bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Assemblages and Slug Abundance in Agricultural Fields Under Organic and Low-Input Conventional Management Within a Long-Term Agronomic Trial in Central Italy
Authors: Rossi Elisabetta , Antichi Daniele , Loni Augusto , Canovai Roberto , Sbrana Massimo , Mazzoncini Marco 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Inside a long-term agronomic trial aimed at evaluating the effects of organic and low-input conventional management systems on soil fertility and arable crop production, we selected six fields bordered by hedgerows, three under each management system. Here, we analyzed the carabid assemblages and the slug abundance. Samplings took place in five different periods, across 1 yr of observations. The carabid abundances were similar in organic and conventional fields. The Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H’) showed a higher value in the conventional fields, although in the organic fields, a higher number of species were observed. The multivariate analysis described similar carabid communities, but excluding the period factor, it showed a significant influence of the management system. There was no difference between the captures of traps placed along the hedgerow and in the middle, whereas in the conventional fields, the hedgerow traps captured a higher number of specimens, showing a role of the hedgerow as carabid reservoir. The slugs were present mainly while green manure was grown on the organic fields where also Poecilus cupreus Linné, 1758 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) was captured abundantly.
Traces of Imidacloprid Induce Hormesis as a Stimulatory Conditioned Response of Sweetpotato Whitefly (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)
Authors: Rakotondravelo M , Smitley D , Calabrese E , Ladoni M 
Published: September 2019

AbstractOur purpose is to determine whether extremely low concentrations of imidacloprid (2–8 ppb) typically found in field soil 1–3 yr after a crop is grown using seed with a standard imidacloprid seed-coating could impact the fitness of whiteflies, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae). Results of our experiments indicate that imidacloprid-resistant whitefly larvae feeding on cotton seedlings growing in soil with 8.0 ppb imidacloprid are conditioned so that when the same individuals feed on plants treated with imidacloprid as adults their fitness, measured as fecundity, increases 30–70% compared with individuals that were not primed as larvae. This conditioning hormesis stimulates resistant whiteflies more than susceptible whiteflies, which may contribute to the selection of resistant populations.
Systemic Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha Trajectories Relate to Brain Health in Typically Aging Older Adults
Authors: Lindbergh Cutter A , Casaletto Kaitlin B , Staffaroni Adam M , Elahi Fanny , Walters Samantha M , You Michelle , Neuhaus John , Rivera Contreras Will , Wang Paul , Karydas Anna , Brown Jesse , Wolf Amy , Rosen Howie , Cobigo Yann , Kramer Joel H 
Published: September 2019

Abstract

Background
Central nervous system levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a pro-inflammatory cytokine, regulate the neuroinflammatory response and may play a role in age-related neurodegenerative diseases. The longitudinal relation between peripheral levels of TNF-α and typical brain aging is understudied. We hypothesized that within-person increases in systemic TNF-α would track with poorer brain health outcomes in functionally normal adults.

Methods
Plasma-based TNF-α concentrations (pg/mL; fasting morning draws) and magnetic resonance imaging were acquired in 424 functionally intact adults (mean age = 71) followed annually for up to 8.4 years (mean follow-up = 2.2 years). Brain outcomes included total gray matter volume and white matter hyperintensities. Cognitive outcomes included composites of memory, executive functioning, and processing speed, as well as Mini-Mental State Examination total scores. Longitudinal mixed-effects models were used, controlling for age, sex, education, and total intracranial volume, as appropriate.

Results
TNF-α concentrations significantly increased over time (p &lt; .001). Linear increases in within-person TNF-α were longitudinally associated with declines in gray matter volume (p &lt; .001) and increases in white matter hyperintensities (p = .003). Exploratory analyses suggested that the relation between TNF-α and gray matter volume was curvilinear (TNF-α 2p = .002), such that initial increases in inflammation were associated with more precipitous atrophy. There was a negative linear relationship of within-person changes in TNF-α to Mini-Mental State Examination scores over time (p = .036) but not the cognitive composites (all ps &gt;.05).

