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The emergence of two-dimensional (2D) materials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) offers the possibility of exploring new regimes of capillarity and wetting that remained inaccessible with traditional microfluidic and nanofluidic substrates. Here, we bring out the non-intuitive capillary filling regimes in closed-end CNTs using molecular-level investigations. Contrary to the existing understanding of the advancing liquid meniscus getting retarded by the viscous resistance offered by an entrapped vapor phase in a three-dimensional capillary, here the liquid meniscus is shown to accelerate toward the later stages of the dynamic wetting, which is attributed to the modified surface friction due to a 2D interface. This apparently counterintuitive observation is qualitatively linked to the local pressure fluctuations across the meniscus caused by the spontaneous bombardment of the entrapped vapor molecules, which may ramify into hitherto unexplored phenomena of a shape-reversed meniscus advancing in the 2-D pore. We further develop a simple analytical model to represent the essential physics of the resulting capillary filling dynamics, featuring significant deviations from the classical Lucas–Washburn paradigm. These results may turn out to be imperative in realizing new regimes of capillarity in 2D materials in multifarious applications, ranging from energy storage and water filtration to thin film flows in integrated electronics and photonic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To measure zirconia-to-zirconia microtensile bond strength (µTBS) using composite cements with and without primer. Materials and Methods: Two Initial Zirconia UHT (GC) sticks (1.8x1.8x5.0 mm) were bonded using four cements with and without their respective manufacturer's primer/adhesive (G-CEM ONE [GOne] and G-Multi Primer, GC; Panavia V5 [Pv5]), and Panavia SA Cement Universal [PSAu], and Clearfil Ceramic Plus, Kuraray Noritake; RelyX Universal (RXu) and Scotchbond Universal Plus [SBUp], 3M Oral Care). Specimens were trimmed to an hour-glass shaped specimen whose isthmus is circular in cross-section. After 1-week water storage, the specimens were either tested immediately (1-week µTBS) or first subjected to 50,000 thermocycles (50kTC-aged µTBS). The fracture mode was categorized as either adhesive interfacial failure, cohesive failure in composite cement, or mixed failure, followed by SEM fracture analysis of selected specimens. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects statistics (α = 0.05; variables: composite cement, primer/adhesive application, aging). Results: The statistical analysis revealed no significant differences with aging (p = 0.3662). No significant difference in µTBS with/without primer and aging was recorded for GOne and PSAu. A significantly higher µTBS was recorded for Pv5 and RXu when applied with their respective primer/adhesive. Comparing the four composite cements when they were applied in the manner that resulted in their best performance, a significant difference in 50kTC-aged µTBS was found for PSAu compared to Pv5 and RXu. A significant decrease in µTBS upon 50kTC aging was only recorded for RXu in combination with SBUp. Conclusion: Adequate bonding to zirconia requires the functional monomer 10-MDP either contained in the composite cement, in which case a separate 10-MDP primer is no longer needed, or in the separately applied primer/adhesive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the antibacterial effects of Terminalia catappa Linn (TCL) leaf extracts at different concentrations and the effects of these extracts used as primers on the long-term adhesive properties of two universal adhesives. Materials and Methods: After extract preparation, the antimicrobial and antibacterial activities of TCL against Streptococcus mutans (UA 159) were assessed in microdilution assays to provide the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC). Additionally, to provide quantitative data on the ability of TCL extract to reduce cell viability, colony forming units (CFU) were counted. To examine adhesive properties, 288 human molars were randomly assigned to 32 experimental conditions (n = 9) according to the following variables: (1) treatment agent: negative control (untreated surface), and primers at concentrations of 1xMIC, 5xMIC, and 10xMIC; (2) adhesives: Scotchbond Universal (SBU) and Futurabond Universal (FBU); (3) adhesive strategy: etch-and-rinse (ER) or self-etch (SE); and (4) storage time: 24 h or after 2 years. Primers were applied for 60 s, upon which the teeth were incrementally restored and sectioned into adhesive-dentin bonded sticks. These were tested for microtensile bond strength (pTBS) and nanoleakage (NL) after 24-h and 2-year water storage, as well as in-situ degree of conversion (DC) at 24 h. The chemical profile of the hybrid layer was determined via micro-Raman spectroscopy. Biofilm assay data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test; the pH of culture media and the chemical profile were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. The adhesive properties (pTBS, NL, DC) were evaluated using a four-way ANOVA and Tukey's test. Significance was set at 5%. Results: Similar values of MIC and MBC were observed (2 mg/ml), showing bactericidal potential. CFU analysis demonstrated that concentrations of 5xMIC and 10xMIC significantly inhibited biofilm formation (p < 0.001). The application of the TCL primer at all concentrations significantly increased the immediate pTBS and DC, and decreased the immediate NL values when compared to the control group (p < 0.05), regardless of the adhesive and adhesive strategies. Despite an increase in the NLvalues for all groups after2years (p > 0.05), in groups where the TCL primerwas applied, the pTBS remained constant after 2 years for both adhesives, while a decrease in the pTBS was observed in the control groups (p < 0.05). Usually, IOxMIC showed better results than 1xMIC and 5xMIC (p < 0.05). The application of TCL promoted cross-linking; cross-linking rates increased proportionally to the concentration of TCL (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Primers containing TCL promoted bactericidal and bacteriostatic action, as well as cross-linking with dentin, while maintaining the adhesive properties of the adhesive-dentin interface after 2 years of water storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the influence of contamination and different cleaning methods on resin bonding to cobalt-chromium (CoCr) alloy disks. Materials and Methods: A total of 160 CoCr disks were divided into 3 groups. The first group (N = 64) was air abraded with alumina particles; the second group (N=64) was air abraded and contaminated with silicone disclosing agent and saliva; the third group (N=32) was neither air abraded nor contaminated. The first two groups were divided into 4 subgroups (N = 16) according to the cleaning method: ultrasonic bath in 99% isopropanol, use of a cleaning suspension of zirconium oxide particles, use of a cleaning suspension based on 10-MDP salt, and treatment with atmospheric plasma. The third group was divided into 2 subgroups (N = 16): treatment with atmospheric plasma and no treatment. All CoCr specimens were bonded to plexiglas tubes filled with a bonding resin that contained phosphate monomer. Tensile bond strength (TBS) was examined by tensile testing after 3 and 150days of water storage plus 37,500 thermal cycles (N = 8). Results: After contamination, TBS was significantly reduced after 150days of water storage. Groups without air abrasion showed initially low TBS and debonded spontaneously after 150days of water storage. Conclusion: None of the cleaning methods was able to remove saliva and silicone disclosing agent on CoCr-alloy surfaces. Surface activation by plasma treatment has no long-term effect on the bond strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This investigation aimed to assess the impact of additive manufacturing-generated surface textures on zirconia bond strength. Materials and Methods: Zirconia samples (n = 144) fabricated using digital light-processing (DLP) technology were categorized into 6 groups according to the type of surface conditioning (group NN: no designs, no air abrasion; group NY: no designs, with air abrasion; group GN: groove designs, no air abrasion; group GY: groove designs with air abrasion; group HN: hexagon grid, no air abrasion; group HY: hexagon grid, with air abrasion). Composite resin cylinders were cemented to the treated zirconia surfaces with dual-curing, self-adhesive resin cement (Clearfil SA Luting). The shear bond strength (SBS) was tested after water storage for 3 days or 3 days with an additional 10,000 thermocycles. Results: The zirconia samples fabricated using DLP technology have high accuracy. The SBS of the NY, GY, and HY groups did not significantly differ after 3 days, and neither did the SBS of the NN, GN, and HN groups. The NN, NY, and HY groups exhibited reduced SBS compared to their initial values following artificial aging, while the SBS of the remaining three groups were not diminished. The GY group obtained the highest SBS value after aging. Conclusion: Printing grooves with air abrasion can improve the bond strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The 2015–2017 drought of the Western Cape of South Africa negatively affected the biodiverse Knersvlakte region of the Succulent Karoo Biome. • Argyroderma delaetii , a leaf succulent endemic to this region, suffered high drought-induced mortality. • The smaller, younger succulents suffered higher mortality than the larger, reproductively mature individuals. The biodiversity of the Knersvlakte, located in the Succulent Karoo biodiversity hotspot of South Africa, is predicted to experience an increase in severe drought events during this century. This region harbours a high diversity of endemic leaf succulents and it is unclear whether these will be resistant or vulnerable to drought as experimental and observational studies for this are few and contradictory. This study quantifies the effect of a recent drought in the Knersvlakte on the survival of juvenile and reproductively mature individuals of a quartz plain-adapted leaf succulent, Argyroderma delaetii. The progression of the drought and an experimental watering treatment was quantified using a Standard Precipitation Index from May 2017 to May 2018. The effect of the drought and the watering treatment on the survival of A. delaetii was determined by monitoring individuals using repeat photography for one year. The mortality of individuals in each treatment and life stage was derived from the photographs and a comparative survival analysis was used to quantify the threat posed by the drought conditions. The results indicate that the Knersvlakte experienced severe drying during the 2017 drought in relation to historical records and a median rainfall year. This decreased A. delaetii