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• Alkbh5 protein was widely expressed in the brain. • Alkbh5 protein was primarily expressed in the nucleus of neurons. • Alkbh5 contained a putative nuclear localization signal. • Alkbh5 was highly expressed during the embryonic development of the brain. • Alkbh5 decreased in the late brain development. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation is one of the most abundant internal modifications on mRNAs and highly enriched within the brain. The demethylation of m6A is regulated by demethylases including fat-mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) and AlkB homolog 5 (Alkbh5). FTO has been shown to play an important role in the brain, but little is known about the expression pattern and role of Alkbh5. Here, we investigated the expression profile of Alkbh5 in the developing mouse brain and its localization in the adult mouse brain. The results showed that Alkbh5 was widely detected throughout the mouse brain, with relatively high levels observed in the cerebellum and olfactory bulb of the adult mouse brain. Furthermore, Alkbh5 is mainly co-localized with neuronal marker NeuN, suggesting that it is primarily expressed in the neurons. Specifically, Alkbh5 could be found primarily in the nucleus of mouse neurons and cell lines. In addition, Alkbh5 protein decreased dramatically during brain development. Our findings detail the expression pattern and subcellular localization of Alkbh5 in the mouse brain. These results provide a neurobiological basis for the participation of Alkbh5 in the regulation of various brain functions, which might shed new light on further functional analysis of Alkbh5 and m6A in the central nervous system (CNS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental performance-based credit mechanisms are among the tools policymakers can use to influence the polluting firms' behavior. In this study, we use China's blacklisting system for environmental fraud as a quasi-natural experiment to analyze the pollution-reducing effect of environmental credit constraints (ECCs). We operationalize our approach using a sample of 287 Chinese cities for the period 2008–2018 and find that ECCs help reduce emission intensity—a result that is both statistically significant and robust. Furthermore, our analysis suggests that ECCs can motivate producers to increase investment in technological innovation and optimize their factor allocation structure to improve green total factor productivity, thereby helping reduce their environmental impact. We demonstrate that the ECC-based schemes could be particularly effective in helping reduce pollution in regions with high enterprise credit dependence and relatively heavy presence of the manufacturing industry. In addition, these pollution-reducing effects are significant in regions with relatively strict environmental regulation. Hence, we argue that environmental credit systems could help policymakers provide polluting companies with additional incentives to voluntarily cut their emission levels and thus offer opportunities for diversifying the strategies policymakers can use to mitigate adverse environmental impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Carbon emissions trading inhibits green technology innovation in the short run. • Carbon emissions trading will reduce the carbon emissions and carbon intensity greatly at this stage. • Carbon emissions trading has a crowding-out effect on R&D investment and increases the carbon trading price, which inhibited green technology innovation. • It is necessary to control the scale of carbon emission quota and diversify the subjects of carbon trading. Carbon emissions trading is an important measure to promote high-quality economic development. Based on the panel data of 30 provincial administrative regions in China from 2008 to 2017, this paper uses the difference-in-differences method to analyze the impact of carbon emissions trading on green technology innovation. The results show that: (1) Carbon emissions trading inhibits green technology innovation in the current stage, but greatly reduces carbon emissions and carbon intensity; (2) Carbon price and R&D investment are the mainly working channels, carbon emissions trading has a crowding-out effect on corporates' R&D investment and increases the carbon trading price, which in turn inhibits green technology innovation; (3) Carbon emissions trading has a stronger inhibitory effect on green technology innovation in eastern regions and regions with low emission intensity. Local government competition positively moderates the green technology innovation effect of carbon emissions trading. However, the command-controlled environmental regulations and the scale of the carbon emission quota have opposite effects, with the compatibility of environmental regulation tools remaining to be resolved. Therefore, it is necessary to control the scale of carbon emission quota to diversify the subjects of carbon trading and strengthen the impact of market-incentive environmental regulation tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Chitin/alginate (CA) blend membranes were successfully prepared from 8wt% NaOH/4wt% urea aqueous solution by coagulating with 0.5M CaCl2 aqueous solution containing 5wt% HCl. Morphology, mechanical properties, thermal stability, and antimicrobial effects of the membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, IR and UV spectroscopes, X-ray diffraction, tensile tests, thermogravimetric analysis, water swelling and antimicrobial tests. The CA blends were miscible when the content of alginate was range from 33 to 67wt%. The crystallinity of the blend membranes decreased with an increase of alginate. Comparing with chitin membranes, the tensile strength and breaking elongation of the blend membranes were obviously improved in dry and wet states. The best values of the tensile strength and breaking elongation were 48MPa and 27%, respectively. All the blend membranes still retained obvious antimicrobial effects toward S. aureus and E. coli. Therefore, they showed potential for biomedical application. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Chitin/alginate magnetic nano-gel beads (MCAs) were successfully prepared from 8wt.% NaOH/4wt.% urea aqueous solution by ionic cross-linking. Their structure and properties were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results showed that the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized in situ with a mean diameter of 30nm were uniformly dispersed and immobilized in the chitin/alginate matrix. The structure and nature of iron oxide were conserved perfectly, and the MCAs had extremely small hysteresis loop and low coercivity. Moreover, MCAs could efficiently adsorb the methyl orange from wastewater. The iron oxide nanoparticles in the MCAs played an important role in both the creation of the magnetic-induced transference and the improvement of the adsorption capacity. This work provides a novel, low-cost, simple, and “green” process for synthesizing the chitin-based magnetic nanocomposite gel beads, which had potential application on the removal of hazardous materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Four kinds of natural chitin originating from crab (C1), shrimp (C2), silkworm chrysalis (C3) and flies shell (C4) were dissolved in 8 wt.% NaOH/4 wt.% urea aqueous solution. Dilute solution behavior of chitin was examined by laser light scattering and viscometry. The Mark–Houwink equation and the relationship between the z-average radius of gyration (Rg ) and the average-weight molecular (Mw ) for C1 in the solvent at 25°C were determined to be [η] = 0.26Mw 0.56±0.02 (mLg−1) and Rg =0.15Mw 0.47±0.03 (nm), respectively. On the basis of the polymer solution theory, the conformation parameters of C1 to C4 samples were calculated to be in the range of 25–18nm for the length of the Kuhn statistical segment (Qk ), and 43–32 for the characteristic ratio (C ∞), respectively. It indicated that chitin molecules existed in a random-coil chain conformation, and chain flexibility increases from C1 to C4 in NaOH/urea aqueous system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The detailed structure of the lophophore is a key diagnostic character in the definition of higher brachiopod taxa. The problematic Heliomedusa orienta Sun and Hou, from the Lower Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte of Yunnan, southwestern China, has a well-preserved lophophore, which is unlike that of any known extant or extinct brachiopods. Based on a comparative study of lophophore disposition in H. orienta and the extant discinid Pelagodiscus atlanticus, the in- and excurrent pattern and shell orientation of H. orienta are described and discussed. Reconstructions of lophophore shape and function are based on numerous specimens and comparison with P. atlanticus. The lophophore is composed of a pair of lophophoral arms that freely arch posteriorly rather than coiling anteriorly as commonly seen in fossil and recent lingulids. The lophophore is attached to the dorsal lobe of the mantle; it has neither calcareous nor chitinous supporting structures, and is disposed symmetrically on either side of the valve midline. The mouth can be inferred to be located at the base of the two brachial tubes, slightly posterior to the anterodorsal projection of the body wall. The lophophoral arms bear laterofrontal tentacles with a double row of cilia along their lateral edge, as in extant lingulid brachiopods. The main brachial axes are also ciliated, which presumably facilitated transport of mucous-bound nutrient particles to the mouth. The unique organization of the lophophore in Heliomedusa is not like any known fossil and living brachiopods. This clearly demonstrates that H. orienta is not a member of any crown group. It is here considered as a member of the brachiopod stem group, which challenges recent interpretations of a close discinid affinity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: South China with its rich fossil record is an important region for studying Early Cambrian metazoan diversity patterns. Compilation of a database of metazoan genera from the traditional Lower Cambrian (Cambrian Series 1–2) of South China allows a quantitative analysis of biodiversity changes. The