Search Results (12,089)

Chinese rice-field eels (Monopterus albus) are a commercially farmed freshwater fish species in China. In recent years, the rapid expansion of aquaculture has been accompanied by frequent outbreaks of viral diseases, posing a serious threat to the sustainability of the Chinese rice-field eel farming industry. In this study, a rhabdovirus strain was isolated from diseased Chinese rice-field eels at a farm located in Xiantao, Hubei Province, China. Although the complete genomic sequence of CrERV-XT showed higher identity to the infectious hemorrhagic syndrome virus (IHSV) (96.16%) than to CrERV (94.39%), phylogenetic analysis based on the L protein placed CrERV-XT within the same clade as CrERV, supporting its tentative classification as a novel variant of CrERV. Furthermore, the amino acid sequence of the L protein showed greater similarity to that of CrERV (97.89%) than to IHSV, while the N, P, M and G proteins exhibited higher homology with their counterparts in IHSV. CrERV-XT displayed considerable genetic divergence from known CrERV isolates, which is presumably attributed to its geographic isolation in different locations. Alignment of the G protein sequences from five strains (CrERV-XT, CrERV, CrERV-TYY25, CrERV-XY0907 and IHSV) revealed a total of 39 amino acid mutation sites. These findings provide valuable insights for investigating conserved functional domains within the CrERV G protein for the rational design of vaccine antigens against this emerging virus. Full article

Brosimum alicastrum Swartz is a forest species with substantial potential for animal and human nutrition. However, its nutritional attributes and commercial applications are poorly disseminated and structurally underdeveloped. This study examines the relationship between scientific research and the commercialization of Brosimum alicastrum products in Mexico, integrating bibliometric analysis with a value network approach to identify market constraints and opportunities. Scientific publications indexed in Scopus from 1961 to 2024 were analyzed to characterize research trends, documented uses, and the geographic distribution of knowledge production. In parallel, companies commercializing Brosimum alicastrum-based products in Mexico were surveyed during 2024 using a value network approach (suppliers, customers, complementors, and competitors). A SWOT analysis was conducted to assess the structural strengths and vulnerabilities affecting market development. The results show that research in Mexico has primarily focused on the species’ properties as a functional food. At the same time, limited attention has been given to silviculture, commercialization strategies, and value-chain governance. Although Brosimum alicastrum products are currently positioned within premium market segments, business continuity is constrained by unstable supply systems that rely almost exclusively on seasonal wild collection from natural distribution areas. Both the value network and the SWOT analysis identified supply instability as the main factor limiting market expansion. Therefore, advancing research on the silviculture of Brosimum alicastrum is essential to support the establishment of managed production systems and commercial plantations capable of ensuring a stable, year-round supply of raw material. These developments would facilitate access to new market niches and enhance the biocultural and ethnobotanical value of Brosimum alicastrum as a functional and medicinal food resource within Mexico’s emerging bioeconomy. Full article

Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium that is found in human microbiota and in diverse environments. This opportunistic pathogen exhibits a highly variable genetic background and is responsible for a broad range of hospital- and community-acquired, multidrug-resistant infections worldwide. To track transmission pathways and understand genetic diversity, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) clustering has become an essential tool. Methods: This study examines data from 2018 to 2024 in the NCBI Pathogen Detection database to determine the temporal and spatial distribution of SNP clusters in clinical K. pneumoniae across Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries. Results: Among 1858 isolates, a heterogeneous population structure was observed. Of the 478 identified SNP clusters, a few dominant clusters accounted for 37% of the isolates, and numerous low-frequency lineages were detected. The descriptive yearly snapshot revealed a diverse representation of top clusters. Geographical analysis showed the presence of both localized and limited cross-border distribution patterns. Countries with diverse clusters also exhibit higher diversity of carbapenem- and ESBL-resistant genes. Conclusions: These findings provide valuable insights into the dominant, regionally concentrated K. pneumoniae lineage across MENA countries, assisting future genomic surveillance and efforts to combat clinical K. pneumoniae infections in this region. Full article