Conclusion
Systemic inflammation, as indexed by plasma TNF-α, holds potential as a biomarker for age-related declines in brain health.
West Nile Virus Mosquito Vectors in North America
Authors: Rochlin Ilia , Faraji Ary , Healy Kristen , Andreadis Theodore G 
Published: September 2019

AbstractIn North America, the geographic distribution, ecology, and vectorial capacity of a diverse assemblage of mosquito species belonging to the genus Culex determine patterns of West Nile virus transmission and disease risk. East of the Mississippi River, mostly ornithophagic Culex pipiens L. complex mosquitoes drive intense enzootic transmission with relatively small numbers of human cases. Westward, the presence of highly competent Culex tarsalis (Coquillett) under arid climate and hot summers defines the regions with the highest human risk. West Nile virus human risk distribution is not uniform geographically or temporally within all regions. Notable geographic ‘hotspots’ persist with occasional severe outbreaks. Despite two decades of comprehensive research, several questions remain unresolved, such as the role of non-Culex bridge vectors, which are not involved in the enzootic cycle, but may be involved in virus transmission to humans. The absence of bridge vectors also may help to explain the frequent lack of West Nile virus ‘spillover’ into human populations despite very intense enzootic amplification in the eastern United States. This article examines vectorial capacity and the eco-epidemiology of West Nile virus mosquito vectors in four geographic regions of North America and presents some of the unresolved questions.
Models and Surveillance Systems to Detect and Predict West Nile Virus Outbreaks
Authors: Barker Christopher M 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Over the past 20 yr, many models have been developed to predict risk for West Nile virus (WNV; Flaviviridae: Flavivirus) disease in the human population. These models have aided our understanding of the meteorological and land-use variables that drive spatial and temporal patterns of human disease risk. During the same period, electronic data systems have been adopted by surveillance programs across much of the United States, including a growing interest in integrated data services that preserve the autonomy and attribution of credit to originating agencies but facilitate data sharing, analysis, and visualization at local, state, and national scales. At present, nearly all predictive models have been limited to the scientific literature, with few having been implemented for use by public-health and vector-control decision makers. The current article considers the development of models for spatial patterns, early warning, and early detection of WNV over the last 20 yr and considers some possible paths toward increasing the utility of these models for guiding interventions.
AUTOLOGOUS BLOOD CLOT COVERING INSTEAD OF GAS TAMPONADE FOR MACULAR HOLES
Authors: Zhu Dongqing , Ma Bo , Zhang Jing , Huang Rong , Liu Yan , Jing Xiaoliang , Zhou Jibo 
Published: September 2019

Purpose:
This study evaluates the efficacy and usefulness of vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and autologous blood clot covering without gas tamponade in the treatment of macular holes (MHs).

Methods:
All patients with a full-thickness MH with a minimum diameter of <600 µm and a base diameter of <1,200 µm underwent pars plana vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane peeling with autologous blood covering the MH at the end of the surgery. No fluid–air exchange or gas tamponade was performed. Postoperatively, all patients were instructed to adopt supine position overnight and thereafter any comfortable posture.

Results:
A total of 18 eyes of 18 consecutive patients were included. The mean age of the patients (12 women and 6 men) was 59.06 ± 14.31 years (range, 21–81 years). The MHs composed of 13 idiopathic MHs, 2 MHs with high myopia (axial length > 26.5 mm), 2 traumatic MHs, and 1 MH associated with diabetic macular edema. Among them were five large MHs (minimum diameter > 400 µm). Complete MH closure was achieved in all eyes at the end of the follow-up period (range, 3–14 months). Visual acuity was significantly improved from preoperative 0.89 ± 0.41 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (20/155 Snellen) to 0.42 ± 0.33 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (20/53 Snellen) at the final visit (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:
The novel surgical protocol using vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling, and autologous blood clot covering at the end of the MH surgery with limited diameters achieved highly effective closure and visual improvement and eliminated the gas tamponade and thus the associated adverse effects and the need for postoperative face-down positioning.
Efficacy of an Aquatic Exercise Program for 3 Cases of Rett Syndrome
Authors: Escobar Torres Lourdes , Sanders Mary E. , Belenguer Benitez Charo , Melendez Ortega Agustin 
Published: September 2019

Purpose:
To examine functional, physiological effects of participating in an aquatic exercise program by 3 girls, diagnosed with Rett syndrome (RS), to explore areas for possible new research.

Summary of Key Points:
RS is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, which causes multiple disabilities and serious impairments in neuromotor and cognitive abilities. Three girls (4, 6, and 7 years), diagnosed stage III RS, participated in 20 months of aquatic exercise, with individually tailored, full body exercises, progressively targeting functional, cardiorespiratory, muscle, and flexibility training. Assessments included resting and exercise heart rates, anthropometric measures, functional, clinical aspects, and psychosocial abilities.

