Diverse Regions Research Articles

Which dimensions of regional diversity facilitate media cluster formation?

ABSTRACT This research investigates the relationship between regional diversity and media industry agglomeration by exploring multiple aspects of regional diversity, including cultural, economic, and demographic diversity, and their varying impacts on media industry agglomeration in South Korea. The findings of this study show that regions with great cultural and economic diversity attract the media industry. Exposure to diverse cultures and various economic activities enhances the region’s capacity to embrace unconventional thinking and innovative ideas, attracting creative talents who are vital to the media industry and promoting a conducive environment for creative activities within the media industry. However, this research also found that not all forms of regional diversity act as magnets for the media industry. Highlighting the multifaceted aspects of regional diversity, this study provides empirical evidence that, rather than a demographically diverse population, a demographically concentrated population of young labor attracts media industry agglomeration, facilitating the formation of media industry clusters.

Network mechanisms underlying the regional diversity of variance and time scales of the brain's spontaneous activity fluctuations.

The brain's activity fluctuations have different temporal scales across the brain regions, with associative regions displaying slower timescales than sensory areas. This so-called hierarchy of timescales has been shown to correlate with both structural brain connectivity and intrinsic regional properties. Here, using publicly available human resting-state fMRI and dMRI data it was found that, while more structurally connected brain regions presented activity fluctuations with longer timescales, their activity fluctuations presented lower variance. The opposite relationships between the structural connectivity and the variance and temporal scales of resting-state fluctuations, respectively, were not trivially explained by simple network propagation principles. To understand these structure-function relationships, two commonly used whole-brain models were studied, namely the Hopf and Wilson-Cowan models. These models use the brain's connectome to coupled local nodes (representing brain regions) displaying noise-driven oscillations. The models show that the variance and temporal scales of activity fluctuations can oppositely relate to connectivity within specific model's parameter regions, even when all nodes have the same intrinsic dynamics -but also when intrinsic dynamics are constrained by the myelinization-related macroscopic gradient. These results show that, setting aside intrinsic regional differences, connectivity and network state are sufficient to explain the regional differences in fluctuations' scales. State-dependence supports the vision that structure-function relationships can serve as biomarkers of altered brain states. Finally, the results indicate that the hierarchies of timescales and variances reflect a balance between stability and responsivity, with greater and faster responsiveness at the network periphery, while the network core ensures overall system robustness.Significance Statement Brain regions exhibit activity fluctuations at different temporal scales, with associative areas displaying slower timescales than sensory areas. This hierarchical organization is shaped by both large-scale connectivity and local properties. The present study demonstrates that the variance of fluctuations is also hierarchically organized but, in contrast to timescales, it decreases as a function of structural connectivity. Whole-brain models show that the hierarchies of timescales and variances jointly emerge within specific parameter regions, indicating a state-dependence that could serve as a biomarker for brain states and disorders. Furthermore, these hierarchies link to the responsivity of different network parts, with greater and faster responsiveness at the network periphery and more stable dynamics at the core, achieving a balance between stability and responsiveness.

Comparative Analysis of P. vivax Merozoite Surface Protein-1 Genetic Diversity in Multiple Geographical Regions

Comparative Analysis of P. vivax Merozoite Surface Protein-1 Genetic Diversity in Multiple Geographical Regions

The Evolution of Regional Representativeness in the Administrative Cadre Service of Bangladesh

The regional diversity in civil service may foster more equitable distribution of public resources and an increase in innovative service delivery. Before 2018, the government of Bangladesh relied on the districts’ share of population as a tool to ensure regional variation in the civil service. There is no systematic research in the existing literature exploring the effects of different types of quotas on the representativeness of bureaucracy in Bangladesh. In this study, we attempt to address this gap in the literature and explore to what extent the population share based quota system contributes to improving the representation of underserved regions of the country. It is found that the districts’ share of population and share of freedom fighters play a major role in determining the regional representativeness in the BCS administration cadre. Among the socio-economic factors, university completion rates of the districts are found to be positively correlated with the districts’ share of officials, while the sign of the coefficient on the poverty rates of the districts changes from positive to negative. Social Science Review, Vol. 41(1), June 2024, Page 237-259.

Genotypic and phenotypic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains from eastern India.

