The sociogenetic structure of a controlled feral pig population

2005 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter B. S. Spencer ◽  
Steve J. Lapidge ◽  
Jordan O. Hampton ◽  
John R. Pluske
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Wildlife Diseases ◽  
Genetic Population ◽  
Ecosystem Integrity ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Open Population ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Feral Pig

In Australia, the feral pig (Sus scrofa) is a significant vertebrate pest that has an impact on agricultural production, public health and ecosystem integrity. Although feral pigs are controlled throughout much of their range, little is known about the impact that these control programs have had on the social biology, structure and the dispersal of pigs. To begin to address this, we collected demographic data and genetic samples from 123 feral pigs culled during a regional aerial shooting program over 33 pastoral properties in the semi-arid rangelands of southern Queensland, Australia. Sampling was carried out after two years of extensive control efforts (aerial 1080-baiting) and the samples therefore represented a controlled, persecuted population with a bias towards young animals. The analysis of 13 microsatellite loci suggested that females will accept multiple matings, females form loose mobs that appear to be highly dynamic social groups, and males will travel large distances between mobs. These data indicate that feral pigs in this population had a high level of social contact and form a single open population with no evidence of genetic (population) structuring. Such information may be important to integrate into management strategies, particularly the development of contingency plans regarding the spread of wildlife diseases.

scholarly journals Students’ experience and adherence to containment measures during COVID-19 in Switzerland

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annina E Zysset ◽  
Nadine Schlatter ◽  
Agnes von Wyl ◽  
Marion Huber ◽  
Thomas Volken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Home Rule ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Public Media ◽  
Gender Information ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
The Impact

Summary Background Young adults are not considered a risk group, but the public health response to COVID-19 impacts all citizens. We investigated the impact on young adults’ and their adherence to containment measures addressing potential gender differences. Methods In April 2020 12 341 students of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences were invited to a longitudinal health survey. Survey topics spanned socio-demographic data, students’ health status and behavior, COVID-19 specific impact, concerns, information sources, adherence to containment measures, and trust in government bodies. Group comparisons by gender and multivariate ordinal regression models assessing adherence to restrictions of mobility and social contacts were conducted (n = 2373). Results Mean age was 26.4 (SD = 5.6), 70% were female. 43.5% reported some concern about their own health, 2.7% stated major worries. Women experienced more conflicts (p < 0.000) and, enjoyed time with the family more (p < 0.000). Men felt less locked up (p = 0.001). The most frequented COVID-19 information source was public media (48%) and confidence in government bodies was high (82%) for both genders. Men yielded lower adjusted odds (OR; 95%-CI) of adherence regarding the following measures: social distancing (0.68; 0.53–0.87), non-utilization of public transport (0.74; 0.56–0.97), 5-person limit for social gatherings (0.47; 0.35–0.64) and the stay at home rule (0.64; 0.51–0.82). Conclusion Early in the pandemic a high degree of adherence was observed in this young academic population. Containment measures restricting movement and social contact yielded considerable differences by gender, information source and perceived susceptibility to the virus. More targeted communication may increase adherence regarding mobility restrictions.

The Impact of Social Marketing Campaigns on Reducing Mental Health Stigma: Results From the 2009–2014 Time to Change Programme

2017 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 116-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Sampogna ◽  
I. Bakolis ◽  
S. Evans-Lacko ◽  
E. Robinson ◽  
G. Thornicroft ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Health Knowledge ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Media Channels ◽  
The Impact

AbstractBackgroundIn England, during 2009–2014 the ‘Time to Change’ anti-stigma programme has included a social marketing campaign (SMC) using mass media channels, social media and social contact events but the efficacy of such approach has not been evaluated yet.MethodsThe target population included people aged between mid-twenties/mid-forties, from middle-income groups. Participants were recruited through an online market research panel, before and after each burst of the campaign (with a mean number of unique participants per each burst: 956.9 ± 170.2). Participants completed an online questionnaire evaluating knowledge [Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS)]; attitudes [Community Attitudes toward Mental Illness (CAMI)]; and behaviours [Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale (RIBS)]. Socio-demographic data and level of awareness of the SMC were also collected.ResultsA total of 10,526 people were interviewed. An increasing usage of the SMC-media channels as well as of the level of awareness of SMC was found (P < 0.001). Being aware of the SMC was found to be associated with higher score at MAKS (OR = 0.95, CI = 0.68 to 1.21; P < 0.001), at ‘tolerance and support’ CAMI subscale (OR = 0.12, CI = 0.09 to 0.16; P < 0.001), and at RIBS (OR = 0.71, CI = 0.51 to 0.92; P < 0.001), controlling for confounders.ConclusionThe SMC represents an important way to effectively reduce stigma. Taking into account these positive findings, further population-based campaigns using social media may represent an effective strategy to challenge stigma.

