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VO 2 (M) films have been considered as promising thermochromic coatings for application in smart windows. Meanwhile, the comprehensive performance of the films required for practical smart windows and their large-scale preparation are still great challenges. In this study, a one-step ultraviolet (UV) photo-assisted spray pyrolysis route was developed to prepare thermochromic VO 2 (M) films on TiO 2 -buffered soda–lime glass substrates based on molecular dynamicsimulations and related experiments. According to the results, both the luminous transmittance and solar modulation efficiency of the film deposited at 450 °C and exposed to UV photo-irradiation increased by 17% and 40%, respectively, as compared to those of the non-irradiated films. In the case of VO 2 and TiO 2 single layers as well as bilayer VO 2 /TiO 2 films deposited on substrates preheated to 350 °C-550 °C, it was found that UV irradiation could promote crystallization along with regulating the phase structure, orientation, and morphology, which enhanced thermochromic performance of the photo-treated films. Therefore, photo-assisted spray pyrolysis deposition is a facile, cost-effective and scalable technology for improving the comprehensive performance of as-obtained materials, which is appealing in the large-scale preparation of VO 2 smart windows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

VO 2 (M) films have been considered as promising thermochromic coatings for application in smart windows. Meanwhile, the comprehensive performance of the films required for practical smart windows and their large-scale preparation are still great challenges. In this study, a one-step ultraviolet (UV) photo-assisted spray pyrolysis route was developed to prepare thermochromic VO 2 (M) films on TiO 2 -buffered soda–lime glass substrates based on molecular dynamicsimulations and related experiments. According to the results, both the luminous transmittance and solar modulation efficiency of the film deposited at 450 °C and exposed to UV photo-irradiation increased by 17% and 40%, respectively, as compared to those of the non-irradiated films. In the case of VO 2 and TiO 2 single layers as well as bilayer VO 2 /TiO 2 films deposited on substrates preheated to 350 °C-550 °C, it was found that UV irradiation could promote crystallization along with regulating the phase structure, orientation, and morphology, which enhanced thermochromic performance of the photo-treated films. Therefore, photo-assisted spray pyrolysis deposition is a facile, cost-effective and scalable technology for improving the comprehensive performance of as-obtained materials, which is appealing in the large-scale preparation of VO 2 smart windows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advent of the big data era, information technology and intelligent algorithms are more and more widely used. In the engineering project management industry, big data technology and dynamic modeling have achieved good results. Enterprises attach great importance to the innovation of engineering project management. The establishment of engineering management and quality optimization innovation model can improve the management efficiency of engineering project process and enable enterprises to obtain great advantages in market competition. The use of big data technology can make project management and quality innovation more information-based and intelligent. Based on the above situation, this paper puts forward the research on discrete dynamic modeling of engineering management and optimization innovation mode based on big data intelligent algorithm. It mainly uses big data technology to collect and classify the obtained data information and uses discrete dynamic modeling technology to optimize the management system, focus on the management and innovation of green engineering, use big data dynamic modeling technology to build engineering management model, and improve the balance of project model through intelligent planning algorithm. The experimental results show that the big data intelligent algorithm combined with discrete dynamic modeling technology increases the applicability and feasibility of the system. The accurate data after big data analysis can be used for quality supervision and detection, which not only improves the project quality problems but also improves the management efficiency of the project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trilayer films of YBaCu O (YBCO)/Y O / YBCO were prepared on LaAlO (100) single-crystal substrates using sol-gel method. The results indicated that both the YBCO and the Y O films in the trilayer exhibited remarkable biaxial texture characteristics. The epitaxial relationship between the Y O and YBCO films was <001> Y O ∥ <001>YBCO, <110> Y O ∥ <100 >YBCO, and the interface of both films was well-defined. The top and bottom YBCO layers in the trilayer exhibited zero resistance at 88 K. When the nominal thickness of the Y O interlayer in the trilayer was 180 nm, the V − I curve was linear, and the resistivity between the two YBCO layers was 2.5 × 10 Ω cm. These results demonstrated that YBCO/Y O /YBCO trilayer could be realized using the sol-gel method, which is inexpensive and easy to scale up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The firing process plays a crucial role on the microstructures of sol-derived YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7- x (YBCO) films; thus, it affects the critical current