Search Results (1,771)

Due to the high water absorption of coal gangue aggregate, concrete prepared with a high content of this material exhibits a significantly reduced service life under freeze–thaw conditions. This study evaluates the frost resistance of gel-enhanced coal gangue aggregate concrete modified by incorporating nano-SiO₂ and polypropylene fibre (PPF) to generate more C-S-H gel and form a dense structure with different dosages of air-entraining agent (0, 0.004%, 0.008%, 0.012%, and 0.016%). The research results show that when the admixture content is 0.012%, the concrete still exhibits excellent frost resistance after 100 freeze–thaw cycles. The mass loss is only 4.7%, compressive strength loss is 37%, and dynamic elastic modulus loss is 39%, while the specimen maintains the best apparent integrity. In addition, the capillary water absorption rate, initial capillary water absorption rate, and cumulative water absorption all reach their lowest values under this condition, indicating optimal frost resistance performance. Finally, through regression analysis, a highly accurate predictive model for capillary water absorption was established, providing a theoretical basis for further research on the durability and frost resistance of coal gangue aggregate concrete. Full article

This study investigates the genetic diversity, population structure, and adaptive differentiation of Yunnan native cattle (YNC) using whole-genome SNP data from 457 individuals, representing eight cattle populations and two closely related bovine species (Zhongdian yak and Dulong gayal). Genetic diversity analyses revealed a distinct latitudinal gradient from north to south, with the highest diversity observed in the northern Diqing (DQC) and Zhaotong (ZTC) populations. The observed population structure was largely consistent with geographic distribution, identifying distinct ancestral components and complex admixture patterns. Genome-wide selective sweep scans revealed several key candidate genes underlying local adaptation. Notably, GRIA4 and DUOXA2 were associated with cold tolerance in northern populations, and ST3GAL3 and MST1 were implicated in heat stress adaptation in southern populations. Genome-wide balancing selection analyses further detected significant loci, such as MGST1 and SLC36A1, where divergent haplotype frequencies reflected differential selective pressures on milk-related traits between northern and southern populations. Additionally, we detected signals of historical introgression from Zhongdian yak into DQC cattle, highlighting the introgressed gene SLIT3 as a potential candidate associated with high-altitude thermogenesis. Collectively, these results provide a comprehensive genomic framework for the management and conservation of indigenous bovine genetic resources in Southwest China. Full article

The urgent need to decarbonize the global cement industry is compounded by the declining availability of conventional supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). Limestone-calcined clay cement (LC3) emerges as a highly sustainable alternative, enabling up to 50 percent clinker replacement and an approximate 40 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Unlike existing reviews that focus on basic material properties, this paper critically bridges the gap between fundamental hydration thermodynamics and next-generation sustainable engineering applications. Through a structured bibliographic analysis of 135 contemporary sources published between 2000 and 2026, it traces the evolution of LC3 from a laboratory innovation to a highly promising solution for large-scale industrial implementation and circular economy integration. The discussion highlights the synergistic alumina carbonate reaction. This reaction forms carboaluminate phases. These phases significantly densify the microstructure and enhance long term durability. Key engineering properties are examined, contrasting rheological challenges from high water demand and carbonation susceptibility against its exceptional chloride resistance in aggressive environments. The transition to field application is thoroughly assessed, emphasizing technological advances in flash calcination, environmental footprint reduction through life cycle assessment (LCA), and production scalability. Finally, rather than restating known challenges, this review exposes the limitations of current empirical mitigation strategies. It proposes a targeted research agenda focused on molecular-level green admixture design and field calibrated durability models to support the integration of LC3 into emerging sustainable technologies such as 3D concrete printing. Full article

