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From texture to digestion: Understanding multi-component interactions in designing starch-based low-glycemic index soft foods
Full text linkBackground: Dysphagia, characterized by impaired swallowing, is commonly managed using starch-based texture-modified foods that ensure safe swallowing and energy provision. Starch's versatility and structural-textural adaptability, makes it a key ingredient in dysphagia diets. However, conventional starch-based foods often exhibit high glycemic indices (GI), posing risks for dysphagic individuals who frequently present with or are predisposed to diabetes. Modifying starch through complexation with proteins, dietary fibers (DFs), lipids, or polyphenols can not only tailor texture but also lower digestibility, enabling the development of low-glycemic index soft foods (low-GISFs).
Scope and approach: This review synthesizes recent insights into starch interactions with major food macro molecules in binary and multicomponent systems and critically evaluates their influence on starch's physico chemical, textural, rheological, and digestive properties. Furthermore, it outlines key design considerations for developing dysphagia-friendly low-GISFs that address additional challenges such as malnutrition and glycemic balance.
Key findings and conclusions: Proteins form interwoven networks with starch chains; DFs enhance hydration and encapsulation; lipids form inclusion complexes yielding ordered crystalline structures; and polyphenols establish inclusion or non-inclusion complexes that modulate enzymatic accessibility. Within these starch-based systems, whether binary or multicomponent, these macromolecules regulate texture, water retention, and starch digestibility. Although soft texture and low-GI behavior have been studied independently, their integration is critical for designing foods for vulnerable populations. Developing multicomponent starch-based composites through informed selection of component ratios, structuring techniques, and functionality, offers a promising strategy to achieve safe, nutritionally-balanced, and metabolically appropriate low-GISFs
Seasonal color dynamics and visual aesthetic perception in subtropical wetland parks
Full text linkNational urban wetland parks serve as key platforms for ecological conservation and recreation, yet the synergistic mechanisms between plant color dynamics and public aesthetic perception remain underexplored. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for evidence-based, climate-resilient landscape design. This study quantifies statistical associations between seasonal color and aesthetic patterns in two national wetland parks (South Dian Lake and Laoyu Lake, Kunming) using Hue–Saturation–Brightness (HSB) color metrics and Scenic Beauty Estimation (SBE) based on year-round monitoring at 24 sample sites. Regression analysis revealed that overall SBE values ranged from −1.027 to 0.756, indicating medium aesthetic quality, with South Dian Lake outperforming Laoyu Lake, particularly in aquatic plant communities. Seasonal trends showed the highest aesthetic preference in winter (orange–yellow dominant, 0.110) and the lowest in early spring (−0.167, yellow dominant), followed by relatively stable values from late spring to mid-autumn (0.007–0.020) and a secondary peak in late autumn (0.029). Higher SBE scores were associated with a dominant hue ratio of 70–75%, balancing color unity and diversity. We identify an operational plant color configuration—70–75% dominant hue, 20% evergreen foliage and 5–7 color types—that corresponds to higher SBE scores. By translating aesthetic responses into quantitative color targets, this study provides guidance for climate-adaptive planting design and seasonal management in subtropical wetland landscapes under global warming
Biogeographical patterns and compositional turnover of African vascular plants
Full text linkExploring biogeographical patterns of species richness and compositional turnover, and their responses to environmental factors is essential for predicting biodiversity responses to future global change. However, our understanding at continental scales remains limited, especially in Africa, due to data gaps and uneven sampling. Using a model-based distribution dataset of >23 000 vascular plant species in sub-Saharan Africa, we mapped species richness, estimated as species counts at site-level and explained using generalised additive modelling (GAM). Compositional turnover was mapped according to the nonmetric multidimensional scaling of between-site Jaccard dissimilarity and explained using multi-site generalised dissimilarity modelling (MS-GDM) of zeta diversity. We used deviance partitioning to identify potential underlying mechanisms of these biogeographical patterns. The results revealed species-rich pockets and compositional clusters of vascular plants across sub-Saharan Africa. The GAM fits the richness variation well (89.7% deviance explained) and identified mean annual precipitation (contributing 8.52% alone), mean annual temperature, fire frequency, human footprint, soil clay content, and topographic roughness as significant predictors. The MS-GDM explained 63% and 38.49% of the deviance in compositional turnover of narrow-range and widespread species, respectively. Geographical distance between sites contributed the most to the turnover of narrow-range species (9% deviance explained), whereas turnover of widespread species was affected by between-site differences in soil pH (7.55% deviance explained). Turnover of narrow-range and increasingly widespread species was driven mostly by environmental heterogeneity (14% and 10% deviance explained, respectively). These insights enhance our understanding of the processes shaping African plant biogeography and provide a foundation for predicting continental-scale biodiversity responses to future environmental change
Agricultural extension and education
