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The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze the clinical data of 16 patients with cavernous sinus cholesteatomas, explore the surgical outcomes, and summarize the surgical experience. Patients with cavernous sinus cholesteatomas underwent surgery between June 2016 and June 2022 at the Department of Neurosurgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University. Clinical data were obtained from all patients for analysis. Common preoperative symptoms included headache, dizziness, diplopia, ptosis, and facial numbness. There were 7 patients with 2 or more symptoms. There were 13 patients with total resection and 3 patients with subtotal resection. There were 5 patients with improved postoperative symptoms, 10 patients with no significant change, and 1 patient with worse symptoms. New postoperative cranial nerve defects occurred in 4 patients. During the follow-up, all patients had favorable prognosis without progression. Using "double-scope" technique, the subtemporal approach, a surgical strategy for cavernous sinus cholesteatomas, was sufficient to completely resect the tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Surgical management of elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis is challenging. Cement-augmented pedicle screws (CAPS) have been specifically designed for elderly patients with osteoporotic spines. Herein, we investigated the feasibility of CAPS applied in elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data of patients with spinal tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis between January 2017 and January 2021. Surgical data, including surgical duration and intraoperative blood loss, were recorded. Radiological parameters, such as correction of regional kyphotic angle and screw loosening, were also evaluated. Additionally, visual analog scores (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate back pain and functional recovery, respectively. Erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were detected to assess tuberculosis activity. The presence of complications and fusion rate was also assessed. Results: A total of 15 patients were included in this study. The surgical duration was 263.0 ± 56.2 min, with an average blood loss of 378.7 ± 237.0 ml. The correction of regional kyphotic angle was 12.4° ± 15.0°, and it was well maintained until the final follow-up. The mean VAS decreased from 6.0 ± 1.2 points to 0.5 ± 0.6 points, and ODI reduced from 37.8% ± 7.6% to 8.3% ± 2.8% (P < 0.01). At the final follow-up, ESR and CRP levels were within normal range. Bony fusion occurred in all patients, with an average fusion duration of 8.8 ± 1.5 months. No cases of pedicle screw pullout, screw loosening, or pseudoarthrosis occurred. Tuberculosis recurrence and dissemination were not observed during the follow-ups. Conclusions: CAPS fixation is an effective and safe technique to achieve solid fixation and favorable clinical outcomes in elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The in-plane seismic behavior of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures is closely related to the aspect ratio of the wall and vertical load. The purpose of this study was to investigate the difference between the failure mode of the model and the horizontal load using the finite element model (FEM) under the action of aspect ratio (0.50 to 2.00) and vertical load (0.2 MPa to 0.70 MPa). The overall macro model was established using the Abaqus software, and the corresponding simulation was performed. The simulation results indicate that: i) the shear failure and flexural failure were the main failure modes of masonry walls; ii) shear failure could be viewed as the main failure mode of the model when the aspect ratio was less than 1.00; however, the flexural failure was considered to be the main failure mode of the model once the aspect ratio was greater than 1.00; iii) when a vertical load of 0.20 MPa was applied to the model, only flexural failure was observed, regardless of whether the aspect ratio of the model increased or decreased; the flexural shear mixed failure was captured within the range of 0.30 MPa– 0.50 MPa; the shear failure was the main failure mode within the range of 0.60 MPa– 0.70 MPa; and iv) the wall with an aspect ratio less than 1.00 could bear a higher horizontal load, and the increase in vertical load can significantly improve the horizontal load of the wall. In contrast, once the aspect ratio of the wall reaches or exceeds 1.00, the increase in the vertical load has little effect on the increase in the horizontal load of the wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for a greener and more sustainable energy system evokes a need for more extensive energy system transition research. The penetration of distributed energy resources and Internet of Things technologies facilitate energy system transition towards the next generation of energy system concepts. The next generation of energy system concepts include "integrated energy system", "multi-energy system", or "smart energy system". These concepts reveal that future energy systems can integrate multiple energy carriers with autonomous intelligent decision making. There are noticeable trends in using the agent-based method in research of energy systems, including multi-energy system transition simulation with agent-based modeling (ABM) and multi-energy system management with multi-agent system (MAS) modeling. The need for a comprehensive review of the applications of the agent-based method motivates this review article. Thus, this article aims to systematically review the ABM and MAS applications in multi-energy systems with publications from 2007 to the end of 2021. The articles were sorted into MAS and ABM applications based on the details of agent implementations. MAS application papers in building energy systems, district energy systems, and regional energy systems are reviewed with regard to energy carriers, agent control architecture, optimization algorithms, and agent development environments. ABM application papers in behavior simulation and policy-making are reviewed with regard to the agent decision-making details and model objectives. In addition, the potential future research directions in reinforcement learning implementation and agent control synchronization are highlighted. The review shows that the agent-based method has great potential to contribute to energy transition studies with its plug-and-play ability and distributed decision-making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With interdisciplinarity being an important characteristic of contemporary product design, the evaluation of design alternatives also involves multiple disciplines, and the evaluator group usually consists of evaluators from different fields and with obvious heterogeneous characteristics. To effectively satisfy the heterogeneous needs of evaluators and improve the credibility of evaluation results, the paper introduces a consensus-reaching approach that incorporates multiple preferences to the evaluation of product design alternatives. First, in order to obtain individual preference information, each evaluator is asked to evaluate all the design alternatives using a preference structure that he/she is familiar with. Second, we use a transfer function to uniform the evaluation information obtained from various preference structures into a complementary judgment matrix. Then, we use the Hybrid Weighted Averaging (HWA) operator weight determination model to aggregate the preference information and obtain the group preference information. Then, we measure the consensus degree between individual evaluators and the group using a consensus measurement method. After that, we use the feedback mechanism to instruct individual evaluators to modify their preferences until a consensus is achieved. We explain the application steps and the feasibility of this approach through the evaluation of the design alternatives of multichannel fluorescence immunochromatography analyzers (MFIAs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the impact of flameless oxy-fuel combustion on the thermal performance of a pilot-scale steel reheating furnace. A comprehensive mathematical model, based on the zone method of radiation analysis, was developed, which takes into account the non-grey behaviour of the furnace atmosphere under oxy-fuel combustion conditions. The model was subsequently used to simulate the temperature profile of an instrumented slab used in the experiment. The results showed that the predicted slab temperature profile along the furnace is in good agreement with measurement. However the model over predicted the absolute slab temperatures due to the influence of formation of oxide scales on the slab surface, which was not taken into account in the current model. When compared to air-fuel combustion simulation, the results of oxy-fuel combustion also indicated a marked improvement in the furnace specific fuel consumption (approximately 16%). This was mainly due to the enhanced radiative properties of the furnace atmosphere and reduced exhaust energy losses as the result of less dilution effect from nitrogen. This resulted in reduction in the overall heating time by approximately 14 min. Furthermore, if the economics of carbon capture is taken into consideration, theoretically, the energy consumption per kilogram of CO 2 captured can be reduced from 3.5 to 4.2 MJ kg−1 to 0.96 MJ kg−1. In conclusion, the current studies support the view that oxy-fuel combustion retrofitting to reheating furnaces is a promising option, both from a technical and from an environmental point of view. • Previous work on reheating furnace modelling, control, and optimisation was reviewed. • A mathematical model was further developed to simulate the oxy-fuel reheating furnace. • The model was validated using the heating curves collected during real trials. • The specific energy consumption reduces by about 