Iron tailings, steel slag (SS), and desulfurization ash (DA) are industrial solid wastes with high annual output and large stockpiles. To enhance their utilization rate in concrete and fully utilize the synergistic effect of iron tailings powder (ITP), SS, and DA, a multi-solid-waste ISD (ITP-SS-DA) concrete was prepared. In this study, ITP, SS, and DA were used as composite mineral admixtures to replace 30% of the cement, and iron tailings sand (ITS) and iron tailings waste rock (ITR) were used as aggregates. The effects of water/binder ratio (w/b), ITP fineness, and mineral admixture proportion on the compressive strength of ISD concrete were investigated. The influence of ITP fineness on the microstructure was analyzed based on mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and backscattered electron (BSE) tests. The results show that the w/b has a significant effect on the early-age compressive strength, but its effect diminishes at mid-to-late ages. ISD composite mineral admixtures with properly ball-milled ITP enhance compressive strength, refine the pore structure, and increase the compactness of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ). Appropriately increasing the proportion of SS and adjusting the ratio of ITP to DA can promote the synergistic effect of mineral admixtures, thus enhancing compressive strength. Compared with cement concrete, ISD concrete exhibits slightly lower compressive strength but still meets the design requirements and presents a significantly superior microstructure when the w/b, ITP fineness, and admixture proportion are suitable. Full article

Background: The Garifunas are a distinctive Afro-indigenous community of Honduras, originating from the historical admixture of Island Carib, Arawak, and West African peoples in the seventeenth-century Caribbean. With an estimated 43,111 individuals residing primarily along the northern Atlantic coast. Their dual ancestral composition yields a genetic profile that differs meaningfully from those of other Honduran reference populations, consistent with pairwise FST comparisons with previously published Lenca and Tawahka datasets generated on the identical platform; yet no population-specific short tandem repeat (STR) reference dataset had previously been established. Methods: We genotyped 23 autosomal STR loci using the PowerPlex Fusion 6C System (Promega Corporation) in 100 unrelated Garifuna individuals (70 females, 30 males) sampled from three coastal settlements in the department of Atlántida: Triunfo de la Cruz, Ensenada, and Corozal. DNA was extracted from blood collected on FTA cards, and statistical parameters were computed using Genepop v4.2 and Arlequin v5.3.2.2. Results: A total of 217 distinct alleles were identified, with 5 to 19 alleles per locus (mean 9.43 ± 3.54). Expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.6392 (D13S317) to 0.9010 (SE33), with a population mean of 0.7893. No locus deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium after Bonferroni correction (α = 0.0022). The combined random match probability was approximately 1.9 × 10⁻²⁶, and the combined chance of exclusion reached 99.99999993%. Conclusions: This study provides the first Honduran Garifuna population-specific autosomal STR reference database for precise forensic likelihood ratio estimates, kinship assessments, and population genetic studies. The Garifuna’s high diversity—consistent with their West African and Amerindian ancestry—indicates the risk of systematic bias when non-specific databases are used. Full article

The conservation of genetic diversity in historically structured horse breeds requires fi-ne-scale population genetic evaluation beyond conventional pedigree-based approaches. The present study assessed genetic diversity, population structure, and mare family differentiation in a Lipizzan horse population using 16 ISAG/FAO-recommended microsatellite markers. A total of 172 mares representing 29 mare families were genotyped. All loci were polymorphic, with a mean number of alleles per locus of 6.69 and a mean effective number of alleles of 3.56. The average polymorphism information content (PIC = 0.66) indicated high marker informativeness. Mean observed heterozygosity was slightly lower than expected heterozygosity, although the overall negative inbreeding coefficient suggested general heterozygote excess and low population-level inbreeding, whilst the genetic differentiation among mare families was moderate. The principal components and the STRUCTURE analysis indicated admixture among mare families. Seven private alleles were detected across six loci, highlighting the presence of rare lineage-specific variants. These findings emphasize the importance of mare family-based analyses for identifying hidden genetic structures that may not be captured by population-level averages. The integration of microsatellite-based diversity evaluation provides a robust framework for de-signing sustainable breeding and conservation strategies aimed at preserving both overall variability and rare lineage-specific genetic components. Full article