No full textAgricultural extension and education services are a well-known approach for supporting rural change. These services often consist of a collaboration between stakeholders, including farmers, consultants, governmental agencies, scientists and other rural agents. These actors participate in knowledge generation and support for practice change via experimentation, demonstration, discussion, learning and persuasion. Agricultural extension has undergone significant change over time, from a strong focus on top-down and research-led approaches, to an emphasis on bottom-up approaches, such as farmer organized groups. Current challenges associated with extension are the public and private provisioning of extension services and concerns about future extension capacity and capability. We elaborate on these challenges by providing examples of extension and education services in an international context. Furthermore, we reflect on the role of agricultural extension and education in addressing future complex challenges
Contrasting effects of temperature across trophic levels in geothermally warmed soil food webs
Full text linkGlobal warming is altering the structure and dynamics of ecological communities, with significant consequences for soil food webs. Rising temperatures are expected to accelerate metabolic rates in organisms, potentially altering species interactions, and the structure and energetics of food webs. However, most studies assessing warming impacts on soil invertebrates have been short‐term, taxonomically narrow, or confounded by large‐scale variability. We investigated how long‐term warming affects soil invertebrate community structure across trophic levels. We sampled soil invertebrate along natural temperature gradients (17–40°C) of geothermal surface features of New Zealand, and we analysed community composition and population densities in relation to soil temperature, pH, water content, and microbial biomass. We found that the invertebrate community composition was significantly influenced by temperature and associated environmental variables. Total invertebrate density increased with warming, primarily driven by decomposers, while diversity metrics generally declined (except for omnivores). Decomposer diversity declined due to reductions in both dominant and rare species (Hill q = 1 and q = 2), whereas predator richness decreased mainly due to the loss of rare species (Hill q = 1) that resulted in higher evenness. In contrast, omnivores exhibited increased species richness. Our results highlight that warming effects are trophic‐level specific and environmentally context‐dependent. This suggests that long‐term warming may disrupt key ecosystem functions – such as decomposition, predator–prey interactions, and top‐down control by reshaping community composition and inducing the loss of decomposer taxa and rare predatory taxa. Such alterations could compromise soil food web stability and the resilience of those communities to disturbance events in a changing climate
Effects of anthropogenic activities on soil microbial communities and greenhouse gas fluxes in coastal wetlands of the Yellow River Delta, China
No full textCoastal wetlands are key emitters of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Anthropogenic activities can alter the carbon and nitrogen cycle patterns in wetlands, thereby greatly affecting GHG fluxes. Previous studies have focused only on the effects of a single anthropogenic activity, thus, the effects of multiple anthropogenic activities on GHG fluxes and the underlying microbiological mechanisms remain unknown. Compared to natural reed areas (NA), our study investigated the four typical anthropogenic activities (Yellow River farmland (YA), sewage outfalls (SA), mariculture (MA), and oil extraction areas (OA)) in the coastal wetlands of the Yellow River Delta, showing that the anthropogenic activities enhanced nitrification (51.33 times NA), denitrification (25.77 times NA), methanogenesis (1.02 times NA), methane oxidation (7.87 times NA), and carbon sequestration (3.36 times NA) functional potentials. These activities significantly increased the nitrous oxide (0.07–1.14 mg/(m²·hr))and carbon dioxide fluxes (198.1–6240.10 mg/(m²·hr)), and significantly decreased the methane fluxes (−41.84 to 36.28 /(m²·hr)), resulting in an increase in the carbon dioxide (CO₂)-dominant global warming potential (GWP) (0.22–4.81 kg CO₂/year). The higher GWP risks were observed in YA and OA. Stochastic processes dominated the microbial community assembly. Niche breadth was narrowed, resulting in the evolution of numerous idiosyncratic species, enhancing the intricacy and stability of microbial networks. Crucially, our findings highlight actionable pathways for climate mitigation: prioritizing emission controls in agriculture and oil sectors and optimizing coastal zoning policies. These insights bridge mechanistic understanding with scalable solutions for coastal wetland sustainability and climate governance
Effect of pea (Pisum sativum) cooking water on the in vitro predicted glycaemic response of wheat pasta
No full textBACKGROUND: Growing global interest in sustainability has encouraged the utilization of food by-products with nutritional potential. Pea cooking water (PCW), often discarded, may enhance the nutritional and functional characteristics of food. This study initially investigates the in vitro predicted glycaemic response modulation and nutritional enhancement capabilities of PCW. RESULTS: Pasta and rice samples were prepared with 10–20% freeze-dried PCW (PCWFD). The incorporation of 10% PCWFD into pasta increased the protein content by 21.8% compared to wheat pasta (WP). A disrupted matrix structure PCW-incorporated pasta (PCW-P) with visible pores indicated altered physical characteristics. Differential scanning calorimetry results indicated a decline (0.65 to 0.27 J g‾¹ dry matter (dm)) in enthalpy change (ΔH) for PCW-P, pointing to a significantly enhanced degree of starch gelatinization (P < 0.05). In vitro starch digestibility assay demonstrated a marked increase in slowly digestible starch content for pasta with 20% PCW at 14.2 ± 3.6 g 100 g‾¹ dm, in stark contrast to the WP at 3.2 ± 2.7 g 100 g‾¹ dm. Initial glucose release within the first 20 min of digestion for PCW-P and rice cooked with pea cooking water (PCW-R) was significantly lower compared to their respective controls, with PCW-P and PCW-R showing notable reductions (P = 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively). CONCLUSION: Overall, adding PCWFD to pasta can slow starch digestion and improve its nutritional quality. This study underscores the potential of PCWFD as a functional, eco-friendly ingredient that supports both health and resource recovery objectives
Exploring memorable experiences’ impact on cultural heritage tourist behavior: Interaction-Ritual Theory perspective
