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Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with multi-color emission are synthesized through hydrothermal method by varying the ratio of citric acid (CA) and urea, the solvent (water, ethyl alcohol, and dimethylformamide), the hydrothermal temperature, and reaction time. The CQDs emit bright fluorescence which can be gradually tuned from blue to red continuously, almost covering the whole visible spectrum. The emission peaks of the CQDs shift from 450 nm to 650 nm with the surface groups and structures changing. Importantly, all solid state CQDs@SiO 2 nanophosphors are successfully synthesized by reversed-phase micromulsion method. Based on these solid state phosphors, multi-color CQDs@SiO 2 phosphors-based light-emitting diodes (LED) and white light-emitting diode (WLED) with a Commission Internationale de L' Eclairage (CIE) value of (0.3497, 0.3045) are fabricated in a low-cost, environment-friendly way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many industrial parks are implementing industrial symbiosis in order to move toward eco-industrial parks. Research methods on industrial symbiosis expand from focusing on material flows and economic benefits to addressing on social aspects since collaboration among different firms can determine the efficiency of industrial symbiosis. Under such a circumstance, this study focuses on investigating industrial symbiosis relationships among tenant firms within one mining industrial park. Social network analysis (SNA) method was selected for analyzing the characteristics, power quantification and structure of the industrial symbiosis network by taking Gujiao mining industrial park as a case study. Results show that industrial symbiosis is still in its infancy in Gujiao industrial park and should be further optimized. Those anchor firms have less influence on industrial symbiosis and should be encouraged to actively involve in industrial symbiosis. Finally, policy recommendations are proposed by considering the local realities, including the establishment of an information platform, the use of economic instruments, necessary research and development efforts and broad public participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions have increased rapidly in China, but little is known about the characteristics of VOCs emissions embodied in China's fixed capital formation (FCF). We investigate the VOCs emissions embodied in various FCF categories in the economic sectors of 30 Chinese provincial-level regions using the multi-regional input-output (MRIO) method. The gravity theory is combined with the Shapley decomposition method to uncover the gravity movement of embodied VOCs emissions in FCF and regional contributions behind. Besides, the Tapio decoupling index is combined with the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method to identify the key drivers of decoupling between embodied VOCs emissions and embodied added value driven by FCF. The results indicate that China's embodied VOCs emissions in FCF increased by 10.9% during 2012–2015 and decreased by 4.2% during 2015–2017. Over 2012–2017, the gravity center of embodied VOCs emissions in gross FCF shifted to the southwest region, with the northwestern and northeastern regions acting as the main engines for the gravity shift. There is a weak decoupling between embodied VOCs emissions and embodied added value in gross FCF. Investment scale and embodied investment efficiency largely inhibit the decoupling, while embodied energy intensity largely promotes the decoupling. Accordingly, we suggest that the northeastern region and northwestern region should be the main targets for VOCs emissions reduction. As such, investment scale, embodied investment efficiency, and embodied emission intensity in FCF should be optimized. • VOCs emissions embodied in fixed capital formation (FCF) in China are estimated. • The gravity movement of embodied VOCs emissions in various FCF is uncovered. • Drivers of decoupling between embodied VOCs emissions and added value are identified. • A weak decoupling between embodied VOCs emissions and added value in FCF exists. • Investment scale and embodied investment efficiency largely inhibit the decoupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions are becoming an increasingly serious problem in China, but little is known about the industry-specific mitigating strategies of VOCs. Using the generalized Divisia index method (GDIM) and a panel data set of China's 30 provincial-level regions from 2008 to 2017, this study is the first to explore the socioeconomic drivers of industrial VOCs emission changes in China and its 30 provincial-level regions. The contributions of provincial factors to national VOCs emission changes are compared, and each effect from 30 provincial-level regions is analyzed in detail. The results show that China's industrial VOCs emission increase over 2008–2017 was largely driven by investment scale and output scale, which was offset by the emission intensity of output, the emission intensity of investment, investment efficiency, and energy intensity. Moreover, each effect greatly varies among China's 30 provincial-level regions. The investment scale in Shandong has the largest contribution to the increase of national industrial VOCs emissions while the emission intensity of energy in Ningxia has the least contribution. Accordingly, regional disparity should be considered for formulating the strategies in aspects of investment, energy, and technology for China's industrial sector to mitigate VOCs emissions. • The socioeconomic drivers of China's industrial VOCs emission changes are explored. • The GDIM which considers investment, output, and energy factors are employed. • Investment scale and output scale are essential for VOCs emission increase. • Emission intensity of output and emission intensity of investment reduce emissions. • Regional disparity should be considered for formulating the mitigating strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorine bleaching technology (C process, CEH process, H process and theirs combination), which was identified as a primary formation source of PCDD/Fs, is still widely used by the vast