Decarbonising the building sector is an energy policy priority due to its major contribution to global energy consumption and related emissions. Accurate energy modelling is crucial, with significant scientific advancements being made in the last decade. As data gathering is a primary bottleneck, the potential of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing for streamlining data acquisition and integrating data sources has gained specific interest. This study aims to identify prevailing trends in scales, inputs, and outputs of energy modelling, focusing on Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems applications. A structured literature review was conducted, encompassing screening, textual analysis, and findings synthesis to identify key research trends. The results highlight a predominance of the neighbourhood scale (54%) and the reliance on building geometries as principal input (91% of studies). Remote Sensing, used in 36% of cases, is employed for defining geometric (41%) and non-geometric (45%) attributes, while 17% of studies leverage it to determine climatic variables. EnergyPlus remains the most widespread simulation engine (37%), frequently coupled with construction archetypes (50% of cases) to address data gaps. The increasing integration of these technologies in energy modelling is expected to diversify the number of inputs, ultimately enhancing output accuracy, scalability, and generalisability. Full article

This study presents a systematic review of Social Network Analysis (SNA) applications in Egyptology, examining methodological developments, current achievements, and future research directions. Despite Egypt’s exceptional documentary legacy spanning three millennia—administrative papyri, diplomatic correspondence, and prosopographical inscriptions—Egyptology has adopted network analytical methods more slowly than other archaeological disciplines. The review evaluates existing research across major historical periods, assessing methodological approaches and contributions to understanding Egyptian administrative structures, elite strategies, and social organization. Critical gaps identified include limited coverage of the Late Period, insufficient attention to economic and religious networks, minimal focus on gender and household-level analysis, and geographic concentration in Upper Egypt. The review also identifies methodological challenges specific to Egyptian sources: temporal depth, hierarchical social structures, preservation biases, and integration of diverse evidence types. Priority areas for development include large-scale collaborative projects, computational relationship extraction from digitised sources, and temporal network analysis capitalising on Egypt’s exceptional chronological span. The field stands at a critical juncture where coordinated development could transform understanding of ancient Egyptian society while contributing to broader archaeological network science. Full article

Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) is one of the most widely consumed fruit tree crops worldwide, with cultivation expanding rapidly beyond its Mesoamerican and northwest South America center of origin. In emerging secondary diversity centers such as East Africa, farmers have long propagated seedling naturalized populations that may hold valuable reservoirs of genetic diversity, yet these resources remain underexplored. To help fill this gap, this study developed the first genomic resources for avocados in Tanzania, where avocado has a long history of introduction and diversification dating to the first Arab incursions and Catholic missionary missions. Low-coverage whole-genome resequencing (lcWGS) data were obtained from 95 trees sampled in Tanzania across the low- to mid-altitude Morogoro region (n = 25) and the Southern Highlands—i.e., the Iringa (n = 20), Mbeya (n = 30) and Ruvuma (n = 20) regions. In order to guide racial assignation, sequences were merged with NCBI-available lcWGS data from 205 avocado trees, including 42 commercial varieties, with reported ancestry. Population stratification as inferred via maximum likelihood phylogenetic inference, genetic principal component analysis, and ADMIXTURE unsupervised clustering suggested that the sampled Tanzanian avocado trees were genetically closer to the West Indian race and more distant from the northwest South American Caribbean and Andean groups. Additionally, while the trees from the low- to mid-altitude region of Morogoro were almost exclusively West Indian type, some trees from the Southern Highlands aligned more closely with West Indian × Guatemalan and West Indian × Mexican hybrids. These trends were equally supported by a subset of 10,460 high-coverage (10×) SNP markers. Together these findings clarify the dynamics of avocado diversification in a secondary center in East Africa, spanning recent introductions from a single Mesoamerican race, adaptation to a wide range of locally geographic conditions, and farmer-driven selection matching local tribal preferences. Characterizing these locally adapted resources is key for identifying underrepresented yet promising provenances, developing resilient and sustainable horticultural production systems, and safeguarding the species’ global genetic heritage. Full article