dataset shows that about 876 genus names have been reported from the Lower Cambrian of South China. Of these only about 582 genera are now considered valid after taxonomic scrutiny. Plotting generic diversity shows a two-part, first-order trend: 1, diversity increase through the most of the Meishucunian and Qiongzhusian stages (South China usage), but punctuated by a modest decline during the upper Meishucunian; followed by 2, diversity decline in the Canglangpuan and Longwangmiaoan stages (South China usage). About 155 genera of small shelly fossils (SSFs) occur in Meishucunian rocks. The Meishucunian fauna is dominated by helcionellids, orthothecimorph hyoliths and other enigmatic fossils and is very consistent with the pretrilobitic ‘Tommotian Fauna’. Diversity increases in the Qiongzhusian stage, reaching 304 genera, the peak value known for the Cambrian. The Qiongzhusian fauna is characterized mainly by the occurrence of dominant pan-arthropods and crown-group brachiopods, representing an initial phase of the Cambrian Evolutionary Fauna. A substantial decline in generic diversity through the Canglangpuan (ca 153 genera) and Longwangmiaoan (ca 69 genera) stages is due partly to a eustatic regression, and it approximates the global pattern, reflecting an extinction event at the end of the Lower Cambrian. The observed regional biodiversity through this interval has both evolutionary and taphonomic influences: the decline in SSF diversity beginning in the upper Meishucunian was not only related to the decimation of SSFs, but also to a reduction in phosphogenesis. An apparent peak in diversity during the Qiongzhusian was somewhat exaggerated by the exceptional Chengjiang Biota. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Small shelly fossils (SSFs) occur widely on the Yangtze Platform and have great potential for biostratigraphic subdivision of pre-trilobitic Early Cambrian strata. Based on the SSF record of the shallow water realm, five biozones can be recognized for the Meishucunian Stage. In ascending order the biozones are: Anabarites trisulcatus–Protohertzina anabarica Assemblage Zone; Paragloborilus subglobosus–Purella squamulosa Assemblage Zone; Watsonella crosbyi Assemblage Zone (formerly Heraultipegma yunnanensis Zone); poorly fossiliferous interzone; Sinosachites flabelliformis–Tannuolina zhangwentangi Assemblage Zone. In addition one SSF biozone is recognized for the overlying Qiongzhusian Stage: Pelagiella subangulata Taxon-range Zone. The formerly used Siphogonuchites triangularis–Paragloborilus subglobosus Zone and Heraultipegma yunnanensis Zone are discussed and redefined. Approximately 80 species of SSFs were screened for their spatial and temporal distribution on the Yangtze Platform. Variations in lithofacies and biofacies can be recognized throughout the Yangtze Platform, extending over an area of 2000×900 km. In a deeper water shelf setting the first zone is represented by the Protohertzina anabarica–Kaiyangites novilis Assemblage Zone, while younger zones are not recognized in the southern region. At the northern platform margin the Qiongzhusian is represented by the Ninella tarimensis–Cambroclavus fangxianensis Assemblage Zone and the Rhombocorniculum cancellatum Taxon-range Zone. The southeastern Shaanxi–western Hubei region followed a slightly different lithological and faunal development than the rest of Yangtze Platform, indicating a stronger similarity with parts of East Gondwana. Some taxa such as W. crosbyi, P. subangulata, R. cancellatum, Microdictyon effusum, A. trisulcatus, Protohertzina unguliformis, and P. anabarica occur nearly worldwide and support an international correlation of Early Cambrian sequences between the Yangtze Platform and smaller West Gondwanan blocks, Siberia, Newfoundland, and Australia. The six investigated zones of the Yangtze Platform comprise an interval spanning the early Nemakit–Daldynian to the late Atdabanian/early Botoman Stage on the Siberian Platform. Palaeobiogeographic analysis revealed a strong taxic similarity between the Yangtze Platform and the Tarim Platform. A smaller number of species are shared with other West Gondwanan platform fragments such as India and Iran. Palaeobiogeographic results do not support the previously reported position of the South China Block between Australia and Siberia during the Early Cambrian. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Extensive information has been acquired on the occurrence of Lower Cambrian Small Shelly Fossils (SSF) in the shallow water sediments of the western fringe of the Yangtze Platform (eastern Yunnan and central Sichuan Provinces) during the last two decades. However, less is known on the temporal and spatial distribution of SSFs on the northern margin of the Yangtze Platform. Here we report SSF associations from Kuanchuanpu (Ningqiang County, southern Shaanxi Province), Shatan, and Xinli (both Nanjiang County, northern Sichuan Province) representing the Southwest Shaanxi region and from Sanlangpu, and Xiaowan (Xixiang County, southern Shaanxi Province) of the Southeast Shaanxi – Northwest Hubei region. The thickness of the Lower Cambrian SSF-bearing strata strongly decreases in this region from West to East and the stratigraphic hiatus increases. An earliest Cambrian hiatus is widely distributed on the northern margin of the Yangtze Platform. At the same time, a syngenetic brecciation occurred in wide shallow shelf settings. A tectonic mobilization, possibly related to the assembly of Gondwana following the breakup of Rodinia, may be responsible for this. In sections near Kuanchuanpu (Ningqiang County), the Meishucunian (equivalent to the Nemakit-Daldynian to Tommotian of Siberia) succession comprises ca. 55 m of dark phosphatic carbonates, siltstones, and cherts. The SSF associations are similar to those of East Yunnan and, in ascending order, can be discriminated into the Anabarites trisulcatus – Protohertzina anabarica Zone, the Watsonella yunnanensis Zone (previously mentioned as Heraultipegma yunnanensis Zone), and the Sinosachites flabelliformis – Tannuolina zhangwentangi Zone. The Siphogonuchites triangularis – Paragloborilus subglobosus Zone cannot be unambiguously detected in the Southwest Shaanxi region. The occurrence of embryos and eggs within the Anabarites trisulcatus – Protohertzina anabarica Zone, which has been reported earlier, is remarkable. The previously reconstructed life cycle and taxonomic treatment of Olivooides / Punctatus are re-discussed. The earliest SSF associations (Anabarites trisulcatus – Protohertzina anabarica Zone to Watsonella yunnanesis Zone) are missing in the Southeast Shaanxi – Northwest Hubei region and the Ninella tarimensis – Cambroclavus fangxianensis Assemblage Zone and Rhombocorniculum cancellatum Taxon Range Zone are introduced herein. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Xiaoyang section, located in Zhenba County of Shaanxi Province, is important both for documenting the biodiversity of the Qiongzhusian Stage (Lower Cambrian) and for analyzing lithofacies-biofacies links in carbonate depositing environments on the Yangtze Platform. The skeletal fossils from the Xihaoping Member, including linguloid valves, cambroclavid and chancelloriid sclerites, genal and occipital spines of polymerid trilobites, and tubular fossils, are described here as the Eoobolus-Cambroclavus fauna, which mainly occurred in peritidal environments. The fossils from the argillaceous limestones of the lower Shuijingtuo Formation, containing lingulate brachiopods eodiscoid trilobites, bivalved arthropods, microdictyoniid sclerites and siliceous sponge spicules, are regarded as the Palaeobolus-Hupeidiscus-Kunmingella fauna, which presumably lived in subtidal or deeper water environments. The faunal diversity in the Xihaoping Member is lower than that in the lower Shuijingtuo Formation. The investigations of the skeletal fossil assemblages from carbonate lithofacies in southern Shaanxi will significantly contribute to a detailed documentation of the biodiversity during the Qiongzhusian interval on the Yangtze Platform and add new knowledge on the Cambrian bioradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the biostratigraphical implications of Lower Cambrian small shelly faunas from Zhejiang, China. Definition of Precambrian-Cambrian boundary; Documentation of early metazoan evolution.

Studies the microstructure and functional morphology of the Early Cambrian problematical fossil Rhombocorniculum. Evidence for early Cambrian bioradiation event; Unknown phylogenetic affinity.

Promoting environmental management system reform in an orderly manner and coordinating central and local environmental protection responsibilities are important for high-quality economic development. Based on panel data of 289 cities in China from 2008 to 2016, this paper uses the fixed effects model and threshold regression model to discuss the relationships among regional competition, environmental decentralization, and target selection of local governments and to analyze whether environmental decentralization produces the Porter effect. Findings show that environmental decentralization does significantly promote economic development, strengthen environmental pollution control, and generate a strong Porter effect, due to greater R&D investment, improvement in green technology innovation ability, and optimization of the industrial structure. The effect of environmental decentralization shows significant regional heterogeneity in terms of regional financial pressure, economic development level, and environmental pressure, while regional competition distorts the effect of environmental decentralization. With the intensification of regional competition, environmental decentralization greatly improves the emission intensity of pollutants, whereas it promotes economic development after inhibiting it. The above conclusions are of great significance for pushing forward environmental decentralization, formulating a differentiated environmental decentralization strategy, and perfecting the government performance appraisal system. Environmental decentralization will promote economic development, reduce pollutant emission intensity and produce Porter effect. And environmental decentralization will improve the ability of regional innovation, promote the optimization