survival probability three-fold when compared to mortality in a median rainfall year. Mortality was likely driven by an interplay between carbon starvation and hydraulic failure in the leaf succulent due to leaf water reserves not being replenished by the reliable winter rains of the Succulent Karoo, to which this species is adapted. The larger, reproductively mature individuals were more resistant to drought-induced mortality than the smaller juveniles, likely because the mature individuals are significantly larger than juveniles with higher water storage capacity and reduced risk of passing critical osmotic thresholds, allowing for maintained photosynthesis through the drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expansive soils are widespread in the world and coincide with areas of high human activity. The main cause of deep instability of expansive soil slopes is due to their softening caused by excavation and seepage. By developing a comprehensive numerical model based on the theory of unsaturated soil, this study examines the characteristics of stress and displacement distribution of expansive soil slopes through hydraulic‐mechanical coupled numerical simulation. This study analyzes the evolution patterns of slopes with excavation unloading and seepage of water storage to reveal the mechanisms of deep‐seated instability of expansive soil slopes. The findings demonstrate that: The instability of expansive soil slopes begins at the foot of the slope and propagates along the interlayer, affecting the entire slope. Excavation leads to the softening of the expansive soil interlayer and the transfer of shear stress. During water storage, the weakening of the soil strength results in slope instability along the weak interlayer slip. Softening of the expansive soil interlayer facilitates the redistribution of shear forces in the slope and alters the distribution law of the plastic zone in the deep layer. Overly slowing down the slope leads to significant excavation unloading, which is detrimental to the slope's stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Co‐occurring plants show wide variation in their hydraulic and photosynthetic traits. Here, we extended 'least‐cost' optimality theory to derive predictions for how variation in key hydraulic traits potentially affects the cost of acquiring and using water in photosynthesis and how this, in turn, should drive variation in photosynthetic traits.We tested these ideas across 18 woody species at a temperate woodland in eastern Australia, focusing on hydraulic traits representing different aspects of plant water balance, that is storage (sapwood capacitance, CS), demand vs supply (branch leaf : sapwood area ratio, AL : AS and leaf : sapwood mass ratio and ML : MS), access to soil water (proxied by predawn leaf water potential, ΨPD) and physical strength (sapwood density, WD).Species with higher AL : AS had higher ratio of leaf‐internal to ambient CO2 concentration during photosynthesis (ci : ca), a trait central to the least‐cost theory framework. CS and the daily operating range of tissue water potential (∆Ψ) had an interactive effect on ci : ca. CS, WD and ΨPD were significantly correlated with each other. These results, along with those from multivariate analyses, underscored the pivotal role leaf : sapwood allocation (AL : AS), and water storage (CS) play in coordination between plant hydraulic and photosynthetic systems.This study uniquely explored the role of hydraulic traits in predicting species‐specific photosynthetic variation based on optimality theory and highlights important mechanistic links within the plant carbon–water balance. See also the Commentary on this article by Macinnis‐Ng, 244: 1681–1683. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research focuses on the long-term sustainable monitoring of Terrestrial Water Storage Anomalies (TWSA), which is crucial for understanding water cycle processes and efficient regional water resource management. To address data gaps during the operation of GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment) and GRACE-FO (Follow-On) satellites, the research introduces a combined model of Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory neural network (Bi-LSTM) with X-11 for rolling prediction of TWSA through the inversion of GRACE spherical harmonic coefficients. To assess the applicability of the combined model in various basins, we use TWSA data from January 2003 to December 2014 as training set, with TWSA data from January 2015 to December 2016 as a reference, and the missing month data in GRACE observations are filled using cubic spline interpolation. We compare the performance of the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model, Long Short-Term Memory neural network (LSTM), Bi-LSTM, and the combined Bi-LSTM with X-11 model for model training and rolling prediction. Evaluation metrics include Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), standardized RMSE (R*), Pearson correlation coefficient (P), and Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency coefficient (NSE). Results indicate that all four methods perform well in regions with strong periodicity. Among them, the Bi-LSTM with X-11 combined model shows the highest prediction accuracy and good generalization. In the Amazon River basin, the combined model achieves an RMSE of 4.7 cm, R*, of 0.305, P of 97.6%, and NSE of 0.903. For grid-scale predictions in large regions, the research focuses on Greenland and the Yangtze River basin. The Bi-LSTM with X-11 combined model significantly improves spatial smoothness and accuracy compared to Bi-LSTM, LSTM, and ARIMA in both regions. The average RMSE values for the combined model in Greenland and the Yangtze River basin are 3.1 cm and 4.4 cm, respectively. The combined model's predicted TWSA demonstrates good correlation and NSE performance, outperforming the other three models in both regions, where their RMSE values exceed 4.1 cm and 6.3 cm. To sum up, the research suggests that the Bi-LSTM with X-11 combined model is effective for reconstructing TWSA during the data gaps in GRACE spherical harmonic coefficients. Additionally, this method can be used for effective recursive prediction of TWSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil water repellency (SWR) is commonly defined as a physical property of soil to resist wetting. Fire can induce, enhance, or reduce SWR and, consequently, lead to considerable changes in soil water infiltration and storage and increase soil erosion by water. The application of mulches to cover burned areas has been found to be an efficient emergency stabilization treatment. However, little is known about possible side effects on SWR, especially long-term effects. Under forests, SWR is known to be very heterogeneous, particularly in proximity to trees and shrubs, litter type and thickness, stones, cracks and roots. This study targeted the effects of post-fire mulching on SWR in a eucalypt plantation five years after a wildfire. The application of forest residue mulch did not significantly change SWR in bare soil patches or under stones, comparing the mulched and untreated plots. By contrast, SWR in the mulched plots was, significantly stronger under mulch than in bare soil. The same was true for both soil organic matter content (SOM) and soil moisture content (SMC), suggesting that SOM played a more important role than SMC. In turn, SWR under mulch was not significantly different from SWR under stone, while both SMC and SOM were significantly higher under mulch than stone. This could be explained by the differences in SMC overriding the effects of the differences SOM, or, alternatively, by possible differences in SOM quality, in particular of the "fresh" input from the mulch. Overall, the present results indicated that different mechanisms may drive SWR dynamics beneath mulch fragments, stones and bare soil patches. A better understanding of these mechanisms is important to improve the knowledge of post-fire overland flow generation and, thereby, to improve its prediction using hydrological models, especially during the early phases of the window-of-disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, drought has become a global problem. Undoubtedly, drought monitoring is an important step for combating and reducing the resultant damage. Soil moisture, namely its spatial and temporal variability, is one of the most important environmental variables. Due to the difficulty cost, and timeliness of field measurements, this parameter has not been used widely in drought indexes. The recent development of global databases based on satellite imagery as well as rapid progress in hardware and software for modeling complex processes governing the water balance at the land surface employ these new tools to reduce the limitations in this field. The purpose of this research is to provide a comprehensive drought monitoring approach by integrating remote sensing data and the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) model with the Palmer Index (PDSI) in central Iran. In this study, the components of water and energy balance in the Central Iran region were simulated using the VIC land surface model. The output components of this model, especially soil moisture after evaluation, were used as inputs in the drought index based on Palmer's water balance. The integrated index of the VIC-PDSI in comparison with conventional Palmer indices and the SPI index at the 3, 6, 12, 24, and 48-month intervals was fitted with increments in moisture data and variations in the storage of water extracted from GRACE satellite data. Results showed that the combination of VIC-PDSI had the highest correlation coefficient of 0.87 with groundwater level change compared with other drought indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Alterations in life forms could simultaneously influence the variability of fine root and leaf traits. However, our understanding of the organ-level coordination and patterns of variation in fine root and leaf traits among desert herbs and shrubs with distinct habits remains limited. Methods: Consequently, this study examined the leaf and fine root traits of 9 shrubs and 9 herbs across three desert habitats through Sperman's correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and standardized major axis (SMA) analysis as a means of identifying the hub traits and the resource trade-off strategies employed by desert plants to adapt to their environment. Results: The results showed that the extent of coordination between leaf and root traits, defined as similarity, was contingent upon the life form. While the traits in shrubs were completely decoupled, those in herbs exhibited a high degree of coordination. The traits related to water acquisition and storage are highly connected and do not depend on traits and life forms. Most leaves and fine roots were primarily loaded along the PC1 and PC2 axes of principal component analysis. Discussion: Suggesting that herbs and shrubs each