Wild Geese Research Articles

Evolutionary characterization of the establishment of H6 influenza viruses in domestic geese in China: implications for the position of the host in the ecosystem

Abstract Geese, both wild and domestic, are generally considered part of the natural reservoir for influenza A viruses. The highly pathogenic H5 Goose/Guangdong avian influenza virus lineage that is still causing outbreaks worldwide was first detected in domestic geese in 1996. However, while wild geese might have a somewhat restricted role in the influenza ecosystem, the role of domestic geese is little studied. Here, 109 H6 viruses isolated from domestic geese during 2001–2018 in southern China had their phylogeny, evolutionary dynamics, and molecular signatures characterized to examine the role of domestic geese. Our findings demonstrated that all geese H6 viruses were derived from H6 viruses established in ducks and that they subsequently formed three distinct hemagglutinin lineages. Rapid evolution of the hemagglutinin genes was not detected after the duck-to-goose transmissions of H6 viruses that then circulated in geese. Despite long-term persistence in geese, H6 viruses were rarely observed to transmit back to ducks or terrestrial poultry and never exchanged genes with viruses from other subtypes. Most geese H6 viruses maintained the primary molecular signatures of their duck precursors. This study raises the possibility that, rather than being part of the natural reservoir, domestic geese might be more like an aberrant host species for influenza A viruses, and perhaps a “dead-end” host.

Matching and Pricing in Ride Hailing: Wild Goose Chases and How to Solve Them

Matching and Pricing in Ride Hailing: Wild Goose Chases and How to Solve Them

Hundred Eyes or Hundred Wild Geese: An Examination of How Historical Sources were Made in Marco Polo’s Time

Hundred Eyes or Hundred Wild Geese: An Examination of How Historical Sources were Made in Marco Polo’s Time

Fatty acid diet and prostate cancer: a treasure hunt or a wild goose chase?

Fatty acid diet and prostate cancer: a treasure hunt or a wild goose chase?

Transcendence through Nature: Mysticism and Spiritual Connection in Mary Oliver’s Poetry

This research discusses the mystical elements and themes in Mary Oliver’s selected poems, Wild Geese, the Summer Day, Morning Poem, When Death Comes, In Blackwater Woods, and the Journey. These poems reflect various mystical themes such as the deep spiritual connection with nature, human states of consciousness, transcendence of the self, unity with nature, and the pursuit of enlightenment through her poetic symbols, language, imagery, and themes. Mysticism offers an experiential connection between the human soul and the divine. Mysticism holds that the soul may see and understand using a spiritual sense that cuts across the physical world. Those with this inner sense of intuition can get insights into eternal wisdom, know God, experience a conscious connection with the unseen, and reach unity with God. Oliver’s poems are the perfect embodiment of her mystical ideas that lead a man to God. Her mystical vision symbolizes a profound unification with the natural world. Her poems are the guide that teach spiritual experiences, the right way of observation while meditating, the practice of being sacred in natural presence, and the path to connect with the world to be unified.

Wild goose in the traditional worldview of the Buryats

The purpose of this study is to identify the image of the wild goose in the traditional worldview of the Buryats. The timeframe of this research covers the end of the 19th — middle of the 20th c., the period when the Buryats overall retained their set of mythological views. Geographically, the survey is focused on south-eastern Siberia, which includes ethnic Buryatia. The research is based on a variety of sources, including folklore, linguistic and ethnographic information. The structural-semiotic method has been chosen as the main technique of study, which allows determination of the symbolism that conveys the ideas about wild goose. It has been revealed that in minor genres of the Buryat folklore, the feminine nature of the wild goose is emphasized, and their anthroponymy mani-fests its gender differences. It has been found that, for the Buryats, the individual biological and behavioral char-acteristics of the goose were of a particular importance. It has also been determined that natural rhythms (the start of spring and the middle of autumn) were associated with the wild goose, as well as the first snowfall. At the same time, significant importance was attributed to its cry. Its image symbolized long distances and time. The motive of shapeshifting was also linked to it. This bird, both in shamanic and Buddhist traditions, was considered to be an assistant to the deity (the supreme celestial being among shamanists, and the White Elder among Bud-dhists). In the Buryat epics, it was endowed with a negative connotation. According to the traditional perceptions of some of the Cis-Baikal Buryats, the wild goose had a sacred status, and the interchangeability of images of a goose and another sacred bird — a swan — has been noted. The goose (precisely, the female goose) acted as a totem for a number of Cis-Baikal kins.

