Search Results (768)

The unique climate and rivers of the Southern Great Plains of the United States have shaped both ecological and human communities. Historically, the rivers of this region supported a wide variety of endemic species evolutionarily adapted to the particularly harsh environment, characterized by flow variability, periodic flooding and drying, and overall complexity. In this review, we provide an extensive overview of the many perils that the rivers of the Southern Great Plains are now facing due to the anthropogenic changes centered on river dam construction, high agricultural water demand, and groundwater depletion. These factors have fundamentally reshaped the flow regime of the Southern Great Plains rivers, resulting in a decline of native fish assemblages and increases in invasive species as a consequence of modified sediment transport, decrease in microhabitat diversity, changes in channel morphology, and an increase in habitat fragmentation. The case that we describe in the present article represents a prototypical example of the ecological consequences of human-induced alterations of river ecosystems. Here, we present this case as an example of damming-induced alteration of the riverine ecosystem, and we propose possible conservation measures to restore the original riverine environment and protect the currently threatened native fish diversity. Full article

This study employed sequential inoculation of native non-brewing yeasts Kluyveromyces marxianus YC-T7 and Pichia kudriavzevii QC-P3 to co-ferment dry white wine from Munage, a unique fresh-eating grape variety native to Xinjiang, providing technical support for the development of regionally distinctive wines in Xinjiang. To investigate how mixed fermentation with indigenous Xinjiang non-Saccharomyces (NS) yeasts and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) influences the aromatic profile of Munage wine, two NS strains—K. marxianus YC-T7 and P. kudriavzevii QC-P3—previously isolated and selected by our group were sequentially co-inoculated with S. cerevisiae CEC01. Strain growth dynamics were first characterized in a synthetic grape juice (SGJ) system under varying inoculation protocols; subsequently, Munage grapes were fermented under optimized sequential inoculation to assess physicochemical parameters, volatile aroma composition, and sensory attributes of the resulting dry white wine. Results demonstrated that, under sequential inoculation, the QC-P3 + SC consortium entered the late logarithmic phase on day 4 and achieved a final ethanol concentration of 10.29%vol, whereas the YC-T7 + SC consortium reached the same growth stage on day 5 with 10.27%vol ethanol—confirming robust and timely alcoholic fermentation for both consortia. Consequently, sequential inoculation was adopted as the standard protocol for Munage wine production. All key physicochemical parameters complied with China’s national standards for dry white wine. Relative to pure SC fermentation, the YC-T7 + SC treatment increased tartaric acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, and citric acid contents by 3.15%, 12.16%, and 2.18%, respectively; the QC-P3 + SC treatment induced more pronounced enhancements—22.58%, 51.64%, and 14.70%, respectively. A total of 54 volatile compounds were identified, including 29 esters, 12 alcohols, 7 organic acids, 4 phenolic compounds, and 2 others. Integrated analysis using odor activity values (OAVs), principal component analysis (PCA), and descriptive sensory evaluation consistently revealed that the YC-T7 + SC wine exhibited the highest concentrations of fruit- and flower-associated esters, while the QC-P3 + SC wine was distinguished by a distinctive pineapple-like aroma driven predominantly by ethyl butyrate. Collectively, sequential co-inoculation of indigenous Xinjiang NS strains YC-T7 and QC-P3 with S. cerevisiae significantly improved Munage wine quality—particularly in acidity balance, polyphenol retention, and aromatic complexity—thereby offering both novel microbial resources and a validated technical framework for stylistically authentic vinification of terroir-expressive wines from the Xinjiang region. Full article

Articular cartilage defects remain a significant clinical challenge due to the limited intrinsic regenerative capacity of cartilage and the inability of many current therapeutic approaches to restore the structure and function of native hyaline tissue. As a result, considerable research efforts have been directed toward the development of tissue-engineering and biomaterial-based strategies capable of promoting more effective regeneration. Among these, hydroxyapatite–hydrogel (HAp–hydrogel) composites have emerged as particularly promising candidates because they combine the biological functionality of HAp with the structural versatility of hydrogel networks. Hydrogels provide a highly hydrated, extracellular matrix-like environment that supports cell survival, facilitates matrix deposition, and enables the localized delivery of therapeutic agents. At the same time, their physicochemical properties can be tailored through a variety of crosslinking approaches and advanced responsive design strategies. The incorporation of HAp, either in nano- or microscale form, contributes to mechanical reinforcement, supports subchondral bone regeneration, and influences cellular behavior through both biochemical and mechanotransductive mechanisms. Beyond promoting chondrogenic differentiation, HAp–hydrogel composites have also been investigated for their capacity to modulate inflammation, stimulate angiogenesis within the subchondral region, provide antibacterial protection, and maintain a microenvironment conducive to tissue repair. This review critically examines recent advances in the development and application of HAp–hydrogel composites for cartilage regeneration, highlighting material design principles, fabrication strategies, healing mechanisms, and the key challenges that continue to influence their clinical translation. Full article

