Search Results (35)

In an era of rising geopolitical tensions, repeated global crises, and growing uncertainty in trade and finance, economic resilience has become a key priority for policymakers. This study presents an understanding by distinguishing regional resilience from global resilience, offering hardnosed explanations of both concepts and outlining mensurable indicators for each. Regional resilience is the capacity of an economy to endure and recuperate from shocks by way of strong, cost-effective connections in its region. These could be seen in terms of intra-bloc trade power, trade concentration, intra-regional investment flows and constant capital flows, which indicate the deep economical integration and interdependence. On the contrary, global resilience is concerned with the extent to which an economy is guarded by larger global diversification. It is quantified by the distribution of exports and investments geographically, the extent and diversity of trade partners, membership on global value chains, and the stability of the cross-border capital flows. Understanding the difference between these two forms of resilience has become increasingly important for policy design, especially in a period marked by repeated crises, geopolitical tension, and shifting trade and financial conditions. Countries must decide not only how open their economies should be, but also whether openness should be integrated regionally, diversified globally, or stable through a hybrid approach. Further, it argues that regional integration is peculiarly invaluable during region-wide disruptions such as pandemics, financial crises, or supply shortages, where integrated policies can reduce adjustment costs and protect demand and supply chains. However, global diversification becomes significant in areas such as energy and commodity security, where dependence on limited suppliers can magnify risks. Ultimately, most economies benefit from combining both approaches (a hybrid approach), adapting their strategy to the development stage, institutional strengths, and exposure to external shocks. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most important tick-borne viral central nervous system (CNS) infection in Europe and Asia. Since the introduction of a vaccine in Austria in the late 1970s, sero-epidemiological studies on the true incidence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection in the population have been difficult, because it was not possible to distinguish between vaccine- and infection-induced antibodies. The goal of our study has been to analyze the sero-epidemiology of TBEV infections, vaccination protection rate, and manifestation index of the disease in the region of interest. Methods: Applying a newly developed anti-TBEV-NS1-IgG assay and the neutralization test, the protection and infection rates in blood donors of the Austrian Federal State of Upper Austria.It is one of the first areas in Austria, where the TBEV vaccine had been rolled out and broadly used. Samples from blood donors of all districts of the Federal State of Upper Austria were screened for anti-TBEV-IgG. Positive sera were differentiated for infection- and vaccine-induced antibodies. The results were matched with donor age, gender, and geographical origin. Results: 2162 samples were analyzed. A total of 87.0% of the blood donors tested showed anti-TBEV-IgG related to past TBEV vaccination. Within the unvaccinated group, a total of 13.3% of male and 9.9% of female blood donors exhibited anti-TBEV-NS1-IgG, indicating a past TBEV infection. The anti-TBE-NS1-IgG seroprevalence was determined at 74/100,000 for the whole population and at 594/100,000 in the non-vaccinated population. The manifestation index (MI) was calculated at 2.8%. The MI is defined as the probability or percentage of infected individuals who develop clinical symptoms of a disease. Conclusions: Our data provide evidence of a continuing high risk of TBEV infection in the Federal state of Upper Austria. The non-vaccinated population has an eightfold higher infection prevalence compared to the whole population. The MI of TBEV for severe infection seems lower as detailed in previous reports. Full article

Background: The China Diet Balance Index 2022 (DBI-2022), released in 2024, is the latest dietary quality assessment tool developed in alignment with the updated Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022). However, its association with hypertension in the Lingnan region—a geographic area distinguished by a unique dietary culture—has not been fully examined. Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the dietary quality of Lingnan residents using DBI-2022 and explore its association with hypertension. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2015 China Adults Chronic Diseases and Nutrition Surveillance, focusing on 2982 Lingnan residents aged 45 years and older. Dietary information was collected via 3 consecutive days of 24-h dietary recalls and food frequency questionnaires, supplemented by standardized anthropometric measurements. We assessed the contribution of specific dietary components to overall quality and investigated the association between DBI-2022 indices and hypertension using multivariable regression models. Results: Among the 2982 participants, 821 (27.5%) were identified with hypertension. The primary dietary imbalances in the Lingnan population were characterized by moderate insufficient consumption (Low Bound Score [LBS] = 40.48) and moderate excessive intake (High Bound Score [HBS] = 22.58), with insufficient intake being the more prominent concern. Cereals, cooking oils, and salt emerged as key contributors to poor dietary quality, whereas soybeans, fruits, adequate water consumption, and dietary diversity were associated with better dietary quality. After adjusting for potential confounders, participants in the highest quartile of Diet Quality Distance (DQD) had significantly higher odds of hypertension (OR = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.05–2.35) compared to those in the lowest quartile. Similarly, the odds were elevated for those with high LBS (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.24–2.87). Conclusions: Dietary insufficiency appears to be a more critical issue than excessive consumption among the Lingnan population. Poor dietary quality, particularly insufficient intake of protective foods, is significantly associated with elevated odds of hypertension. These findings support the applicability of DBI-2022 for regional dietary surveillance and highlight key priorities for targeted nutritional intervention strategies. Full article

