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Enceladus, one of Saturn's icy moons, exhibits active geology and compelling evidence for a subsurface ocean. The detection of ammonia in its plumes indicates that ammonia-water ice mixtures likely play a critical role in shaping its internal evolution by lowering the melting point of ice. However, the distinct thermodynamic properties of both ammonia monohydrate ([Formula: see text]) and ammonia dihydrate ([Formula: see text]) have not been systematically evaluated in geophysical models. In this study, we present numerical geodynamic simulations that explore how each phase influences the thermal structure, onset of convection, and potential for thermodynamic conditions favorable for partial melting within Enceladus's ice shell, under varying ice shell thicknesses, reference viscosity, and thermodynamic parameters. Our results show that both ammonia hydrates allow for the development of conditions conducive to localized melting and influence convective behavior under specific constraints. Additionally, the ammonia dihydrate system may sustain convective activity even at relatively high viscosities, allowing for the generation of localized partial melting. These findings highlight that ammonia hydrate phase composition might significantly influence geodynamic behavior and could contribute to conditions favorable for localized cryovolcanic resurfacing.
Sorghum anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum sublineola, is a rain-splash-dispersed disease for which canopy structure and tissue-specific susceptibility can shape observed severity. Here, we re-analyzed previously published sorghum-johnsongrass datasets to quantify associations between leaf-angle architecture, excised-leaf susceptibility, and greenhouse disease outcomes. Basal leaf-angle profiles measured at the 8-leaf stage were available for 28 genotypes; among these, 14 genotypes had greenhouse anthracnose severity measurements for C. sublineola isolate FSP35. Across the 14 genotypes with greenhouse severity measurements, a quadratic model using canopy 'droop' slope (angle versus leaf position) accounted for 87.0% of between-genotype variation in greenhouse severity (R² = 0.870), supporting substantial architecture-disease association within this dataset. In excised-leaf assays (FSP35), midrib tissues generally exhibited equal or lower severe-infection probabilities than lamina tissues, and pooled ordinal analysis supported a modest overall tissue effect, although excision-related physiological effects cannot be excluded. As an exploratory extension, we summarized qRT-PCR responses from a limited marker panel to estimate tissue-level defense-response fractions in four genotypes inoculated with isolate FSP53. We then compared these defense fractions against normalized tissue-level severe-infection distributions using Jensen-Shannon divergence. Because the infection and response data were generated from different isolates and assay conditions, we interpret this comparison strictly as a descriptive alignment metric rather than a causal measure. Together, these results identify canopy leaf-angle descriptors and leaf blade-midrib susceptibility contrasts as quantitative traits that can be prioritized for hypothesis-driven validation and disease screening under field-relevant conditions.
Poor diet is a leading risk factor of non-communicable diseases. Product placement strategies in retail outlets can influence customers' food preferences. The United Kingdom government introduced legislation in October 2022 restricting chain retailers from using location promotions on unhealthy food and drinks. High-quality scientific evidence is needed to inform the inclusion of healthier product placement approaches into these regulations. In the context of Brexit, COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis, this study assessed whether positioning an expanded fresh fruit and vegetable section near store entrances in discount supermarkets, which do not routinely market produce this way, improved store sales, household purchasing and diet. This natural experiment had a prospective matched controlled cluster design, involving 36 stores (18 intervention and 18 control) across England. The intervention was implemented continuously for 6 months. Control stores were matched on store sales, customer profiles and neighbourhood deprivation. Participants were women, aged 18-60 years, with loyalty cards and were assigned to their primary store (n = 280 intervention and n = 300 control). Weekly store sales and household data from loyalty cards were provided by the collaborating supermarket chain. Dietary quality, household food waste and demographic characteristics were collected through questionnaires. A process evaluation and economic evaluation were completed. Store-level sales of fruit and vegetables were greater in intervention stores than predicted at intervention implementation and 3 and 6 months' follow-up, equivalent to ≈ 2525, ≈ 1940 and ≈ 1450 extra portions per store per week, respectively. Effect sizes were somewhat stronger in stores where the produce section moved forwards more than 14 m. The proportion of households purchasing fruit and vegetables were somewhat protected among intervention compared to control participants after 3 and 6 months. Changes in dietary quality were small but generally in the expected direction for health benefit. Changes in frequency of household fruit and vegetable waste were negligible at 3 months' follow-up but increased at 6 months. The intervention was implemented according to the study protocol, with marked differences