bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beekeeping Livelihood Development in Nepal: Value-Added Opportunities and Professional Support Needs
Authors: Devkota K , Egan P A , dos Santos C F , Blochtein B 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBeekeeping contributes to poverty reduction in many developing countries, and in addition, provides pollination services for sustainable crop production. In Nepal, management practices associated with beekeeping are poorly characterized, and so the potential for this sector to further contribute to livelihood development remains unclear. This study sought to examine and identify factors associated with production efficiency and financial profitability of beekeeping with the aim of enhancing economic gains for Nepali beekeepers. Our study included a sample of 150 respondents from more than twenty commercial beekeeping districts across the Terai and mountainous regions of Nepal. Profitability of beekeeping with the European honeybee (Apis mellifera) Linnaeus, 1758 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and the Asian honeybee Apis cerana Fabricius, 1793 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) was quantified and disaggregated according to several variables, including hive-derived products produced, marketing strategy employed, number of beehives managed, and postharvest management practices. Our results showed that the different types of management practices adopted (such as number of beehives kept, colony multiplication, supplementary feeding, month of honey harvesting, and marketing approach) significantly influenced the productivity and economic profitability of beekeeping. Our results also revealed that professional supports, such as the availability of subsidies and training, were key factors to enhance productivity. As a whole, this study provides insight into the biological factors and management practices associated with higher economic returns from beekeeping. This work can help guide policymakers and professional support agencies to expand commercial beekeeping for sustainable livelihood development in Nepal and beyond.
An Assessment of the Potential Economic Impacts of the Invasive Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in South Africa
Authors: de Wit M P , Crookes D J , Blignaut J N , de Beer Z W , Paap T , Roets F , van der Merwe C , van Wilgen B W , Richardson D M 
Published: April 2022

AbstractStudies addressing the economic impacts of invasive alien species are biased towards ex-post assessments of the costs and benefits of control options, but ex-ante assessments are also required to deal with potentially damaging invaders. The polyphagous shot hole borer Euwallacea fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a recent and potentially damaging introduction to South Africa. We assessed the potential impact of this beetle by working across economic and biological disciplines and developing a simulation model that included dynamic mutualistic relations between the beetle and its symbiotic fungus. We modeled the potential growth in beetle populations and their effect on the net present cost of damage to natural forests, urban trees, commercial forestry, and the avocado industry over 10 yr. We modeled high, baseline, and low scenarios using discount rates of 8, 6, and 4%, and a plausible range of costs and mortality rates. Models predicted steady growth in the beetle and fungus populations, leading to average declines in tree populations of between 3.5 and 15.5% over 10 yr. The predicted net present cost was 18.45 billion international dollars (Int. $), or about 0.66% of the country’s GDP for our baseline scenario ($2.7 billion to $164 billion for low and high scenarios). Most of the costs are for the removal of urban trees that die as a result of the beetle and its fungal symbiont, as has been found in other regions. We conclude that an ex-ante economic assessment system dynamics model can be useful for informing national strategies on invasive alien species management.
Different Binding Affinities of Three General Odorant-Binding Proteins inGrapholita funebrana(Treitscheke) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to Sex Pheromones, Host Plant Volatiles, and Insecticides
Authors: Li Lin-Lin , Xu Bing-Qiang , Li Chun-Qin , Li Bo-Liao , Chen Xiu-Lin , Li Guang-Wei 
Published: April 2022

AbstractInsect general odorant-binding proteins (GOBPs) play irreplaceable roles in filtering, binding, and transporting host odorants to olfactory receptors. Grapholita funebrana (Treitscheke) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), an economically important pest of fruit crops, uses fruit volatiles as cues to locate host plants. However, the functions of GOBPs in G. funebrana are still unknown. Three GOBP genes, namely, GfunGOBP1, GfunGOBP2, and GfunGOBP3, were cloned, and their expression profiles in different tissues were detected by the method of real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The binding properties of recombinant GfunGOBPs (rGfunGOBPs) to various ligands were investigated via fluorescence binding assays. The three GfunGOBPs were mainly expressed in the antennae of both male and female moths. All these three rGfunGOBPs could bind to sex pheromones, while having varying affinities toward these pheromones. The three rGfunGOBPs also displayed a wide range of ligand-binding spectrums with tested host odorants. The rGfunGOBP1, rGfunGOBP2, and rGfunGOBP3 bound to 34, 33, and 30 out of the 41 tested odorants, respectively. Three rGfunGOBPs had overlapping binding activities to β-myrcene, (-)-α-phellandrene, and ethyl isovalerate with the Ki less than 3.0 μM. The rGfunGOBP1 and rGfunGOBP3 could selectively bind to several insecticides, whereas rGfunGOBP2 could not. Three rGfunGOBPs had the dual functions of selectively binding to sex pheromones and host odorants. Moreover, the rGfunGOBP1 and rGfunGOBP3 can also serve as ‘signal proteins’ and bind to different insecticides. This study contributed to elucidating the potential molecular mechanism of the olfaction for G. funebrana, and thereby promotes the development of effective botanical attractants or pheromone synergists to control G. funebrana.