To mitigate the threats posed by habitat fragmentation due to rapid urbanization on bird diversity, this study introduces an innovative framework for analyzing the synergistic effects of habitat quality (HQ), ecological network connectivity (ENC), and bird richness (BR) in the Pearl River Delta National Forest Urban Agglomeration (PRDNFUA). The framework, based on a stratified ecological network perspective that distinguishes between urban agglomeration and urban core areas, incorporates different types of ecological corridors (interactive corridors and self-corridors), providing a novel approach for effectively quantifying and spatially visualizing the temporal and spatial evolution of the “HQ–ENC–BR” synergy. By integrating geographic detectors through ternary plot analysis combined with a zonation model, this study identified the synergetic effects of HQ and ENC on BR observed during 2015–2020 and proposed strategies for optimizing “HQ–ENC–BR” synergy. The results indicate that between 2015 and 2020, (1) the Pearl River Estuary and coastal areas are hotspots for bird distribution and also represent gaps in ecological network protection. (2) The positive synergistic effects between ecological network structure (HQ, ENC) and function (BR) have gradually strengthened and are stronger than the effects of individual factors; this synergy is especially significant in urban agglomerations and interactive corridors and is particularly pronounced in the northern cities. (3) The area overlap between the optimized ecological network and bird richness hotspots will increase by approximately 78.2%. The proposed ecological network optimization strategies are scientifically sound and offer valuable suggestions for improving bird diversity patterns in the PRDNFUA. These findings also provide empirical support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; SDG 15: Life on Land). Full article

This review explores the application of chemometric techniques for the authentication, characterization, and adulteration detection of Cypriot agri-food products registered under European Union quality schemes, including Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI). Given the increasing global demand for premium and geographically linked food products, ensuring their authenticity and integrity has become critical. Although Halloumi cheese, wines, and Zivania are the most researched Cypriot products, additional studies are still needed. Chemometrics, when coupled with spectroscopy, offers robust analytical tools for distinguishing genuine products from their imitations by characterizing them. This review provides an overview of certified Cypriot products and focuses on published applications where chemometric approaches have been used to assess product origin, composition, and adulteration. The paper concludes with current challenges, methodological limitations, and future directions for expanding the role of chemometrics in food integrity verification within the context of EU geographical indications. Full article