16% (0.18 GJ tonne−1). • Should CO 2 capture be considered, the cost can be as low as 0.96 MJ kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Dynamic modelling of combined-cycle gas turbine power plant with thermal storage. • Cascaded latent heat storage integration strategies to plant operation processes. • Complete system dynamic simulations of the plant with cascaded latent heat storage. • Quantified analysis of stored and released thermal energy for different strategies. Abstract The combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants are often required to provide the essential fast grid balance service between the load demand and power supply with the increase of the intermittent power generation from renewable energy sources. It is extremely challenging to ensure CCGT power plants operating flexibly and also maintaining its efficiency at the same time. This paper presents the feasibility study of a CCGT power plant combined with the cascaded latent heat storage (CLHS) for plant flexible operation. A 420 MW CCGT power plant and a CLHS dynamic models are developed in Aspen Plus based on a novel modelling approach. The plant start-up processes are studied, and large amount of thermal energy can be accumulated by CLHS during the start-up. For load-following operation, extensive dynamic simulation study is conducted and the simulation results show that the extracted exhaust gas can be used for thermal energy storage charging, and the stored heat can be discharged to produce high temperature and high pressure steam fed to the steam turbine. Besides, the stored heat can also be used to maintain the heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) under warm condition to reduce plant restart-up time. The simulation results demonstrate that the integration of CLHS with CCGT power plant is feasible during the start-up, load-following and standstill operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Converging-diverging (CD) tube was first used for falling film evaporation and sensible heating. • CD tube is suitable for falling film evaporation and sensible heating with a large Reynolds number. • For different sizes of CD tubes, the key factor affecting the heat transfer performance in falling film evaporation and sensible heating is the rib height. • The heat transfer correlations of the falling film evaporation and sensible heating were obtained. Abstract To improve the heat and mass transfer performances of falling films and develop a new type of falling film evaporator, the heat and mass transfer characteristics of falling film evaporation and sensible heating in four different sizes of converging–diverging (CD) tubes were experimentally explored in this study. By analyzing the relationship between the heat transfer coefficient and the falling film flow rate, it was found that the CD tube is suitable for falling film evaporation and sensible heating with a large Reynolds number. For different sizes of tubes, the key factor affecting the heat transfer performance in falling film evaporation and sensible heating is the rib height. At the same rib height and rib pitch, the longer the converging segment of the CD tube, the better the heat transfer performance. According to the comparative analysis on heat and mass transfer performances of falling film evaporation and sensible heating inside the four CD tubes, the CD tube 3# is the best. The evaporation heat transfer coefficient (when the Reynolds number of the liquid films is 2356), evaporation mass transfer rate (when the perimeter flow rate of the liquid films is 0.173 kg/(m·s)), and sensible heating heat transfer coefficient (when the Reynolds number of the liquid films is 1635) of CD tube 3# are 62%, 38% and 63% higher than that of the smooth tube, respectively. For the same CD tube, the evaporation heat transfer coefficient is greater than the sensible heating heat transfer coefficient, but both increases as the flow rate increases. The heat transfer correlations of falling film evaporation and sensible heating in the experimental range were obtained. It will provide a useful reference for future engineering design and industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently UK industrial and manufacturing sectors are facing dual challenges of contributing to national 80% reduction targets in CO 2 emissions by 2050 (compared to 1990 levels) and improving economic competitiveness in the face of low cost imports. Since energy consumption is the main source of CO 2 emissions and directly related to products being manufactured, improving energy efficiency in energy intensive sectors is key to achieve CO 2 targets. Energy consumption is unlikely to meet the targets unless energy efficiency opportunities and technologies are fully explored and timely changes are made to business models and policies This study explores potential energy efficiency improvements from three perspectives: system efficiency of steam networks, waste heat recovery technologies and bioenergy/waste utilisation. Two UK energy-intensive sectors, iron and steel, and food and drink, are selected for analysis and discussion. Potential business models for energy efficiency are also reviewed as there are now a variety of energy service companies who can support adoption of appropriate technologies. Furthermore, drivers and barriers to the adoption of energy efficiency technologies are considered in this paper revealing the factors affecting the diffusion of energy efficient and waste heat recovery technologies and their interactions and interdependencies to energy consumptions. Findings show that it is possible to achieve energy consumption reduction in excess of 15% from a technical point of view, however improving energy efficiency in UK industry has been hindered due to some inter-related technical, economic, regulatory and social barriers. The findings help to demonstrate the significant potential for energy efficiency improvement in two industrial sectors, as well as showing the specific types of technologies relevant for different sectoral processes. The range of business models show opportunities for implementation and for developing innovative business models, addressing barriers, and using enablers to accelerate the diffusion of energy efficiency technologies in UK industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Detailed radiation model coupled process simulation of fluidized beds. • Combining the advantages of zone method and Aspen Plus. • A case study on a 0.3 MW fluidized bed. • A modest computing demand. Abstract While providing a fast and accurate tool for simulating fluidized beds, the major limitations of classical zero-dimensional ideal reactor models used in process simulations become irreconcilable, such as models built into commercial software (e.g. Aspen Plus®). For example, the limitations of incorporating heat absorption by the water wall and super-heaters and inferring thermal reciprocity between each reactor model/module. This paper proposes a novel modelling approach to address these limitations by incorporating an external model that marries the advantages of the zone method and Aspen Plus to the greatest extent. A steady state operation of a 0.3 MW atmospheric bubbling fluidized-bed combustor test rig was simulated using the developed modelling approach and the results were compared with experimental data. The comparison showed that the predictions were in agreement with the measurements. Further improvement is to be expected through incorporating more realistic zoned geometry and more complex reaction mechanisms. In addition, the developed model has a relatively modest computing demand and hence demonstrates its potential to be incorporated into process simulations of a whole power plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MRG domain binding protein (MRGBP) has been proposed to participate in the development of multiple tumors. However, the role of MRGBP in colorectal cancer (CRC) still remains largely unknown. Here, we found that MRGBP expression is significantly elevated in CRC, and that higher MRGBP expression correlates with poorer survival in CRC patients. Experiments in vivo and in vitro indicated that MRGBP promotes CRC cells proliferation, migration, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and xenograft tumor growth. Mechanically, for one thing, we discovered that MRGBP suppresses DKK1 expression, thus further activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in CRC cells. For another, MRGBP also enhances acetylation of NF-kB/p65 pathway. Treatment with Wnt/β-catenin and NF-kB pathways inhibitors further confirmed the mediation of these two pathways in MRGBP-promoted CRC cell processes. In conclusion, these findings together suggest that MRGBP promotes CRC progression via DKK1/Wnt/β-catenin and NF-kB/p65 pathways mediated EMT, identifying MRGBP as a promising prognostic and therapeutic target for CRC. • MRGBP expression is upregulated in CRC, and higher MRGBP expression associates with poorer prognosis of CRC patients. • MRGBP promotes CRC cells proliferation, migration, invasion and tumorigenesis in vitro and in vivo. • By activating the DKK1/Wnt/β-catenin pathway and the NF-kB/p65 pathway, MRGBP induces CRC cell EMT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper details the development of a first-principles hybrid model capable of simulating transient thermal performances of a large scale reheating furnace. In particular, the new modelling approach combines the advantages of the classical zone method of radiation analysis and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in a robust manner, and overcomes the difficulties of incorporating three-dimensional flow field within a zone method based model. The developed model has been validated with comprehensive experimental data collected during an instrumented bloom trial period that includes a long production delay. The results suggest that the model predictions were in good agreement with the actual