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The relationship between employability skills and career transition among neurodivergent individuals is a topic that has been gaining significant attention in recent years. The objective of the study was to determine the predictive power of employability skills on career transition among individuals with neurodiversity. This study utilized a predictive correlational research design with a sample of ninety-four neurodivergent individuals from Southeast Nigeria. Two instruments--the Employability Skills Measurement Scale (ESMS) and Career Transition Inventory (CTI) French Version (CTI-F)--were used for data collection in the study. This study employed linear regression analysis to determine the predictive power of employability skills on career transition and the coefficient of determination (R2). To test the hypothesis at a probability level of .05, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) associated with regression was used. The coefficient of determination (R2) value of .098 showed that employability skills had very low predictive power for career transition among neurodivergent individuals. This means the employability skills of neurodivergent individuals in Southeast Nigeria accounted for 9.8 percent of their career transition variance. However, the findings also showed that employability skills are a significant predictor of career transition among neurodivergent individuals in Southeast Nigeria F(1, 93) = 10.019, p = .02. Consequently, employability skills play a significant role in predicting career transitions among neurodivergent individuals in Southeast Nigeria. This study provided the first empirical evidence of the relationship between employability skills and the career transition of neurodivergent individuals in Southeast Nigeria, Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an important contributor to Louisiana’s economy, the commercial freshwater fisheries have been the subject of growing attention in recent years by resource managers as the industry appears to be on the brink of collapse. Fewer participants are entering the field, fish buyers and processors are closing, and market prices remain stagnant. To better understand this industry, we conducted a study to characterize the commercial freshwater fisheries in Louisiana including the fishermen, the fishing operations, the effort across the state, local knowledge on management issue and barriers and opportunities for the future of the industry. We completed structured interviews at fish houses across Louisiana. The average full-time fisherman was 56 years old with about 34 years of commercial fishing experience, and catfish (Ictaluridae spp.) and buffalo (Ictobius spp.) appear to be the most sought-after finfish; however, this slightly differs by region. Overall, this study provides in-depth insight into the trends, problems, and successes of Louisiana’s freshwater commercial fisheries. This information will allow managers and other groups like cooperative extension to identify and design opportunities for the industry and utilize their information in management across the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to make informed decisions about reproductive health is a cornerstone principle of the practice of prenatal medical genetics. Unfortunately, these reproductive health decisions have become entangled in the current, contentious political climate. This debate reached an inflection point in 2022 with Dobbs v. Jackson when the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) overturned the national right to abortion previously established in Roe v. Wade. This decision prompted a reassessment of the opinions of medical students on reproductive health and abortion. Our study focused on a medical school in Alabama, a conservative state that enacted a restrictive abortion ban following the Dobbs ruling. Two surveys, conducted in 2015 and 2022, explored students' viewpoints on reproductive health topics, including abortion. The comparison revealed a significant shift toward more pro‐choice perspectives among medical students. Notably, religious affiliation did not consistently align with opinions, as many Christian students supported pro‐choice views. Our results suggest that medical students' reproductive health opinions at our institution have shifted to a more pro‐choice position over the last decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation of dynamic fully integrated cultural-environmental systems is one grand challenge facing archaeologists in this century. In the Midwest and Southeast United States, archaeologists recently increased their study of Mississippian social systems (ca. AD 1000–1600) in relationship to paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental data. Significant differences in chronological control between archaeological chronologies and paleoenvironmental records pose challenges to the study of cultural-environmental systems in this region and often result in equifinal results. Three major lines of paleoenvironmental records are reviewed: bald cypress tree-ring records, the Living Blended Drought Atlas (LBDA), and lake-bottom sediment cores. The strongest approaches include local and regional multiproxy environmental records from the same location as a well-investigated archaeological site(s) or region(s). In the rare case where the cores also encode a regional population history, it may be possible to develop stronger inferences that consider variation within and between communities and their vulnerability to climate change and environmental catastrophes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The IPOB sit-at-home order is impacting economic, educational, security, and social activities in Southeast Nigeria. However, it is not known how the entire public in the region perceives the impact of the sit-at-home order on the economy and children’s education. Objective: This study investigated public perceptions of the effect of the sit-at-home order on the South-East region's economy and education. Methodology: The study adopted a cross-sectional research design, with a sample of 5,723 adults drawn through a convenience sampling method. We collected data using a questionnaire. Study data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The results showed that the public perceives the sit-at-home order as having reduced household income, productive work hours, teaching and learning hours, and ultimately educational quality. Also, the media was perceived to be the main instrument used by the separatists to influence the minds of the public regarding their agitation. Unique Contribution: The study proposed an integrated model for addressing the issues and the way forward. Conclusion: When people sit at home during work hours, it negatively impacts the economy and education. Recommendation: The study recommended, among others, the implementation of responsive strategies to mitigate the impact of separatist groups and put the sit-at-home order under control.