Conclusions:
The participants improved functional ability, mood status, relations with family and schoolmates, joint mobility, muscle strength, and endurance during functional activities. Periodic evaluation of exercise heart rates averaged an increase in intensity of 33% above baseline, indicating cardiorespiratory stimulus. This pilot program provides clinical rationale for future studies and clinical interventions for RS children.
Labour productivity in agricultural sector of Sub-Sahara Africa (2010–2017)
Authors: Ibidunni Ayodotun Stephen , Ufua Daniel E. , Okorie Uchechukwu Emena , Kehinde Busola E. 
Published: September 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to focus on investigating labour productivity in the agricultural sector of Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) countries between the periods of 2010 and 2017.

Design/methodology/approach
The study adopted descriptive design. The sample size for this research includes 43 SSA nations. Measuring SSA nation’s agricultural productivity in this study was based on input and output factors relating to the labour resource utilisation between the periods of 2010 and 2017. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) and panel regression analysis were carried out to examine labour productivity within the set periods.

Findings
The findings from the study suggest that labour productivity in the agricultural sector of SSA countries can be improved from its presently low state of productivity. The statistical analysis showed that between the periods of 2010 and 2013, only about 34.9 per cent of countries in the region were technically efficient in the utilisation of labour resources for productive use. More disturbing was that, from 2014 to 2017, labour productivity drooped to 11.6 per cent. Meanwhile, employment of labour in the agricultural sector revealed as low as 1.58 percentage to crop production index in the region. Notably, there is the potential of labour employment to derive as high as 80 per cent yield to the gross domestic product of economies in the SSA region.

Practical implications
Considering the strategic role of labour to the agricultural sector of SSA countries, there must be a stakeholders approach to stimulating the interest of the populace of these countries and getting them actively involved in the agricultural sector. This imply that government, investors, support agencies from developed economies and populace of the SSA nations must support the drive towards agricultural productivity of the SSA nations.

Originality/value
This study established a research agenda that involved a paradigm shift from the more rampant literature on foreign investments, agricultural research, rural livelihood and well-being, among others to focusing on issues that pertain to labour productivity for sustainable agricultural yields in SSA countries. Also, the methodology adopted in the study, such as application of DEA and regression analysis to panel data, shows a departure from single units of analysis adopted by existing studies.
Using food choice motives to model Pakistani ethnic food purchase intention among tourists
Authors: Ahmad Muhammad Shakil , Jamil Ahmed , Latif Khawaja Fawad , Ramayah T. , Ai Leen Jasmine Yeap , Memon Mumtaz , Ullah Raza 
Published: September 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of different food choice motives on attitude and, subsequently, the impact of attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control on the purchase intention of Pakistani ethnic food, based on the food choice motives theory and the theory of planned behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach
Using an intercept survey, data were collected from 559 local tourists coming from different areas of the country, who visited Swat, Gilgit and Muree regions of Pakistan, and the data were analysed using SmartPLS software.

Findings
In terms of direct effects, mood, familiarity, natural content and price were found to be significant predictors for attitude, whereas attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control were found to positively affect intention to purchase Pakistani ethnic food. In addition, attitude was found to serve as a mediator for the relationships between mood, familiarity, sensory appeal and price on purchase intention.

Originality/value
This study has shed some light on the food choice behaviour of domestic tourists opting for their own local cuisine in Pakistan, which is under-represented in the tourism and food research literature. We also tested an integrated model of food choice motives and the theory of planned behaviour in modelling purchase intention in the tourism perspective. The present study also adds to the existing literature on mediation by modelling attitude as a mediator between food choice motives and purchase intention in the context of a developing country.
Managing Singapore’s residential diversity through Ethnic Integration Policy
Authors: Lim Travis , Leong Chan-Hoong , Suliman Farzaana 
Published: September 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore Singaporeans’ view to a multicultural neighbourhood, specifically, their views on the Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP), a housing policy that promotes residential desegregation, and whether this policy has engendered a positive perspective to residential diversity.Design/methodology/approachA grounded theory approach is used to answer the following research questions: how do Singaporeans feel about residential diversity? Does the EIP influence attitudes to residential segregation in Singapore? What do these attitudes mean for governments and policymakers around the world? The research involved focus group discussions with 27 Housing and Development Board real estate agents, in order to tap onto their vast network of clients and better understand the prevailing sentiments on the ground.FindingsThe two major considerations when Singaporeans choose a flat are its price and location. Within the confines of these two factors, however, other considerations like race, nationality and the socio-economic makeup of a neighbourhood will influence their decisions.Social implicationsThese considerations can be condensed into the factors of constrained choice and voluntary segregation. By limiting the impact of voluntary segregation, the EIP can be credited with bridging the racial divide. However, with constrained choice being unaddressed by the policy, the emerging formation of a class divide is an unintended consequence.Originality/valueBecause almost all developed economies are culturally plural, understanding Singapore’s approach to residential desegregation offers insights as to how other countries may learn from the Singapore experience in managing and encouraging multiculturalism, especially since ethnic residential concentration can reduce the formation of strong social relationships.
Entropy generation analysis during MHD natural convection flow of hybrid nanofluid in a square cavity containing a corrugated conducting block
Authors: Tayebi Tahar , Chamkha Ali J. 
Published: September 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the influence of magnetic field on entropy generation and natural convection inside an enclosure filled with a hybrid nanofluid and having a conducting wavy solid block. Also, the effect of fluid–solid thermal conductivity ratio is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach
The governing equations that are formulated in the dimensionless form are discretized via finite volume method. The velocity–pressure coupling is assured by the SIMPLE algorithm. Heat transfer balance is used to verify the convergence. The validation of the numerical results was performed by comparing qualitatively and quantitatively the results with previously published investigations.