in the positioning of fresh fruit and vegetables between intervention and control stores post-intervention implementation. Fresh fruit and vegetable availability increased post intervention in intervention compared with control stores. Interviews with store staff demonstrated that changes in staff attitudes had a positive reinforcing effect on intervention implementation. Assessment of the policy context showed that stakeholders across the food system largely support the United Kingdom government's unhealthy placement ban; some felt it does not go far enough. This study shows that positioning produce sections near supermarket entrances can improve the nutrition profile of store sales and may improve household purchasing and diet. The United Kingdom Food (Promotion and Placement) Regulations could be refined to require a produce section near supermarket entrances to increase its health impact. Future research should continue to build the evidence for which healthy eating interventions are effective in retail outlets. Further evaluations of real-world supermarket intervention studies using robust scientific study designs are required, alongside process and economic evaluations, to provide evidence for policy intervention to improve retail food environments in the United Kingdom and internationally. This synopsis presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Public Health Research programme as award number 17/44/46. Supermarkets are a major source of food for families. Discount supermarkets have less-healthy environments than other supermarkets and are used more by families living on lower incomes. We worked with a United Kingdom discount supermarket chain to assess if moving a bigger fresh fruit and vegetable section near store entrances improves what people buy. A total of 580 women aged 18–60 years who regularly shopped at one of 36 stores (18 with changes and 18 with no changes) across England took part. Women did a survey over the phone four times (once before the change in layout and 1, 3 and 6 months after). The survey asked about the foods they and their young children (aged 2–6 years) usually ate, where they shopped for food and how much they spent each week, as well as their age, number of children and highest educational qualification. Information about the food each woman bought from loyalty card data and the total sales of fruit and vegetables for each store in the study was given by the supermarket. We found that the sales of fruit and vegetables were higher in stores where they had been moved to the front when compared to stores where they remained at the back of the store, though the size of the impact decreased over time. We found that during the time of Brexit, COVID-19 and the cost-of-living crisis, all families bought fewer fruit and vegetables over time. Families who shopped mostly at study stores with fruit and vegetables near the front entrance had a smaller decline in fruit and vegetable purchases than families who shopped at stores with fruit and vegetables towards the back. Our study provides new information that governments could use to make all supermarkets place fruit and vegetables near the front of their stores so people buy and eat more fresh produce.
This study establishes sediment effect-based trigger (EBT) values for aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)-mediated activity using the H4IIE-luc assay, distinguishing between non-persistent and persistent agonists. Sediment-specific EBTs were derived for AhR-mediated activity by translating sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) into bioanalytical equivalent concentrations using relative effect potencies (REPs) determined in the H4IIE-luc assay. Compound-specific bioanalytical equivalents (BEQs) were calculated using SQGs and REPs. For persistent and non-persistent AhR activators, BEQs showed log-normal distributions, and their 50th percentiles were assigned as EBT-BEQchem. The EBT-BEQbio values were derived from EBT-BEQchem by multiplying with mixture factor (MF) derived from potency balance analysis to account for bioassay responses unexplained by quantified target compounds. The resulting EBT-BEQbio for non-persistent AhR-mediated activity dominated by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was 470 ngBaP  gdm-1 [expressed as benzo[a]pyrene equivalents (BaP-EQ)]. The EBT-BEQbio for persistent AhR-mediated activity was 7.4 pgTCDD  gdm-1 [expressed as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin equivalents (TCDD-EQ)], by considering polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans, coplanar polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and PAHs. Comparisons between bioassay-derived bioanalytical equivalents (BEQbio) for Busan Bay sediments and previously published datasets revealed that BaP-EQbio and TCDD-EQbio frequently exceeded the derived EBTs for non-persistent and persistent AhR-mediated mixtures. The EBT-BEQchem values were exceeded in all cases by the predicted mixture effects of quantified chemicals BEQchem. Benchmarking BEQbio values from previous case studies against EBT-BEQbio showed that sediments from industrialized coastal and riverine regions frequently exceeded EBT-BEQbio thresholds, whereas remote or open-water sites generally remained below them. These findings demonstrate that sediment-specific AhR EBTs incorporating mixture correction provide environmentally relevant benchmarks for sediment quality assessment. The proposed framework enhances the interpretation of bioassay data and supports an integrated sediment quality assessment combining bioanalytical tools with chemical analysis.
