Geographic Expansion Research Articles

Identifying novel chemical matter against the Chikungunya virus nsP3 macrodomain through crystallographic fragment screening.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) causes severe fever, rash and debilitating joint pain that can last for months1,2or even years. Millions of people have been infected with CHIKV, mostly in low and middle-income countries, and the virus continues to spread into new areas due to the geographical expansion of its mosquito hosts. Its genome encodes a macrodomain, which functions as an ADP-ribosyl hydrolase, removing ADPr from viral and host-cell proteins interfering with the innate immune response. Mutational studies have shown that the CHIKV nsP3 macrodomain is necessary for viral replication, making it a potential target for the development of antiviral therapeutics. We, therefore, performed a high-throughput crystallographic fragment screen against the CHIKV nsP3 macrodomain, yielding 109 fragment hits covering the ADPr-binding site and two adjacent subsites that are absent in the homologous macrodomain of SARS-CoV-2 but may be present in other alphaviruses, such as Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) and eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV). Finally, a subset of overlapping fragments was used to manually design three fragment merges covering the adenine and oxyanion subsites. The rich dataset of chemical matter and structural information discovered from this fragment screen is publicly available and can be used as a starting point for developing a CHIKV nsP3 macrodomain inhibitor.

Unraveling the impact of patent transfers on regional innovation: Empirical insights through the lens of entity relationships

Over the past two decades, the market for patent transfers (PT) has experienced substantial growth in China, driven by the expansion of main relationship types, including inter-firm, industry-university-research (IUR), and individual-to-firm PTs. This growth raises critical questions regarding the influence of these diverse PT types on regional innovation. Utilizing data mining on 1,914,750 PT events, this study constructs panel data models for China's 31 provinces from 2011 to 2020, investigating the presence, dimensions, effect decomposition, and threshold determinations of PTs on regional innovation. Findings reveal heterogeneous impacts of PT types on innovation, with individual-to-firm PT being most effective and IUR PTs the least. Among the dimensions of impact, PT strength demonstrates the most circumscribed promotional effect, predominantly within patent inflows, and particularly hinders IUR PTs due to market frictions. The importance of PT breadth mainly appears in patent outflows, suggesting geographic expansion of PT enhances innovation remuneration, critical for sustaining innovation momentum in hub provinces. PT depth uniformly affects innovation across all PT categories irrespective of patent inflows or outflows, underscoring the significance of diversified technology transfers. A universal observation across PT types is that surpassing regional thresholds of digitalization significantly amplifies the promotion of PT on regional innovation.

Overwintering potential of the Mediterranean fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) in Austria.

The Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), one of the most important invasive pests of fresh fruits and vegetables from the coastal Mediterranean habitats, is expanding its current geographic distribution to cooler more temperate areas of Europe. Every year since 2010 the fly is detected in the area of Vienna, Austria. However, whether it can establish permanent populations is not known. In this current paper, the capacity of C. capitata to overwinter in Vienna, Austria (48.1° northern latitude) was studied over 2 consecutive winter seasons (2020-2022). Overwintering trials with different life stages (larva, pupa, and adult) of C. capitata were performed in the open field and in the protected environment of a basement without a heating system. Control flies were kept under constant conditions in a climate chamber (25 °C, 60% RH, 14:10 L:D). Our data showed that no life stage of the Mediterranean fruit fly was able to survive the Austrian winter in the open field. However, in the protected environment C. capitata outlived the winter months in all studied life stages at least in small numbers and several surviving females were able to lay eggs at the time of the following fruiting season. Implications of these findings for the ongoing geographic range expansion of the pest in temperate European countries are discussed.

