Global Challenges最新文献

The frequent detection of microplastics (MPs) in bottled drinking water underscores the need for effective point-of-use (POU) purification strategies to limit human exposure, particularly given their ability to transport co-contaminants. While metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been extensively investigated for MP removal, their application in practical POU drinking water purification remains largely underexplored, especially regarding scalability and delivery of potable water after filtration. In this work, NH₂-MIL-101(Fe) MOF is integrated onto a commercial polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration (UF) membrane to develop a Fe-MOF@UF composite for enhanced removal of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-MP from drinking water. The optimally synthesized Fe-MOF@UF membrane achieved a PET-MP rejection efficacy of ∼94%. Additionally, its practical applicability is validated using commercially available PET-bottled drinking water, confirming the effective removal of MPs while delivering potable water compliant with international drinking water quality standards. Collectively, these outcomes emphasize the first practical viability of MOF-membrane hybrids for POU drinking water treatment. Despite limitations, this research lays a strong groundwork for future efforts toward performance optimization and highlights a viable pathway for scalable, cost-effective, and sustainable MOF-incorporated household MP filtration units.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains the most prevalent primary liver cancer, characterized by alarmingly high mortality rates and low five-year survival outcomes. A significant challenge in HCC management lies in its advanced-stage treatment, with most cases identified at advanced, unresectable stages, resulting in poor prognoses and limited treatment options. Over the last decade, considerable advancements have been made in systemic treatment strategies, notably with the introduction of multi-kinase inhibitors such as sorafenib and lenvatinib, which have redefined the therapeutic landscape for advanced HCC. The emergence of immunotherapy has further revolutionized first-line treatment, bringing new hope with agents like the PD-1 inhibitor nivolumab and the CTLA-4 inhibitor tremelimumab. Moreover, combination regimens such as atezolizumab plus bevacizumab have demonstrated remarkable clinical efficacy, leading to substantial improvements in overall survival and progression-free survival. Despite the availability of multiple treatment options, clinical trial outcomes remain suboptimal. Key challenges persist in the selection and sequencing of therapies, the development of more diversified combination strategies, and the implementation of downstaging approaches for advanced HCC. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the current progress in systemic therapies for HCC, drawing on extensive research findings and clinical trial data to assess their clinical applications and explore potential challenges. By offering a critical analysis of these therapeutic strategies, this paper seeks to furnish valuable insights and references for ongoing research and future clinical practice, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes in HCC management.

Accurate prediction of optical performance in solar cells with multiscale-textured interfaces is essential for optimizing light management in next-generation photovoltaics. For the first time, a systematic validation of two complementary modeling approaches is carried out on experimentally fabricated thin-film silicon (TF Si) solar cells: rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA), offering a full electromagnetic solution but constrained by boundary conditions, and a ray optics model, operating in the refractive regime. The study involves two device architectures: an a-Si:H single-junction cell on commercial Asahi VU-type glass with random nanotextures, and an nc-Si:H single-junction cell on novel micro-periodic honeycomb-textured glass developed in-house. Simulated and measured external quantum efficiency (EQE) and total front reflection losses (1-R) are benchmarked using the root mean squared error (RMSE). The ray model shows deviations of only 2%–6%, comparable to RCWA, while reducing computation time from 1 week to less than 30 min. Applied to an a-Si:H/nc-Si:H tandem device on honeycomb-textured glass, ray optics reproduced the optical response with spectral deviations below 6% and photocurrent mismatch under 0.2 mA/cm². These findings uniquely establish ray optics, when combined with accurate optical constants and realistic interface morphologies, as a reliable and computationally efficient predictive tool broadly transferable to thin-film technologies, including perovskites.

The cover image is based on the article CytroCell@Nafion: Enhanced Proton Exchange Membranes by Mario Pagliaro etal., https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202500338.

The cover image is based on the article Blue Light Defocus Induces A Positive Effect on Refractive Status and Ocular Health: A Randomized Crossover Trial by Zi-Bing Jin etal., https://doi.org/10.1002/gch2.202500222.

Drought is a prolonged lack of rainfall that causes water shortages for agricultural land by reducing soil moisture and limiting crop yields. This study assesses the impacts of drought in Erbil, Iraq, using 28 years of data from the southern, central, and northern regions. A soil-water-balance framework integrates precipitation with reference evapotranspiration (ETo), crop evapotranspiration (ETc), and actual evapotranspiration measures to address seasonal water deficits. According to the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), the area experienced basin-wide droughts in 1998–2000, 2007–2009, a renewed event in 2020–2021, and significant negative anomalies in 2024–2025. Analyzing drought frequency shows that “near-normal” conditions are most common (around 57%–79%), with occasional moderate to extreme events. The study reveals that winter wheat undergoes severe stress, with ETc reaching 200–250 mm month during dry years and ETa dropping to 15–30 mm/month, resulting in June deficits of nearly 277 mm. It also notes high variation in annual precipitation, with coefficients of variation (CV) ranging from 26.1% to 51.7%. ARIMA (1,0,1) models suggest weak persistence and zone-specific accuracy, with MAPE values of 37.8% in the south, 33.9% in the central region, and 28.8% in the north. The results underscore the importance of climate-resilient water and agricultural planning.

