Communicating the risks of handling bats: analysing approaches used by Australian stakeholders in the context of Australian bat lyssavirus

Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is a member of the Lyssavirus genus of the Rhabdoviridae family and is found in Australian bat species. It is of public health concern because of the rabies-like syndrome it causes in humans, resulting in government health and wildlife agencies using varied communication approaches to inform targeted audiences about zoonotic risks associated with handling bats. Despite these warnings, the number of reports of human-bat interactions remains high. This paper details a survey conducted to analyse the approaches utilised by a range of stakeholders to educate and communicate warnings to their target audiences. The survey focused on identifying the target audiences, communication methods used, along with the message frequency, content, and perceived effectiveness. Analysis of the top three messages delivered by stakeholders revealed that over half were information-focused messages and over a third, instruction-focused. Stakeholders identified the need to balance messaging about bat handling risks with information regarding the vulnerable status of bats and their environmental significance. Whilst the most common and (perceived) effective method of communication was one-on-one discussions, it was also identified to be ineffective for targeting mass audiences leading stakeholders to recognise the need to adapt to more efficient means of communication. The outcomes of this study may be useful to improve risk communication strategies regarding ABLV in Australia.     

From forest to fen: Microarthropod abundance and litter decomposition in a southern Appalachian floodplain/fen complex

Our study compared decomposition and litter microarthropod abundance among five plant communities in a mountain floodplain/fen complex located in the southern Appalachian Mountains, USA. We found that the least disturbed plant communities, red maple in particular, have the quickest decomposition, the greatest number of litter microarthropods, the highest soil organic carbon, and the lowest soil pH. Positive correlations were shown between soil organic carbon and total microarthropods; negative correlations were found between soil pH and total microarthropods. No correlations were found between soil moisture and decomposition or total microarthropod numbers. We conclude that soil characteristics related to disturbance, rather than to the presence of a closed canopy, are the main influences on decomposition and litter microarthropods.     

Buying in: the influence of interactions at farmers’ markets

Many consumers are motivated to attend Farmers’ Markets (FMs) because of the opportunity to purchase fresh and local products. The subsequent interactions at FMs provide an important pathway for the direct exchange of information. While previous research suggests that people value local food and the FM shopping experience and that purchasing directly from producers can lead to transformative learning, little is known about exactly how the shopping experience at FMs can influence consumer purchasing behavior. This study examines the extent of and mechanism for such “influencing.” Using data from surveys, observations, and interviews gathered at six FMs, we analyze the interactions between consumers and vendors, including the motivations and values of both parties. We explore the question, “How do farmers’ markets facilitate change in consumer purchasing behavior?” We propose that the dynamic of change in consumer purchasing behavior at FMs takes root in the exchange of information between consumers and vendors during interactions. Our results suggest that there are three specific characteristics shared by FM consumers and vendors that lead to these meaningful interactions at FMs: symmetry of motivations to attend FMs, shared values, and mutual dependence on interactions. Then, when a consumer learns new information from a FM vendor during an interaction, the consumer is more likely to make a change in their immediate purchase. Information about the products for sale and the modes of production of those items can especially impact consumers’ immediate purchases at FMs. We found that FM interactions can also impact long-term purchasing behavior, such as purchasing more organic or locally produced foods. Our results suggest that FM interactions may have significant implications for consumer health, local economies, and the environment.     

Seasonal and long-term resource-related variations in soil microbial communities in wheat-based rotations of the Canadian prairie

Like all other living organisms, microorganisms depend on nutrients, carbon and energy. Since microorganisms are central to most soil processes, the sustainable management of agricultural soils may need to consider the impact of soil fertility management on the soil microbial community. We tested the hypothesis that different rates of N and P fertilizers, and cropping frequency (modifying C input to soil) influence the size, structure and physiological condition of soil microbial populations residing in the plough layer (top 7.5 cm). For this study, we used a 37-yr old long-term wheat-based rotation experiment located in the semiarid Brown soil zone of Saskatchewan. The experiment included (1) four input treatments: (i) no N or (ii) no P fertilizer application to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grown in fallow-wheat-wheat (F-W-W) rotations, and (iii) recommended rates of both N and P fertilizer applied to fallow-wheat (F-W) and (iv) to F-W-W; (2) two rotation phases: fallow and wheat-after-fallow; and (3) four sampling times: 8 June, 4 July, 5 August and 16 September 2003. Increased partitioning into storage lipids of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) biomarker 16:1ω5 (P=0.04), suggested the accumulation of storage material under low soil N availability. Discriminant analysis detected modifications in soil microbial community structure due to cropping frequency (P=0.001) and sampling time, the effect of which was different in the fallow (P<0.0001) and wheat-after-fallow (P<0.0001) phases of the rotations. Correlation analysis of soil variables conducted in plots growing wheat revealed a dual effect of plants, which stimulated active soil microbial biomass (SMB), possibly through the release of soluble extractable C (C_sol−ext) in soil and, at the same time, SMB competed with wheat for soil water and N. The 37 y of different nutrient input treatments had no effect upon the active soil microbial biomass according to PLFA measurements, despite changes in soil resource-related variables (soil water potential, soil PO₄-P and NO₃-N fluxes, and C_sol−ext concentrations) (P?0.003). The biomass of each of three microbial populations monitored was lowest on 4 July, when the amounts of the soil resources monitored were average, and greatest on 5 August, when N, P and soil moisture availability was lowest. The temporal effect on the biomass of microbial populations seemed unrelated to variation in nutrient or water availability. We conclude that the soil microbial community is adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions. We propose therefore that the occurrence of sudden and dramatic events, such as a heavy rainfall on a dry soil, is the most important determinant of seasonal variation in active soil microbial biomass.     

