yiqing Wang, Fan Xia, Hongliang Bu, Yanlin Liu, Xiaoli Shen, Sheng Li
Summary: This study investigated the impact of livestock on the habitat use and activity patterns of the endangered North Chinese leopard and its prey species. The results showed that roe deer avoided areas frequented by cattle, while wild boar did not. Leopards shared habitats with cattle and increased their diurnal activities where cattle were present. Livestock depredation frequency was positively correlated with the detection rates of cattle and wild prey.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shiyi Liu, Jun Luo, Xin Dai, Shuming Ji, Donghao Lu
Summary: This study investigates the spatiotemporal pattern in the association between short-term exposure to PM10 and COVID-19 incidence in the 49 native states of America. The results show a positive correlation between PM10 and COVID-19 cases, with strong associations in the middle and northeastern regions and weak associations in the western regions. The temporal trend of association presents a U shape, with the strongest association at the end of 2021. The study highlights the need for attention to air pollution in the post-pandemic era, especially in the middle and northeastern regions of America, for effective COVID-19 control and prevention.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Iryna Makovska, Megan W. Howard, Maksym Bezymennyi, Lucjan Witkowski, Vitalii Nedosekov, Leonid Kornienko, Maksym Karpulenko, Marco De Nardi
Summary: This study is the first to analyze rabies cases at the national level in Ukraine, indicating spatial and temporal clusters of rabies cases in wildlife and domestic carnivores. Rabies cases are mainly concentrated in southwest Ukraine, with similar peak incidence periods for rabid domestic carnivores and foxes.
MEDYCYNA WETERYNARYJNA-VETERINARY MEDICINE-SCIENCE AND PRACTICE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Wenhua Gao, Hainan Hu, Weidong Hou, Pengjia Zhang, Panpan Gong, Wenyan Jia, Xiaoli Liu, Kaifeng Li
Summary: This study examines the changes in settlement numbers and subsistence strategies in the upper and middle Qin River reaches around 4000 years ago. The results show that there was a significant shift in settlement distribution and subsistence strategies between the Longshan and Erlitou periods. The occurrence of extreme floods and intergroup conflicts likely contributed to the decrease in settlement numbers and changes in settlement distribution.
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Xiaohao Guo, Ziyan Liu, Shiting Yang, Zeyu Zhao, Yichao Guo, Guzainuer Abudurusuli, Shanlu Zhao, Ge Zeng, Shixiong Hu, Kaiwei Luo, Tianmu Chen
Summary: The current outbreak of COVID-19 has caused a serious disease burden worldwide. Vaccination plays a crucial role in controlling the epidemic. By estimating contact patterns and optimizing vaccination strategies, transmission and mortality risks can be reduced. Prioritizing high-contact age groups for vaccination and protecting vulnerable older individuals are essential for achieving different objectives.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE MODELLING
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maryfrances Miller, Lirong Liu, Steven Shwiff, Stephanie Shwiff
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2019)
Article
Agronomy
Aaron Anderson, Chris Slootmaker, Erin Harper, Ryan S. Miller, Stephanie A. Shwiff
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Stephanie Shwiff, Alex Pelham, Steven Shwiff, William Haden-Chomphosy, Vienna R. Brown, Karina Ernst, Aaron Anderson
BIOLOGICAL INVASIONS
(2020)
Article
Agronomy
Sophie McKee, Aaron Anderson, Keith Carlisle, Stephanie A. Shwiff
Article
Entomology
Keith M. Carlisle, Erin E. Harper, Stephanie A. Shwiff
Summary: This research aims to understand the ethical attitudes of the U.S. public towards using a toxicant to control wild pigs. The study found that a majority of respondents considered toxicant usage unethical, with concerns centered around collateral harm to other animals and the possible pain and suffering of wild pigs. These findings indicate that introducing a wild pig toxicant in the U.S. may face significant opposition if the public's concerns are not addressed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEST MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Sophie C. McKee, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Aaron M. Anderson
Summary: A new method utilizing federal crop insurance data was used to estimate wildlife damage to major crops in the USA from 2015 to 2019. The study identified eastern and southern regions as most susceptible to wildlife damage, with soybeans and corn incurring the highest losses.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Vienna R. Brown, Ryan S. Miller, Sophie C. McKee, Karina H. Ernst, Nicole M. Didero, Rachel M. Maison, Meredith J. Grady, Stephanie A. Shwiff
Summary: This study assesses the risk posed by African swine fever, classical swine fever, and foot-and-mouth disease entering the United States, emphasizing the importance of allocating resources, evaluating control method costs, and implementing protective measures to minimize impact.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hailey E. McLean, Tara L. Teel, Alan D. Bright, Lauren M. Jaebker, John M. Tomecek, Maureen G. Frank, Rachael L. Connally, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Keith M. Carlisle
Summary: The study found that 83% of Texas hunters had a low tolerance for wild pigs, with approximately 63% preferring to see the population reduced and 20% preferring complete removal. Approximately 53% of the variance in tolerance for wild pigs was explained by motivations and preferences for hunting wild pigs, concern for wild pig damage, and overall attitudes toward wild pigs.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Micah Fern, Rebecca Barlow, Chris Slootmaker, John Kush, Stephanie Shwiff, Larry Teeter, Jim Armstrong
Summary: The increased distribution of wild hogs has caused significant socio-economic impacts, particularly in terms of damage to privately owned forestlands in Alabama. The survey conducted revealed that longleaf and loblolly pine plantations were the most affected by wild hog damage, with the southern half of Alabama sustaining the most damage. Landowners in this region invested the most capital on control methods, with a wide range of costs per control technique reported.