The article explores the Spring Warrior civic-ceremonial center on Florida's Gulf Coast, which is one of the earliest centers of its kind in eastern North America. The site has recently been investigated, revealing evidence of village occupation, changes in subsistence, and a unique architectural feature using oyster shells for structural support. The findings highlight the significance of the Spring Warrior Complex in the ancient social landscape and ongoing research aims to nominate it for the National Register of Historic Places. The article provides insights into the origins and persistence of residential villages among hunter-gatherer-fishers in eastern North America, with unique local distinctions influenced by sociocultural, environmental, and climatic factors. [Extracted from the article]

Climate variability poses a significant challenge for smallholder farmers globally, including those in Southeast Nigeria. The purpose of this study is to explore farmers' perceptions of the impact of climate variability and agroforestry practices available in the region. Specifically, the study evaluates the availability of agroforestry practices for adoption by farmers and the extent of climate variability effects on agricultural activities in Southeast Nigeria. The study employed primary data, which were collected from 350 registered farmers in the study region using a validated and well-structured questionnaire. The study employed a structured questionnaire to gather data on the availability of agroforestry practices among farmers in Southeast Nigeria as well as utilized a seven-item scale to assess the perceived impacts of climate variability on agricultural activities in Southeast Nigeria. Findings revealed that home gardening emerged as the most prevalent agroforestry practice among respondents, while multipurpose wood lots were the least common. The mean ratings for all thirteen agroforestry practices were below the critical threshold of 3.00, indicating a lack of widespread availability. Thus, there is a limited adoption of these practices among farmers in the region. Irregular rainfall and rising temperatures were identified as the most significant climate variability impacts on farming operations. However, extreme events like storms, hailstorms, and thunderstorms had the least impact according to respondents, indicating that farmers perceive these impacts as significant and pressing concerns. The study concludes that there is a high level of climate variability impacts on agricultural practices in Southeast Nigeria, coupled with a low availability of agroforestry practices for farmers to mitigate these impacts. The study suggests enhancing agricultural extension services, developing tailored extension programs, advocating for governmental support and investment, providing technical support and capacity-building assistance to farmers, investing in research and innovation, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders to promote the adoption of agroforestry practices as a climate-resilient agricultural approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motor-parts business emerged in response to advent of road construction. The early roads and bridges constructed in colonial Nigeria had negative impacts on most vehicles. This was further compounded by the routine wear and tear associated with mechanical automobiles and the low technical know-how among the early motorists. Hence, automobiles incessantly broke down which obviously impeded the business of both private and commercial motor transporters. This challenge, however, was ameliorated with the availability of motor parts and motor-mechanics. In fact, availability of motor-parts was insufficient and worthless without motor mechanics to fix them. In other words, motor-parts and motor-mechanics are inseparable in road transportation. So, effective functionality of vehicular transportation is dependent on the synergy and complementarity of motor-mechanics and availability auto-parts. This narrative is obviously absent in Nigerian transport history literature. It is the aim of this discourse to give voice to these interconnections, particularly to the silent motor mechanics whose significant contributions to road transportation and motor-parts business have remained unnoticed. The methodology is historical and expository narrative. Texts and data collected from primary and secondary sources are chronologically and thematically presented.

Climate change beliefs and concerns are closely tied to socio-demographic traits and personal experience with extreme weather events. Here, we compare survey participants' perceptions of extreme weather trends in Knoxville, Tennessee, with observed trends in extreme weather during their residency. We also assess the relationship between climate change concerns and weather perceptions. We find that perceived weather trends, including hot summer days and cold/snowy winters, matched observed trends for some—but not all—residents, depending in part on the length of their residency. Perceived weather trends were also related to level of climate change concerns, belief in its anthropogenic nature, and some socio-demographic characteristics, including income. Our results suggest that as cities in the Southeast continue to grow in population and residents experience the effects of Earth's changing climate, these factors will play an important role in extreme weather perceptions and attribution to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In the Southeastern United States, the 2022 mpox outbreak disproportionately impacted people who are black and people with HIV (PWH). Methods We analyzed a cohort of 395 individuals diagnosed with mpox across 3 health care systems in Atlanta, Georgia between 1 June 2022 and 7 October 2022. We present demographic and clinical characteristics and use multivariable logistic regression analyses to evaluate the association between HIV status and severe mpox (per the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition) and, among PWH, the associations between CD4+ T-cell count and HIV load with severe mpox. Results Of 395 people diagnosed with mpox, 384 (97.2%) were cisgender men, 335 (84.8%) identified as black, and 324 (82.0%) were PWH. Of 257 PWH with a known HIV load, 90 (35.0%) had > 200 copies/mL. Severe mpox occurred in 77 (19.5%) individuals and there was 1 (0.3%) death. Tecovirimat was prescribed to 112 (28.4%) people, including 56 (72.7%) people with severe mpox. In the multivariable analysis of the total population, PWH had 2.52 times higher odds of severe mpox (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–6.27) compared with people without HIV. In the multivariable analysis of PWH, individuals with HIV load > 200 copies/mL had 2.10 (95% CI, 1.00–4.39) times higher odds of severe mpox than PWH who were virologically suppressed. Lower CD4+ T-cell count showed a significant univariate association with severe mpox but was not found to be significantly associated with severe mpox in multivariable analysis. Conclusions PWH with nonsuppressed HIV loads had more mpox complications, hospitalizations, and protracted disease courses than people without HIV or PWH with suppressed viral loads. PWH with nonsuppressed HIV loads who are diagnosed with mpox warrant particularly aggressive monitoring and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As regional chronologies become better defined, we are better able to track large-scale population movements and related cultural change. A dataset