Search

China's energy-intensive industries utilize the leading proportion of coal to meet the demand for its industrial outputs, while on the other hand, these industries also assure the provision of livelihood to millions of people, and capping the share of coal consumption for these industries can adversely affect the industrial and economic growth of China. Thus, to achieve the Pareto improvement between environmental pollution and industrial output growth, it is essential to comprehend the patterns of coal consumption in these industries. Hence, the present research intended to analyze the potential drivers of coal consumption by applying a joint LMDI, DEA, and the production theoretical decomposition approach. Findings indices that, first, industrial output growth was the crucial driver to simulate the industrial coal consumption, while the potential coal intensity and coal technology changes exhibited the reverse effect. Second, the coal inputs and industrial output efficiency, along with the improvements in technological gaps, were found to be the imperative factors in decelerating coal consumption. Third, the energy industrial group was discovered to have more potentials of coal conversation as compared to the non-energy industrial group. Moreover, results also indicated that coal pure technical efficiency is accelerating coal growth, which revealed that coal can be saved by enhancing coal allocative efficiency. These findings laid the empirical ground to design a feasible coal conservation policy for achieving the imperative goals of environmental protection without compromising industrial output growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acoustic communication among birds plays an important role in attracting mates and defending territories. For the successful transmission of songs, individuals of different species often avoid singing at the same time to reduce acoustic interference from background noise and overlapping signals from heterospecifics. Such behavioural acoustic niche partitioning may occur especially among closely related species due to their ecological similarities. In this study, we recorded bird sounds in a subtropical forest in China in May–June 2019 and detected seven cuckoo species. Extracting characteristics of the cuckoo calls, we found that only four of the 21 pairs of species overlapped in frequency range, and 19 pairs were classified accurately using a linear discriminant analysis classifier based on their features. The remaining two species pairs could be separated based on temporal or spatial distribution patterns. We also analysed the temporal distribution patterns and overlap time of the calls, finding that the seven species exhibit partitioning in at least one of three acoustic dimensions (site, frequency, activity time). We conclude that the seven sympatric cuckoo species were strongly partitioned in acoustic signal space and minimally masked each other's signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium pollution turns out to be a global environmental problem. This study conducted a quantitative and qualitative bibliometric analysis based on 9188 research items from the Web of Science Core Collection published in the last 20 years (2000–2020), presenting an in-depth statistical investigation of global freshwater cadmium research progress and developing trend. Our results demonstrated that the researchers from China, the USA, and India contribute the most to this field. The primary sources of cadmium are mining, industry, wastewater, sedimentation, and agricultural activities. In developing countries, cadmium exposure occurs mainly through the air, freshwater, and food. Fish and vegetables are the main food sources of cadmium for humans because of their high accumulation capability. Source evaluation, detection, and remediation represent the main technologies used to clean up cadmium-contaminated sites. To mitigate the risk of cadmium contamination in freshwater, biomarker-based cadmium monitoring methods and integrated policies/strategies to reduce cadmium exposure merit further concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Papilionoideae is one taxonomically complex subfamily with high economic and medicinal potential. The pollen micro-morphology and taxonomic relevance of this subfamily are still poorly known in the island. Therefore, this study aims to provide new palynological information to correctly identify and define species boundaries within the subfamily. The species were collected from different geographical regions of Hainan Island. Both light and scanning electron microscopic techniques were used to observe pollen traits. Additionally, principal component analysis was performed to elucidate the variation among the taxa. A significant variation was found in exine sculpturing i.e. most of the taxa have reticulate type pollen while Desmodium triflorum has a psilate exine pattern. Variations were found on the surface of the reticula that can help to delimit the species from one another. Pollen type was observed as tricolporate and rarely tricolpate. Similarly, the colpus surface membrane morphology may also vary significantly from species to species i.e. scabrate, verrucate, gemmate, rugulate patterns. Besides, the mergo having various sculpturing found in Canavalia rosea, Desmodium triflorum, D. microphyllum Glycine max, Macroptilium atropurpureum, Erythrina crista-galli and Zornia gibbosa should be considered as a potential taxonomic trait for the subfamily. The maximum P/E ratio was found in Zornia gibbosa (2.24). Similarly, the maximum pollen size was found in Alysicarpus vaginalis (34.64 × 33.99 µm). Our study explored the pollen morphological traits and can be helpful to correctly identify the species and define species boundaries within Papilionoideae at various taxonomic levels. This study strengthens and supports the taxonomic position of the subfamily and will provide bases for further phylogenetic and molecular studies of Papilionoideae. Various taxa of the subfamily Papilionoideae were collected from different geographical regions of Hainan Island, South China. Both light and scanning electron microscopic techniques were used to analyze the ultra-sculpturing of the pollen. Most of the taxa have reticulate exine patterns but variations were found in supra-tectal elements and colpus surface membrane morphology. These variations in pollen traits have significant taxonomic potential and will strengthen the taxonomy of Papilionoideae. This study can help to correctly identify and define species boundaries at various taxonomic levels of the Papilionoideae and will solve the taxonomic problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Marriage is an infinite bond between two partners that can be caused to fail by several factors. Economic stress leads to psychological stress and in some cases, marriage dissolution. The current study investigates the impact of economic stress (measured by the unemployment rate and inflation rate) on divorce rates using Chinese province-level panel data from 2010 to 2019. Design/Methodology/Approach: The panel fixed effects (FE) model, panel random effects (RE) model, and fixed effects- Driscoll and Kraay standard errors (DKSE) model were used for empirical analysis. Findings: The research findings support the hypothesized economic stress theory of divorce by Reuben Hill. According to the empirical findings, economic stress indicators such as unemployment and inflation have a positive and significant