adopt the most advantageous trait syndrome in accordance with their life form to acquire and conserve resources. The leaf economic spectrum and the root economic spectrum evolved independently, showing no dependence on the variations in life form. In conclusion, in desert plants, leaf and root variations occur independently along two axes, with traits associated with water acquisition playing a neutral role in their ecological strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Packaged sachet water is a major drinking water source for most low and middle-income classes in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana. It has successfully bridged the gap in the supply of safe drinking water to households, supplementing government efforts. However, storage duration and conditions can affect the water quality that reaches consumers. This study examines how storage time and conditions impact the quality of vended sachet water in Accra. Samples were stored using two methods: at room temperature (+ 20 °C) and exposed to sunlight outdoors (+ 33 °C). Water samples were analyzed over 3 months. The average pH of the samples was 7.43 ± 0.23, and all the physicochemical parameters were within World Health Organization guidelines. Some water samples showed bacterial growth after packaging. At 1 month, sachet water B (SWB_Exposed) had a Total Coliform (TC) count of 93 CFU/mL and a Heterotrophic Bacteria count of 416 CFU/mL. By 3 months, all samples contained TC. SWA_Unexposed had a TC of 884 CFU/mL, while SWA_Exposed had 468 CFU/mL. SWB_Unexposed had a TC of 25 CFU/mL, compared to 256 CFU/mL for SWB_Exposed. Currently, sachet water in Ghana has a 3-month expiry date. However, the results suggest that long-term indoor storage of sachet water can lead to bacterial regrowth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drylands are critical in regulating global carbon sequestration, but the resiliency of these semi‐arid shrub, grassland and forest systems is under threat from global warming and intensifying water stress. We used synergistic satellite optical‐Infrared (IR) and microwave remote sensing observations to quantify plant‐to‐stand level vegetation water potentials and seasonal changes in dryland water stress in the southwestern U.S. Machine‐learning was employed to re‐construct global satellite microwave vegetation optical depth (VOD) retrievals to 500‐m resolution. The re‐constructed results were able to delineate diverse vegetation conditions undetectable from the original 25‐km VOD record, and showed overall favorable correspondence with in situ plant water potential measurements (R from 0.60 to 0.78). The VOD water potential estimates effectively tracked plant water storage changes from hydro‐climate variability over diverse sub‐regions. The re‐constructed VOD record improves satellite capabilities for monitoring the storage and movement of water across the soil‐vegetation‐atmosphere continuum in heterogeneous drylands. Plain Language Summary: Drylands provide ecosystem services to more than two billion people but are under threat from global warming and intensifying water stress. We used a machine‐learning method to combine multi‐satellite observations for estimating vegetation water status and seasonal changes over drylands. Our enhanced‐resolution satellite vegetation retrievals (known as vegetation optical depth) were able to delineate diverse vegetation water conditions undetectable from the original 25‐km data record, and showed strong correspondence with in situ plant water measurements. Our approach improves satellite capabilities for monitoring the storage and movement of water across the soil, vegetation, and atmosphere layers in heterogeneous drylands. Key Points: Daily and 500‐m resolution vegetation optical depth (VOD) was derived through multi‐sensor data fusionOptical‐infrared and microwave synergy resolves heterogeneous vegetation water conditions within 25‐km grid cellsRe‐constructed VOD can improve understanding and monitoring of vegetation water potential at plant‐to‐stand scales [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a numerical analysis of two hot water storage tank configurations—one equipped with an external heat exchanger (Tank-1) and the other with an internal heat exchanger (Tank-2). The objective is to evaluate and compare their thermal performance during charging and discharging processes. The numerical model is developed by solving a system of ordinary differential equations using the 4th-order Runge–Kutta method, implemented in the Python programming language. The results indicate that Tank-1 demonstrated a higher charging efficiency of 94.6%, achieving full charge in approximately 2 h and 20 min. In comparison, Tank-2 required 3 h and 47 min to reach full charge, with a charging efficiency of 85.9%. During discharge, both configurations exhibited similar behavior, with an efficiency of 13.63% over approximately 33 min. The analysis showed that the external heat exchanger configuration led to more effective thermal stratification, supported by the Richardson number analysis, which indicated a significant effect of buoyancy during charging. This design advantage makes Tank-1 particularly suitable for applications requiring rapid heating and minimal heat loss, such as in cold climates or intermittent demand systems. The numerical model demonstrated reliable predictive accuracy, achieving an RMSE of 6.1% for the charging process and 6.8% for the discharging process, thereby validating the model's reliability. These findings highlight the superior performance of the external heat exchanger configuration for fast and efficient energy storage, particularly for applications in cold climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to shed light on the importance of agriculture in the Holy Quran and its merits, study the purposes of mentioning plants and animals in the Holy Quran, clarify the synonyms of the word agriculture and its terms used in the Quranic text, explore the agricultural and animal models mentioned in the Holy Quran, and analyze the main agricultural pillars referred to in the Holy Quran. The research followed the descriptive analytical approach, and theoretical induction of the texts and legal evidence related to the status of the agricultural and animal sector in the Holy Quran . The research reached a number of results, the most important of which are: Agriculture is one of the communal duties that Muslims must perform, and it is one of the most honorable works and best gains; as it achieves a great reward for the farmer, and contributes to achieving self-sufficiency for the Islamic nation, and that the Holy Quran uses crops and plants as a multidimensional means; to confirm the greatness and power of God, through the diversity of fruits and agricultural materials. And that the mention of animals in the Holy Quran carries main purposes that reflect the greatness of the Creator; Animals are used as signs to reflect on God's power, and are harnessed to provide meat, fat, skin, hair, and milk, and contribute to providing warmth and various benefits, and add beauty to human life. The synonyms of the word agriculture in the Holy Quran are diverse, such as: plowing, plants, harvest, adornment of the earth, blessings of the earth, revival of the earth, green land, gardens, and trees, which reflects the importance of agriculture as a fundamental subject for humans and living organisms in general, and that these plants not only provide basic food for humans and animals, but also contribute to improving air quality, purifying the environment, and regulating the climate, which reflects the perfection of God's power and greatness. The Holy Quran has highlighted the importance of marine animals, especially fish, as food and medicine for humans, and demonstrated their high health benefits and nutritional value that exceeds other meats. The research also shows the importance of self-sufficiency in the agricultural and livestock sectors, stressing the need for Muslims to rely on what their hands produce to ensure their strength and independence in the face of contemporary challenges. The importance of the Earth and the Sun is also evident in the Holy Quran as two essential elements that support life on Earth. The Earth is a vital source for food production and supports biodiversity, as it contributes to water storage and plant growth, which is essential for the survival of living organisms. In return, the Sun plays a vital role in providing the energy needed for photosynthesis processes, allowing plants to grow and produce food. The Sun also affects the behavior and vital processes of animals, highlighting the complex interaction between the Earth and the Sun as vital factors that support life and its continuity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Caatinga, a Brazilian dry forest, low water availability is a limiting factor that affects the growth and survival of herbaceous plants. Thus, we hypothesize that simulated extreme changes in precipitation modify aboveground and belowground vegetative responses differently between annual and perennial herbaceous species. Seedlings of the species were obtained through seed germination. During 1 year, they were submitted to three rainfall simulation (RS) treatments, defined from a 60‐year sequence: Twet‐RS of rainy years; Tcontrol‐RS of years close to the historical average; Tdry‐RS of dry years; and with 30 repetitions per treatment. The daily water administration corresponded to the daily average of rainfall in the past. In the simulation of dry years, the annual species reduced the growth drastically, while the perennials showed a moderate reduction. All species reduced biomass and production and expansion of their leaves in dry years but invested in water storage and leaf longevity. Below ground, annuals explored surface water resources and perennials invested in root growth, accessing underground layers. If reductions in rainfall are confirmed, the allocation of herbaceous biomass may follow an “optimal partitioning” strategy, along with maintaining higher water content in the organs, which is an efficient survival strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global climate crisis, exacerbated by intensifying natural disasters such as floods, droughts, rising sea levels, and forest fires, is rapidly depleting our water resources. To mitigate this, sustainable management of arid regions is crucial, requiring the implementation of effective water storage techniques, enhancement of soil water resources, and optimization of water utilization. Drought stress poses a significant challenge to agriculture, but the colonization of plants by mycorrhizal fungi offers a promising solution, enhancing drought tolerance and potentially alleviating plant water stress. Complementing this, organic materials like biochar, renowned for their extensive surface area and soil-stabilizing properties, can significantly improve soil water retention capacity, providing a synergistic