of 156 radiocarbon dates from the Middle Cumberland Region (MCR), evaluated with 199 more dates from the Ridge and Valley portions of northern Georgia and East Tennessee, enable modeling of population movements from the Central Mississippi Valley into the MCR, as well as subsequent movements and effects in the Ridge and Valley between AD 1200 and 1450. The dissolution of Cahokia is of particular interest, because the MCR falls geographically between the American Bottom and the Ridge and Valley province. This large-scale chronological perspective places key events in this part of the Southeast and Midwest into a unified historical framework that increases our understanding of the timing of cultural events. A related goal is to sort out possible external events and influences that may have affected this large region. This study makes apparent the relationships between cultural events and natural events, such as the drought sequences reported for the Central Mississippi Valley and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is projected to impact river, lake, and wetland hydrology, with global implications for the condition and productivity of aquatic ecosystems. We integrated Sentinel‐1 and Sentinel‐2 based algorithms to track monthly surface water extent (2017–2021) for 32 sites across the central United States (U.S.). Median surface water extent was highly variable across sites, ranging from 3.9% to 45.1% of a site. To account for landscape‐based differences (e.g., water storage capacity, land use) in the response of surface water extents to meteorological conditions, individual statistical models were developed for each site. Future changes to climate were defined as the difference between 2006–2025 and 2061–2080 using MACA‐CMIP5 (MACAv2‐METDATA) Global Circulation Models. Time series of climate change adjusted surface water extents were projected. Annually, 19 of the 32 sites under RCP4.5 and 22 of the 32 sites under RCP8.5 were projected to show an average decline in surface water extent, with drying most consistent across the southeast central, southwest central, and midwest central U.S. Projected declines under surface water dry conditions at these sites suggest greater impacts of drought events are likely in the future. Projected changes were seasonally variable, with the greatest decline in surface water extent expected in summer and fall seasons. In contrast, many north central sites showed a projected increase in surface water in most seasons, relative to the 2017–2021 period, likely attributable to projected increases in winter and spring precipitation exceeding increases in projected temperature. Plain Language Summary: Climate change is expected to impact rivers, lakes, and wetlands. In this effort we used multiple satellites to track monthly surface water extent (2017–2021) for 32 sites across the central United States. The average amount of surface water was highly variable across sites. Individual statistical models, relating meteorological variables to surface water extent, were developed for each site. The models were then updated with climate change adjusted variables. Most sites were projected to show a decline in surface water extent, with drying most consistent across the southeast central, southwest central, and midwest central U.S. Projected declines under dry conditions at these sites suggest greater impacts of drought events are likely. Projected changes were seasonally variable, with the greatest decline in surface water extent expected in summer and fall seasons. In contrast, many north central sites showed a projected increase in surface water in most seasons, likely attributable to projected increases in winter and spring precipitation. Key Points: Surface water across the central U.S. responds to episodic, seasonal, and interannual variability in water availabilityMost sites showed projected declines in surface water extents under RCP4.5 and 8.5, peaking in summer‐fall and increasing drought impactsSelect sites, concentrated in the north central U.S., projected increases in surface water, associated with greater precipitation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The wood supply chain in the United States (U.S.) is experiencing significant challenges related to truck transportation. Obstacles include truck driver recruitment and retention, increases in insurance and fuel costs, insufficient training, and truck or part shortages. This project sought to evaluate transportation inefficiencies in the Georgia, U.S. wood supply chain and to determine obstacles leading to a disconnection between logging business owners, foresters, and truck drivers. The survey targeted two populations: 1) logging business owners/foresters; and 2) log truck drivers. In addition, four case studies were conducted to evaluate innovative strategies that established businesses have enacted. Both groups indicated that a fair annual log truck driver salary should range from $60,000 to $79,000 (USD); however, owners/foresters indicated lower salaries to be more favorable (p = 0.009) and drivers indicated higher salaries to be more favorable (p = 0.029). Half of log truck drivers had been involved in timber transportation for 15 years or more, but 24% of respondents had been involved for less than 5 years, indicating that a new generation of log truck drivers are entering the workforce. Barriers to becoming a log truck driver include limited fringe benefits, lower wages relative to other trucking sectors, and lack of driver experience. Timber transportation capacity is impacted the most by insurance, driver availability, and fuel prices. This study confirmed that there are numerous obstacles facing timber transportation, but also found agreement between drivers and business owners, as well as innovative strategies that are being used throughout the region to improve efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología is the property of Fundacion Salud, Ciencia y Tecnologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Little research attention has been drawn to the negative versus positive effects of the novel COVID-19 pandemic on women-led enterprises. The Nigerian context that focuses on women of the most renowned entrepreneurial ethnic group in SubSaharan Africa has not been explored in the academic literature. This study explores the perceived effects of the novel COVID-19 pandemic on women entrepreneurship development in Nigeria by focusing on Igbo women entrepreneurs. A qualitative survey involving in-depth interviews of 28 nascent and established Igbo women entrepreneurs was conducted. Leveraging the Framing Effect Theory, thematic analysis was performed on the collected data. Findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic had both negative (loss of revenues, difficulty in repaying ongoing loans, damage of goods in the store, and inability to meet set growth targets) and positive (innovativeness, entrepreneurship opportunities, fulfilling entrepreneurship ambition, and digitization of entrepreneurship) effects on Igbo women-owned enterprises in Southeast Nigeria. However, contrary to previous research, nascent entrepreneurs are more positively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic than experienced/established entrepreneurs. The study, thus, contributes to theory and practice by providing insightful directions for policymaking on women entrepreneurship development during economic crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transgender people report high levels of