of industrial structure, and then affect the target selection of local government. With regional competition intensification, while promoting local economic development, environmental decentralization greatly increases the emission intensity of pollutants. Unlabelled Image • Coordinating central and local environmental protection responsibilities is important guarantees for high-quality economic development. • This paper discussed the relationship between regional competition, environmental decentralization and target selection of local government. • Environmental decentralization can significantly promote economic development, strengthening the environmental pollution control. • With the intensification of regional competition, environmental decentralization greatly increases the emission intensity of pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This paper analyzes the impact of digital finance on green technology innovation. • Digital finance significantly promotes green technology innovation. • Manufacturing and non-state economic development help to better exploit the green technology innovation effect of digital finance. • As the level of environmental decentralization increases, digital finance strongly promotes green technology innovation. Financial development is an important driving force for promoting green technology innovation. However, traditional finance faces obstacles in supporting these innovations, and it is unclear how this dilemma can be solved. This paper seeks new solutions using digital finance to solve this dilemma. Using panel data on listed companies and cities in China, this paper analyzes the impact of digital finance on green technology innovation. The results show that (1) digital finance significantly promotes green technology innovation, and this finding holds even through serial robustness tests. The promotion effects are attributed to a reduction in corporate financing constraints, industrial structure upgrading and manufacturing development. (2) Digital financial development has a greater positive effect on green technology innovation in small-scale enterprises. Digital financial development can better promote green technology innovation in regions with higher pollutant emission intensity and where local government has stronger governance capacity. In addition, manufacturing and nonstate economic development help to better exploit the green technology innovation effect of digital finance. (3) With the improvement of environmental decentralization, digital finance strongly promotes green technology innovation, indicating that the downward trend of environmental responsibility will better alleviate the mismatch between the supply and demand of green innovation investments. In order to strengthen enterprises' green technology innovation capacity and solve serious environmental pollution problems, it is suggested that traditional financial institutions should actively embrace this digital trend. Meanwhile, government should develop differentiated innovation incentive policies to increase the technological innovation investment of manufacturing and private enterprises while also promoting the reform of the environmental decentralization system and strengthening supervision of central environmental protections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• S 2 O 8 2-/Fe2+ system could remove total microbes and antibiotic resistant microbes efficiently. • SO 4 •- and Fe(IV) might participate the process of microbes removal. • Bacterial community structure shifted and the α-diversity reduced after persulfate treatment. • Actived persulfate had no toxicity to Oryzias latipes (freshwater and seawater). Sewage in WWTPs is one of main way to spread antibiotic resistant microbes (ARMs), and beach bay water is in direct contact with human skin. It is necessary to pay attention to remove the ARMs in WWTP sewage and bay water. Our results showed that ARMs and total microbes (TMs) can be effectively removed by S 2 O 8 2-/Fe2+ in the effluent stage of WWTPs and bay water. Quenching experiments using tert-butyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide and Al 2 O 3 as scavengers confirmed that the primary reactive oxidants responsible for microbes removal during the Fe(II)-activated persulfate oxidation process might be SO 4 •- and Fe(IV), rather than •OH. The bacterial community shifted and the alpha diversity significantly reduced after treatment. In WWTP group, relative abundance of Firmicutes increased to 8.56%, and potential pathogens such as genus Vibrio decreased to 0.03% in bay water after treatment. The ecological toxicity to the environment of S 2 O 8 2-/Fe2+ further illustrated that the mortality of indicator species Oryzias latipes did not increase after treatment, and the dosage of 60/30 μM can be potentially ideal dosage of S 2 O 8 2-/Fe2+. This study revealed Fe(II)-activated persulfate oxidation as an eco-friendly and economical method could reduce TMs and ARMs in WWTP sewage and bay water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the panel data of 30 provincial-level administrative regions in China (excluding Tibet, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan), a threshold regression model was used to empirically analyze the impact of environmental regulation and foreign investment behavior on the amount and intensity of carbon emissions. The results showed that: First, there is a significant inverted "U"-shaped relationship between environmental regulation and carbon emissions. With improved environmental regulation, the positive effects of environmental regulation in reducing the amount and intensity of carbon emissions are more obvious. Next, foreign investment behavior under environmental regulations can reduce the amount and intensity of carbon emissions. Finally, In terms of regional heterogeneity, foreign investment behavior in the eastern and central regions can curb carbon emissions, the opposite effect is seen in the western region. With improved environmental regulations for relatively high–emission intensity regions, foreign direct investment (FDI) in low–emission intensity regions can significantly reduce carbon emissions. It is necessary to formulate differentiated environmental regulation based on regional development. Foreign investment behavior should be standardized to improve the quality of FDI and avoid making China a "pollution paradise" for FDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study conducts conventional and advanced exergy, exergo-economic, and exergo-environmental analyses and comparisons of two tri-generation systems driven by solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and gas turbines (GTs). The proposed systems mainly consist of SOFC, GT, heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), (organic) Rankine cycle, and heat exchanger. The analysis results indicate that the biggest cost rates of exergy destruction and component in both systems appear in SOFCs being 4.4333 $/h and 4.2760 $/h, while the highest environmental impact rates combined with exergy destruction and component in systems 1 and 2 are found in afterburner and HRSG, which are 645.9569 mPts/h and 849.2659 mPts/h. Compared to the conventional analyses, the advanced analyses demonstrate that air compressors own the largest avoidable-endogenous parts of cost rates, while HRSG of system 1 and steam turbine (ST) of system 2 own the highest avoidable-endogenous parts of environmental impact rates being 165.8482 mPts/h and 115.2299 mPts/h. • Two novel tri-generation systems driven by solid oxide fuel cells are proposed. • Conventional and advanced exergy-based analyses are performed and compared. • The biggest cost rates of exergy destruction and component appear in SOFCs. • The advanced exergo-economic and exergo-environmental factors are improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) engines fueled with polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (PODE n) and hydrogen (H 2) demonstrate great potential in enhancing engine performance because of the beneficial fuel properties of PODE n. This study comprehensively investigates the performance of H 2 /PODE n RCCI at medium load with the gross indicated mean effective pressure of roughly 6 bar in a single-cylinder light-duty compression-ignition engine. The results showed that H 2 /PODE n RCCI has a more retarded ignition timing than that of H 2 /diesel RCCI under the same premixed energy ratio because the higher heat of absorption of PODE n reduces the bulk-gas temperature during the evaporation process owing to its higher latent heat of vaporization and lower heating value. Moreover, the combustion of H 2 shifts from flame propagation in H 2 /diesel RCCI to spontaneous auto-ignition dominated by the reactivity stratification in H 2 /PODE n RCCI, because the higher fuel reactivity and greater volatility of PODE n enhance the mixing of direct-injection PODE n and premixed H 2 , and promote the auto-ignition reactivity of the H 2 /air mixture. Overall, H 2 /PODE n RCCI exhibits a greater advantage in the ignition control than H 2 /diesel RCCI to achieve successive ignition and reduce heat release rate due to its higher sensitivity of combustion to fuel reactivity gradient. Based on this benefit, H 2 /PODE n RCCI considerably improves engine thermal efficiency and simultaneously reduces peak pressure rise rate and soot emissions, in particular realizing an order of magnitude decrease in nitrogen oxides emissions compared to H 2 /diesel RCCI. [Display omitted] • The combustion characteristics of H 2 /PODE n RCCI were extensively investigated. • The auto-ignition/flame propagation mechanism for H 2 combustion was identified. • The H 2 combustion in H 2 /PODE n RCCI is governed by multi-point auto-ignition. • H 2 /PODE n RCCI is able to significantly enhance thermal efficiency. • H 2 /PODE n RCCI can substantially reduce NO x emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among many technical routes in solving the SCR (Selective Catalyst Reduction) deposition problem, a good mixer design can greatly improve the NO x conversion efficiency of the exhaust after-treatment system while avoiding urea deposition failures. This paper presents an anti-deposition mixer with novel conception which was optimized through CFD method, the more layers of wire mesh plates, the lower the evaporation efficiency is affected by the increase in injection volume. The new mixer with three layers of wire mesh plate shows better deposition resistance performance below 250℃through urea deposits boundary experiment, and it reduces the NO x emission value by 9.5% than conventional scheme under WHTC (Word Harmonized Transient Cycle) and WHSC (Word Harmonized Steady-state Cycle) test. By using the new mixer scheme in the after-treatment system, the problem of deposition under a variety of low emission temperature can be solved. • A new conception mixer make SCR system avoiding from urea deposition. • The new mixer scheme improve the engine emission limit of NO x by 9.5%. • The new mixer has excellent urea deposition resistance performance below 250 ℃. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Palynological investigation of late Paleoproterozoic Chuanlinggou Formation from North China is performed. • The iconic spinose eukaryote Tappania plana is first reported here in Yanliao Basin. • Diverse prokaryotic filaments dominated the Tappania -containing microfossil assemblage. The first radiation of eukaryotic life in Earth history began at least by the late Paleoproterozoic as evidenced by complex organic-walled microfossils from North China, India and Australia. However, among these oldest eukaryotic fossils, the spinose Tappania plana Yin, 1997 , which has been reported from the late Paleoproterozoic to early Mesoproterozoic sediments worldwide, is strangely absent in the well-known microfossil assemblages from the coeval strata in the Yanliao Basin, North China. Here we report the new finding of T. plana and associated microfossils from ∼ 1.64 Ga Chuanlinggou Formation in the eastern Yanliao Basin. T. plana occurs in the assemblage from the upper Chuanlinggou Formation and exhibits typical irregularly distributed tubular processes and neck-like extensions. The assemblage is dominated by a wide variety of filamentous microfossils likely representing cyanobacterial or other bacterial sheaths and trichomes, and includes 21 species (belonging to 10 genera) and 3 unnamed forms. In contrast, the assemblage from the lower Chuanlinggou Formation is composed of only simple spheroidal (Leiosphaeridia) and fusiform (Schizofusa) morphotypes, distinct from those of the upper assemblage. This taxonomic discrepancy likely resulted from different paleoenvironments. Overall, the occurrence of T. plana in the Yanliao Basin expands its paleographic distribution and further reinforces its stratigraphic potential as an index fossil for the late Paleoproterozoic and early Mesoproterozoic strata. Furthermore, the microfossil assemblages reported here document a microbiota overwhelmingly dominated by prokaryotic organisms, which is consistent with the hypothesis that eukaryotes likely constituted as marginal groups in ancient ecosystems during mid-Proterozoic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Overexpression of α-syn in the hippocampal neuronal nuclei led to anxiety-like behavior in mice. • Nuclear localization of α-syn activated NG2 glial cells and promotes the synthesis and release of GABA in the hippocampus. • Nuclear localization of α-syn induced the loss of neurotrophic factors, and decreased neurogenesis. • α-syn diffused to the amygdala resulting in pathologic accumulation of α-syn and gliosis and caused loss of interneurons. Fear and anxiety are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and may be caused by pathologies outside the dopaminergic system. Increasing evidence has shown that alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is involved in the development of anxiety in PD. In this study, we examined the effects of α-syn nuclear translocation on anxiety-like behavior in mice by overexpressing α-syn in the nuclei of the cell in the hippocampus. Our results show that α-syn overexpression in the nuclei increased the excitability of hippocampal neurons and activated NG2 glial cells and promoted the synthesis and release of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). And nuclear localization of α-syn led to the loss of neurotrophic factors and decreased neurogenesis. Meanwhile, the hippocampus and amygdala acted synergistically, resulting in pathologic accumulation of α-syn and gliosis in the amygdala and caused loss of interneurons. These events led to the impairments of hippocampus and amygdala function, which ultimately induced anxiety-like behavior in mice. The findings obtained in our present study indicate that excessive nuclear translocation of α-syn in hippocampal neurons and damage to the amygdala circuits may be important in the development of anxiety in PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combined solid oxide fuel cells and gas turbine (SOFC/GT) system is known to be a potential alternative for distributed power generation. In this paper, a novel SOFC/GT based cogeneration system, which integrated a transcritical carbon dioxide cycle (TRCC) with a LNG cold energy utilization system is proposed. A mathematical (zero-dimensional) model is developed to analyze the co-generation system performance from the perspective of thermodynamic (energy and exergy) and economic costs. The main parameters of the system are chosen to analyze their effects on thermodynamic performance. The results show that the current system can achieve 64.40% thermal efficiency and 62.13% exergy efficiency under given conditions, and can further improve efficiency through parameter optimization. Finally, the multi-objective optimization program using NSGA-II (Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II) is used to obtain the optimal value of the system design parameters. In the multi-objective analysis, the thermodynamic efficiency and economic cost of the system are considered as objective functions. The optimization results show that the final optimized design selected from the Pareto front can achieve 63.08% thermal efficiency and 61.10% exergy efficiency, respectively. • A novel SOFC/GT cogeneration system is proposed. • Sensitivity analysis is presented to determine system parameters. • Multi-objective optimization is conducted to obtain optimal solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent issued emission regulations have more stringent standards for the transient emissions of natural gas engines. When equipped with cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and three way catalyst (TWC), natural gas engines operating at stoichiometric conditions are capable of achieving extremely low transient emissions. In this paper, the transient emission characteristics of a heavy-duty natural gas engine at stoichiometric operation with EGR and TWC are experimentally studied based on the world harmonized transient cycle (WHTC). The results show that both the raw carbon monoxide (CO) and total hydrocarbon (THC) emissions are higher in the hot start test while the raw NOx emissions are higher in the cold start test. When measurements are conducted after the TWC, all these emissions are higher in the cold start test. Among all the sub-cycles of WHTC, the urban sub-cycle plays the most important role for all three emissions in both cold start and hot start conditions except the after three way catalyst (ATWC) CO emissions in the cold start test, where the motorway sub-cycle takes up the highest percentage. In summary, CO, nitrogen oxide (NOx) as well as non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) emissions can meet the requirements of Euro VI emission standards, whereas CH 4 emissions are higher than the corresponding standard, suggesting that improvements in the performance of the catalyst are essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of nitrogen oxides (NO x) by hydrothermally aged copper (Cu)–based selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is an irreversible phenomenon. Tail exhaust NO x emission control and on-board diagnostics (OBD) monitoring are difficult with hydrothermally aged Cu–based SCR because the on-board NO x sensor has cross sensitivity to NH 3 in the exhaust. In this study, the performance and diagnosis of hydrothermally aged SCR under real engine exhaust were studied. The influence of hydrothermally aged SCR on NH 3 storage, tail exhaust NO x , urea injection, and OBD diagnosis were quantitatively analyzed under the World Harmonized Transient Cycle (WHTC). The results show that hydrothermally aged SCR had a great influence on the NH 3 storage capacity. In terms of SCR conversion efficiency and OBD detection, compared with fresh SCR, hydrothermally aged SCR was more sensitive to space velocity than to temperature. Under different OBD monitored release conditions, the NO x conversion efficiency was greatly different; hence, the occurrence of a false diagnosis can be avoided through the selection of appropriate release conditions. These research results provide a reference for SCR size design, NO x control, and diagnostic strategies. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pilot ignited direct injection natural gas engines undertake significant advantages over conventional diesel engine with specific combustion mode. In this paper, extensive experiments have been carried out to provide further understanding of performance and heat release rate under different operating conditions. Through the experimental investigations and detailed analysis, it is demonstrated that shortened injection interval and diesel injection pulse width as well as increased injection pressure lead to an increase in maximum in-cylinder pressure and deteriorated combustion noise. The maximum heat release rate is raised by retarding injection timing, reducing injection interval, shortening diesel injection pulse width and increasing injection pressure. The stability of combustion shows uncertain trends with the variation of injection timing and pilot diesel injection quantity, while can be generally improved by the adoption of shorter injection interval and lower injection pressure. It is also revealed that fuel economy can benefit from the application of advanced injection timing, smaller diesel injection pulse width, shorter injection interval and higher injection pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) and its derived copolymer, as a temperature-responsive material, are widely used in the field of anticancer drug carrier. And it also plays an important role as carrier in slow-release fertilizer in recent years. In this paper, a smart poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide- co -acrylamide)-coated Alg-BMOF (PABMOF) was fabricated in ionic liquids microemulsion ([Bmim]PF 6 /TX-100/water) as nano-reactor. The structure and morphology of PABMOF were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, XPS, SEM, TG and BET. The resultant PABMOF was used as a adsorbent for H 2 PO 4 − adsorption. The adsorption kinetics, isotherms and mechanism of H 2 PO 4 − onto the resultant PABMOF were studied. The adsorption kinetic data was well suitable for pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and adsorption isotherm results demonstrated that the equilibrium data was fitted for Freundlich model. The water-holding and water-retention capacity of soil with TRSRFs addition of 2 wt% were74.3% and 52.13% at 30th day, respectively. Moreover, the release behavior of TRSRFs in water show that the cumulative release rate (C r %) were 81.4% at 45 °C and 97.6% at 25 °C within 172 h, which displayed the excellent temperature-responsive property. The effect of TRSRFs on the growth of Chinese cabbage was investigated, which was indexed with the germination rate, plant height and root length of the crop. • A smart PABMOF was fabricated in ionic liquids microemulsion ([Bmim]PF 6 /TX-100/water) as nano-reactor. • Adsorption capacity of H 2 PO 4 − to PFAFBMOF(Fe/Mg) was 95.24 mg/g at 25 °C. • The TRSRFs displayed the excellent temperature-responsive release property. • The TRSRFs demonstrated competitive effect on plant growth as KH 2 PO 4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of different stem cell types for spinal cord injury (SCI) therapy to determine the superior treatment of SCI. A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, VIP, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wan Fang databases from initiation to January 30, 2021. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed using ADDIS (Aggregate Data Drug Information System) software. The PROSPERO registration number was CRD42020129635. We included 12 studies with 642 patients in the present study. A network meta-analysis revealed that bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) combined with rehabilitation training were significantly more effective than rehabilitation training alone in improving the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale grade (odds ratio, 94.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.71–9321.95), ASIA motor score (weighted mean difference [WMD], 6.67; 95% CI, 0.83–12.73), ASIA sensory functional score (WMD, 12.41; 95% CI, 3.42–21.72), and Barthel index (WMD, 7.24; 95% CI, 0.21–14.30). However, no statistically significant differences were observed between bone marrow mononuclear cells (MNCs) combined with rehabilitation training, umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) combined with rehabilitation training, or UCMSCs alone and rehabilitation alone for all indicators. In terms of safety, there were no serious and permanent adverse effects after transplantation of BMSCs, MNCs, or UCMSCs. BMSCs plus rehabilitation might be superior to other stem cell treatments of SCI in improving the ASIA impairment scale grade, ASIA motor score, ASIA sensory functional score, and Barthel index. The therapeutic effects of UCMSCs and MNCs remain to be confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Eggs, embryos, and hatchlings of olivooids are common and distinctive components of the earliest Cambrian small shelly fossil assemblage (Anabarites trisulcatus–Protohertzina anabarica Zone) at the northern and northwestern edge of the Yangtze Platform. Embryos are preserved in 3D as phosphatized permineralizations with superficial cellular structures. Nanofocus X-ray computed tomography reveals that diagenetic structures characterize the interior of most phosphatized eggs and embryos. The Olivooidae fam. nov. is herein distinguished from the possibly related hexaconulariids. Statistical size investigations and morphological studies indicate that at least three, but possibly five or more species of olivooids occur in the early Cambrian of South China. Fossilized smooth egg stages reflect a high biodiversity, encompassing 8–10 or more biological species. Eggs and embryos of Olivooides multisulcatus, Olivooides mirabilis and Quadrapyrgites quadratacris are represented by distinct and characteristic size clusters. The size ranges of embryonic parts of hatchlings roughly correspond to the size clusters of the embryos. From reconstruction of the developmental series of Olivooides multisulcatus it appears that the cleavage mode of olivooids was transitional between superficial and total cleavage. Late embryos and hatchlings of Olivooides multisulcatus and Olivooides mirabilis are characterized by pentaradial symmetry, whereas tubes of Quadrapyrgites quadratacris exhibit tetraradial symmetry. Tubular hatchlings of olivooids may represent larval or adult stages, or perhaps, nonfeeding larvae. Although the biological affinity of olivooids is weakely constrained, we hypothesize that they belong within an extinct clade of the Cycloneuralia. Their assignment to the Cnidaria is considered unlikely. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The study discusses the detailed composition of Terreneuvian small shelly fossil (SSF) assemblages of eastern Yunnan Province (Meishucun, Xianfeng and Huize regions). The described sections represent shallow water deposits of the Yangtze Platform that include a number of stratigraphical hiati. The reported SSF assemblages can be assigned to the regional SSF biozones I–III (Anabarites trisulcatus–Protohertzina anabarica Assemblage Zone; Paragloborilus subglobosus–Purella squamulosa Assemblage Zone; Watsonella crosbyi Assemblage Zone). Zones II and III are slightly redefined based on new data. Two subzones of Zone II are proposed here, namely, Annelitellus yangtzensis–Obtusoconus honorabilis Subzone and Maikhanella cambriana–Oelandiella korobkovi Subzone. Claviconchella qianyii gen. et sp. nov. and Bubiites simplex gen. et sp. nov. are reported. Here we also provide a critical revision of the SSF distribution for the well-known Meishucun section. The correlation scheme for East Yunnan documents the extent and duration of stratigraphical hiati. The distribution of SSFs and the lithological characterization indicate three major events of exposure of the carbonate platform resulting in sedimentary breaks and possible karstification. This prompts new consideration of the previously described stable isotope stratigraphy of shallow platform strata. Considering the complexity of the Terreneuvian Earth history as well as the uniqueness of SSF, an integration of sedimentology, geochemistry and paleontology is needed for future SSF study. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As a promising technology for marine two-stroke engines satisfying the IMO Tier Ⅲ NO x regulation, the high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation (HP-EGR) systems in multi-mode operation significantly redistribute the waste heat, thereby complicating the design and control of the waste heat recovery (WHR) systems. In this paper, a novel dual-pressure steam Rankine cycle (SRC) is proposed to recover multi-grade waste heat from marine engines in multi-mode operation. The HP-EGR system is designed on the 6EX340 engine, followed by the evaluation of waste heat distribution in multi-modes. Detailed thermodynamic and economic analyses of the designed SRC and the combined cycle power plant are then conducted. The results show that the thermal efficiency of the designed SRC is 8.1 %–13.3 % in Tier II mode, increasing to 10.1 %–15.7 % in Tier III mode, attributable to a 16 %–42 % increase in waste heat exergy. Considering typical propulsion profiles, the reduction in weighted average fuel consumption for the combined cycle power plant reaches up to 3.4 % in Tier II operation and 6.1 % in Tier III operation. When 12.5 % of sailing time is spent within ECAs, the combined cycle power plant is expected to yield up to 4 % in annual fuel cost savings. • HP-EGR multi-mode operation redistributes waste heat energy and exergy. • A novel dual-pressure SRC was proposed considering HP-EGR multi-mode operation. • Thermal efficiency of the designed SRC reaches up to 15.7 % in Tier Ⅲ operation. • Maximum weighted average BSFC reduction of 6.1 % is achieved for the proposed SRC. • The SRC in multi-mode operation yields up to 4 % in annual fuel cost savings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quaternized chitin (QC) with different degrees of substitution (DSs) and molecular weight (M w) were homogeneously synthesized. Eight novel chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for HPLC were prepared by coating the QC on 3-aminopropyl silica gel, which were firstly used to separate 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalenamine (THNA) racemates. Enantioseparation capability of the CSPs was evaluated and the influence factors including DS and M w of QCs were explored respectively. The results demonstrated that the successful separation of THNA enantiomers was obtained by all the new CSPs of the chitin derivatives. Resolution (R s) increased from 1.12 to 1.58 with the increase of DS of QC from 0.40 to 0.62, while the R s decreased with the reduction of M w of the products from 2.8 × 105 to 9.7 × 104. The maximum R s is 2.29. A simple pathway for the fabrication of novel CSPs of cationic chitin derivatives is developed, which has potential application for the separation of THAN racemates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of portable and wearable electronic devices continues to increase the demand for miniature energy storage units. Here, we fabricate the flexible micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) through direct heating pattern on graphene oxide film. The shape designable MSCs are based on planar reduced graphene oxide/graphene oxide (rGO/GO) structure, with rGO as electrode and GO as separator. The GO area heated by heating pen is reduced to rGO, and the area with no heating is still GO. The interdigitated MSC made at 400 °C delivers high area capacitance of 94.8 mF cm−2 at current density of 0.25 mA cm−2 within poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/H 2 SO 4 gel electrolyte. It provides high energy density of 10.7 mWh cm−2 at power density of 112.6 mW cm−2. In addition, it also has excellent mechanical stability, with basically unchanged area capacitance from 0° to 180° bending angles. The MSCs with shapes of spiral, concentric circle and eight-trigrams are also fabricated via this method. The results indicate that heating pattern on GO films to build flexible MSC is a promising and low-cost new method to fabricate energy storage equipment for future electronic devices. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Various key radicals in pyrolysis process were detected by EPR. • Designed a pyrolysis reaction system suitable for EPR detection. • Identified key radicals generated during coking process of guaiacol pyrolysis. Lignin pyrolysis is a promising method for the sustainable production of phenolic compounds from biomass. However, detailed knowledge about the radicals involved in this process and their influence during the coking is missing. Herein, we report on the pyrolysis of guaiacol, a lignin monomer at 600 °C under inert and hydrogen gas conditions. During the pyrolysis process, the formed radicals were detected by two improved electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy methods. Successfully observed o-phenyl semiquinone radical anion, cyclopentadienyl radical, methyl radical, hydroxyl radical, methoxy radical, phenyl radical, phenoxy radical, etc. during the pyrolysis of guaiacol, as well as the changes of related radicals in different pyrolysis stages. It was found that o-semiquinone radical anions and cyclopentadienyl radicals were the key free radicals in the generation of coke and tar during the pyrolysis process. And through hydrogenation pyrolysis experiments, it was verified that the relative content of o-semiquinone radical and the solid coke were reduced with a hydrogen supply source. Our results showed that by controlling the key free radicals in the coking process, the formation of coke can be suppressed and the conversion efficiency can be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has implemented its carbon emission trading system (ETS) in seven pilots since 2013. Many methods have been used to evaluate the effect and efficiency of the ETS in reducing carbon emissions. Evaluating the carbon ETS to determine whether it has co-benefited the economy and environment in the seven pilots is crucial for the development of China. Moreover, different methods of measurement reveal different results on how efficient the seven carbon emission trading markets (ETMs) are. We use the difference-in-differences (DID) method to evaluate the impact of carbon emissions and economic growth following ETS implementation. Based on the data of industrial carbon emissions in 30 provinces of China from 2008 to 2016, the impact of ETS on the carbon emission reduction and economic growth of enterprises is empirically tested. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) evaluates the operating efficiency of the carbon ETMs. Based on the seven carbon emission trading pilots conducted in China in 2014–2016, the carbon ETMs differentiation system in the pilot area is taken as the input index and the ETS implementation effect is used as the output index to construct the full DEA evaluation model for gauging the operation efficiency of the carbon ETMs. The results show that the implementation of the carbon trading policy increases the economic dividend (13.6%) generated by the gross industrial output value, but significantly reduces the emission (24.2%) of industrial CO 2 in all seven carbon emission trading pilots. The average DEA efficiency of the seven carbon ETMs operations in China have increased annually. • The effect of carbon trading policy on carbon reduction in industrial enterprises are explored. • The operational efficiency for carbon ETMs in China are calculated. • DID method is used to explore the impact of ETS on CO 2 emissions and total industrial output value. • The operation efficiency of the carbon ETMs are evaluated by DEA method from 2015 to 2017. • The conclusions can provide empirical support and policy recommendations for China's ETS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chancelloriid sclerites from the lowermost Cambrian Xinji Formation (Series 2, Stage 3), southern margin of the North China platform, are systematically described. Thousands of isolated sclerites from three sections are assigned to three genera and four species, including Chancelloria cf. eros , Allonnia tripodophora , Archiasterella pentactina , and Ar. tetraspina. To accurately document the taxonomic significance of the sclerite structure, modified formulas (m+nC, m+nA, and m+0) are put forward to represent the full series and variation of sclerite forms. Based on the sclerite construction, statistical analysis on the proportions of different sclerite forms in the rock samples and the composition of sclerites in previously described chancelloriid scleritomes, a new scheme for identification and classification of isolated sclerites reconciled within the framework of the complete scleritome, is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deconstructs industrial green transformation into two aspects, industrial efficiency green transformation and industrial structure green transformation. We examine the impact of digital finance development on industrial green transformation using data from Chinese cities and listed companies. The results showed that: (1) digital finance can contribute to the green transformation of industrial structure distinctly but has an inhibiting effect on the green transformation of industrial efficiency. (2) Digital finance can promote capital-using technological progress and support industrial green transformation with its price effect and scale effect. (3) Higher government environmental preferences and governance capacity can strengthen the green transformation effect of digital finance. Strengthening financial supervision and narrowing the digital divide will help digital finance better support industrial green transformation. Digital finance development can more effectively promote the industrial green transformation of non-SOEs and enterprises with high financing constraints and high financial dependence. (4) Considering the financial attributes and highly polluting characteristics of real estate, digital finance exacerbates the pollution of the real estate industry. This study helps clarify the mechanism of digital finance supporting green development and provides some ideas for China's digital finance development and green economy transformation. • Deconstructing the industry green transformation (IGT) into EFFI and STRU. • Analyzing the synergistic effects of digital finance on the EFFI and STRU of the industry green transformation. • The positive impact of digital finance on the industry green transformation is statistically significant and robust. • The green transformation incentive effect of digital finance has significant heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Formal subdivision of the Cambrian System into four series and ten stages is in progress. The base of Cambrian Stage 3 (provisional), which is conterminous with the base of Cambrian Series 2 (provisional), is expected to be placed at a horizon close to the first appearance of trilobites, which marks the onset of the largest phase of the Cambrian explosion. Conceptually, an ideal boundary position would be marked by a significant and globally recognizable bioevent that divides the lower part of the Cambrian System into a sub-trilobitic Terreneuvian Series and a trilobite-dominated Series 2. If the level is to be identified principally through biostratigraphic means, its position also needs to be recognizable using non-biostratigraphic means, and its correlation potential should be tested through detailed investigation of several continuous successions embracing the critical interval. Major difficulties in identifying a suitable horizon include strong biotic provincialism, a plethora of regional unconformities, and facies changes on different paleocontinents in the Cambrian Terreneuvian–Series 2 boundary interval. Levels that provide potential for intercontinental correlation include the first appearance position of trilobites and the approximately equivalent first appearance positions of certain small shelly fossil and acritarch species. In addition, a non-biostratigraphic marker, such as a stable carbon isotopic excursion, may be useful as a correlation level. Cambrian Series 2 and Stage 3 are provisional stratigraphic units, and their conterminous base was previously suggested to coincide to the appearance of trilobites. Compared to other potential chronostratigraphic indicators, the first appearance of trilobites still has advantages for recognizing and correlating the base of Stage 3, and should remain as the provisional primary marker for the boundary position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of previous technical solutions improved the exhaust ATS's anti-deposits by innovating the nozzle's spray atomization performance or optimizing the mixing chamber's structural design. These methods are difficult to meet product development needs due to the escalation of emission laws and harsh operating conditions. This paper proposes a deposits control method based on the deposits boundary of the ATS structure. The engine bench test was used to test the deposition of the ATS at four different rotational speeds with exhaust flow rate, temperature, and urea injection volumes. The test results were plotted as a deposits boundary map to form three deposition risk regions: high, medium and low. The middle line of the medium risk region was used as the deposits control strategy value, which is used for the urea injection of the entire ATS. Under WHTC cycle and WHSC cycle conditions, urea consumption with deposits boundary control strategy was reduced by 11.2% and 15.3%, respectively, compared to the consumption without deposits boundary control strategy. Based on this deposits boundary, the engine can evaluate the quantity