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High-grade syngas can be produced from the reforming of CH4 with CO2. To achieve efficient conversion of reforming reaction into syngas production, the reforming of CH4 with CO2 for syngas production was conducted in this paper under microwave irradiation, with biomass char as catalyst and microwave absorbing medium. The influences of the conditions including reaction temperature, molar ratio of CO2 and CH4, addition amount of biomass char as well as the introduction of water vapor on the reforming reaction were investigated. The results reveal that an increase in the conversion of reactant gases into syngas production can be achieved through raising reaction temperature, enhancing molar ratio of CO2 and CH4 or increasing addition amount of biomass char. Raising reaction temperature results in a promotion in the ratio of H2 to CO, while enhancing molar ratio of CO2 to CH4 or increasing addition amount of biomass char bring about a decrease in the ratio of H2 to CO. And the introduction of water vapor is not only favorable for the reforming reaction, but also is responsible for an increase in the ratio of H4 to CO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To select the tree species assembly model for improving the productivity in south subtropical plantations, we carried out an experiment following a random block design with eight native tree species across a richness gradient of 1, 2, 4, and 6 species. The effects of tree species diversity and species mixing with different functional identities on the young tree growth were investigated in the 5th year of the experiment. The results showed that tree growth was not positively correlated with tree species richness. The growth of fast-growing tree species ( Pinus massoniana and Mytilaria laosensis ) in the monoculture was 2.5-4.5 times of the valuable broadleaved tree species ( Castanopsis hystrix and Erythrophleum fordii ) monoculture. Tree growth was significantly increased by 51.5%-132.8% in the conifer and broadleaved tree species mixing plantations and in the fast-growing and nitrogen fixation tree species mixing plantations, when two tree species or four tree species were mixed. There was no significant difference in tree growth among different tree species mixed types, when six tree species were mixed. The contents of soil nitrogen, phosphorus and organic matter were the main factors affecting tree growth. The results indicated that young tree growth could be improved through the selecting conifer and broadleaved tree species mixing, fast-growing and nitrogen fixation tree species mixing in south subtropical plantations.

Background: Rheological disorders of red blood cells (RBC) and decreased RBC deformability have been involved in the development of diabetic microangiopathy. However, few studies have evaluated the association of RBC count with microvascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of RBC count with microvascular complications in patients with T2DM., Methods: This study involved 369 patients with T2DM: 243 with one or more microvascular complications and 126 without microvascular complications. Anticoagulated blood was collected and analyzed in an automated blood cell counter. The presence of risk factors for microvascular complications was determined., Results: The proportion of patients with microvascular complications increased as the RBC count decreased (P < 0.001). After adjustment for known risk factors for microvascular complications by logistic regression analysis, lower quartiles of RBC count were associated with a higher risk of microvascular complications compared with the reference group composed of the highest quartile (first quartile, odds ratio 4.98, 95% confidence interval 1.54-6.19, P = 0.008; second quartile, odds ratio 3.21, 95% confidence interval 1.17-5.28, P = 0.024)., Conclusion: A decreased RBC count is associated with microvascular complications in Chinese patients with T2DM. The RBC count is a potential marker to improve further the ability to identify diabetic patients at high risk of microvascular complications.