Stable microclimates and autonomic modulation in horses housed in different stable architectures during monsoon in a tropical environment.

Background: The impact of climate conditions and stable design on horses housed in individual stalls plays a significant role in their well-being, especially in tropical climates. Limited information exists regarding their conditions during the monsoon season.

Objective: This study focused on the stable microclimate and autonomic regulation of horses kept in different stable architectures during the monsoon in a tropical setting.

Exponential random graph models to evaluate the movement of backyard chickens after the avian influenza crisis in 2004-2005, Thailand.

The aim of this study was to use exponential random graph models (ERGMs) to explain networks of movement of backyard chickens in provinces which had been hotspots for avian influenza outbreaks in Thailand during 2004-2005. We used structured questionnaires to collect data for the period January to December 2009 from participants who were involved in the backyard chicken farming network in three avian influenza hotspots (Ratchaburi, Suphan Buri, and Nakhon Pathom provinces) in Thailand. From 557 questionnaires, we identified nodes, points of entry and exit from nodes, and activities relating to backyard chicken farming and movement of chickens, and generated ERGMs based on non-festive periods (Model 1) and the Chinese New Year period (Model 2).