scholarly journals Role of Gated SPECT MPI in Follow-up of Patients afterCoronary Revascularization

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-35
Author(s):  
Azmal Kabir Sarker ◽  
Faria Nasreen ◽  
Lutfun Nisa ◽  
Raihan Hussain
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Medicine ◽  
Perfusion Defect ◽  
Gated Spect ◽  
Coronary Revascularization ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Asymptomatic Patients ◽  
Medicine Physician ◽  
The Impact

Objective: Gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (GSMPI) is a preferred modality for non invasive assessment following coronary revascularization (CR) of both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. This study was conducted to observe the impact of GSMPI results on further management of patients who after CR had underwent GSMPI at National Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (NINMAS). Patients and methods: Record files of GSMPI of all patients who underwent GSMPI over a period of 31 months from June 2011 to December 2013 at NINMAS for assessment of perfusion after CR were selected from the Nuclear Cardiology Divisional archive of patient studies in order to retrieve their clinical and demographic data including the contact numbers. The results of GSMPI scan were categorized as normal scan (NS) and perfusion defect (PD) which included reversible and/or fixed PD. All the contact numbers were called up by a nuclear medicine physician who conducted a semi-structured telephonic interview either with the patients or with a concerned family member. Management strategies adopted after GSMPI were categorized as conservative (CM) and interventional (IM).Cramer’s V (φc) test were done to find strength of relation among patients’ symptoms, scan findings and management strategies. Results: Follow up data of 55 patients (54M, 1F) among 68 (66M, 2F) were available who underwent MPI for the purpose of post CR assessment. MPI was performed in between six months to 13 years after CR (mean 43.8 ± 48.2 months). Categorically 33 patients had percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) with stent, 16 patients had coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) and 6 patients had both CABG & PTCA. There were 38PD (27symptomatic) and 17NS(12 symptomatic).Since all patients (n=12) who had fixed PD were symptomatic, a strong relation was found between being symptomatic and fixed perfusion defect (φc> 0.3). Symptoms were found to be weakly related with reversible PD i.e. ischemia (φc< 0.2). Management strategies were conservative in 44 (30 symptomatic and 28 PD) and interventional in 11 (nine symptomatic and 10 PD). Management strategies were found to be weakly related with symptoms (φc< 0.2) but moderately related with perfusion status (φc = 0.24). Conclusions: While symptoms were observed to be poorly related with perfusion status following CR, GSMPI guided to choose further interventional management strategies with rationality in lower proportion of patients. Bangladesh J. Nuclear Med. 22(1): 30-35, Jan 2019  

The impact of feral pigs (Sus scrofa) on an Australian lowland tropical rainforest

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 437 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Taylor ◽  
L. K.-P. Leung ◽  
I. J. Gordon
Keyword(s):  
Leaf Litter ◽  
Tropical Rainforest ◽  
Soil Biota ◽  
Seedling Density ◽  
Ecosystem Recovery ◽  
Feral Pigs ◽  
Litter Cover ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Feral Pig

