Geographic Variation Research Articles

Interventions in Budd-Chiari syndrome: an updated review.

Budd Chiari syndrome is a potentially treatable disease, and imaging is the key to its diagnosis. Clinical presentations may vary, ranging from asymptomatic to fulminant disease. Subacute BCS is the most common type encountered in clinical practice, characterized by ascites, hepatosplenomegaly, dilated abdominal wall veins, and varicosities in the lower limb and scrotum. While hepatic vein thrombosis is the leading cause in the West, membranous and short segmental occlusion are predominant in the Asian populations. These geographical variations have an impact on the treatment algorithm in managing BCS. Anticoagulation alone often fails to prevent disease progression, demanding further interventional therapy. Interventional therapy carries a lower morbidity and mortality than surgery. Anatomical recanalization and portosystemic shunting form the basis of endovascular management. Membranous or short-segment occlusion are best treated by angioplasty, which restores the physiological venous outflow and possibly disease reversal. Suboptimal results with angioplasty require stenting. Transjugular intrahepatic shunt (TIPS) or direct IVC to portal vein shunt (DIPS) decompresses the portal pressure and reduces the sinusoidal congestion, which in turn diminishes hepatocellular damage and hepatic fibrosis. Despite its ability to modify the disease course, TIPS carries several procedure and shunt-related complications, mainly hepatic encephalopathy. Thus, anatomical recanalization precedes TIPS in the traditional step-up approach in managing BCS. However, this concept is challenged by some authors, necessitating future reseach. TIPS is a valid bridge therapy in BCS with acute live failure awaiting liver transplantation. Despite all, interventional therapies fail in a subset of BCS patients, leaving them with only option of liver transplantation.

Trends in Cerebrovascular Disease-related mortality among Older Adults in the United States from 1999 to 2020: an analysis of gender, race/ethnicity, and geographical disparities

One of the most prevalent causes of morbidity and death is cerebrovascular disease in the US. The manifestations and pathophysiology of cerebrovascular disease are significantly impacted by aging and determine the quality of one's late life. However, contemporary mortality trends in cerebrovascular disease and comparison to older adults of different gender, race, and geographic disparities have not been fully examined. A thorough comprehension of these correlations and current cerebrovascular disease death patterns can impact medical treatment and strategies. We examined the mortality trends according to gender, race, and geographical disparities in cerebrovascular disease among older adults, using mortality data (1999 - 2020) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention WONDER database METHODS: This research study aims to analyze disparities in cerebrovascular disease among senior citizens in the United States. The analysis has considered factors such as gender, race, and geographical variations over 21 years from 1999 to 2020. Mortality data obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database has been utilized for this retrospective cohort analysis, focusing on individuals aged 75 and above. From 1999 to 2020, there were 3,813,729 deaths related to Cerebrovascular disease in older adults, demonstrating a declining trend (AAPC=). Males (880.6) had slightly higher AAMRs than females (866.7). Non-Hispanic (NH) Black (1050) had higher AAMRs than NH whites (880.8) followed by NH American Indians (699.7), Hispanic (673.2), and NH Asians (669.3). AAMRs also varied by region with the Midwest (922) having the highest AAMRs followed by the South (918.2), West (884.3), and Northeast (744). Among states, Tennessee had the highest AAMRs (1076.3), whereas New York had the lowest (609.7). These results indicate a significant decline in cerebrovascular disease-related mortality among older adults from 1999 to 2020, highlighting improvements in healthcare and preventive measures over the two decades. Despite the overall decrease, elderly females had more deaths, elderly males had a higher AAMR, non-Hispanic blacks had the highest AAMR, and the Midwest and non-metropolitan areas had higher mortality burdens. The recent uptick in mortality rates from 2018 to 2020 underscores the need for ongoing public health efforts to address cerebrovascular diseases, particularly targeting vulnerable populations and high-risk regions.

Food insecurity and food bank use: who is most at risk of severe food insecurity and who uses food banks?