Heavy water (D2O) subtly strengthens hydrogen bonds, yet its full biological impact has remained fragmentary and controversial. Here we present an integrated, multi-scale study showing that D2O consistently fortifies DNA while dampening life processes. From bulk Escherichia coli (E. coli) cultures to PCR assays, circular dichroism melting, FRET measurements, and single-molecule force spectroscopy, every method converges on the same picture: replacing H2O with D2O stabilizes both canonical duplexes and noncanonical i-motif structures, elevates thermal and mechanical thresholds for strand separation, and translates into markedly slower bacterial growth. Notably, our first direct measurements of hairpin unzipping and refolding forces in heavy water show that deuterium-enhanced hydrogen bondingrather than D2O's higher viscositydominates the slowdown of DNA-related transitions, deepening the folded-state well while only modestly stabilizing intermediates. A minimal quantum-mechanical analysis attributes this trend to reduced zero-point energies of hydrogen-bond vibrations upon H → D substitution. This coherence across independent techniques clarifies longstanding inconsistencies surrounding heavy-water effects and nucleic-acid mechanics. By showing how isotopic substitution reshapes the DNA energy landscape, our work provides a quantitative foundation for future studies that exploit deuterium to probe or control biomolecular function.
Vascular rings are rare congenital malformations causing tracheal or esophageal compression. Advances in imaging have increased prenatal and postnatal diagnoses, but contemporary surgical outcomes remain underreported. This study reviews the early and midterm results of vascular ring repairs at a single institution over 7 years and examines the impact of diagnosis timing on outcomes. A retrospective review of pediatric patients diagnosed with vascular rings between 2018 and 2025 was conducted at a single center. Patients included were those who underwent surgical repair with data collected on demographics, diagnostic modality, operative techniques, and complications. Analyses included descriptive statistics and survival analyses for reoperation-free intervals. 77 consecutive patients (median age 10.1 months; median weight 9 kg) underwent 78 procedures, most commonly for right aortic arch with left ligamentum with Kommerell diverticulum (n=40, 51%) or double aortic arch (n=34, 44%). Fifty-seven patients were diagnosed prenatally (73%), resulting in earlier surgical intervention (9.1 months [IQR: 6.3-17.9] vs 32.6 months [9.2 months-10.4 years], p=0.003), especially for RAA with left ligamentum with Kommerell diverticulum (12 months [6.3-30.9] vs 4.4 years [2.4-10.4], p<0.001). Most surgical repairs were performed via thoracotomy (69 [88%]), with low complication rates, including hospital mortality of 0%, chylothorax rate of 7.7%, and reoperation rate of 5.1%. 3-year freedom from reoperation was 98.3% (CI: 95-100%). Contemporary vascular ring repairs are safe and effective, including at young age in patients diagnosed prenatally. Early intervention, particularly for right aortic arch with left ligamentum, is feasible and associated with favorable outcomes.
Formaldehyde is a ubiquitous indoor air pollutant whose carcinogenicity, high toxicity, and volatility pose severe health risks even at trace concentrations. Nevertheless, realizing ultra-low detection limits with high selectivity under ambient-temperature conditions using a single chemiresistive semiconductor remains an enduring challenge. A heterointerface-engineered WO3@Cu3(HHTP)2 nanocomposite is developed, integrating the high surface reactivity of WO3 with the intrinsic conductivity and ordered π-conjugated framework of the 2D conductive metal-organic framework (cMOF) Cu3(HHTP)2. Synergistic interfacial orbital hybridization between W 5d (WO3) and O 2p π-orbitals (cMOF) induces pronounced electronic structure modulation, promoting enhanced charge transport and gas-solid interfacial reaction kinetics. DFT calculations reveal that HCHO preferentially adsorbs at phenolic O sites in the cMOF and O-vacancy sites on WO3, inducing localized charge redistribution and suppressing mid-gap defect states. This adsorption-driven Fermi level shift correlates directly with the experimentally observed resistance drop under HCHO exposure. The WO3@Cu3(HHTP)2 sensor exhibits an ultralow detection limit (∼48 ppb), rapid response/recovery, minimal baseline drift, and exceptional selectivity under mixed gas environments at room temperature. These findings establish a clear mechanistic link between interfacial electronic structure tuning and enhanced sensing performance, offering a generalizable strategy for designing next-generation VOC sensors via surface modification of metal oxides with cMOFs.