approach when combined with mycorrhizal fungi. Although mycorrhiza positively impacts plant resistance to water stress, the exact mechanisms by which it facilitates water uptake and transport to plant tissues are still under investigation. Additionally, the implementation of water-conserving irrigation methods, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions, can further enhance water efficiency. The use of cover crops in agricultural production also reduces water losses by maintaining soil surface coverage and enhancing carbon and water storage in the soil. Moreover, understanding the mechanisms underlying water retention in biochar-amended soils is a crucial area of ongoing research. Finally, adopting and scaling up Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) techniques, a relatively innovative approach, is vital for addressing water resource challenges in dryland regions and holds great promise for promoting resilient and sustainable agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the risk levels of collapse associated with different Low-Impact Development (LID) measures employed in constructing stormwater systems within collapsible loess areas, the study utilized the High-Efficiency and High-Precision Urban Stormwater Model (GAST) to analyze the risk of waterlogging. The aim was to propose a method that integrates the analysis of waterlogging accumulation time with considerations of the correlation between the collapsibility coefficient and soil parameters, thereby assessing the collapse risk level of various LID measures. This method was applied to examine the changing patterns of settlement risk levels in grassed swales and rain gardens under different rainfall return periods (P1 = 20 years, P2 = 50 years, P3 = 100 years) and water accumulation durations (T1 = 0.5 days, T2 = 5 days). Findings reveal a direct correlation between rainfall return periods and collapse risk levels. Specifically, at P3 = 100 years, 50% of the collapse risk level in the study region reaches level III. However, when the water accumulation duration is extended to 5 days, the percentage of locations classified as category III increases to 75%. Despite rain gardens' superior water storage capacity compared to grass swales, they also elevate the risk of collapse. Therefore, diligent monitoring of rain garden durability during prolonged periods of frequent rainfall is essential. The evaluation approach proposed in this research demonstrates a 75% accuracy rate, affirming its initial reliability for evaluating the risk associated with constructing LID stormwater systems in collapsible loess areas. Furthermore, it can be utilized for further investigations into the collapsibility impacts of LID measures in regions characterized by collapsible loess. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human need for health and well-being implemented globally by the United Nations under Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6. Storing drinking water is common in rural areas of Ethiopia due to off-premises water sources and intermittent piped water supply. However, this practice can lead to further contamination during collection, transport, and storage, posing a risk to public health. The objective of this study was to identify the determinant factors of drinking water quality at the point of use in the rural setting of northwestern Ethiopia, South Gondar zone. A questionnaire survey was conducted, and water samples from 720 households were collected during the wet and dry seasons. The determinant factors were identified using the multivariable logistic regression model. About 39.2% of the surveyed households had basic water supply services, 41.9% were using unimproved sources, and 8.3% were using surface water. Only 9.4% were using basic sanitation services, and 57.2% were practicing open defecation. Safe water storage was practiced by 84.3% of households, while only 2% engaged in household water treatment. About 14% of dry and 8% of wet season samples from the storage were free from fecal coliform bacteria. Furthermore, 52.9% of dry and 62.2% of wet season samples fell under the high microbial health risk category. The season of the year, the water source type, storage washing methods, and the socioeconomic status of the household were identified as key predictors of household drinking water fecal contamination using the multivariable logistic regression model. It was observed that the drinking water in households had a high load of fecal contamination, posing health risks to consumers. To tackle these problems, our study recommends that stakeholders should enhance access to improved water sources, implement source-level water treatment, increase access to improved sanitation facilities, advocate for safe household water management practices, and endorse household water treatment methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smallholder farmers in South Africa face issues related to water shortages and poor irrigation water management. This study investigated barriers to improving water-use efficiency (WUE) in smallholder production practices in Numbi, South Africa. The objectives were to identify barriers in redesigning production practices for higher agricultural productivity and analyze the relationship between irrigation water supply and the adoption of WUE methods. From a population of 7696 people, 141 smallholder farmers were sampled using a simple random sampling technique through Taro Yamane's sample size formula. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and descriptive statistics. Unreliable water supply (M = 3.78, SD = 0.85), poor soil water retention (M = 3.78, SD = 0.85), lack of water-efficient irrigation systems (M = 3.91, SD = 0.71), lack of water storage facilities (M = 3.85, SD = 0.93), limited access to credit (M = 4.09, SD = 0.85), income instability due to market fluctuations (M = 3.96, SD = 0.91), inadequate knowledge of irrigation management (M = 4.00, SD = 0.84), and harsh climatic factors were identified. A positive correlation (r = 0.339, n = 141, p < 0.001) between irrigation water source and WUE techniques was evident, indicating that irrigation water source had an insignificant impact on WUE methods. Resolving these barriers requires a holistic approach focusing on investments in irrigation infrastructure and targeted education initiatives by extension agents and other stakeholders, as this can enhance agricultural productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Accurate leaf water potential (Ψw) determination is crucial in studying plant responses to water deficit. After excision, water potential decreases, even under low evaporative demand conditions, which has been recently attributed to the equilibration of pre-excision Ψw gradients across the leaf. We assessed the influence of potential re-equilibration on water potential determination by monitoring leaf Ψw and relative water content decline after excision using different storage methods. Results: Even though leaf Ψw declined during storage under low evaporative demand conditions, this was strongly reduced when covering the leaf with a hydrophobic layer (vaseline) and explained by changes in relative water content. However, residual water loss was variable between species, possibly related to morpho-physiological leaf traits. Provided water loss was minimized during storage, pre-excision leaf transpiration rate did not affect to the magnitude of leaf Ψw decline after excision, confirming that transpiration-driven Ψw gradients have no effect on leaf Ψw determination. Conclusions: Disequilibrium in water potentials across a transpiring leaf upon excision is dissipated very quickly, well within the elapsed time between excision and pressurization, therefore, not resulting in overestimation of leaf Ψw measured immediately after excision. When leaf storage is required, the effectiveness of a storage under low evaporative demand varied among species. Covering with a hydrophobic layer is an acceptable alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the model setup and results from the first calibrated, physically-based, spatially-distributed hydrological modelling of combined land cover and climate change impacts on a large sample of UK river catchments. The SHETRAN hydrological model was automatically calibrated for 698 UK catchments then driven by the 12 regional climate model projections from UKCP18, combined with urban development and natural flood management scenarios. The automatic calibration of SHETRAN produces a median Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency value of 0.82 with 581 catchments having a value greater than 0.7. 24 summary metrics were calculated to capture changes to important aspects of the flow regime. The UKCP18 realisations in SHETRAN indicate that a warming climate will cause river flows, on average, to decrease. These decreases are simulated to be greatest in the south and east of the UK, with droughts becoming longer and more severe. While high flows also decrease on average, an increased number of extremes are exhibited, implying a greater number of extreme flood events in the future, particularly in the north and west of the UK. In the urban development scenarios, for flood events there is an increase in flow with the increased urbanization, with the 1 in 3-year peak flow event showing the greatest increase. The natural flood management scenarios consider the effect of increasing woodland and adding surface water storage ponds. The inclusion of these features produces a complex response but overall, the modelling shows a reduction in low, median, and high flows, although the more extreme the flow event the smaller the percentage change in flow. Simulated timeseries and summary metric datasets are freely available on the CEDA archive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and human activities alter the global freshwater cycle, causing nonstationary processes as its distribution shifting over time, yet a comprehensive understanding of these changes remains elusive. Here, we develop a remote sensing-informed terrestrial reanalysis and assess the nonstationarity of and interconnections among global water cycle components from 2003 to 2020. We highlight 20 hotspot regions where terrestrial water storage exhibits strong nonstationarity, impacting 35% of the global population and 45% of the area covered by irrigated agriculture. Emerging long-term trends dominate the most often (48.2%), followed by seasonal shifts (32.8%) and changes in extremes (19%). Notably, in mid-latitudes, this encompasses 34% of Asia and 27% of North America. The patterns of nonstationarity and their dominant types differ across other water cycle components, including precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, and gross primary production. These differences also manifest uniquely across hotspot regions, illustrating the intricate ways in which each component responds to climate change and human water management. Our