To identify (1) who experiences food insecurity of differing severity and (2) who uses food banks in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; (3) whether the same groups experience food insecurity and use food banks; and (4) to explore country- and region-level differences in food insecurity and food bank use. This pooled cross-sectional study analysed the characteristics of adults experiencing food insecurity of differing severity using generalised ordinal logistic regression models and the characteristics of adults using food banks using logistic regression models, using data from three waves of the Food and You 2 surveys, 2021-2023. England, Wales and Northern Ireland. 18 557 adults. 20·8 % of respondents experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months, and 3·6 % had used a food bank. Food insecurity was associated with income, working status, respondent age, family type, ethnicity, country, long-term health conditions, food hypersensitivity, urban-rural status and area-level deprivation. Severe food insecurity was concentrated among respondents with long-term health conditions and food hypersensitivities. Food bank use was more prevalent among food insecure respondents and unemployed and low-income respondents. Neither outcome showed clear geographical variation. Certain groups experienced an elevated likelihood of food insecurity but did not report correspondingly greater food bank use. Food insecurity is unevenly distributed, and its nutrition and health-related consequences demonstrate that food insecurity will intensify health inequalities. The divergence between the scale of food insecurity and food bank use strengthens calls for adequate policy responses.

Geographic genetic variation in the Coral Hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus (Cirrhitidae), in relation to biogeographic barriers across the Tropical Indo-Pacific

The Tropical Indo-Pacific (TIP) includes about two thirds of the world’s tropical oceans and harbors an enormous number of marine species. The distributions of those species within the region is affected by habitat discontinuities and oceanographic features. As well as many smaller ones, the TIP contains seven large recognized biogeographic barriers that separate the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, the Indian from the Pacific Ocean, the central and eastern Pacific, the Hawaiian archipelago, the Marquesas and Easter Islands. We examined the genetic structuring of populations of Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus, a small cryptic species of reef fish, across its geographic range, which spans the longitudinal limits of the TIP. We assessed geographic variation in the mitochondrial cytb gene and the nuclear RAG1 gene, using 166 samples collected in 46 localities from the western to eastern edges of the TIP. Sequences from cytb show three well-structured groups that are separated by large genetic distances (1.58–2.96%): two in the Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP), one at Clipperton Atoll another occupying the rest of that region and the third that ranges across the remainder of the TIP, from the central Pacific to the Red Sea and South Africa. These results indicate that the ~4,000 km wide Eastern Pacific Barrier between the central and eastern Pacific is an efficient barrier separating the two main groups. Further, the ~950 km of open ocean that isolates Clipperton Atoll from the rest of the TEP is also an effective barrier. Contrary to many other cases, various major and minor barriers from the Central Indo-Pacific to the Red Sea are not effective against dispersal by C. oxycephalus, although this species has not colonized the Hawiian islands and Easter Island. The nuclear gene partially supports the genetic structure evident in cytb, although all haplotypes are geographically mixed.

Global patterns of mangrove resource utilization: a systematic review

Ecosystem services, encompassing the direct and indirect benefits of natural systems, are extensively studied in the context of mangroves. These carbon-rich ecosystems support coastal fisheries, shorelines, and harvestable resources to local communities. However, research on mangrove ecosystem services primarily are at a local scale, with limited exploration of global variations in resource utilization. This paper aims to bridge this knowledge gap through a systematic review of the existing literature conducted in Web of Science to assess the geographical variations in the coverage of mangrove use and ecosystem services. Out of 310 papers analyzed, Asia had the highest coverage (43%) with support to fisheries (39%) being the most researched ecosystem service worldwide. Direct use of mangrove resources exhibited regional variations, particularly in Asia, Africa, and North America. Mangrove wood, primarily used for fuel (16%) and construction (15%), was the most documented resource, with its usage persisting in low-income countries. Notably, a shift from being a primary income source to subsistence use was observed in Asia, Africa, and South America. Intrinsic and cultural services were less mentioned in the literature, emphasizing the need for future studies to focus on these areas to ensure culturally sensitive conservation efforts.

Assessment of Leachate Generated by Sargassum spp. in the Mexican Caribbean: Part 2, Mobility of Metals

The spread of sargassum on beaches in Africa, Brazil, Central America, and the Caribbean has increased to become a social, environmental, and economic problem. In recent years, the presence of biomass on the coasts of the Mexican Caribbean has been recorded as ≈2360 m3 Km−1, reaching up to 200 m wide in the northern part of the coasts. Its removal from the coast and, later, the continent is one of the strategies implemented to mitigate its impact on land. Several studies have reported the seasonality of and geographic variation in sorbed metals in sargasso. However, it is unknown whether these metals can mobilize or remain in sargassum tissue once they reach accumulation sites. This study included seawater, sargassum tissue as a consortium, and S. natans and S. fluitans, as well as the leachate generated in the process of degradation per se and percolated by rain. Of the 10 metals evaluated (As, B, Fe, Zn, Mn, Cd, Al, Ni, Cu, and Pb for water, tissue, and leachate), only B is recurrent in water from the north of the Mexican Caribbean, in addition to traces of Al and Fe. Meanwhile, in tissue, the results coincide with those of previous studies, where As is recurrent, although its concentration varies with the mentioned variability. The leachate showed that four to eight metals of those present in the tissue were detected, including As, Fe, and Al, which represent a potential impact on coastal systems and infiltration into shallow water table areas.