Impact of Seismic Geohazards on water supply systems and pipeline performance: Insights from the 2023 Kahramanmaras Earthquakes

This study delves into the profound repercussions of geohazards on water supply systems, specifically in the aftermath of the Kahramanmaras earthquakes. The influence of these geohazards was far-reaching, impacting a vast geographical expanse affected by the seismic events. The primary focus of this investigation centers on the provinces of Adiyaman, Gaziantep, and Hatay, providing representative damage examples from the earthquake-affected areas. The study illustrates various types of pipe failures induced by geohazards such as fault displacements, landslides, and liquefaction. The analysis encompasses diverse cases of damage, starting from the water resources, progressing through issues at transmission lines, and extending to challenges faced by pumping and treatment facilities. Key aspects of damages and geohazards are presented, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of these interactions. It is crucial to note the scarcity of real cases in the existing literature, emphasizing the need for extensive site investigations and dedicated research endeavors to construct a comprehensive database of case histories in this domain. This study addresses this gap, contributing valuable insights into the tangible impacts of geohazards on water supply systems. By comprehending and effectively addressing the risks associated with geohazards, water supply organizations can fortify the safety and resilience of their infrastructure. The findings presented herein offer a foundation for informed decision-making and strategic planning, fostering a proactive approach to mitigate potential damages and enhance the overall robustness of water supply systems in regions prone to seismic events and associated geohazards.

The role of trademark rights expansion in the formation and abuse of market power

Trademarks play a critical role in the creation and abuse of market power, in the sense that when expansively protected, trademark rights yield legal advantages that can be leveraged to lock in consumers and raise entry barriers. But this role has long been underestimated or even overlooked. Based on empirical research and qualitative case analysis, we find that the legal advantages created by the expansion of trademark rights are a key factor in the formation of firms’ market power in product domains with a high degree of information asymmetry. In situations where firms have market power, the geographical and cross-category expansion of trademark rights can enable and rationalize the implementation of abusive practices such as price discrimination and tying. Limiting the anti-competitive effects of the expansion of trademark rights requires the combined efforts of ex post antitrust and ex ante regulation.

TRIMming down Flavivirus Infections.

Flaviviruses comprise a large number of arthropod-borne viruses, some of which are associated with life-threatening diseases. Flavivirus infections are rising worldwide, mainly due to the proliferation and geographical expansion of their vectors. The main human pathogens are mosquito-borne flaviviruses, including dengue virus, Zika virus, and West Nile virus, but tick-borne flaviviruses are also emerging. As with any viral infection, the body's first line of defense against flavivirus infections is the innate immune defense, of which type I interferon is the armed wing. This cytokine exerts its antiviral activity by triggering the synthesis of hundreds of interferon-induced genes (ISGs), whose products can prevent infection. Among the ISGs that inhibit flavivirus replication, certain tripartite motif (TRIM) proteins have been identified. Although involved in other biological processes, TRIMs constitute a large family of antiviral proteins active on a wide range of viruses. Furthermore, whereas some TRIM proteins directly block viral replication, others are positive regulators of the IFN response. Therefore, viruses have developed strategies to evade or counteract TRIM proteins, and some even hijack certain TRIM proteins to their advantage. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge on the interactions between flaviviruses and TRIM proteins, covering both direct and indirect antiviral mechanisms.

WATERHYPERNET: a prototype network of automated in situ measurements of hyperspectral water reflectance for satellite validation and water quality monitoring