findings emphasize the importance of considering nonstationarity when assessing water cycle information toward the development of strategies for sustainable water resource usage, enhancing resilience to extreme events, and effectively addressing other challenges associated with climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Water potential' is the biophysically relevant measure of water status in vegetation relating to stomatal, canopy and hydraulic conductance, as well as mortality thresholds; yet, this cannot be directly related to measured and modelled fluxes of water at plot‐ to landscape‐scale without understanding its relationship with 'water content'. The capacity for detecting vegetation water content via microwave remote sensing further increases the need to understand the link between water content and ecosystem function. In this review, we explore how the fundamental measures of water status, water potential and water content are linked at ecosystem‐scale drawing on the existing theory of pressure‐volume (PV) relationships. We define and evaluate the concept and limitations of applying PV relationships to ecosystems where the quantity of water can vary on short timescales with respect to plant water status, and over longer timescales and over larger areas due to structural changes in vegetation. As a proof of concept, plot‐scale aboveground vegetation PV curves were generated from equilibrium (e.g., predawn) water potentials and water content of the above ground biomass of nine plots, including tropical rainforest, savanna, temperate forest, and a long‐term Amazonian rainforest drought experiment. Initial findings suggest that the stored water and ecosystem capacitance scale linearly with biomass across diverse systems, while the relative values of ecosystem hydraulic capacitance and physiologically accessible water storage do not vary systematically with biomass. The bottom‐up scaling approach to ecosystem water relations identified the need to characterise the distribution of water potentials within a community and also revealed the relevance of community‐level plant tissue fractions to ecosystem water relations. We believe that this theory will be instrumental in linking our detailed understanding of biophysical processes at tissue‐scale to the scale at which land surface models operate and at which tower‐based, airborne and satellite remote sensing can provide information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are effective soil amendments that can control soil erosion by improving soil quality. However, many commercial SAPs face challenges including limited biodegradability, high costs, and adverse effects on soil hydrological properties, which can lead to increased water and soil loss. This study examined the potential of lower dosages of biodegradable SAPs to improve the hydrological properties of "Shimajiri-maji" (clay) soil. Three concentrations of biodegradable Fasal Amrit polymer (EFP) (P1: 0, P2: 3 g m−2, and P3: 6 g m−2) were evaluated under three simulated rainfall intensities (I1: 35; I2: 70 and I3: 110 mm h−1) and two gradients (7.5%, and 15%) during consecutive storms. The time to generate runoff, infiltration, runoff, soil loss, and water storage (WS) were quantified over one hour. The results show that runoff generation was delayed in EFP-treated soils compared to the control. Both polymer treatments enhanced infiltration (P2 > P3 > P1) and reduced runoff and soil loss (P2 < P3 < P1). Higher EFP rates improved water storage at surface depths (P3 > P2 > P1). EFP-treated soils exhibited lower interrill erodibility, suggesting greater resistance to soil erosion compared to the control. EFP treatments also significantly improved the soil's physical properties (bulk density, porosity, organic matter, aggregate stability). EFPs can diminish runoff and soil loss as the EFP-treated plots exhibited greater aggregate stability than the control. It was concluded that low EFP concentrations can improve soil hydrological properties and mitigate soil erosion. Further investigations are needed to optimize the EFP concentrations for different soil types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the process of CO2 geological storage in the salt water layer, CO2 leakage along the wellbore will seriously affect the effective storage of CO2 in the target geological area. To solve this problem, based on the investigation of a large number of failure cases of CO2 storage along the wellbore and failure cases of gas storage wells in the injection stage of the wellbore, the influencing factors of CO2 leakage risk along the wellbore were investigated in detail. Based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and extension theory, 17 basic evaluation indexes were selected from 6 perspectives to establish the evaluation index system of CO2 leakage risk along the wellbore. The established evaluation system was used to evaluate the leakage risk of a CO2 storage well in the X gas field of BZ Block. The results showed that the influencing factors of tubing had the smallest weight, followed by cement sheath, and the influencing factors of casing–cement sheath interface and cement sheath–formation interface had the largest weight, accounting for 23.73% and 34.32%, respectively. The CO2 storage well leakage risk evaluation grade was Ι, with minimal leakage risk. The CO2 storage effect was excellent. The evaluation system comprehensively considers the tubing string, cement sheath, and micro-annulus interface, which can provide a scientific basis for the risk assessment of CO2 leakage along the wellbore under the CO2 geological storage of the salt water layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores hydrological and meteorological drought in the Coastal Constantine basin, the Cheffia and Mexa dams in northeast Algeria in particular, using a time series of monthly rainfall and dam inflow data over 54 years (1965–2018). Recently, these dams have experienced recurring droughts, significantly reducing water storage and severely impacting the population's drinking water supply. To better assess the severity and trends of these droughts, we applied a range of methods (Mann-Kendall test, Sen's slope estimator, Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Streamflow Index (SSI), and Innovative Trend Analysis (ITA) method). SPI and SSI were chosen because they can be applied across various timescales, easy to calculate, and have demonstrated accuracy. Additionally, the trend analysis techniques were preferred because they have few assumptions, are resistant to incomplete data, offer the advantage of visual interpretation, and have the ability to capture changes within data subgroups. The findings analysis shows an autumn rainfall increase (1.18 mm/year) and a significant spring decrease (-2.23 mm/year). In addition, an annual rainfall trend magnitude ranging from − 5.26 mm/year to 1.71 mm/year. The Cheffia Dam experiences a summer inflow decrease (-0.05 hm³/year) and an overall annual decline (-0.35 hm³/year), while the Mexa Dam shows a significant spring inflow decrease (-0.17 hm³/year) with a slight annual decline (-0.07 hm³/year). The ITA method revealed severe and prolonged droughts with increasing severity over time, as shown by the SPI and SSI drought trend analysis. These trends affirm the growing impact of reduced precipitation on water resources and emphasize the urgent need for proactive water management strategies in the region. The results highlight the extremely difficult conditions and the severe drought, particularly in central parts of the basin, over the past 54 years, and underscore ongoing challenges in managing water resources amid changing climatic conditions. This situation negatively impacts the Boulatane dam project and the under-construction Boukhroufa dam. Thus, it is necessary to implement necessary measures to mitigate the effects of prolonged droughts on water availability and infrastructure development. The study's findings provide a foundation for spatial and temporal analysis and management of droughts in water-stressed regions globally, in the context of climate change with innovative techniques. The results emphasize the need for policymakers to prepare for droughts and adopt early warning systems. It is recommended that water conservation efforts be strengthened, new water structures be built, and climate change policies be adapted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the influence of oscillating magnetic fields on the deep supercooling of water and the supercooling storage of fruits. The results showed that by utilizing a 6 mT/50 Hz oscillating magnetic field, water (1 ml) was able to be maintained at -18 °C for 24 h, achieving deep supercooling. Combining magnetic field with oil-sealed water enhanced supercooling compared to oil sealing alone. By adding an oscillating magnetic field, fruits were maintained at a temperature of -5 °C for 12 h. The supercooled samples exhibited a texture and color that were close to those of fresh samples and also experienced a reduction in water loss of up to 30.25% in comparison to frozen samples that were not treated by magnetic field treatment. The proposed method achieved significant supercooling and improved food quality using an easily obtainable type of magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The skin is the main interface between the individual and the environment. It has essential physiological functions which allow the individual to live safely, even under changing external conditions which might pose potential threats. The most important physiological function of the skin is protection against various forms of noxious stimuli including physical and chemical trauma, micro-organisms and radiation. The skin and its appendages are also vital for thermoregulation. Several modalities of sensation are mediated via the skin allowing the individual to recognize the context of their relationship to the environment. The skin is a significant water-storage organ. Although it mainly acts as a barrier, the skin does have some ability to absorb various substances, particularly lipophilic compounds. Synthesis of vitamin D occurs in sun-exposed skin and is the major site of production in normal health. It is important for surgeons to understand the functions of the skin and the process of wound healing in order to recognize when clinical problems occur and to appreciate how patients with disordered skin physiology are likely to respond to traumatic or surgical injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leakage issues have received increasing attention as the most common and significant source of complaints in residential construction quality problems. In this study, based on the classification of residential construction leakage problems, 1947 water spray tests and 2333 water storage tests were conducted on 18 construction projects. An empirical analysis of 432 leakage cases was conducted to determine the loss law for a single leakage point as