Ulluco (Ullucus tuberosus), the second most economically important Andean tuber after potato, has been cultivated for over 5500 years. Despite its resistance to frost, drought, and high altitudes, as well as its biochemically complex profile, ulluco remains underrepresented in the scientific literature and absent from international markets. This comparative review synthesises the evidence available up to November 2025 regarding its biology, nutritional profile, phytochemistry, and food industry applications relative to four other Andean tubers: oca (Oxalis tuberosa), mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum), native potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), and yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius). The main comparative findings are as follows: First, ulluco is the only Andean tuber that biosynthesises betalains instead of anthocyanins, producing up to 32 distinct compounds that are stable across a pH range of 3–7, a chromatic stability advantage over anthocyanin-based pigments from mashua, oca, and native potato, which suggests its potential as a source for the development of clean-label natural colourants. Second, among the five species evaluated, ulluco protein content across different morphotypes ranges from 5.60 to 15.7 g/100 g dry weight, ranking within the upper range of values reported for mashua and oca, and comparable to or higher than the upper ranges reported for native potato and yacon. This variability reflects the genotypic and ecogeographical diversity of the evaluated accessions and is not a methodological inconsistency, with 20% of varieties exceeding 10 g/100 g and providing six essential amino acids, supporting genetic improvement programmes aimed at nutritional security. Third, ulluco starch exhibits a low gelatinisation temperature (56–60 °C), a high amylose content (24–36%), and pseudoplastic behaviour, properties comparable or superior to potato starch for specific applications, with technical viability validated at a laboratory scale in applications including biodegradable films, food 3D printing inks, and dehydrated snacks. Unlike yacon, which accumulates fructooligosaccharides and lacks starch, ulluco aligns with oca, mashua, and potato as a starch-accumulating species. Critical gaps identified include the absence of clinical evidence on betalain bioavailability, the lack of a complete nuclear genome assembly, and the non-existence of standardised processing methods for industrial scaling. A coordinated agenda that integrates clean seed programmes, pilot-scale validation, and genomic breeding is essential for the bioeconomy of the 21st century to transform ulluco into a high-value ingredient. Full article

This study investigates the use of the discourse marker cioè in the Italian speech of first- and second-generation migrants living in Naples, focusing on frequency, phonetic realization, pragmatic functions, and syntactic position. While previous research on discourse markers in Italian as a second language has primarily addressed their functional development, their phonetic realization—especially in contact with regional varieties—remains largely unexplored. The analysis is based on a corpus of sociolinguistic interviews collected within the HELLO Campania! Project and includes Sri Lankan and Filipino speakers, compared with a control group of native Neapolitan speakers. Quantitative analyses reveal clear generational differences: first-generation speakers show low frequencies and limited functional range, whereas second-generation speakers display native-like frequency and distribution. Crucially, results show that migrants not only acquire cioè at a functional level but also reproduce locally salient phonetic variants, including variety-specific patterns of phonetic reduction, i.e., [tʃɛ] and [ʃɛ]. These findings suggest that linguistic integration operates across multiple levels and that discourse markers are sensitive sites of sociophonetic accommodation. The study contributes to research on Italian L2 and language contact by highlighting the role of regional phonetic patterns in shaping the acquisition of high-frequency pragmatic items. Full article

Accurate and moderate rice processing is a key strategy for ensuring national food security and improving population nutritional status. This article synthesizes the technical scope and development trajectory of moderate processing, examines the evolution from multistage light grinding to AI-driven targeted grinding, and analyzes the balance between processing accuracy and eating quality, nutritional retention, storage stability, and safety risks. Evidence suggests that the core of moderate processing lies in the dynamic alignment of rice variety with processing targets, supported by intelligent online detection technologies that enable precise control. China’s rice processing industry is currently transitioning from experience-driven to data-driven operations; however, it continues to face challenges, including underdeveloped evaluation standards, high technology adoption costs, and limited consumer awareness. Future efforts should prioritize loss reduction, nutritional preservation, and intelligent processing to support coordinated advancement across the precision and moderate rice processing value chain. Moderate processing of rice preserves more native nutrients and plays an important role in improving residents’ dietary structure and safeguarding public health, achieving the best balance between saving food, preserving nutrients, and improving efficiency. Full article

