Tracking Asian tiger mosquito introductions in the Netherlands using Nextstrain

The Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus is an undesirable invasive mosquito species that causes considerable nuisance through its biting behaviour, and has been proven to transmit more than 22 different viruses under laboratory conditions. Human-aided transportation, the capacity of winter diapause, and possibly global warming have contributed to the global invasion of Ae. albopictus. The species was found for the first time in the Netherlands in 2005, and since 2010 has been found introduced at many locations throughout the country. Elucidating the origin of these introduced mosquitoes could help the authorities on the planning and evaluation of the risk-based surveillance of Aedes invasive mosquitoes. This study aims to determine the genomic diversity of Ae. albopictus that is represented within and between collection sites with a database consisting of Ae. albopictus specimens from past introductions in the Netherlands, specimens from populations from other regions in the world, and data from specimens present in databases. In this study, complete mitochondrial genomes were sequenced, a recommended marker for phylogeography analysis of Ae. albopictus. Metadata is presented in a Nextstrain build containing 254 Ae. albopictus genomes up to October 2020. Overall, the phylogeny results of the Nextstrain build reveals a low mitogenomic diversity within Ae. albopictus. Genomic diversity of Ae. albopictus specimens found in the Netherlands fall within one main cluster which is hypothesised to represent the globally invasive strain of the species. Other organisations are stimulated to share data or materials for inclusion and improvement of the Nextstrain build, which can be accessed at https://nextstrain.nrcnvwa.nl/Aedes/20210728.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Modes of Governing and Policy of Local and Regional Governments Supporting Local Low-Carbon Energy Initiatives; Exploring the Cases of the Dutch Regions of Overijssel and Fryslân

Recent scholarly attention shows increasing involvement of local low-carbon energy initiatives (LLCEIs) in governance and policy, in particular in relation to innovations regarding low-carbon energy and energy efficiency. The future perspective of active citizenship in the production of locally generated low-carbon energy is largely dependent on the existing institutional and policy frameworks and settings. Subnational governments, in particular, can have a prominent role in this process by engaging in institutional adaptation and policy innovation. The central research question of this paper is: In what ways do local and regional governments innovate in governing to respond to the emergence of LLCEIs? The research question is answered by comparing two case studies: the Dutch regions of Overijssel and Fryslân. We have conceptualized a meta-governing approach of experimentation, characterizing the innovations in governing that emerge when governments respond to the emergence of LLCEIs. We specifically focus on two capacities that subnational governments can use to enhance their governing capacity vis-à-vis LLCEIs and which substantiate the experimental meta-governance mode: institutional adaptation and policy innovation. We then formulated hypotheses that specify the expected policy innovations and institutional adaptations employed vis-à-vis LLCEIs. Data collection involved in-depth interviews and use of secondary data. The results show that a balancing process of authoritative and enabling modes of governing particularly characterized the type of policy innovations that were developed and the institutional adaptations that took place. Both provinces govern LLCEIs at arm’s length and issue significant capacity-building strategies that vary in terms of their conditions. Municipalities, however, incline towards impromptu and opportunistic responses, some of them having lasting effects by patching up existing institutional settings, others having more of an episodic character. The results will further the understanding of subnational low-carbon policy and governance innovation processes vis-à-vis the role of LLCEIsOrganisation and Governanc

Modes of governing and policy of decentralized governments supporting local low-carbon energy initiatives; exploring the cases of the Dutch regions of Overijssel and Fryslân2

Organisation and Governanc

Testing the social, organizational, and governance factors for success in local low carbon energy initiatives

Evidence from academic studies that analyze social and institutional factors that influence success with community energy projects is scarce. To address this, we pose the question: What are the social, organizational, and governance factors that explain success with ‘local low-carbon energy initiatives’ (LLCEIs)? To answer this question, claims were first established pertaining to three groups of social factors: i.e. (i) those related to the LLCEI itself; (ii) factors related to the interaction between an LLCEI and the local community; and (iii) the presence of supportive governance settings and linkages with local government and intermediaries. These were analyzed using a variable-oriented cross-case design involving fourteen LLCEIs in the Dutch Province of Fryslân. Results show that there is a difference in the sets of factors that positively correlate with various measures of LLCEI success. Factors related to the LLCEI (i.e. internal organizational factors) correlate with collective energy projects and to a lesser extent with individual projects realized. Items related to interactions of the LLCEI with the local community primarily correlate with the customer base and to a lesser extent with individual projects realized. Finally, items related to the governance setting correlate most strongly with individual projects realized.Organisation and Governanc

Development and Validation of a High-Throughput Sequencing Test for Mitogenome and rDNA Assembly and Annotation, and Its Use in Support of Nematode Identification of Regulatory Concern

Nematoda is a diverse phylum, and representatives are found in most habitats, including in and on animals and plants. Nematodes are regarded as the most abundant group in terms of individuals in marine and terrestrial sediments. Plant-parasitic nematodes are globally responsible for an annual yield loss of $125 billion. Reliable species identification is essential to take appropriate phytosanitary measures. The introduction of validated Sanger sequencing of 18S, 28S, and cox1 barcode loci represented a powerful tool in support of nematode identification. However, technical challenges associated with PCR and Sanger sequencing and the need for additional loci for identification hamper the efficient use of sequence data. To overcome these challenges, we developed an automated bioinformatic pipeline for the assembly and annotation of mitochondrial genomes and ribosomal DNAs, and we defined and validated a standardized test protocol including controls for routine diagnostics (i.e., high-throughput sequencing [HTS] test). The HTS test can be performed on single nematode specimens and outperforms the Sanger-based sequencing by producing less ambiguous consensus sequences and by yielding additional sequence data offering additional diagnostic resolution when needed. Compared with Sanger sequencing, the HTS test represents a reduction in hands-on time. The HTS test is regarded as fit for the purpose of the molecular identification of single nematode specimens in support of nematode diagnostics of regulatory concern. [Graphic: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license