discrimination, prejudice, stigma-related anxiety and depression, and suicidality. In socially, politically, and religiously conservative areas, emphasis on traditional gender roles may lead to heightened levels of stigma-related stress and anxiety in transgender people and pose additional challenges to the development of positive transgender identities. Using a pre-/posttest experimental design, we evaluated an online resource aimed at increasing positive identity and psychological well-being (PWB) in young adult transgender individuals living in the Southeast and Midwest United States. Participants, ages 18–26, were randomized into two groups to watch either a video about positive transgender identity (intervention; n = 24) or a video with general information about lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer people (control; n = 14). Both groups completed preintervention and 2-week post measures of positive identity and PWB. One-way analysis of variance of pre–post difference scores suggested that the intervention group reported significantly increased community connectedness, positive affect, and positive relations with others, and significantly lowered depressive symptom scores compared to the control group. Findings suggest that brief online interventions may be useful in supporting emotional health in transgender people; however, additional community supports may be crucial to positive identity development. Public Significance Statement: Transgender young adults in the Southeast and Midwestern United States watched a brief general video about LGBTQ people or an intervention video highlighting positive aspects of transgender and nonbinary identities. Compared to the group that watched the general video, the group that watched the positive identity video reported lower depressive symptom scores and more positive feelings 2 weeks later. This study suggests brief, strengths-based, accessible interventions for transgender individuals that may help facilitate some aspects of psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The professional identity of librarians is established with regard to the current understanding of their knowledge practices. The global phenomenon of false and untrustworthy information circulating on social media platforms paints a new issue that librarians must conquer. Messages, content, news, and information on the web make it challenging for librarians to educate users as to where the sources come from and the need to evaluate for credibility and trustworthiness. During the pandemic, and with a surge of information disorders on social media, the World Health Organization recommended building resilience to misinform‐ation and engaging and empowering communities to take positive action. This research seeks to explore the relationship between professional identities and the participation of librarians in an infodiverse environment, specifically by exploring how Filipino librarians applied aspects of their knowledge practices to the evaluation of social media health information during the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The southeastern United States has experienced rapid economic and population growth relative to the stagnation and decline of established manufacturing regions. The Rust Belt-Sun Belt literature has relied on a range of factors to explain southern growth (e.g. low wages, regional amenities, technological advances, market proximity, and the Civil Rights Movement). More recent work has cast growth in terms of bottom-up convergence and providing a conceptual framework consistent with the region's experience as the recipient of northern capital seeking a low-cost region. Within the region, uneven development remains. While the neoclassical framework can explain regional capital inflows, questions remain regarding how local and spatial contexts influence the trajectories of individual southern economies. To address these issues, this paper utilizes a conditional convergence model to explain southeastern county-level growth from 1990 to 2018 to understand how the balance of neoclassical processes and localized factors have affected the region's growth. Results highlight a transition away from low-cost manufacturing toward an increased importance of new, knowledge economy sectors. While new economy sectors are identified as significant drivers, results also suggest future challenges for sustained growth due to a suburbanized growth pattern, weak spillover effects, and a lack of urbanization economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Lex Humana is the property of Lex Humana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This brief paper offers a preview of the analysis of a time series consisting of 6 chronological samples comprising a total of 57 Argaric burials from southeast Iberia: Almería (Gatas), Murcia (Lorca), Granada (Cerro de la Virgen, Cuesta del Negro and Cerro de la Encina) and Alicante (Caramoro I, Tabayá and Illeta dels Banyets). The results obtained show the economic, social and political evolution of Argaric civilization from its beginning at the end of the third millennium BC until its final collapse in the 16th century BC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines an aspect of the life of travel and recovery in the south-east of Morocco during the 19th century, focusing on the characteristics of pastoral life in the region in a period characterized by several changes associated with several factors, the most important of which is foreign intervention, as well as the effects of the latter on the pattern of travel, in addition to identifying the contribution of these effects to the emergence of various forms of resistance in this area, which had several repercussions on the life of the population, especially at the economic level. All this is to highlight the importance of these changes in the transformations of the southeast and their contribution to its entry under the yoke of foreign colonization since the beginning of the 20th century, and thus the region entered a new stage in its history along with several other regions in Morocco. The article finally concluded by emphasizing the importance of travel and recovery in the economic life of the population, considering cattle breeding as an important resource in it, as well as the presence of a significant impact of foreign intervention in the southeast due to its interventions that targeted the resources of the population, which had long-term repercussions in subsequent periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing rate of economic growth and globalization of the global economy has raised concerns regarding sustainable development, and renewable energy is being explored as a possible solution. The interrelationship between economics, environment, and energy consumption has been widely researched amongst academics worldwide; however, due to the inconsistent results, further exploration is needed to clarify the matter. Thus, this study seeks to investigate potential factors such as foreign direct investment (FDI), gross domestic product (GDP), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that impact renewable energy consumption in countries within Southeast Asia. This research suggests that FDI flows bring positive aspects to the region's renewable energy sector while GDP and CO2 emissions have negative impacts. These findings can thus be employed as baseline information for future policies that strive to expand renewable energy activities in the region.