A Brief Analysis of the Musical Background and Playing Skills of "Overlord of Western Chu"

Guzheng is also known as Han Zheng, Qin Zheng, Zheng Yao, Luan Zheng, Zheng instrument is the Han nationality traditional instruments, which belongs to the stringed instrument. It is one of the unique and important national musical instruments in China. It sounds beautiful, wide range, playing skills and rich, has the very strong expressive force, so it by the love of the broad masses of the people. There is now a small portable mini guzheng, guzheng, guzheng, half zither, koto, twelve average modulation zheng. Zheng is an ancient culture with Chinese, ancient folk instruments in this fertile native on the Loess plateau. Is plucked string instrument structure by a panel, the wild goose column (some area is also known for Zheng code), strings, Qian Yue Shan, string nail, tuning box, Qin foot, after Yue Shan, a side plate, the sound of opening, a bottom plate, a wear string hole composition.

Codon usage bias of goose circovirus and its adaptation to host

Goose circovirus (GoCV), a potential immunosuppressive virus possessing a circular single-stranded DNA genome, is widely distributed in both domesticated and wild geese. This virus infection causes significant economic losses in the waterfowl industry. The codon usage patterns of viruses reflect the evolutionary history and genetic architecture, allowing them to adapt quickly to changes in the external environment, particularly to their hosts. In this study, we retrieved the coding sequences (Rep and Cap) and the genome of GoCV from GenBank, conducting comprehensive research to explore the codon usage patterns in 144 GoCV strains. The overall codon usage of the GoCV strains was relatively similar and exhibited a slight bias. The effective number of codons (ENC) indicated a low overall extent of codon usage bias (CUB) in GoCV. Combined with the base composition and relative synonymous codon usage (RSCU) analysis, the results revealed a bias toward A- and G-ending codons in the overall codon usage. Analysis of the ENC-GC3s plot and neutrality plot suggested that natural selection plays an important role in shaping the codon usage pattern of GoCV, with mutation pressure having a minor influence. Furthermore, the correlations between ENC and relative indices, as well as correspondence analysis (COA), showed that hydrophobicity and geographical distribution also contribute to codon usage variation in GoCV, suggesting the possible involvement of natural selection. In conclusion, GoCV exhibits comparatively slight CUB, with natural selection being the major factor shaping the codon usage pattern of GoCV. Our research contributes to a deeper understanding of GoCV evolution and its host adaptation, providing valuable insights for future basic studies and vaccine design related to GoCV.

Environmental Awareness in the Selected Poems of Mary Oliver: An Eco-critical Approach

Ecocriticism is a growing discipline within literary studies that has become prominent as a critical framework for studying the connection between literature and the environment. Ecocriticism is a method of analysing texts that helps us understand how literature reflects and influences cultural views of the natural world. It has gained popularity due to growing environmental concerns. This research examines the reoccurring nature imagery present in Mary Oliver's selected poems, namely "Wild Geese" and her poetry collection, American Primitive, through textual and analytical. It shows how her poetry acts as a medium for actively exploring and articulating environmental awareness. By conducting a detailed examination of these poems, the researcher’s aim is to decipher the complex and detailed depiction of nature created by Oliver, and to understand the thematic importance of repeating themes. The investigation produces significant discoveries that enhance comprehension of the poet's distinctive approach to ecocritical ideas. Ultimately, Mary Oliver is a poet who has a profound sensitivity for the natural world, establishing a profound bond, promoting introspection, and highlighting the ethical aspects of humanity's interaction with nature.