Geographic variation in leaf traits and palatability of a native plant invader during domestic expansion.

Like alien plant invasion, range expansion of native plants may threaten biodiversity and economies, rendering them native invaders. Variation in abiotic and biotic conditions across a large geographic scale greatly affects variation in traits and interactions with herbivores of native plant invaders, which is an interesting yet mostly unexplored issue. We used a common garden experiment to compare defensive/nutritional traits and palatability to generalist herbivores of 20 native (23.64° N-30.18° N) and introduced range (31.58° N-36.87° N) populations of Reynoutria japonica, which is a native invader following range expansion in China. We analyzed the relationships among herbivore pressure, climate, plant chloroplast haplotypes, leaf traits, and herbivore performance. Of the 16 variables tested, we observed range differences in 11 variables and latitudinal clines in nine variables. In general, herbivores performed better on the introduced plants than on the native plants, and better on the high-latitude plants than on the low-latitude plants within the introduced populations. Three key traits (leaf thickness, specific leaf area, and carbon-to-nitrogen [C:N] ratio) determined palatability to herbivores and were significantly associated with temperature and/or precipitation of plant provenance as well as with plant haplotypes but not with herbivore pressure. Our results revealed a causal sequence from plant-range-based environmental forces and genetic context to plant quality and palatability to herbivores in R. japonica. These findings suggest a post-introduction evolution of R. japonica, which may partly explain the colonization success of this important native, but invasive plant.

Geographical Variation in the Associations Between School Characteristics and Homophobic Bullying: a Contextual Analysis.

Homophobic bullying constitutes a serious threat to adolescent well-being and could be understood as an ecological phenomenon, influenced by diverse school, regional, and community contexts. This study examined geographic variations in the relationship between school characteristics and homophobic bullying. Data from 2244 California schools, including student surveys and administrative records, were combined and analyzed using geographically weighted regression (GWR). Results showed that the associations between school characteristics and general victimization were consistent across geographic areas. However, when it came to homophobic bullying, the relationships with school characteristics varied significantly based on location. Notably, regions with high intolerance, urbanity, large school size, and small student-teacher ratios appeared to offer protection against bullying. Additionally, student socioeconomic status influenced bullying in disadvantaged rural schools with limited Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) presence. Ethnic diversity also played a role, with low diversity or dominance of two ethnic groups linked to higher bullying rates.

Mapping fertility rates at national, sub-national, and local levels in Ethiopia between 2000 and 2019.

Fertility rates are key indicators of population health and demographic change, influencing economic development, healthcare planning, and social policies. Understanding subnational variation in fertility rate is important for effective geographical targeting and policy prioritization. This study aimed to identify geographic variation, trends, and determinants of fertility rates in Ethiopia over the past two decades. We estimated total fertility rates (TFRs) and age-specific fertility rates (ASFRs) using five nationally representative cross-sectional Demographic and Health Surveys collected in Ethiopia between 2000 and 2019. ASFRs represent the number of live births per 1,000 women aged 15 to 49 during the 3 years before each survey, while TFRs indicate the average number of children a woman would have by the end of her reproductive years, calculated as the sum of ASFRs over five-year intervals. We developed model-based geostatistics by incorporating demographic and healthcare access data with spatial random fields to produce high-resolution fertility rate maps. These results were then aggregated to produce fertility rate estimates at local, sub-national, and national levels in Ethiopia. The national TFR gradually declined from 4.8 live births in 2000 to 4.2 live births in 2019, but it is still above the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. There were sub-national and local variations in TFR, ranging from 5.7 live births in Somalia and 5.3 Oromia regions to 2.7 live births in Addis Ababa and 3.6 live births Dire Dawa cities. Geographical areas with high TFR were mostly associated with a high proportion of Muslim women and low access to health facilities. Despite a decline in fertility rates among women of reproductive age over the past two decades, marked spatial variation persists at sub-national and local levels in Ethiopia, with demographic factors determining the spatial distribution and rate of decline, highlighting the need for tailored programs and strategies in high-fertility areas to increase access to family planning.