majority of Chinese non-wood pulp and paper mills (non-wood PMs). The purpose of this study was to provide information and data support for further eliminating dioxin for non-wood PMs in China, and especially to evaluate the PCDD/Fs release reduction for those mills converting their pulp bleaching processes from CEH to ECF. The PCDD/Fs concentrations of the bleached pulp and bleaching wastewater with ECF bleaching were in the ranges of 0.13–0.8 ng TEQ kg −1 , and 0.15–1.9 pg TEQ L −1 , respectively, which were far lower than those with CEH process, indicating that the ECF process is an effective alternative bleaching technology to replace CEH in Chinese non-wood PMs to reduce dioxin release. The release factor via flue gas of the alkali recovery boiler in Chinese non-wood PMs was first reported to be 0.092 μg TEQ Ad t −1 in this study. On the assumption that pulp bleaching processes of all Chinese non-wood PMs were converted from CEH to ECF, the annual release of PCDD/Fs via the bleaching wastewater and bleached pulp would be reduced by 79.1%, with a total of 1.60 g TEQ. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of belt catalytic infrared drying (BCIRD), belt catalytic infrared blanching BCIRD (BCIRB-BCIRD), and hot water BCIRD (WB-BCIRD) on the structural and functional properties of sweet potato starch (SPS). The results revealed a decrease in the starch content of SPS by 5% after WB-BCIRD treatment. The starch granules subjected to BCIRD and BCIRB-BCIRD remained intact while the surface of WB-BCIRD treated granules cracked or even collapsed. In comparison with WB-BCIRD, the solubility of BCIRB-BCIRD SPS decreased by 2.725%, the water absorption decreased by 3.4024%, and the oil absorption decreased by 3.7904%. While the degradation temperature increased by 20 °C and the transparency increased by 0.9745%, and. The heat treatment breaks the starch chain and destroys the arrangement of the crystal zone, which affects its functional properties. BCIRB-BCIRD is better at retaining the structural and functional properties of SPS. [Display omitted] • The integration of blanching and drying of sweet potato chips was realized. • After integrated processing, starch granules maintained their complete shape. • The starch obtained by integrated processing had higher thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • This study employed contrastive analysis between Puccinellia tenuiflora community (PC) and Suaeda glauca community (SC). • Major difference of metabolites appeared in leaf. Most organic acids accumulated in leaf of SC comparing to PC. • The central metabolism shifted from nitrogen metabolism to organic acid metabolism in community succession (PC→SC). The aggravation of soil salinization and alkalization has resulted in the increase of diversity and succession among plant communities. In order to explore the adaptive strategy of the communities in such ecosystem, this study employed contrastive analysis on metabolites and mineral elements differences between two dominant communities in the study area, namely Puccinellia tenuiflora community (PC) and Suaeda glauca community (SC), the community succession of which was previously reported. The community succession (PC→SC) represented deteriorative saline-alkali grassland. As a result, little distinction was revealed in terms of element levels. Specifically, only Ca level increased in SC stem compared with that of PC, while Fe levels in root decreased. On the other hand, major difference of metabolite results appeared in leaf. Increased sugar alcohols and decreased sugars were observed in leaf of SC comparing to PC. Importantly, most organic acids involved in TCA cycle, photorespiration, redox reactions and glycolysis accumulated significantly, which possibly suggests an enhancement in the flow of carbon from glycolysis to TCA cycle. In addition, the variation of a few phenols, such as reduced phenylpropanoids, may have promoted the metabolism of organic acid. Combined with the analysis of correlation-based network, it illustrates that central metabolism shifted from nitrogen metabolism to organic acid metabolism in community succession (PC→SC). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prediction of CO 2 emissions peak and its time for Baoding, which is one of the first pilot cities of "China's low-carbon city development project", is important for other cities to formulate low-carbon policies. This study first analyzes the main influencing factors of Baoding's emissions, and then predicts its CO 2 emissions peak and its time under different scenarios. Results show that (1) CO 2 emissions from industrial production account for more than 80% of the total emissions, and those from six energy-consuming industries account for more than 40% of the total emissions in the city. (2) Economic growth has significantly contributed to the growth of CO 2 emissions, whereas industrial structure and population growth have little contributions; energy intensity is the main negative factor for emissions growth, whereas the inhibiting effect of energy structure is not evident. (3)Based on the back propagation (BP) model, the city's CO 2 emissions peak will be 59.74 million tons in 2024 under the low-speed and low-carbon scenario; under the moderate-speed and benchmark scenario, it will continue to grow and reach 63.06 million tons in 2040; under high-speed and high-carbon scenario, the city's CO 2 emissions will reach 80.18 million tons in 2040. This study provides a reference and experience for other cities in developing strategies to achieve the carbon emission peak, which has important practical significance for China to achieve peak carbon emissions as soon as possible. • Low-carbon pilot cities are an important part of achieving China's CO 2 peak. • Energy-related CO2 emissions for Baoding City are measured and analyzed. • LMDI model is adopted to factorize the CO 2 changes of Baoding City in 2004–2016. • BP Model is used to predict the emissions peak and its time in different scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Agriculture is one of the main assets of Pakistani and Indian economies, employing in both countries about 50% of the total labour force. Thus, improving agricultural sustainability