measurements, and that the model was able to respond correctly with respect to the encountered production delay during the trial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant clonality, the ability of a plant species to reproduce itself vegetatively through ramets (shoot-root units), occurs in many plant species and is considered to be more frequent in cold or wet environments. However, a deeper understanding on the clonality-climate relationships along large geographic gradients is still scarce. In this study we revealed the clonality-climate relationships along latitudinal gradient of entire China spanning from tropics to temperate zones using clonality data for 4015 vascular plant species in 545 terrestrial communities. Structural equation modeling (SEM) showed that, in general, the preponderance of clonality increased along the latitudinal gradient towards cold, dry or very wet environments. However, the distribution of clonality in China was significantly but only weakly correlated with latitude and four climatic factors (mean annual temperature, temperature seasonality, mean annual precipitation, precipitation seasonality). Clonality of woody and herbaceous species had opposite responses to climatic variables. More precisely, woody clonality showed higher frequency in wet or climatically stable environments, while herbaceous clonality preferred cold, dry or climatically instable environments. Unexplained variation in clonality may be owed to the influences of other environmental conditions and to different clonal strategies and underlying traits adopted by different growth forms and phylogenetic lineages. Therefore, in-depth research in terms of more detailed clonal growth form, phylogeny and additional environmental variables are encouraged to further understand plant clonality response to climatic and/or edaphic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Introducing CO2 capture and storage (CCS) into the power systems requires the re-investigation of the load balance for the electrical grid. For the oxy-coal combustion capture technology, the energy use of ASU can be shifted between the peak-load and off-peak-load periods, which may bring more benefits. In this paper, peak and off-peak (POP) operations for the air separation unit (ASU) with liquid oxygen storage were studied based on a 530MW coal-fired power system. According to the simulation results, the oxy-coal combustion power system running POP is technically feasible that it can provide a base load of 496MW during the off-peak period and a peak load of 613MW during the peak period. And the equivalent efficiency of the power system running POP is only 0.3% lower than the one not running POP. Moreover, according to the economic assessments based on the net present value, it is also economically feasible that the payback time of the investment of the oxy-coal combustion power system running POP is about 13years under the assumptions of 10% discount rate and 2.5% cost escalation rate. In addition, the effects of the difference of on-grid electricity prices, daily peak period, investment for POP operations, and ASU energy consumption were also analyzed, concerning the net present value. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study was carried out in the Gurbantünggüt Desert, Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang, Northwest China in August, 2009. To quantify the storage, contribution and vertical distribution patterns of plant biomass carbon (PBC) and soil organic carbon (SOC) in the study area, we investigated the carbon concentrations and its vertical distribution in three different desert shrubland communities dominated by Reaumuria soongorica, Haloxylon ammodendron + R. soongorica and Tamarix ramosissima + R. soongorica, respectively. We analyzed vertical distribution of root biomass carbon and soil carbon contents by excavating soil profiles for each dominated community. The results show that SOC is considerably the larger carbon pool in the soil layers of 1.0-3.0 m (the mean value of three shrubland communities is 38.46%) and 3.0-5.0 m (the mean value is 40.24%). In contrast, 70.74% of belowground biomass carbon storage in 0-1.0 m layer, and its content decrease with increasing soil depth. The Haloxylon ammodendron + R. soongorica shrubland community has the highest belowground biomass carbon among three selected communities. This study highlights the importance of SOC stored in deep soil layers (lower than 3.0 m from the surface) in arid shrubland communities in the global carbon balance. In addition, it provides the data support for revealing deep soil solid carbon potential, and offers scientific basis for the further research in the carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper examined and assessed various configuration options about emission removal including particles, SO x and NO x in an oxy-coal combustion system for CO2 capture. A performance analysis was conducted in order to understand the impacts of those options concerning process design, process operation and system efficiency. Results show that different flue gas recycle options have clear effects on the emissivity and absorptivity of radiating gases in boiler due to the change of flue gas compositions. The maximum difference amongst various options can be up to 15% and 20% for emissivity and absorptivity respectively. As a result, the heat transfer by radiation can vary about 20%. The recycle options also have impacts on the design of air heater and selective-catalytic-reduction (SCR) preheater. This is due to that the largely varied operating temperatures in different options may result in different required areas of heat exchangers. In addition, the dew point of flue gas and the boiler efficiency are affected by the configurations of flue gas recycle as well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Oxy-coal combustion is one of the technical solutions for mitigating CO2 in thermal power plants. For designing a technically viable and economically effective CO2 capture process, effects by coals and configurations of flue gas cleaning steps are of importance. In this paper, characterization of the flue gas recycle (FGR) is conducted for an oxy-coal combustion process. Different configurations of FGR as well as cleaning units including electrostatic precipitators (ESP), flue gas desulfurization (FGD), selective catalytic reduction (SCR) deNO x and flue gas condensation (FGC) are studied for the oxy-coal combustion process. In addition, other important parameters such as FGR rate and FGR ratio, flue gas compositions, and load of flue gas cleaning units are analyzed based on coal properties and plant operational conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The techno-economic evaluation of the evaporative gas turbine (EvGT) cycle with two different CO2 capture options has been carried out. Three studied systems include a reference system: the EvGT system without CO2 capture (System I), the EvGT system with chemical absorption capture (System II), and the EvGT system with oxyfuel combustion capture (System III). The cycle simulation results show that the system with chemical absorption has a higher electrical efficiency (41.6% of NG LHV) and a lower efficiency penalty caused by CO2 capture (10.5% of NG LHV) compared with the system with oxyfuel combustion capture. Based on a gas turbine of 13.78MW, the estimated costs of electricity are 46.1$/MWh for System I, while 70.1$/MWh and 74.1$/MWh for Systems II and III, respectively. It shows that the cost of electricity increment of chemical absorption is 8.7% points lower than that of the option of oxyfuel combustion. In addition, the cost of CO2 avoidance of System II which is 71.8$/tonne CO2 is also lower than that of System III, which is 73.2$/tonne CO2. The impacts of plant size have been analyzed as well. Results show that cost of CO2 avoidance of System III may be less than that of System II when a plant size is larger than 60MW. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: North China Plain (NCP) is one of the most important agricultural production regions in China. A severe water shortage, due to intensive irrigation, exists in the plain. In NCP, crop water-use accounts for 70% of total groundwater use in the floodplains and over 87% in the piedmont regions. Surface water in the plain is limited and restricted for urban water supply. Agricultural production therefore heavily relies on groundwater irrigation; the main driver of groundwater depletion in the region. To address the water shortage issue, a flexible and sustainable water management method is proposed. The method integrates crop-growth and groundwater model, and ensures groundwater recovery via agricultural water-saving. The method is successfully tested for the 4763km2 Shijiazhuang Irrigation District in the piedmont region of Mount Taihang. The model results show that 29.2% or 135.7mm reduction in irrigation could stop groundwater drawdown in the plain. An additional 10% reduction in irrigation pumping (i.e., a total of 39.2% or 182.1mm) would induce groundwater recovery and restoration to the pre-development hydrologic conditions of 1956 in about 74years. The farmers’ current irrigation practices are inefficient and wasteful of the limited water resources. Under appropriate irrigation schemes therefore, grain yield loss as a result of the 39.2% agricultural water-saving is less than 10%. This minimal agronomic loss is economically acceptable, giving the ecological and environmental benefits of groundwater recovery in the study area. However, successful agricultural water-saving requires not only practical feasibility of models, but also sufficient political commitment, promotion of water-saving incentives and efficient water-saving technologies, and enforcement of sustainable water management policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Superhydrophobic sponge was obtained with facile two-step method: self-assembly and interface chemistry. • Continuous