Pongo's ecological diversity from dental macrowear analysis

AbstractObjectivesOrangutans are found in tropical rainforests of Borneo (Pongo pygmaeus) and Sumatra (Pongo abelii and Pongo tapanuliensis), and they are primarily considered frugivorous species. However, ecological studies reported differences in feeding behavior between these species. P. pygmaeus spend more time feeding on low‐quality foods, such as bark and tough vegetation than do P. abelii. The aim of this study is to investigate if there is any geographic variation in molar macrowear pattern between the two species.MethodsWe analyzed the macrowear pattern of second mandibular molars of 58 orangutan specimens combining dental topographic measurements (occlusal relief index, percentage of dentine exposure, and percentage of enamel wear) with the occlusal fingerprint analysis method.ResultsThe molar macrowear patterns of P. abelii and P. pygmaeus show no significant differences in most of the variables examined in this study. While P. pygmaeus molars are generally characterized by flatter occlusal morphology with slightly larger crushing and grinding areas than those of P. abelii, these differences are not statistically significant. However, we do observe a more variable wear in P. pygmaeus.ConclusionsSimilarities in molar macrowear patterns between the two species could be linked to overlapping long‐term diets, primarily composed of ripe and pulpy fruits. Dental macrowear is a cumulative process that occurs during the individual's lifetime, and it may be difficult to detect seasonal changes through its examination. Future studies could integrate tooth micro‐ and macrowear data for a better understanding of primate dental ecology.

Geographic Variations of Trial Results In a World of Hurt.

Geographic Variations of Trial Results In a World of Hurt.

Regional Variations in Physical Fitness in Children and Adolescents in Shaanxi Province.

Objectives: This study aims to examine the geographical variation in physical fitness levels among Chinese children and adolescents in Shaanxi province. Methods: A total of 19,175 children from Shaanxi province with physical fitness data in 2019, participated in the study. Physical fitness was assessed using body mass index, force vital capacity, 50 m sprint, sit and reach, 1 min rope skipping, sit-ups, 50 m × 8 round-trip running, standing long jump, pull-ups, 800 m, and 1000 m running, and their standardized scores were aggregated to form a summary score. The total score is used to classify the physical fitness levels into four grades (excellence to failure). Results: The Guanzhong (GZ) region scored the highest, while Northern Shaanxi (NS) scored the lowest. The excellence rate for physical fitness was highest in GZ and lowest in NS, while the failure rate was highest in NS and lowest in GZ. Notably, children and adolescents in NS demonstrated the best endurance levels despite their overall lower fitness scores. The comprehensive physical fitness among Chinese children and adolescents in Shaanxi province showed significant regional disparities. GZ region exhibited the highest physical fitness levels, while Northern Shaanxi had the lowest. Conclusions: Region-specific interventions and targeted health policies are essential to address these disparities and improve the overall physical health status of children and adolescents in Shaanxi province.

Stable-isotope variability in daily precipitation: insights from a low-cost collector in SE England

ABSTRACT Precipitation stable-isotope data are often used in hydroclimatic, hydrological and hydrogeological investigations, with measurements typically undertaken on integrated monthly samples. However, daily sampling reveals overlooked aspects of controls on precipitation isotope values, including synoptic meteorological conditions. We present a one-year record of stable isotopes in daily precipitation during 2021, from a site in SE England close to Greater London. We find marked daily variability over the course of the year (–15.62 to +0.92 ‰ for δ18O, –108.7 to +2.9 ‰ for δ2H and –6.5 to +23.1 ‰ for deuterium excess). Correlations with individual meteorological variables including precipitation amount, temperature and weather type are moderate to weak suggesting complex controls on the daily rainfall isotope values. The daily data are compared with three other daily datasets from England and, by conversion to monthly values, directly with data from three long-term collection stations across Britain and Ireland. The scale of variability in the daily data from our site is consistent with that seen in other English records despite them all coming from different time periods. The monthly data show broad consistency, although there are differences that also highlight geographical variability in precipitation values across the British Isles.