This paper describes a prototype network of automated in situ measurements of hyperspectral water reflectance suitable for satellite validation and water quality monitoring. Radiometric validation of satellite-derived water reflectance is essential to ensure that only reliable data, e.g., for estimating water quality parameters such as chlorophyll a concentration, reach end-users. Analysis of the differences between satellite and in situ water reflectance measurements, particularly unmasked outliers, can provide recommendations on where satellite data processing algorithms need to be improved. In a massively multi-mission context, including Newspace constellations, hyperspectral missions and missions with broad spectral bands not designed for “water colour”, the advantage of hyperspectral over multispectral in situ measurements is clear. Two hyperspectral measurement systems, PANTHYR (based on the mature TRIOS/RAMSES radiometer) and HYPSTAR® (a newly designed radiometer), have been integrated here in the WATERHYPERNET network with SI-traceable calibration and characterisation. The systems have common data acquisition protocol, data processing and quality control. The choice of validation site and viewing geometry and installation considerations are described in detail. Three demonstration cases are described: 1. PANTHYR data from two sites are used to validate Sentinel-2/MSI (A&B); 2. HYPSTAR® data at six sites are used to validate Sentinel-3/OLCI (A&B); 3. PANTHYR and HYPSTAR® data in Belgian North Sea waters are used to monitor phytoplankton parameters, including Phaeocystis globosa, over two 5 month periods. Conclusion are drawn regarding the quality of Sentinel-2/MSI and Sentinel-3/OLCI data, including indications where improvements could be made. For example, a positive bias (mean difference) is found for ACOLITE_DSF processing of Sentinel-2 in clear waters (Acqua Alta) and clues are provided on how to improve this processing. The utility of these in situ measurements, even without accompanying hyperspectral satellite data, is demonstrated for phytoplankton monitoring. The future evolution of the WATERHYPERNET network is outlined, including geographical expansion, improvements to hardware reliability and to the measurement method (including uncertainty estimation) and plans for daily distribution of near real-time data.

Ecological Changes Exacerbating the Spread of Invasive Ticks has Driven the Dispersal of Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome Virus Throughout Southeast Asia.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a tick-borne virus recognized by the World Health Organization as an emerging infectious disease of growing concern. Utilizing phylodynamic and phylogeographic methods, we have reconstructed the origin and transmission patterns of SFTSV lineages and the roles demographic, ecological, and climatic factors have played in shaping its emergence and spread throughout Asia. Environmental changes and fluctuations in tick populations, exacerbated by the widespread use of pesticides, have contributed significantly to its geographic expansion. The increased adaptability of Lineage L2 strains to the Haemaphysalis longicornis vector has facilitated the dispersal of SFTSV through Southeast Asia. Increased surveillance and proactive measures are needed to prevent further spread to Australia, Indonesia, and North America.

History of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program.

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program established in 1973 was the first laboratory for experimenting with new methods for cancer data collection and translating the data into population-based cancer statistics. The SEER Program staff have been instrumental in the development of the International Classification of Disease-Oncology and successfully implemented the routine collection of anatomic and prognostic cancer stage at diagnosis. Currently the program consists of 21 central registries that generate cancer statistics covering more than 48% of the US population and an additional 10 research support registries contributing to certain research projects, such as the National Childhood Cancer Registry. In parallel with the geographical expansion, the program built an architecture of methods and tools for population-based cancer statistics, with SEER*Explorer as the most recent online tool for descriptive statistics. In addition, SEER releases annual updates for a comprehensive data product line, which includes SEER*Stat databases with an annual caseload of more than 800 000 incident cases. Furthermore, the program developed a full suite of analytical applications for population-based cancer statistics that include Joinpoint (regression-based trend analysis), DevCan (risk of diagnosis and death), CanSurv (survival models), and ComPrev and PrejPrev (cancer prevalence), among others. The future of the SEER Program is closely aligned to the overall goals of the "war on cancer." The program aims to release longitudinal treatment data coupled with a comprehensive genomic characterization of cancers with a declared goal of decreasing the cancer burden and disparities across a wide spectrum of diseases and communities.

Unpacking the Effects of Founding State Regulations and Violent Crimes on Bank Geographic Expansion

Unpacking the Effects of Founding State Regulations and Violent Crimes on Bank Geographic Expansion