Elevated CO2 Increases Overwintering Mortality of Varroa destructor (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) in Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies
Authors: Onayemi Stephen O , Hopkins Brandon K , Sheppard Walter S 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Indoor storage of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) during winter months has been practiced for decades to protect colonies from the adverse effects of long, harsh winter months. Beekeepers have recently employed indoor storage to reduce labor, feeding costs, theft, and woodenware degradation. Despite the growing number of colonies stored indoors, national survey results still reveal high losses. Varroa mites (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman) are the most critical threat to colony winter survival and health of colonies because they contribute to the transmission of viruses and colony mortality. To investigate the effect of high CO2 on varroa mites during the indoor storage of honey bees, 8-frame single deep colonies were stored in two separate environmental chambers at 4°C each. One environmental chamber was set at 8.5% CO2 (high CO2), while the other was set at low CO2 (0.12%). Dead and falling mites were collected and counted from the bottom of individual colonies weekly during the experiment. There was a significant difference in mite mortality of colonies with high CO2 compared to colonies held at low CO2. These results indicated that high CO2 could increase mite mortality during the period of indoor storage, potentially improving honey bee health coming out of the winter months. Our research offers a critical addition to beekeepers’ tools for managing varroa mite populations.
Macroeconomic Effects of Delayed Capital Liquidation
Authors: Cui Wei 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
This paper studies the macroeconomic effects of capital reallocation with financial shocks. I develop a model in which firms face borrowing constraints, idiosyncratic productivity shocks, and idiosyncratic liquidation costs. The idiosyncratic risks of productivity and liquidation costs generate an option value of staying in business and a liquidation delay for unproductive firms. A new feature arises from the delay. Unproductive firms that are not liquidated increase their leverage over time, pushing them to hit the borrowing limit. I show that adverse financial shocks that tighten borrowing constraints can raise the option value, and equilibrium effects can further delay capital liquidation and reallocation. Capital is thus persistently misallocated, leading to long-lasting economic contractions.
Pāli Studies in Colonial Bengal: Bengali-Speaking Buddhists’ Strategy to Distinguish themselves from Hindus
Authors: Barua D Mitra 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
This article focuses on one of the core strategies used to decouple Buddhism from Hinduism in colonial Bengal. Capitalising on the nineteenth-century enthusiasm in Indo-European languages and public education, marginalised Buddhist minority argued that what Sanskrit meant for Hindus was Pāli for Buddhists to secure grant-in-aid for Pāli studies. With the assistance from Buddhists from Ceylon, they introduced Pāli weekly classes at village temples and primary, secondary, and postsecondary schools with Buddhist students in Chittagong. They convinced the colonial government to fund Pāli Departments at Chittagong College and at the University of Calcutta and more importantly to establish a ‘state scholarship for the scientific study of Pāli in Europe’ in 1915 that produced arguably the first indigenous Buddhologist. I contend that Pāli studies not only gave Bengali-speaking Buddhists access to modern education, but also enabled them to distinguish themselves from Hindus and emerge as a distinct religious community.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child—Size Matters Sometimes, Somewhat: A Comment
Authors: Vandenhole Wouter 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified core United Nations human rights treaty. Does size matter for normativity and compliance? Size does matter sometimes in a positive way: the quasi-universal ratification of the CRC gives that treaty unprecedented normative legitimacy and legal reach. Often, size adds however a layer of complexity: in negotiations, in implementation, in monitoring. Size matters somewhat, although factors other than size matter more: normative loopholes and black holes; underlying normative disagreement; political calculation; capacities; overstated expectations about the role of law in social change; as well as mismatches between legal standards and real-life issues.
The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities—The Role of National Human Rights Institutions: A Comment
Authors: Uerpmann-Wittzack Robert 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe role attributed to national human rights institutions is a key factor for the success of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, but it is not the only one. This Comment highlights the unique success of the Convention and its causes: (1) a generalized paradigm shift from a philosophy of care to an individual rights approach that is rooted in domestic law; (2) the establishment of national human rights institutions; and (3) the empowerment of persons with disabilities and their NGOs.
The Human Rights Committee—Challenges and Prospects for Enhanced Effectiveness and Integration
Authors: Jelić Ivana , Mührel Linus 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAs one of the oldest and the most prominent of universal monitoring organs of quasi-judicial nature, the UN Human Rights Committee has greatly contributed to the development of the universal human rights regime. However, challenges remain. These relate particularly to a lack of implementation of the Committee’s decisions in national legal orders and to lack of efficiency in the work of the Committee. From a practitioner’s perspective, this article examines the Committee’s achievements and shortcomings with special regard to the reporting and individual complaint procedures. It considers the state of the Human Rights Treaty Body Review and analyses how the reforms undertaken in its context. The Committee’s cooperation with other human rights treaty bodies is also discussed and the advantages of closer cooperation are presented. The authors conclude that there is still a long way to go and against this background discuss perspectives of a world court of human rights.