Context Feral pigs are thought to damage tropical rainforests, but long-term impact has not yet been quantified. Aims This study aimed to determine the impact of feral pigs on soil, soil biota and vegetation in a lowland tropical rainforest in Daintree, north-eastern Australia, and the recovery following exclusion of feral pigs for 12 years. Methods Three types of plots were established in 1994: damaged plots were fenced in areas where severe damage had already occurred (‘fenced damaged’); undamaged plots were fenced in areas showing no evidence of damage (‘fenced undamaged’); and unfenced plots were randomly placed and remained at risk of damage (‘unfenced’). Key results In 2006, feral pigs had caused significant declines in seedling density, soil macroinvertebrate density and leaf litter cover, but not in soil pH, soil conductivity, invertebrate diversity, vegetation diversity, tree density, canopy cover or fallen log cover. Mean seedling density was lower in the fenced damaged plots than the fenced undamaged plots in 1994 but not in 2006. Other response variables also did not differ significantly between these two plot types, indicating that any damage caused by feral pigs to soil, soil biota or vegetation before 1994 was fully recovered within 12 years. Conclusions Our findings suggest that reductions in soil invertebrate density, seedling density, and leaf litter cover should be monitored regularly to inform feral pig management programs, and that these variables should be measured for objective assessment of the outcome of any feral pig control program. These declines may continue and be translated into the decline of trees and other keystone species or processes into the future. Implications The efficacy of feral pig control programs can be assessed using the quantitative analysis of the aforementioned variables. The results of such monitoring programs, in conjunction with baseline data, can provide an indication of ecosystem recovery and therefore the level of success achieved by the applied control measures.

scholarly journals Social Support and the Risk of Hypertension in an Open Population in Russia/ Siberia (Who Monica-Psychosocial Program)

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Valery Gafarov ◽  
◽  
EA Gromova ◽  
DO Panov ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Never Married ◽  
Open Population ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Screening Survey ◽  
Close Contacts

Purpose: To study the impact of social support (indices of close contacts and social netwotks) on the risk of arterial hypertension (AH) in an open population of 25-64 years in Novosibirsk. Methods: A random representative sample of the population of both sexes of 25-64 years old in Novosibirsk in 1994 (men: n = 657 44.3 ± 0.4 years response - 82.1% women: n = 689 45.4 ± 0.4 years response - 72.5%). The screening survey program included: registration of socio-demographic data determination of the level of social support (ICC - index of close contacts SNI - index of social networks). The period of prospective follow-up of participants was 16 years. Results: In the open population of 25-64 years low rates of ICC and SNI were in 62% and 43.5% of men and 56.8% and 33.9% of women. During the first 5 years the risk of hypertension in men and women with a low ICC was the same in men HR = 2.063 (95% CI 1.019-5.213 p <0.05) and women with HR = 2.009 (95% CI 1.025- 3.938 p <0.05). The increase in the risk of AH in persons with low SNI over 5 years was higher in men in 5.9 (95% CI 1.278-8.361 p <0.05) times 10 years later the risk of developing AH in women 25-64 was 1.884 (95% CI 1.09-3.255 p <0.05). The risk of hypertension was highest among men: never married divorced and widowed with low ICC and SNI. Among women at risk were widowed women with low ICC as well as women with primary education with low ICC and SNI. Conclusion: Low level of social support increased the risk of AH in men and women.

scholarly journals Within and between classroom transmission patterns of seasonal influenza and implications for pandemic management strategies at schools

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Akira Endo ◽  
Mitsuo Uchida ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Katherine Atkins ◽  
Adam Kucharski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Seasonal Influenza ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Initial Growth ◽  
Precautionary Measures ◽  
Reduced Class Sizes ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Schools can play a central role in driving infectious disease transmission. Strategies for safe operation of schools during pandemics therefore need to carefully consider both the efficiency of measures for infection control and the impact on children through lost face-to face schooling time. Heterogeneous social contact patterns associated with the social structures of schools (i.e. classes/grades) are likely to influence the within-school transmission dynamics; however, empirical evidence on the fine-scale transmission patterns between students has been limited. Using a mathematical model, we analysed a large-scale dataset of seasonal influenza outbreaks in Matsumoto city, Japan to infer social interactions within and between classes/grades from observed transmission patterns. The overall within-school reproduction number, which determines the initial growth of cases and the risk of sustained transmission, was only minimally associated with class sizes and the number of classes per grade. We then used these patterns in a model parameterised separately to COVID-19 and pandemic influenza, and simulated school outbreaks under multiple strategies for minimising the risk of within-school transmission. Simulations suggested that with such transmission patterns, interventions changing class structures (e.g. reduced class sizes) may not be effective in reducing the risk of major school outbreaks upon introduction of a case and that other precautionary measures (e.g. screening and isolation) need to be employed. Class-level closures in response to detection of a case were suggested to be effective in reducing the size of an outbreak when regular screening tests for students are not available.