well as the loss laws for different grades of leakage problems. Through empirical analysis, it can be concluded that more than 90% of the leakage problems are third-level. To better understand the quantitative law of the residential construction leakage problem, a total loss law model was developed. Finally, the law of leakage loss in residential construction is summarized, and measures to reduce leakage loss in residential construction are proposed. This research can provide a theoretical basis and model tools for inherent defect insurance and help insurance companies control insurance risks and drive the promotion of inherent defect insurance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultivated peatlands are increasingly regarded as hot spots due to climate change and other environmental concerns. Flexible water management, such as controlled drainage, is proposed to optimize cultivation and reduce environmental risks in peatland fields. The hydrological and environmental implications of controlled drainage depend on site‐specific variables, and it is unclear how controlled drainage should be implemented in various conditions. Simulation models are a promising approach to systemically study the field hydrology, as models can capture the complete water balance, which is difficult through experimental studies alone. We calibrated and validated the spatially distributed model FLUSH to describe the hydrology of a field block with a shallow peat cover and controlled drainage in central western Finland. The objectives were to analyze the hydrological effects of controlled drainage and detect hydrological connections between the field and an adjacent upslope forest area. The results showed how inflow from the forest can induce high observed drain discharge but impacted the block groundwater tables only in the proximity of the forest (distance <25 m). The effect of controlled drainage on groundwater tables was on average 0.15 m and seasonally varying. Controlled drainage reduced drain discharge, and the reduction was larger with the forest area included in the model. While controlled drainage effects on groundwater levels and soil moisture were insensitive to groundwater influxes from adjacent areas, the water balance impact highlights the role of hydrological connections in the hydrology of cultivated peatlands under controlled drainage. Core Ideas: Combined with limited dataset, FLUSH provided a transparent tool to quantify the hydrology of a cultivated peatland.Hydrological connections had a strong impact on the field water balance but not on groundwater tables.Controlled drainage reduced groundwater table depths on average 0.15 m but had a small impact on peat moisture.Complex interactions within peatlands are a challenge for reproducing point observations with a model. Plain Language Summary: Sustainable agriculture on peatlands requires water management that allows sufficient removal of excess water when needed by the cultivation practices while minimizing the negative environmental impacts of draining peatlands, especially carbon dioxide emissions and nutrient leaching. One promising method for this is controlled drainage, a subsurface drainage method that enables controlling the amount of drainage, but more research is needed to better understand how cultivated peatlands respond to it. In this study, a computational model FLUSH was used to describe the flow and storage of water and how controlled drainage affects them on a cultivated peatland field in central western Finland. The model supported our hypothesis that the large observed drain discharge was caused by groundwater flow from an adjacent forest area. According to the model, the controlled drainage scheme that was applied in the field raised groundwater tables on average 0.15 m and reduced drain discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The resilience and resistance of vegetation are important indicators of the vegetation's response to droughts. Owing to the uniqueness of the environment in humid karst areas, results from studies on other climatic zones may not necessarily present the status of vegetation resilience and resistance in humid karst areas. Herein, We calculated vegetation resilience and resistance by autoregressive modeling using Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), Total Water Storage Anomaly (TWSA), temperature (TA), precipitation (PRE) data, An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was then conducted to compare the differences in resilience and resistance of different vegetation types in the study area, as well as the differences in resilience and resistance of vegetation in different sub-geomorphic zones. Finally, natural factors affecting vegetation resilience and resistance were quantified using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results demonstrate the following points. First, vegetation resilience, total-water-storage anomaly resistance, and vegetation resistance against precipitation anomalies were lower in karst areas of the study area than in non-karst areas of the study area (except for vegetation resistance against temperature anomalies). Second, vegetation resilience was the lowest in some sub-geomorphic zones within karst areas, and it was still comparable to that in semiarid areas. Third, precipitation and temperature were important factors that affected the resilience and resistance of vegetation in karst areas, and the geochemical indicators (CaO, MgO, and SiO2) of soil parent material were major factors that affected the resistance and resilience of vegetation in non-karst areas. In summary, this study was undertaken to reveal the natural characteristics of vegetation resilience and resistance in humid karst regions. Our findings complement and expand the existing body of knowledge on vegetation resilience and resistance in other ecologically fragile zones limited by moisture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetation restoration plays a crucial role in conserving soil and water, as well as rehabilitating ecosystems, by enhancing soil properties and vegetation attributes. The evaluation of the ecological consequences among different vegetation restoration types can be achieved by clarifying the impacts on carbon, water and nutrient storages. In this study, we selected four typical vegetation restoration types (Pinus tabuliformis forest (PTF), Platycladus orientalis forest (POF) and Robinia pseudoacacia forest (RPF) as typical planted forests, and the natural secondary forest (NSF) as the control treatment) in the eastern Loess Plateau of China. The soil properties (at 0–200 cm depth) and vegetation attributes (including arborous, shrubs and herbaceous plants) were measured, as well as calculated soil carbon, water and nutrient storages, with a total of 1600 soil samples and 180 vegetation survey plots. The partial redundancy analysis (pRDA) and correlation analysis were also used to analyze the contributions and relationships among environmental factors, soil eco-hydrology and nutrient supplement services in different forestry ecosystems. The results indicate the following: (1) NSF has the lowest soil bulk density (1.21 ± 0.184 g·cm−3). Soil properties varied significantly at vertical scales, and had obvious surface accumulation. (2) Soil moisture storages were better in natural forests than those in planted forests, with more drastic changes in soil moisture dynamics. (3) The soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus storages significantly differed among four vegetation types, with the highest carbon storages in PTF (207.75 ± 0.674 t·ha−1), the highest nitrogen storages in POF (5.54 t·ha−1), and the highest phosphorus storages in RPF (4.33 t·ha−1), respectively. (4) Soil carbon storages depend primarily on the coupling effect of soil properties and precipitation, while nutrient storage is mainly influenced by soil properties. The results quantify the significant differences in soil water, carbon, and nutrient storage across various vegetation restoration types, and reveal the individual and combined contributions of environmental factors, providing new insights into the mechanisms driving these differences. These findings offer practical guidance for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems and the optimization of ecological restoration strategies on the Loess Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The moisture‐enabled electricity generators (MEGs) represent an appealing clean power strategy within the realm of hydrovoltaic technology. However, their stable operation under all‐weather conditions is still challengeable due to the effect of ambient humidity. Herein, a self‐water‐storage MEGs with multifunctionality was developed. Gel textiles are employed as the proton‐release layer, while graphite fibers loaded with tin‐bismuth alloy liquid metal serve as water‐storing electrode. The gel textiles absorb water permeating down from the electrodes, releasing protons, which then react with the active electrode to enhance output performance. The experiment demonstrates that a device can generate a voltage of 0.55 V and a current of 7.08 μA after water storage, with a maximum power density of 1.14 μW·cm‐². The device's performance output can remain stable within a wide temperature range. The experiment confirms that the electrical output of the device originates from ionic diffusion, while density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) calculations reveal the importance of the strong hydrolysis ability of the polymer and the high adsorption energy of the liquid metal for H3O+ on the output performance of the device. Furthermore, the integrated device has demonstrated effective applications in driving microelectronic devices, charging capacitors and, self‐powered health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) are a class of promising materials for capacitive deionization. However, the kinetic mismatch between their slow ion storage rate and the demand from short‐time desalination severely limits their desalination performance. Here, a group of structure‐tuneable Ni‐Mn PBAs have been developed by a combination strategy of surface‐protected chemical etching and Ostwald ripening to study their ion storage kinetics. Treating them as demos, the characterizations and investigations, e.g., in situ XRD in a three‐electrode system, dynamic impedance, finite element simulation, and DFT calculations etc., reveal that the slow ion diffusion caused by the severe agglomeration of the nanoparticles and the unsuitable lattice parameter controls the final desalination behavior. Therefore, the correspondingly optimized sample (HC‐t) possessing a microscale hollow structure, nanoscale shell thickness, and expanded lattice, displays a fast ion storage kinetics with the ratio of surface‐controlled current as high as 82% at a scan rate of 20 mV s−1. Consequently, it delivers an impressive desalination capacity of 120.8 mg g−1 (2.06 mmol g−1 Na+) with a fast average