Use of a Timely Topics Web Tool to Enhance Research-Based Extension Program Impact

Developing creative, impactful methods for delivering research-based Extension educational material is often challenging. However, options have increased as technological advancement has made online learning accessible to stakeholders, producers/farmers, and the general public alike. An interactive timely topics web tool (TTW) can enhance interaction with a program home page to aid Extension professionals in effectively disseminating relevant information to users. Use of an equine program TTW broadened the reach of programmatic resources to national and international scales and increased new and repeat contacts with the educational website. Providing opportunities for interactive web-based learning may enhance implementation of recommended practices and reportable outcomes within Extension programs

Asian Longhorned Tick

The Asian longhorned tick (Haemophysalis longicorns Neumann; alternative names include Asian longhorned tick, Asian tick, bush tick, New Zealand cattle tick) is a species of hard tick in the family Ixodidae. It is native to eastern China, Japan, the Russian Far East and Korea. It has also established in Australia, New Zealand and several Pacific islands, where it is considered a severe exotic pest of livestock. In late 2017, the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) confirmed the presence of the Asian longhorned tick in the United States. These ticks were first identified in New Jersey, but have since been found in archival samples from West Virginia as far back as 2010. The origin of the tick in the US remains unknown. Some possible routes of entry include entering on domestic pets, horses, livestock or humans. The real impact of the introduction of this tick into the US is not clear at this time, but animal health officials are concerned about potential detrimental impacts on livestock and wildlife

An outbreak of acute jaundice syndrome (AJS) among the Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh: Findings from enhanced epidemiological surveillance.

In the summer of 2017, an estimated 745,000 Rohingya fled to Bangladesh in what has been described as one of the largest and fastest growing refugee crises in the world. Among numerous health concerns, an outbreak of acute jaundice syndrome (AJS) was detected by the disease surveillance system in early 2018 among the refugee population. This paper describes the investigation into the increase in AJS cases, the process and results of the investigation, which were strongly suggestive of a large outbreak due to hepatitis A virus (HAV). An enhanced serological investigation was conducted between 28 February to 26 March 2018 to determine the etiologies and risk factors associated with the outbreak. A total of 275 samples were collected from 18 health facilities reporting AJS cases. Blood samples were collected from all patients fulfilling the study specific case definition and inclusion criteria, and tested for antibody responses using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Out of the 275 samples, 206 were positive for one of the agents tested. The laboratory results confirmed multiple etiologies including 154 (56%) samples tested positive for hepatitis A, 1 (0.4%) positive for hepatitis E, 36 (13%) positive for hepatitis B, 25 (9%) positive for hepatitis C, and 14 (5%) positive for leptospirosis. Among all specimens tested 24 (9%) showed evidence of co-infections with multiple etiologies. Hepatitis A and E are commonly found in refugee camps and have similar clinical presentations. In the absence of robust testing capacity when the epidemic was identified through syndromic reporting, a particular concern was that of a hepatitis E outbreak, for which immunity tends to be limited, and which may be particularly severe among pregnant women. This report highlights the challenges of identifying causative agents in such settings and the resources required to do so. Results from the month-long enhanced investigation did not point out widespread hepatitis E virus (HEV) transmission, but instead strongly suggested a large-scale hepatitis A outbreak of milder consequences, and highlighted a number of other concomitant causes of AJS (acute hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Leptospirosis), albeit most likely at sporadic level. Results strengthen the need for further water and sanitation interventions and are a stark reminder of the risk of other epidemics transmitted through similar routes in such settings, particularly dysentery and cholera. It also highlights the need to ensure clinical management capacity for potentially chronic conditions in this vulnerable population

Interactive Web-Based Tool for Nutritional Microbiology in Applied Agriculture Outreach

The interconnection of microbiology, biology, and agriculture poses unique challenges for dissemination of basic science research data in an applied format. Further, audiences including the general public, stakeholders, agricultural commodity producers, and students to which information is directed often possess various backgrounds and educational training. In response to technological advances, and the benefits of web-based learning tools to deliver complex information, an integrative approach to deliver microbial content information was developed. Through the constructed web-based interface, an interactive format to highlight the microbe of interest consisted of a main image with strategically placed hotspots to illuminate the location/environment/organ where the microbe can be found. As each hotspot is accessed, an additional image and description of the role and function of the microbe at the location is presented. To encourage regular user access with the learning tool, monthly features were created to focus on various concepts in nutritional microbiology. Monthly themes were selected by the educator to cover a specific microbe, environment, and physiological or nutritional function. Facilitation of educator operation of the interface was achieved through development of an easy-to-use dashboard, allowing for uploading of main, monthly, and hotspot images, along with information on the overview of microbe function and with details contained within the hotspot descriptions. Additionally, an archive feature was created to allow access to information that was previously covered within the learning tool. Application of this web-based interface can span across classroom settings, outreach educational events, adult and youth learning within Extension, student recruitment, and many other non-traditional learning settings to impact production agriculture with research-driven microbiological and biological concepts.

Ensuring Food Safety: Wineries

Wineries in the United States must adhere to regulations when selling wine, including those regarding food safety.This publication provides guidance to winery businesses about the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and other regulations that affect wine production facilities.Shaw, A., Andrews, A., Coleman, S., Savits, J., Lewis Ivey, M., and Overdiep, J*. 2018. Ensuring Food Safety: Wineries. FS 31</p

Ensuring Food Safety: Wineries

Wineries in the United States must adhere to regulations when selling wine, including those regarding food safety.This publication provides guidance to winery businesses about the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and other regulations that affect wine production facilities

Ensuring Food Safety in the Vineyard: Table Grapes

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) focuses on the reduction and prevention of food safety risks. This publication highlights the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how those regulations relate to growing table grapes by focusing on worker training; pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest activities; records; and visitors and u-pick customers.2. Shaw, A., Savits, J., Lewis Ivey, M., Andrews, A., and Overdiep, J*. 2018. Ensuring Food Safety in the Vineyard: Table Grapes. FS 32. </p

Ensuring Food Safety in the Vineyard: Wine Grapes

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) focuses on the reduction and prevention of food safety risks.This publication highlights grapes grown for wine and the FSMA regulations that governs their growth and production.Shaw, A., Savits, J., Lewis Ivey, M., Andrews, A., and Overdiep, J*. 2018. Ensuring Food Safety in the Vineyard: Wine Grapes. FS 33. </p

Factors Affecting Thoroughbred Online Auction Prices in Non/Post-Racing Careers

Racehorse welfare is a prominent, public issue which affects nearly every aspect of the racing industry. Thoroughbred care after race career completion has garnered increasing attention from the equine industry, general public, and animal welfare groups alike. As the average racehorse’s career lasts just 4.5 years, owner demand for thoroughbreds is essential for post-race careers and acceptable welfare standards. This study utilized data from and hedonic pricing models to analyze buyer demand for thoroughbreds sold in online auctions held from 2012 to 2020. The results indicate buyer preferences for age (p p p p < 0.01). The results of this study confirm and quantify the value potential buyers place on thoroughbreds offered for sale in sport disciplines. The findings may help non-profit organizations charged with rehoming off the track thoroughbreds and reduce the number of unwanted thoroughbreds by illustrating the desired traits and skills within the equine market, thus improving welfare optics overall

Ensuring Food Safety in the Vineyard: Table Grapes

The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) focuses on the reduction and prevention of food safety risks. This publication highlights the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and how those regulations relate to growing table grapes by focusing on worker training; pre-harvest, harvest, and post-harvest activities; records; and visitors and u-pick customers