SMALL-SCALE FORESTRY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Studies
Levi Altringer, Jordan Navin, Michael J. Begier, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Aaron Anderson
Summary: The study utilizes modern machine learning techniques to provide a more accurate estimate of the economic burden of wildlife strikes on the US civil aviation industry, revealing an average annual loss of approximately $54.3 million. Further research should consider differences in strike characteristics for more comprehensive findings.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART D-TRANSPORT AND ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lauren M. Jaebker, Tara L. Teel, Alan D. Bright, Hailey E. McLean, John M. Tomecek, Maureen G. Frank, Rachael L. Connally, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Keith M. Carlisle
Summary: The research explored the acceptability of wild pig control actions among Texas hunters and found that most hunters were accepting of all control actions except toxicants and non-lethal deterrents. Acceptability varied slightly among hunters affiliated with different types of organizations, with hunters affiliated with agricultural organizations being the most accepting. However, the influence of organizational affiliation on acceptability was not significant enough to justify differentiating outreach messaging based on affiliation.
HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF WILDLIFE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Hailey E. McLean, Lauren M. Jaebker, Aaron M. Anderson, Tara L. Teel, Alan D. Bright, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Keith M. Carlisle
Summary: Wild pigs pose risks to agriculture and the environment, with hunters particularly vulnerable to zoonotic diseases. Despite efforts by management agencies to inform the public about disease risks associated with wild pigs, the extent to which hunters have been influenced remains unclear. Analysis of wild pig hunting videos on YouTube revealed limited discussions regarding disease risks and safety practices, highlighting the need to understand the impact of social media on viewers and implications for public health campaigns.
HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF WILDLIFE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Keith M. Carlisle, Nicole Didero, Sophie McKee, Julie Elser, Stephanie A. Shwiff
Summary: This research investigates the impacts of invasive wild pigs on agricultural producers in Texas, revealing that producers generally underestimate the total costs associated with wild pig impacts. There is a need for economic estimates that better capture the full range of costs imposed on agricultural producers by wild pigs.
Article
Economics
Lirong Liu, Steven Shwiff, Stephanie Shwiff, Maryfrances Miller
Summary: This study uses a computable general equilibrium model, REMI PI+, to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the US and Texas economy. Three scenarios based on economic forecasts are considered, with results showing GDP loss and job loss in 2020. The study also provides insights into the most and least impacted industries, such as Health Care and Social Assistance, and State and Local Government.
FRONTIERS OF ECONOMICS IN CHINA
(2021)
Article
Economics
Levi Altringer, Sammy Zahran, Stephanie A. Shwiff, Michael J. Begier, Aaron Anderson
Summary: This paper investigates the spillover departure delay effects of damaging wildlife strike events on commercial passenger airlines. The study finds that the delay effects are largely contained within the airline to which the strike occurred, with immediate same-leg flights experiencing particularly large effects. The behavior of the spillover delay effects also depends on whether the strike flight's destination airport is an airline hub or not. The estimated average treatment effects suggest that each damaging wildlife strike event generates significant within-airline excess departure delay and results in a substantial external cost.
ECONOMICS OF TRANSPORTATION
(2022)