Research suggests long-term developmental implications of prenatal opioid exposure (POE) that may contribute to healthcare and educational service utilization patterns, such as lower utilization of preventative healthcare services, higher utilization of emergency department and inpatient services, and higher utilization of supportive educational services. However, research on how families navigate these services, including challenges and benefits, is limited. Parents and caregivers of children with POE worked with the study team to design, collect, and descriptively analyze mixed-method data. Data were collected through a survey (n = 148) and two focus groups (n = 15) from a convenience sample, 75% in West Virginia and Massachusetts. The vast majority of children in the sample received some type of supportive service, with Early Intervention (80%) and/or Individualized Education Plans (39%) being the most commonly reported. Additionally, children commonly received outpatient services such as occupational therapy (35%) or mental health counseling (31%), among others. Caregivers expressed navigating significant challenges in trying to access services for their children with POE, from a fractured and complex system to providers who do not see their child's struggles or believe they are connected to POE. Utilization patterns did not vary between children with just POE and children with exposures to additional substances prenatally. Based on families' reported experiences, investments in professional development for pediatricians and educators, a clinical understanding of the long-term implications of POE, best practices beyond the NICU, more integrated screening and services, and greater access to mental health services are top priorities.
Current theories of punishment and legal decision-making provide useful frameworks for identifying mitigating and aggravating factors in sentencing. However, a key limitation is that these theories typically treat factors as either mitigating or aggravating, without accounting for variables that can function as both (e.g., mental illness, pecuniary gain, or a history of abuse). At present, no comprehensive theoretical model explains why such factors are "context-dependent." This review addresses that gap by examining three independent theories: attribution theory, rational choice theory, and focal concerns theory. Each offers valuable insight into why its respective context-dependent factor may be perceived as mitigating or aggravating, yet none alone accounts for the broader range of context-dependent factors. Building on these insights, this review introduces an integrated model of decision-making to explain how context-dependent factors influence sentencing decisions.
Cold tumors, including epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), mostly arise from sporadic factors, particularly hormonal and environmental influences, and are characterized by limited immune cell infiltration. Growth differentiation factor 15 (Gdf15) is increasingly recognized as a prognostic marker for EOC, but its role in harsh tumor environments, including immune surveillance and xenobiotic stress, remains underexplored. Analysis via clinical and cellular analyses revealed that EOC cell-derived Gdf15 facilitates the biological actions of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling in the tumor immune niche. Notably, AhR signaling is enriched in natural killer (NK) cells following chemotherapy and during relapse, which is correlated with poor patient prognosis. Moreover, elevated Gdf15 levels are associated with reduced postprogression survival, indicating the involvement of the Gdf15-AhR axis in chemoresistance and tumor progression. While Gdf15-high EOC cells exhibit resistance to NK actions, EOC cell-derived Gdf15 enhances NK cell surveillance against Gdf15-low EOC cells, a predominant population in primary tumors. Despite the initial anticancer activity of NK cells, the AhR signaling-high NK cell population eventually displays stress-associated features of cellular exhaustion with diminished immunological surveillance markers during malignancy. This AhR-associated exhaustive stress process in NK cells was further validated in allograft and xenobiotic exposure models, closely mirroring clinical observations. Although Gdf15-modulated AhR signaling initially mediates anticancer effects, the prolonged interplay between Gdf15 and AhR is linked to impaired NK cell surveillance. The prediction of adverse outcomes via the Gdf15-AhR axis provides new insights into the malignant evolution of the tumor-NK cell niche and the environmental susceptibility of EOC progression.
Diet composition significantly influences the chemical quality of edible insect ingredients. This study compared Tenebrio molitor larvae reared on wheat bran (WB) and tuna by-products (TB) using proximate analysis and metabolomics. On a dry matter basis, crude protein was similar at about 45 g per 100 g, whereas TB showed higher lipid and lower carbohydrate contents. Fatty acid methyl ester analysis revealed higher oleic and linoleic acids and a shift toward C18 unsaturated fatty acids in TB. Total hydrolyzable amino acids and essential amino acid proportion were conserved, although proline was higher in TB. Untargeted mass spectrometry of ethanol extracts identified 26 diet responsive metabolites, with WB enriched in polar metabolites and TB enriched in lipid derived components. TB extracts showed stronger antioxidant activity and no apparent cytotoxicity. Overall, tuna by-products remodeled lipid chemistry and metabolomic signatures while maintaining protein adequacy, supporting lipid enriched insect ingredients.