scholarly journals Effect of stress at work on the risk of cardiovascular diseases among the population of 25-64 years in Russia/Siberia (WHO program “MONICA-psychosocial”)

2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 13-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
V V Gafarov ◽  
E A Gromova ◽  
D O Panov ◽  
I V Gagulin ◽  
A V Gafarova
Keyword(s):  
Myocardial Infarction ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Open Population ◽  
The Social ◽  
Stress At Work ◽  
High Level ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Gender Specific

The aim of the study was to determine the impact of stress on work on the risk of cardiovascular disease over a 16-year period in an open population of 25-64 years in Russia/Siberia. Materials and methods. A random representative sample of the population of both sexes of 25-64 years old in Novosibirsk in 1994 (men: n=657, 44.3±0.4 years, response - 82.1%, women: n=689, 45.4±0.4 years, response - 72.5%). The screening survey program included: registration of socio-demographic data, determination of stress at work (Karazek scale). The period of prospective follow-up of participants was 16 years. The study identified the following "end points": the first cases of myocardial infarction (MI), stroke. Results. A high level of stress at work was in 29.5% of men and 31.6% of women, the average level in 48.9% of men and 50.7% of women (χ2=2.574, υ=2, p=0.276). The risk of developing MI for a 16-year period, among people experiencing stressful situations at work, was: in men, HR=3.592, and women HR=3.218 (95% CI 1.146-9.042); stroke risk - among men, HR=2.603 (95% CI 1.06-4.153) in women HR=1.956 (95% CI 1.008-3.795). In multivariate analysis, in men with stress at work, the risk of MI among men was HR=1.15 (95% CI 0.6-2.2), among women - HR=2.543 (95% CI 1.88-7.351); risk of stroke, was in men, HR=3.8 (95% CI 1.6-8.8), in women - HR=1.95 (95% CI 0.984-3.887). The risk of stroke was higher among single, divorced and widowed men, HR=4.2 (95% CI 1.5-13.2), and in women with secondary or primary education, HR=3 (95% CI 0.852-11.039). Conclusion. It was established that a high level of stress at work is not gender-specific; the risk of developing MI over a 16-year period is higher in women than in men, stroke in men; the risk of myocardial infarction and stroke in both sexes is affected by the social gradient.

scholarly journals PTSD in South African anaesthetists after experiencing a death on the theatre table

2020 ◽  
pp. 280-286
Author(s):  
JJS Van Niekerk ◽  
J Lemmer-Malherbe ◽  
M Nel
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
South African Society ◽  
The Impact

Background: A death on the table affects the anaesthetist emotionally and can lead to anxiety, depression, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Management strategies such as debriefings are not applied regularly. We determined the prevalence of probable PTSD after a death on the table, whether anaesthetists were debriefed and if they had time off after the event. Methods: A quantitative observational, cross-sectional study with convenience sampling using an online questionnaire was conducted. The impact of events scale-revised was used to measure the likelihood of PTSD. Demographic data, qualifications, years of experience and data regarding debriefings after the event were also collected. The study population comprised anaesthetists registered with the South African Society of Anaesthesiologists (SASA) who experienced a death on the table. Results: Of 1 859 potential participants who were contacted, 453 responded (24.4% response rate). The final analysis included 375 completed questionnaires, with 108 (28.8%) respondents having a probable diagnosis of PTSD. Age, experience, level of qualification and workplace did not affect the likelihood of developing PTSD. Only 15.5% of the respondents were debriefed. Of those with probable PTSD, 92.6% would have wanted debriefing, 85.2% would have liked time off and 82.4% felt the event influenced their work decisions. Corresponding figures in respondents without PTSD were 77.9%, 61.0% and 67.0%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of probable PTSD following a death on the table was high and debriefings were rarely done. We recommend the development of workplace protocols to facilitate emotional wellbeing.

scholarly journals Immunization Strategies for Funding Multiple Inflation-Linked Retirement Income Benefits

