Water Availability Research Articles

Polyethylene Recycling Via Water Activation By Ball Milling.

Polyethylene (PE) is the most prevalent type of plastic waste and also the most challenging to depolymerize because of its inert carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds.[1] High temperature and noble metals are usually required for depolymerization.[2] To avoid using noble metals, costly reagents and harsh reaction conditions, it is worthwhile but challenging to explore new reaction pathways.[3] We report an unprecedented mechanochemical reaction of PE and water to result in shorter-chain alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, and ketones (Cn, where n ≲ 50), with above 80 % of starting carbon converted into these products, which could be a valuable feedstock for re-entering chemical value chains. This reaction is driven solely by ball milling, without heating and pressurizing. No costly catalysts are used. Instead, only earth-abundant Al₂O₃ was milled with reactants.

Qualitative drivers of postoperative prophylactic antibiotics use and resistance in Ethiopia.

The World Health Organization (WHO) cautions against unnecessary prolongation of postoperative antibiotics to prevent surgical site infections (SSI), however this practice is still common in many countries. This study aims to describe drivers of prolonged postoperative antibiotic prescribing and clinicians' perspectives on antibiotics resistance and stewardship in Ethiopia. We conducted semi-structured interviews of 16 surgeons and nine surgical ward nurses at three academic referral hospitals in Addis Ababa. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and coded. Codes were inductively and iteratively derived between two researchers, tested for inter-rater reliability (IRR), and the codebook was consistently applied to all transcripts. Thematic analysis was performed to understand drivers of prolonged prophylactic antibiotic use in surgical patients. Interviews revealed factors contributing to postoperative prophylactic antibiotics overprescribing, including inadequate infection prevention and control (IPC) practices, wide variability in local prescribing practices, and distrust in the applicability of WHO guidelines. Antimicrobial resistance was also identified as a major concern by staff. Barriers to improving stewardship included a lack of multidisciplinary teamwork to inform prescribing decisions, while solutions included constructing appropriate context-specific guidelines and improving evidence-based practices through input from local stakeholders, including surgeons, clinical pharmacists, and nurses. Study participants perceived that existing evidence and guidelines did not apply in their settings due to high rates of surgical site infections and gaps in perioperative IPC practices (e.g., availability of water for handwashing, sterility breaches). These gaps were a key contributor to prophylactic antibiotic overprescribing, reinforcing the need to strengthen upstream and perioperative surgical antisepsis processes. The findings of this study underscore the importance of engaging multidisciplinary teams in strengthening antimicrobial stewardship efforts, aligning processes to achieve compliance with best practices, and the need for rigorous, contextually appropriate studies from these settings to inform policy.

Survival of Antimicrobial Resistant Salmonella Heidelberg Inoculated into Microcosms of Fresh Pine Wood Shavings for Broiler Litter.

This study applied genomic characterizations to a cocktail of three Salmonella enterica serovar Heidelberg (S. Heidelberg) strains different antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profile which were inoculated into fresh pine wood shavings (PWS) microcosms. The strains were isolated from feces (SH-AAFC), carcass (SH-ARS) and thigh (SH-FSIS) of broiler chicken. SH-AAFC harbored an antimicrobial resistant gene (ARG) blaCMY-2 on an IncI1 plasmid while SH-FSIS harbored multiple ARGs (floR, cmlA1, tet(A), blaTEM-1B, ant(2'')-Ia, aph(6)-Id, aph(3'')-Ib and sul2) on an IncC plasmid. SH-ARS was pan-susceptible. The die-off of Salmonella was determined at days 0, 1, 7, 14 and 21. Antibiotic susceptibility tests and whole genome sequencing were performed on 77 isolates. At 21 days post-inoculation, Salmonella abundance decreased by 4.4 Log10 CFU/g with the water activity of PWS being correlated with Salmonella survival. SH-AAFC clonal populations survived longer in PWS than SH-FSIS and SH-ARS populations. SH-AAFC clones persisting in litter carried higher copy number of Col plasmids than their ancestors, while some SH-ARS clones acquired a lysogenic bacteriophage from SH-FSIS populations. These results suggests that mobile genetic determinants such as plasmids (which could carry ARGs) and bacteriophage plays roles in the persistence of S. Heidelberg in the PWS used as broiler litter.

Steering the Selectivity of CORR from Acetate to Ethanol via Tailoring the Thermodynamic Activity of Water

AbstractThe electrochemical conversion of carbon monoxide (CO) into oxygenated C2+ products at high rates and selectivity offers a promising approach for the two‐step conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2). However, a major drawback of the CO electrochemical reduction in alkaline electrolyte is the preference for the acetate pathway over the more valuable ethanol pathway. Recent research has shed light on the significant impact of thermodynamic water activity on the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction pathways, but less is understood for the electrochemical reduction of CO. In this study, we investigated how the water activity at the electrified interface can be enhanced to adjust the selectivity between acetate and ethanol. We employed an ionomer modifier to lower the local concentration of alkali ions (via Donnan exclusion), successfully enhancing ethanol production while suppressing acetate formation. We observed a remarkable improvement in the Faradaic efficiency of ethanol and alcohol (i. e. ethanol, propanol etc), which reached 42.5 % and 55.1 %, respectively, at a current density of 700 mA cm−2. The partial current densities of ethanol and alcohol reached 698 and 942 mA cm−2 at 2000 mA cm−2. Furthermore, we achieved a 3.7‐fold increase in the ethanol/acetate ratio, providing clear evidence of our successful modulation of product selectivity.

Bottled or Tap Water? Factors Explaining Consumption and Measures to Promote Tap Water

The production and consumption of plastic bottled water have several negative environmental impacts worldwide. To identify the barriers and motivations for drinking tap and bottled water, we conducted a nationally representative questionnaire survey among 3411 respondents in the Czech Republic in 2022. People aged 18–34 are moderate consumers of bottled water and very frequent consumers of tap water. Bottled water consumption tends to be less frequent among people with a higher education, while tap water consumption is less frequent among people with lower incomes. The most important factors that explain the frequency of drinking bottled and tap water are taste perception, health concerns and habit. Health concerns about tap water and the unpleasant taste of tap water increase the consumption of bottled water. People with a strong habit of drinking tap water are less likely to consume bottled water. The constructs from the theory of planned behaviour were statistically significant. The results can guide decision-makers in promoting tap water to consumers. To encourage tap water drinking, we suggest measures to increase the availability of tap water in public places in conjunction with campaigns targeting the taste and health perception, as well as the habit, of drinking tap water.

Study Report on Optimum Utilisation Plan of Ngoma 22 Irrigation Scheme

The study was conducted in Ngoma 22 irrigation scheme located in Remera and Rurenge sectors of Ngoma District in Eastern Province of Rwanda between November 2018 and January 2019. It was recommended by RAB Board of Directors. The methodology used encompasses the study area, sampling procedures, data collection and analysis tools. The main data collection tool used was FGD which targeted site agronomists and household head farmers producing rice, fruits and vegetables as high value crops in the scheme area. Through pair wise ranking technique most profitable cash crops in the scheme were ranked as follows: (1) tree tomato, (2) maracuja, (3) egg plants, (4) water melon, (5) tomato, (6) irish potatoes, (7) french beans, (8) onions, (9) carrots, (10) cabbages, (11) beetroots. From this point of views, findings from the study show only two most profitable crops: maracuja with 696 Frw/kg followed by tree tomato with Frw 249 Frw/kg. The third ranked cash crop being Irish potato (with a loss of -40 Frw/kg), the fourth is egg plant with a loss of- 177 Frw. The existing paddy rice production has shown a loss of – 270 Frw inspite the water availability all the year-round. Maize and bush bean show respectively losses of -543 Frw/kg and -1743 Frw. Hence it is understandable why farmers in the scheme area have already abandoned maize and beans cultivation. Findings show also water fees (20,000 Frw/season) determined based on maintenance costs and farmers income. For capacity building model, more than one thousand beneficiary farmers in Ngoma 22 Irrigation Scheme need strong farmer organisation for ownership of the scheme and increased profitability. To that effect, they need continued capacity building as stated in the tripartite IMTA: administrative and financial management, record keeping, and conflicts resolution management, integrated water management, operation and maintenance of irrigation infrastructures, best agricultural practices for sustainable farmers’ organisations and commercial farming. Key recommendations include fixing minimum prices for agricultural products in relation to costs of production- or setting subsidy prices, increase yield for each crop by meeting all requirements: lime, fertilisers and improvement of irrigation technologies in order to reach automatically increased yield. Farmers should continue to leave out traditional crops and adopt profitable cash crops identified in this study (e.g maracuja and tree tomato). They should also increase the ownership spirit through IWUA and cooperatives performance. They should adopt collective marketing of their products and pay water fees per season.

Shifting trait coordination along a soil‐moisture‐nutrient gradient in tropical forests

Abstract Soil nutrients and water availability are strong drivers of tropical tree species distribution across scales. However, the physiological mechanisms underlying environmental filtering along these gradients remain incompletely understood. Previous studies mostly focused on univariate variation in structural traits, but a more integrative approach combining multiple physiological traits is needed to fully portray species functional strategies. We measured nine leaf functional traits related to trees' resource capture and hydraulic strategies for 552 individuals belonging to 21 tropical tree species across an environmental gradient in Amazonian forests. Our sampling included generalist and specialist species from terra firme (TF) and seasonally flooded (SF) forests. We tested the influence of the topographic wetness index, a proxy for soil moisture and nutrient gradients, on each trait separately and on the trait integration through multivariate indices computed from the eigenvalues of a principal component analysis on the traits of the species. Finally, we evaluated intraspecific trait variability (ITV) for generalists and specialists by calculating the coefficient of variation for each trait. Results showed that (1) the environment had a greater influence on trait syndromes than single trait variation. Moreover, (2) SF specialist species expressed a stronger leaf trait coordination than TF specialist species. Furthermore, (3) the ability of generalist species to occupy a broader range of environments was not reflected by a larger ITV than specialist species but by the capacity to change trait coordination across environments. Our work highlights the need to investigate functional strategies as multidimensional syndromes in physiological trait space to fully understand and predict species distribution along environmental gradients. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Drought-Induced Alterations in Carbon and Water Dynamics of Chinese Fir Plantations at the Trunk Wood Stage

Over the past three decades, China has implemented extensive reforestation programs, primarily utilizing Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook) in southern China, to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and counter extreme climate events. However, the effects of drought on the carbon sequestration capacity of these forests, particularly during the trunk wood stage, remain unclear. This study, conducted in Huitong, Hunan, China, from 2008 to 2013, employed the eddy covariance method to measure carbon dioxide (CO2) and water fluxes in Chinese fir forests, covering a severe drought year in 2011. The purpose was to elucidate the dynamics of carbon and water fluxes during a drought year and across multi-normal year averages. The results showed that changes in soil water content (−8.00%), precipitation (−18.45%), and relative humidity (−5.10%), decreases in air temperature (−0.09 °C) and soil temperature (−0.79 °C), and increases in vapor pressure deficit (19.18%) and net radiation (8.39%) were found in the drought year compared to the normal years. These changes in environmental factors led to considerable decreases in net ecosystem exchange (−40.00%), ecosystem respiration (−13.09%), and gross ecosystem productivity (−18.52%), evapotranspiration (−12.50%), and water use efficiency (−5.83%) in the studied forests in the drought year. In this study, the occurrence of seasonal drought due to uneven precipitation distribution led to a decrease in gross ecosystem productivity (GEP) and evapotranspiration (ET). However, the impact of drought on GEP was greater than its effect on ET, resulting in a reduced water use efficiency (WUE). This study emphasized the crucial role of water availability in determining forest productivity and suggested the need for adjusting vegetation management strategies under severe drought conditions. Our results contributed to improving management practices for Chinese fir plantations in response to changing climate conditions.

Food and Environment During the Late Roman Age at the Site of Alba Fucens (Abruzzi, Italy)

Archaeobotanical analyses in Italy are uneven in terms of geographical and chronological distribution. Amongst the different regions, Abruzzi is poorly represented, with only one study covering the Roman Age. In this framework, the analyses carried out on carpological remains collected from the Late Roman (late 5th–early 6th century AD) filling of a well in the Sanctuary of Hercules in Alba Fucens represents an important addition to the state of the art. The plant assemblage consists of over 1500 remains attributed to 68 different taxa. These are partly represented by gathered fruit plants, such as Corylus avellana, Juglans regia and Sambucus nigra, while cereals and pulses are missing. An interesting aspect is represented by evergreen plants (Pinus pinea and Cupressus sempervirens) that are likely to have been used for ritual purposes rather than for human consumption. Finally, the impressive amount of ruderal and spontaneous plants represents a unicum for this type of study, allowing us to describe the past environment surrounding Alba Fucens, characterized by substantial water availability, Apennine grasslands and influenced by human presence.

Water Uptake of Airborne Cells of P. syringae Measured with a Hygroscopicity Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer.

Airborne microorganisms impact cloud formation and are involved in disease spreading. The ability of airborne cells to survive and express genes may be limited by reduced water availability in the atmosphere and depend on the ability of the cells to attract water vapor at subsaturated conditions, i.e., their hygroscopicity. We assessed hygroscopic properties of the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae, known to participate in cloud formation. We used a hygroscopicity tandem differential mobility analyzer to examine both hydration and dehydration behavior in the relative humidity (RH) range 5-90%. The cells were aerosolized either from Milli-Q water or from a 35 g L-1 NaCl solution, resulting in pure cells or cells associated with NaCl. Pure cells exhibited no deliquescence/efflorescence and a small gradual water uptake reaching a maximum growth factor (GF) of 1.09 ± 0.01 at 90% RH. For cells associated with NaCl, we observed deliquescence and a much larger maximum GF of 1.74 ± 0.03 at 90% RH. Deliquescence RH was comparable to that of pure NaCl, highlighting the major role of the salt associated with the cells. It remains to be investigated how the observed hygroscopic properties relate to survival, metabolic, and ice-nucleation activities of airborne P. syringae.

Investigating Light and Water Optimization for Early Seedling Establishment in Albizia lebbeck (L.) Benth

Seedling growth, development, and establishment are vulnerable stages for trees, greatly influenced by two important environmental factors: light availability and soil moisture regime. This study investigated the interactive effects of light intensity and water availability on key early vegetative growth parameters of collar diameter, height, and the number of leaves in seedlings of the tropical legume tree Albizia lebbeck. The experiment utilized a 4×3 factorial design with four light intensity levels (L1 (75%), L2 (50%), L3 (25%), and L4 (100% as control)) and three watering frequencies (daily (W1), every three days (W2), weekly (W3)) in a nursery greenhouse. Measurements were recorded biweekly for ten weeks. The results showed that moderate light intensity of 50% coupled with adequate moisture supply by daily watering (L2W1) led to optimal seedling growth. This treatment combination resulted in the greatest mean collar diameter (3.62 mm), plant height (41.88 cm), and number of leaves (11). Growth was restricted under full light (L4) and insufficient light (L3). Limited water availability by watering weekly (W3) also suppressed growth metrics. However, there was no significant difference between daily watering (W1) and moderate watering frequency (W2). Strong intrinsic synchronization was observed between the collar diameter and plant height growth trajectories over time, reflecting coordinated lateral and vertical stem expansion regulated by developmental processes. Leaf proliferation showed partially decoupled dynamics from stem growth, indicating specialized control over leaf traits. Collar diameter, height, and the number of leaves were inherently intercorrelated, highlighting their co-dependence in generating resources and signals needed to sustain growth and development. The findings suggest that 50% light intensity and adequate moisture by watering every 1-3 days are optimal for nursery establishment of A. lebbeck seedlings to maximize early vegetative growth.

Monitoring Water Depth and Seepage Rates in Pitcher Irrigation for Sustainable Crop Water Management

Pitcher irrigation is an ancient yet effective method for delivering water directly to plant root zones, particularly in regions facing water scarcity. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the efficiency of pitcher irrigation in conserving water and supporting brinjal crop growth. This study investigates the efficiency and dynamics of a pitcher irrigation system in supplying water to brinjal crops, utilizing nine porous clay pitchers buried near the plants. Water depth in the pitchers was monitored from March 1 to March 22, 2024, at three intervals daily. Initial water levels of 15 cm were recorded on March 1, followed by gradual declines in water depth over time, with some pots showing rapid depletion, particularly during peak daylight hours. Pot 4 exhibited the most significant water loss, likely due to increased soil absorption or higher crop water demand, while Pots 1 and 3 showed more consistent water retention. The study revealed significant variation in seepage rates, with higher water loss during the day, particularly in the afternoon, compared to slower overnight seepage. These findings emphasize the need for careful irrigation management, including tailored refill schedules, to ensure uniform water availability and prevent moisture deficits. The results demonstrate that pitcher irrigation can effectively sustain crop growth, but its efficiency depends on continuous monitoring and adjustments based on local conditions.

Water Use Efficiency in Rice Under Alternative Wetting and Drying Technique Using Energy Balance Model with UAV Information and AquaCrop in Lambayeque, Peru

In the context of global warming, rising air temperatures are increasing evapotranspiration (ETc) in all agricultural crops, including rice, a staple food worldwide. Simultaneously, the occurrence of droughts is reducing water availability, affecting traditional irrigation methods for rice cultivation (flood irrigation). The objective of this study was to determine ETc (water use) and yield performance in rice crop under different irrigation regimes: treatments with continuous flood irrigation (CF) and irrigations with alternating wetting and drying (AWD5, AWD10, and AWD20) in an experimental area in INIA–Vista Florida. Water balance, rice physiological data, and yield were measured in the field, and local weather data and thermal and multispectral images were collected with a meteorological station and a UAV (a total of 13 flights). ETc values obtained by applying the METRICTM (Mapping Evapotranspiration at High Resolution using Internalized Calibration) energy balance model ranged from 2.4 to 8.9 mm d−1 for the AWD and CF irrigation regimes. In addition, ETc was estimated by a water balance using the AquaCrop model, previously parameterized with RGB image data and field weather data, soil, irrigation water, and crops, obtaining values between 4.3 and 7.1 mm d−1 for the AWD and CF irrigation regimes. The results indicated that AWD irrigation allows for water savings of 27 to 28%, although it entails a yield reduction of from 2 to 15%, which translates into an increase in water use efficiency (WUE) of from 18 to 36%, allowing for optimizing water use and improving irrigation management.

Evolutionary shifts in the thermal biology of a subterranean mammal: the effect of habitat aridity.

Subterranean mammals representing a single subspecies occurring along an aridity gradient provide an appropriate model for investigating adaptive variation in thermal physiology with varying levels of precipitation and air temperature (Tair). This study examined the thermal physiological adaptations of common mole-rats (Cryptomys hottentotus hottentotus) across five populations along an aridity gradient, challenging the expectation that increased aridity would lead to reduced metabolic rate (MR), lower body temperatures (Tb), and broader thermoneutral zones (TNZ). No significant, consistent differences in MR, Tb, or thermal conductance were observed between populations, suggesting uniform thermoregulatory mechanisms across habitats. Instead, behavioral strategies such as huddling and torpor may play a more prominent role than physiological adaptations in managing temperature regulation and water balance. The study also observed osmoregulatory differences, with populations employing distinct behavioral cooling strategies in response to water availability. These results underscore the need for further research into the responses of subterranean species to climate change, particularly in understanding how increasing global temperatures and aridification might influence species distribution if they lack the physiological capacity to adapt to future climatic conditions.

Adherence to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine five-dose policy among pregnant women in an urban slum in Ghana: a mixed-methods study

BackgroundMalaria in pregnancy (MiP) is a public health concern especially for pregnant women living in slums. The World Health Organization recommends at least three doses of Sulfadoxine-Pyrimethamine (SP) to prevent MiP. In Ghana, it is recommended that pregnant women receive a minimum of five doses of the medication. This study sought to determine the level of adherence to IPT5 policy and factors associated with adherence among pregnant women in a slum community in Ghana.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study involving 232 nursing mothers and four healthcare workers at the St. Martin’s Memorial Hospital, Sukura, Ghana. Sociodemographic characteristics of nursing mothers were obtained using an interview-administered questionnaire. Data on the number of SP doses and other obstetrics characteristics were collected by reviewing the antenatal record books. To obtain information about healthcare and health system factors associated with adherence to the five-dose policy, four healthcare providers were interviewed. A data extraction form was used to obtain information about the availability of SP at the facility.ResultsThe level of adherence to IPT5 was 8.6% (20/232) (95% CI 5.0–12.3) among the participants. Only 8.4% of the participants received their first dose at 16 weeks. Respondents who began ANC in the second trimester were 81% less likely to adhere to IPT5 than those who began in the first trimester (aOR = 0.19, 95% CI 90.01–0.65, p < 0.008). Healthcare provider and health system factors that influence IPT5 uptake include healthcare providers’ knowledge of IPTp-SP guidelines, the practice of Directly Observed Therapy, education of pregnant women, training of healthcare providers, and availability of water. SP was available at the facility during the period of review.ConclusionAdherence to the IPTp-SP five-dose policy was suboptimal. Pregnant women who started ANC early were more likely to adhere to the policy. Provider knowledge, DOT practice, training, education of pregnant women and water availability were also found to influence adherence. Encouraging early ANC visits and providing healthcare workers with necessary training can substantially improve adherence in slum areas.

The pH and Sucrose Influence Rhamnolipid Action Toward Planktonic and Biofilms of Listeria monocytogenes

Bacterial resistance and persistence in food environments are major concerns for the industry, which constantly seeks new strategies to reduce microbial contamination. Rhamnolipids (RL) biosurfactants are considered sustainable and green alternatives to synthetics; furthermore, they have demonstrated potential for controlling various foodborne pathogens. Food environments are typically exposed to diverse pH, solutes, temperatures, and water activity (aw) levels that may favor the survival of pathogens. Therefore, it is crucial to consider these factors in evaluating the performance of novel antimicrobials. Our study examined the influence of pH and sucrose on the antimicrobial activity of RL against both planktonic and biofilm of Listeria monocytogenes. We found that the presence of sucrose can enhance the antimicrobial effectiveness of RL against both planktonic and sessile bacteria. The addition of sugar particularly improved RL action at pH 6 and 7. Moreover, we observed that the type and size of RL self-assembly structures depend on the pH and sucrose concentration. These findings suggest potential for developing RL-based innovative methods to control L. monocytogenes in sugar-rich or -low aw foods and environments.

Deuteration and Tritiation of Pharmaceuticals by Non-Directed Palladium-Catalyzed C-H Activation in Heavy and Super-Heavy Water.

Deuterated and tritiated analogs of drugs are valuable compounds for pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry. In this work, we present a novel hydrogen isotope exchange reaction of drugs using non-directed homogeneous Pd-catalysis. Aromatic C-H activation is achieved by a commercially available pyridine ligand. Using the most convenient and cheapest deuterium source, D2O, as the only solvent 39 pharmaceuticals were labelled with clean reaction profiles and high deuterium uptakes. Additionally, we describe the first application of non-directed homogeneous Pd-catalysis for H/T exchange on three different pharmaceuticals by using T2O as isotopic source, demonstrating the applicability to the synthesis of radiotracers.

Evidence of Microbial Activity in Coal Seam Production Water and Hydrochemical Constraints

Evidence of Microbial Activity in Coal Seam Production Water and Hydrochemical Constraints

Evaluating the spatiotemporal patterns of drought characteristics in a semi‐arid region of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Drought is a complex phenomenon resulting from below-average rainfall and is characterized by frequency, duration, and severity, occurring at a regional scale with dire consequences, especially in semiarid environments. This study used the Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) to assess drought severity in two district municipalities in Limpopo Province. Rainfall and air temperature data from 12 stations covering 1970–2020 were obtained from the Agricultural Research Council. The calculation of RDI relies on the monthly accumulation ratio of total rainfall to potential evapotranspiration (PET). For this study, PET was estimated using the Hargreaves and Samani temperature-based approach. The RDI results showed a high spatial–temporal variation in drought characteristics over the study area. All stations experienced extreme drought conditions in different years, with the maximum drought severity (-3.40) occurring from 2002–2003 in the western parts of the study area, indicating extreme drought. Furthermore, the results revealed continuous drought conditions over various periods, including severe droughts between 1995 and 1998 and between 2014 and 2016, with the severity varying between mild and moderate drought conditions. The results reveal notable but nonuniform drought patterns as the climate evolves, with potential implications for water availability and livelihoods. The study's findings underscore the significance of adopting multidimensional approaches to drought assessment that encompass meteorological and hydrological factors to inform strategies for adaptive water management and policy formulation in the face of a changing climate.

Strengthen Water O-H Bond in Electrolytes for Enhanced Reversibility and Safety in Aqueous Aluminum Ion Batteries.

Aqueous aluminum-ion batteries present a promising prospect for large-scale energy storage applications, owing to the abundance, inherent safety, and the high theoretical capacity of aluminum. However, their voltage output and energy density are significantly hindered by challenges such as complex hydrogen evolution and uncontrollable solvation reactions. In this work, we demonstrate that water decomposition is restrain by increasing the electron density of water protons and increasing the dissociation energy of H2O through robust dipole interactions with highly polar dimethylformamide (DMF) molecules. Moreover, the incorporation of dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) flame retardant effectively addresses the flammability risk arising from a substantial presence of organic additives The in-depth study with experimental and theoretical simulations reveals that the water-poor solvation structure with reduced water activity is achieved, which can (i) effectively mitigate undesired solvated H2O-mediated side reactions on the Al anode; (ii) boost the de-solvation kinetics of Al3+ while preventing cathode structural distortion; (iii) reduce the flammability of hybrid electrolytes. As a proof of concept, the Al//AlxMnO2 full cell employing a hybrid electrolyte demonstrate enhanced stability (deliver 335 mAh g-1 while retaining 71% capacity for 400 cycles) compared to those with pure electrolyte.