Nap judgment: why parties involved in parallel EPO proceedings should inform the Patents Court about scheduling issues
Authors: Strath Janet 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
In the latest chapter of the litigation involving Neurim’s second medical use patent relating to ‘Circadin’ (a prolonged-release formulation of melatonin), the Patents Court has held that Mylan—who had allegedly infringed Neurim’s European patent (‘EP702’) and had counterclaimed for revocation of EP702 on grounds of invalidity unsuccessfully before the UK court but successfully in opposition proceedings before the European Patent Office—was not issue-estopped from challenging the validity in the UK court of Neurim’s divisional patent (‘EP443’) with claims amended into a form ‘patentably indistinct’ from those of EP702.
Sustainable Management of the InvasiveTuta absoluta(Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae): an Overview of Case Studies From Latin American Countries Participating in Plantwise
Authors: Colmenárez Yelitza C , Vásquez Carlos , de Freitas Bueno Adeney , Cantor Fernando , Hidalgo Eduardo , Corniani Natalia , Lagrava Juan José 
Published: April 2022

AbstractTuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is indigenous to South America. It has invaded several tomato-producing regions worldwide resulting from globalization of commerce and trade. T. absoluta is now considered one of the most devastating pests affecting tomato plants and fresh tomatoes. Although tomatoes are the primary host, T. absoluta can feed and develop on other solanaceous plants as well as plants from other botanical families, including 15 economically important crop species and weeds. Chemical control continues to be the primary management option, even in areas where T. absoluta is an invasive species. This occurs despite the well-documented effects of chemical insecticides on the environment and its low efficacy. In this article, we discuss the biology, ecology, and a more sustainable management for T. absoluta. The management plan includes periodic monitoring program to improve pest management strategies by detecting the presence or arrival of the pest in a given host plant, estimating population levels over time, and studying the distribution of the pest. Lastly, we discuss pest management from the perspective of Plantwise, an innovative global program which aims to contribute to increased food security, based on its implementation in Bolivia and Costa Rica. In both countries, plant clinics have been established to show farmers new ways of managing pests in a sustainable way while maintaining crop productivity. The implementation of the Plantwise program resulted in a reduction in pesticide use via incorporation of less toxic active ingredients and sustainable pest management strategies such as biological control. Plantwise has encouraged the use of cultural end ethological practices by smallholder farmers in participating countries.
Significant impact of a history of prior or concomitant upper urinary tract cancer on the recurrence and progression of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer
Authors: Matsushita Yuto , Kawakami Asuka , Sato Ryo , Watanabe Kyohei , Watanabe Hiromitsu , Tamura Keita , Motoyama Daisuke , Ito Toshiki , Sugiyama Takayuki , Otsuka Atsushi , Miyake Hideaki 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Background
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of the upper urinary tract cancer status on recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival, and to develop risk stratification systems that include the upper urinary tract cancer status for patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

Patients and Methods
The present study included 40 (upper urinary tract cancer-non-muscle invasive bladder cancer group) and 285 (non-muscle invasive bladder cancer alone group) patients with and without a history of prior or concomitant upper urinary tract cancer, respectively. Nine clinicopathological findings between the two groups were compared, and risk stratification systems for the recurrence and progression of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer were developed.

Results
Recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival in the upper urinary tract cancer-non-muscle invasive bladder cancer group were significantly inferior to those in the NMIBC alone group (P &lt; 0.001 and P = 0.006, respectively). Multivariate analyses identified the following independent prognosticators: multiplicity and upper urinary tract cancer status for recurrence-free survival, and pT category and upper urinary tract cancer status for progression-free survival. Significant differences were noted by the risk stratification systems based on the positive number of independent predictors of recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival (P &lt; 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively). The concordance indices of recurrence-free survival were 0.627, 0.588 and 0.499 in this study stratification, EORTC risk table and CUETO model, respectively. Those of progression-free survival were 0.752, 0.740 and 0.714, respectively.

Conclusion
The present results suggest the significant impact of a history of prior or concomitant UUTC on recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients, and risk stratification systems that include the upper urinary tract cancer status for the recurrence and progression of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer are promising tools for predicting the outcomes of these patients.