impact on the divorce rate in China and its regions. Furthermore, urbanization, education and mobile phone variables have a positive relationship with divorce rates except for children's dependency. Contribution to literature: Taking into account both parties' perspectives, this study contributes to the existing literature by looking at economic stress in the context of divorce. We are particularly interested in how economic stress affected the marriage relationship's quality. We investigated the relationship between the unemployment rate, inflation rate and divorce rate in China's 31 provinces for the period 2010-2019. The entire sample is then separated into three sub-samples: Eastern China, Central China and Western China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focuses on the synthesis of Cerium oxide (CeO2) nanocatalyst via Tragacanth Gum (TG) using the wet impregnation method and its application for sustainable biodiesel production from a novel, non-edible Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb ex Prantl seed oil. The D. sophia seed oil has higher oil content (36 wt%) and free fatty acid (FFA) value (0.6 mg KOH/g). Innovative analytical methods, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, were used to characterize the newly synthesized, environmentally friendly, and recyclable CeO2-TG phytonanocatalyst (FT-IR). The results show that the CeO2-TG phytonanocatalyst was 22 nm in diameter with a spherical shape outer morphology, while the inner structure was hexagonal. Due to low FFA content, the D. sophia seed oil was pretreated and transesterified via a single step. Using varying parameters, the optimized process variables were determined via Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimum process values were 8:1 methanol to oil molar ratio, 0.3 wt% catalyst concentration, 90 °C temperature, and reaction time of 210 min with 98% biodiesel yield. The recently created phytonanocatalyst was reliable and effective, with three times reusability in the transesterification reaction. Thin layer chromatography (TLC), FT-IR, gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GCMS), and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses were used to characterize the synthesized biodiesel. Physico-chemical properties of D. sophia biodiesel, i.e., Kinematic viscosity (4.23 mm2/s), density (0.800 kg/m3), pour point (−7 °C), cloud point (−12 °C), and flash point (73.5 °C) agree well with international biodiesel standards (ASTM-6751, 951), (EU-14214), and China (GB/T 20828) standards. The results show that the synthesized nanocatalyst demonstrated remarkable stability, indicating a bright future for industrial biodiesel production from low-cost feedstock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This research presents a comprehensive approach to improving the accuracy of wind turbine power curve (WTPC) modeling. The WTPC is a critical tool for monitoring wind turbine performance and estimating wind power potential, but current models have limited ability to capture the complex relationship between wind speed and power output. To address these limitations, this study implements a dual-pronged refinement of WTPC modeling. First, an innovative data preprocessing technique is introduced, using a 97 % confidence interval around a KNN-estimated WTPC constructed using the Laplace distribution to meticulously eliminate prominent outliers. Second, a novel WTPC modeling approach based on quantile regression is adopted, accounting for the asymmetric error characteristics in the loss function. Four distinct quantile regression models are developed, including three tree-based algorithms - decision trees, random forests, and gradient boosting - and a deep learning-based quantile regression neural network. Comparative analysis against ten established parametric and nonparametric techniques confirms the superiority of the proposed models, with the decision tree quantile regression model achieving the lowest validation errors. The proposed techniques are validated on two real-world datasets from operational wind turbines in Turkey and China, demonstrating significant improvements in WTPC modeling accuracy compared to conventional methods. Overall, this study successfully presents a comprehensive modeling approach that addresses outliers and leverages quantile regression to significantly enhance WTPC accuracy. • Proposes innovative data pre-processing to eliminate outliers for enhanced WTPC modeling accuracy. • Leverages quantile regression's asymmetric loss function to handle non-Gaussian errors from outliers. • Develops multiple quantile regression models including tree-based and neural network architectures. • Demonstrates significant WTPC modeling improvements on real wind turbine data compared to benchmarks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid spread of the internet over the last two decades has prompted more and more companies to deploy their work internationally. The offshoring strategy enables organizations to cut down costs, boost shareholder value, acquire a competitive advantage, reduce cycle time, increase workforce flexibility, generate revenue and focus on their core business. The number of worldwide software development projects has increased due to globalization. Global Software Development (GSD) projects are forecast to grow by 20% to 30% in countries like India and China. The outsourcing experts choose one of the suitable models from the available global delivery options to deliver services in the global software paradigm. However, adopting the appropriate model for application maintenance is a complicated process. In addition, the right model is selected based on various influencing factors, type of the project and client requirements. Additionally, sufficient domain expertise is necessary for the decision making of offshore outsourcing. Currently, there is no dynamic and automated tool for the decision making of application maintenance offshoring. Therefore, this study presents an Offshoring Decision Support System (OffshoringDSS), an automated and novel tool to make the offshoring decisions of application maintenance. The suggested tool is based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique. The tool automatically performs all the calculations involved in the decision making and ranks the sourcing models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acoustic characteristics reflect male quality and play a role in female mate choice. Thus, the frequency of vocalizations and temporal characteristics are often related to body size within and across species. However, it is less clear whether acoustic features can reveal information about individual quality in the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) populations. Here, we investigated the relationship between morphological parameters and acoustic features in male and female free-ranged domestic chickens in Liuzhi, Guizhou, southwest China, and further examined whether acoustic characteristics correlate with internal organs, including the heart, liver, testis, and spleen in male chickens, and whether the cackling call of females indicates body size and mass. We found that both male and female chickens differ significantly in their morphological parameters; however, based on acoustic parameters, they only differ in high frequency. Morphological parameters displayed no relationship with the frequency and duration of calls in both male and female chickens. Furthermore, none of the