Unveiling the determinants of the spatial variability of nitrogen sources use in the Lake Victoria basin, East Africa

As nitrogen pollution increasingly threatens water quality in the Lake Victoria Basin, it is essential to investigate the spatial factors influencing nitrogen source use. Understanding these determinants is crucial to inform effective strategies to combat eutrophication, enhance nutrient management, ensure food security and promote sustainable ecological development. This study investigated spatial variation of N sources, the farmers' socio-demographic and farm characteristics factors influencing farmers' choice of nitrogen sources. Data was collected from 1500 farmers between October and December 2020. The farmers were randomly selected in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and Tanzania country sub-basins within the Lake Victoria basin (LVB). Spatial autocorrelation was used to evaluate the spatial variation of the nitrogen sources while the Optimized Parameter Geographical Detector (OPGD) model was used to identify the factors influencing the choice or use of N sources. The OPDG results indicate that the country of residence and livestock ownership are the primary factors accounting for 31.9% and 22.1% of the variation in nitrogen sources across the entire Lake Victoria Basin, respectively. The major sub-basin factors influencing the use of N sources were both farm characteristics (types of crops grown and farm size) and social socio-demographic factors of the farmer (education). These findings highlight the need for tailored strategies, accounting for geographical variations, farm characteristics and socio-demographic factors are essential when formulating nitrogen management strategies and policies at local and regional scales within the LVB.

Inconsistent Regulatory Mapping Quietly Threatens Rivers and Streams.

Even the most stringent environmental law cannot protect a river if its tributaries remain exposed to pollution and other threats upstream. Excluding a subset of watercourses from legal protection therefore threatens to alter freshwater ecosystems across entire river networks and the services they provide, such as drinking water and flood regulation. Considerable attention has been devoted to defining the scope of environmental laws protecting watercourses. Yet how these definitions are implemented through regulatory mapping, the cartography of waterbodies that legally qualify as watercourses and are thus protected, has not been examined outside of the United States. Here, we demonstrate the consequences of regulatory mapping on the extent of river networks that are protected, using France as a case study. By assembling the first map of France's watercourses protected under the Water Law, we estimate that a quarter of previously mapped hydrographic segments were excluded from protection and found stark geographical variations in the extent of protected ecosystems. Headwater and nonperennial segments are disproportionately excluded by 28% compared to their prevalence (67%) in the overall hydrographic network, with potentially far-reaching implications for biodiversity and people. We expect regulatory frameworks in most countries to be equally susceptible to local interpretation of legal definitions.

Colour polymorphism is prevalent on islands but shows no association with range size in web-building spiders.

One of the most evident sources of phenotypic diversity within a population is colouration, as exemplified by colour polymorphism. This is relevant to a greater extent in animals with visually-biased sensory systems. There is substantial evidence suggesting that different colour morphs can access a broader range of habitats or niches, leading to larger geographic range sizes. However, this hypothesis has been tested in few lineages, comprising species where colour is likely to be involved in sexual selection. Furthermore, some available evidence considers geographical variation as polymorphism, thus limiting our comprehension of how sympatric colour polymorphism can influence a species' geographic range. Through an extensive systematic literature review and a comparative analysis, we examined the relationship between colour polymorphism and range size or niche breadth in web-building spiders. We identified 140 colour polymorphic spider species, belonging mainly to the families Araneidae and Theridiidae. We found no evidence that colour polymorphic species differ significantly from non-polymorphic species in terms of range size and niche breadth, after accounting for phylogenetic relationships and other covariates. However, we did observe that colour polymorphic species were more likely to be found on islands compared to non-polymorphic species. Overall, our results indicate that the association between colour polymorphism and geographic range size may not exist among web-building spiders, or be as pronounced as in other lineages. This suggests that the strength of the association between colour polymorphism and ecological success might depend on the ecological role that colouration plays in each clade.

The evolution of public attention in acute kidney injury and continuous renal replacement therapy: trends analysis from 2004 to 2024.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) and the need for Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) are critically important health concerns. This study analyzes global and regional Internet search queries to understand public attention in AKI and CRRT over time. We used Google Trends™ to analyze search queries for AKI and CRRT from January 2004 to March 2024. The study examined global trends and detailed insights from the United States, including state-by-state breakdowns. We identified patterns, peaks of attention, and temporal trends in public attention, comparing regional variations across the US and top-ranking countries worldwide. Global attention in AKI peaked in October 2022, with Portugal, Zambia, and Spain showing the highest regional attention. Within the United States, peak attention was in February 2008. Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia were the top states that paid attention to AKI. Attention in CRRT peaked globally in March 2024. South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain have led the global attention to CRRT. In the United States, peak attention was in April 2020. West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky showed the highest state-specific attention in CRRT. This study reveals significant temporal and geographical variations in online search patterns for AKI and CRRT, suggesting evolving public attention to these critical health issues. This knowledge can guide the development of targeted public health initiatives, enhance medical education efforts, and help healthcare systems tailor their approach to improving awareness and outcomes in kidney health across diverse populations.