density, J c , of the films. In this paper, the effect of the oxygen partial pressure–temperature ( P O2 – T ) combination during the firing process on the microstructure and J c of an YBCO film derived from a low-fluorine sol-gel method was investigated. The results indicate that the optimal P O2 – T combination for a high- J c YBCO film is different from that derived from an in-situ deposition reported previously. When the optimal P O2 – T combination is adopted, the resulting YBCO films exhibit good biaxial texture characteristics and dense surfaces over the entire firing temperature range of 700–775 °C. In addition, the YBCO films exhibit a J c of above 2 MA/cm 2 , even though they are fired at 700 °C. Moreover, J c is near 10 MA/cm 2 for the YBCO film fired at 775 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Photo-assisted sol–gel route was developed to prepare nanostructured Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 anode. • UV irradiation process is effective to reduce grain size and modulate morphology. • Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 electrode treated with UV irradiation presents superb rate performance. Photo-assisted sol–gel route was developed to prepare nanostructured Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 anode materials. Resulting Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 powders were characterized by phase analysis, microscopic morphology observation, and cyclic charge/discharge tests. As lithium-ion battery electrode, synthesized Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 material by using the photo-assisted sol–gel route shows specific capacity of 120 mAh g−1 at 10C discharge rate. Furthermore, this material retains 98% of its initial specific capacity at 0.2C after 50 charge/discharge measurements. Outstanding rate capability and cycling stability of this Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 material are mainly derived from grain refinement induced by ultraviolet photo-irradiation. Therefore, this photo-assisted sol–gel route is attractive alternative method for preparing electrode materials for high-power lithium-ion battery applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• S-RNase triggers substantial increase of ROS content in pollen tubes. • Expression of MdOXI1 is specifically induced by outburst of ROS in self S-RNase treated pollen tubes. • MdOXI1 physically interacts and phosphorylates MdPTI1L. • Silencing of either MdOXI1 or MdPTI1L weakens the toxic effect of S-RNase on pollen tubes. Apple (Malus domestica) exhibits classic S-RNase-mediated gametophytic self-incompatibility. Previous studies have shown that the S-RNase secreted from style cells could trigger signal transduction and defense responses mediated by Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species (ROS) after entering into the pollen tube. In this study, we investigated the downstream genes activated by ROS during S-RNase-mediated gametophytic self-incompatibility in pollen tubes. A substantial increase in ROS, as well as up-regulated expression of a serine-threonine protein kinase gene, OXIDATIVE SIGNAL-INDUCIBLE1 (MdOXI1), was detected in apple pollen tubes treated with self-S-RNase. A kinase assay-linked phosphoproteomics (KALIP) analysis suggested that MdOXI1 could bind and phosphorylate the downstream protein kinase Pto-interacting protein 1-like (MdPTI1L). The phosphorylation level of MdPTI1L was significantly reduced after silencing MdOXI1 with antisense oligonucleotides in the pollen tube. Silencing of either MdOXI1 or MdPTI1L alleviated the inhibitory effect of self-S-RNase on pollen tube growth. Our results thus indicate that MdPTI1L is phosphorylated by MdOXI1 in the pollen tube and participates in the ROS signaling pathway triggered by S-RNase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinel Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) is a promising candidate for lithium-ion battery anodes because of its exceptional stability and safety. However, its extensive application is limited by a high comprehensive cost, poor electronic conductivity, and other inherent defects. This work presents a novel synthesis procedure to synthesize carbon-coated Fe-doped LTO composites through carbon reduction, in the presence of Fe-containing industrial H2TiO3 as the titanium source, and glucose as the carbon source. The presence of the Fe-dopant is confirmed through XRD, with Rietveld refinement and EDS experiments. Results show that Fe2+ replaces a portion of Ti4+ after doping, leading to an increase in the LTO cell parameters and the corresponding cell volume. FLTO/C, presents a capacity of 153.79 mAh g−1 at 10 C, and the capacity decay per cycle is only 0.0074% after 1000 cycles at 5 C. Moreover, EIS experiments indicate that the incorporation of Fe and carbon lowers the charge transfer resistance and improves the diffusion and migration of Li+. Notably, since this preparation process requires no additional Fe source as a raw material, it is simple, cost-effective, and suitable for large-scale production and further application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxidative pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass was investigated based on thermogravimetric experiment compared with the purely non-oxidative pyrolysis. An updated oxidative kinetic model is proposed by importing three oxidative proportion parameters (λ 1 , λ 2 , λ 3) for hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin as the direct