frequency or temporal parameters of the calls we studied were related to the internal body parameters of males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is very little information on the diurnal and seasonal patterns of Cuculidae species' calling activity in subtropical areas. In this study, we used passive acoustic monitoring to investigate the diurnal and seasonal patterns of calling activity of seven Cuculidae species at three sites in eastern China's forest over a year. Our results showed that these species exhibited significant diurnal variations except for Cuculus micropterus. Eudynamys scolopaceus and Cuculus saturatus increased their vocal activity at dawn and dusk, whereas the other four species peaked their calling activity in the morning. Five species showed significant seasonal variations with a peak in vocal activities earlier in the season (late May or early June) and a gradual decline after that, except for Clamator coromandus, which displayed two peaks in seasonal calling activity. As for Cuculus micropterus, its calling activity was not significantly related to the season. Our study has provided basic knowledge about the calling patterns of seven Cuculidae species, and based on seasonal changes in vocal activity we propose that the breeding season of these species in east China begins in late May and ends in July. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), also known as Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-COV2) and it has imposed deep concern on public health globally. Based on its fast-spreading breakout among the people exposed to the wet animal market in Wuhan city of China, the city was indicated as its origin. The symptoms, reactions, and the rate of recovery shown in the coronavirus cases worldwide have been varied . The number of patients is still rising exponentially, and some countries are now battling the third wave. Since the most effective treatment of this disease has not been discovered so far, early detection of potential COVID-19 patients can help isolate them socially to decrease the spread and flatten the curve. In this study, we explore state-of-the-art research on coronavirus disease to determine the impact of this illness among various age groups. Moreover, we analyze the performance of the Decision tree (DT), K-nearest neighbors (KNN), Naïve bayes (NB), Support vector machine (SVM), and Logistic regression (LR) to determine COVID-19 in the patients based on their symptoms. A dataset obtained from a public repository was collected and pre-processed, before applying the selected Machine learning (ML) algorithms on them. The results demonstrate that all the ML algorithms incorporated perform well in determining COVID-19 in potential patients. NB and DT classifiers show the best performance with an accuracy of 93.70%, whereas other algorithms, such as SVM, KNN, and LR, demonstrate an accuracy of 93.60%, 93.50%, and 92.80% respectively. Hence, we determine that ML models have a significant role in detecting COVID-19 in patients based on their symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additively manufactured nano-MEH systems are widely used to harvest energy from renewable and sustainable energy sources such as wind, ocean, sunlight, raindrops, and ambient vibrations. A comprehensive study focusing on in-depth technology evolution, applications, problems, and future trends of specifically 3D printed nano-MEH systems with an energy point of view is rarely conducted. Therefore, this paper looks into the state-of-the-art technologies, energy harvesting sources/methods, performance, implementations, emerging applications, potential challenges, and future perspectives of additively manufactured nano-mechanical energy harvesting (3DP-NMEH) systems. The prevailing challenges concerning renewable energy harvesting capacities, optimal energy scavenging, power management, material functionalization, sustainable prototyping strategies, new materials, commercialization, and hybridization are discussed. A novel solution is proposed for renewable energy generation and medicinal purposes based on the sustainable utilization of recyclable municipal and medical waste generated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, recommendations for future research are presented concerning the cutting-edge issues hurdling the optimal exploitation of renewable energy resources through NMEHs. China and the USA are the most significant leading forces in enhancing 3DP-NMEH technology, with more than 75% contributions collectively. The reported output energy capacities of additively manufactured nano-MEH systems were 0.5–32 mW, 0.0002–45.6 mW, and 0.3–4.67 mW for electromagnetic, piezoelectric, and triboelectric nanogenerators, respectively. The optimal strategies and techniques to enhance these energy capacities are compiled in this paper. Highlights: The current technology evolution and advancements in 3DP-NMEHs were evaluated. Categorization and comparison of 3DP-NMEHs were performed in terms of inputs and energy conversion. The emerging applications of 3DP-NMEHs were discussed briefly. The potential challenges confronted by 3DP-NMEHs and respective recommendations were summarized. Sustainable use of recyclable waste generated during the COVID-19 pandemic was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the present study, we describe a novel myxozoan that forms plasmodia in the gill filament of Schizothorax esocinus collected from River Jhelum of Kashmir Himalayan region (n = 26). Description of the new species is based on morphology of the myxospore and on partial 18S rDNA gene. The results showed that the plasmodia were large, visible with naked eye, elongate in shape, whitish in colour, 8mm in diameter, at the centre of gill filament, histozoic, single or two in number per gill, but too big in size and filled by 1,000-1,400 myxospores. The myxospores measure 13.4 (length) x 9.5µm (width), short oval in frontal view, blunt at both in anterior and posterior, but somewhat narrowing towards the posterior end. Shell valves measure 0.45µm in thickness. No parietal folds were recorded. Two polar capsules equal in size, pyriform in shape were measured 7.3 x 4.2 µm (L x W). T he 18S r DNA o f this species (accession number MK785257) clustered phylogenetically with other related myxozoan parasites and showed maximum homogeneity of 98.63% with M. sp. SKBU-RC1 (MK412937) and M. sp. SKBU-RC2 (MK412937) infecting gills of Labeo rohita from India followed by 92.51% with M. pronini (MH329619) infecting abdominal cavity of Carassius gibelio from China. The study of histopathological changes of the gills revealed hypertrophy, hyperplasia, uplifting of cellular elements and severe damage to gill filaments resulting in suffocation of fish. By its unique myxospore morphology and its 18S rDNA sequence, we propose naming this species as Myxobolus szekelyianus n. sp [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Birds' dawn chorus is a daily period of high song output, which mainly occurs during the breeding season. Monitoring such chorus may provide important information about birds' ecology and the function of bird vocalizations at dawn. In this study, we have recorded dawn singing activity from April to June 2019 at seven different sites in Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve (YNNR) in the eastern China and examined the effects of extrinsic factors such as temperature and time of the season on the dawn singing behavior of four common birds Alström's