Constructing the Global Diversity or Reproducing the Orientalist Gaze: Evaluating Identity Options and Cultural Elements in an English Intercultural Communication Textbook

English is often ideologically constructed as a global language to facilitate intercultural communication between people of diverse cultural backgrounds. However, it still remains unknown to what extent English learning can enhance English learners’ awareness of global diversity. Given the dominant population of English learners in China, it is of great significance to investigate how English learning might facilitate Chinese learners’ global vision and cultivate their intercultural competence. Seeing language textbooks as a key site of cultural and linguistic representation, this study scrutinizes the hidden ideologies discursively constructed in an English Intercultural Communication (EIC) textbook targeting Chinese English learners. Data are collected from dialogues, case studies, reading passages, cultural notes, exercises in the textbook. Informed by concepts of orientalism and banal nationalism, the study reveals that the distribution of characters is nation-based, essentialized, and even stigmatized. There is an inconsistency between the discursive construction of English as a global language and the actual representation of USA/UK-centered ideology. Chinese and other non-English learners are linguistically and culturally subjected to orientalist interpretation. The internal orientalist representation of Chinese speakers is also reproduced within the diverse backgrounds of Chinese population. Based on the findings, we argue that the simplified, unbalanced and unequal representations of cultural elements may hinder English learners’ awareness of cultural diversity. The study suggests that a more diversified representation of cultural practices should be adopted in EIC textbooks to cultivate the global citizenship through English language education.

The global spread and invasion capacities of alien ants

The ecological and economic impacts of biological invasions are usually highly conspicuous, but these are the outcome of a global, multistage process that is obscured from view. For most taxa, we lack a large-scale picture of the movements of alien species, the biases and filters that promote or inhibit their spread at each stage, and blind spots in our ability to detect species during their spread. For instance, countries rely heavily on customs interceptions to prevent new species introductions, but their efficacy for detecting invaders remains unclear. To address these gaps, we synthesize and provide data at unprecedented geographic resolution on the global diversity and distribution of alien ants, a pervasive group strongly impacting humans and ecosystems. From >145,000 records spanning 602 regions, we identify 522 ant species exhibiting human-mediated spread, doubling recent estimates of their diversity. We show that movements of alien ant species across regions globally are non-random and, moreover, that these flows differ by the extents to which species invade—ranging from arrival to indoor establishment, naturalization, and harmful status. Importantly, we find that almost two-thirds of the 309 species that naturalize globally—most of which are ground- and litter-dwelling—are absent from customs interceptions, which record disproportionately high numbers of arboreal species. Our results illustrate the vast, yet uneven extent of ant invasions globally, and suggest that most alien species bypass biosecurity controls while spreading successfully worldwide. This raises doubts on the efficacy of current customs interceptions procedures and highlights a need for radically new approaches.

Global diversity of the gene encoding the Pfs25 protein—a Plasmodium falciparum transmission-blocking vaccine candidate

Background Vaccines against the sexual stages of the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum are indispensable for controlling malaria and abrogating the spread of drug-resistant parasites. Pfs25, a surface antigen of the sexual stage of P. falciparum, is a leading candidate for transmission-blocking vaccine development. While clinical trials have reported that Pfs25-based vaccines are safe and effective in inducing transmission-blocking antibodies, the extent of the genetic diversity of Pfs25 in malaria endemic populations has rarely been studied. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the global diversity of Pfs25 in P. falciparum populations. Methods A database of 307 Pfs25 sequences of P. falciparum was established. Population genetic analyses were performed to evaluate haplotype and nucleotide diversity, analyze haplotypic distribution patterns of Pfs25 in different geographical populations, and construct a haplotype network. Neutrality tests were conducted to determine evidence of natural selection. Homology models of the Pfs25 haplotypes were constructed, subjected to molecular dynamics (MD), and analyzed in terms of flexibility and percentages of secondary structures. Results The Pfs25 gene of P. falciparum was found to have 11 unique haplotypes. Of these, haplotype 1 (H1) and H2, the major haplotypes, represented 70% and 22% of the population, respectively, and were dominant in Asia, whereas only H1 was dominant in Africa, Central America, and South America. Other haplotypes were rare and region-specific, resulting in unique distribution patterns in different geographical populations. The diversity in Pfs25 originated from ten single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci located in the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains and anchor domain. Of these, an SNP at position 392 (GGA/GCA), resulting in amino acid substitution 131 (Gly/Ala), defined the two major haplotypes. The MD results showed that the structures of H1 and H2 variants were relatively similar. Limited polymorphism in Pfs25 could likely be due to negative selection. Conclusions The study successfully established a Pfs25 sequence database that can become an essential tool for monitoring vaccine efficacy, designing assays for detecting malaria carriers, and conducting epidemiological studies of P. falciparum. The discovery of the two major haplotypes, H1 and H2, and their conserved structures suggests that the current Pfs25-based vaccines could be used globally for malaria control. Graphical Abstract

Post-extinction recovery of the Phanerozoic oceans and the rise of biodiversity hotspots

The fossil record of marine invertebrates has long fueled the debate on whether or not there are limits to global diversity in the sea1–4⁠. Ecological theory states that as diversity grows and ecological niches are filled, the strengthening of biological interactions imposes limits on diversity5–7⁠. However, the extent to which biological interactions have constrained the growth of diversity over evolutionary time remains an open question1–4,8–12⁠, largely because of the incompleteness and spatial heterogeneity of the fossil record13–15⁠. Here we present a regional diversification model that reproduces surprisingly well the Phanerozoic trends in the global diversity of marine invertebrates after imposing mass extinctions. We find that the dynamics of global diversity is best described by a diversification model that operates broadly within the exponential growth regime of a logistic function. A spatially resolved analysis of the diversity-to-carrying capacity ratio reveals that only < 2% of the global flooded continental area exhibits diversity levels approaching ecological saturation. We attribute the overall increase in global diversity during the Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic to the development of diversity hotspots under prolonged conditions of Earth system stability and maximum continental fragmentation. We call this the "diversity hotspots hypothesis", which is proposed as a non-mutually exclusive alternative to the hypothesis that the Mesozoic marine revolution led this macroevolutionary trend16,17.

An intersectionality lens is needed to establish a global view of equity, diversity and inclusion

Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) have become essential considerations in different academic fields in recent years, attracting an increasing number of voices and perspectives from different groups. While recent contributions have shed light on the barriers faced by some groups, the concept of EDI and implementation of solutions are still in their infancy in ecology and evolution. There is a clear lack of an intersectionality framework that is more inclusive of the global diversity of researchers. As researchers in ecology and evolution from the Global South and Global North with different backgrounds, we recognize the need to present a global view of EDI in order to highlight the role of intersectionality where researchers from Global South are not only impeded by discrimination, but also by other cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic factors that affect their level of training, ultimately reducing their likelihood of reaching leadership positions. We present a simple model of intersectionality that explains the main drivers of the variation in academic success among researchers, and highlight that most of the variation is determined by factors that individuals have no control over (e.g. place of birth, gender, ethnicity). We recommend measures to increase the representation of the global diversity in the field of ecology and evolution in order to collectively solve global societal and environmental issues.

Global diversity of authors, editors, and ownerships in top journals across ten subdisciplines of psychology: current state and policy implications

Diversity is the fuel of innovation. Global diversity—geographical (national) diversification—is indispensable to develop a true psychological science of human beings, but remains poorly understood. We surveyed 68 top psychology journals in ten subdisciplines and examined global diversity across authors, editors, and ownerships. With a comprehensive and quantitative picture of global diversity from authorships to ownerships, our results expose substantial imbalance across subdisciplines, and indicate that global disparity intensifies along the hierarchy of authors, editors, and journal ownership. Poor diversity and its imbalance is primarily due to the overrepresentation of the US, removing which substantially increases global diversity and eliminates diversity disparity between subdisciplines and between authorships and editorships. Furthermore, journal ownerships and editor-in-chiefs strongly affect global diversity in authorships and editorships. These results provide substantial novel insights into the global diversity of top psychology journals, with implications for a new diversity policy to stimulate the generation of variety.