Gastric-type lesions in the duodenum, including pyloric gland adenoma and gastric foveolar metaplasia, have been increasingly recognized for their unique histogenesis and potential link through the metaplasia–neoplasia sequence. However, the coexistence of neoplastic and non-neoplastic gastric-type lesions within the same histological section has not been previously reported. Here, we present a case of a 73-year-old Japanese woman who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection for a 34 × 20 mm elevated lesion in the duodenal bulb. Based on the preoperative biopsy results, pyloric gland adenoma was diagnosed; however, histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed a far more complex picture. The main lesion consisted of two contiguous components: a hyperplastic polyp with gastric foveolar-type phenotype (Lesion I) and a pyloric gland adenoma mixed with gastric foveolar-type hyperplastic polyp (Lesion II). Importantly, the transitional zone between these components demonstrated histological continuity, with areas showing admixture of hyperplastic and adenomatous features within the same microscopic field. A separate hyperplastic polyp with gastric foveolar-type phenotype (Lesion III) was also identified, separated from Lesions I and II by intervening normal duodenal mucosa. All lesions shared a gastric-type mucin phenotype (MUC5AC-positive, CD10-negative), and extensive Brunner’s gland hyperplasia was observed throughout the specimen. This case provides compelling morphological evidence for a histogenetic link between non-neoplastic gastric-type hyperplasia and pyloric gland adenoma, supporting the concept of a metaplasia–neoplasia sequence in the duodenum. Furthermore, the presence of an additional separate lesion with the same phenotype suggests a field change in the development of gastric-type lesions. 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

The expansion of organic farming in Europe increases the co-occurrence of medicinal and aromatic plant crops and pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA)-producing weeds, raising serious contamination concerns. This study evaluated the risk of PA contamination in organically grown chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) under field conditions in the North Vidzeme region of Latvia, with particular emphasis on vertical PA distribution in dominant weeds and on whether PA occurrence could be detected in chamomile plants growing adjacent to PA-producing weeds under field conditions. Three commercial fields were surveyed using systematic quadrat sampling to quantify weed density, biomass, and height. PA-producing weeds were segmented into 5 cm fractions, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids were quantified by LC-HRMS. Myosotis arvensis was the dominant species (up to 48,000 plants ha⁻¹), contributing the highest field-level PA load (up to 669.3 mg ha⁻¹), whereas Anchusa arvensis occurred at lower densities (≤2400 plants ha⁻¹) with a total PA load of 104.8 mg ha⁻¹. In both species, PA concentrations increased toward upper plant segments, while contamination hazard at harvest was determined by the amount of PA-bearing biomass in the harvest-relevant zone. No PAs were detected in chamomile samples collected within 10 cm of PA-producing weeds (<LOQ). Under the investigated conditions, contamination hazard was primarily associated with mechanical admixture during harvest rather than soil-mediated transfer. Full article

Traditional one size fits all pharmacotherapy often yields suboptimal clinical outcomes, preventable adverse drug reactions (ADRs), and significant drug waste, imposing substantial economic and ecological burdens on healthcare systems. This review evaluates the transformative potential of pharmacogenomics (PGx) testing, particularly cytochrome P450 (CYP) gene variants, as a foundation for an ecosystem-centric accountability framework for green pharmacy and links human metabolic variability to specific environmental outcomes. Personalized CYP profiling is shown to minimize the environmental release of unused drugs and potentially ecotoxic metabolites into aquatic ecosystems, in contrast to standard uniform drug use approaches. The limitations of ethnicity-based dosing models, which rely on population genetic variation, are examined in the context of increasing global genetic admixture. It is argued that individual genetic profiling, conceptualized as a PGx-Green Passport, provides a reliable safety standard that accounts for individual differences, thereby enhancing efficiency and well-being in a globalized society. By integrating clinical data, including real-world evidence on hospital utilization, with sustainability frameworks, this review demonstrates that PGx-guided therapy is not only a tool for clinical efficiency but also a fundamental requirement for systematically achieving environmentally sustainable healthcare. Full article

Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) spans most of Eurasia, yet southern and mountainous populations may retain distinctive genetic components shaped by long-term isolation and complex postglacial dynamics. We genotyped 186 trees from four Scots pine stands in Armenia (AM1-AM4) and reference stands from Germany, Russia and Montenegro with the PiSy50k SNP array and integrated these data with published European array datasets from Finland, Poland and the Baltic region. After quality checks and conservative SNP filtering, 627 individuals from 47 populations and 3659 SNP loci were retained. Within-population diversity was generally high; Armenian stands AM2–AM4 were among the most diverse, whereas AM1 showed reduced diversity and the highest differentiation relative to the remainder of the dataset (FST vs. rest = 0.0047). Direct pairwise F_ST and hierarchical AMOVA confirmed pronounced heterogeneity among Armenian stands, with AM1 the most differentiated stand, AM2 and AM4 closest to the broader Eurasian background, and AM3 intermediate. Principal component analysis (PC1 = 1.42%, PC2 = 0.76%) again separated AM1 strongly from all non-Armenian samples, while AM2 overlapped with the central/eastern European cluster and AM3 and AM4 combined continental-like and AM1-like individuals. Structure-like inference with LEA/sNMF showed a broad cross-entropy plateau from approximately K = 4 to K = 6; we therefore use K = 5 as a practical summary, which highlighted a dominant AM1-associated ancestry component and variable continental admixture in AM2–AM4. KING kinship estimates provided little evidence for within-stand family clustering in Armenian stands; no second-degree-or-closer pairs were observed in AM1–AM4. Together, the results reveal pronounced heterogeneity among Armenian Scots pine stands and identify AM1 as a highly differentiated but unresolved genomic component, providing a genomic baseline to support conservation planning, provenance evaluation and the management of forest reproductive material in the Lesser Caucasus. Full article

The guinea fowl (Numida meleagris), a thermo-tolerant and disease-resilient poultry species, holds great potential for sustainable poultry production in climate-vulnerable regions. The genomic aspects of this species remain largely understudied. The present study aims to delineate the patterns of domestication and understand the evolutionary dynamics of guinea fowl populations (wild and domestic) across three continents, utilizing whole-genome sequencing data from 122 genomes. The population structure analyses (ADMIXTURE, PCA, phylogeny, F_ST, LD, and MAF) revealed that Indian guinea fowl (CARI) shared close ancestry with Iranian (IRAD) and Chinese (CHID) domesticated populations while remaining distinct from wild lineages. The runs of homozygosity (ROH) identified 49,088 segments, with short fragments (ROHs) preponderant in Indian and domestic populations, reflecting historical inbreeding and effects of domestication cum selection. Copy number variation (CNV) analysis revealed 105,178 CNVs concatenated into 40,067 CNV regions (CNVRs) across 11 populations, establishing the first CNV atlas for guinea fowl at the global level. Gene annotation of overlapping ROH and CNVRs revealed 1080 common candidates across Asian guinea fowl populations, i.e., the Indian guinea fowl (CARI), IRAD, and CHID, including FOS, EPAS1, CD74, and CSF1R. These genes have earlier been associated with immune regulation, stress response, and thermal adaptation. Selection signature scans, integrating intra-population (iHS) and inter-population (XP-EHH) approaches, uncovered genes under positive selection linked to immune response (like BCL11B, IL18, and GPC3), thermo-tolerance (like TRPV4 and BAG3), lipid metabolism (like AACS and ELOVL4), and pigmentation (BCO2). These signatures highlight the molecular basis of resilience in guinea fowl and their potential to withstand climate-induced stresses. This study presents the first global CNV atlas for guinea fowl and provides the first comprehensive genomic characterization of the Indian domestic population, integrating ROH, CNV, and selection signature analyses. It offers a comprehensive assessment of guinea fowl genomes (wild and domesticated) across three continents, offering insights into domestication, evolutionary dynamics, and the genetic basis of their adaptation and resilience. Full article