Background: There is a rise in the prevalence of mental illness among adolescents and the impact of violence on this rising trend requires to be evaluated. Aim: The aim of the study is to better understand the impact of violence on adolescent's mental health. Materials and Methods: The study was a cross-sectional school-based study. Adolescents in the selected schools were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Information on previous experience of violence, the action is taken, and the effect on them was collected. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS. The level of significance was at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 716 adolescents were studied over a one month period. The prevalence of violence was 87%. About 57.2% of the violence occurred at home, 44.2% was carried out by relatives and 49.2% happened within the past six months. Sexual abuse was 10.2%. Among the adolescents that experienced violence, 58.7% suffered some form of mental illness. There was a significant difference between the action the adolescents took after the violent incident and the action that was considered appropriate for it (P = 0.00001). Female gender (P = 0.042), not living with parents (P = 0.015) and poverty (P = 0.00001) significantly correlate with adolescent violence. Conclusion: Violence is high among adolescents and associated with a high prevalence of mental illness. Interventional measures targeted at reducing violence by improving poverty alleviation programs that empower families to carter for their children should be implemented.

In the 1730s, a group of religiously persecuted Salzburgers found refuge in the newly established colony of Georgia. Two pastors, Johann Martin Boltzius and Israel Christian Gronau, accompanied the men, women, and children on their way to the New World. Between 1733 and 1760, the pastors composed letters and diary entries about the challenges in adapting to their new home, which they named Ebenezer. A significant portion of the descriptions of their new “Heimat” includes encounters with indigenous peoples. The Salzburgers and their Native American neighbors not only exchanged commodities and gifts but also interacted through acts of kindness and charity. The Austrian emigrants’ leader, Boltzius, also sought to teach indigenous peoples—whom he frequently portrayed as wild pagans yet intrinsically good people—about Christianity. The Salzburgers’ accounts of their encounters with Native Americans, described in a collection of diary entries and letters known as the Detailed Reports, reveal the many difficulties they faced in cross-cultural interactions, including language barriers and essential cultural and religious differences that elevated a sense of distrust and resentment between both groups. As the political circumstances in America’s Southeast changed, so did the descriptions of Native Americans by the pastors.