Whole genome sequencing has been used to investigate the genomic diversity of M. tuberculosis in the northern and southern states of India, but information about the eastern part of the country is still limited. Through a sequencing-based strategy, this study seeks to comprehend the diversity and drug resistance pattern in the eastern region. A total of 102 M. tuberculosis isolates from North East (n = 54), and Odisha (n = 48) were sequenced along with 7 follow up isolates from Sikkim. The pre-XDR and XDR isolates diagnosed as per the NTEP diagnostic algorithm were subjected for phenotypic second-line liquid culture drug susceptibility testing in MGIT-960 system. After filtering out low quality isolates based on taxonomic classification and depth of coverage, variant calling was performed. We observed a high prevalence of multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) lineage 2 (52/54) isolates in northeast whereas there was a mixed representation of lineage 1 (30/48) & lineage 3 (11/48) in Odisha. The MDR-TB isolates from Sikkim posed a high rate (51/53) of fluoroquinolone resistance and pairwise SNV distances (≤10) indicating possible local transmission events in the region. We observed occurrence of genetic variations in genes associated with bedaquiline and delamanid resistance. Our findings show the diversity of M. tuberculosis vary across the eastern regions, in north eastern states lineage 2 has a dominant presence while lineage 1 and 3 has mixed representation in Odisha. The high prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance in north eastern region associated with variations in gyrA gene and may have been caused by local transmission events based on genomic similarities.

The Grain for Green Program Promotes Soil Organic Matter Accumulation and Improves Soil Fungal Diversity in the Southwestern Karst Region

Soil microorganisms play pivotal roles in terrestrial ecological processes. However, how soil microbial biomass and community characteristics respond to changes in land utilization in karst regions remains largely unknown. The present study investigated the impacts of land-use change on soil chemical properties, microbial community structure, and biomass in a karst region of southwest China across four land-use types: shrubland (natural vegetation restoration), plantation forest (managed vegetation restoration), orchards, and croplands. Vegetation restoration increased microbial biomass carbon and microbial biomass nitrogen. Shrubland had the highest bacterial and fungal abundance and fungal diversity; in addition, the soil microbial community structure differed significantly among land-use types. The dominant bacterial phyla were Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, and Chloroflexi, whereas Ascomycota was the predominant fungal phylum, with its abundance declining significantly following vegetation restoration. Soil properties, including soil organic matter and available phosphorus, were strongly associated with microbial community composition and diversity in karst areas. The findings of this study are essential for gaining a deeper understanding of how changes in land-use affect soil properties and microbial dynamics, and provide valuable insights for ecological restoration and agricultural management in karst regions.

Ex Situ Conservation, DNA Barcoding and Enzymatic Potential Evaluation of Macrofungi (Basidiomycota, Ascomycota) from Vietnam.

The diversity and resource potential of macroscopic fungi in tropical regions remain understudied. Vietnam, being in a biodiversity hotspot, has a large number of new fungal species that are of interest for biotechnology and medicine. The presence of a large number of protected areas in Vietnam creates favorable opportunities for the study and ex situ conservation of tropical biodiversity. From 2012 to 2023, 785 strains of macrofungi from National Parks of Vietnam were preserved in the LE-BIN collection, 327 of which were barcoded with the sequences deposited in the NCBI GenBank. A taxonomic analysis demonstrated that many of the preserved isolates are potentially new or poorly studied species, representing a useful resource for taxonomical studies and a search for new medicinal mushrooms. More than 180 strains were studied for the first time for growth rate and enzymatic activities. Of these, 53 strains showed high growth rate, 43-high cellulolytic activity, 73-high oxidative enzymes activity, and 27 showed high proteolytic activity, making them promising candidates for biotechnological and medical applications and opening new opportunities for sustainable biomass management, discovery of new enzymes and bioactive substances, development of new drugs and efficient plant waste treatment technologies. The results confirm the importance of the ex situ conservation of fungal diversity in tropical regions as a valuable source for scientific and commercial applications and suggest certain new active strains for biotechnological study.