This study aimed to investigate age-related changes in serum testosterone levels and their associations with metabolic factors in a large, population-based cohort of Korean men. Although the age-related decline in testosterone has been established in Western populations, large-scale data in Asian men remain limited. Understanding regional differences is important for defining testosterone reference thresholds and associated health risks. Data from 27,687 men aged ≥40 years who underwent routine health examinations at 20 hospitals across South Korea (2015-2024) were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical parameters included age, body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, lipid profile, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Men receiving testosterone therapy or medications affecting androgen metabolism, or with a history of orchiectomy, chemotherapy, or testicular radiation, were excluded. Serum testosterone was measured from morning samples using chemiluminescent immunoassay, and biochemical hypogonadism was defined as total testosterone <2.5 ng/mL. Age-related trends were examined using ANOVA, and multivariable linear regression identified associations with metabolic variables. The mean testosterone level was 4.8±1.8 ng/mL, showing a significant linear decline of approximately 0.021 ng/mL per year (p<0.001). The prevalence of biochemical hypogonadism increased from 5.5% (40-49 years) to 11.6% (≥70 years). In multivariable analysis, higher BMI, fasting glucose, and triglyceride levels were independently associated with lower testosterone, while PSA, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein were not significant. This large nationwide study demonstrates a negative association between serum testosterone levels and age among Korean men. Obesity, hyperglycemia, and hypertriglyceridemia were additional contributors to reduced testosterone levels. Regular hormonal assessment and metabolic risk management are recommended for early detection and prevention of testosterone deficiency. Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causal pathways and long-term outcomes.
Despite the promising microenvrionments of deep eutectic solvents (DESs), including their charge-rich nature, tunable polarity, and microviscosity, the role of neat DESs as photonic media has remained largely underexplored, often relying on the addition of ex situ-synthesized luminophores to produce photoluminescence (PL). Here, we report a photostable, metal ion (Mn+)-tunable luminescent DES platform driven by the in situ formation of zero-dimensional (0D) halometallates stabilized within a designed hydrogen bond network. Combinatorial screening of hydrogen bond acceptors and donors identifies an efficient pair for stabilizing highly emissive 0D chloroplumbate(II) complexes under ambient conditions, achieving a PL quantum yield (PLQY) of 60.2%. Moreover, this DES matrix generates versatile emission with customizable excitation and emission wavelengths, PL lifetimes, and PLQYs by accommodating other Mn+s, including the lanthanides Eu3+ and Tb3+. Integrating these functional DESs into polymer networks yielded mechanically robust, luminescent eutectogels. By exploiting the independent emissive channels of these soft materials, we successfully constructed a highly multiplexed optical anti-counterfeiting platform. This systematic work provides insights into the use of DESs as highly dynamic, functional matrices that directly govern the microenvironments for dopant coordination and speciation, leading to the discovery of emergent properties of materials.
Major complications after reduction malarplasty are uncommon and generally non-life-threatening, but intracranial infectious complications associated with this procedure have not been reported. This paper presents a fatal case of postoperative meningitis to highlight this potential risk. A 35-year-old woman presented with an altered mental status ~2 weeks after undergoing revisional reduction malarplasty. The imaging and laboratory findings were suggestive of bacterial meningitis with intracranial involvement. Although surgical details were unavailable, postoperative craniofacial imaging indicated the possibility of dural violation by the fixation hardware, which may have served as a direct conduit for infection. This case shows that reduction malarplasty, though generally safe, can lead to fatal intracranial infections, albeit rare. Careful surgical planning and accurate fixation are crucial for preventing inadvertent dural penetration, and early recognition of neurologic symptoms is essential to improve the outcomes.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is characterized by hepatic lipid accumulation accompanied by inflammation and fibrosis. While pharmacological interventions such as SGLT2 inhibitors have demonstrated clinical benefits, the potential of probiotic-based approaches remains under investigation. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Bacillus subtilis pb2441 in a Western diet (WD)-induced mouse model of NAFLD and compared its effects with dapagliflozin. WD feeding resulted in increased body weight, liver weight, hepatic lipid accumulation, and expression of inflammation-, fibrosis-, and lipid metabolism-related genes, including increased lipogenesis and reduced β-oxidation. Transcriptomic analyses showed that pb2441 reduced lipogenesis-related gene expression while restoring β-oxidation-associated genes relative to the WD group, albeit to a lesser extent than dapagliflozin. H&E and Oil Red O staining demonstrated WD-induced hepatic steatosis and lipid accumulation, both of which were partially attenuated by pb2441 and dapagliflozin. Hepatic triglyceride levels were also reduced in both treatment groups, with a statistically significant decrease observed in the dapagliflozin group. Integrative analyses demonstrated that hepatic lipid accumulation was positively associated with inflammation scores, fibrosis-related gene expression, and serum ALT levels. Together, these findings indicate that pb2441 partially attenuates WD-induced hepatic steatosis and associated transcriptional changes, with broadly similar effects to dapagliflozin.