desalination rate of 0.25 mg g−1 s−1 (0.004 mmol g−1 s−1) at 1.2 V, competitive with those reported in the literature. Moreover, the elucidation of the structure‐performance correlation provides valuable insights for the development and design of next‐generation PBAs for capacitive deionization (CDI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses river discharges derived using remote sensing and hydrologic modeling approaches throughout the CONUS. The remote sensing methods rely on total water storage anomalies (TWSA) from the GRACE satellite mission and water surface elevations from altimetry satellites (JASON-2/3, Sentinel-3). Surface and subsurface runoff from two Land Surface Models (NOAH, CLSM) are routed using the Hillslope River Routing model to determine discharge. The LSMs are part of NASA's Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS). Differences in key physical processes represented in each model, model forcings, and use of data assimilation provide an intriguing basis for comparison. Evaluation is performed using the Kling Gupta Efficiency and USGS stream gauges. Results highlight the effectiveness of both satellite-derived discharge methods, with altimetry generally performing well over a range of discharges and TWSA capturing mean flows. LSM-derived discharge performance varies based on hydroclimatic conditions and drainage areas, with NOAH generally outperforming CLSM. CLSM-derived discharges may be impacted by the use of data assimilation (GLDAS v2.2). Low correlation and high variability contribute to lower KGE values. GLDAS models tend to perform poorly in snow dominated, semi-arid and water-regulated systems where both the timing and magnitude of the simulated results are early and overestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Identifying the physiological mechanisms by which plants are adapted to drought is critical to predict species responses to climate change. We measured the responses of leaf hydraulic and stomatal conductances (Kleaf and gs, respectively) to dehydration, and their association with anatomy, in seven species of California Ceanothus grown in a common garden, including some of the most drought‐tolerant species in the semi‐arid flora. We tested for matching of maximum hydraulic supply and demand and quantified the role of decline of Kleaf in driving stomatal closure. Across Ceanothus species, maximum Kleaf and gs were negatively correlated, and both Kleaf and gs showed steep declines with decreasing leaf water potential (i.e., a high sensitivity to dehydration). The leaf water potential at 50% decline in gs was linked with a low ratio of maximum hydraulic supply to demand (i.e., maximum Kleaf:gs). This sensitivity of gs, combined with low minimum epidermal conductance and water storage, could contribute to prolonged leaf survival under drought. The specialized anatomy of subg. Cerastes includes trichomous stomatal crypts and pronounced hypodermis, and was associated with higher water use efficiency and water storage. Combining our data with comparative literature of other California species, species of subg. Cerastes show traits associated with greater drought tolerance and reliance on leaf water storage relative to other California species. In addition to drought resistance mechanisms such as mechanical protection and resistance to embolism, drought avoidance mechanisms such as sensitive stomatal closure could contribute importantly to drought tolerance in dry‐climate adapted species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil moisture is a critical factor for vegetation restoration in arid regions. Poorly planned artificial sand-fixing vegetation systems often exacerbate soil moisture depletion, leading to further degradation. In this study, soil moisture content at various depths was continuously monitored from June to October 2023 in four key community plots—Corethrodendron scoparium, Calligonum mongolicum, and Artemisia ordosica, and bare sand—in a 31-year-old revegetated area located on the northeastern edge of the Tengger Desert. We analyzed the distribution and dynamic changes of soil moisture across the different and evaluated its temporal stability. The representative soil moisture depth was determined by using the coefficient of determination (R²) and the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE). The results showed significant differences in soil moisture among the four plots. The bare sand plot had the highest soil water storage in the 0-200 cm layer, at 46.37 mm. In contrast, the Corethrodendron scoparium, Calligonum mongolicum, and Artemisia ordosicaa plots had similar soil water storage values ranging from 33.50 to 33.67 mm, indicating that vegetation restoration has increased soil moisture absorption by an average of 27.4%. Analysis using relative difference and Spearman rank correlation methods revealed varying levels of temporal stability in soil moisture across different soil depths and plots. The Corethrodendron scoparium and bare sand plots showed higher temporal stability compared to the Calligonum mongolicum and Artemisia ordosica plots. The representative depths of temporal stability for the four plots were determined to be 100 cm, 150 cm, 20 cm, and 100 cm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an improved slime mould algorithm (ISMA) to minimize the total electricity generation cost of thermal power plants (TPs) in newly developed hybrid power systems with pumped storage hydropower plants (PSHPs), cascaded hydropower plants (CHPs), photovoltaic power plants (PVPs), conventional hydropower plants, and TPs. ISMA is a better version of the original slime mould algorithm (OSMA) by cancelling OSMA's shortcomings and applying new methods to update new control variables. ISMA replaces two equations of OSMA to update new solutions. In the first equation, ISMA search around each old solution by adding one more increased interval, while OSMA multiplies each old solution by a vector with terms having smaller values than one. In the second equation, OSMA searches around the best solution by adding one more increased interval, but ISMA has a more flexible search by expanding search zones with two additional increased intervals or keeping narrow search zones with one additional increased interval. In addition to OSMA, ISMA is also compared to equilibrium optimizer (EO), jellyfish algorithm (JS), and northern goshawk optimization algorithm (NGO). After solving a test system, ISMA reaches a smaller cost than NGO, JS, EO, and OSMA by 2.43%, 0.68%, 2.83%, and 1.52%, respectively. Then, ISMA is applied for two cases: considering and neglecting the water storage function of PSHPs. Thanks to the water storage function of PSHPs, the total cost of the system is smaller than another case without the water storage function of PSHPs by $196,578.6, corresponding to 8.4%. Clearly, the contribution of the PSHPs to the economic effectiveness of hybrid power systems is huge, and the proposed ISMA is a very suitable optimization tool for finding operation solutions for newly developed hybrid power systems. Hence, the proposed ISMA should be tried for other hybrid power systems with the PSHPs and other power sources, as well as more practical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The process of dredging reservoirs serves the purpose of preserving water storage capacity and ensuring the functionality of navigational channels. Additionally, it has the potential to mitigate the presence of pollutants and chemicals that pose risks to both the environment and human well-being. This review article examines the many ways of disposal and treatment of dredged sediment, as well as the ecological and economic advantages associated with these approaches. Algae and reed-based treatment methods have the potential to effectively and economically remediate and sustainably manage dredged sediments. Landfills and ocean dumping are widely utilized methods for the disposal of excavated materials. However, other approaches such as land reclamation, the use of fill material, and the preservation of wetlands can offer cost-effective solutions while also contributing to environmental conservation. The implementation of sediment cleaning, stabilization, and solidification techniques has the potential to effectively mitigate waste and improve the quality of sediment, hence facilitating its reuse. Algae and reed-based treatment systems have been found to effectively mitigate disposal costs and contribute to environmental enhancement. Additionally, the practice of reusing dredged sediments has been recognized as a valuable strategy in promoting a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluate trends in terrestrial water storage over 1950–2100 in CMIP6 climate models against a new global reanalysis from assimilating GRACE and GRACE-FO satellite observations into a hydrological model. To account for different timescales in our analysis, we select regions in which the influence of interannual variability is relatively small and observed trends are assumed to be representative of the development over longer periods. Our results reveal distinct biases in drying and wetting trends in CMIP6 models for several world regions. Specifically, we see high model consensus for drying in the Amazon, which disagrees with the observed wetting. Other regions show a high consensus of models and observations suggesting qualitatively correctly simulated trends, e.g., for the Mediterranean and parts of Central Africa. A high model agreement might therefore falsely indicate a robust trend in water storage if it is not assessed in light of the observed developments. This underlines the potential use of maintaining an adequate observational capacity of water storage for climate change assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PV technology has become widespread in the Netherlands, reaching a cumulative installed capacity of 22.4 GWp in 2023 and ranking second in the world for solar PV per capita at 1268 W/capita. Despite this growth, there is an inherent discrepancy between energy supply and demand during the day. While the netting system in the Netherlands can currently negate the economic drawbacks of this discrepancy, grid congestion and imbalanced electricity prices show that improvements are highly desirable for the sustainability of electricity grids. This research analyzes the effectiveness of a Power-to-Domestic-Hot-Water (P2DHW) system at improving the utilization of excess PV electricity in Dutch households and compares it to similar technologies. The results show that the example P2DHW system, the WaterAccu, compares favorably as a low cost and flexible solution. In particular, for twelve different households differing in size (1–6 occupants), PV capacity (2.4–8 kWp), and size of hot water storage boiler (50–300 L), it is shown that the total economic benefits for the period 2024–2032 vary from −€13 to €3055, assuming the current net metering scheme is abolished in 2027. Only for large households with low