The socioeconomic impacts of Rift Valley fever: A rapid review.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a neglected vector-borne disease which is endemic in many countries across Africa and has seen recent geographical expansions into the Arabian Peninsula. RVF can cause severe infections in both animals and humans. RVF infections in livestock can lead to mass fatalities. In humans, the symptoms are nonspecific and can often lead to misdiagnosis. However, a small proportion progresses to haemorrhagic infection with a significantly higher mortality rate. The culmination of this can cause severe socioeconomic impacts. This review aims to identify the main socioeconomic impacts caused by RVF outbreaks as well as existing knowledge gaps. Ninety-three academic and grey papers were selected, covering 19 countries and 10 methodological approaches. A variety of socioeconomic impacts were found across all levels of society: Livestock trade disruptions consequently impacted local food security, local and national economies. Most livestock farmers in endemic countries are subsistence farmers and so rely on their livestock for sustenance and income. RVF outbreaks resulted in a variety of socioeconomic impacts, e.g., the inability to pay for school fees. Main barriers to vaccine uptake in communities were lack of access, funds, interest along with other social aspects. The occupational risks for women (and pregnant women) are largely unknown. To our knowledge, this is the first review on RVF to highlight the clear knowledge gap surrounding the potential gender differences on risks of RVF exposure, as well as differences on occupational health risk in pastoral communities. Further work is required to fill the gaps identified in this review and inform control policies.

Whole-genome sequencing of Western Canadian Borrelia spp. collected from diverse tick and animal hosts reveals short-lived local genotypes interspersed with longer-lived continental genotypes.

Changing climates are allowing the geographic expansion of ticks and their animal hosts, increasing the risk of Borrelia-caused zoonoses in Canada. However, little is known about the genomic diversity of Borrelia from the west of the Canadian Rockies and from the tick vectors Ixodes pacificus, Ixodes auritulus and Ixodes angustus. Here, we report the whole-genome shotgun sequences of 51 Borrelia isolates from multiple tick species collected on a range of animal hosts between 1993 and 2016, located primarily in coastal British Columbia. The bacterial isolates represented three different species from the Lyme disease-causing Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genospecies complex [Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto (n=47), Borrelia americana (n=3) and Borrelia bissettiae (n=1)]. The traditional eight-gene multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) strategy was applied to facilitate comparisons across studies. This identified 13 known Borrelia sequence types (STs), established 6 new STs, and assigned 5 novel types to the nearest sequence types. B. burgdorferi s. s. isolates were further differentiated into ten ospC types, plus one novel ospC with less than 92 % nucleotide identity to all previously defined ospC types. The MLST types resampled over extended time periods belonged to previously described STs that are distributed across North America. The most geographically widespread ST, ST.12, was isolated from all three tick species. Conversely, new B. burgdorferi s. s. STs from Vancouver Island and the Vancouver region were only detected for short periods, revealing a surprising transience in space, time and host tick species, possibly due to displacement by longer-lived genotypes that expanded across North America.This article contains data hosted by Microreact.

Temporal Trends in Outbreaks of Chandipura Viral Infection in India: A Systematic Review.

Chandipura virus (CHPV) has emerged as a significant cause of acute encephalitis in India, especially affecting pediatric populations. This study aimed to analyze the temporal trends, clinical characteristics, and epidemiological features of CHPV infections reported in outbreaks across India. A comprehensive literature search on CHPV cases was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library. Original research studies on laboratory-confirmed clinical cases of CHPV infections, available as full-text articles, were included. Data on outbreak characteristics, clinical presentations, diagnostics, and epidemiological factors were extracted and analyzed. Six studies met the inclusion criteria. The review revealed a geographical expansion of CHPV outbreaks across India over time, with a consistent seasonal pattern (May to September) coinciding with the monsoon season. CHPV predominantly affects children under 15 years of age, presenting with rapid-onset encephalitis characterized by high fever, altered consciousness, and seizures. Case fatality rates were alarmingly high, ranging from 28.6% to 78.3% within the first 48 hours of symptom onset. Diagnostic approaches evolved over the study period, with increasing use of molecular techniques. Entomological investigations consistently identified sandflies, particularly Phlebotomus argentipes, as potential vectors, though their precise role in transmission remains to be fully elucidated. CHPV is an emerging public health threat, especially for children under 15 years. Early diagnosis is crucial, as CHPV is associated with high mortality within the first 24-48 hours of symptom onset. Challenges include limited long-term follow-up data, potential underreporting of mild cases, and gaps in understanding transmission dynamics.