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) remains a significant public health challenge, with variable diagnostic and treatment practices. This study evaluated current clinical practices for CDI diagnosis and management in Korean physicians through a nationwide survey. An online survey was conducted among physicians treating CDI, including gastroenterologists and infectious disease specialists. The survey covered diagnostic approaches, treatment regimens, and management strategies, including differentiation based on disease severity and recurrence. A total of 300 physicians responded. The most commonly reported indication for CDI testing was the occurrence of three or more diarrheal episodes within a 24-hour period. The majority of physicians (69.7%) preferred multiple diagnostic tests, favoring simultaneous testing (90.4%) over a stepwise approach. Preferred tests included nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) (69%), glutamate dehydrogenase+toxin A/B combined assay (56%) and toxin enzyme immunoassay (EIA) (48%). Single-test users preferred toxin EIA (37.4%) and NAAT (29.7%). Treatment was primarily tailored to severity by 84.1% of physicians. For non-severe CDI, oral vancomycin (50.7%) and metronidazole (29%) were the main treatments, with 88% not recommending hospitalization. Severe CDI was treated with oral vancomycin (45.3%) or intravenous metronidazole in combination (44.9%), often for ≥ 14 days. For the first recurrence, 69.3% used oral vancomycin, with 22.6% opting for a tapered/pulsed regimen. Fecal microbiota transplantation use increased from 0.3% initially to 17.6% for multiple recurrences. In CDI with ileus, 64% preferred combination therapy, and 48% used vancomycin enemas. In inflammatory bowel disease patients, 99% underwent CDI testing for worsening diarrhea. Immunomodulators and biologics were continued in 79% and 73% of non-severe cases, respectively, but often paused during severe CDI. Korean physicians generally follow the recently developed Korean guideline for CDI practice, but certain gaps and inconsistencies in choices were observed in clinical situations. Further efforts are needed to monitor guideline implementation and to analyze gaps between guideline recommendations and real-world clinical practice to optimize CDI management in Korea.
Declining soil fertility remains a major constraint to vegetable production in tropical regions, necessitating sustainable and efficient nutrient management strategies. This study evaluated the effects of biochar, cow manure and their co-application on growth, yield and soil chemical properties of spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) under field conditions in western Uganda. A field experiment conducted in 2025 tested four treatments: control, biochar alone (50 t ha-1), cow manure (20 t ha-1), and co-application of biochar (25 t ha-1) and cow manure (10 t ha-1), arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Results indicate that the co-application of biochar and manure produced the tallest plants (45.6 cm), approximately 120% taller than the control (20.7 cm), and increased plant height by 35.7% compared to biochar alone. Similarly, the highest yield (22.5 t ha-1) was obtained under the co-application of biochar and manure. Specifically, the co-application of biochar and manure significantly increased spinach yield by 78% compared to biochar alone, while a non-significant increase of 31.1% was observed relative to manure alone. Furthermore, principal component analysis (PCA) revealed strong positive associations among growth and yield parameters and soil total N, K, EC and pH. Overall, the co-application of biochar and manure enhanced spinach productivity and soil fertility in tropical systems.
Ionic conduction plays a vital role in biological systems, energy storage and ionotronic devices. Polyelectrolyte elastomers have attracted growing interest as solid-state single-ion conductors due to their inherent ion selectivity, leakage-free nature and mechanical elasticity. However, existing polyelectrolyte elastomers have relatively low ionic conductivity (~10-3 mS cm-1), limiting their applicability as efficient ionic conductors. Here we present a materials design approach that boosts conductivity and preserves leakage-free operation by introducing a solid-state additive that combines two key characteristics: a high dielectric constant to increase dissociated ion density ( n ) and a plasticizing effect to enhance ion mobility ( μ ). Demonstrated with succinonitrile, this approach increases conductivity by over two orders of magnitude at room temperature across both polycationic and polyanionic systems, further enhancing elasticity. By elevating conductivity across diverse polyelectrolyte networks, this work demonstrates a versatile route to achieve stable and efficient ion transport for next-generation solid-state single-ion conductors.
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