Non-motorized mobility networks increasingly serve as critical infrastructure for sustainable regional development that integrates recreational, environmental, and transportation functions across diverse geographical contexts. To enhance the spatial planning efficiency and support evidence-based policy development, this study develops a Geographic Information Systems (GIS)-based analytical framework to evaluate the connectivity and accessibility of Korea’s integrated non-motorized mobility system. The model systematically maps 606 walking courses, 60 cycling routes, and 66 water activity sites nationwide, and examines their spatial relationships with major transportation hubs, including Korea Train e-Xpress (KTX) stations and airports within 20–30 km buffer zones. Using proximity analysis, connectivity mapping, and origin–destination (OD) cost matrix modeling, the framework identifies intermodal distance structures and spatial integration patterns. The analysis reveals a hybrid network configuration characterized by localized multimodal clustering alongside regional accessibility gaps, with urban–coastal regions demonstrating stronger connectivity than inland–rural areas. This study proposes a data-driven Korean mobility network framework that integrates walking, cycling, and water routes with the existing transportation infrastructure. These findings demonstrate how GIS-based tools can support evidence-based sustainable mobility policies and regional tourism planning on a national scale. Full article

Uneven urbanization can lead to significant quantities of vacant and abandoned land while exacerbating urban heat island (UHI) effects and simultaneously adversely affecting socioeconomically disadvantaged communities. This study examines the correlation between land surface temperature (LST) and urban vacant and abandoned land in socially vulnerable neighborhoods in Houston, TX, USA, where extreme heat can present significant environmental and public health challenges. Six critical study locations exhibiting a social vulnerability index (SVI) over 0.7 and average land surface temperature (LST) values surpassing 82 °F (27.8 °C) are analyzed through spatial analytics and drone footage. Findings indicate that vegetated vacant spaces help mitigate urban heat by decreasing land surface temperature, but abandoned structures exacerbate temperatures due to heat retention from non-permeable surfaces. Findings suggest that elevated socioeconomic vulnerability correlates with increased land surface temperature, exacerbating heat-related hazards in at-risk communities. In this six-site sample, the abandonment rate exhibited a positive correlation with the site mean land surface temperature (exploratory linear fit: +2.42 °F [0.74, 4.11]/+1.35 °C [0.41, 2.28] per +1% increase in abandonment; to be interpreted as exploratory and potentially confounded). Results provide critical insights for climate resilience planning and urban heat reduction through high-resolution thermal and geographical analysis, highlighting the impact of vacant and abandoned land on LST. Such findings endorse certain urban cooling techniques, including land reutilization and green infrastructure, to enhance environmental equality and adaptation. Full article

Artificial light at night (ALAN) data is widely used in urban function analysis and socio-economic activity monitoring, but its application at the micro-scale of cities still faces challenges. This study utilizes high spatial resolution SDGSAT-1 nighttime light data to explore the spatial heterogeneity of ALAN at the street scale in two representative Chinese cities—Beijing and Guangzhou. By integrating multi-source data (such as building vector data, road networks, and point of interest data), a multi-dimensional indicator system covering urban morphology, functional structure, and transportation accessibility is constructed. Based on this, the study employs a Geographically Weighted Random Forest (GWRF) model combined with the Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) method to deeply analyze the non-linear relationships between ALAN intensity and multiple driving factors, as well as their spatial variability. Results demonstrate the superiority of the GWRF model over global models in capturing spatial non-stationarity, with R² values of 0.67 for Beijing and 0.74 for Guangzhou, compared to 0.62 and 0.71 for the random forest models, respectively. Road density is the dominant factor influencing nighttime light intensity in both Beijing and Guangzhou. However, the relationship between ALAN and its driving factors varies across these cities. In Beijing, a balanced multi-factor model is observed, whereas in Guangzhou, ALAN intensity is primarily driven by road density, with secondary influences from other factors like sky view factor. This study validates SDGSAT-1 for micro-scale analysis, offering a scientific basis for differentiated urban lighting planning. Full article