10.1111/bij.12419 2 Ugine T.A., Sensenbach E.J., Sanderson J.P., Wraight S.P. Biology and feeding requirements of larval hunter flies Coenosia attenuata (Diptera: Muscidae) reared on larvae of the fungus gnat Bradysia impatiens (Diptera: Sciaridae). Keywords: tiger fly; biological control; DNA barcoding; peach orchard; Southeast; phenology EN tiger fly biological control DNA barcoding peach orchard Southeast phenology 970 10 11/17/22 20221101 NES 221101 1. Introduction The hunter fly, I Coenosia attenuata i Stein (1903) (Diptera: Muscidae), is a widespread predatory fly often associated with greenhouses [[1]]. [Extracted from the article]

Platform mounds during the Woodland period (ca. 200 BCE to 600 CE) of the American Southeast were integrative structures that included elevated stages for communal food consumption (feasting). While this pattern appears consistent across inland mound sites, food remains from contemporaneous coastal platform mounds have not been adequately studied and the activities associated with these monuments are poorly understood. To address this lacuna, we present results of zooarchaeological analysis of assemblages from a platform (Mound II) and contemporaneous domestic midden at the Garden Patch site, a civic-ceremonial center on the northern Gulf coast of peninsular Florida. One difficulty arising from the coastal context comes from the building material used to construct mounds, which often included redeposited midden originally associated with daily refuse. Our study navigates this difficulty through multiple lines of evidence showing that mound constituents include remains from special events that occurred mostly during the winter. The faunal assemblage from the platform mound is broadly similar to the midden except in the prevalence of toadfish (Opsanus sp.) and in the high diversity of migratory birds. Different proportions of these fauna in each context may reflect seasonal availability, preferences for particular taxa at feasts, or both. Ultimately, the feasts at coastal platform mounds appear to have been the maritime version of their inland counterparts, supplied with local foods at particular times of the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Federal, state, and private entities manage seasonal flooded, shallow wetlands to provide food and other habitat resources for wetland-dependent migratory birds, including migrating and wintering waterfowl. Individual National Wildlife Refuges managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service annually monitor seed production in moist-soil wetlands to track performance relative to regional foraging habitat objectives and to evaluate local habitat management activities. The National Wildlife Refuge System does not currently have a standard sampling protocol, and thus seeks a reliable rapid assessment method for estimating seed production to achieve standardized estimates and to avoid inconsistencies in data collection, metrics used, and usefulness of the monitoring efforts. We compared seed yield estimates derived from a suite of commonly used seed production assessment methods with those from soil core samples across six National Wildlife Refuges in the southeastern United States. The most parsimonious model included only common plant species and a single visual assessment of overall coverage (1–5) and seed quality (1–4) for each moist-soil unit (r2adj = 0.71). Generally, models that included only common plant species and a visual estimate of seed yield for moist-soil wetlands overall had greater support than models that included all plant species and those that included data from subplots (n = 10) nested within moist-soil wetlands. Experience level of observer had a moderate effect on accuracy (r2mar = 0.20) and geographic range increased variation in overall seed yield estimates within moist-soil wetlands. Notably, we found that similar indices developed in different geographic regions performed well across the Southeast, but a widely used index based on estimates of seed yield for individual plant species performed poorly in this study. Standardizing the use of a single, efficient, and reliable method to estimate seed abundance in moist-soil wetlands will provide wetland mangers the ability to consistently estimate performance relative to objectives, evaluate management actions, and track trends on National Wildlife Refuges in the southeastern United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relatively few herbicides are registered in Alabama or in the southeastern United States for use in annual hill plasticulture production of strawberries. Acquisition of 24(c) special local needs status for certain herbicides could make more of these chemistries available to the strawberry industry. These herbicides, especially when applied as tank mixes pose potential risks to strawberry plant growth and fruit yield. Special local needs status for these herbicides has been granted for other states, but more evaluation of these products in Alabama soils under plastic mulch is needed. The objective of this study was to assess tank mix applications of preemergence herbicides with different modes of action on plant growth, crop yield, and fruit size of ‘Camarosa’ strawberry. A study was conducted at the Chilton Research and Extension Center in Clanton, AL, in 2018 and 2019. Pendimethalin (3.5 L·ha–1) and S-metolachlor (1.6 L·ha–1) were evaluated for potential phytotoxicity in ‘Camarosa’ strawberry when applied alone or in tank mixes with napropamide (8.6 kg·ha–1), sulfentrazone (0.3 L·ha–1), or terbacil (0.42 L·ha–1) by comparing them to a nontreated control. At 18 weeks after planting, pendimethalin tank mixed with napropamide reduced plant dry weight by 33% compared with the control, but this reduction was not significant. Additionally, tank mixes of pendimethalin with sulfentrazone, napropamide, and terbacil reduced shoot dry weight by 43%, 52%, and 43%, respectively, compared with pendimethalin alone. Pendimethalin + napropamide tank mix reduced relative growth rate by 95% compared with the control between 6 and 18 weeks after planting. All treatments were similar to the control in marketable yield. Differences in plant growth parameters did not appear to affect yield by the end of the experiment. All single applied treatments along with S-metolachlor tank mixed with napropamide and sulfentrazone; pendimethalin tank mixed with sulfentrazone and terbacil appeared to be safe for direct application to strawberry planting beds covered in polyethylene mulch.

The present study evaluated the perceived effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on food security in Southeast Nigeria. A multi-stage random technique was used to select 209 households. Data for the study were collected with the aid of a structured questionnaire and were analyzed using descriptive statistics, z-test, food security model, and Tobit regression model. Results showed that the mean household size was 9.6 persons, which indicates a large household size. The percentage rate of food consumption of the households before the Pandemic was higher relative to the COVID-19 event. Again, exorbitant prices of food materials were noticed during the COVID-19 as compared to the period before the Pandemic. About 10.5% of the households met the minimum food requirements as proposed by World Health Organization (WHO), and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as against the majority of 76.1%. The three dimensions of food security which include availability, accessibility, and utilization were interposed by a number of factors, such as artificial scarcity, and an increase in food prices. Furthermore, social distancing and lockdown imposition were COVID-19 determinants of the food security status of households in the Southeast Nigeria. About 24% of the households were food-secured compared to 76% that were insecured during the Pandemic. Robust and effective food and agricultural policy formulations and implementations were recommended in Southeast Nigeria.