Thermoset polymers with permanently cross-linked networks have outstanding mechanical properties but cannot be reprocessed or recycled. Vitrimerization is a simple and practical method to convert permanent crosslinked thermosets into vitrimers with covalent adaptable networks, which can be recycled. Vitrimerization is a mechanochemical strategy to convert thermosets into vitrimers by using a ball milling system. In this study, we propose solid-state shear extrusion (SSSE) as a continuous, room-temperature route to replace ball milling (BM) for epoxy vitrimerization. The vitrimerized thermosets obtained using the SSSE process exhibit comparable activation energy and mechanical properties with the vitrimers obtained using the BM method. In addition, the SSSE vitrimers can be reprocessed multiple times, maintaining above 80 percent in mechanical properties. This first feasibility study of employing SSSE for vitrimerization may establish it as a scalable, energy-efficient alternative to batch BM for industrial, closed-loop recycling of thermosets with the least environmental impact.

Addressing energy and water management in rural Mozambique is essential for sustainable agricultural development. This study focuses on Nampula Province, where limited access to these resources deepens socioeconomic and environmental challenges. The research promotes sustainability by identifying, planning, and implementing innovative and socially validated solutions to enhance the water-energy nexus for agricultural growth. In this study, an integrated approach combining geographic information system (GIS) tools and participatory methods is developed to assess and address local needs. The initial phase involved analyzing the rural context through field surveys, stakeholder interviews, community workshops, and site visits to collect and validate data, using tailored questionnaires and digital platforms. In the second phase, collected data are processed using GIS, building a geodatabase with layers such as land use, crop distribution, water demand, energy needs, and locations of processing facilities. QGIS software is used to map resource potential, deficits, and spatial disparities. These analyses provide key insights to guide sustainable interventions, helping identify critical areas and opportunities for optimizing resource use. This integrated and participatory approach can efficiently ensure the development of solutions that are contextually appropriate, technically robust, and socially validated, thereby laying the groundwork for effective and sustainable resource management strategies in Nampula.

Irrigation is a critical component of smallholder agriculture, particularly in regions prone to climatic variability and water scarcity, such as Mozambique. This study investigated the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in accessing water for irrigation, explored the adaptation strategies they have adopted, and evaluated the effectiveness of these approaches in enhancing agricultural productivity and resilience. Using quantitative methods, the study highlights significant disparities in water access across the districts of Chókwè, Mandlakazi, and Guijá. Key findings include an ageing farmer population, limited access to efficient irrigation technologies, inadequate irrigation infrastructure, and the increasing impact of climate change, particularly in the form of droughts. Farmers primarily rely on gravity flow irrigation systems, but the lack of sufficient water storage and drainage infrastructure impedes effective water use. The study also identified crucial adaptation strategies, including the rehabilitation of irrigation systems, the adoption of solar-powered irrigation technologies, and the promotion of climate-resilient agriculture practices. The study emphasized the need for policy interventions focused on investing in irrigation infrastructures and providing capacity-building programs to enhance water management and climate adaptation. These findings are vital for informing policies aimed at improving water access and resilience in smallholder farming systems in Gaza province and similar regions.

Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells (HPSCs) using lead halide perovskites offer high performance and low-cost fabrication via solution processes. However, their environmental and thermal instability, along with poor polycrystalline quality—such as trap states and grain boundaries—limit device efficiency. In this study, we propose four novel compositions of carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) as additives for methylammonium PbI₃ (MAPI)-based HPSCs to enhance the optoelectronic performance. The CNPs are synthesized through a green, cost-effective method using citric acid and L-tryptophan for nitrogen doping. Their optical, structural, and morphological properties are thoroughly characterized prior to integration. To assess the impact of CNPs on perovskite crystallization and facet orientation, synchrotron-based 2D Grazing-Incidence Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (GIWAXS) is employed. Devices are fabricated using an inverted architecture, suitable for flexible substrates and energy-efficient processing. Electrical and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses reveal improved fill factors across all CNP compositions. The optimized system achieves a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 10%, compared to 8.2% for the reference device without CNPs, confirming the potential of green CNPs to enhance HPSC performance without compromising structural integrity.