The Southwest Alpine Canyon Area (SACA) is a typical ecologically sensitive location in China; therefore, constructing and optimizing an ecological network for this area is essential to ensure the regional ecological security of its fragile ecosystems. This study employed the InVEST model to quantitatively assess the habitat quality of the SACA for the years 2000, 2010, and 2020. The ecological sources were determined based on the results of a habitat quality assessment and a Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA). Finally, ecological corridors, ecological pinch points, and ecological barrier points were identified using circuit theory. The results indicated that the SACA’s habitat quality was relatively good, but experienced slight degradation from 0.87 in 2000 to 0.84 in 2020. Anthropogenic activities have been identified as the primary contributor to habitat quality decline in the region. Geographically, the habitat quality is significantly poorer in the southeast and northwest of the SACA. A total of 319 ecological sources were identified, predominantly located in the southwest and northeast of the SACA, comprising 43.27% of the total area. Furthermore, 94 ecological corridors were delineated, covering an area of 74,015.61 km² and extending over 182.80 km in length in total. A total of 38 ecological pinch points and 39 ecological barrier points were distinguished, with a noticeable concentration in regions undergoing ecological degradation. Overall, while the ecological network structure in the SACA is complex and highly interconnected, it faces challenges relating to material cycling and ecological network circulation. Future ecological restoration and protection efforts should focus on areas along the border between the ecological maintenance area in southeastern Tibet (Region I) and the water conservation area in eastern Tibet–western Sichuan (Region II). Additionally, the establishment of ecological protection belts around potential ecological corridors is proposed to enhance ecosystem connectivity. These findings could provide a robust scientific foundation for territorial spatial planning, ecological preservation, and restoration in the SACA. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Yanqi horse is a distinguished local breed in China, known for its robust physique and strong adaptability. However, due to insufficient breeding populations and a loosely structured breeding system, the number of Yanqi horses has been declining annually. To protect its genetic resources and develop scientific breeding strategies, this study aimed to analyze the genetic diversity, parentage relationships, and genetic structure of the Yanqi horse conservation population using microsatellite markers. Materials and Methods: A total of 117 Yanqi horses were selected for genotyping analysis using 16 microsatellite markers. Genetic diversity parameters (e.g., allele number, heterozygosity, F-statistics) were calculated using GeneAIEX (v.6.503) and Fstat software (v.2.9.4). Parentage analysis was conducted using Cervus software. Bayesian clustering analysis was performed using STRUCTURE software (v.2.3.4), and a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on Nei’s genetic distance to reveal the population genetic structure. Results: A total of 191 alleles were detected, with an average allele number of 11.969, observed heterozygosity of 0.481, and expected heterozygosity of 0.787. Parentage testing showed a cumulative exclusion probability (CEP) of 0.9652999 when one parent’s genotype was known and 0.9996999 when both parents’ genotypes were known, achieving an accuracy of 99%. Genetic differentiation analysis revealed moderate genetic divergence among populations (FST = 0.128) and moderate inbreeding levels (FIS = 0.396). Bayesian clustering analysis (K = 4) indicated that the Yanqi horse population could be divided into four genetic clusters, reflecting the impact of geographical isolation on genetic structure. Conclusions: The Yanqi horse conservation population exhibits moderate genetic diversity, high accuracy in parentage identification, and moderate genetic differentiation and inbreeding. The findings provide a scientific basis for the conservation and sustainable utilization of Yanqi horse genetic resources. Future efforts should focus on strengthening conservation measures, optimizing breeding strategies, and further investigating the genetic background using genomic technologies to ensure the sustainable development of the Yanqi horse population. Full article

The great seahorse (Hippocampus kelloggi) is one of the larger species within the seahorse group and is widely distributed in coastal areas of the Indo-Pacific. However, the natural resources of this species continue to decrease, rendering it a vulnerable species that faces a high risk of extinction. Therefore, there is an urgent need to conduct research on the genetic diversity of this species to protect its genetic resources. In this study, we conducted whole-genome re-sequencing (WGRS) on three H. kelloggi populations from the Red Sea (RS, n = 30), the Andaman Sea (AS, n = 13), and the South China Sea (SCS, n = 13), and a total of 1,398,936 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. The results indicate that the average observed heterozygosity (Ho) and the average expected heterozygosity (He) for the RS, AS, and SCS populations are 0.2031 and 0.1987, 0.1914 and 0.1822, and 0.2083 and 0.2001, respectively. The three geographic populations exhibit a high degree of genetic differentiation with only a minimal gene flow between them. Consistently, in a population structure analysis, the three groups are also clearly distinguished, which is consistent with the results of the population differentiation coefficient. Demographic analyses revealed that the effective population size (Ne) of the SCS population underwent a dramatic bottleneck during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), followed by a substantial recovery, whereas the RS and AS populations maintained stable Ne values throughout this period. To investigate adaptive responses to climate change in the SCS population, we employed selective elimination analysis, which identified 21 candidate genes potentially involved in environmental adaptation. Of particular significance were myo5a, hps4, znf385a, msh3, and pfkfb4, which likely play crucial roles in the adaptive mechanisms of H. kelloggi. This comprehensive study not only illuminates the genetic diversity patterns of H. kelloggi but also provides a valuable foundation for future investigations into the species’ evolutionary adaptations. Full article