and effective oil/water separation was achieved with peristaltic pump. • Theory for optimization of oil/water separation was proposed. • Separation patterns and kinetics for different oil/organics could be predicted with established math model. Three-dimensional porous sponge has been demonstrated as an outstanding candidate in oil/water separation due to its hydrophobicity and oleophilicity that originates from the synergistic effect of rough structure and low surface energy, but the separation process has not been illuminated clearly. This paper presents the study of the synthesis of oil/water separation sponge, mechanism of separation process and establishment of kinetic model, via the combination among dopamine chemistry, covalent modification, theoretical analysis, experimental results and mathematical model. Results show that both the dopamine deposition time and the octadecyltrimethoxysilane hydrolysis system significantly affect the hydrophobicity of the modified-melamine sponge and that the oil/water separation process is composed of six scenarios with different physical state. Furthermore, with the experimental results, established iso-potential separation model and the height-quantized model, we conclude that the time-dependent separation patterns and kinetics are subjected to the modulation of the viscosity of the separated substance and the immersion depth of the sponge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, China is experiencing rapid urbanization, while most cities with a persistent population loss are experiencing urban expansion. This seemingly contradictory pattern of "expansion in shrinkage" arises from the place-based policies. According to the efficiency-priority principle, place-based policies should be applied to densely populated cities. For regional balance, however, these policies are being increasingly implemented in shrinking cities. As a result, the following often-overlooked but highly important question arises: are place-based policies beneficial for shrinking cities? Alternatively, can the pattern of "expansion in shrinkage" succeed in the long run? Concerning these issues, we first identified 37 population-shrinking cities and 144 density-shrinking cities from 2006 to 2016 in China. By using the upgrade of development zones as the source of the exogenous variation in the implementation of place-based policies, we identified the causal effects of place-based policies on urban shrinkage. The results show that a development zone policy helps to curb the population loss of shrinking cities, and this effect is enhanced over time. In contrast, the declining population density did not show a significant change due to the expansion of urban construction land caused by the development zone policy. This indicates that in the short term, the development zone policy in shrinking cities curbs population loss at the expense of resource allocation efficiency. In the third year of the policy, however, the decline in urban population density begins to slow down. This is a signal that the development zone policy in shrinking cities may recover the initial efficiency loss, while curbing population loss in the future. In the long run, the success of the "expansion in shrinkage" pattern depends on the urban agglomeration economy. In addition, the curbing-effect on population loss is different depending on the characteristics of cities and development zones. • The paper explores the impacts of place-based policies on shrinking cities. • The development zone policy curbs population loss at the expense of resource allocation efficiency in the short term. • In the long run, the success of "expansion in shrinkage" pattern depends on urban agglomeration economy. • The curbing-effect on population loss is different depending on the characteristics of cities and development zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Migration barriers often lead to the spatial misallocation of labor across cities. Commuting facilitation is expected as the effective way to relieve labor spatial misallocation. This paper uses China's high-speed rail (HSR) network project as a source of exogeneous variation in commuting facilitation to examine its impact on labor spatial misallocation across cities. Results show that commuting facilitation plays a role in relieving labor spatial misallocation. The degree of labor spatial misallocation decreases by 5.2 percent when cities are directly connected by HSR. Market potential serves as the key mechanism for HSR network to reduce spatial misallocation. By the relief of spatial misallocation, HSR network increases the aggregate labor productivity and employment of the HSR-connected cities. However, the distributional effects of HSR network generate different impacts on core and peripheral cities. In particular, HSR network displaces the employment of skill-intensive sectors from periphery to core, and meantime promotes the employment creation of labor-intensive sectors in the periphery. Despite siphon effect, HSR network improves the labor productivity of both core and periphery. We consequently argue that siphon effect derived from commuting facilitation is not always harmful, and it could also be a driver to relieve misallocation. In addition, the effect of HSR on spatial misallocation increases with the improvement of HSR services quality, and weakens with the difficulty of labor in relocation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The Fe 3 O 4 and MoS 2 were firmly heterotopic connected by simple reaction. • Micro-nano heterogeneous structures were constructed on the sponge skeletons. • Endowing the PU-based sponges with both superhydrophobicity and photocatalysis. • Simultaneous oil/water separation and dyes degradation under light source. • Continuous oil/water separation kinetics and physical mechanism were analyzed. The diffusion of stubborn oils and organic pigments has become a severe environmental pollution problem. Promisingly, the combination of superhydrophobicity and photocatalysis is expected to provide an efficient, economical and simple solution. In this paper, a kind of superhydrophobic and super-lipophilicity polyurethane (PU)-based sponge was reported by a strategy of undergoing ferric tetroxide loading (Fe 3 O 4 @PU), polydopamine fixation (PDA-Fe 3 O 4 @PU), octadecylamine grafting (ODA-Fe 3 O 4 @PU) and molybdenum disulfide loading (MoS 2 -ODA-Fe 3 O 4 @PU) successively. The results show that the MoS 2 -ODA-Fe 3 O 4 @PU sponge exhibits outstanding superhydrophobicity (with maximum water contact angle of 161.64°), excellent oil absorption capacity (60–109 wt/wt), robust stability in extreme environments and great oil/water separation ability. In addition, the MoS 2 -loaded sponge demonstrates desirable outcomes in decomposing methyl orange and methylene blue under light source, and a dual-functional purification system with a heterogeneous polyurethane-based sponge (the upper part is MoS 2 -ODA-Fe 3 O 4 @PU and the bottom part is MoS 2 @PU) endowed with superhydrophobicity and photocatalysis can purify water by separating oils and decomposing methylene blue simultaneously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Of all economic activities in the North China Plain, agriculture accounts for the highest consumption of water resources. As water saving by using technologies to alleviate groundwater depletion has its limitations, adjusting the cultivation patterns of water-intensive crops becomes an unavoidable measure to ensure water sustainability. Different cropping patterns (including fallowing) and water supply scenarios were set up, using the DSSAT crop model and a regression model, in order to predict the effects of cropping adjustments on groundwater sustainability and food production in the piedmont region of the plain. The results indicate that: (1) irrigation water requirement needs to be limited to a maximum level of 187 mm/a to sustain groundwater at the present level. Above this level, every 100 mm of irrigation pumping leads to a decline of 0.49 m in the groundwater level; (2) under the current water supply conditions, and taking groundwater sustainability, food supply, water use efficiency and soil fertility recovery into consideration, leaving 34% of the cropland fallow or leaving it fallow every 3 years seems to be the best option; (3) If an extra amount of water of 0.2 or 0.5 billion m3 is supplied as a result of the SNWT Project, the percentage of cropland which should be left fallow can decrease to 25% or 11% respectively. The comprehensive information on the water and food nexus derived from this study can provide a reference framework for policies concerning sustainable water use and food security in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlight • Both air and CO 2 can be used for compressed- and liquefied-gas energy storage. • Different configurations of compressed- and liquefied-gas energy storage are compared. • Using CO 2 can achieve similar or even better performances compared to using air. Abstract With the large-scale use of intermittent renewable energy worldwide, such as wind energy and solar energy, energy storage systems are urgently needed and have been rapidly developed. Technologies of compressed gas energy storage (CGES) and liquefied gas energy storage (LGES) are playing an important role, and air has been commonly used as working fluid. CO 2 is another potential working fluid and attracting more and more attention due to the rise of CO 2 capture and utilization. However, it is still unclear which is the better working fluid. This paper comparatively analyzed the performance of CGES and LGES systems using air and CO 2 as working fluids. Both diabatic and adiabatic CGES are considered. Simulation results show that except diabatic CGES systems, using CO 2 could achieve a similar or even higher round-trip efficiency than using air. In addition, the use of CO 2 instead of air as a working fluid has additional advantages, such as a lower storage temperature