Industrial potato processing generates substantial rejected-tuber streams that are rarely valorized. This study optimized wet-process starch extraction from rejected Solanum tuberosum L. (Pastusa variety) sourced from a Colombian snack processor (Comestibles Ricos S.A., Super Ricas, Bogotá), using a Box–Behnken design with three factors: temperature (20–40 °C), solid-to-liquid ratio (1:2–1:4, w/v), and citric acid concentration (0–6%, w/v; n = 26 per material). The reduced model (F = 9.236, p = 0.0003) identified temperature (β₁ = +0.729) and solid-to-liquid ratio (β₂ = +0.695) as the dominant yield drivers, with the identified optimum located at the boundary of the tested domain, indicating that an expanded range may yield further gains. Across the full experimental domain, rejected-grade potato produced significantly higher starch yields than standard-grade material (3.06 ± 1.20% vs. 1.85 ± 0.53%; Welch’s t = 4.70, p < 0.0001, Cohen’s d = 1.30). Under the identified optimal conditions (40 °C, 1:4 w/v, 3% citric acid), rejected-grade tubers yielded 5.41 ± 1.30%, 3.6-fold higher than standard-grade material processed under the same conditions (1.49 ± 0.14%), consistent with pre-existing intracellular starch release from mechanically damaged tubers. Total starch content reached 83.4 ± 2.6% (dry basis) as determined by the Megazyme K-TSTA-100A enzymatic kit (AOAC 996.11), with CV < 1.5% between independent extractions. UV-Vis spectrophotometry of the iodine–starch complex (600 nm; R² = 0.9830) confirmed native amylose-rich starch identity. These results establish rejected Pastusa potato as a statistically robust circular-economy feedstock for native starch recovery. Full article

Shifting climatic conditions challenge simplified, yield-oriented agriculture, particularly in fragile mountain regions. In the Ecuadorian Andes, agriculture functions as a socio-ecological system shaped by biocultural relationships integrating production, agrobiodiversity, and farmer decision-making. This study examines how climate variability interacts with crop phenology and management practices within ancestral associated cropping systems (chakras). The analysis focuses on maize, common bean, faba bean, and potato during the 2024–2025 agricultural cycle in Imantag, Ecuador. A total of 30 native, introduced, and improved varieties were sown in traditional rows (wachos) and monitored within a single 420.8 m² Andean chakra. Using multiple ordinary least squares (OLS) regression (n = 30; R² = 0.440, adj. R² = 0.351, F (4,25) = 4.914, p = 0.005), results show that maize significantly outperformed the faba bean reference group (β = 20.34, p = 0.017), while common bean showed intermediate performance (β = 15.31, p = 0.048). Seed mass at planting was positively associated with relative yield (β = 6.71, p = 0.069), highlighting early-stage management decisions. Elevated maximum temperatures during maturation negatively affected yield (r = −0.42, p = 0.020), while accumulated precipitation had a positive effect (r = +0.45, p = 0.014). Model quality criteria, including VIF diagnostics (max. VIF = 3.37), Shapiro–Wilk residual normality test (W = 0.983, p = 0.896), and cross-validation using Ridge and Lasso regression, confirm the robustness of the statistical findings. These findings demonstrate that chakras function as adaptive socioecological systems that enhance productivity, agrobiodiversity conservation, and resilience under climate variability. Full article

The article presents the results of long-term research on plant introduction and the establishment of plant collections at the E. Gareev Botanical Garden of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic. The aim of the research was to preserve, expand, and comprehensively investigate the living plant collection of the E. Gareev Botanical Garden. Phenological, ontogenetic, and biological characteristics were examined, along with plant adaptation to the soil and climatic conditions of the Chui Valley. The living collection comprises 495 woody and shrub taxa (48 families, 121 genera), including 80 coniferous and 415 deciduous species. Notably, 63 native Kyrgyz taxa were identified, comprising 5 coniferous and 58 deciduous tree species, with 30 subendemics and 2 endemics. The herbaceous collection includes 57 native Kyrgyzstan species, of which 5 are endemic, 37 are subendemic, and 14 are listed in the Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic. Additionally, 117 medicinal species and varieties were documented, with 48 species (41 genera, 15 families) representing the native flora. Species from the low-mountain valleys, foothills, and lower mountain belts exhibited the highest adaptation success, whereas high-mountain species showed comparatively lower establishment rates. These findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing ex situ conservation strategies and expanding the botanical garden’s collection through targeted introduction programs. Full article

