A Discussion on the Flexible Regulation Capacity Requirements of China’s Power System

A high proportion of variable renewable energy(VRE)is one of the most significant characteristics of China’s future power system under the"dual carbon"target.However,wind and solar power units are more uncontrollable and less supportive for power system stability than traditional thermal power units,due to their susceptibility to the weather and the grid connection of power electronics.Therefore,as the capacity and generation of VRE grow rapidly and even dominate the power structure,the power system’s ability to deal with disturbances will continue to decrease.

Traction power systems for electrified railways:evolution,state of the art,and future trends

Traction power systems(TPSs)play a vital role in the operation of electrified railways.The transformation of conventional railway TPSs to novel structures is not only a trend to promote the development of electrified railways toward high-efficiency and resilience but also an inevitable requirement to achieve carbon neutrality target.On the basis of sorting out the power supply structures of conventional AC and DC modes,this paper first reviews the characteristics of the existing TPSs,such as weak power supply flexibility and low-energy efficiency.Furthermore,the power supply structures of various TPSs for future electrified railways are described in detail,which satisfy longer distance,low-carbon,high-efficiency,high-reliability and high-quality power supply requirements.Meanwhile,the application prospects of different traction modes are discussed from both technical and economic aspects.Eventually,this paper introduces the research progress of mixed-system electrified railways and traction power supply technologies without catenary system,speculates on the future development trends and challenges of TPSs and predicts that TPSs will be based on the continuous power supply mode,employing power electronic equipment and intelligent information technology to construct a railway comprehensive energy system with renewable energy.

Transforming agri-food systems for multiple wins in nutrition,inclusion and environment

The call for agri-food system transformation is urgent in many global development agendas(UN 2023).Food systems have contributed to economic prosperity and feeding the world,but they are also associated with numerous challenges,including climate change,continued hunger,poor diets and malnutrition,and increasing disparities(Webb et al.2020;Fanzo et al.2021).

THE CONVERGENT RATE OF VISCOSITY METHOD FOR A VARIANT NON-ISENTROPIC SYSTEM OF POLYTROPIC GAS

In this short paper,we remove the restrictionγ∈(1,3]that was used in the paper"The rate of convergence of the viscosity method for a nonlinear hyperbolic system"(Nonlinear Analysis,1999,38:435-445)and obtain a global Holder continuous solution and the convergent rate of the viscosity method for the Cauchy problem of the variant nonisentropic system of polytropic gas for any adiabatic exponentγ>1.

The Static Stability Region of an Integrated Electricity-Gas System Considering Voltage and Gas Pressure

In an integrated electricity-gas system(IEGS),load fluctuations affect not only the voltage in the power system but also the gas pressure in the natural gas system.The static voltage stability region(SVSR)method is a tool for analyzing the overall static voltage stability in a power system.However,in an IEGS,the SVSR boundary may be overly optimistic because the gas pressure may collapse before the voltage collapses.Thus,the SVSR method cannot be directly applied to an IEGS.In this paper,the concept of the SVSR is extended to the IEGS-static stability region(SSR)while considering voltage and gas pressure.First,criteria for static gas pressure stability in a natural gas system are proposed,based on the static voltage stability criteria in a power system.Then,the IEGS-SSR is defined as a set of active power injections that satisfies multi-energy flow(MEF)equations and static voltage and gas pressure stability constraints in the active power injection space of natural gas-fired generator units(NGUs).To determine the IEGSSSR,a continuation MEF(CMEF)method is employed to trace the boundary point in one specific NGU scheduling direction.A multidimensional hyperplane sampling method is also proposed to sample the NGU scheduling directions evenly.The obtained boundary points are further used to form the IEGSSSR in three-dimensional(3D)space via a Delaunay triangulation hypersurface fitting method.Finally,the numerical results of typical case studies are presented to demonstrate that the proposed method can effectively form the IEGS-SSR,providing a tool for IEGS online monitoring and dispatching.

Characteristics and hydrocarbon accumulation model of Paleogene whole petroleum system in western depression of Qaidam Basin,NW China