Global Diversity And Systematics of Hymenochaetaceae With Poroid Hymenophore

Taxonomy and phylogeny of poroid Hymenochaetaceae based on the most comprehensive phylogenetic analyses are presented. A phylogeny based on a combined dataset of ITS and nLSU sequences for accepted genera of Hymenochaetaceae was analyzed and multigene phylogenies for most species of ten large genera including Clotricia, Fomitiporella, Fomitiporia, Fulvifomes, Fuscoporia, Inonotus, Phylloporia, Porodaedalea, Sanghuangporus and Tropicoporus, were carried out. Based on samples from 37 countries of five continents, seven new genera, Meganotus, Neophellinus, Nothonotus, Pachynotus, Perenninotus, Pseudophylloporia and Rigidonotus, are introduced, 37 new species, Coltricia tibetica, Fomitiporella crassa, F. queenslandica, Fomitiporia eucalypti, F. gatesii, F. ovoidospora, Fulvifomes azonatus, F. caligoporus, F. costaricense, F. floridanus, F. jouzaii, F. nakasoneae, F. subindicus, Fuscoporia sinuosa, F. submurina, Inonotus subradiatus, I. vietnamensis, Neomensularia castanopsidis, Pachynotus punctatus, Phellinus cuspidatus, P. subellipsoideus, Phylloporia minutissima, P. tabernaemontanae, Porodaedalea occidentiamericana, P. orientoamericana, P. qilianensis, P. schrenkianae, Pseudophylloporia australiana, Sanghuangporus australianus, S. lagerstroemiae, Tropicoporus angustisulcatus, T. hainanicus, T. lineatus, T. minus, T. ravidus, T. substratificans and T. tenuis, are described, and 108 new combinations are proposed. In addition, one illegitimate name and two invalid names are renamed. The taxonomic relevance and limits of the new taxa are discussed. Photos and illustrations for 37 new species are presented, and a full description for each new species is given. Eventually, this study recognizes 672 species in 34 genera and provides a modern treatment of the poroid Hymenochaetaceae in the world. A key to the accepted poroid genera of Hymenochaetaceae is provided, and identification keys to the accepted species of 32 poroid genera worldwide are given. A synopsis description of each species is included in these keys.

Global Diversity of the Gene Encoding the Pfs25 Protein - A Plasmodium Falciparum Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Candidate

Background: Vaccines against the sexual stages of the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum are indispensable for controlling malaria and abrogating the spread of drug-resistant parasites. Pfs25, a surface antigen of the sexual stage of P. falciparum, is a leading candidate for transmission-blocking vaccine development. While clinical trials have reported that Pfs25-based vaccines are safe and effective in inducing transmission-blocking antibodies, the extent of the genetic diversity of Pfs25 in malaria endemic populations has been rarely studied. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the global diversity of Pfs25 in P. falciparum populations.Methods: A database of 307 Pfs25 sequences of P. falciparum was established. Population genetic analyses were performed to evaluate haplotype and nucleotide diversity, analyze haplotypic distribution patterns of Pfs25 in different geographical populations, and construct a haplotype network. Neutrality tests were conducted to determine evidence of natural selection. Homology models of the Pfs25 haplotypes were constructed, subjected to molecular dynamics (MD), and analyzed in terms of flexibility and percentages of secondary structures.Results: Pfs25 of P. falciparum comprised 11 unique haplotypes. Of these, haplotype 1 (H1) and H2, the major haplotypes, represented 70% and 22% of the population, respectively. H1 and H2 were dominant in Asia, whereas H1 was dominant in Africa, Central America, and South America. Other haplotypes were rare and region-specific, resulting in unique distribution patterns in different geographical populations. The diversity in Pfs25 originated from 10 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci located in EGF-like domains and anchor domain. Of these, an SNP at position 392 (GGA/GCA), resulting in amino acid substitution 131 (Gly/Ala), defined the two major haplotypes. MD results showed that structures of H1 and H2 variants were relatively similar. Limited polymorphism in Pfs25 could be likely due to negative selection. Conclusions: The study successfully established a Pfs25 sequence database that can become an essential tool for monitoring vaccine efficacy, designing assays for detecting malaria carriers, and conducting epidemiological studies of P. falciparum. The discovery of the two major haplotypes, H1 and H2, and their conserved structures suggests that the current Pfs25-based vaccines could be globally used for malaria control.