Digital 3D Reconstruction of Ancient Chinese Great Wild Goose Pagoda by TLS Point Cloud Hierarchical Registration

Digital reconstruction of ancient buildings is very challenging due to its architectural complexity and structural delicacy. Therefore, how to apply new Earth Observation (EO) technology to digitally reconstruct the complete and real model of ancient buildings without damage has become an urgent issue. This article proposes a multi-scan point cloud hierarchical registration method for 3D reconstruction of the ancient Chinese Great Wild Goose Pagoda based on Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) data. First, a multi-scan point cloud hierarchical registration method is elaborately designed for 3D reconstruction. Then, the outline feature of the ancient Chinese Great Wild Goose Pagoda is automatically extracted by point cloud slicing. Finally, fine modeling is carried out according to the outline feature extracted from the reconstructed point cloud, and after that block combination and texture mapping are conducted for 3D digitalization and documentation. The experiments indicate that the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of multi-scan hierarchical registration of the translation and rotation are less than 3 cm and 0.862 ∘ , respectively, and the complete and real model of the Great Wild Goose Pagoda is obtained by fine modeling and texture mapping, which provides an important reference for 3D digital protection of ancient buildings.

Genetic Characterization of Avian Paramyxovirus Isolated from Wild Waterfowl in Korea between 2015 and 2021.

Avian paramyxoviruses (APMVs) are often carried by wild waterfowl, and the wild waterfowl may play an important role in the maintenance and spread of these viruses. In this study, we investigated APMVs in the population of migratory wild waterfowl from 2015 to 2021 in Korea and analyzed their genetic characteristics. Fourteen viruses were isolated and subsequently identified as APMV-1 (n = 13) and APMV-13 (n = 1). Phylogenetic analysis of the full fusion gene of 13 APMV-1 isolates showed that 10 APMV-1 isolates belonged to the class II sub-genotype I.2, which was epidemiologically linked to viruses from the Eurasian continent, and 3 viruses belonged to class I, which linked to viruses from the USA. The APMV-13 isolates from wild geese in this study were highly homology to the virus isolated from China. Sequence analysis of 14 isolates showed that all isolates had a typical lentogenic motif at the cleavage site. In summary, we identified the wild species likely to be infected with APMV and our data suggest possible intercontinental transmission of APMV by wild waterfowl. Our current study also provides the first evidence for the presence of class I of APMV-1 and APMV-13 in wild waterfowl surveyed in Korea.

Economical-environmental-technical optimal power flow solutions using a novel self-adaptive wild geese algorithm with stochastic wind and solar power.

This study introduces an enhanced self-adaptive wild goose algorithm (SAWGA) for solving economical-environmental-technical optimal power flow (OPF) problems in traditional and modern energy systems. Leveraging adaptive search strategies and robust diversity capabilities, SAWGA distinguishes itself from classical WGA by incorporating four potent optimizers. The algorithm's application to optimize an OPF model on the different IEEE 30-bus and 118-bus electrical networks, featuring conventional thermal power units alongside solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power (WT) units, addresses the rising uncertainties in operating conditions, particularly with the integration of renewable energy sources (RESs). The inherent complexity of OPF problems in electrical networks, exacerbated by the inclusion of RESs like PV and WT units, poses significant challenges. Traditional optimization algorithms struggle due to the problem's high complexity, susceptibility to local optima, and numerous continuous and discrete decision parameters. The study's simulation results underscore the efficacy of SAWGA in achieving optimal solutions for OPF, notably reducing overall fuel consumption costs in a faster and more efficient convergence. Noteworthy attributes of SAWGA include its remarkable capabilities in optimizing various objective functions, effective management of OPF challenges, and consistent outperformance compared to traditional WGA and other modern algorithms. The method exhibits a robust ability to achieve global or nearly global optimal settings for decision parameters, emphasizing its superiority in total cost reduction and rapid convergence.