To advance our understanding of the vulnerability of native adult grammars to grammatical attrition, research should further explore the various input contexts in which such attrition may obtain. This article considers contexts where speakers are first exposed in adulthood to a grammatically distinct dialectal variety of their first language (L1), which may result in modifications to the grammar of their native dialect. Within psycholinguistic approaches to L1 attrition, these changes under the influence of a new L1 dialect are often considered part of the same phenomenon as attrition under the influence of a second language (L2). Changes to late-sequential bidialectals’ native dialects have also been investigated within variationist sociolinguistics under the term ‘long-term accommodation’. Despite the fact that both the psycholinguistic and sociolinguistic approaches are essentially studying the same patterns of native grammatical change in the same populations of speakers, communication between the two fields has been scarce. The purpose of this review article is therefore twofold: Firstly, we aim to provide an overview of some key studies evidencing changes in the native grammars of late-sequential bidialectals, bringing together research from the fields of L1 attrition and variationist sociolinguistics. Secondly, building on this review, we explore how drawing upon insights from these two fields can further our understanding of some key issues in the field of L1 grammatical attrition more broadly, and we explore some of the implications for current attempts to model grammatical attrition across a range of input contexts. Full article

Vascularization remains a fundamental bottleneck in tissue engineering, as the absence of functional vascular networks limits oxygen and nutrient delivery, resulting in necrotic cores and poor host integration. While structural scaffold design and cell sourcing have advanced considerably, emerging evidence indicates that paracrine signaling, rather than direct cell contact or scaffold architecture alone, is the primary driver of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis within engineered constructs. Key cell types, including endothelial cells (ECs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), engage in bidirectional paracrine crosstalk through the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietins, hepatocyte growth factor, and platelet-derived growth factor, among other mediators. While researchers have long focused on improving scaffold structure and cell selection, growing evidence shows that the chemical messages cells send to one another play a far more important role in driving blood vessel formation than previously appreciated. This review explores how cells embedded within engineered scaffolds communicate through secreted signals to coordinate the growth of new blood vessels. Two cell types, MSCs and ECs, are central to this process: cells that line blood vessels and bone marrow-derived stem cells. These cells exchange a variety of chemical messages that instruct neighboring cells to multiply, move, and organize into vessel-like structures. Importantly, the material properties of the scaffold itself, including its stiffness, surface texture, and degradation over time, influence the signals cells produce and how those signals spread through the tissue. Strategies to amplify paracrine signaling include growth factor-loaded delivery systems, hypoxic and genetic preconditioning of MSCs, and perfusion bioreactor culture. In vitro and in vivo evidence consistently demonstrates that coculture systems leveraging paracrine interactions produce superior vascular outcomes compared to single-cell or acellular constructs. Despite this progress, challenges related to signaling complexity, reproducibility, and clinical translation persist. Integration of transcriptomic and proteomic profiling, computational modeling, and machine learning approaches offers a path toward rationally designed scaffolds that recapitulate the spatiotemporal dynamics of native vascular signaling and ultimately support functional tissue regeneration. Full article

In this paper, L1 phonemic systems are discussed in the context of their impact on the pronunciation and perception of English diphthongs in PE, drawing on World Englishes and phonetic analysis. The study focuses on speakers whose native languages are Punjabi, Seraiki, Pashto, and Urdu, and examines how changes in local vowel inventories and glide processes influence diphthong production. The controlled production and perception tasks were done on eight English diphthongs by 40 adult speakers (10 speakers per L1 group). The formant trajectories (F1, F2), duration, and intensity were recorded by acoustic analyses, which are used to measure the variation that occurs as the articulatory glide occurs between vowel targets. Perception was measured using diphthong identification tasks to assess listeners’ sensitivity to dynamic spectral movement. The results indicate systematic L1-conditioned restructuring. Deviations were the most pronounced in diphthongs with significant vowel gliding, especially centering diphthongs, characterized by a decrease in spectral movement, a constriction in vowel space, and a general tendency toward monophthongization. Closing diphthongs were generally more stable in production; however, they still exhibited systematic L1-conditioned variation, particularly in glide magnitude, spectral direction, and temporal realization. These patterns of production were highly consistent with the results of perceptual production: the diphthongs with lesser acoustic movement were also found to be less accurately recognized, and diphthongs in their L1s and speakers of phonemically richer vowel systems had partial glide contrasts. The findings demonstrate that the variation in diphthongs in PE is systematic, reflecting predictable relationships between the L1 phonemic system, perceptual assimilation, and sociolinguistic experience. The findings highlight the pedagogical value of L1-sensitive pronunciation instruction and contribute to the phonetic description of Pakistani English as a systematic contact variety. Full article