This paper aims to verify the industrial locational pattern changes in the Southeast and Northeast of the country, during the Fernando Henrique Cardoso (FHC) and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula), using the locational coefficient Hoover. The operationalization of the index, we used formal employment in the industrial sector in 1995, 2002, 2003 and 2010, corresponding respectively to the initial and final years of FHC and Lula. The results showed losses in the industry during the Cardoso government, as well as leadership in the industrial employment and concentration in the Southeast, in conclusion, the region's importance declined in the following years of his government. During Lula's government, the Northeast region lost employments.

Research Highlights: Seasonal variation in environmental conditions coinciding with reproductive and energetic demands might result in seasonal differences in species-specific habitat use. We studied a winter assemblage of insectivorous bats and found that species acted as habitat generalists during winter compared to expectations based on the summer active season. Background and Objectives: In temperate regions, seasonal fluctuations in resource availability might restructure local bat assemblages. Initially perceived to only hibernate or migrate to avoid adverse winter conditions, temperate insectivorous bats appear to also employ intermediate overwintering strategies, as a growing body of literature suggests that winter activity is quite prevalent and even common in some lower latitude areas. However, to date, most studies have exclusively assessed habitat associations during summer. Because habitat use during summer is strongly influenced by reproduction, we hypothesized that habitat associations might differ during the non-reproductive winter period. We used acoustic monitoring to assess the habitat associations of bats across a managed pine landscape in the southeastern United States. Materials and Methods: During the winters of 2018 and 2019, we deployed acoustic detectors at 72 unique locations to monitor bat activity and characterized vegetation conditions at two scales (microhabitat and landscape). We used linear mixed models to characterize species-specific activity patterns associated with different vegetation conditions. Results: We found little evidence of different activity patterns during winter. The activity of three species (hoary bat: Lasiurus cinereus; southeastern myotis: Myotis austroriparius; and tricolored bat: Perimyotis subflavus) was not related to vegetation variables and only modest relationships were evident for four other species/groups (big brown bat: Eptesicus fuscus; eastern red bat: L. borealis; Seminole bat: L. seminolus; evening bat: Nycticeius humeralis; and Brazilian free-tailed bat: Tadarida brasiliensis). Conclusions: During winter, the bats in our study were active across the landscape in various cover types, suggesting that they do not exhibit the same habitat associations as in summer. Therefore, seasonal differences in distributions and habitat associations of bat populations need to be considered so that effective management strategies can be devised that help conserve bats year round. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 68 315 digitised records of myxomycetes from the eastern United States were compiled from all readily available sources. After cleaning the database for inconsistencies, 58 594 records remained that were suitable for analysis. A total of 460 different species of myxomycetes were recorded, out of which 410 were classified as rare. Five species were represented by more than 1 500 records and 44 species were represented by only a single record. The states of New York, Virginia and West Virginia have the highest number of records. Almost half of the recognised morphospecies of myxomycetes in the world occur in the eastern United States. A small number of species thrive in different ecological conditions, whereas most species require more specific ecological settings for the formation of fruiting bodies. States associated with high biodiversity have been subjected to more intensive sampling efforts, and southern states seem to have been less studied than northern ones. The project described herein apparently represents one of the few efforts to characterise the myxobiota of a relatively large region of the world.

[Purpose / Significance] Through the comprehensive and scientific analysis of the patent data of colleges and universities and the literature on the level of patent competitiveness. We will be in a better position to judge the research capability of colleges and universities, and in the meanwhile our analysis has a certain reference value for the development of science and technology of the country. [Method / Process] From the four dimensions of patent quantity, patent value, maintenance ability and R & D potential, a patent data fusion evaluation system of 14 indicators was established, and 25 representative universities in Southeast five provinces (Guangdong, Guangxi, Fujian, Zhejiang and Jiangsu) were analyzed and evaluated by using the evaluation system. [Results / Conclusions] According to the evaluation system, the patent competitiveness was divided into three echelons. The first echelon was composed of eight universities: Zhejiang University, Southeast University, South China University of Technology, Sun Yat-sen University, Nanjing University, Suzhou University, Zhejiang University of Technology and Jinan University. The second echelon was composed of South China Agricultural University, Xiamen University, Nanjing University of Technology, Fuzhou University and South China Normal University, Ningbo University and Nanjing Agricultural University; the rest are the third echelon. The ranking of patent competitiveness of colleges and universities is not completely consistent with that of Wushu list. Some lower-ranking colleges and universities on Wushu list have higher patent competitiveness than those higher-ranking ones. The patent competitiveness of colleges and universities is impacted by their cultural and scientific focus, and not completely related to their comprehensive strength. At the same time, the patent competitiveness is also closely related to the economic strength of the region where colleges and universities are located. For example, of colleges and universities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang are obviously more competitive in patent competitivenesss than those in other regions. However, colleges and universities in Guangdong have slightly insufficient patents patents, while colleges and universities in Jiangsu are not weak in four dimensions. Although colleges and universities in Zhejiang have a large number of patents, the value and maintenance capacity of their patents are still insufficient.

The tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca Hinds, is a phytophagous pest and vector of orthotospoviruses in many crops around the world. F. fusca causes direct feeding injury to peanut plants, resulting in leaf chlorosis and curling, and yield loss. Adults and larvae also transmit the economically important tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) in all peanut market types grown in the U.S. TSWV infection causes spotted wilt disease, a plant disease characterized by chlorosis, stunting, and death. From 1996 to 2006, spotted wilt disease resulted in an estimated U.S.$140 million in annual peanut production losses in the U.S. At present, a thorough documentation of F. fusca 's impacts on the U.S. peanut production system is not available. Here, we describe the morphology, life cycle, and biology of F. fusca and provide images of immature life stages. Feeding injury characteristics and TSWV transmission in peanuts are also discussed. Currently, F. fusca and TSWV are managed in peanut with a combination of tactics, including prophylactic insecticide applications and TSWV-resistant cultivars. However, standardized scouting protocols and economic thresholds for F. fusca are not yet available. Very few biological control agents have been evaluated for use against F. fusca , and few studies have quantified the contributions of native natural enemies. More research into natural enemies' contributions to F. fusca management and the mechanisms underlying TSWV-resistance in peanut could help inform and diversify integrated pest management programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The task of nation-building in Nigeria is bedevilled by a plethora of challenges such as ethnic and religious crises, inter-regional conflicts, civil war and secessionism culminating in the agitation by the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) and the recent sit-at-home order by the group. This paper x-rays the events trailing the order of IPOB and its after effect on the hitherto distraught nation-building efforts in Nigeria. To this end, the paper broadens the polemics on Biafran agitation particularly on the sensibleness or otherwise of the sit-athome order. The paper adopts a qualitative approach and relies on secondary sources of data sourced from journal articles, newspaper articles, textbooks, internet sources etc. The discussion is anchored on the Rational Choice Theory (RCT) arguing that the order was adopted as a strategy to propel the actualization of the Biafran state. This is precipitated on the notion that IPOB’s sit-at-home order can be understood from the prism of (ir)rational choice giving the structure of the Nigerian society. The paper concludes that though the order has continued to elicit mixed feelings among the people, it calls for a cautious approach so as not to asphyxiate the entire struggle even as the government is advised to have a round-table discussion with the group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pediatric dermatoses present as one of the most common clinical entities in dermatology clinics. They differ in clinical presentation and management from adults. Their prevalence and pattern differ from region to region due to several factors such as environmental, social, genetic, and cultural. Aims and Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and pattern of various dermatoses among children of the age group 0–18 years in Southeast region of Rajasthan. Materials and Methods: Our study included 1000 cases of 0–18 years age group attending the dermatology outpatient and inpatient department of Government Medical College and attached group of hospitals, Kota. It was carried out from December 2017 to September 2018 (10 months). Appropriate history was taken, and a complete thorough examination was done as required. Relevant investigations were done, and all the findings were recorded in predesigned pro forma. Results: Our study included 560 males and 440 females of 1000 with the male-to-female ratio of 1.272:1. There were 553 urban and 447 rural participants. The patients were subgrouped in the age group of 0–1 year, 1–7 years, 8–12 years, and 13–18 years. The most prevalent dermatoses in 0–1 year age group were eczematous disorders (31.91%). Viral infections were predominant in 26.08% and 23.47% in the age groups of 1–7 years and 8–12 years, respectively. The most common dermatoses in the age group of 13–18 years were disorders of sweat and sebaceous glands (20.15%). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates variability of dermatoses among pediatric patients according to their age groups. This information should contribute to raising the awareness of pediatricians and dermatologists regarding the most common dermatological diagnosis in those patient populations.

The U.S. Forest Service has monitored longleaf pine cone production at sites throughout the southeastern United States for over 60 years. Data from the multi-decadal surveys have supported our understanding of the variability of stand-level cone production as it relates to environmental and ecological processes, and more broadly, how longleaf pine operates as a masting species. Cones from longleaf pine are counted each spring using visual surveys that follow a standard protocol. Rapid mast assessments have been proposed in the literature as an alternative to traditional methods, yet these approaches have not been examined for longleaf pine. In this study, I compared average cone production (using the traditional method) to the percentage of trees bearing cones (rapid assessment) to understand the relationship between these two mast measurements. I examined 29 years of data from 18 cone-monitoring sites containing 234 trees. Using simple linear models, I discovered the percentage of trees bearing cones explained 58–94% of the variance in log-average cone production across all sites. One-way ANOVA analysis revealed cone crops required for successful regeneration (25 + cones per tree) occurred when the percentage of trees bearing cones exceeded 90%, and the results from this study underscore the utility of a simple 90% threshold when determining a successful cone crop. While traditional cone-count methods should not be abandoned, I advocate for the use of rapid cone-crop assessments when a proxy approach is suitable.