Full text linkCultural heritage tourism is increasingly influenced by the experience economy, shaping how visitors plan, engage, and remember their trips. Using Interaction-Ritual Theory (IRT), this study examines how memorable experiences at cultural heritage sites foster destination brand love, tourist engagement, and loyalty. A self-administered survey of 408 visitors to heritage sites in Bali, Indonesia, was analyzed using Partial Least-Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) to explore direct and mediated effects. Results show that memorable experiences significantly strengthen tourist engagement and destination affection, which in turn enhances loyalty. A clear serial mediation pathway is identified in which memorable experiences build engagement, which then fosters destination love and ultimately strengthens loyalty. These findings affirm IRT’s relevance in heritage tourism, demonstrating that repeated, emotionally charged interactions nurture lasting behavioral loyalty. The study advances understanding of lo–place relationships. Practically, it guides destination managers in designing emotionally resonant, engagement-rich heritage experiences that build enduring bonds with visitors and sustain competitiveness in cultural heritage tourism
Effects of retrograde run training on long jump performances of student athletes: A randomized controlled study
Full text linkBackground/Objectives: Retrograde run training increases forward run speed and muscle power. However, the effect of retrograde run training on long jump performance is not known. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of retrograde run training on the long jump performance of physical education (PE) students compared to conventional training.
Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted including 120 PE students from Huzhou University Physical Education Faculty. The participants were randomly allocated into an experimental group or control group. Both groups received a conventional long jump training program, however the experimental group received additional retrograde run training (10 min 3 times per week for 12 weeks), while the control group received a similar level of forward run training. Changes in long jump and other performances were measured at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of the training program.
Results: Over the 12-week intervention, the experimental group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in long jump, take off angle, take off accuracy, standing long jump, single leg stance, 30-m forward sprint and 40- m retrograde shuttle run compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Within-group analysis confirmed the experimental group improved significantly from baseline in all outcomes (p < 0.05). In contrast, the control group showed significant improvement only in long jump performance, take-off angle, and single leg stance.
Conclusion: The addition of retrograde run training to traditional long jump training significantly improved long jump performance in PE students and may be used as an alternative method to enhance long jump performanc
Compassion and more: Programme delivery and pastoral care in horticultural WIL programme
No full textBackground & Research Aim: The “Horticultural Business” diploma programme (DIPHORTBUS) has been established as a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) initiative designed for aspiring horticultural professionals. This programme prioritises self-directed learning and features face-to-face workshops that address subjects such as strategy, financial management, innovation, entrepreneurship, and marketing. Reflecting Lincoln University’s core values - “Students at our core,” “Integrity,” “Leadership,” and “Innovation”-the programme underscores the importance of wellbeing and compassion. The present study examines the concept of compassionate leadership and its effects on programme delivery and pastoral care, as viewed by the examiners and the programme director of DIPHORTBUS.
Results & Discussions: Compassion is just one facet of the practices employed by academics involved in the WIL programme. Academics assert that compassion alone is inadequate for effective leadership in programme delivery, accommodating diverse circumstances, and providing pastoral care [1]; it must be coupled with leadership competence. Leading a programme can be challenging, often requiring the delivery of difficult feedback and making tough decisions that may disappoint students, faculty, or support staff [2]. This may even include advising students to withdraw from the programme, prompting examiners to alter their practices, or replacing current examiners and communicating these changes. While empathy shouldn’t hinder student progress, indifference can render leadership ineffective. Consequently, a combination of compassion and leadership competence is essential. Practices within DIPHORTBUS include transparent communication, intention checks, and a focus on fairness for individuals and the collective good. Compassionate leadership has fostered positive learning environments [3] and resilient collaborations in the WIL programmes, particularly as the industry rebuilds from natural disasters. The dual focus on empathy and leadership competence promotes inclusion and the long-term wellbeing of both staff and students involved in the WIL programme. Without leadership competence, compassionate leadership risks academic burnout, slower decision-making, and poor boundary management.
Lessons for the WIL Community: The integration of compassionate leadership with leadership competency in work-integrated learning (WIL) programmes allows enhancing both student and organisational outcomes. By cultivating empathy, active listening, and genuine care, academics create an inclusive environment where horticultural students feel supported and valued. Compassionate leadership promotes collaboration and open communication, addressing students varied academic, emotional, and professional needs. As a result, students develop a sense of social responsibility and the skills to tackle horticultural challenges, leading to more meaningful work experiences. For academic institutions like Lincoln University, the synergy of compassionate leadership and leadership competence boosts student retention, satisfaction, alumni loyalty, and long-term programme success