Background: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is increasingly employed in patients with hemorrhagic shock and cardiovascular collapse; however, its impact on mortality remains controversial. Differences in geographic regions and patient populations may influence clinical outcomes. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies comparing mortality between patients receiving REBOA and those managed without REBOA. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses were performed according to propensity score (PS) matching, trauma versus non-trauma populations, and geographic regions. Results: A total of 10 studies involving 18,611 patients were included. Overall, REBOA was not associated with a significant reduction in mortality compared with non-REBOA (pooled OR = 0.52, 95% CI: 0.19–1.39, p = 0.19). In PS-matched studies, the pooled OR was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.34–1.98, p = 0.66), whereas in non-PS-matched studies it was 0.40 (95% CI: 0.12–1.26, p = 0.12). Geographic analyses revealed no significant mortality benefit in either Western studies (OR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.12–1.89; p = 0.29) or non-Western studies (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.11–3.38; p = 0.56). No survival benefit was observed among trauma patients (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.20–1.61; p = 0.29), whereas a significant reduction in mortality was observed in non-trauma patients (OR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.05–0.88; p = 0.03). Conclusions: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, REBOA was not associated with a significant reduction in mortality in the overall population or in trauma patients. However, in a single small non-trauma study (n = 53), REBOA was associated with significantly reduced mortality; this finding is exploratory and requires confirmation in larger prospective studies. These findings suggest that the clinical benefit of REBOA may depend on patient population and underlying etiology of hemorrhage. Full article

To address global climate challenges, China’s transition toward a green, low-carbon economy underscores the critical role of green finance (GF) as a key policy instrument. Against this backdrop, clarifying how GF influences green technology innovation (GTI) has become an urgent research priority. Using panel data from 283 Chinese cities (2012–2023), this study estimates a panel threshold model to examine the non-linear relationship between GF and GTI, with environmental regulation (ER) as the threshold variable. The results, validated by robustness and endogeneity tests, reveal the following: (1) GF exerts a double-threshold effect on GTI, with its promoting effect strengthening between thresholds but weakening beyond the second threshold. (2) ER exhibits a significant single-threshold effect; beyond it, GF’s contribution to GTI is substantially enhanced. (3) Three types of heterogeneity analysis are performed based on geographical regions, historical endowments, and whether a city is classified as an innovation-driven city. Overall, the results indicate that the threshold effects are more pronounced in eastern regions, cities with stronger historical endowments, and innovation-driven cities. These findings not only deepen the theoretical understanding of the GF–ER–GTI nexus but also provide empirically grounded insights for designing differentiated GF policies and region-specific environmental regulation strategies, thereby supporting both China’s low-carbon transition and global climate governance efforts. Full article

Epstein–Barr virus is a globally disseminated oncovirus capable of causing various malignancies, including gastric cancer, Burkitt lymphoma, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The influence of recombination on the EBV genome revealed limitations in the current traditional EBV classification, and the extent of these recombination events across the EBV genome is not fully understood. The nuclear antigen 3C (EBNA3C) is an indispensable gene in the oncogenesis of the virus. Despite its critical role, little is known about EBNA3C sequence variability. We examined 988 EBNA3C gene sequences extracted from EBV genomes in this context. Among the protein motifs, the interaction sites with Nm23-H1, RBP-Jk, and nuclear localization signal (NLS) 2 and 3 were the most divergent between EBV types, while NLS-1 and the leucine zipper-like showed high conservation. In our study of the impact of recombination vs. point mutations in the EBNA3C gene, we found that recombination contributed five times more to substitutions than mutation. Notably, Asian populations exhibited the highest variability and recombination rates. Importantly, our analysis revealed geographical rather than disease-specific markers. Furthermore, filtering for recombination regions did not affect the classical classification of EBV-1 and EBV-2. This finding suggests that recombination is pivotal in the architecture of EBV genetic diversity of the EBNA3C gene. Full article