The effects of lactation on the fertility of dairy cows

Lactation has been negatively associated with fertility because pregnancy rates in maiden heifers exceed those obtained after first or subsequent calvings. The extent of this difference is less in pasture-fed dairy cows (<10%) than in American Holsteins (>20%) fed grain and conserved forages. The latter cows have pregnancy rates to first insemination and oestrus detection rates of only 40 to 45%. This suggests that the subsequent fertility of inherently fertile Holstein heifers may be severely compromised by high levels of milk production. International comparisons show that pasture-fed dairy cows may experience extended periods of anovulatory anoestrum but have normal fertility (60% pregnancy rate to first insemination) once cycling. The high-producing American Holstein may ovulate within 4 weeks postpartum but is more likely to continue ovulating without being detected in oestrus. Both situations are associated with negative energy balances (NEB) during early lactation. The severity and duration of this NEB may vary with body condition at calving, age or parity, ration formulation, production level and environmental factors. Relative daily milk yield is not an absolute indicator of NEB, because some lower producing cows within a herd have lower feed intakes and more severe energy deficits. NEB is not simple to measure; nonetheless, it is correlated with genetic improvement for milk yield. A positive energy balance, greater weight gain and higher body condition score have all been shown to be positively correlated with plasma progesterone concentrations in early lactation. No studies have investigated the possibility that the rapid increase in metabolic rate at this time may also alter steroid concentrations with consequent effects on oestrous behaviour and fertility. Studies to more precisely define the effects of increasing milk yields in early lactation, especially in Holsteins, may need to be completed in Australia and New Zealand. Oestrus detection rates and pregnancy rates for American Holsteins of less than 50% are accepted widely in the USA. Such low detection rates confound studies on fertility. The objective should be to increase these 2 rates to at least 80% and 60% respectively. This may involve the use of controlled breeding, especially if oestrous behaviour is less overt in high-producing Holstein cows.     

Linking stakeholder research needs and the Federal Data Quality Act: A case study of an endangered forest shrub in the southeastern United States

The need for knowledge, ranging from development of new products or processes to the effects of specific actions on the environment, is greater now than at any point in the past. The greater need for research has generated stakeholder involvement in the research process. As a result, all facets of research, from planning through publication of results, are often scrutinized by stakeholders. While the basic nature of scientific inquiry has not changed, now more than ever the credibility of scientific results is based on thorough planning, peer reviews of experimental designs and analytical approaches, and assurance that data are of the highest quality. Public interest in the quality and accuracy of federal research rose to a level that resulted in the Data Quality Act of 2001. The Act required the establishment of guidelines for Federal research organizations and cooperators. We present a case study of the U. S. Forest Service's policies for research quality assurance and quality control, including developing quality assurance statements and plans, as applied to comprehensive research on the federally-listed, endangered forest shrub pondberry (Lindera melissifolia (Walt.) Blume).     

PCR detection and characterization of type-2 porcine circovirus.

A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was developed for detecting porcine circovirus (PCV). The assay readily detected type-2 PCV (PCV-2) and type-1 PCV (PCV-1). The PCR primers were designed based on DNA sequences conserved in all reported PCV genomes. Type 1 PCV and type 2 PCV both produced 438 bp amplification products, which were easily identified and differentiated from one another by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Porcine circovirus was detected in 55% (931/1693) of randomly tested pigs with various clinical signs and lesions, most of which were difficult to differentiate from those associated with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). The PCR products from all positive clinical samples were identified by RFLP to be only PCV-2; DNA tested by PCR was extracted directly from one or more of lung, mesenteric or mediastinal lymph nodes, and tonsil. Type 2 PCV was also detected in 6% (2/34) of DNA extracted directly from semen of randomly chosen healthy boars. Positive PCR reactions from 554 diseased pigs were characterized by RFLP and categorized into 5 different profiles (A-E), of which 82.8% were PCV-2A (456/554), 3.0% were PCV-2B (17/554), 9.9% were PCV-2C (55/554), 1.1% were PCV-2D (6/554), and 3.2% were PCV-2E (18/554). The complete genomic nucleotide sequences of PCV-2A, B, C, D, and E were determined and found to have at least 95% homology compared with one another and with all other PCV-2 found in the GenBank database. All PCV-2 had less than 76% homology with PCV-1. This PCR assay will hopefully be useful to veterinary diagnostic laboratories for routine testing and surveillance of infection with PCV-2. The RFLP profiling system might be useful for preliminary characterization and identification of PCV isolates and might also benefit studies on the molecular epidemiology of PCV.     

Myofibroblastic fibrosarcoma with multifocal osseous metaplasia at the site of equine influenza vaccination

We describe a fibrosarcoma in a 12-year-old Quarterhorse × Arabian gelding as a sequela to equine influenza vaccination. Shortly after the second vaccination, swelling at the site was noticed by the owner and it continued to increase in size over the following 6 months. Biopsy of the mass indicated a fibrosarcoma had developed at the vaccination site. It was approximately 20 cm in diameter and elevated well above the level of the skin. There was no clinical evidence of metastases to the lungs or local lymph nodes. Surgical resection of the mass was performed and the wound healed by first and second intention. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining confirmed a myofibroblastic fibrosarcoma with multifocal osseous metaplasia. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first equine case of a vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma.