Search Results (7,422)

Under the combined pressures of climate change and irrigated cropland expansion, groundwater tables are declining rapidly across arid regions, thereby intensifying water limitation in riparian ecosystems. However, the mechanisms by which dominant riparian tree species coordinate multiple functional traits to maintain carbon–water balance remains poorly understood. This study investigated coordinated ecophysiological trait shifts of Populus euphratica Oliv. along a groundwater-depth gradient (2.19, 4.88, and 7.45 m) in the middle reaches of the Tarim River (China), hereafter referred to as shallow, middle, and deep groundwater depths, respectively. We quantified photosynthetic, hydraulic, stomatal, leaf anatomical and nutrient traits, and estimated long-term intrinsic water-use efficiency (WUE_i) from foliar δ¹³C. As the groundwater table declined, (1) photosynthetic capacity and photochemical performance decreased, whereas WUE_i increased markedly from 38.5 ± 2.9 to 54.2 ± 1.0 μmol mmol⁻¹, accompanied by the lowest transpiration rate at the deep groundwater depth (4.6 ± 0.5 mmol m⁻² s⁻¹); (2) stomatal and anatomical adjustments consistent with water-loss reduction were observed, including a significant decline in stomatal density from 93.5 ± 14.5 to 79.3 ± 17.4 pores mm⁻², and reduced stomatal size and stomatal area fraction (−20.3% and −32.7%, respectively); (3) the percentage loss of hydraulic conductivity increased, whereas sapwood-specific hydraulic conductivity declined, accompanied by greater sapwood investment relative to leaf area, with Huber value rising from 0.06 ± 0.02 to 0.11 ± 0.04 mm² cm⁻² at deep water depth; and (4) chlorophyll concentrations and leaf water content declined, whereas structural investment increased, as reflected by higher specific leaf mass and leaf dry matter content, and leaf nutrients were enriched, with total nitrogen and total phosphorus increasing by 67.1% and 42.0%, respectively. Trait-WUE_i relationships further indicated that WUE_i covaried most strongly with leaf anatomical and nutrient traits. These results demonstrate that increasing groundwater depth was associated with coordinated shifts in carbon assimilation, water-use regulation, hydraulic function, and nutrient allocation in P. euphratica. Such trait coordination may help explain how this species persists under chronic water limitation in arid riparian forests. Full article

Fibrin gel, a protein-based polymer naturally generated during coagulation, has garnered attention in the biomedical field for applications such as fibrin glue, due to its specific physical and biological properties. Despite it, low mechanical strength and rapid degradation limited its utilization for biomedical applications. This study presents a reproducible protocol for the synthesis of pure fibrin hydrogels, aimed at achieving predictable structural properties through the precise calibration of fibrinogen and thrombin concentrations. By examining the mechanical and morphological characteristics, as well as the relationship between reagent concentrations and structural integrity, this research assesses impacts on swelling behavior, water absorption, and overall stability. Through a comprehensive analytical approach, we identified an optimal formulation, specifically 2.25 mg/mL fibrinogen and 1.375 U/mL thrombin, that effectively balances structural integrity with high cytocompatibility. The results demonstrate that this calibrated approach ensures high procedural reproducibility and a well-defined hydrogel architecture without the need for exogenous chemical cross-linkers. This work provides a robust methodological framework to overcome the common lack of reproducibility in fibrin-based hydrogel studies, positioning these materials as highly reliable candidates for advanced 3D in vitro models and biomedical applications. Full article

Natural gas reservoirs characterized by high heterogeneity and containing bottom-bound water often face the problem of water intrusion, making it difficult to recover the recoverable gas. This paper addresses the issue of enhanced gas recovery in water-flooded reservoirs and, through high-temperature, high-pressure long-core displacement experiments, investigates the displacement effects of different reservoir properties and injection media (dry gas, N₂, CO₂) under simulated water-flooding conditions. The experiment utilized two sets of sandstone cores—one with moderate permeability (304.8 mD) and one with high permeability (1004.6 mD). Three cores from each set were spliced together to form a 0.9 m long core, simulating the gas injection and displacement process following water infiltration. The results indicate that while water intrusion occurs more rapidly in high-permeability reservoirs, gas injection yields better recovery results than in medium-permeability reservoirs. Among the three injection media, dry gas demonstrated the best displacement efficiency, followed by N₂, with CO₂ performing the worst. CO₂ tends to react with highly mineralized formation water under high-temperature and high-pressure conditions, forming precipitates and causing energy to be absorbed by the water, which reduces displacement efficiency. It is recommended that dry gas injection be used for enhanced recovery in the moderate-permeability reservoirs of the Y gas field, while N₂ injection may be considered for the high-permeability reservoirs to balance effectiveness and cost. The research results provide experimental support for subsequent gas injection to enhance gas recovery in this gas field. Full article

Organic redox-active molecules are promising catholyte materials for aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs), yet they often suffer from low solubility and poor cycling stability. Herein, we report a series of water-soluble phenothiazine derivatives functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups. The optimized compound, N,N,N-trimethyl-1-(10H-phenothiazin-10-yl) propan-2-aminium chloride (TMiPrPTCl), exhibits exceptional solubility (2.69 M in water) and a high redox potential (0.902 V vs. SHE). A comparative study of four derivatives reveals that side-chain length and branching critically modulate both solubility and degradation pathways: while three-carbon-linked analogs N,N,N-trimethyl-3-(10H-phenothiazin-10-yl)propan-1-aminium chloride (TMPrPTCl) degrade primarily via irreversible oxidation to sulfoxide, two-carbon-linked species (TMiPrPTCl) undergo additional side-chain cleavage, leading to rapid capacity fade. Although the quaternization strategy successfully achieves record solubility, the electrochemical stability remains a key challenge. Post-cycling analysis confirms the loss of redox activity and the formation of inert products. This work highlights the delicate balance between solubility enhancement and molecular stability, providing clear design guidelines for future phenothiazine-based catholytes. Full article

Efficient thermal management of lithium-ion batteries is critical for the safety, performance, and longevity of electric vehicles. This work numerically investigates a battery thermal management system (BTMS) for a LiFePO₄ battery, featuring a liquid-cooling plate with novel droplet-shaped turbulators and coolant with different nanofluids. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were employed to analyze the effects of cooling channel geometry, nanofluid type, nanoparticle volume fraction, coolant inlet velocity, and battery discharge rate on the system’s thermal performance and pressure drop. Results show that the droplet-shaped channel reduces the maximum battery temperature by 1.64 K compared to a conventional straight channel, owing to enhanced turbulence and larger heat-transfer area. Among different coolants, the 6% Cu–water nanofluid demonstrated the highest cooling effectiveness due to its superior thermal conductivity. To balance competing objectives, a multi-objective optimization using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II) was performed. The optimal design was achieved with a coolant velocity of 0.097 m/s and a volume fraction of Cu nanoparticle of 3.85%, which maintained the maximum battery temperature of 299.7 K with a minimal pressure drop of 26.27 Pa at a 1.03 C discharge rate. These findings highlight that a BTMS combining droplet-shaped turbulators with a Cu–water nanofluid provides a highly effective and energy-efficient thermal management strategy. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) include thousands of fluorinated organic compounds of anthropogenic origin. Their extensive use, combined with their high stability, has led to the widespread contamination of water and soil resources. Here, single-step foam fractionation enhanced soil washing was carried out for the remediation of PFAS-contaminated soil. Concentrations of target Perfluoroalkyl Carboxylic Acids (PFCAs) and Perfluoroalkane Sulfonic Acids (PFSAs) were monitored in foam and leachate along the duration of the treatment. Among PFCAs, only long-chain compounds peaked in foam at the beginning of the treatment. This was consistent with the increase in the sorption affinity to the air–water interface with chain length. The same behavior was observed also in PFSAs by comparing PFHXs, PFHpS and PFOS. The fraction of PFCAs still in the leachate after 40 min of treatment was found to decrease with chain length, with PFSAs showing a similar trend. PFAS removal significantly increased with soil particle size, ranging from 48.2 ± 3.2% (fraction < 0.063 µm) to 64.1 ± 1.9% (fraction > 2 mm). Final mass balance analyses detail PFAS distribution among soil, leachate, and foam, providing valuable information for the additional treatment required to destroy the PFAS load extracted from the contaminated soil. Full article

In rural South Africa, many households lack access to clean and reliable water sources and are therefore forced to rely on contaminated sources for their daily needs. This study presents the design of a manually operated hand water pump with an integrated filtration system. The design makes use of a double-acting cylinder and is optimized for a 50 m static lift, as this depth provides an optimal balance between structural integrity and ergonomic limits. SolidWorks Flow Simulations 2020 and numerical analysis show that the system overcomes a dynamic head of 51.44 m and a pump pressure of 503,063.62 Pa while maintaining a mechanical advantage of 4.8. Through the use of anthropometric data, a crank radius of 0.396 m was deemed optimal, resulting in a peak hand force of 158.38 N. This design proves that deep well water extraction can be achieved without any compromise to user ergonomics. By integrating filtration, unlike existing designs, this pump offers a practical solution for the water challenges faced in rural communities. Full article

The growing need to reduce aviation’s carbon footprint and reliance on fossil fuels has prompted the exploration of alternative propulsion technologies. Fuel cell (FC) systems offer a sustainable solution, generating only water vapor as a by-product. This paper presents a conceptual study, focusing on subsystem integration and safety aspects, for an 80-passenger, hydrogen-powered aircraft developed within the European Union (EU) co-funded NEWBORN (NExt generation high poWer fuel cells for airBORNe applications) Project. The designed configuration incorporates wing-mounted pods housing fuel cells, an electric motor, an inverter, a Thermal Management System (TMS), and Balance of Performance (BoP). This configuration is an effort towards environmentally friendly solutions, addressing climate change and paving the way towards greener aviation. Full article

The urban heat island effect is strongly linked to the use of dense mineral pavements with high thermal inertia and lacking passive heat dissipation mechanisms. This article evaluates the potential of evaporatively cooled concrete pavers, based on capillary action and evaporation by incorporating recycled, bio-based, and lightweight materials to develop functional porosity. Ten paver formulations were developed using natural or recycled sand, hemp fibers and shives, and lightweight aggregates. Compressive strength, density, capillary absorption, and thermal behavior were characterized. Tests were conducted outdoors in full sunlight over 48 h in comparison with reference urban materials. The results show that capillary action alone is insufficient to induce effective cooling. The raw recycled sand formulation exhibits high capillary absorption but reaches maximum temperatures of 43–44 °C, which may be due to its low interconnected porosity that limits evaporation. Conversely, formulations incorporating bio-based materials or lightweight aggregates showed a more favorable balance between water availability, reduced density, and surface cooling performance. Hemp-based pavers reach maximum temperatures of 38–40 °C, while those incorporating expanded clay range between 37 and 39 °C, representing a reduction of 7 to 13 °C compared to bitumen and maintaining mechanical strengths suitable for pedestrian use. The results suggest that effective evaporative cooling is associated with sufficient capillary absorption, efficient water transfer toward the surface, and moderate density limiting heat storage. This study demonstrates that high capillary absorption alone does not ensure effective evaporative cooling. By systematically comparing recycled, bio-based and lightweight aggregates, the results reveal that evaporative cooling efficiency probably depends on the functional connectivity of the pore network and on a moderate material density limiting heat storage. Full article

Microbial contamination in aquatic environments poses severe threats to aquaculture sustainability, ecological balance and public health. Traditional culture-based detection methods, while standardized, are time-consuming and labor-intensive, often failing to meet the urgent need for rapid on-site monitoring required to prevent disease outbreaks and manage water quality effectively. By integrating latest research advances (2020–2025), this study reviews advances in rapid detection technologies for aquatic microorganisms, including the evolution of nucleic acid amplification strategies, with a focused comparison of the analytical sensitivity and field deployability of quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and mainstream isothermal amplification techniques (loop-mediated isothermal amplification, LAMP; recombinase polymerase amplification, RPA). Furthermore, this study reports on the emergence of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-associated protein (Cas) systems as next-generation diagnostic tools, highlighting their integration with microfluidic Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) platforms to achieve attomolar sensitivity. We also consider the application of portable nanopore sequencing for real-time pathogen identification and the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in analyzing complex diagnostic datasets. Advanced molecular methods have achieved significant reductions in time consumption—from days to less than one hour—while challenges regarding sample preparation and environmental matrix inhibition remain. The future of aquatic monitoring lies in integrated, automated systems that combine the specificity of CRISPR-Cas diagnostics with the connectivity of IoT-enabled biosensors. Comparative analysis indicates that isothermal amplification methods (LAMP, RPA) coupled with CRISPR-Cas systems offer the optimal balance of sensitivity, speed, and field deployability for point-of-care aquaculture diagnostics, while qPCR/dPCR remain indispensable for quantitative regulatory applications. We propose a structured technology selection framework to guide researchers and practitioners in choosing appropriate detection modalities based on specific sensitivity, cost, throughput, and deployment requirements. Full article

The transition from starch-dominated to protein-enriched gluten-free systems represents a critical step in improving the functional and nutritional quality of composite flours. This study investigated the effects of progressive substitution of Amaranthus caudatus (amaranth) with Lupinus mutabilis (Andean lupin) on the physicochemical, rheological, and antioxidant properties of gluten-free flour blends. A multimodal dataset comprising 33 variables across six measurement domains (proximal composition, hydration properties, thermomechanical behavior, pasting profiles, particle size, and antioxidant activity) was analyzed using an integrated framework combining univariate inference (FDR-adjusted p-values), PCA, Multiple Factor Analysis (MFA), and sparse Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (sPLS-DA). Results revealed that increasing lupin content (10–40%) significantly increased protein and fiber levels while decreasing starch content, leading to higher water absorption capacity and reduced peak viscosity and setback. Multivariate models showed that the protein/fiber–starch trade-off was the principal axis of compositional differentiation (PC1, ~41% variance), while PC2 captured rheological and antioxidant variability, with formulations containing higher proportions of amaranth exhibiting greater antioxidant activity. The sPLS-DA model achieved 72% separation accuracy with moisture, protein, water absorption, and torque parameters as top discriminants. These findings provide an evidence-based framework for gluten-free flour optimization using Andean crops and highlight how statistical modeling can inform targeted formulation decisions. The approach is transferable to other compositional transitions in food systems, underscoring the utility of multivariate analytics in applied food research. The multivariate framework further suggests that intermediate substitution levels may offer an optimal balance between nutritional enrichment and rheological functionality. Full article

Surface water extent (SWE) is a key indicator of the regional water balance in dryland environments. However, the hydrological processes regulating SWE responses remain poorly constrained. Focusing on the Mu Us Sandy Land (MUSL), this study integrates multi-source remote sensing and hydrological datasets to investigate the long-term evolution of SWE and, critically, to distinguish the hydrological linkages between SWE dynamics and water storage variability in endorheic and exorheic regions during 1987–2024. An improved water extraction method was implemented on the Google Earth Engine platform, and SWE dynamics were interpreted within a water-balance framework supported by attribution analysis using machine learning. The results show that total SWE exhibited a significant increasing trend (7.95 km² yr⁻¹, p < 0.05) during 1987–2024, primarily driven by permanent SWE, while fundamentally different hydrological regimes governed SWE evolution. In the endorheic basin, SWE exhibited strong co-variation with subsurface water storage, with soil moisture and groundwater storage changes occurring concurrently with SWE changes. In contrast, no synchronous increase in SWE with groundwater storage was observed in the exorheic region. Instead, SWE expansion was mainly associated with accelerated groundwater storage depletion and reservoir construction. These contrasting patterns indicated that SWE dynamics in the endorheic basin were primarily controlled by subsurface water storage, whereas in exorheic regions they were largely driven by human-induced water redistribution rather than increases in total water storage. These findings highlight the importance of integrated surface–subsurface water management for sustaining long-term water security under climate change and increasing human water regulation. Full article

Reinforced concrete structures must balance immediate structural performance with long-term durability against environmental degradation, particularly carbonation-induced corrosion. While traditional cast-in-place concrete covers serve as the primary barrier, their substitution with prefabricated permanent formworks made of fiber-reinforced cementitious composites often fails to provide the necessary protective qualities required for aggressive environments. This study evaluates the durability and mechanical behavior of sisal-fiber-reinforced cementitious composites specifically engineered for use as permanent formwork. Short sisal fibers, treated by hornification to enhance dimensional stability and fiber–matrix adhesion, were incorporated at dosages of 2%, 4%, and 6% by weight. The experimental program included tests for water absorption, ultrasonic pulse velocity, axial compression, three-point flexural strength, and accelerated carbonation. The results indicated that composites with 2% and 4% of fibers exhibited reduced water absorption, sorptivity, compressive strength, and modulus of elasticity compared to the reference cement matrix. Residual stress values further demonstrated that the composites maintain significant post-cracking strength and stress transfer capacity, confirming their viability for structural elements. Although sisal-fiber-reinforced cementitious composites exhibit higher porosity and water absorption than conventional concrete used as reinforcement cover, they show sufficient resistance to carbonation to ensure a service life exceeding 50 years for reinforced concrete elements. Full article

The carbonate massifs of the southern Italian Apennines host extensive karst aquifers, which represent the principal drinking water resources. This study focuses on the Dragone Plain polje, a vast closed karst depression located in the main recharge sector of the Terminio–Tuoro carbonate massif. The polje drains a ~55 km² endorheic catchment and may be flooded during the cold and wet season, forming a temporary lake. We employed continuous hydroclimatic time series (rainfall, groundwater level, spring discharge, and river level) together with sparse Sentinel-2 true color satellite images for the period 2020–2024 to analyze the flooding process in the polje and its hydraulic connection with the saturated zone of the karst aquifer. Results indicate that lake formation depends on the balance among soil moisture, rainfall intensity, and runoff development, which were modeled on a daily scale. Daily recharge was also estimated and compared with groundwater level time series from the deep karst aquifer. The modeling was integrated with cross-correlation analysis of the time series, providing insights into the propagation of precipitation pulses through the hydrogeological system. This case study represents an important example for understanding the relationship between karst polje hydrological functioning and climate in a Mediterranean area. Full article

Climate change poses an escalating threat to global water resources, with semi-arid regions such as Morocco being particularly vulnerable due to high climatic variability and limited adaptive capacity. In these regions, including the Tassaoute watershed in central Morocco, data scarcity and uncertainties related to data availability and quality frequently hinder robust assessments of climate change impacts. Recent advances in data science and remote sensing offer promising alternatives to overcome these limitations. This study investigates the potential of the PERSIANN-CDR satellite-derived precipitation product for assessing climate change impacts on water resources. The capability of PERSIANN-CDR to reproduce observed precipitation patterns and associated hydrological responses is evaluated through a comparative analysis using observed precipitation data. Results indicate that PERSIANN-CDR generally underestimates peak precipitation events and total rainfall amounts compared to in situ observations. Runoff is simulated using two hydrological models: GR2M (Génie Rural 2 parameters Mensuel) and the Thornthwaite water balance method, both driven by observed meteorological data and PERSIANN-CDR precipitation. The future water availability was assessed using 5 climate models, under two scenarios: RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 for the periods 2030–2060 and 2061–2090. Results show a marked temperature increase of 2–3 °C across all models, accompanied by a general decline in precipitation ranging from −30% to −60% under RCP4.5 and −20% to −80% under RCP8.5. These climatic changes translate into substantial reductions in runoff, with stronger decreases projected under the high-emission scenario and during the dry season. Monthly analyses reveal pronounced seasonal contrasts, highlighting the increased sensitivity of low-flow periods to climate forcing. Overall, runoff is projected to decrease by 50–90%, with model and data-source differences highlighting the importance of multi-model and satellite-derived approaches in data-sparse regions. These results emphasize the utility of satellite precipitation datasets in guiding climate-adaptive water management strategies. Full article