Based on the oil and gas exploration in western depression of the Qaidam Basin,NW China,combined with the geochemical,seismic,logging and drilling data,the basic geological conditions,oil and gas distribution characteristics,reservoir-forming dynamics,and hydrocarbon accumulation model of the Paleogene whole petroleum system(WPS)in the western depression of the Qaidam Basin are systematically studied.A globally unique ultra-thick mountain-style WPS is found in the western depression of the Qaidam Basin.Around the source rocks of the upper member of the Paleogene Lower Ganchaigou Formation,the structural reservoir,lithological reservoir,shale oil and shale gas are laterally distributed in an orderly manner and vertically overlapped from the edge to the central part of the lake basin.The Paleogene WPS in the western depression of the Qaidam Basin is believed unique in three aspects.First,the source rocks with low organic matter abundance are characterized by low carbon and rich hydrogen,showing a strong hydrocarbon generating capacity per unit mass of organic carbon.Second,the saline lake basinal deposits are ultra-thick,with mixed deposits dominating the center of the depression,and strong vertical and lateral heterogeneity of lithofacies and storage spaces.Third,the strong transformation induced by strike-slip compression during the Himalayan resulted in the heterogeneous enrichment of oil and gas in the mountain-style WPS.As a result of the coordinated evolution of source-reservoir-caprock assemblage and conducting system,the Paleogene WPS has the characteristics of“whole process”hydrocarbon generation of source rocks which are low-carbon and hydrogen-rich,“whole depression”ultra-thick reservoir sedimentation,“all direction”hydrocarbon adjustment by strike-slip compressional fault,and“whole succession”distribution of conventional and unconventional oil and gas.Due to the severe Himalayan tectonic movement,the western depression of the Qaidam Basin evolved from depression to uplift.Shale oil is widely distributed in the central lacustrine basin.In the sedimentary system thicker than 2000 m,oil and gas are continuous in the laminated limy-dolomites within the source rocks and the alga limestones neighboring the source kitchen,with intercrystalline pores,lamina fractures in dolomites and fault-dissolution bodies serving as the effective storage space.All these findings are helpful to supplement and expand the WPS theory in the continental lake basins in China,and provide theoretical guidance and technical support for oil and gas exploration in the Qaidam Basin.

Evaluation of hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system in type 1 diabetes in real-world clinical practice:One-year observational study

BACKGROUND In 2016,the Food and Drug Administration approved the first hybrid closed-loop(HCL)insulin delivery system for adults with type 1 diabetes(T1D).There is limited information on the impact of using HCL systems on patient-reported outcomes(PROs)in patients with T1D in real-world clinical practice.In this independent study,we evaluated glycemic parameters and PROs over one year of continuous use of Medtronic’s 670G HCL in real-world clinical practice.AIM To assess the effects of hybrid closed loop system on glycemic control and quality of life in adults with T1D.METHODS We evaluated 71 patients with T1D(mean age:45.5±12.1 years;59%females;body weight:83.8±18.7 kg,body mass index:28.7±5.6 kg/m2,A1C:7.6%±0.8%)who were treated with HCL at Joslin Clinic from 2017 to 2019.We measured A1C and percent of glucose time-in-range(%TIR)at baseline and 12 months.We measured percent time in auto mode(%TiAM)for the last two weeks preceding the final visit and assessed PROs through several validated quality-of-life surveys related to general health and diabetes management.RESULTS At 12 mo,A1C decreased by 0.3%±0.1%(P=0.001)and%TIR increased by 8.1%±2.5%(P=0.002).The average%TiAM was only 64.3%±32.8%and was not associated with A1C,%TIR or PROs.PROs,provided at baseline and at the end of the study,showed that the physical functioning submodule of 36Item Short-Form Health Survey increased significantly by 22.9%(P<0.001).Hypoglycemia fear survey/worry scale decreased significantly by 24.9%(P<0.000);Problem Areas In Diabetes reduced significantly by-17.2%(P=0.002).The emotional burden submodules of dietary diversity score reduced significantly by-44.7%(P=0.001).Furthermore,analysis of Clarke questionnaire showed no increase in awareness of hypoglycemic episodes.WHO-5 showed no improvements in subject’s wellbeing among participants after starting the 670G HCL system.Finally,analysis of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index showed no difference in sleep quality,sleep latency,or duration of sleep from baseline to 12 mo.CONCLUSION The use of HCL in real-world clinical practice for one year was associated with significant improvements in A1C,%TIR,physical functioning,hypoglycemia fear,emotional distress,and emotional burden related to diabetes management.However,these changes were not associated with time in auto mode.

Field Load Test Based SHM System Safety Standard Determination for Rigid Frame Bridge

The deteriorated continuous rigid frame bridge is strengthened by external prestressing. Static loading tests wereconducted before and after the bridge rehabilitation to verify the effectiveness of the rehabilitation process. Thestiffness of the repaired bridge is improved, and the maximum deflection of the load test is reduced from 37.9 to27.6 mm. A bridge health monitoring system is installed after the bridge is reinforced. To achieve an easy assessmentof the bridge’s safety status by directly using transferred data, a real-time safety warning system is createdbased on a five-level safety standard. The threshold for each safety level will be determined by theoretical calculationsand the outcomes of static loading tests. The highest risk threshold will be set at the ultimate limit statevalue. The remaining levels, namely middle risk, low risk, and very low risk, will be determined usingreduction coefficients of 0.95, 0.9, and 0.8, respectively.

Application and Evaluation of Continuous Care Model Based on the Omaha System in Stroke Patients after Discharge

[Objectives]To explore the effect of continuous nursing model based on the Omaha system on stroke patients.[Methods]A total of 40 stroke patients in the inpatient department of the Rehabilitation Department of Affiliated Hospital of Jinggangshan University were selected and divided into two groups by the random number table method.Patients in the control group were given routine nursing,and those of the observation group were given continuous nursing based on the Omaha system theory.The score of neurological impairment,daily living ability scale and the quality of life,as well as patients satisfaction rate before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.[Results]The score of neurological impairment,daily living activity ability and the quality of life,as well as patients nursing satisfaction rate in the observation group were significantly better than those of the control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05).[Conclusions]The continuous nursing model based on the Omaha system can significantly improve the neurological function of stroke patients,improve their quality of life and life ability,and promote their rehabilitation.