Risks ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 60
Author(s):  
Cláudia Simões ◽  
Luís Oliveira ◽  
Jorge M. Bravo
Keyword(s):  
Interest Rate ◽  
Yield Curve ◽  
Risk Measure ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Interest Rate Risk ◽  
Insurance Companies ◽  
Retirement Income ◽  
Investment Strategies ◽  
Immunization Strategies ◽  
The Impact

Protecting against unexpected yield curve, inflation, and longevity shifts are some of the most critical issues institutional and private investors must solve when managing post-retirement income benefits. This paper empirically investigates the performance of alternative immunization strategies for funding targeted multiple liabilities that are fixed in timing but random in size (inflation-linked), i.e., that change stochastically according to consumer price or wage level indexes. The immunization procedure is based on a targeted minimax strategy considering the M-Absolute as the interest rate risk measure. We investigate to what extent the inflation-hedging properties of ILBs in asset liability management strategies targeted to immunize multiple liabilities of random size are superior to that of nominal bonds. We use two alternative datasets comprising daily closing prices for U.S. Treasuries and U.S. inflation-linked bonds from 2000 to 2018. The immunization performance is tested over 3-year and 5-year investment horizons, uses real and not simulated bond data and takes into consideration the impact of transaction costs in the performance of immunization strategies and in the selection of optimal investment strategies. The results show that the multiple liability immunization strategy using inflation-linked bonds outperforms the equivalent strategy using nominal bonds and is robust even in a nearly zero interest rate scenario. These results have important implications in the design and structuring of ALM liability-driven investment strategies, particularly for retirement income providers such as pension schemes or life insurance companies.

scholarly journals Detection of diarrhoea associated rotavirus and co-infection with diarrhoeagenic pathogens in the Littoral region of Cameroon using ELISA, RT-PCR and Luminex xTAG GPP assays

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahinatou N. Ghapoutsa ◽  
Maurice Boda ◽  
Rashi Gautam ◽  
Valantine Ngum Ndze ◽  
Akongnwi E. Mugyia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Demographic Data ◽  
Laboratory Diagnosis ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Vaccine Introduction ◽  
Littoral Region ◽  
Rotavirus Vaccines ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Despite the global roll-out of rotavirus vaccines (RotaTeq/Rotarix / ROTAVAC/Rotasiil), mortality and morbidity due to group A rotavirus (RVA) remains high in sub-Saharan Africa, causing 104,000 deaths and 600,000 hospitalizations yearly. In Cameroon, Rotarix™ was introduced in March 2014, but, routine laboratory diagnosis of rotavirus infection is not yet a common practice, and vaccine effectiveness studies to determine the impact of vaccine introduction have not been done. Thus, studies examining RVA prevalence post vaccine introduction are needed. The study aim was to determine RVA prevalence in severe diarrhoea cases in Littoral region, Cameroon and investigate the role of other diarrheagenic pathogens in RVA-positive cases. Methods We carried out a study among hospitalized children < 5 years of age, presenting with acute gastroenteritis in selected hospitals of the Littoral region of Cameroon, from May 2015 to April 2016. Diarrheic stool samples and socio-demographic data including immunization and breastfeeding status were collected from these participating children. Samples were screened by ELISA (ProSpecT™ Rotavirus) for detection of RVA antigen and by gel-based RT-PCR for detection of the VP6 gene. Co-infection was assessed by multiplexed molecular detection of diarrheal pathogens using the Luminex xTAG GPP assay. Results The ELISA assay detected RVA antigen in 54.6% (71/130) of specimens, with 45, positive by VP6 RT-PCR and 54, positive using Luminex xTAG GPP. Luminex GPP was able to detect all 45 VP6 RT-PCR positive samples. Co-infections were found in 63.0% (34/54) of Luminex positive RVA infections, with Shigella (35.3%; 12/34) and ETEC (29.4%; 10/34) detected frequently. Of the 71 ELISA positive RVA cases, 57.8% (41/71) were fully vaccinated, receiving two doses of Rotarix. Conclusion This study provides insight on RVA prevalence in Cameroon, which could be useful for post-vaccine epidemiological studies, highlights higher than expected RVA prevalence in vaccinated children hospitalized for diarrhoea and provides the trend of RVA co-infection with other enteric pathogens. RVA genotyping is needed to determine circulating rotavirus genotypes in Cameroon, including those causing disease in vaccinated children.

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