At present, most plateau-constrained cities worldwide—plateau cities whose spatial form is strictly constrained by topography—have entered the late stage of urbanization. The relationship between urban form and the surrounding geographic spatial pattern has consequently exhibited distinctive new characteristics. However, planning and policy often continue to adopt green-space allocation schemes developed in the mid-stage of urbanization and based on the experience of plain cities, resulting in difficulties in plan implementation, intensified human–land conflicts, and imbalances in both the supply–demand relationship and equity of green public services with severe challenges to urban sustainable development, calling for urgent correction and reconstruction. Through a literature review and comparative case analysis, this study clarifies global trends in the paradigm shift in plateau-city planning and develops an evaluation system comprising “adaptability analysis of originally planned spaces within the built-up area + assessment of the potential for converting ecological value in green spaces outside the built-up area + integrated spatial optimization.” Building on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) weighting and spatial analysis, the study establishes a comprehensive assessment framework and applies it empirically to Kunming as a typical case, with the aim of proposing a correction-and-reconstruction paradigm for green-space allocation tailored to plateau-constrained cities to achieve sustainable development goals. The results indicate a widespread paradigm shift in many cities from “pattern optimization during incremental expansion” and “passive adaptation to ecological patterns” toward “enhancing governance effectiveness during stock-based renewal” and “proactive innovation in governance instruments.” The Kunming case shows that, during the mid-stage of urbanization, numerous parks and green spaces were planned within the built-up area (flat land), yet many of these proposals proved infeasible due to excessive costs and trade-offs. Meanwhile, the adjacent mountainous ecological spaces with substantial scenic and recreational potential were long excluded from the urban public service system. In response, this study proposes a three-dimensional allocation model that combines “optimized adaptation” within the built-up area and “potential conversion” in adjacent peri-urban areas together with differentiated policy instruments and an implementation/transfer assurance mechanism. This approach not only offers practical planning guidance for Kunming but also provides a broadly applicable set of theoretical and practical tools for improving land-use efficiency and promoting green equity in similar cities worldwide. Full article

Cultural routes, an important concept in heritage conservation, represent an innovative paradigm that is reshaping the contemporary trajectory of cultural heritage research. The Nanling Corridor satisfies the four core criteria for cultural routes—temporal continuity, spatial distribution, cross-cultural attributes, and specific historical functional roles—and stands as a paradigmatic indigenous cultural route in China. Focusing on the Hunan–Guangdong Ancient Road—a core segment of the Nanling Corridor—this study integrates historical document analysis, representative sample field surveys, and a historical restoration method to systematically classify and characterize the ancient road’s landscape features. The study findings indicate that the Hunan–Guangdong border region within the Nanling area is endowed with a distinctive natural geographical setting and a complex socio-cultural context. Against this background, landscape elements are categorized into two primary clusters: those directly associated with the ancient road and those indirectly linked to it. The directly associated landscapes are further subdivided into four categories: the cross-territorial route, meso-scale hubs enabling land–water transfer, widely distributed micro-scale ancillary facilities, and intangible engineering techniques. The indirectly associated landscapes encompass four dimensions—military defense, population migration, commercial trade, and religious practice—each demonstrating unique landscape attributes while sharing homologous formative mechanisms. This study aims to provide a China-focused research reference for the international theory of cultural routes through the systematic study of the landscapes along the Hunan–Guangdong Ancient Road within the Nanling Corridor. Full article

Accessibility indicators derived from web-map platforms are increasingly used in sustainable spatial planning, service allocation, and land-value modelling, particularly in data-constrained regions. Yet the reliability of such source-dependent measures for decision-making remains insufficiently examined. Using paired parcel-level data from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, this study conceptualizes accessibility as a spatial measurement process with structured source uncertainty by directly comparing platform-derived (PD) and field-verified (FV) nearest-facility distances across five facility types. Cross-source analysis reveals substantial facility-specific discrepancies in both magnitude and rank ordering, with certain facility types exhibiting near-random or reversed parcel rankings between sources. Spatial diagnostics further demonstrate that discordance events are geographically clustered rather than randomly distributed. An exploratory local amenity-density check further shows that mismatch prevalence varies systematically with nearby POI context, although the relationship is heterogeneous rather than uniformly sparse-driven. Under spatial block cross-validation, land-value models using FV accessibility consistently outperform PD-based models, while PD-based models display fold-level instability. Moreover, coefficient sign orientation and relative importance vary systematically across sources, indicating interpretation sensitivity to measurement choice. Importantly, reducing magnitude error alone does not restore decision reliability when ordering instability persists. These findings show that accessibility source choice can reshape spatial prioritization and inferred price gradients, introducing decision risk into sustainability-oriented planning. We therefore propose a minimum reliability protocol—including discrepancy profiling, ordering diagnostics, spatial discordance mapping, and spatially structured validation—to support transparent and defensible accessibility analytics in data-constrained environments. Full article