This study compares Dalmatinski pršut, an EU Protected Geographical Indication (PGI)-labelled smoked dry-cured ham from the Dalmatia region in Croatia, with non-PGI hams from the same area, focusing on the impact of PGI certification on the product quality. The investigation is prompted by the increasing presence of dry-cured hams lacking the PGI label on the market, aspiring to compete with esteemed high-value PGI products. Samples of 28 smoked dry-cured hams (12 PGI and 16 non-PGI) were analysed for chemical properties, fatty acid composition, volatile compounds, PAH content and sensory characteristics. The results showed that PGI and non-PGI hams differ in their chemical and physical properties, with non-PGI hams having a lower water content and a higher salt content, which was also confirmed by the saltier taste in the sensory evaluation. PGI hams had a lower b* colour value, and, while the differences in texture were minimal, non-PGI hams had slightly more monounsaturated fatty acids. The aroma analysis revealed that PGI hams contained more aldehydes and alcohols, while non-PGI hams had a higher content of phenolic compounds and aromatic hydrocarbons, probably due to differences in smoking practices. PAH levels, however, were within the EU limits, indicating controlled smoking of both type of hams. Overall, these results show that the quality of smoked dry-cured ham can be distinguished by the PGI designation. The study illustrates how the traditional production methods prescribed by the PGI production protocols shape the sensory and chemical profiles of Dalmatinski pršut, with the PGI certification playing a crucial role in maintaining product quality and certifying its typicality, to distinguish it from non-PGI products. Full article

Flavor is the most important feature consumers use to examine fruit ripeness, and it also has an important influence on taste sensation. Nowadays, more and more consumers pay much attention not only to the appearance but also to the fruit’s aroma. Exploiting the potential of headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) combined with sensitive two-dimensional gas chromatography and the time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC/GC-ToF-MS) method within 30 old/traditional cultivars of apples (Malus domestica Borkh) coming from the same germplasm and 7 modern/commercial cultivars, 119 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified. The largest group was esters (53), followed by alcohols (20), aldehydes (17), ketones (10), and acids (10). The richest volatile profile was ‘Grochówka’, with 61 VOCs present. The results revealed a visible difference based on VOC levels and profiles between the different apple cultivars, as well as visible similarities within the same cultivar coming from different farms. Based on a PCA, the commercial cultivars were separated into 7 clusters, including (1) ‘Gala’, (2) ‘Melrose’, (3) ‘Red Prince’, (4) ‘Lobo’, (5) ‘Ligol’, and (6) ‘Szampion’. The results of this study indicate that the profile of volatile compounds may be a useful tool for distinguishing between commercial and old apple cultivars, as well as for the varietal classification of apples from different locations. The developed method can also be used to identify other fruit varieties and origins based on their VOC composition. This may prove to be particularly valuable in the case of establishing a Protected Designation of Origin or Protected Geographical Indication. Full article

Globalization and free market dynamics have significantly impacted state economies, particularly in the wine industry. These forces have introduced greater diversity in wine products but have also heightened the risk of food fraud, especially in high-value commodities like wine. Due to its market value and the premium placed on quality, wine is frequently subject to adulteration. This issue is often addressed through regulatory trademarks on wine labels, such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographic Indication (PGI). In this context, the metabolic profiles (organic acids, carbohydrates, and phenols) and stable isotope signatures (δ¹³C, δ¹⁸O, D/H_I, and D/H_II) of red and white wines from four agroclimatically similar regions were examined. The study explored how factors such as grape variety, harvest year, and geographical origin affect wine composition, with a particular focus on distinguishing samples from cross-border areas. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to assess the variability in wine composition and to identify distinct groups of samples. Preliminary results revealed that organic acids and volatile compounds were found in lower concentrations than carbohydrates but were significantly higher than phenols, with levels ranging between 1617 mg/L and 6258 mg/L. Carbohydrate content in the wines varied from 8285 mg/L to 14662 mg/L. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated certain separation trends based on the variance in carbohydrates (e.g., fructose, glucose, galactose) and isotopic composition. However, Discriminant Analysis (DA) provided clear distinctions based on harvest year, variety, and geographical origin. Full article

Geographical indications (GIs), protected by the European Union with the collective marks of PDO (protected designation of origin), PGI (protected geographical indication), and TSG (traditional specialty guaranteed), play an important role in the social and economic system. They not only guarantee food needs, but promote correct consumer information, protect local food, and play a role in the environmental and social sustainability of rural areas. In Italy, Parmigiano Reggiano (PR-RE) PDO cheese is ranked second in foods with the GI protection mark by turnover. This research aims to assess the financial sustainability of the firms registered in the PR-RE PDO consortium using financial statement (FINSTAT) analysis. Financial ratios (FR) and the EM-Score were applied to assess firms’ performance, financial risk, and credit score. The analysis distinguished firms by legal form, cooperative and non-cooperative, and altitude range—plain hill and mountain. The main findings of the research were as follows: (1) a better performance of lowland non-cooperative firms and lower financial risk, (2) a longer duration of the inventory cycle of cooperative firms, and (3) a greater financial risk in mountain cooperatives. The results provide indications for improving firms’ performance and for designing financial instruments for the sector. To our knowledge, this is the first research to carry out an analysis of all the available FINSTATs of firms in the PR-RE PDO sector. Full article

