• Energy Research
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An overview of high-entropy strategies for batteries is provided, emphasizing their unique structural/compositional attributes and positive effects on stability and performance, alongside a discussion of key challenges and future research directions.

ABSTRACTLitter decomposition is essential in linking aboveground and belowground carbon, nutrient cycles, and energy flows within ecosystems. This process has been profoundly impacted by global change, particularly in drylands, which are highly susceptible to both anthropogenic and natural disturbances. However, a significant knowledge gap remains concerning the extent and drivers of litter decomposition across different dryland ecosystems, limiting our understanding of its role in ecosystem metabolism. Using the ARIDEC data collection and published literature, a global database on litter decomposition and corresponding environmental conditions in drylands was developed, comprising 2204 observations from 158 sites. Decomposition rates varied across the four dryland subregions, with the highest rates in the dry‐subhumid region (3.24% month−1), followed by semi‐arid (3.15% month−1), arid (2.62% month−1), and hyper‐arid (2.35% month−1) regions. Notably, the dry‐subhumid region exhibited the greatest variability. Anthropogenic systems, such as cropland (5.52% month−1) and urban ecosystems (7.88% month−1), demonstrated higher decomposition rates than natural systems (averaging 3.07% month−1). Across drylands, the decomposition rate followed an exponential function of decomposition duration (), influenced by litter quality, climate, and soil properties. Beyond decomposition duration, three boosted regression tree models were developed to identify the primary factors influencing early (R2 = 0.92), mid (R2 = 0.71), and late (R2 = 0.80) decomposition stages. In the early‐ and mid‐stages, precipitation, atmospheric temperature, and soil moisture were critical factors, while the UV index and initial nitrogen content of litter played significant roles in the early and mid‐phases, respectively. In the late phase, soil total nitrogen, soil organic carbon, and the initial C/N ratio of litter were the primary factors. Our findings reveal consistent temporal patterns in decomposition rates and the mechanisms underlying them in global dryland ecosystems. These insights can enhance the accuracy of biogeochemical models in drylands and improve predictions of their feedback to the climate system.

Climate change is altering ecosystems worldwide. While shifting environmental conditions are complex, it has been hypothesised that the impact of climate change are directly leading to increases in fungal infections across the globe. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events are thought to be driving the adaptation of fungal pathogens to new climates, expanding their geographical range and posing a growing threat to human health and agriculture. This review highlights how climate change may impact key pathogens, including Candida auris, Candida orthopsilosis, Cryptococcus deuterogattii, and resistant strains of Aspergillus fumigatus, which have emerged as significant public health concerns. Their spread is accelerated by globalisation, urbanisation, and the intensifying use of agricultural fungicides, which further increase antifungal resistance. The growing prevalence of resistant strains and emergence of novel fungal pathogens is likely linked to anthropogenic climate change, underscoring the urgent need for action and for more robust data collection.

Over the past billion years, the fungal kingdom has diversified to more than two million species, with over 95% still undescribed. Beyond the well-known macroscopic mushrooms and microscopic yeast, fungi are heterotrophs that feed on almost any organic carbon, recycling nutrients through the decay of dead plants and animals and sequestering carbon into Earth's ecosystems. Human-directed applications of fungi extend from leavened bread, alcoholic beverages and biofuels to pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics and psychoactive compounds. Conversely, fungal infections pose risks to ecosystems ranging from crops to wildlife to humans; these risks are driven, in part, by human and animal movement, and might be accelerating with climate change. Genomic surveys are expanding our knowledge of the true biodiversity of the fungal kingdom, and genome-editing tools make it possible to imagine harnessing these organisms to fuel the bioeconomy. Here, we examine the fungal threats facing civilization and investigate opportunities to use fungi to combat these threats.

The dam and hydropower plant in the Marun basin located in southwestern Iran have faced severe challenges in recent years in providing agricultural irrigation water and domestic electricity due to the adverse effects of climate change and population growth. To overcome these challenges, 11 strategies as water-energy nexus scenarios were discussed. For this purpose, first, the effects of climate change on temperature and precipitation variables were examined in three concentration pathway (RCP) RCP2.6, RCP4.5, and RCP8.5 from fifth report of International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Then, the inflow to the reservoir and the irrigation water required in the future time period were calculated using the artificial neural network and Cropwat models, respectively. The water system was modeled in the water evaluation and planning (WEAP) model, and the energy system was modeled in the low emissions analysis platform (LEAP) model and then coupled with each other. Considering the field situation of the Marun basin, 11 water-energy nexus (WEN) scenarios and nine nexus indexes for evaluating the scenarios were proposed by the expert group. In order to select the best scenario in the future time interval, the ordinal priority approach (OPA) decision-making method integrated with D-number theory was used. The results reveal that the maximum water-energy nexus sustainability index under RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5 scenarios are 31.56, 34.3, and 34.9 for the WEN4 (i.e., reducing the weeds and vegetables cultivation area by 30%), WEN7 (i.e., reduction in the grain maize and vegetables cultivation area each by 5% units and increasing forage crops cultivation area by 10% units), and WEN11 (i.e., decreasing household electricity consumption intensity by 20% throughout increasing electricity tariffs) scenarios, respectively. Also, the results of the OPA method show that the most important index in evaluating the nexus scenarios is the energy sector sustainability index with a weight of 0.142, and the best nexus scenario is the WEN7 scenario with a final weight of 0.189. The comprehensive decision-making process within the comprehensive framework of the water-energy nexus under the impact of climate change, presented in this study, can easily be adopted and applied in other river basins because of verified tools in water and energy, explicit steps, and available initial data.

Broadband has revolutionized how businesses operate. Research has demonstrated the importance of broadband adoption by smaller businesses to ensure growth as they make up over 90% of all businesses worldwide. This is especially for rural-based smaller businesses as limited innovation for them may lead to social exclusion between rural and urban areas. Research has identified a lag in the take-up of broadband by rural businesses in comparison to other businesses. Investigating broadband adoption by rural businesses may inform solutions to improving the rural economy. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to review literature related to investigating drivers and barriers to broadband adoption by rural businesses to identify solutions for improving broadband take-up amongst rural businesses. Through a systematic literature review (SLR), this paper reviews studies from 2000 to 2023. A thematic analysis identifies drivers and barriers to broadband adoption, however, size, sector, frequency of broadband adoption and level of rurality for the businesses are not clarified. The review identified limited primary research in regions like South America, the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia. Findings inform the development of a conceptual framework. Infrastructure highlighted as a barrier may inform policymakers. Findings may also inform the take-up of broadband by other businesses.