Wiley最新文献

Moderately saline water has been proposed as a potential irrigation resource for crops such as forage sorghum (Sorghum bicolor × Sorghum bicolor nothosubsp. drummondii) in drought-prone regions. However, it is not yet fully understood how salinity affects growth and potential toxicity of sorghum. Sorghum produces the cyanogenic glucoside dhurrin, which can cause hydrogen cyanide (prussic acid) poisoning in grazing animals. To address this, two glasshouse experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 assessed tolerance of sorghum to a range of salt treatments (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 150 mM NaCl). Experiment 2 assessed whether moderately saline irrigation would relieve drought stress by growing sorghum under three treatments: no watering (drought), watering with freshwater, or watering with 50 mM NaCl. All treatments lasted 7 weeks. In Experiment 1, salinities as low as 25 mM NaCl significantly reduced biomass, despite sorghum being able to exclude sodium from entering transpiring leaves at NaCl concentrations up to 50 mM. Foliar concentrations of dhurrin positively correlated with salinity and exceeded the safe threshold for cattle of ≥12.5 mM NaCl. In Experiment 2, moderately saline water effectively alleviated drought stress of sorghum, with significant reductions in growth and photosynthesis in the drought treatment compared to the 50 mM NaCl treatment. While sorghum's survival and growth may be boosted by moderately saline irrigation during droughts, its cyanogenic glucoside concentrations should be monitored to ensure safety for grazing animals.

Co-crystal engineering is of interest for many applications in pharmaceutical, chemistry and material fields, but rational design of co-crystals is still challenging. Although artificial intelligence has brought major changes in the decision-making process for materials design, yet limitations in generalization and mechanistic understanding remain. Herein, we sought to improve prediction of co-crystal by combining mechanistic thermodynamic modeling with machine learning. We constructed a brand-new co-crystal database, integrating drug, coformer and reaction solvent information. By incorporating various thermodynamic models, the predictive performance was significantly enhanced. Benefiting from the complementarity of thermodynamic mechanisms and structural descriptors, the model coupling three thermodynamic models achieved optimal predictive performance. The model was rigorously validated against five benchmark models using challenging independent test sets, showcasing superior performance in both coformer and reaction solvent predicting with accuracy over 90%. Further, we employed SHAP analysis for model interpretation, suggesting that thermodynamic mechanisms are prominent in model's decision-making. Proof-of-concept studies on ketoconazole validated the model's efficacy in identifying coformers/solvents, demonstrating its potential in practical application. Overall, our work enhanced the understanding of co-crystallization, and shed light on the strategy that integrates mechanistic insights with data-driven models to accelerate the creation of new co-crystals, as well as various functional materials.

Smart Films

In article number 2410466, Kwang-Un Jeong and co-workers present zwitterion-interlocked diarylethene molecules for smart films with reversible photochromic and switchable ionic conductivity properties. Hierarchical nanostructure films are fabricated by coating, self-assembly, and photopolymerization for applications in advanced encryption, anti-counterfeiting, and sensing.

Energy-Efficient Windows

In article number 2407204, Xiaoliang Ma, Cheng Huang, Xiangang Luo, and co-workers propose a Janus spectrally selective glazing that enables the switch of passive radiative cooling and heating as well as the antifogging functionality under the precondition of conveying sufficient natural light. This strategy offers novel prospects for enhancing energy efficiency in diverse applications, including architectural windows, greenhouse cultivation, photovoltaic generation, etc.

Advances in neuromicrobiology and related omics technologies have reinforced the idea that unseen microbes play critical roles in human cognition and behaviour. Included in this research is evidence indicating that gut microbes, through direct and indirect pathways, can influence aggression, anger, irritability and antisocial behaviour. Moreover, gut microbes can manufacture chemicals that are known to compromise cognition. For example, recent court decisions in the United States and Europe acknowledge that gut microbes can produce high levels of ethanol, without consumption of alcohol by the defendants. The dismissal of driving while intoxicated charges in these cases—so-called auto-brewery syndrome—highlights the way in which microbiome knowledge will enhance the precision, objectivity and fairness of our legal systems. Here in this opinion essay, we introduce the concept of the ‘legalome’—the application of microbiome and omics science to forensic psychiatry and criminal law. We argue that the rapid pace of microbial discoveries, including those that challenge ideas of free will and moral responsibility, will necessitate a reconsideration of traditional legal doctrines and justifications of retributive punishment. The implications extend beyond the courtroom, challenging us to reconsider how environmental factors—from diet to socioeconomic conditions—might shape preventative and rehabilitative efforts through their effects on the microbiome.

Soil erosion and sedimentation are global issues threatening livelihoods and development, including in the Ethiopian Rift Valley Lakes Basin (RVLB). Despite several studies conducted at the watershed and subbasin levels in the basin, there is a lack of an organized review. This review synthesizes findings from 32 studies (2008–2023) to assess soil erosion and sedimentation rates, causes, and impacts in the RVLB. Key findings indicate that land use changes, such as converting vegetation and woodlands into cultivation and settlements, are the primary drivers of soil loss, with additional factors including steep slopes, poor conservation practices, and high rainfall. The mean annual soil loss rate in the basin is 28.44 t/ha/year, surpassing the national average of 16.5 t/ha/year and the RVLB average of 15.8 t/ha/year. Methodologies mainly rely on the Universal Soil Loss Equation and its revised version, Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation, alongside tools such as Soil and Water Assessment Tool, Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs—Sediment Delivery Ratio, object-based image analysis, and field measurements. The impacts include severe effects on crop production, hydrological efficiency, and lake sedimentation. Research gaps highlight methodological inconsistencies, limited studies on direct economic impacts, underrepresented gully erosion dynamics, and a lack of high-resolution data. Future research should focus on integrating high-resolution datasets, employing advanced geographic information system and machine learning techniques, and conducting socioeconomic impact studies. Addressing these areas is crucial for developing sustainable soil and water conservation strategies in the RVLB.