Evolutionary Systems Biology Identifies Genetic Trade-offs In Rice Defense Against Above- and Belowground Attackers.

Like other plants, wild and domesticated rice species (Oryza nivara, O. rufipogon, and O. sativa) evolve in environments with various biotic and abiotic stresses that fluctuate in intensity through space and time. Microbial pathogens and invertebrate herbivores such as plant-parasitic nematodes and caterpillars show geographical and temporal variation in activity patterns and may respond differently to certain plant defensive mechanisms. As such, plant interactions with multiple community members may result in conflicting selection pressures on genetic polymorphisms. Here, through assays with different above- and belowground herbivores, the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) and the southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita), respectively, and comparison with rice responses to microbial pathogens, we identify potential genetic trade-offs at the KSL8 and MG1 loci on chromosome 11. KSL8 encodes the first committed step towards biosynthesis of either stemarane- or stemodane-type diterpenoids through the japonica (KSL8-jap) or indica (KSL8-ind) allele. Knocking out KSL8-jap and CPS4, encoding an enzyme that acts upstream in diterpenoid synthesis, in japonica rice cultivars increased resistance to S. frugiperda and decreased resistance to M. incognita. Furthermore, MG1 resides in a haplotype that provided resistance to M. incognita, while alternative haplotypes are involved in mediating resistance to the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae and other pests and pathogens. Finally, KSL8 and MG1 alleles are located within trans-species haplotypes and may be evolving under long-term balancing selection. Our data are consistent with a hypothesis that polymorphisms at KSL8 and MG1 may be maintained through complex and diffuse community interactions.

Genomes of Aegilops umbellulata provide new insights into unique structural variations and genetic diversity in the U-genome for wheat improvement.

Aegilops umbellulata serve as an important reservoir for novel biotic and abiotic stress tolerance for wheat improvement. However, chromosomal rearrangements and evolutionary trajectory of this species remain to be elucidated. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation into Ae. umbellulata genome by generating a high-quality near telomere-to-telomere genome assembly of PI 554389 and resequencing 20 additional Ae. umbellulata genomes representing diverse geographical and phenotypic variations. Our analysis unveils complex chromosomal rearrangements, most prominently in 4U and 6U chromosomes, delineating a distinct evolutionary trajectory of Ae. umbellulata from wheat and its relatives. Furthermore, our data rectified the erroneous naming of chromosomes 4U and 6U in the past and highlighted multiple major evolutionary events that led to the present-day U-genome. Resequencing of diverse Ae. umbellulata accessions revealed high genetic diversity within the species, partitioning into three distinct evolutionary sub-populations and supported by extensive phenotypic variability in resistance against several races/pathotypes of five major wheat diseases. Disease evaluations indicated the presence of several novel resistance genes in the resequenced lines for future studies. Resequencing also resulted in the identification of six new haplotypes for Lr9, the first resistance gene cloned from Ae. umbellulata. The extensive genomic and phenotypic resources presented in this study will expedite the future genetic exploration of Ae. umbellulata, facilitating efforts aimed at enhancing resiliency and productivity in wheat.

The role of geographical distance in transnational institutional engagement of the Czech diaspora: a comparative study

Engagement with institutions from migrants’ country of origin, both in the destination country and in the country of origin, is distinct transnational behaviour. This study investigates the impact of geographical distance on the institutional engagement of migrants from Czechia in five global regions. We examine how geographic (physical) proximity to Czechia shapes institutional engagement with the country of origin and identify factors beyond distance influencing institutional engagement. We analyzed survey data from Czech emigrants (N = 940) in neighbouring countries, Western and Northern Europe, Southern and Eastern Europe, overseas Anglo-Saxon countries, and other countries. We found that respondents from all more distant regions have higher levels of institutional engagement in the destination country than those from neighbouring countries. Length of stay and education were relevant factors for all selected regions, while place of residence (living in a metropolis) and the level of transnational behavior had varying impacts across regions. Concerning institutional engagement in origin country, the level of transnationalism was consistently the strongest predictor across. Transnational studies should incorporate geographic variables, such as physical distance into their conceptual frameworks. We expect our findings to be generalizable to other countries similar to Czechia, i.e. high-income countries whose citizens benefit from liberal visa regimes.