Gross and histological studies of the female reproductive tract of the spur-winged goose (<i>Plectropterus gambensis</i>)

The extinction of most wild avian species is becoming apprehensive and some water fowls like the spur-winged goose (Plectropterus gambensis) may represent a good model for research, to advance wildlife conservation of related avian species. Currently, there are no baseline information regarding the anatomic characteristics of the reproductive tract of this species, hence; the present study aimed at investigating the gross and histological features of the ovary and oviduct of the wild spur-winged goose. A total of five female adults spur-winged geese with ages between eight to ten months old were used for this study. The bird were purchased from a farm and transported to the Laboratory for quick decapitation and tissue processing. The birds were allowed to acclimatized for seven days, before humanely sacrificed by quick cervical dislocation and reproductive organs (ovary and oviduct) were harvested for both gross and histological evaluations. Thereafter, the ovary and oviduct were fixed, and stained with H & E for light microscopic evaluation using DB2 -180M Digital Biological Microscope at different magnifications (×40, ×100, and ×400). The gross finding on the ovary revealed that it is ovoid in shape and appeared as a cluster of sacs showing yellowish to whitish follicles of different sizes and have a poorly defined oviductal segment. The oviduct appeared to be the longest part of the female reproductive tract (12.5-14.5cm). Histologically, the ovary is characterized by a membrana granulosa surrounding the oocytes at various stages of development. Also, the oviduct is by simple cuboidal to columnar ciliated secretory epithelium, and connects the ovary to the cloaca as a thin and un-convoluted tube. In conclusion, this study provided valuable information to serve as a baseline model to further research and understand the reproductive anatomy of other related domestic and wild waterfowl species.

Genetic Analysis of H5N1 High-Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus following a Mass Mortality Event in Wild Geese on the Solway Firth.

The United Kingdom (UK) and Europe have seen successive outbreaks of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b high-pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) since 2020 peaking in the autumn/winter periods. During the 2021/22 season, a mass die-off event of Svalbard Barnacle Geese (Branta leucopsis) was observed on the Solway Firth, a body of water on the west coast border between England and Scotland. This area is used annually by Barnacle Geese to over-winter, before returning to Svalbard to breed. Following initial identification of HPAIV in a Barnacle Goose on 8 November 2021, up to 32% of the total Barnacle Goose population may have succumbed to disease by the end of March 2022, along with other wild bird species in the area. Potential adaptation of the HPAIV to the Barnacle Goose population within this event was evaluated. Whole-genome sequencing of thirty-three HPAIV isolates from wild bird species demonstrated that there had been two distinct incursions of the virus, but the two viruses had remained genetically stable within the population, whilst viruses from infected wild birds were closely related to those from poultry cases occurring in the same region. Analysis of sera from the following year demonstrated that a high percentage (76%) of returning birds had developed antibodies to H5 AIV. This study demonstrates genetic stability of this strain of HPAIV in wild Anseriformes, and that, at the population scale, whilst there is a significant impact on survival, a high proportion of birds recover following infection.

On Seeing the First Line of "Wild Geese" on a Tote Bag at Whole Foods, and: Poem in Which There Are No Words

On Seeing the First Line of "Wild Geese" on a Tote Bag at Whole Foods, and: Poem in Which There Are No Words

Wild Geese after Wild Geese

Wild Geese after Wild Geese

Integrated analysis of whole genome and transcriptome sequencing uncovers genetic differences between Zi goose and Xianghai flying goose.

Zi goose is a famous indigenous breed originating from northeast China with high annual egg production. Xianghai flying goose is a composite breed and is bred by crosses of the wild swan goose and the Zi goose. Our previous study revealed significant differences in muscle fiber characteristics between the two populations. Here, we aimed to reveal the underlying genetic basis of the above phenotype differences through whole-genome and transcriptome analysis. A total of 20 blood samples (10 Zi geese and 10 Xianghai flying geese) were used for whole genome sequencing, and eight breast muscle tissue samples (four Zi geese and four Xianghai flying geese) were used for RNA sequencing. Using the FST and XP-EHH analysis, some highly differentiated genome regions annotated with egg production (RORB, WNT4, BMPR1B) and breast muscle development (WNT7B) between the two populations were detected. RNA-sequencing analysis revealed differentially expressed genes related to muscle development (IGF1, PAX7). Moreover, several genes were detected by both genome and transcriptome analysis, and some of them were reported to be associated with muscle growth (SLIT2, PREX1) and intramuscular fat (COL6A1). These findings will help researchers better understand the genetic basis related to egg production and muscle development in geese.