extension of previous three-component parallel non-oxidative pyrolysis model. The total of extra 23 oxidative kinetic parameters was obtained by the Shuffled Complex Evolution method and they were applied to further predict the mass distribution of the above three main components. The predicted results proved the oxidative mechanism of biomass: the first stage is caused by the decomposition of hemicellulose and cellulose and partially decomposition of lignin, and the second stage is resulted from both the decomposition of the remaining lignin and char combustion. • Oxidative pyrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass is studied. • Oxidative model is proposed based on the direct extension of non-oxidative one. • Extra 23 oxidative pyrolysis kinetic parameters are obtained by SCE. • Oxidative pyrolysis mechanism of biomass is verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinel Li4Ti5O12 (LTO) is a promising candidate for lithium-ion battery anodes because of its exceptional stability and safety. However, its extensive application is limited by a high comprehensive cost, poor electronic conductivity, and other inherent defects. This work presents a novel synthesis procedure to synthesize carbon-coated Fe-doped LTO composites through carbon reduction, in the presence of Fe-containing industrial H2TiO3 as the titanium source, and glucose as the carbon source. The presence of the Fe-dopant is confirmed through XRD, with Rietveld refinement and EDS experiments. Results show that Fe2+ replaces a portion of Ti4+ after doping, leading to an increase in the LTO cell parameters and the corresponding cell volume. FLTO/C, presents a capacity of 153.79 mAh g−1 at 10 C, and the capacity decay per cycle is only 0.0074% after 1000 cycles at 5 C. Moreover, EIS experiments indicate that the incorporation of Fe and carbon lowers the charge transfer resistance and improves the diffusion and migration of Li+. Notably, since this preparation process requires no additional Fe source as a raw material, it is simple, cost-effective, and suitable for large-scale production and further application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an optimization programming based on inexact stochastic method and factorial design was proposed to support management of energy and environmental systems under uncertain conditions. It could be used for analyzing various policy scenarios associated with different levels of economic penalties when promised targets are violated. Moreover, it can obtain optimal decisions of primary energy supply, electricity, and thermal power generation, capacity expansion, and emission control scheme. The developed model has been applied to a case study within a multifacility, multiperiod, and multidemand-level context to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed methodology. Factorial method has been used for sensitivity analysis to address the interactive uncertainties in modeling parameters, as well as providing a trade-off analysis between the economic objective and the relevant energy and environmental policies. The generated approach will be able to reflect dynamic complexities in energy and environmental systems under social-economic-environmental requirements. It is helpful for adjusting the interrelationship among conflicting economic objectives and environmental benefits under multiple uncertainties, formulating allocation patterns of energy resources and services, and identifying the effectiveness of current regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acoustic tomography is a widely used non-contact method for visualizing temperature distribution. A temperature distribution reconstruction algorithm based on an improved sparse reconstruction model and multi-scale feature fusion network is proposed. First, the acoustic temperature measurement sparse reconstruction model is improved by combining the error function (ERF) and the iterative reweighting algorithm, and the alternating direction method of multipliers algorithm (ADMM) is used to solve the model to obtain the initial temperature distribution. Then the feature extraction network is constructed to extract multi-scale features of acoustic time of flight (TOF) as prior information. Finally, the feature fusion reconstruction network is constructed to fuse and reconstruct the initial temperature distribution and multi-scale features to obtain a high-precision temperature distribution. Simulation and experimental tests were conducted respectively, and compared with other algorithms. The results show that the average relative error and root mean square error of the simulated temperature distribution reconstruction are 0.073% and 0.1% respectively, the average reconstruction error of the temperature points set in the experimental test is 0.38%, and the reconstruction errors are lower than other algorithms. The proposed method effectively utilizes prior information to correct sparse reconstruction temperature distribution reconstruction results, significantly improving the quality of temperature distribution reconstruction. [Display omitted] • Acoustic tomography technology is used for temperature distribution reconstruction. • The improved sparse reconstruction model can improve the accuracy of initial temperature distribution reconstruction. • The feature extraction network can perform multi-scale feature extraction on the time-of-flight of acoustic waves. • The feature fusion reconstruction network can improve the utilization of prior