Agrochemical bioaccumulation in pitaya cacti (Stenocereus queretaroensis) and its effect on bat interaction and yield
Authors: Zamora-Gutierrez Veronica , Marcos-Zamora Viridiana , Orona-Tamayo Domancar , Quintana-Rodríguez Elizabeth , Cano-Santana Zenón , Hernández-Cumplido Johnattan 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Bats are among the most valuable pollinators of economically important crops in Mexico including agaves and columnar cacti. High demand for the agricultural products of these crops has resulted in increasing use of agrochemicals, including pesticides and fertilizers, to increase yield and decrease pest damage. However, these compounds can negatively affect crop mutualists such as pollinating bats. In this study, we investigated: (i) how the application of the broad-spectrum pesticide carbamate and/or synthetic fertilizers affect crop yield of the pitaya cacti (Stenocereus queretaroensis); (ii) whether carbamate bioaccumulates in pitaya nectar and fruits; and (iii) whether the application of these agrochemicals affects visitation rates of the pitaya’s most efficient pollinators, nectarivorous bats of the genus Leptonycteris. We designed an experiment consisting of four treatments (pesticide, nutrients, both, or neither) applied to pitaya plants. We estimated the effect of each treatment by quantifying pitaya reproductive structures (flower buds and flowers) and fruit yield and quality, performed trace analysis to detect the pesticide in the nectar and fruits, and estimated bat flower visitation rates using camera traps to determine whether the addition of agrochemicals influenced pitaya–bat interactions. We found that none of the treatments increased yield or fruit sweetness, and they did not affect bat visitation rates. Fruit pulp and floral nectar contained pesticide concentrations above those permitted by international environmental agencies. Thus, our results show that adding these agrochemicals to pitaya crops does not improve yield but could negatively affect their crop pollinators, especially since bats apparently do not avoid visiting flowers containing pesticide residues.
Drivers of activity patterns of two sympatric skunks (Carnivora: Mephitidae)
Authors: Hernández-Sánchez Alejandro , Santos-Moreno Antonio 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Temporal niche partitioning between ecologically similar species may decrease interspecific competition and facilitate their coexistence, but the temporal interactions between sympatric skunks are still poorly understood. Furthermore, different interacting factors to explain activity patterns and their role in species coexistence in the temporal niche have been overlooked. Using camera traps over 2 years, we evaluated the temporal segregation between Conepatus leuconotus and Spilogale pygmaea and the influence of biotic, abiotic, and anthropogenic factors in shaping their daily and monthly activity patterns in a seasonal tropical forest at the Mexican Pacific slope. Both skunks selected the nocturnal and crepuscular periods, with strong avoidance of daylight hours. We observed partial temporal segregation between species without significant seasonal variation. Spilogale pygmaea was most active when the activity of C. leuconotus decreased, suggesting that S. pygmaea adopts a temporal avoidance strategy to decrease the potential for direct encounters with the dominant species. We found that skunk activity patterns are also determined by the activity of prey and native and exotic predators, as well as relative humidity, precipitation, cloud cover, and night length. Our results showed that these factors differently affect daily and monthly activity between seasons and their effect varies in each species. This study provides evidence that multiple extrinsic factors play an important role in shaping the daily and monthly activity patterns of both skunks and, of course, affect their temporal niche partitioning, possibly promoting coexistence in a seasonal tropical environment.
Morphological disparity in the skull of Amazon River dolphins of the genus Inia (Cetacea, Iniidae) is inconsistent with a single taxon
Authors: Emin-Lima Renata , Machado Fabio A , Siciliano Salvatore , Gravena Waleska , Aliaga-Rossel Enzo , de Sousa e Silva José , Hingst-Zaher Erika , de Oliveira Larissa Rosa 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The taxonomy of the South American river dolphins of the genus Inia has been a focus of intense debate. While traditionally it is thought to be composed of a single species with three geographically structured subspecies (Inia geoffrensis geoffrensis, I. g. humboldtiana, and I. g. boliviensis), recent molecular studies have highlighted substantial differentiation, suggesting the existence of two species (I. geoffrensis and I. araguaiaensis). Despite this evidence, the recognition of the specific status of these taxa has been hindered by inconsistent morphological diagnoses. Here, we aim to provide evidence for the morphological differentiation (or lack thereof) between subspecies and putative species. We employ geometrics and traditional morphometrics to measure skull variation to support efforts of integrative taxonomy. Our results show that morphometric diversity within the group is inconsistent with a single taxon. Morphometric evidence supports the traditional differentiation of three distinct morphotypes within the analyzed sample. These morphotypes largely correspond to described subspecies I. g. geoffrensis, I. g. humboldtiana—the latter differing from the former by size—and I. g. boliviensis, which differs from the remaining groups by shape. Furthermore, morphometric data show no differences between I. g. geoffrensis and a newly proposed species, I. araguaiaensis. Given the conservation importance of this genus and the different threats they are subject to, we strongly suggest an urgent integrative taxonomic treatment of the group to better protect these singular cetaceans.