Genetic polymorphism of mitochondrial DNA of beluga throughout its range and genetic monitoring of restocking in the Caspian Sea

The purpose of the work: to study the genetic structure and genetic heterogeneity inherent in various beluga populations for the competent construction of the restocking process of the species.Scientific novelty: for the first time, the results of studying the genetic diversity of mtDNA control region of beluga in its entire range and brood stock of beluga in the SFF of the Caspian region are presented.Materials and methods: the work uses material from the RNCRGM FGBNU VNIRO (Russian National Collection of Reference Genetic Materials). The mtDNA control region was sequenced using ABI3500xL genetic analyzers (Applied Biosystems, USA). The collection and analysis of fish-breeding and biological indicators, materials on artificial spawning of producers in the period from 2016 to 2021 was carried out, the effectiveness of crosses was assessed by the degree of development of eggs at the stage of 4 blastomeres.Results: 100 different mitochondrial haplotypes with a length of 614 bp were identified in 246 beluga individuals. The largest number of haplotypes is found in the Caspian population, the smallest in the Azov one. The total haplotypic diversity for beluga was Hd=0.983, standard deviation 0,002, and nucleotide diversity π=0,0138±0,00712. Comparison of populations showed high intra-population and low inter-population variability. There is no genetic differentiation between the beluga populations of the Caspian and Azov Seas, the most pronounced differentiation is between the Caspian and Black Sea belugas. Such fish-breeding and biological characteristics as average weight, inter-spawning interval, relative and working fertility, generative index, and other data were evaluated and entered into the register of beluga producers. It has been shown that the genetic polymorphism of belugas used in SFF to produce juveniles is sufficient for the formation of genetically diverse offspring.Practical significance: the data are used in genetic monitoring and restocking of the natural beluga population.

Analisis Erodibilitas Tanah untuk Budidaya Talas Beneng Berkelanjutan berdasarkan Elevasi

Taro Beneng holds significant potential to enhance food security and economic value, particularly in the Banten region. This study aimed to analyze soil erodibility values across Taro Beneng cultivation areas in Talaga Warna, Juhut, and Kaduengang villages to support sustainable land management and optimize crop yields. Conducted in 2024, the research employed a survey method with soil erodibility analysis based on the Wischmeier and Smith (1978) formula, considering parameters such as soil texture, structure, organic matter, and permeability. Thirty soil samples were collected across three elevation zones to capture variability, and the erodibility (K) values were calculated using Microsoft Excel, with spatial mapping conducted via ArcGIS. Results indicate that organic matter content increases with elevation due to climatic factors influencing decomposition rates. Soil texture ranges from sandy clay loam in Talaga Warna and Juhut to loamy sand in Kaduengang, reflecting the geographical diversity of the Mount Karang region. Soil structure varies from granular to coarse, with differing permeability levels contributing to varied erodibility risks. The highest soil erodibility values were recorded in Talaga Warna and Juhut (K = 0.49), indicating high erosion susceptibility, while Kaduengang exhibited the lowest value (K = 0.36), suggesting more stable soil conditions. These findings highlight the spatial variability of soil erosion risks in Taro Beneng fields, offering insights to guide targeted soil conservation practices. By addressing areas with higher erosion risks, this study provides practical recommendations for sustainable land management to support Taro Beneng cultivation and ensure long-term soil health in the region.

Cultural diversity and enterprise innovation: a study from the perspective of dialect

<p>China has a vast territory. The rich and different regional culture formed over the past 5000 years is an ideal scene for the study of "culture and finance". This paper uses the number of urban dialects and dialect differentiation index to measure regional cultural diversity, and empirically studies its impact on enterprise innovation. The results show that in areas with more diverse cultures, private high-tech enterprises will obtain more innovative output. After using instrumental variables to solve endogenous problems and excluding the impact of educational development, the conclusion of this paper is still robust. Further research also found that the greater the difference between different dialects in the city where the company is located, the greater the population inflow, the better the inclusiveness and the higher the level of intellectual property protection, the more significant the impact of dialect diversity on innovation. The conclusion of this paper will help the academic community to understand the non institutional reasons behind the unbalanced economic development of Chinese cities from a new perspective, and also provide empirical evidence from non immigrant countries with deep cultural heritage for the current international academic research on "culture and finance".</p>

Reinventing Leadership for Sustainable Development in Africa: Student Perceptions of Leadership in Selected African Countries