information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acoustic tomography is a widely used non-contact method for visualizing temperature distribution. A temperature distribution reconstruction algorithm based on an improved sparse reconstruction model and multi-scale feature fusion network is proposed. First, the acoustic temperature measurement sparse reconstruction model is improved by combining the error function (ERF) and the iterative reweighting algorithm, and the alternating direction method of multipliers algorithm (ADMM) is used to solve the model to obtain the initial temperature distribution. Then the feature extraction network is constructed to extract multi-scale features of acoustic time of flight (TOF) as prior information. Finally, the feature fusion reconstruction network is constructed to fuse and reconstruct the initial temperature distribution and multi-scale features to obtain a high-precision temperature distribution. Simulation and experimental tests were conducted respectively, and compared with other algorithms. The results show that the average relative error and root mean square error of the simulated temperature distribution reconstruction are 0.073% and 0.1% respectively, the average reconstruction error of the temperature points set in the experimental test is 0.38%, and the reconstruction errors are lower than other algorithms. The proposed method effectively utilizes prior information to correct sparse reconstruction temperature distribution reconstruction results, significantly improving the quality of temperature distribution reconstruction. [Display omitted] • Acoustic tomography technology is used for temperature distribution reconstruction. • The improved sparse reconstruction model can improve the accuracy of initial temperature distribution reconstruction. • The feature extraction network can perform multi-scale feature extraction on the time-of-flight of acoustic waves. • The feature fusion reconstruction network can improve the utilization of prior information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although a few apple (Malus × × domestica) varieties are self-compatible, little is known about the differences in fruit quality between self- and cross-pollinated apple. In our current study, we compared the fruit quality of self-pollinated apple plants (cultivar 'Hanfu') in self-pollination or cross-pollinated by another cultivar 'Qinguan'. Analysis of fruit quality revealed substantial differences in the external qualities between self- and cross-pollinated apple fruit, but not in the internal qualities. Fruits harvested from self-pollinated 'Hanfu' were smaller and more asymmetrical than those harvested from the cross-pollinated plants. We developed a mathematical model describing how seed number and distribution affect fruit growth. According to this model, the fewer the seeds, the greater the force released from the seeds and the more asymmetrical the fruit. Detection of endogenous hormone and the associated gene expression revealed that gibberellin (GA) levels and GA transporter gene expression on the seedless side were significantly lower than those on the seeded side. Analysis of fruit pectin methylesterase activity and demethylated pectin levels indicated that the lack of GA limits fruit cell wall extension. Additionally, spraying the self-pollinating plants with gibberellic acid increased the fruit weight and lowered the proportion of asymmetrical fruit, recovering the exterior fruit quality to that of the cross-pollinated fruit. Furthermore, exogenous GA treatment increased the wax layer thickness and reduced the fruit water loss rate, leading to a dramatic improvement in fruit storage capacity. Therefore, exogenous GA treatment could be used to ensure regular fruit production of self-pollinated 'Hanfu'. • Apple produces more asymmetrical fruits by self-pollination. • Seed distribution contributes more to fruit shape than seed number. • Gibberellin generated by seeds play a key role in fruit development. • Exogenous spraying of GA can improve the quality of apple fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the molecular dynamics method, the melting character, mechanical properties, microstructures, and strain deformation mechanisms of nanocrystalline CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy are systematically investigated in the present work. The simulation results suggest that the melting point in CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy decreases with the grain size, decreasing from 3.6 to 2.0 nm. The grain size has a significant effect on shear and Young's modulus compared to bulk modulus. The stress-strain simulation demonstrates that the ultimate tensile strength decreases with the decrease of the grain size, while the plastic deformation increases with the decrease in grain size. While the average grain size decreases to 2.0 nm, the amorphization induced by small grain size reduces plastic deformation. The common neighbor analysis shows that the face-centered cubic (FCC) composition of CoCrFeNiMn decreases gradually with decreasing grain size. For the sample with a grain size of 2.0 nm, the FCC composition is about 19% at a strain of 20%, accompanied by severe amorphization. The inverse Hall-Petch effect is observed for nanocrystalline CoCrFeNiMn high-entropy alloy in the present simulations. The atomic snapshot of CoCrFeNiMn with a grain size of 2.0 nm under the uniaxial strain confirms that the grain shape change, stacking fault formation, and amorphization