Prevalence, antibiotic resistance, virulence genes and molecular characteristics of Salmonella isolated from ducks and wild geese in China

Salmonella is a major foodborne pathogen and the cause of significant morbidity and mortality via consumption of contaminated meat and meat-products. The prevalence of Salmonella in ducks and wild geese in China are poorly characterized and these sources represent a potential pool that could be transferred to farm-reared fowl. In this study, we isolated 335 (18.3%) Salmonella from 1830 samples and identified 24 serotypes and most prevalent were Salmonella Indiana, Salmonella Kentucky and Salmonella Typhimurium. Whole genome sequencing revealed the presence of the dominant sequence types ST17, ST198 and ST19 for these three serotypes, respectively. In addition, these isolates were most likely clonally spread across different regions while S. Kentucky also crossed the species barrier. The majority of the Salmonella isolates possessed β-lactam and fluoroquinolone resistance and these were consistent with antibiotic resistance gene profiles. We also identified 8 plasmid replicon types and all isolates possessed virulence genes and the numbers were greatest for S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium isolates. This study provides novel insights concerning the epidemiology of Salmonella in ducks and wild geese and provides basic data for public health screening and management.

Dynamic and Pareto-improving swapping of vehicles to enhance integrated and modular mobility services

Efficiency of many mobility services depends on effective matching of service vehicles and customers over time and space. New technologies, such as those related to service integrators and modularized autonomous vehicle platforms (i.e., chassis with built-in power and control systems), further allow pooling of vehicles from traditionally separate service operators to flexibly serve multiple types of customers (e.g., passengers and freight). Dynamic matching systems, if not carefully managed, suffer from the so-called wild goose chase (WGC) phenomenon, which describes an inefficient system equilibrium with a large number of vehicles trapped in unproductive deadheading. This paper proposes a new dynamic vehicle swap strategy that can be used to enhance system efficiency by reducing the expected waiting/deadheading time. This strategy can not only mitigate the WGC and reduce the needed fleet size, but also ensure that the vehicle swap achieves a Pareto improvement for each involved participant. Approximate analytic formulas are derived from a series of differential equations and spatial probability models to estimate the expected system performance in the steady state. This system of nonlinear equations can be solved numerically to yield the equilibrium points and the associated system performance metrics. Agent-based simulations are used to verify the accuracy of the derived formulas, and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed dynamic and Pareto-improving swap strategy in a variety of application contexts (e.g., taxi, service integrator, or pooled modular chassis).

Serologic and Molecular Prevalence of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus Among Poultry in the Republic of Korea.

Background: Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by Dabie bandavirus, which belongs to the genus Bandavirus, family Phenuiviridae, and order Bunyavirales. It has been found in tick species, various animals, and humans. The aim of this study was to detect RNA of antigens and antibodies against SFTS virus (SFTSV) among poultry such as chickens, ducks, and wild geese from five provinces in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Materials and Methods: A one-step reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR and nested PCR were performed after viral RNA extraction. The phylogenetic tree was constructed after sequencing data were analyzed and aligned. An indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and a neutralization test (NT) were performed to test for IgG antibodies of SFTSV. Results: Of a total of 606 poultry serum samples collected, 568 and 539 serum samples were used to perform ELISA and NT, respectively. Of a total of 606 serum samples tested by RT-PCR targeting the S segment, 15 (2.5%) were positive for SFTSV. From the 15 positive serum samples for the SFTSV antigen, three from chickens, three from ducks, and one from wild geese were classified as genotype B-2; one from chickens was classified as genotype B-3; and three from chickens and four from wild geese were classified as genotype D. Of the 568 serum samples tested by ELISA, 83 (28.0%) from chickens, 81 (32.9%) from ducks, and 8 (30.8%) from wild geese were seropositive. Of the 539 serum samples for which an NT was performed, 113 (38.6%) from chickens and 75 (30.5%) from ducks were positive for SFTSV antibodies. Conclusions: The results of this study provide useful information regarding detection of SFTSV RNA and antibodies among poultry and the possibility of SFTSV transmission in various types of poultry, including chickens, ducks, and wild geese, in the ROK.