Greek giant beans, also known as “Gigantes Elefantes” (elephant beans, Phaseolus vulgaris L.,) are a traditional and highly cherished culinary delight in Greek cuisine, contributing significantly to the economic prosperity of local producers. However, the issue of food fraud associated with these products poses substantial risks to both consumer safety and economic stability. In the present study, multi-elemental analysis combined with decision tree learning algorithms were investigated for their potential to determine the multi-elemental profile and discriminate the origin of beans collected from the two geographical areas. Ensuring the authenticity of agricultural products is increasingly crucial in the global food industry, particularly in the fight against food fraud, which poses significant risks to consumer safety and economic stability. To ascertain this, an extensive multi-elemental analysis (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Be, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Re, Se, Sr, Ta, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Zn, and Zr) was performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Bean samples originating from Kastoria and Prespes (products with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status) were studied, focusing on the determination of elemental profiles or fingerprints, which are directly related to the geographical origin of the growing area. In this study, we employed a decision tree algorithm to classify Greek “Gigantes Elefantes” beans based on their multi-elemental composition, achieving high performance metrics, including an accuracy of 92.86%, sensitivity of 87.50%, and specificity of 96.88%. These results demonstrate the model’s effectiveness in accurately distinguishing beans from different geographical regions based on their elemental profiles. The trained model accomplished the discrimination of Greek “Gigantes Elefantes” beans from Kastoria and Prespes, with remarkable accuracy, based on their multi-elemental composition. Full article

The endemic palm from the Canary Islands, Phoenix canariensis, is one of the most distinctive elements of the Canarian vegetation landscape, contributing to cultural, economic and environmental aspects. One of the main conservation problems facing this iconic palm is anthropogenic hybridization with other Phoenix species, particularly Phoenix dactylifera, which has been introduced extensively throughout its geographical range. Therefore, it is important to obtain a genetic tool that addresses different issues that may have an impact on the protection of P. canariensis, including ornamental applications and wild population conservation purposes. Our main goals were to detect a molecular tracer that could reliably distinguish between Phoenix canariensis and P. dactylifera in the Canary archipelago and to characterize the presence and extent of genetic hybridization events between the two species. We used 19 nuclear microsatellites and 1 chloroplast minisatellite set and analysed a large sample size (N = 433) of plants using both Bayesian methods and ordination techniques. Our data showed that a set of 13 nuclear markers revealed diagnostic alleles for P. canariensis, which were defined as the Canarian nuclear genotype (CNG). Moreover, P. canariensis exhibited an exclusive chlorotype of 266 bp that together with the GNC serve as an indicator of genetic purity in the Canarian palm. These markers are sufficient to detect any hybrid, even if it is not related to morphological differences. The occurrence of a considerable number of specimens with different degrees of hybridization is discussed in terms of the existence of different generations of hybrids and different types of crosses. Thus, the genetic tracers represent an invaluable tool to address any proposal for the genetic conservation of Phoenix canariensis. Full article

Phaseolus coccineus L. is a highly valuable crop for human consumption with a high protein content and other associated health benefits. Herein, 14 P. coccineus L. landraces were selected for genetic characterization: two Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) landraces from the Prespon area, namely “Gigantes” (“G”) and “Elephantes” (“E”), and 12 additional landraces from the Greek Gene Bank collection of beans (PC1–PC12). The genetic diversity among these landraces was assessed using capillary electrophoresis utilizing fluorescence-labeled Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) and Expressed Sequence Tag (EST); Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) is a molecular marker technology. The “G” and “E” Prespon landraces were clearly distinguished among them, as well as from the PC1 to PC12 landraces, indicating the unique genetic identity of the Prespon beans. Overall, the genetic characterization of the abundant Greek bean germplasm using molecular markers can aid in the genetic identification of “G” and “E” Prespon beans, thus preventing any form of fraudulent practices as well as supporting traceability management strategies for the identification of authenticity, and protection of the origin of local certified products. Full article