are important mechanisms of plastic deformation in nanocrystalline high-entropy CoCrFeNiMn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we characterized a naturally occurring self-compatible apple cultivar, ‘CAU-1’ (S 1 S 9 ), and studied the underlying mechanism that causes its compatibility. Analyses of both fruit set rate and seed number after self-pollination or cross-pollination with ‘Fuji’ (S 1 S 9 ), and of pollen tube growth, demonstrated that ‘CAU-1’ is self-compatible. Genetic analysis by S-RNase PCR-typing of selfed progeny of ‘CAU-1’ revealed the presence of all progeny classes (S 1 S 1 , S 1 S 9 , and S 9 S 9 ). Moreover, no evidence of S-allele duplication was found. These findings support the hypothesis that loss of function of an S-locus unlinked pollen-part mutation (PPM) expressed in pollen, rather than a natural mutation in the pollen-S gene (S 1 - and S 9 - haplotype), leads to SI breakdown in ‘CAU-1’. In addition, there were no significant differences in pollen morphology or fertility between ‘Fuji’ and ‘CAU-1’. However, we found that the effect of S 1 - and S 9 -RNase on the SI behavior of pollen could not be addressed better in ‘CAU-1’ than in ‘Fuji’. Furthermore, we found that a pollen-expressed hexose transporter, MdHT1, interacted with S-RNases and showed significantly less expression in ‘CAU-1’ than in ‘Fuji’ pollen tubes. These findings support the hypothesis that MdHT1 may participate in S-RNase internalization during the SI process, and decrease of MdHT1 expression in ‘CAU-1’ hindered the release of self S-RNase into the cytoplasm of pollen tubes, thereby protecting pollen from the cytotoxicity of S-RNase, finally probably resulting in self-compatibility. Together, these findings indicate that S-locus external factors are required for gametophytic SI in the Rosaceae subtribe Pyrinae . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an interval-parameter fuzzy programming mixed integer programming method (IFMIP) is designed for supporting the planning of energy systems management (ESM) and air pollution mitigation control under multiple uncertainties. The IFMIP-ESM model is based on an integration of interval-parameter programming (IPP), fuzzy programming (FP), and mixed-integer programming (MIP), which can reflect multiple uncertainties presented as both interval values and fuzzy distributions numbers. Moreover, it can successfully identify dynamics of capacity expansion schemes, reflect dual dynamics in terms of interval membership function, and analyze various emission-mitigation scenarios through incorporating energy and environmental policies. The designed model is applied to a case of energy systems management in Tangshan City, China, and the results indicate that reasonable solutions obtained from the model would be helpful for decision makers to effectively (a) adjust the allocation patterns of energy resources and transform the patterns of energy consumption and economic development, (b) facilitate the implement of air pollution control action plan, and (c) analysis dynamic interactions among system cost, energy-supply security, and environmental requirement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the fabrication of high quality YBCO film through a carbon dioxide controlled thermal-decomposition reaction. During the pyrolysis process of the YBCO gel film, the low melting-point Ba(OH) phase was converted to a high melting-point BaCO phase when CO was introduced into the heat treatment atmosphere, thus resulting in a quite smooth surface morphology of the pyrolyzed YBCO film; Then the BaCO phase was converted to Ba(OH) phase used as the Ba resource to produce the YBCO phase during the subsequent crystallization and annealing oxidation process. It is found that YBCO film with smooth surface and excellent superconductivity can be obtained through controlling the conversion reaction between the Ba-contained compounds by introducing adequate carbon dioxide and water vapor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the "resource curse" hypothesis has been supported by many empirical studies focusing on the transnational and regional levels, there has always been a point of contention about the proper method of estimating and selecting natural resource indicators in literature. This paper proposes a mixed estimation method for panel data of 10 typical oil and gas resource-based cities in China from 1998 to 2015. The results show that resource industry agglomeration can mirror the distribution and dependence on the resource industry by location rather than by merely measuring the influence of the relative scale of resource extraction on economic growth. Using resource industry agglomeration as the main explanatory variable for regional economic growth verifies the resource curse hypothesis and shows the nonlinear characteristics of the negative correlation between resources and economic growth. Despite mostly similar indicator parameter estimates, marked differences exist in measured effects for material capital investments and technological innovation investments. The result of using resource industry agglomeration as the main explanatory variable is basically consistent with the economic theory and is more in line with observed reality than the alternative indicator. The research conclusions can provide evidence and data for index selection in the studies on the mediating effect of resource curse transmission and international comparison. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]