of urea injection under each working situation within the deposits risk range, allowing it to achieve emission regulations and avoid ATS deposits failures. The deposits problem of SCR mixing chamber in exhaust after-treatment system has been a difficult problem in diesel engine industry, which has been mostly dealt with by increasing the starting injection temperature of urea solution and optimizing the calibration control method for a long time. In this paper, a new method to avoid deposition of urea is proposed, using which the deposits boundary characteristics of the mixer are measured (Fig. 1) and used to control the upper limit of the urea injection volume, which has been proven effective in engineering practice to solve deposition failures in exhaust aftertreatment systems. Figure1. Urea deposition control method based on deposits boundary. [Display omitted] • Urea injection strategy with deposits control line can greatly reduce the deposits risk. • Deposits boundary control method can improve the emission efficiency by more than 10%. • Deposits boundary control method can significantly reduce urea consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ediacaran–Cambrian transition records distinct evolutionary changes of metazoans. The Ediacaran fossils ( i.e. , Ediacara-type biota and tubular fossils) are contrasting with the diverse small skeletal fossils (SSFs) from the early Cambrian. The apparent dissimilarities hindered studies deciphering their evolutionary relationships. This also led to a popular assumption that there exists a mass extinction of the Ediacara biota and cloudinids at the Precambrian–Cambrian (Pc–C) boundary. Here we report for the first time a transitional fauna which consists of typical elements of Ediacaran, i.e. cloudinids and related tubicolous organisms, together with Cambrian SSFs including protoconodonts, anabaritids and siphogonuchitids from South China and Maly Karatau (Kazakhstan). The sediments yielding the transitional fauna are characterized by siliceous rocks in both regions and were previously considered to be unfossiliferous. Their chronostratigraphic assignment in South China has been debated for years. Based on the new fossil assemblage, the siliceous strata of the Daibu Member (Northeast Yunnan, South China) and the basal Kuanchuanpu Formation (South Shaanxi, South China) can be assigned to the earliest Cambrian SSF biozone ( Anabarites trisulcatus – Protohertzina anabarica Assemblage Zone) and thus can be considered of early Cambrian in age. A new subzone of the earliest SSF zone in eastern Yunnan (South China) is proposed herein defined as Ganloudina symmetrica – Rugatotheca typica Interval Subzone. The new fauna demonstrates that the cloudinids, originally confined to the late Ediacaran, persisted into the Cambrian Fortunian, and no major extinction event occurred at the Pc–C transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of digital finance has profoundly changed the pattern of economic and social development, which is of great significance for the realization of the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature and for the promotion of sustainable development. This study measures the state of China's provincial ecological footprint from 2011 to 2019, combines the characteristics of digital financial development, and explores whether such development can promote sustainable development from an ecological footprint perspective. The results show that (1) China's provincial ecological footprint per capita, which was continuously aggravated, increased by an average of 29.15% during the sample period. Digital financial development is shown to be able to effectively suppress the ecological footprint, and an environmental inclusion effect is also observed, which helps achieve a win‒win solution for economic development and ecological conservation while promoting environmental equality. Endogeneity tests and other robustness tests indicate that causality holds. (2) Bridging the digital divide, the improvement of environmental constraints and government digital governance capacity can help amplify the marginal effects of digital finance and mitigate the ecological footprint. (3) Green technological innovation and green finance are critical paths to achieve sustainable development. Digital financial development can facilitate green-biased technological innovation and increase the scale of green credit effectiveness, thereby reducing the ecological footprint. In the future, digital technology should be used to achieve the precise sinking of financial resources, while the government's role in guiding sustainable development should be enhanced, the digital divide should be narrowed, and the role of digital finance in supporting sustainable development should be strengthened. • Using the latest improved methodology, this paper measures the provincial ecological footprint in China. • This paper investigates the impact of digital finance development on the ecological footprint. • Digital finance development can effectively mitigate the ecological footprint and has an environmentally inclusive effect. • The reasons for this are the green bias push of digital finance towards technological innovation and the increase in the scale of green credit effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid development of digital finance has profoundly changed the pattern of economic and social development, which is of great significance for the realization of the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature and for the promotion of sustainable development. This study measures the state of China's provincial ecological footprint from 2011 to 2019, combines the characteristics of digital financial development, and explores whether such development can promote sustainable development from an ecological footprint perspective. The results show that (1) China's provincial ecological footprint per capita, which was continuously aggravated, increased by an average of 29.15% during the sample period. Digital financial development is shown to be able to effectively suppress the ecological footprint, and an environmental inclusion effect is also observed, which helps achieve a win‒win solution for economic development and ecological conservation while promoting environmental equality. Endogeneity tests and other robustness tests indicate that causality holds. (2) Bridging the digital divide, the improvement of environmental constraints and government digital governance capacity can help amplify the marginal effects of digital finance and mitigate the ecological footprint. (3) Green technological innovation and green finance are critical paths to achieve sustainable development. Digital financial development can facilitate green-biased technological innovation and increase the scale of green credit effectiveness, thereby reducing the ecological footprint. In the future, digital technology should be used to achieve the precise sinking of financial resources, while the government's role in guiding sustainable development should be enhanced, the digital divide should be narrowed, and the role of digital finance in supporting sustainable development should be strengthened. • Using the latest improved methodology, this paper measures the provincial ecological footprint in China. • This paper investigates the impact of digital finance development on the ecological footprint. • Digital finance development can effectively mitigate the ecological footprint and has an environmentally inclusive effect. • The reasons for this are the green bias push of digital finance towards technological innovation and the increase in the scale of green credit effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The operculum of the problematic tubular fossil Cupitheca holocyclata Bengtson in Bengtson et al., (1990) is described for the first time based on collections from South Australia and North China. The phosphatized sub-circular operculum exhibits well defined cardinal processes and a narrow cardinal shield unequivocally demonstrating that Cupitheca is a hyolith, probably an orthothecid. C . holocyclata has an almost global distribution in Cambrian Stages 3–4. The apical structure of the operculum is an elevated, disc-shaped platform with a concave base and a marginal rim that could represent the scar of a specialized larval attachment structure, perhaps anchoring the larval hyolith to a sediment grain, algae or other benthic substrate. Cupitheca probably had a pelagic larval stage and settled on the seafloor by attachment of the apical disc to suitable substrates before developing a free-living benthic adult lifestyle. This contrasting mode of life compared to other hyolith genera suggests that the group had already evolved a range of distinct lifestyles in the Cambrian, providing significant clues into their ecology and distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diversification of animals during the Cambrian Period is one of the most significant evolutionary events in Earth's history. However, the sequence of events leading to the origin of 'modern' ecosystems and the exact temporal relationship between Ediacaran and Cambrian faunas are uncertain, as identification of the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary and global correlation through this interval remains problematic. Here we review the controversies surrounding global correlation of the base of the Cambrian and present new high-resolution biostratigraphic, lithostratigraphic and δ13C chemostratigraphic data for terminal Ediacaran to basal Cambrian strata in the Zavkhan Basin of Mongolia. This predominantly carbonate sequence, through the Zuun-Arts and Bayangol formations in southwestern Mongolia, captures a distinct, negative δ13C excursion close to the top of the Zuun-Arts Formation recognized as the BAsal Cambrian carbon isotope Excursion (BACE). In this location, the nadir of the BACE closely coincides with first occurrence of the characteristic early Cambrian protoconodont Protohertzina anabarica. Despite recent suggestions that there is an evolutionary continuum of biomineralizing animals across the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition, we suggest that this continuum is restricted to tubular forms, and that skeletal taxa such as Protohertzina depict 