in the Indo-Pak region has important implications for the local population as well as the rest of the world that relies on food imports from these countries. This article investigates the drivers and consequences of changes in crop production sustainability in India and Pakistan from an emergy-based perspective, from 2001 to 2011. However, due to the numerous crops cultivated in these regions, a detailed calculation of unit emergy values (UEVs) for each crop was not possible, therefore the paper presents a balance at country level (based on literature data for the crops' UEVs), rather than a canonical emergy accounting. The emergy perspective was chosen to holistically evaluate and compare the environmental pressures caused by crop production in both countries. Emergy-based indicators were calculated based on the real time series of input renewable and non-renewable sources. The major findings of the work revealed that purchased renewable inputs, such as irrigating water, and purchased non-renewable inputs, such as agricultural labor, are the largest contributors among the total inputs in both countries. Labor accounted for 46.79% and 60.59% of total emergy input for crop production in India and Pakistan respectively. Overall, the production efficiency in India was greater than that in Pakistan. Emergy of crop production in Pakistan witnessed an increase of only 23%, whereas India saw an increase of 42% during the study period. Despite the lack of data on each specific agricultural process, this trend is an evidence of the fact that, if on one side the agricultural activities in the two countries were intensified to supply an increasing population, on the other side, although India performed better than Pakistan, the sustainability of the agricultural practices (from a nature-oriented perspective as assessed with emergy analysis) in both countries did not improve.. Trends of carrying capacity indicated that intensive means of agricultural production are threatening natural resources in both countries. This study empirically demonstrates the need to conserve natural resources, especially water, which have been rapidly declining in these two countries. Since both countries share these resources, this study represents an evidence for the need to cooperate for transboundary natural resource management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is crucial to decouple economic growth from environmental pollution in China. This study aims to evaluate China's decoupling level between PM 2.5 emissions and economic growth from a regional investment perspective. Using the panel data of 30 Chinese provinces for the period of 1998–2016, this study combines decomposition analysis with decoupling analysis to identify the roles of conventional factors and three novel investment factors in the mitigation and decoupling of PM 2.5 emissions in China and its four sub-regions. The results show that China's PM 2.5 emissions were weakly decoupled to economic growth during the period of 1998–2016, as well as in China's four sub-regions. At the national level, investment scale played the dominant role while investment structure had a marginal effect in mitigating the decoupling level. In contrast, emission intensity was the largest driver in promoting the decoupling effect. At the regional level, emission intensity and investment efficiency accelerated the regional decoupling level, but the coupling effect from investment scale in the western region far exceeded those in other three sub-regions. At the provincial level, the investment structure of Inner Mongolia and investment scales of Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia had the greatest impacts on PM 2.5 emission growth. Finally, several policy recommendations are raised for China to mitigate its PM 2.5 emissions. Decoupling trend and the driving forces of PM 2.5 emissions and its decoupling in China. a, Decoupling trend between PM 2.5 emissions and economic growth. b, Annual decomposition of the decoupling trend. c, Decomposition of PM 2.5 emission changes in Five-Year Plan periods. d, Comparison of drivers of PM 2.5 emission changes in 1998–2007, 2007–2016, and the whole period. Unlabelled Image • The decoupling degree of PM 2.5 emissions in China and its four regions is explored. • The role of regional investment in the decoupling of PM 2.5 emissions is investigated. • Decomposition and decoupling analyses are combined to explore drivers of decoupling. • Investment scale and emission intensity have crucial effects on the decoupling. • The investment scale effect from the western region far exceeded those from others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We decompose China's non-fossil energy consumption to examine the driving forces. • We conduct scenario and probability analyses of energy use and CO 2 emission trends. • Economic scale plays a key role with urbanization identified as a crucial factor. • China should achieve low carbon transition through energy structural adjustment. China has pledged to peak its carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions and lower its CO 2 intensity by 60–65% from the 2005 level by 2030. Understanding the role of energy structural adjustment in achieving such targets is critical along with China's rapid urbanization process. This study aims to uncover the drivers of China's non-fossil energy development during 1990–2016, and conduct scenarios and probability analyses of different energy consumption and CO 2 emission trajectories until 2050. Results show that economic scale plays a key role with urbanization identified as an essential factor in driving non-fossil energy development. The consumption of fossil fuels will continue to increase with rapid urbanization, leading to higher CO 2 emissions. China will only achieve the 2030 targets if energy structural adjustment is completed on schedule. Under the current policies, CO 2 emissions may peak between 2030 and 2032, while CO 2 intensity will decrease. Such findings provide valuable insights and suggest that China should achieve low carbon transition through energy structural adjustment, while taking urbanization as an opportunity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]