Abstract In Africa,1 new forms of leadership have emerged at various social levels to drive a development agenda based on peer learning and knowledge sharing. Despite this, Africa remains confronted with many challenges on its path to sustained growth and development. This research sought to characterise leadership for sustainable development using students’ lenses. It is a multiple-case study informed by a purposive sample of 30 mba students from five business schools. The findings reveal, among other things, that rather than leadership that is embodied in a sole heroic individual, Africa needs diffuse, pluralistic, collective and facilitative leadership that promotes sustainable development. Leaders should demonstrate attributes of cooperation, understanding, pluralistic knowing and seeking union, as this aligns more closely with the work required to develop more sophisticated, encompassing and collaborative efforts. Leaders should have intimate knowledge of sustainable development, creating and sustaining relations, and accommodating the heterogeneity and diversity of localities and regions. The paper argues that the foundational building block for leaders is the ability to make decisions from a long-term perspective that leads Africa towards economic prosperity, social cohesion and environmental sustainability.

Integrating In Silico and In Vitro Tools for Optimized Antibody Development-Design of Therapeutic Anti-oxMIF Antibodies.

Rigorous assessment of antibody developability is crucial for optimizing lead candidates before progressing to clinical studies. Recent advances in predictive tools for protein structures, surface properties, stability, and immunogenicity have streamlined the development of new biologics. However, accurate prediction of the impact of single amino acid substitutions on antibody structures remains challenging, due to the diversity of complementarity-determining regions (CDRs), particularly CDR3s. In this study, we combined in silico tools with in vitro assessments to engineer improved antibodies against the oxidized isoform of the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (oxMIF), building on the first generation anti-oxMIF antibody imalumab. We identified hydrophobic hotspots conferring increased self-interaction and aggregation propensity on imalumab, which unravels its unusually short half-life in humans. By introducing mutations into the variable regions, we addressed these liabilities. Structural prediction tools and molecular dynamics simulations guided the selection of mutations, which were then experimentally validated. The lead candidate antibody, C0083, demonstrated reduced hydrophobicity and self-interaction due to the restructuring of its heavy chain CDR3 loop. Despite these structural changes, C0083 retained target specificity and binding affinity to oxMIF. Altogether, this study shows that a small number of well-selected mutations was sufficient to substantially improve the biophysicochemical properties of imalumab.

Two new species of the long-jawed orb-weaving spider genus Pachygnatha Sundevall, 1823 (Araneae, Tetragnathidae) from southern China

The spider genus Pachygnatha Sundevall, 1823 is widely distributed in the world, exhibiting higher species diversity in Palaearctic and Nearctic regions. Two new Pachygnatha species from southern China are described based on males and females: Pachygnatha shengtangensis sp. nov. and Pachygnatha unciniformis sp. nov. Detailed descriptions, color photographs and line drawings of the two new species, and a distribution map of Chinese Pachygnatha are provided. Furthermore, the COI sequences of the new species, and the p-distances are also presented between seven Pachygnatha species including five known and the two new species. The embolic medial groove, previously recorded and described in the genus Glenognatha Simon, 1887, is also present in the two new species, representing the first record of this structure in the genus Pachygnatha.

An Evaluation of the Performance of Remote Sensing Indices as an Indication of Spatial Variability and Vegetation Diversity in Alpine Grassland

Vegetation diversity is a crucial indicator for evaluating grassland ecosystems. Remote sensing technology has great potential in assessing grassland vegetation diversity. In this study, the relationship between remote sensing indices and species diversity was investigated at varying spatial and temporal scales in Bayanbulak Grassland National Nature Reserve, China. Spectral variation, defined as the coefficient of variation in vegetation indices, was used as a proxy for species diversity, which was quantified using species diversity indices. The “spectral diversity-species diversity” relationship was validated across diverse spatial scales and between different years using Sentinel-2 images and ground investigation data. This study found that Kendall’s τ coefficients showed the best performance in evaluating the relationship between the coefficient of variation in VIs (CVVIs) and species diversity index. The highest τ value was observed for CVNDVI in 2017 (τ = 0.660, p < 0.01), followed by the Shannon index in 2018 (τ = 0.451, p < 0.01). In addition, CVEVI demonstrated a significant positive correlation with the Shannon-Wiener Index at the 50 m scale (τ = 0.542), and the highest relationship τ between CVNDVI and the Shannon-Wiener Index was observed at the 100 m scale (τ = 0.660). The Shannon-Wiener Index in relation to CVVIs performs better in representing changes in grassland vegetation. Spatial scales and vegetation indices influence the assessment of grassland vegetation diversity. These findings underscore the critical role of remote sensing technology in assessing grassland vegetation diversity across various scales, offering valuable support tools for measuring regional grassland vegetation diversity.