Findings
The results indicate that the magnetic field and the conductivity ratio of the wavy solid block can significantly affect the dynamic and thermal field and, consequently, the heat transfer rate and entropy generation because of heat transfer, fluid friction and magnetic force.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the present numerical study is the first attempt to use hybrid nanofluid for studying the entropy generation because of magnetohydrodynamic natural convective flow in a square cavity with the presence of a wavy circular conductive cylinder. Irreversibilities due to magnetic effect are taken into account. The effect of fluid–solid thermal conductivity ratio is considered.
Entropy generation and thermo-diffusion effects on unsteady chemically reactive slip flow between two rotating disks
Authors: Qayyum Sumaira , Khan Muhammad Ijaz , Hayat Tasawar , Alsaedi Ahmed 
Published: September 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to analyze the Entropy generation analysis and heat transport in three-dimensional flow between two stretchable disks. Joule heating and heat generation/absorption are incorporated in the thermal equation. Thermo-diffusion effect is also considered. Flow is conducting for time-dependent applied magnetic field. Induced magnetic field is not taken into consideration. Velocity and thermal slip conditions at both the disks are implemented. The flow problem is modeled by using Navier–Stokes equations with entropy generation rate and Bejan number.

Design/methodology/approach
Von Karman transformations are used to reduce the nonlinear governing expressions into an ordinary one and then tackled by homotopy analysis method for convergent series solutions. The nonlinear expressions for total entropy generation rate are obtained with appropriate transformations. The impacts of different flow variables on velocity, temperature, entropy generation rate and Bejan number are described graphically. Velocity, temperature and concentration gradients are discussed in the presence of flow variables.

Findings
Axial, radial and tangential velocity profiles show decreasing trend for larger values of velocity slip parameters. For a larger Brinkman number, the entropy generation increases, while a decreasing trend is noticed for Bejan number.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no such analyses have been reported in the literature.
Challenging dominant notions of participation and protection through a co-led disabled young researcher study
Authors: Brady Geraldine , Franklin Anita 
Published: September 2019

PurposeIn the UK, the Children and Families Act aims to create one assessment process for children with special educational needs or disability, through Education, Health and Care Plans. It also aims for greater participation from children and young people in decisions about their own lives. Current evidence suggests that children’s needs and desires across education, health and social care are not being fully met, partly because adult agendas drive policy, practice and standards of care. Furthermore, little attention is paid to the way in which disabled children and young people are included either within decisions about their own support or within research processes. The purpose of this paper is to present a research process designed to address these issues.Design/methodology/approachSix disabled young people co-led this participatory research project; for the first time, disabled young people had the opportunity to define a research agenda which spoke to what “quality” might look like in planning for their own future and that of other disabled children and young people.FindingsThis paper presents findings from this process, addressing important ethical issues relevant for policy, practice and research, identified through this rights based, collaborative way of working in partnership. Three key issues were identified and are explored here. They include first, tensions between young people becoming leaders and dominant ideas about safeguarding and child protection; second, being empowered through engagement within the project yet restricted in other areas of personal life and, finally, the emotional impact on new researchers of gathering evidence of a continuing lack of autonomy for disabled children and young people. We argue that challenging dominant notions concerning the participation and protection of disabled children is required in order to ensure that they access their right to be decision-makers in their own lives, and to being empowered within research processes.Originality/valueThis is the first disabled young people-led study to investigate quality and rights for disabled children and young people using this rights-based methodology.