Background/Objectives. The Black Death pandemic, combined with the antisemitic climate of 14th-century Europe, led to widespread violence against Jewish communities, including numerous pogroms such as the one in 1348 in Tàrrega (Catalonia, Spain). In the Roquetes necropolis of Tàrrega, six communal graves containing at least sixty-nine individuals, with signs of violence, were dated to the mid-14th century. Based on the hypothesis that Iberian medieval Jewish communities preserve genetic similarities to other ancient and modern Jewish communities, our study aims to provide genomic information on medieval Iberian communities, which to date have been unknown. Methods. We analyzed DNA from sixteen individuals from the Roquetes necropolis using Twist ancient DNA enrichment capture. Several paleogenomic analyses based on nuclear DNA and uniparental markers were conducted to determine their genetic relatedness and population origin. Results. PCA and ADMIXTURE analyses revealed genetic affinities with ancient and modern Jewish populations. Uniparental markers, which exhibited high diversity, aligned with typical patterns within the Jewish community. The qpAdm modeling suggested that the genetic composition of the Roquetes population can be explained by a mixture of Canaan individuals (0.69) and the Iberian non-Jewish non-Islamic medieval population (0.31). No close genetic kinship was detected, but RHO analyses indicated a certain level of background endogamy. Conclusions. This is the first study to report genomic data for medieval Iberian Jews. Our findings reveal genomic affinities of the Roquetes individuals with ancient and modern Jewish populations and corroborate the previous attribution of the burials to victims of the 1348 Tàrrega pogrom. Full article

To address the problem of temperature cracking caused by the concentrated release of hydration heat in mass concrete, this study developed a low-heat composite cementitious material (CWCM) by partially replacing conventional mineral admixtures with construction spoil. A multi-factor synergistic optimization design based on response surface methodology (RSM) was conducted. The water–binder ratio, spoil replacement ratio, curing temperature, and ball-milling time were selected as influencing factors, while the 28-day flexural strength, 28-day compressive strength, and 72 h cumulative hydration heat were used as response variables. A four-factor, three-level Box–Behnken model was established. The results show that the regression model exhibits good fitting performance, and the prediction errors between the predicted and experimental values of all response variables are within a reasonable range. Under the optimized mixture proportion (15% spoil replacement), the system achieves a 28-day compressive strength of 61.03 MPa, while the 72 h cumulative hydration heat is reduced by approximately 15%, meeting the requirements for low-heat cement. Microstructural analyses using XRD, SEM, and TG/DTG indicate that a decrease in the Ca/Si ratio and an increase in the Al/Si ratio promote the formation of a denser C-(A)-S-H gel structure, enhancing the pozzolanic reaction. This mechanism plays a key role in achieving the synergistic regulation of strength enhancement and hydration heat reduction. Compared with conventional fly ash or slag systems, this study innovatively utilizes construction spoil as a partial substitute for traditional mineral admixtures. While maintaining satisfactory mechanical performance, the proposed system effectively reduces hydration heat release, providing a new pathway for temperature control design in mass concrete engineering and high-value resource utilization of construction waste. Full article

Conventional admixture-based self-healing technologies are often limited by inadequate internal water supply and a scarcity of unhydrated gel particles. Therefore, this study proposes a new self-healing method that leverages the synergistic interplay between the chemical repair of sodium silicate and the physical clogging of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) to overcome the aforementioned limitations. The healing efficiency of cement mortar was assessed through compressive strength recovery, capillary water absorption, and ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV). Microstructural evolution and healing mechanisms were elucidated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results indicate that at an optimal dosage (0.5 wt.% for both admixtures), the healing performance is significantly enhanced: the compressive strength recovery rate reaches 103.1%, the capillary water absorption coefficient decreases by 16.57 × 10⁻³, and the UPV recovery achieves 95.4%. Microstructural analysis reveals that sodium silicate facilitates the reaction between ${\mathrm{Ca}}^{2+}$ and ${\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{O}}_3^{2-}$ ions, leading to the in situ precipitation of dense C-S-H gel at the crack interface, thereby enabling chemical repair. In contrast, SAP contributes to physical sealing via a swelling and release mechanism. Full article