Two new species and a new record of Hypoxylaceae (Xylariales, Ascomycota) from Mexico.

The family Hypoxylaceae has a cosmopolitan distribution with greater diversity in tropical regions, its growth habit is saprotrophic, endophytic and potentially phytopathogenic. From the revision of herbarium specimens and field collections from the Yucatan Peninsula, two new species were described: Annulohypoxylonfusisporum, characterized by having fusiform spores and Hypoxylonxmatkuilense which is distinguished by having stromata vinaceous and dark brown KOH-extractable pigments. The species are described based on morphological characters and Bayesian Inference analyses of four molecular markers (ITS, LSU, RPB2 and TUB2). In addition, one new record from Mexico is presented: Hypoxylonbellicolor. The presence of Daldiniaeschscholtzii, H.lenormandii, H.lividipigmentum and Entonaemaliquescens is confirmed with molecular data.

Mammalian and Avian Diversity and Lurking Threats at Guda Vishnoiyan Conservation Reserve in the Bank of Luni River, Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Objectives: This study investigates the biodiversity of Guda Vishnoiyan Conservation Reserve (GVCR), focusing on mammalian and avian diversity and their threats. Methods: The region was assessed using the line transect method for mammals and the point count method for avian fauna. Garmin eTrex GPS, Bushnell binoculars, Canon 90 D camera, and Range finder were used. The Q-GIS and Google Earth Pro were used for map development and analyzing GPS data. The PAST 4.03 and MS-Excel were used to analyze the region's diversity indices. Findings: This study recorded 114 avian species with 43 families of birds of 18 orders from the GVCR area. Passeriformes order had 40 species along with the Anatidae family consisting of 12 species in the study area, which is the maximum. The highest avian density was recorded at P7, with 93 species and 1713 individuals, while P1 exhibited the lowest dominance and highest species evenness. The Simpson Index revealed P1 as the most diverse point, while P7 had the least diversity. The area had an overall avian diversity of 667.2±137.1/sq. Km. A total of 17 species from six orders of mammals were recorded. A maximum of six species was observed from Carnivora order and the lowest with single species in Chiroptera, Lagomorpha and Insectivora. The overall mammalian density of the region is 91.1±30.68 per sq. Km. The GVCR faces severe threats from habitat degradation, invasive species such as Prosopis juliflora, feral dogs and human activities like illegal mining, stone crushing, constant vehicular disturbances, construction of boundary walls and wired fencing. Novelty: A record sighting of the winter migratory bird Black Stork (Ciconia nigra) was seen here for the first time in Jodhpur. Keywords: Guda Vishnoiyan Conservation Reserve, Threats, Luni River, Bishnoi, Thar Desert

Predicted bird extinctions shifts morphological diversity in a metropolitan region in Eastern Amazon

Predicted bird extinctions shifts morphological diversity in a metropolitan region in Eastern Amazon

Self‐Relatedness or Cross‐Relatedness: The Co‐Evolution of Industries and Occupations Among Chinese Cities

AbstractExisting research on regional diversification primarily focuses on relatedness within industries or occupations, whilst neglecting the cross‐effects between the two. This study first formalizes the concepts of self‐ and cross‐relatedness and then establishes a two‐layer network framework to approach the interaction between industries and occupations. Then, based on China's export and occupation data, both occupation and industry are incorporated as the endogenous factors in explaining regional diversification among 264 prefectural‐level cities in China. The empirical evidence suggests that both self‐ and cross‐relatedness are significantly associated with new regional specializations in the co‐evolution of industries and occupations. More importantly, the roles of self‐relatedness are more significant in small‐sized cities, while the association between cross‐relatedness and industry–occupation co‐evolution is more prominent in large cities.