'true' Cambrian representatives that are restricted entirely to the Cambrian. Employing the first appearance of the trace fossil Treptichnus pedum to define the base of the Cambrian suffers significant drawbacks, particularly in carbonate settings where it is not commonly preserved. As T. pedum is the only proxy available to correlate the Cambrian Global boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) defined at Fortune Head, Newfoundland, we suggest that the GSSP be redefined elsewhere, in a new stratigraphic section that contains secondary markers that permit global correlation. We propose the nadir of the BACE as the favored candidate to define the base of the Cambrian. However, it is essential that the BACE be complemented with secondary markers. In many global sections the nadir of the BACE and the first occurrence of the genus Protohertzina are closely juxtaposed, as are the BACE and T. pedum. Hence these taxa provide essential biostratigraphic control on the BACE and increase potential for effective global correlation. We also recommend that an Auxiliary boundary Stratotype Section and Point (ASSP) be simultaneously established in order to incorporate additional markers that will aid global correlation of the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary. The BAY4/5 section through the upper Zuun-Arts and Bayangol formations yields key shelly fossils and δ13C values and is therefore an ideal candidate for consideration as the GSSP for the Ediacaran–Cambrian boundary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chengjiang-type fossil brachiopods with preservation of non-mineralized tissues are reported for the first time from the Lower Cambrian Shipai Formation of the Three Gorges area, western Hubei Province, China. Recent excavation in the Wangjiaping and Aijiahe sections resulted in the new discovery of some linguloid brachiopods, showing strong similarity in preservation with those occurring in the well-known Chengjiang fauna (Yu’anshan Formation of eastern Yunnan, China). The brachiopods can be referred to Palaeobolus liantuoensis , Lingulellotreta malongensis and Eoobolus . sp. The new material of Palaeobolus exhibits a flattened impression of proximal pedicle, which also represents the first report of pedicle known from this cosmopolitan linguloid taxon. The occurrence of Lingulellotreta in the Shipai Formation ( Redlichia meitanensis and Palaeolenus lantenoisi zones) represents an important geological extension of this genus to upper Tsanglangpuan Stage (Series 2, Stage 4) in the Yangtze Platform, and signifying that the FAD of Lingulellotreta in the regional Lower Cambrian of the Yangtze Platform seems not synchronous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acids, aldehydes, and phenols have negative effects on the properties of bio-oil. In this paper, n-butanal, acetic acid, and phenol were selected as model compounds of aldehydes, acids, and phenols, respectively. To convert these compounds into stable and combustible oxygenated organics (alcohols and esters), separate hydrogenation-esterification (SHE) of n-butanal, phenol, and acetic acid was carried out. 100% conversions of n-butanal and phenol were achieved over C-supported catalysts (Ru/C, Pt/C, and Pd/C) with high selectivity to desired products. With the catalysis of SO42−/ZrO2/SBA-15, the yields of butyl acetate and cyclohexyl acetate were 75.89% and 30.97% respectively, which were higher than those over HZSM-5. Based on the results, one-pot hydrogenation-esterification (OHE) of n-butanal, phenol and acetic acid was tested. In OHE, yields of desired products (alcohols and esters) reached 95%, which were higher than those in SHE. Hydrogenation-esterification is a promising method to convert aldehydes, phenols, and acids in bio-oil to stable and combustible organics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel SOFC-based multi-generation system is proposed. • The system can realize CO 2 capture with low energy consumption. • LNG cold energy is recovered in a cascade way. • The unreacted anode gas of SOFC is burned with O 2 instead of cathode gas. This study proposes a near-zero emission SOFC based multi-generation system integrated with organic Rankine cycle and transcritical carbon dioxide cycle, and a LNG cold energy utilization system is also introduced in order to realize CO 2 condensation and cryogenic capture. In the proposed system, the unreacted anode gas of SOFC is burned with pure oxygen instead of cathode gas by which it can provide the possibility for the follow-up CO 2 capture at low energy consumption assisted by LNG cold energy utilization. The novel poly-generation system can realize the cooperative production of the energy (cooling, heating and power output), and the matter (condensate recovery and captured CO 2). The energy and exergy analysis are performed to investigate the proposed system performance based on the established steady-state model. The results reveal that, under the design conditions, the thermal efficiency, net electrical efficiency and exergy efficiency of the proposed system achieve 90.99%, 55.01% and 53.07%, respectively. And the amount of CO 2 captured, condensate recovery, and natural gas supply reach 5219.21 ton/year, 1324.83 ton/year and 4273.13 ton/year, respectively. Moreover, the exergy analysis shows that the exergy loss proportion of SOFC top cycle accounts for 47.3% of the total losses. Parameters analysis indicate that the electrical efficiency and the exergy efficiency are increased first and then decreased, and achieve the maximums at the SOFC inlet temperature of 554.4℃ and the operating pressure of 650 kPa, respectively. In addition, it is observed that the variation of steam-to-carbon ratio (STCR) has little effect on electrical efficiency and exergy efficiency, but has obvious effect on thermal efficiency. It is also found that the cooling, heating and power output are increased, but all the efficiencies are decreased as current density increases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The DOUNCE (Doushantuo negative carbon isotope excursion), characterized by a large shift in δ13Ccarb from +5‰ down to −12‰ in the upper part of the Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation, was previously known only from a few sections mainly in the Yangtze Gorges area, western Hubei, South China. As a consequence, it remains uncertain whether the DOUNCE is of diagenetic origin, of local significance only, or corresponds to the worldwide mid-Ediacaran Shuram–Wonoka anomaly. Here we report the widespread occurrence of the DOUNCE in nine sections from various depositional settings ranging from coastal shallow basin, offshore intra-shelf basin to deepwater slope on the Yangtze platform. The results indicate that the DOUNCE starts in the upper part of Doushantuo Sequence 2 and ends at the base of the Dengying Formation. The variable appearance of the DOUNCE is facies dependent and any absence of the DOUNCE is shown to be the result of stratigraphic hiatus. The fall and recovery of δ13Ccarb values that bracket the DOUNCE occur over a relatively short stratigraphic interval and were possibly of shorter duration than the nadir of δ13Ccarb values which remain stable for a much longer interval from the transgressive systems tract to the condensed portion of the sedimentary sequence. Both the fall and the recovery of δ13Ccarb values are gradual and independent of lithology, suggesting a non-diagenetic origin for the DOUNCE which is further supported by the lack of any systematic diagenetic positive covariation between δ13Ccarb and δ18Ocarb data, and systematic differences in absolute isotope values between dolostone and limestone units. Field investigations and sedimentary analysis suggests the occurrence of a major sequence boundary at the basal part of the DOUNCE and reveals that previous reports of an interval of positive δ13C values within the DOUNCE resulted from either post-depositional sliding or faulting. Similarities between the evolutionary pattern and stratigraphic occurrence of the DOUNCE and global Shuram–Wonoka anomalies demonstrate that the DOUNCE represents a global change in seawater chemistry during the mid-Ediacaran which was closely related to the evolution of macroscopic metazoans. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Doushantuo Formation of South China, consisting of intercalated siliciclastic and carbonate rocks which exhibit considerable variation in thickness and sedimentary facies, is one of the key sedimentary units in the world for understanding Ediacaran geobiological processes. However, stratigraphic correlation and sedimentary facies evolution of the Doushantuo Formation remain controversial. Sedimentary facies analysis of the well-known sections of the Yangtze Gorges area and new sections in northern Yichang, western Hubei indicate that the Doushantuo succession in the Yangtze Gorges area was deposited in an offshore intra-shelf basin within the Yangtze platform. In contrast, the Doushantuo Formation in the northern Yichang area which is characterized by one or a few phosphate-rich horizons represents deposition on the subtidal or intertidal shelf, and so is similar to the succession in the Weng’an area (central Guizhou Province). The carbon isotope profiles of the different sections exhibit significant variation, which is interpreted to result from facies differences. Sequence and high-resolution carbon isotope stratigraphy have clarified problematic correlations and the temporal relationship between fossil assemblages of the Doushantuo Formation on the Yangtze platform. The results confirm that a prominent negative δ 13Ccarb excursion (BAINCE, nadir down to −5‰) in the middle portion of the second sequence of the Doushantuo Formation is a widely traceable event. BAINCE together with three other δ 13Ccarb excursions, namely CANCE at the base, WANCE near the first sequence boundary near the middle, and DOUNCE at the top of the Doushantuo Formation, constitute a complete carbon isotope profile for the Doushantuo Formation that reflects contemporaneous seawater and so serves as a reference chemostratigraphic profile for global stratigraphic correlation and for evaluating the chemical evolution of seawater during the Ediacaran Period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]