Bricolage Strategies, Stakeholder Engagement, and the Geographic Expansion of Social Enterprises

Bricolage Strategies, Stakeholder Engagement, and the Geographic Expansion of Social Enterprises

Identification of Rickettsia spp. in Ticks Removed from Tick-Bitten Humans in Northwestern Spain.

Tick-borne rickettsioses (TBRs) are distributed worldwide and are recognized as important emerging vector-borne zoonotic diseases in Europe. The aim of this study was to identify tick-associated Rickettsia among ticks removed from humans, and to track how tick populations and their associated pathogens have changed over the years. For this purpose, we conducted a tick surveillance study in northwestern Spain between 2018 and 2022. Ticks were morphologically identified and analyzed for the presence of rickettsial pathogens through the amplification of the citrate synthase (gltA) and the outer membrane protein A (ompA) genes. PCR products were sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic analyses. We collected 7397 ticks, with Ixodes ricinus being the species most frequently isolated. Based on the PCR results, Rickettsia DNA was detected in 1177 (15.91%) ticks, and 10 members of Rickettsia were identified: R. aeschlimannii, R. conorii subsp. conorii, R. conorii subsp. raoultii, R. massiliae, R. monacensis, R. sibirica subsp. mongolitimonae, R. slovaca, R. helvetica, Candidatus R. barbariae, and Candidatus R. rioja. Some of these Rickettsia have gone previously undetected in the study region. There is clear geographic and seasonal expansion not only of tick populations, but also of the associated Rickettsia. The comparison of our data with those obtained years ago provides a clear idea of how the spatiotemporal distributions of ticks and their associated Rickettsiae have changed over the years.

Population dynamics of the Lyme disease bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, during rapid range expansion in New York State.

Recent changes in climate and human land-use have resulted in alterations of the geographic range of many species, including human pathogens. Geographic range expansion and population growth of human pathogens increase human disease risk. Relatively little empirical work has investigated the impact of range changes on within-population variability, a contributor to both colonization success and adaptive potential, during the precise time in which populations are colonized. This is likely due to the difficulties of collecting appropriate natural samples during the dynamic phase of migration and colonization. We systematically collected blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) across New York State (NY), USA, between 2006 and 2019, a time period coinciding with a rapid range expansion of ticks and their associated pathogens including Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease. These samples provide a unique opportunity to investigate the population dynamics of human pathogens as they expand into novel territory. We observed that founder effects were short-lived, as gene flow from long-established populations brought almost all B. burgdorferi lineages to newly colonized populations within just a few years of colonization. By 7 years post-colonization, B. burgdorferi lineage frequency distributions were indistinguishable from long-established sites, indicating that local B. burgdorferi populations experience similar selective pressures despite geographic separation. The B. burgdorferi lineage dynamics elucidate the processes underlying the range expansion and demonstrate that migration into, and selection within, newly colonized sites operate on different time scales.

Zaprionus tuberculatus (Diptera, Drosophilidae): A generalist species that deserves attention

AbstractThe Drosophilid family comprises over 4000 species, with several species posing potential threats to agriculture, as identified by the European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organisation (EPPO). Among these species, Drosophila suzukii, Zaprionus tuberculatus and Z. indianus have received attention due to their geographic expansion and potential risks to crops. This research aims to consolidate global data on Z. tuberculatus hosts, with a specific focus on this species' presence in Brazil's Federal District, its first reported location in the Americas. Reviewing existing literature and conducting fieldwork, we identified 61 plant species from 25 botanical families as potential hosts for Z. tuberculatus worldwide, from which 23 species are new hosts. It was noted that Z. tuberculatus had a high density on certain fruits, raising concerns about its potential as a pest. The presence of Z. tuberculatus alongside other pest species, such as Z. indianus and Drosophila suzukii, highlights the complexity of invasive species' interactions and their ecological impacts. These findings emphasize the need for standardized methodologies to evaluate invasive drosophilids' ecological and economic implications, enabling informed management strategies to mitigate their adverse effects on agriculture and ecosystems.