can be achieved at the same storage pressure for the adiabatic CGES system; and a higher condensing temperature can be achieved at the same condensing pressure for the LGES system, which can benefit the system design and operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To compensate for the high cost of CO 2 capture, this study proposes a novel solution that integrates a compressed CO 2 energy storage (CCES) system into an oxy-coal combustion power plant with CO 2 capture (Oxy_CCES). The integration of energy storage has the potential to create arbitrage from variations in electricity prices. The proposed Oxy_CCES system can achieve a higher net efficiency of 34.1%, and a higher exergy efficiency of 57.5%, than that of a liquified oxygen storage-integrated oxy-coal combustion power plant (Oxy_O 2). Two scenarios, i.e., retrofitting an existing oxy-coal combustion power plant (S–I) and building a new plant (S-II), were established to compare the Oxy_CCES and Oxy_O 2. In S–I, the payback time of the Oxy_CCES is one year and in the S-II the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of the Oxy_CCES increases by 1.8%, which is lower than that of the Oxy_O 2. The sensitivity analysis shows that, when the difference between the peak and the valley electricity prices and the capacities of the energy storage systems increase by 50%, the net present value (NPV) and LCOE of the Oxy_CCES system increase by 113.4% and 1.7% respectively, which are lower than the NPV and LCOE increase of the Oxy_O 2. [Display omitted] • A novel integrated oxy-coal combustion power plant and compressed CO2 energy storage was proposed. • Two scenarios, retrofitting an existing plant and building a new power plant, were considered. • Compressed CO2 energy storage achieves higher exergy efficiency than liquified energy storage does. • Integration of the energy storage system increases levelized cost of electricity of the power plant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A framework of multi-energy system integrating with a liquid air energy storage system was proposed. • The LAES system could interact with the converter components of the combine cooling, heating and power system, such as combined heating and power, auxiliary boiler and chillers, to realize the complementary utilization of power, thermal energy and cold energy. • The information gap decision theory method was used to study power dispatching strategies of the LAES integrated systems, including risk-neutral, risk-averse and risk-taker strategy. In this paper, a framework of multi-energy system (MES) integrating with a liquid air energy storage (LAES) system was proposed. LAES, where liquid air works as an energy storage media, is a powerful and eco-friendly technology for storing renewable energy resources and reducing grid curtailment. Considering the characteristics of LAES (i.e. cold and heat circulation), the incorporation of LAES system into the Combined Cooling, Heating and Power system can achieve integrated use of energy and effectively save energy. Moreover, the prices of electricity will affect the overall cost of the MES. In other words, the decision-makers of the MES need to consider the uncertainty of electricity prices when making power dispatching decisions. To model the uncertainty of electricity prices, the information gap decision theory method was used to study power dispatching strategies of the MES. Three different strategies were proposed, including risk-neutral, risk-averse and risk-taker. In addition, demand response algorithms were used to study load transfer strategies. The results show that the demand responses of the three strategies are effective in terms of load transfer and cost saving. The total operation cost in the risk-neutral strategy with demand response can be 6.82% less than that without demand response; In the risk-taker strategy with demand response, the allowable grid electricity price is reduced by 25.24% when the opportunity cost drops by $8,000, and 23.32% without demand response. With additional robustness cost, the acceptable price change ratio using demand response is 21.91% in the risk-averse strategy, and 20.04% without demand response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an environmentally friendly material, alkali-activated fly ash-slag (AAFS) is considered as a promising alternative cement because of its excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability. Nevertheless, high temperature induced damage in AAFS can potentially bring serious risks for its practical applications. This paper presents a systematic experimental study on behaviour of AAFS paste subjected to elevated temperatures up to 800 °C in terms of microstructure as well as thermal and mechanical properties. Microstructural evolution was characterised by means of Rietveld-based quantitative X-ray diffraction (QXRD), backscattered scanning electron microscope (BSEM) and X-ray microcomputed tomography (XCT), while thermal and mechanical properties were evaluated from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), thermal deformation and compressive and flexural strengths. Results indicate that the compressive strength of AAFS paste rises by 77.5 % at 200 °C, followed by a mitigation from 200 to 600 °C and a regain at 800 °C. Different phases in AAFS paste including unreacted particles, reaction products and pores took up 30 %, 67.7 % and 2.31 % at ambient temperature, and 4.95 %, 84.8 % and 10.3 % after exposure to 800 °C, respectively, suggesting the recrystallisation with the formation of nepheline and gehlenite. In addition, the relationships between microstructural characteristics including three-dimensional (3D) pore structure features and thermal and mechanical properties of AAFS paste at elevated temperatures were explored and discussed in depth to gain insights into the underlying degradation mechanisms including pore pressure build-up, thermal gradient and phase transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Resilience engineering relates to the ability of a system to anticipate, prepare, and respond to predicted and unpredicted disruptions. It necessitates the use of monitoring and object detection technologies to ensure system safety in excavation systems. Given the increased investment and speed of improvement in technologies, it is necessary to review the types of technology available and how they contribute to excavation system safety. A systematic literature review was conducted which identified and classified the existing monitoring and object detection technologies, and introduced essential enablers for reliable and effective monitoring and object detection systems including: 1) the application of multisensory and data fusion approaches, and 2) system-level application of technologies. This study also identified the developed functionalities for accident anticipation, prevention and response to safety hazards during excavation, as well as those that facilitate learning in the system. The existing research gaps and future direction of research have been discussed. • A systematic literature review of 857 papers was conducted. • Resilience engineering is complementary to conventional safety management. • Monitoring and object detection technology is not sufficient for excavation system safety. • Situation recognition capability is required for excavation system safety. • Behaviour change and decision confirmation are required for excavation system safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since buildings account for more than one-third of final energy use, it is important to integrate renewable energy sources for new housing developments to reduce demand for grid energy and carbon emissions. This research investigates the potential of solar PV, energy storage, and electric vehicles in new housing developments and their associated grid impacts by taking the UK's Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Oxford arc as a case study. Using published data on electrical loads for different types of dwellings, energy demands for new housing developments with and without renewable and low carbon technologies are analysed using techno-economic modelling frameworks. Technical analysis includes sizing and optimisation of PV and storage while economic analysis covers cost-benefit analyses, by considering a range of existing and future tariffs and subsidy schemes including Standard, Economy 7 (cheaper electricity for 7 h at night), Feed-in tariff, and the Smart Export Guarantee. Results show that installing PV panels and storage systems not only reduces the dwellings' grid energy demand by 31% in January but also helps the dwellings to become net exporters of green electricity to the grid in July and hence saves a substantial amount of money by taking advantage of Feed-in and Economy 7 tariffs. • Impact of new housing developments with PV, storage and EVs on the grid was studied. • The Cambridge, Milton Keynes, Oxford growth corridor was used as a case study. • Dwellings with PV and storage reduce 31% of grid electricity demand in January. • Dwellings with PV and storage become net exporters of electricity to the grid in July. • Renewable incentives and tariff structures can make renewable investment profitable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An effective oxygen excess ratio control strategy for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) can avoid oxygen starvation and optimize system performance. In this paper, a fuzzy PID control strategy based on granular function (GFPID) was proposed. Meanwhile, a proton exchange membrane fuel cell dynamic model was established on the MATLAB/Simulink platform, including the stack model system and the auxiliary system. In order to avoid oxygen starvation due to the transient variation of load current and optimize the parasitic power of the auxiliary system and the stack voltage, the purpose of optimizing the overall operating condition of the system was finally achieved. Adaptive fuzzy