Warbler (Phylloscopus soror), Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler (Pomatorhinus ruficolli), Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler (Cettia fortipes) and Chinese Hwamei (Garrulax canorus). In total, we analyzed 1511 days of recordings, 417 days for Alström's Warbler, 343 days for Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, 391 days for Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, and 360 days for Chinese Hwamei. Our results showed that the dawn singing start time of Alström's Warbler, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler and Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler were negatively affected by temperature in such a way that birds started singing later at the higher temperature; however, dawn singing start time of Chinese Hwamei was not affected by temperature change. As for Alström's Warbler and Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, their singing rate decreased significantly with high temperatures, whereas the singing rates of the other two species were not significantly related to the temperature. The Julian date did not affect the dawn singing start time of any species. The Julian date influenced the singing rate of Alström's Warbler, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, and Chinese Hwamei. In contrast, the singing rate of Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler remained constant with the seasonal progression. Our results indicated that bird's dawn singing activity is species-specific and is sensitive to environmental factors such as temperature and time of the season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Preprints are preliminary reports that have not been peer-reviewed. In December 2019, a novel coronavirus appeared in China, and since then, scientific production, including preprints, has drastically increased. In this study, we intend to evaluate how often preprints about COVID-19 were published in scholarly journals and cited. Methods: We searched the iSearch COVID-19 portfolio to identify all preprints related to COVID-19 posted on bioRxiv, medRxiv, and Research Square from January 1, 2020, to May 31, 2020. We used a custom-designed program to obtain metadata using the Crossref public API. After that, we determined the publication rate and made comparisons based on citation counts using non-parametric methods. Also, we compared the publication rate, citation counts, and time interval from posting on a preprint server to publication in a scholarly journal among the three different preprint servers. Results: Our sample included 5,061 preprints, out of which 288 were published in scholarly journals and 4,773 remained unpublished (publication rate of 5.7%). We found that articles published in scholarly journals had a significantly higher total citation count than unpublished preprints within our sample (p < 0.001), and that preprints that were eventually published had a higher citation count as preprints when compared to unpublished preprints (p < 0.001). As well, we found that published preprints had a significantly higher citation count after publication in a scholarly journal compared to as a preprint (p < 0.001). Our results also show that medRxiv had the highest publication rate, while bioRxiv had the highest citation count and shortest time interval from posting on a preprint server to publication in a scholarly journal. Conclusions: We found a remarkably low publication rate for preprints within our sample, despite accelerated time to publication by multiple scholarly journals. These findings could be partially attributed to the unprecedented surge in scientific production observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which might saturate reviewing and editing processes in scholarly journals. However, our findings show that preprints had a significantly lower scientific impact, which might suggest that some preprints have lower quality and will not be able to endure peer-reviewing processes to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to investigate the impact of income inequality and economic growth on carbon dioxide (CO2) emission through the moderating role of innovation in China at national and regional levels. To test the hypothesised relationships, this study took the data from 1995 to 2015 and employed panel estimation. Findings of the whole analysis show that income inequality and economic growth influence CO2 emission in China. Moreover, technological innovation moderates the proposed link. However, the findings at the regional level are mixed, thus confirming the existence of regional differences. Policy implications are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sharp rise in temperature has increased the frequency, intensity, duration, and timing of heat waves (HWs) over different regions of the world. Due to climate change, the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is one of the highly vulnerable regions to HWs and needs comprehensive research studies to investigate the HW phenomenon in the region. This study analyzed the spatial and temporal changes in the daytime and nighttime HW characteristics based on multiple indices over the CPEC region. We used daily maximum and minimum temperatures (hereafter Tmax and Tmin) of 48 meteorological stations for the time period of 1980–2016. The non-parametric modified Mann–Kendall, Theil–Sen's test, least square method, student t-test, and chi-square goodness-of-fit test techniques were used to analyze the long-term spatiotemporal changes in the daytime and nighttime HW characteristics. The results of the study show that the number of annual daytime/nighttime HW events, annual sum of participating daytime/nighttime HW days, the average length of annual daytime/nighttime HW events, duration of the longest annual daytime/nighttime HW event, the average magnitude of all annual daytime/nighttime HW events, amplitude of the hottest annual daytime/nighttime HW event, and the ending date of annual last daytime/nighttime HW event exhibited significant increasing trends at the rate of 0.78/1.43 events decade−1, 10/11.82, 2/1.74, 2.16/1.52 days decade−1, 0.40/0.59, 0.24/0.73 °C decade−1, and 12.29/10 days decade−1, respectively. Despite all, the onset date of the annual first daytime/nighttime HW event has shown a significant decreasing trend of − 5.71/− 5 days decade−1. The obvious positive trend of HW behaviors indicates that the country has experienced more frequent, stronger, more intense, and longer HWs during the study period. The spatial pattern of the trend indicates that the southern, central and eastern parts of Pakistan exhibited prominent and consistent HW activities, while the northwestern mountainous regions showed high spatial variability with some stations exhibited decreasing trends in HW indices. The findings of this study will be a base for the projection and mitigation of HWs in the region. Based on the study findings, we recommend that the mechanism of HW and its natural and anthropogenic drivers should be thoroughly investigated over the study region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper contextualizes Chinese economic ascent in the broader framework of multipolarity. Chinese ruling elites have always disdained the vanity of strength. They like to enhance their influence through subtle bargaining and consensus. The communist leadership since the time of Deng Xiaoping has deliberately taken a commercial posture and presented China as a business-friendly power. Recent efforts towards greater connectivity (the One Belt One Road) represent the continuation of that trend. The author holds that the European Union and China support a multipolar and commercially connected world. Therefore, the rise of China augurs peace and material prosperity in its immediate periphery as well as in Eurasia. The emerging trends do not signal confrontation and hostility with the West. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper is aimed at evaluating prevailing global scenario and the dynamics of shift of power from the West to the East. Efforts have been made to analyze the economic, political, and security trends to understand important aspects of the power transition process. Currently, there is an enough literature available, which proves the existing consensus among many experts that China is playing a central role in the process of shift of power from the West to the East. Therefore, while explaining this transition process, it is pertinent to focus on the leading role of China and its possible implications. So, this study further highlights the rising power of China covering an overall picture of China, particularly its economic development process, the political and cultural aspects, and the military modernization. Efforts have been made to give an analytical view that how the rise in economic power is gradually transforming itself into political, diplomatic, and military strength of China. Besides; this research effort also focuses on how China is adjusting its foreign policy posture in the regional and global affairs, which culminates or aims at adjusting itself to globalization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reductions of carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions and energy consumption are two vital methods contributing in improvement of the environmental energy efficiency. Since data envelopment analysis (DEA) provides a synthetic standardised index of environmental efficiency through considering real factors, such as undesirable outputs and integer-valued data, it has acquired major popularity in environmental energy efficiency. Previous studies regarding applications of oriented DEA models to environmental efficiency did not consider the simultaneous impact of undesirable outputs under the polluting technology and mixed integer-valued data on efficiency measures. The objective of this research is to obtain comprehensive environmental energy efficiency measurements by extending the output-oriented slacks-based measure (SBM) model of Tone (2001) and the output-oriented BCC model of Banker et al. (1984). Thus, new output-oriented SBM and BCC models in mixed integer-valued data and undesirable outputs under the polluting technology are modelled. The models have been utilised to examine scale energy efficiency, pure energy efficiency, output mix-efficiency measure, carbon efficiency, and potential carbon reduction of 30 provinces in China to evaluate their land transportation systems. Additionally, the results are remarkable and interesting compared to those reported in Chang, Zhang, Danao, and Zhang (2013) since many provinces, performed environmental efficiency. There are 12 and 14 provinces, performed environmental output mix-efficiency under CRS and VRS, respectively. Moreover, 50% of the total evaluated provinces performed carbon efficiency. In regard of environmental-inefficient provinces, the proposed efficiency measures showed that provinces produce high levels of carbon emissions have risky potential to save energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence is presented on synergies due to the sequencing and packaging of water reforms based on a review of case studies from the Zhanghe Irrigation System (ZIS) in the Yangtze River basin in China. Faced with strategic challenges of economic growth, food security, population growth, and climate change, China has implemented numerous hardware and software interventions in the water sector to increase the availability of water. These interventions-ranging from the provincial and system level to farm and field level-allow reallocation of water from agriculture to higher value uses, without significant reduction in crop production. This review of selected hardware and software interventions suggests that water sector reforms generate significant benefits for peasant farming communities and local governments. The review indicates that all agents respond to the same set of incentives simultaneously, by changing production and resource use decisions such that cumulative benefits from hardware and software interventions reinforce synergies. Synergies from reforms are evident, yet scaling up local collective actions for optimal impact is problematic. Heterogeneity in socioeconomic factors, as well as spatial differences, are the main stumbling blocks. Rewarding reformers seems to work, yet the benefits are neither immediate nor straight forward. Local implementation of national policies requires a systematic and coherent framework suited to the level of economic development of each region in order to achieve synergies from water reforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Budgerigar fledgling disease (BFD) and psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) are caused by avian polyomavirus (APV) and psittacine beak and feather disease virus (PBFDV), respectively. These diseases frequently infect psittacine birds and result in similar clinical manifestations. In this study, we observed the prevalence of PBFDV infection and a dual infection of APV and PBFDV in a budgerigar ( Melopsittacus undulatus) in Mainland China for the first time. One PBFDV isolate and two APV isolates were harvested using chicken embryos. Genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the complete genome of the two APV isolates revealed nucleotide similarity ranging from 99.0% to 99.6% to other sequences in GenBank, and a 14-bp insertion was observed in the genome of one APV isolate. The results of complete genome analysis of the PBFDV isolate showed nucleotide similarity ranging from 83.0% to 95.0% with other PBFDV sequences in GenBank. Genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the APV and PBFDV strains isolated in this study indicated that the isolates from China were closely related to their Japanese counterparts. The results of this study will help to identify molecular determinants and will aid further research on the prevention and control of APV and PBFD infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This article questions the effectiveness and viability of rural Tax-for-Fee reform (Fei Gai Shui) on water resources and agriculture production, taking the Zhanghe Irrigation System of China as a case study example. The Fei Gai Shui reform has been heralded as a possible solution for reducing the excessive fiscal burden on peasants. While the reform may achieve in relieving peasant burdens significantly, the initial impact of Fei Gai Shui on water resources and agricultural production indicate least satisfactory trends. The policy shows significant impact on rice yield and area. It might also have profound impact on cropping pattern but it has yet to be seen. Dependence on local water resources such as ponds show significant increase after Fei Gai Shui as it discouraged farmers to rely on regional water sources. Although the lower regional water use under Fei Gai Shui reduced the water charges paid by farmers, the savings were mostly offset by increasing pumping costs in accessing water from local ponds. Without any adjustments, the Fei Gai Shui is likely to cause serious predicament in agricultural sector. It is visioned that local water resources such as water ponds will continue to play an important role in sustaining agricultural production. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