Aquatic and semi-aquatic plant assemblages, water quality, riparian habitat, and landscape conditions were assessed for 140 ponds located in the Ozarks region in Arkansas and Missouri in order to better describe their occurrences and distributional patterns. Local environmental and landscape-level determinants that shape their diversity and influence their respective distributions, particularly in light of urbanization, were also assessed. Ozark ponds are highly variable in terms of physical structure, habitat quality, and plant diversity. Urban ponds were generally of lower quality in terms of environmental attributes compared to those in non-urban areas, but they had similar plant taxa richness as well as numbers of non-native species compared to their non-urban counterparts. Ponds had high plant diversity (N = 204 taxa, $\overline{\mathrm{x}}$ = 9.89, range = 0–33). Taxa richness increased with increasing pond size, and urban ponds had slightly more species on average compared to non-urban ponds (10.38 vs. 9.58, respectively). Spatial beta diversity of plants showed a high dissimilarity among ponds, with turnover being the dominant fraction. Beta diversity also followed a significant distance-decay model. These findings show that urban Ozark ponds serve as important habitats for a broad variety of aquatic plants. Full article

Habitat alteration and biological invasions are two main drivers of biodiversity loss at the global scale. Eutrophication and invasive fish greatly disturb freshwater native communities. This is of particular conservation concern in the Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain), where fish fauna display a high level of endemism. For this eco-region, there is a dearth of information on the interactions among water quality, physical condition and parasites of invasive fishes. Consequently, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of nutrient enrichment on health status and parasitological traits in the invasive mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki inhabiting an Iberian river. Water (n = 18 replicates, three per site) and fish (n = 400 individuals, 33–34 ind. per site and year) samples were collected in September 2024 and 2025 along the River Bullaque (central Spain). Sampling effort was standardised among sites, with the following parameters consistent: seine and pond nets were used, deployed by wading; 10:00 solar time; 1.5 h duration; personnel (the same seven trained researchers); and weather/environmental conditions; ensuring methodological consistency and data comparability. Laboratory procedures were carried out near the sampling sites to minimise both fish stress and distortions to parasite communities. Morphological and parasitological parameters were compared between mesotrophic and eutrophic reaches (six sampling sites, three per reach). Body condition and health assessment index* were greater under eutrophic conditions. Fluctuating asymmetry (a measure of developmental instability) was significantly higher for eye diameter in the mesotrophic reach. Parasite taxonomic composition differed between reaches, with more digeneans and cestodes in the mesotrophic sites, whereas ciliates and monogeneans were more abundant in mosquitofish from the eutrophic reach. Parasite prevalence, abundance and index of life-cycle complexity (heteroxenous species) were lower in the eutrophic reach. These results strongly suggest that eutrophication can facilitate mosquitofish invasiveness. This is reflected in a variety of morphological and parasitological traits, such as better body condition, health status, developmental stability, parasite resistance and tolerance. Overall, these parameters indicate that mosquitofish is taking advantage of anthropogenic impacts to improve their level of establishment and subsequent spread throughout Iberian fresh waters. Full article

Sustainable building practices can reduce environmental harm and support resilient urban development. To aid built-environment professionals such as architects, building scientists and planners in accomplishing regenerative design objectives, a variety of building rating and accreditation schemes have been developed, such as Greenstar or the Living Building Challenge. These schemes primarily focus on sustainability targets, such as energy and water use. Biodiversity considerations, despite their importance for ecosystem services and human health, are predominantly absent as core objectives in the building rating tools currently in use. To address this gap, we introduce the New Zealand Biodiversity Factor—Building (NZBF-B), a tool created to educate and incentivise the integration of biodiversity into buildings by assessing their biodiversity value, with a focus on prioritising native species. We outline the development of the NZBF-B, including its components, its scoring methodology, and an expert-informed weighting process used to determine the ecological relevance of each category. The tool captures key characteristics of building-associated biodiversity through measurable indicators that reflect both habitat provision and opportunities to strengthen human–nature connection. We advocate for the use of the NZBF-B alongside existing certification schemes to achieve more effective green building performance outcomes related to biodiversity. Full article