РЕАЛИЗАЦИЯ В БОТАНИЧЕСКОМ САДУ САРАТОВСКОГО ГОСУНИВЕРСИТЕТА КОМПЛЕКСНОГО ПОДХОДА К ИЗУЧЕНИЮ И СОХРАНЕНИЮ БИОРАЗНООБРАЗИЯ РЕДКИХ ВИДОВ РАСТЕНИЙ

The preservation of floral diversity in the Saratov region is especially important. It occupies an extremely in- teresting botanical and geographical position, the consequence of which is that about half of the species are locat- ed on the border of their distribution and about 1/5 of them belong to the rare category. In the XX century, about 2% of the total number of species have already disappeared from the territory of the Saratov region. In this regard, the efforts of the scientific team of the Botanical Garden of the N.G. SSU. Chernyshevsky focuses on the imple- mentation of an integrated approach to studying the state of populations of rare and endangered species in the re- gion and developing effective measures to preserve and restore their numbers. The main objects of these studies in the last decade have been Tulipa suaveolens, Colchicum bulbocodium subsp. versicolor, Delphinium pubiflorum, Fritillaria, F. meleagroides, Globularia bisnagarica, Iris pumila and their closest relatives. In addition, populations of Calophaca wolgarica and Trapa natans, which disappeared from the flora of the region, were studied in adjacent territories for the purposes of reintroduction. The nature of morphological variability in the populations of these plant species was revealed by both traditional and geometric morphometry, the age, spatial and vital structure of populations, seed productivity, the structure of communities with the studied species, as well as the genetic struc- ture of populations using ISSR markers and markers of plastid and nuclear DNA. For some of the studied species, a comparative analysis of genomes was performed using chromosomal and molecular markers, as well as genome sizes. During the reintroduction of species to the Saratov region. From regions with different climatic conditions, the same algorithm was used to monitor polymorphism in prospective donor populations and identify genetic di- versity in natural populations in order to select the optimal genotypes of donor plants. After the creation of rein- troduction populations, they were compared with natural recipient populations in all these parameters. We con- ducted such studies in populations of Trapa natans L. Astrakhan, Volgograd and Voronezh regions and Calophaca wolgarica (L. fil.) DC. Volgograd and Rostov regions. In order to preserve biodiversity in the botanical garden of the SSU, an in vitro genetic bank of rare and endangered species of the Saratov region and adjacent territories has been created using the method of clonal micropropagation and deposition. Currently, 37 species of 27 genera of 17 families are supported in it under the conditions of deposit. Of these, 19 species, 15 genera and 12 families are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation.

Cancer situation in China: an analysis based on the global epidemiological data released in 2024.

Cancer remains a major cause of mortality and a significant economic burden in China. Exploring the disparities in cancer patterns and control strategies between China and developed countries may offer valuable insights for policy formulation and enhance cancer management efforts. This study examined the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) burden of cancer in China, and compared these metrics with those observed in the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK). Data on cancer incidence, mortality, and DALYs for China, the US, and the UK were sourced from the GLOBOCAN 2022 online database and the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study (GBD 2021). We utilized Joinpoint regression models to analyze trends in cancer incidence and mortality across these countries, calculating annual percent changes (APCs) and determining the optimal joinpoints. In 2022, China recorded around 4,824,703 new cancer cases and 2,574,176 cancer-related deaths, contributing to 71,037,170 DALYs. China exhibited a lower cancer incidence rate compared to the US and the UK. Although cancer-related mortality in China is slightly lower than that in the UK, it is significantly higher than that in the US. Additionally, China experienced significantly higher DALY rates compared to both the US and UK. The cancer landscape in China was also undergoing significant changes, with a rapid rise in the incidence and burden of lung, colorectal, breast, cervical, and prostate cancers. Meanwhile, the incidence and burden of stomach cancer continued to decline. Although the incidence of liver and esophageal cancers was decreasing, the burden of liver cancer was increasing, while the burden of esophageal cancer remained largely unchanged. The cancer profile of China is shifting from that of a developing country to one more typical of a developed country. The ongoing population aging and the rise in unhealthy lifestyles are expected to further escalate the cancer burden in China. Consequently, it is crucial for Chinese authorities to revise the national cancer control program, drawing on successful strategies from developed countries, while also accounting for the regional diversity in cancer types across China.