An influenza A virus (A/Tig/SH/01/2005 (H5N1) was isolated from lung tissue samples of a dead zoo tiger with respiratory disease in China in July 2005. Complete genome analysis indicated that the isolate was highly identical to an H5N1 virus isolated from a migratory duck at Poyang lake in China in that year. The genotype of the isolate was K,G,D,5J,F,1J,F,1E, and phylogenetically it was a clade 2.2 virus. Molecular characterization of all of the gene segments revealed characteristics of highly pathogenic influenza A viruses. These results may help to identify molecular determinants of virulence and highlight the necessity for continuous surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ponds are common property resources that allow users to obtain water on-demand because of their capacity to store rainwater and other surplus water close to users. Effective management of these ponds is crucial, especially with increasing water scarcity and decreasing water deliveries for agriculture that are taking place in many irrigation systems, including the Zhanghe Irrigation System (ZIS) in China. The purpose of this study was to determine the nature and performance of collective action in pond management, and to quantify the factors affecting that collective action. We used two different approaches to measure the performance of collective action: a performance indicator based on soil conditions, and farmer’s perceptions based on their satisfaction with the current level of management activities. The results using the two approaches were consistent, and indicated that, among other variables, dependency on pond water, pond size, and household size were important variables affecting the performance of collective action. There was also limited evidence that clarification of property rights through the use of contractors for pond management improved outcomes for farmers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The penetration and metabolism of [14C]deltamethrin was studied in susceptible and resistant Chinese and Pakistani strains of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner), which were resistant to deltamethrin by 330- and 670- fold, respectively. The penetration of deltamethrin into resistant individuals was significantly slower than into susceptible individuals over a 24-h period. The time taken for 50% penetration of the applied deltamethrin was 1 h for the susceptible strain and 6 h for both of the resistant strains. The internal radioactivity was reduced by the larvae of resistant strains much faster than by the susceptible larvae. After 48 h, 40% of the penetrated deltamethrin was still inside the larvae of the susceptible strain, in comparison with 1.5–5% in the Pakistani strain and 8–14% in the Chinese strain. Both of the resistant strains produced methanol-soluble and water-soluble metabolites, but the susceptible strain produced methanol-soluble metabolites only. By 12, 24 and 48 h after dosing, the amount of methanol-soluble metabolites excreted by the resistant strains was almost double that of the susceptible strain. Both of the resistant strains also excreted 5—7% of the penetrated dose as a water-soluble metabolite after 48 h. In comparison with the Chinese strain, the Pakistani strain exhibited slower penetration, lower internal content and faster excretion of deltamethrin, which correlated with the higher resistance of the Pakistani strain. These findings show that the resistant Pakistani and Chinese strains of H. armigera possess mechanisms of reduced cuticular penetration and enhanced metabolism of deltamethrin and perhaps other pyrethroids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public-private partnership-based services could be one of the better solutions for developing urban environmental infrastructure--which includes sewage treatment and municipal solid waste disposal services--in developing countries. Due to the low availability of funds for investment in the public sector and operating inefficiencies in government-run utilities, public-private partnership (PPP) can help to provide environmental services by calling on private-sector investment and managerial and technical skills. The Chinese government is facing a "capital bottleneck" and low efficiency in the existing government-run system for developing urban environmental infrastructure (UEI). To achieve the environmental targets under the Tenth and Eleventh Five Year Plans (2001-2010), the Government needs to draw up financial strategies and implement financial mechanisms that include PPP. There is no substantial experience of establishing PPP systems in most developing countries, including China. This study identifies the role of PPP, and examines the necessity of introducing the PPP system in China. It also clarifies the reform process in the UEI sector, existing policies, and important options for PPP-based projects and services. The study focuses on key issues like target setting, pricing regulations and tariff policy design, policies for promoting PPP, and contractual arrangements. It is based on international experiences and seeks to examine how these can be applied in China in order to enhance UEI implementation capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Novel trimetallic loaded with montmorillonite clay catalyst has been synthesized. • Structural characterizations of developed catalyst has been done extensively. • Optimization of non-edible Celastrus paniculatus Wild seed oil biodiesel synthesis. • Catalyst exhibits high stability, activity and economic viability. The potential of new trimetallic (Ce, Cu, La) loaded montmorillonite clay catalyst for synthesizing biodiesel using novel non-edible Celastrus paniculatus Willd seed oil via two-step transesterification reaction has been reported along with catalyst characterization. Transesterification reaction was optimized and maximum biodiesel yield of 89.42% achieved under optimal operating reaction states like; 1:12 oil to methanol ratio, 3.5% of catalyst amount, 120 °C of reaction temperature for 3 h. The predicted and experimental biodiesel yields under these reaction conditions were 89.42 and 89.40%, which showing less than 0.05% variation. Additionally, optimum biodiesel yield can be predicted by drawing 3D surface plots and 2D contour plots using MINITAB 17 software. For the characterization of the obtained biodiesel, analysis including the GC/MS, FT-IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR were applied. The fuel properties of obtained biodiesel agrees well with the different European Union (EU-14214), China (GB/T 20828), and American (ASTM-951, 6751) standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss the potential collaboration between the veterinary professions in China and the U.S. They state that more Chinese veterinarians need to assist with food animal production to meet the increasing consumer demands. They mention that the Chinese Veterinary Medical Association (ChVMA) aim to enhance the quality of veterinary education in China. They say that the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) was involved in assisting the improvement of the ChVMA.