PV capacity are the benefits a little negative. Based on a multi-criteria analysis, it is found that the WaterAccu is the cheapest option compared to other storage options, such as a home battery, a heat pump boiler, and a solar boiler. A sensitivity study demonstrated that these results are overall robust. Furthermore, the WaterAccu has a positive societal impact owing to its peak shaving potential. Further research should focus on the potential of the technology to decrease grid congestion when implemented on a neighborhood scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the Terrestrial Water Storage(TWS) changes in the Amazon River basin, this article uses the coordinate time series data of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), adopts the Variational Mode Decomposition and Bidirectional Long and Short Term Memory(VMD-BiLSTM) method to extract the vertical crustal deformation series, and then adopts the Principal Component Analysis(PCA) method to invert the changes of terrestrial water storage in the Amazon Basin from July 15, 2012 to July 25, 2018. Then, the GNSS inversion results were compared with the equivalent water height retrieved from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) data. The results show that (1) the extraction method proposed in this article has better denoising effect than the traditional method; (2) the surface hydrological load deformation can be well calculated using GNSS coordinate vertical time series, and then the regional TWS changes can be inverted, which has a good consistency with the result of GRACE inversion of water storage, and has almost the same seasonal variation characteristics; (3) There is a strong correlation between TWS changes retrieved by GNSS based on surface deformation characteristics and water mass changes calculated by GRACE based on gravitational field changes, but GNSS satellite's all-weather measurement results in a finer time scale compared with GRACE inversion results. In summary, GNSS can be used as a supplementary technology for monitoring terrestrial water storage changes, and can complement the advantages of GRACE technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change-caused water deficiency is a major threat to crop production. Different strategies such as biochar and mycorrhiza are suggested as a solution to improve water storage in the soil and increase plant tolerance to moisture deficiency. This study tested the hypothesis that under deficit irrigation conditions, the combined application of biochar and mycorrhiza can increase maize photosynthesis activity, growth, and water use efficiency (WUE). A greenhouse experiment was established to understand the effect of biochar and mycorrhizal inoculation with deficit irrigation on maize (Zea mays L.) growth, photosynthesis activity, and WUE. A factorial randomized pot experiment was designed using three biochars (B) doses from three different feedstock (DF) and three mycorrhizae (M) species (without mycorrhizae, Rhizophagus clarus and indigenous mycorrhiza), with three different irrigation (I) levels, namely, I100, I75, and I50 respectively 100%, 75%, and 50% of field capacity. For each biochar application, of 0%, 1%, and 2% rates of soil weight were applied. Maize plant dry matter (DM), photosynthesis activities, and leaf water use efficiency (WUEL) were measured. The results showed that deficit irrigation levels, such as I75 and I50 can be used for maize plant growth. Mycorrhizal inoculation increased maize plant growth between 8.2% and 8.9%, whereas biochar increased growth. In addition, mycorrhizal inoculation increased the photosynthesis activity by 9.3%. All the biochars increased maize growth and photosynthesis activity compared to the control, however, poultry manure biochar had the highest growth, photosynthesis activity, and WUE. In addition, statistically, there were no significant differences between B0*M0*I100 and B*M*I50 applications in terms of photosynthesis activity, WUE, and DM. Combined application of biochar and mycorrhiza statistically reduced irrigation water use by 50% without affecting plant DM production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake is an important water resources in Mongolia, which has undergone a large variation in past decades. However, it is still challenging to monitor long-term changes in lake water storage (LWS) due to the lack of lake level monitoring and long-term satellite altimetry data for Mongolian lakes. According to the Advanced Land Observing Satellite Digital Elevation Model (ALOS DEM) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) dataset, we estimated the LWS changes of 55 Mongolian lakes (> 10 km2) from 1991 to 2020. The results showed that the LWS increased by 40.24 km3 from 1991 to 1997, especially for northwestern Mongolia with 31.47 km3. However, the LWS decreased by 32.44 km3 from 1998 to 2010, and the lakes in the northwestern and southern decreased by 20.24 km3 (62%) and 7.38 km3 (23%), respectively, and then the LWS continued to decrease by 10.22 km3 from 2011 to 2020. The precipitation was the primary cause of lake change, which could explain 45.13% of LWS change based on Generalized Linear Model, followed by temperature (26.33%) and irrigated area (16.72%). Analyzing the changing characteristic and driving mechanisms of LWS can provide a scientific basis for local water resources management and planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrolyzed water mainly containing hypochlorous acid is widely used because of its strong microbicidal effects, biosafety, and eco-friendliness. For frequent use in intraoral treatments, we focused on neutral electrolyzed water (NW) produced using two-stage electrolysis and investigated its storage stability. For standard-concentration NW preparations with a free available chlorine concentration (ACC) of 25, 35, and 50 mg/L and high-concentration NW preparations (100, 200, 300, 500, and 1000 mg/L), the changes in the pH, oxidation reduction potential, and ACC during a 126-day storage period and the bactericidal efficacies after storage were examined. Storage under non-shaded conditions at room temperature (LRT) and a higher ACC substantially altered the properties of the NW. NW (≤300 mg/L) had a pH of 5.9–7.3 even after storage under LRT; however, NW with a higher ACC (500 and 1000 mg/L) had a pH ˂ 5.5, critical for human enamel, even under shaded and refrigerated conditions (SLW). Only NW (25 mg/L) stored under LRT decreased the bactericidal effect (removal rate: 99.8%). When stored for use in intraoral treatments, NW should be prepared with an ACC of 25–300 mg/L and stored in SLW. It is suggested that stored NW, especially when diluting it, should be checked to ensure it maintains the properties appropriate for every intended purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The US–German GRACE (Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment, 2002–2017) and GRACE-FO (GRACE Follow-On, since 2018) satellite missions observe terrestrial water storage (TWS) variations. Over 20 years of data allow for investigating interannual variations beyond linear trends and seasonal signals. However, the origin of observed TWS changes cannot be determined solely with GRACE and GRACE-FO observations. This study focuses on the northern part of the East African Rift around the lakes of Turkana, Victoria, and Tanganyika. It aims to characterise and analyse the interannual TWS variations compared to meteorological and geodetic observations of the water storage compartments (surface water, soil moisture, and groundwater). We apply the STL (Seasonal-Trend decomposition using LOESS) method to decompose the signal into a seasonal signal, an interannual signal, and residuals. By clustering the interannual TWS dynamics for the African continent, we define the exact outline of the study region. We observe a TWS decrease until 2006, followed by a steady rise until 2016, and then the most significant TWS gain in Africa in 2019 and 2020. Besides meteorological variability, surface water storage variations in the lakes explain large parts of the TWS decrease before 2006. The storage dynamics of Lake Victoria alone contribute up to 50 % of these TWS changes. On the other hand, the significant TWS increase around 2020 can be attributed to nearly equal rises in groundwater and surface water storage, which coincide with a substantial precipitation surplus. Soil moisture explains most of the seasonal variability but does not influence the interannual variations. As Lake Victoria dominates the surface water storage variations in the region, we further investigate the lake and the downstream Nile River. The Nalubaale Dam regulates Lake Victoria's outflow. Water level observations from satellite altimetry reveal the impact of dam operations on downstream discharge and on TWS decreases in the drought years before 2006. On the other hand, we do not find evidence for an impact of the Nalubaale Dam regulations on the strong TWS increase after 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The empirical formula (EF) method, which do not rely on topographic data, stands as the prevailing technique for estimating lake water storage variation (LWSV). However, for smaller lakes, the sporadic monitoring frequency of satellite altimetry fails to adequately support this method, presenting a challenge in accurately gauging LWSV. Using Lake Chahannur, a lake in China with an area smaller than 50 km2, as a case study, seven schemes based on the EF method and the Area-Volume-Height (A-V-H) curve method were designed to estimate the LWSV of this undersized lake. The efficacy and precision of each scheme were evaluated against field-measured elevations. Findings reveal that due to the limited satellite altimetry monitoring, both the EF method and the H-driven A-V-H curve schemes struggle to provide consistent and comprehensive estimations. In the A-driven A-V-H curve schemes, terrain data from SRTM DEM suffers from mask processing and substantial errors, with the former posing challenges for shrinking lakes and the latter significantly compromising estimation accuracy. While field-measured elevations boast high precision, the interpolation process leads to terrain maps lacking in detail, with site density becoming a crucial factor influencing the accuracy of LWSV estimation. The combination of terrain reconstruction and A-driven pattern emerges as the most promising, boasting high accuracy, rich detail, and significantly reduced reliance on satellite altimetry monitoring, making it particularly suitable for small lakes. Chahannur's bottom elevation ranges between 1271.71 and 1273.44 m, and the lake shows a downward trend in water volume from 1991 to 2020, with fluctuations totaling approximately 35 million m3. This study serves as a vital addition to the field of LWSV estimation, potentially broadening the scope of estimation from large-scale lakes to a wider array of global surface water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]