PID (AFPID) control has the technical bottleneck limitation of fuzzy rules explosion. GFPID eliminates fuzzification and defuzzification to solve this phenomenon. The number of fuzzy rules does not affect the precision of GFPID control, which is only related to the fuzzy granular points in the fitted granular response function. The granular function replaces the conventional fuzzy controller to realize the online adjustment of PID parameters. Compared with the conventional PID and AFPID control, the feasibility and superiority of the algorithm based on particle function are verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous previous researches have demonstrated that consumers are increasingly prioritizing their Kansei needs, with the development of technology and social economy. Moreover, whether consumers' Kansei needs (CKN) can be satisfied greatly affects their purchase intention (PI). Despite the substantial impact of CKN on PI, there remains a paucity of research on this subject. To bridge this gap, this paper proposes a CKN mining and PI evaluation method. Firstly, the double hierarchy hesitant fuzzy linguistic term set is employed to enhance the semantic differential model, facilitating the acquisition of product Kansei features evaluation and PI information. Subsequently, grey correlation analysis is applied to calculate the correlation coefficient between them, enabling quantitative CKN mining. Then, cluster consumers based on the correlation coefficient, and analyze the difference of CKN. Thirdly, construct the PI evaluation model based on the multi-attribute decision-making method, taking CKN into consideration, to rank the alternative product. Finally, the proposed method is implemented in the armchair evaluation problem. Comparative experimental results affirm the improved semantic differential model has higher reliability, which can be used to deal with the subjectivity and complexity of product evaluation information. Additionally, the feasibility and effectiveness of the PI evaluation model is validated through eye movement experiments, which can predect the consumers' Kansei perference and rank the alternative products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainable cyber–physical power systems (CPPSs) significantly reduce carbon emissions due to climate change. However, when the data exchange in CPPSs suffers from hybrid attacks, the distributed state estimation and optimal power flow (OPF) analysis will inevitably be compromised, leading to inadequate or faulty scheduling of clean energy and thermal power generations and further affecting the total carbon emissions and economic cost. To address these problems, this paper proposes a novel consensus-based distributed security state estimation (DSSE) method for CPPSs, which is used to analyze the impact of hybrid attacks on carbon emissions and economic cost. Firstly, the incomplete and non-authentic data features caused by hybrid attacks are described, and their influence on distributed state estimation model is analyzed. A new residual-based attack detection method is then constructed in each subregion, where secure and non-secure sets are employed to describe whether the subregion is attacked and the compensation mechanism is designed for the non-secure set. Secondly, considering data compensation, distributed state estimation model is reconstructed, and a distributed security state estimation method under hybrid attacks is proposed while its convergence condition is derived. Thirdly, the impacts of hybrid attacks on carbon emissions and economic costs are analyzed based on the proposed DSSE method. Finally, experimental results confirm the validity of the theoretic analysis. [Display omitted] • The incomplete and non-authentic features of the data caused by hybrid attacks are investigated. • A novel residual-based attack detection method is proposed to determine secure and non-secure sets. • A distributed security state estimation method with a compensation mechanism is proposed. • Carbon emissions and economic costs can be reduced by mitigating the attack impact on state estimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid increase of photovoltaic (PV) penetration and distributed grid access, photovoltaic generation (PVG)-integrated multi-area power systems may be disturbed by more uncertain factors, such as PVG, grid-tie inverter parameters, and resonance. These uncertain factors will exacerbate the frequency fluctuations of PVG integrated multi-area interconnected power systems. For such system, this paper proposes a load frequency control (LFC) strategy based on double equivalent-input-disturbance (EID) controllers. The PVG linear model and the multi-area interconnected power system linear model were established, respectively, and the disturbances were caused by grid voltage fluctuations in PVG subsystem and PV output power fluctuation and load change in multi-area interconnected power system. In PVG subsystems and multi-area interconnected power systems, two EID controllers add differently estimated equivalent system disturbances, which has the same effect as the actual disturbance, to the input channel to compensate for the impact of actual disturbances. The simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink show that the frequency deviation range of the proposed double EID method is 6% of FA-PI method and 7% of conventional PI method, respectively, when the grid voltage fluctuation and load disturbance exist. The double EID method can better compensate for the effects of external disturbances, suppress frequency fluctuations, and make the system more stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid increase of photovoltaic (PV) penetration and distributed grid access, photovoltaic generation (PVG)-integrated multi-area power systems may be disturbed by more uncertain factors, such as PVG, grid-tie inverter parameters, and resonance. These uncertain factors will exacerbate the frequency fluctuations of PVG integrated multi-area interconnected power systems. For such system, this paper proposes a load frequency control (LFC) strategy based on double equivalent-input-disturbance (EID) controllers. The PVG linear model and the multi-area interconnected power system linear model were established, respectively, and the disturbances were caused by grid voltage fluctuations in PVG subsystem and PV output power fluctuation and load change in multi-area interconnected power system. In PVG subsystems and multi-area interconnected power systems, two EID controllers add differently estimated equivalent system disturbances, which has the same effect as the actual disturbance, to the input channel to compensate for the impact of actual disturbances. The simulation results in MATLAB/Simulink show that the frequency deviation range of the proposed double EID method is 6% of FA-PI method and 7% of conventional PI method, respectively, when the grid voltage fluctuation and load disturbance exist. The double EID method can better compensate for the effects of external disturbances, suppress frequency fluctuations, and make the system more stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of the seat cushion contour and the sitting posture on the seat pan interface pressure distribution and subjective comfort perception.Material and Methods: Overall, 16 volunteers typed a text passage on a laptop while seated, by assuming 3 kinds of common sitting postures (forward, relaxed and upright) in 4 seat cushion configurations: chair only, and chair with 1 of 3 supplementary cushions. Pressure data and cushion comfort ratings were collected in the experiment.Results: It was found that the sitting posture and the seat cushion contour had different impacts on surface pressure. The seat cushion contour had an impact on pressure parameters and pressure distribution on the seat pan, while the sitting posture affected the location of peak pressure on the seat pan. The correlation analysis revealed that the subjective comfort rating was significantly correlated with average pressure (AP) and mean peak pressure (MPP).Conclusions: The conclusion was that the cushion contour had a greater effect on seat pan interface pressure parameters than the sitting posture. Notably, AP and MPP can be indicators for assessing seat cushion comfort in a short-term perspective. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2020;33(5):675-89. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant litter plays an important role in affecting the water quality of wetland ecosystems. However, it is unknown whether litter decomposability and species traits might predict water quality changes during litter submergence. Here, we conducted a greenhouse experiment to examine the effects of four submerged plant species, together with two water sources (sampled from tourism and protected areas), and oxygen injection treatments on the changes of eight water quality parameters during litter submergence. Our results showed that litter submergence significantly affected water quality changes, and the observed effects changed through time and differed between two water sources, between oxygen injection and the control treatments, and among different litter species. Moreover, water electric conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), water total nitrogen (TN), ammonium and nitrite nitrogen increased with increasing initial litter total carbon (TC), TN and total phosphorus (TP), but water dissolved oxygen (DO) decreased with increasing litter TC, TN and TP. Moreover, water EC, TDS and TN increased with the final mass losses after 10-week submergence. These results indicated that species traits (including decomposability) might be good predictors for the water quality changes during litter submergence, and such a trait-based approach might be a promising tool to link plant species diversity via plant functional traits to water quality or other wetland ecosystem services. Unlabelled Image • Plant litter significantly