The energy intensive industries of China consumes the highest share of coal that accounts for 93.69% of China's total coal consumption. Hence, these industries are important to achieve the goals to reduce carbon emission and energy conservation. The LMDI decomposition analysis is used to investigate the factors affecting coal consumption in these industries. The empirical findings indices that first, gross industrial output and structural changes had accelerated coal consumption, whereas energy intensity de-accelerated coal consumption. Second, technological improvements boosted industrial growth rate. Finally, results also reveal that there exists a coal rebound effect in energy intensive industries with the maximum at 35.07% in 2016, with an increasing trend during 1990–2016. The present research can help the policymakers to design a pinpointed policy framework to reduce carbon emission and coal conservation. • The coal rebound effect is evaluated by applying a well-designed mechanism. • LMDI model is applied to decompose the total coal consumption. • The technological indicator is estimated by using the resource intensity method. • Coal intensity deaccelerated, while output growth accelerated coal consumption. • Coal rebound effect is estimated as 35.07% in China's energy intensive industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports that small-animal practices are increasing in China. It states that collaboration of the country with the U.S. is helping to improve veterinary education in China. According to a law in China three licensed veterinarians are needed to open a small practice. It highlights that veterinarians who have studied aboard cannot appear for licensure examination of China.

Membrane technology has been embraced as a feasible and promising substitute to the traditional technologies employed for biodiesel synthesis which are energy and time consuming. It needs less energy, has high stability, is environmentally friendly, and is simple to operate and control. Therefore, in our current study membrane technology was employed to synthesize biodiesel from Toona ciliate novel and non-edible seed oil. Since Toona ciliata has affluent oil content (33.8%) and is effortlessly and extensively available. In fact, we intended to scrutinize the effects of green synthesized barium oxide nanoparticles for one step transesterification of biodiesel production using membrane technology followed by characterization of prepared catalyst via innovative techniques. Optimal yield of biodiesel attained was 94% at 90 °C for 150 min with methanol to oil molar ratio of 9:1 and amount of about 0.39 wt %. Quantitative analysis of synthesized Toona ciliata oil biodiesel was carried out by advance techniques of Gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) which authorize the synthesis of fatty acid methyl ester compounds using oil from Toona ciliata seeds. Values of Toona ciliata fuel properties for instance flash point (70 ° C), density (0.89 kg/m3), viscosity (5.25 mm2/s), cloud point (−8 ° C) and pour point (−11 ° C) met the specifications of international standards i. e American (ASTM D-6751), European (EN-14214) and China (GB/T 20,828). Subsequently, it is concluded that membrane technology is environmentally friendly and efficient technique for mass-production of sustainable biodiesel using green nano catalyst of barium oxide. [Display omitted] • The identification and selection of a novel membrane and non-edible feedstock for biodiesel production. • Determination of oil content of this novel plant species using soxhlet apparatus. • Formation of novel barium oxide nanocatalyst by employing green synthesis approach. • The amalgamation of biodiesel through single step transesterification via green synthesized barium oxide nanoparticles. • Physical and Chemical characterization of prepared biodiesel along with chemical analysis of the catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel strain of coronavirus, namely, SARS-CoV-2 identified in Wuhan city of China in December 2019, continues to spread at a rapid rate worldwide. There are no specific therapies available and investigations regarding the treatment of this disease are still lacking. In order to identify a novel potent inhibitor, we performed blind docking studies on the main virus protease Mpro with eight approved drugs belonging to four pharmacological classes such as: anti-malarial, anti-bacterial, anti-infective and anti-histamine. Among the eight studied compounds, Lymecycline and Mizolastine appear as potential inhibitors of this protease. When docked against Mpro crystal structure, these two compounds revealed a minimum binding energy of −8.87 and −8.71 kcal/mol with 168 and 256 binding modes detected in the binding substrate pocket, respectively. Further, to study the interaction mechanism and conformational dynamics of protein-ligand complexes, Molecular dynamic simulation and MM/PBSA binding free calculations were performed. Our results showed that both Lymecycline and Mizolastine bind in the active site. And exhibited good binding affinities towards target protein. Moreover, the ADMET analysis also indicated drug-likeness properties. Thus it is suggested that the identified compounds can inhibit Chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) of SARS-CoV-2. Image 1 • Lymecycline and Mizolastine fit into Mpro binding substrate pocket with a binding energies of −8.87 kcal/mol and −8.71 kcal/mol, respectively. • ADMET analysis indicated drug-likeness properties of both Lymecycline and Mizolastine. • Molecular dynamic simulation and MM/PBSA binding free calculations showed that both Lymecycline and Mizolastine bind