First report of Mugilogobius rambaiae (Smith, 1945) (Family: Gobiidae) from India along with geographical expansion of two goby fishes from Kerala

The discovery of three previously undocumented gobioid fish species in Kerala's mangrove ecosystems, namely Eugnathogobius mindora, Mugilogobius mertoni, and Mugilogobius rambaiae, marks a significant advancement in our understanding of the region's aquatic biodiversity. These findings highlight the importance of targeted sampling initiatives and underscore the need for continued exploration and conservation efforts to protect Kerala's fragile mangrove habitats. The adaptability of gobioid fish species from the genera Eugnathogobius and Mugilogobius to fluctuating salinity levels makes them particularly well-suited to thrive in the dynamic environments of shallow intertidal and subtidal estuaries, as well as mangrove ecosystems. Their presence is crucial in maintaining the ecological balance of coastal habitats in the Indo-Pacific region, including Kerala. The discovery of these gobioid fish species not only enhances the ecological richness of Kerala but also offers a significant understanding of the intricate relationships between these fish and their habitats. By enhancing the understanding of the range of gobioid fish species found in the mangroves of Kerala, more effective conservation and management approaches to safeguard these vital coastal ecosystems can be developed. Continuing study and conservation efforts are crucial for the preservation of Kerala’s mangrove ecosystems and the species diversity. By comprehending the enigmas of gobioid fish diversity and other fundamental facets of mangrove ecosystems, substantial advancements can be made in guaranteeing enduring sustainability for future generations.

MAXIMIZING THE COLLECTION AND DISTRIBUTION OF ZAKAT AND INFAQ (A CASE STUDY ON LAZ ZAKAT SUKSES)

Introduction: Indonesia possesses a significant potential for Zakah, yet the collected amount currently only reaches around 4.3%. This requires a diligent and dedicated effort to continuously enhance the growth of the collection, one of which is through the management strategy of Zakat Institutions. This research focuses on LAZ Zakat Sukses, the Best City-level LAZ at the National level with outstanding performance. Methods: This study aims to ascertain the internal and external factors held by the institution and determine the most appropriate strategy to maximize its performance achievements. Employing a qualitative descriptive research method involving internal and external analysis, this research utilizes matrices such as IFE, EFE, SWOT, IE, BCG, and QSPM. Results: The findings of this research indicate that the most suitable strategy for this Institution based on its current fundamental conditions is Market Development. Market development is a strategy aimed at expanding the organization's reach by entering new markets or segments with existing products or services. Conclusion and suggestion: Particularly expanding into new territories, is a promising direction for Zakat Sukses. Key points and actions to consider when implementing this strategy are Geographical Expansion, Strategic Partnerships, Strengthen Volunteer Network, Synergy and Collaborative Programs, Digital Platform Expansion, Fundraising and Program Distribution, Monitoring and Evaluation, Communication and Outreach, Risk Management, Sustainability. Successful market development and expansion require careful planning, strong execution, and adaptability to changing circumstances.

Transforming Cannabis Cultivation in Northern Morocco: A Geographical Analysis from Prohibition to Legitimization

This article explores the traditional cultivation of kif in Northern Morocco, with a specific focus on the historically significant regions of Ketama, Beni Sedath, and Beni Khalid. Recently, this topic has garnered substantial controversy and drawn attention from both national and international public opinion and political spheres. Initially, the paper delves into the early history and geographical expansion of kif cultivation in Morocco. Subsequently, it presents a comprehensive review of key legislation governing this crop. Finally, the paper provides insights into the perspectives of local farmers regarding the new laws impacting kif cultivation. This multifaceted approach offers a thorough understanding of the cultural, legal, and social dimensions of kif cultivation in Northern Morocco.