affected water quality during submergence. • Litter submergence effects depend on species identity, water source and oxygen injection. • Litter traits including decomposability might predict water quality changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is motivated by a research gap in the systemic implications that wider adoption of multiple micro-generation technologies may bring to interdependent infrastructures. It explores how the adoption of battery electric vehicles, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal water heating, rain water harvesting, grey water recycling, and waste heat recovery affect system-level consumption of water, gas, gasoline, electricity, CO 2 emissions, and electricity generation cost. The simulations based on a new agent-based model show that grey water recycling and rain water harvesting reduce water and solar thermal water heating and waste heat recovery reduce gas demand respectively. A wider adoption of battery electric vehicle and solar photovoltaics have no effect while a reduction in the number of gasoline cars and gas users leads to higher electricity consumption, CO 2 emissions, and electricity generation cost. The following policy implications are identified: grey water recycling and rain water harvesting should be actively promoted; improvements in the design and use of gas boilers may be better options than solar thermal water heating and waste heat recovery; battery electric vehicle should be adopted together with solar photovoltaics; solar photovoltaics should not be supported with feed-in-tariffs. If the last two implications are not addressed, then a more complementary electricity generation mix is necessary otherwise policies that promote replacement of gasoline cars by battery electric vehicles may result in negative systemic impacts. • Paper explores the effects a range of MGTs may bring on interdependent UK infrastructures. • An agent-based model was developed, tested, and simulations conducted. • Five implications for UK policy have been identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to achieve optimal selection of design schemes in cloud environment, this paper proposed a novel hybrid Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) model integrated Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (fuzzy-ANP) and Fuzzy Quality Function Development (fuzzy-QFD). There are three steps in the novel approach. In the first step, the evaluation target system of design scheme is identified considering four dimensions: economy, society, environment, and culture. The proper indicators are identified by the integration of multi-intelligent techniques. In the second step, decision-makers are asked to compare the decision indicators, and the weight for each indicator is determined using the intuitionistic fuzzy number and fuzzy-ANP. In the third step, the decision-making system of design scheme is developed to compare and rank alternatives. The decision-makers are invited over to compare different options and rank them with the aid of fuzzy-QFD in the cloud environment. A case study is provided to validate the proposed approach. Twenty-five sensitivity analysis experiments are conducted to figure out the influence of evaluation indicators on decision making process. The novel approach makes use of the strength of fuzzy set theory in handing vagueness and uncertainty, the fuzzy-ANP in non-independent hierarchy evaluation on the indicator system, the advantage of fuzzy-QFD in multiple-objective decision analysis. Based on the comparative study and assessment, the results show that the proposed approach is more efficient and provided users with multidimensional evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant growth and development. Rapid and nondestructive monitoring of nitrogen nutrition in plants using hyperspectral remote sensing is important for accurate diagnosis and quality evaluation of plant growth status. The sensitive bands of leaf nitrogen concentration varied in different plants. However, most of the current studies are concentrated on crops, and only a few studies focused on wetland plants. This study investigated the accuracy of the most common univariate, stepwise multiple linear regression, and partial least squares regression models for predicting leaf nitrogen content in a wetland plant reed (Phragmites australis) by testing the accuracy of all the models through leave-one-out cross validation coefficient of determination, root mean square error and relative error. It found that: (i) sensitive bands responding to leaf nitrogen concentration were concentrated in the green and red regions of visible light; (ii) for univariate regression models, the quadratic polynomial model based on the difference spectral index composed of 665 nm and 680 nm had the highest predictive accuracy (the validation coefficient of determination was 0.7535); (iii) for multivariate regression models, the stepwise multiple linear regression models had superior predictive accuracy to the partial least squares regression models, and the stepwise multiple linear regression model with first derivative reflectance was optimal for predicting leaf nitrogen concentration (the validation coefficient of determination was 0.7746, the validation root mean square error was 0.2925, and the validation relative error was 0.0804). The findings provide a scientific basis for rapid estimation and monitoring of leaf nitrogen concentration in P. australis in a nondestructive manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three kinds of SiCp/Al-Si-Mg composites, containing 20%, 40% and 60% volume fraction of silicon carbide particles (SiCp) were respectively sintered at high cubic anvil pressure, using SiC powders prepackaged by aluminum. Then microstructures of the composites were investigated, and the influences of pressure, sintering temperature and volume fraction of SiCp on the microstructures were analyzed. Results show that the composites own homogeneous microstructures, high density and few porosities. In the composites, SiCp and Al matrix were bounded to each other tightly and few agglomeration of SiCp or aluminum was observed. With the volume fraction of SiCp increased, the pinning effect of the reinforcement on the Al matrix is enhanced. With the sintering temperature and pressure increased, densities of the samples are also increased. Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results show that there are transition layers and Al4C3 phases formed at the interface between SiCp and Al matrix when fabricated under pressure of 3.0GPa and temperature of 620 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Important functions of constructed wetland related to biogeochemical processes are mediated by soil microbes and low-temperature damage is the main limiting factor for microbes in winter. However, the response thresholds for active microbial community and enzyme activities to continuous decreases in temperature remain unclear. In this study, total 90 soil samples were collected every week over a 6-week period to track the dynamics of four enzymes involved in cycles of C, N, P and active bacterial community as field soil temperature decreased continuously from 6.62 °C to 0.55 °C. Enzyme activity changed suddenly when the temperature decreased to 4.83 °C, the nitrite reductase activity reduced by 36.2%, while alkaline phosphatase activity is increased by 396%. The cellulase and urease were only marginally influenced by cold stress. Decreased nitrite reductase activities corresponded with loss of nir -type denitrifiers important for nitrite reduction. For cold stress, N-related bacteria were sensitive species. Whereas increased alkaline phosphatase activity may be due to the fact that P-related bacteria were opportunistic species. Key functional taxa connected with degradation of cellulose promoted species coexistence and microbial network stability. The lower and upper temperature thresholds for community change were 4.85 °C and 6.30 °C, respectively. Collectively, these results revealed that microbial taxa involved in C, N and P cycling respond differently to continuous decreases in temperature and higher than 4.85 °C is an ideal environment to prevent loss of microbial diversity and functions in winter, providing a scientific reference for the targeted isolation and cultivation of key microbial taxa in rhizosphere soil and adjusting temperature range to improve the purification capacity of wetlands during low temperature periods. [Display omitted] • Enzyme activity changed suddenly when the temperature decreased by 4.83 °C. • Microbial taxa involved in C, N and P cycling respond differently to cold stress. • The temperature thresholds for community change were 4.85 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved thermal efficiency in energy-intensive metal-reheating furnaces has attracted much attention recently in efforts to reduce both fuel consumption, and CO2 emissions. Thermal efficiency of these furnaces has improved in recent years (through the installation of regenerative or recuperative burners), and improved refractory insulation. However, further improvements can still be achieved through setting up reference values for the optimal set-point temperatures of the furnaces. Having a reasonable expression of objective function is of particular importance in such optimisation. This paper presents a function value-based multi-objective optimisation where the objective functions, which address such concerns as discharge temperature, temperature uniformity, and specific fuel consumption, are dependent on each other. Hooke-Jeeves direct search algorithm (HJDSA) was used to minimise the objective functions under a series of production rates. The optimised set-point temperatures were further used to construct an artificial neural network (ANN) of set-point temperature in each control zone. The constructed artificial neural networks have the potential to be incorporated into a more advanced control