in the active site. And exhibited good binding affinities towards target protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Pakistan is located in one of the fast temperature rising zones and hence, highly vulnerable to climate change. The dynamic variations of the maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) temperatures pose potential risks to the local people. Thus, the present study assessed spatiotemporal changes in Tmax and Tmin over China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) during 1980–2016 based on the 48 meteorological stations across the CPEC. The non-parametric Mann-Kendall (MK), Sen's Slope (SS) estimator, Sequential Mann-Kendall (SQMK), and least square method tests were used to assess the long-term trends in Tmax and Tmin time series during 1980–2016. The results indicate that the trend of Tmax has significantly increased at the rates of 0.22, 0.37, 0.20, 0.23, and 0.31 °C per decade in winter, spring, summer, autumn, and annual time scales, respectively. Similarly, the Tmin exhibited a significant positive trend in winter, spring, summer, autumn, and annual time series with the rates of 0.33, 0.39, 0.25, 0.27, and 0.36 °C per decade, respectively. The spatial distributions of Tmax and Tmin represent a warming trend over the whole country; however, the seasonal and annual Tmax (Tmin) exhibited sharp increasing trends in the northern and southwestern mountainous (southern, southwestern and southeastern) regions of the country. According to the mutation test, most of the abrupt changes in seasonal and annual Tmax and Tmin trends have been detected during 1995–2010. The present study recommends that forthcoming studies should focus on the factors responsible for the spatial and temporal variability of Tmax and Tmin in the target region. Highlights • Both Tmax and Tmin have been increased significantly over CPEC. • Tmin exhibited a sharp temporal trend than Tmax. • The spatial trends of both Tmax and Tmin vary with elevation. • Monsoon and westerly dominated regions exhibited negative trends for both Tmax and Tmin to some extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) in PM 2.5 can pose significant health risks by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, Beijing and Yuncheng were chosen as two representative northern cities of China that mainly relied on natural gas and coal respectively as the energy source for domestic heating in winter. The pollution characteristics and exposure risks of EPFRs in PM 2.5 around the heating season of 2020 were investigated and compared between the two cities. Through laboratory simulation experiments, the decay kinetics and secondary formation of EPFRs in PM 2.5 collected in both cities were also studied. EPFRs in PM 2.5 collected in Yuncheng in the heating period showed longer lifetime and lower reactivity, suggesting that EPFRs originated from coal combustion were more stable in the atmosphere. However, the generation rate of hydroxyl radical (·OH) by the newly formed EPFRs in PM 2.5 in Beijing under ambient conditions was 4.4 times of that in Yuncheng, suggesting higher oxidative potential of EPFRs from the atmospheric secondary processes. Accordingly, the control strategies of EPFRs and their health risks were raised for the two cities, which would also have direct implication for the control of EPFRs in other areas of similar atmospheric emission and reaction patterns. [Display omitted] • EPFR pollution was aggravated in domestic heating season with heavy coal combustion. • EPFRs originated from coal combustion showed longer lifetime and lower reactivity. • EPFRs formed secondarily in the atmosphere showed higher oxidative potential. • EPFRs were dominantly associated with the primary carbon sources. • Aerosol aging contributed to EPFR formation in the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroreducting nitrate (NO 3 −) into ammonia (NH 3), i.e. NO 3 −RA, can not only relieve NO 3 − pollution but also produce high value-added NH 3. Cu-based species have been taken as a promising catalyst for NO 3 −RA because of their relatively high Faradaic efficiency (FE), benefiting from the weak side hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, their NH 3 yield rates are still unsatisfactory due to the multiple electron paths of NO 3 −RA. Herein, we report a Cu cube with Cu-CuO heterostructured skin, prepared by electrochemically induced reconstruction from a Cu 2 O cube. This novel Cu-based catalyst presents a mol-level NH 3 yield rate of 3.17 mol h−1 g−1 ranking at the top level among non-noble metal catalysts and an ultrahigh FE of 98.7 %. These excellent performances attribute to the Cu-CuO heterostructured skin of Cu cubes, which has favorable energy for the hydrogenation of *NO to *NOH during the NO 3 −RA process and an unfavorable one for HER. For the NO 3 − removal of real river water, this novel Cu-based catalyst presents a high NO 3 − removal rate of 95.5 % after the NO 3 −RA test for 12 h, resulting in a lower NO 3 − concentration than the maximum residual amount of NO 3 − in drinking water limited by WHO and China. This study provides a feasible strategy by the electrochemical reconstruction method to prepare superior Cu-based electrocatalysts with mol-level NO 3 −RA performances for the purification of nitrate wastewater. [Display omitted] • The Cu cubes with Cu-CuO heterostructured skin have been prepared by electrochemical reconstruction method. • This catalyst presents a mol-level rate of NH 3 production and an ultrahigh FE during NO 3 −RA. • The excellent performance attributes to the energy favorable pathway to produce NH 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]