solution to update the set-point temperatures when the reheating furnace encounters a production rate change. The results suggest that the optimised set-point temperatures can highly improve heating accuracy, which is less than 1 °C from the desired discharge temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myristoylated alanine‑rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) is a protein kinase C substrate functioning in different physiological and pathological mechanisms. Previous studies have suggested that MARCKS is capable of influencing tumorigenesis and progression. However, a limited number of studies are available regarding the role of MARCKS in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The present study primarily examined MARCKS expression in the OSCC tissues. Furthermore, increased expression of MARCKS was confirmed in the majority of OSCC tissues. Increased MARCKS expression was correlated with more advanced tumor stages, lymphatic metastasis and a poorer overall patient survival. Further molecular mechanistic examinations revealed that downregulated MARCKS expression inhibited the proliferation and migration of OSCC cells in vitro through interruption of MARCKS expression. In addition, the present study demonstrated that MARCKS aggravated OSCC progression via the phosphoinositide 3‑kinase/protein kinase B pathway. Accordingly, the present study considered MARCKS to be a promoter of OSCC tumorigenesis and progression, with the potential utility as a biomarker of a poor prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood decomposition is a key process in the terrestrial carbon cycle, controlling carbon storage with feedback to climate. In (sub) tropical forest, termites are major players in wood decomposition, but their role relative to that of microbial decomposers and wood traits of different tree species is poorly understood. The current literature also has strong bias towards dicot tree decomposition, while abundant woody monocots, particularly bamboos, also contribute greatly to (sub) tropical carbon cycling., Here, we present the first experiment to disentangle effects of dead wood traits and termite activity on decomposition of 66 angiosperm species of wide-ranging phylogenetic position: 31 bamboos, eight non-bamboo Poaceae, 18 eudicots and nine magnoliids. We incubated dead stems of up to 4 size classes per species in a 'common garden' in tropical S China. We tested the hypotheses that (i) dead wood of bamboo (monocots) is less decomposable than dead wood of eudicots or magnoliids; (ii) both microbial- and termite-driven decomposition show negative relationships with initial wood density and with dry matter content., Bamboo wood generally decomposed more slowly than dicot wood but only slightly slower at given wood density or diameter. Wood decomposition in both bamboo and dicot clades decreased with wood density or dry matter content. Termites contributed greatly to this pattern, explaining 53.4% of the variance in wood decomposition and preferentially attacking dead wood of lower initial density, which corresponded with thicker outer culm walls in the case of bamboo species. Thus, termites strongly strengthen the relationship between species' wood traits and litter decomposition as driven by microbial activity., Synthesis. These previously unknown relationships among dead wood quality, diameter, termites and decomposing microbes of both woody monocots and dicots will advance our understanding of the driving mechanisms of (sub) tropical wood decomposition and its contribution to the global carbon cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant interactions greatly affect plant community structure. Dryland ecosystems are characterized by low amounts of unpredictable precipitation as well as by often having biological soil crusts (BSCs) on the soil surface. In dryland plant communities, plants interact mostly as they compete for water resources, and the direction and intensity of plant interaction varies as a function of the temporal fluctuation in water availability. Since BSCs influence water redistribution to some extent, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis that the intensity and direction of plant interactions in a dryland plant community can be modified by BSCs. In the experiment, 14 combinations of four plant species (Artemisia ordosica, Artemisia sphaerocephala, Chloris virgata and Setaria viridis) were subjected to three levels of coverage of BSCs and three levels of water supply. The results show that: 1) BSCs affected plant interaction intensity for the four plant species: a 100% coverage of BSCs significantly reduced the intensity of competition between neighboring plants, while it was highest with a 50% coverage of BSCs in combination with the target species of A. sphaerocephala and C. virgata; 2) effects of the coverage of BSCs on plant interactions were modified by water regime when the target species were C. virgata and S. viridis; 3) plant interactions were species-specific. In conclusion, the percent coverage of BSCs affected plant interactions, and the effects were species-specific and could be modified by water regimes. Further studies should focus on effects of the coverage of BSCs on plant-soil hydrological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arid areas play a significant role in the global nitrogen cycle. Dry and wet deposition of inorganic nitrogen (N) species were monitored at one urban (SDS) and one suburban (TFS) site at Urumqi in a semi-arid region of central Asia. Atmospheric concentrations of NH3, NO2, HNO3, particulate ammonium and nitrate (pNH4+ and pNO3−) concentrations and NH4-N and NO3-N concentrations in precipitation showed large monthly variations and averaged 7.1, 26.6, 2.4, 6.6, 2.7 µg N m−3 and 1.3, 1.0 mg N L−1 at both SDS and TFS. Nitrogen dry deposition fluxes were 40.7 and 36.0 kg N ha−1 yr−1 while wet deposition of N fluxes were 6.0 and 8.8 kg N ha−1 yr−1 at SDS and TFS, respectively. Total N deposition averaged 45.8 kg N ha−1 yr−1at both sites. Our results indicate that N dry deposition has been a major part of total N deposition (83.8% on average) in an arid region of central Asia. Such high N deposition implies heavy environmental pollution and an important nutrient resource in arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To identify changing levels and patterns of abortion in China among married women, and the determinants of these changes. Study design: Based on data from four nationwide surveys conducted by the Chinese National Population and Family Planning Commission in 1988, 1997, 2001 and 2006, this paper analyzed abortion rates by age, residence, and education. To minimize recall error, only the pregnancy history of the 5–10years before the survey was used. Results: Overall abortion levels in China fluctuated in the period 1970–1990, but declined markedly after 1991. The profile of women resorting to abortion has shifted from older, rural, less educated women, toward younger, urban, more educated women, at a rate beyond the change in composition of the population as a whole. Young, urban, educated women are also the demographic group more likely to employ “user controlled”, short term methods. Conclusion: The findings are consistent with a gradual shift in the Chinese family planning programme, increasingly meeting the principles of the International Conference on Population and Development, which calls for making contraception accessible, and thereby helping women avoid recourse to abortion. Future reproductive health programmes should allow women more autonomy in socio-economic factors affecting their reproductive health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A recent study (Wolf et al., 2010) suggests that short-lived pulses of N2O emission during spring thaw dominate the annual N2O budget and that grazing decreases N2O emissions during the spring thaw. To verify this we conducted year-round N2O flux measurements from June 2010 to May 2011 in Tianshan alpine grassland in central Asia. No pulse emissions of N2O were found at grazing management sites and nitrogen addition sites during the spring thaw. The contribution of the spring thaw to the total annual N2O budget was small and accounted for only 6.6% of the annual fluxes, with winter emissions accounting for 16.7% and growing season emissions accounting for 76.7%. The difference in N2O emissions attributable to grazing management was not significant ( P > 0.05). Nitrogen input tended to increase N2O emissions at N addition sites during the grass growing season compared with those at unfertilized sites. N2O fluxes showed a significant correlation with air temperature and also with both soil temperature and soil water content at 10 cm depth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: To assess the effects of nitrogen (N) deposition on greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes in alpine grassland of the Tianshan Mountains in central Asia, CH4, CO2 and N2O fluxes were measured from June 2010 to May 2011. Nitrogen deposition tended to significantly increase CH4 uptake, CO2 and N2O emissions at sites receiving N addition compared with those at site without N addition during the growing season, but no significant differences were found for all sites outside the growing season. Air temperature, soil temperature and water content were the important factors that influence CO2 and N2O emissions at year-round scale, indicating that increased temperature and precipitation in the future will exert greater impacts on CO2 and N2O emissions in the alpine grassland. In addition, plant coverage in July was also positively correlated with CO2 and N2O emissions under elevated N deposition rates. The present study will deepen our understanding of N deposition impacts on GHG balance in the alpine grassland ecosystem, and help us assess the global N effects, parameterize Earth System models and inform decision makers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]