Speeds Up the Construction of a New Power System

"In 2023,China's photovoltaic industry continued to maintain a rapid development momentum,with an additional installed capacity of more than 216 GW,accounting for more than half of the global total.The cumulative installed capacity is close to 610 GW,which helps the installed capacity of renewable energy surpass that of thermal power historically.In 2023,the output value of the domestic photovoltaic manufacturing industry exceeded RMB1.75 trillion,a year-on-year increase of 17.1%,and the output of the four main industrial chains of polysilicon.

Immobilization techniques for beverage production using yeast cell systems: challenges, types, and future perspectives - a mini review

Yeast immobilization is a process of physical entrapment of yeast cells using different techniques while maintaining their biological activity.Continuous fermentation systems have significant advantages over conventional methods.Research highlights that immobilized yeast cell systems have several benefits as compared to free yeast cells.The immobilized yeast cell systems improve fermentation rates,especially when paired with continuous fermentation and appropriate immobilization techniques.Understanding various immobilization techniques,continuous fermentation processes,yeast metabolic activity related to beverage flavor production,and bioreactor designs is vital for optimizing the use of immobilized yeast cells systems on industrial scale.This review provides an overview of recent basic research on immobilized yeast cell systems,with a focus on continuous beverage fermentation.In this study,different reactor configurations and immobilization techniques are explored.The study focus on the impacts of immobilization on the yeast cells,and discuss the recent advancements in these techniques.The review concludes with a discussion on the practical applications of immobilized yeast cells and continuous fermentation in beverage production.

Leveraging ROTI map derived from Indonesian GNSS receiver network for advancing study of Equatorial Plasma Bubble in Southeast/East Asia

This paper highlights the crucial role of Indonesia’s GNSS receiver network in advancing Equatorial Plasma Bubble(EPB)studies in Southeast and East Asia,as ionospheric irregularities within EPB can disrupt GNSS signals and degrade positioning accuracy.Managed by the Indonesian Geospatial Information Agency(BIG),the Indonesia Continuously Operating Reference Station(Ina-CORS)network comprises over 300 GNSS receivers spanning equatorial to southern low-latitude regions.Ina-CORS is uniquely situated to monitor EPB generation,zonal drift,and dissipation across Southeast Asia.We provide a practical tool for EPB research,by sharing two-dimensional rate of Total Electron Content(TEC)change index(ROTI)derived from this network.We generate ROTI maps with a 10-minute resolution,and samples from May 2024 are publicly available for further scientific research.Two preliminary findings from the ROTI maps of Ina-CORS are noteworthy.First,the Ina-CORS ROTI maps reveal that the irregularities within a broader EPB structure persist longer,increasing the potential for these irregularities to migrate farther eastward.Second,we demonstrate that combined ROTI maps from Ina-CORS and GNSS receivers in East Asia and Australia can be used to monitor the development of ionospheric irregularities in Southeast and East Asia.We have demonstrated the combined ROTI maps to capture the development of ionospheric irregularities in the Southeast/East Asian sector during the G5 Geomagnetic Storm on May 11,2024.We observed simultaneous ionospheric irregularities in Japan and Australia,respectively propagating northwestward and southwestward,before midnight,whereas Southeast Asia’s equatorial and low-latitude regions exhibited irregularities post-midnight.By sharing ROTI maps from Indonesia and integrating them with regional GNSS networks,researchers can conduct comprehensive EPB studies,enhancing the understanding of EPB behavior across Southeast and East Asia and contributing significantly to ionospheric research.

Effects of Continuous Nitrogen Application on Grain Yield and Nitrogen Uptake and Utilization in Winter Wheat-Summer Maize Rotation System

[Objective] This study aimed to achieve high yield and stable yield of win- ter wheat-summer maize rotation system and provide basis for rational application of nitrogen fertilizer. [Method] Effects of continuous nitrogen application on grain yield, economic profit, nitrogen uptake and utilization efficiency, and soil inorganic nitrogen accumulation in winter wheat-summer maize rotation system were investigated. [Re- sult] Nitrogen application could significantly increase the y（eld of the winter wheat- summer maize rotation system, which increased by 17.76%-30.32% and 22.24%- 46.63% in two rotation cycles, respectively. The yield of the winter wheat-summer maize rotation system was the maximum in two rotation cycles with nitrogen appli- cation amount of 660.0 kg/hm2, which reached respectively 23 391.19 and 23 444.35 kg/hm2, the yield and economic benefit were the highest, the nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency was 22.2% and 30.7%, the agronomic efficiency was 8.3 and 11.3 kg/kg. However, the nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency and agronomic efficiency between ni- trogen application amount of 540.0 and 660.0 kg/hm2 showed no significant differ- ence. After two rotation cycles, inorganic nitrogen accumulation in 0-40 cm soil with nitrogen application amount of 540.0 kg/hm2 was almost equal to that before experi- ment. [Conclusion] Under the experimental conditions, comprehensively considering the grain yield, economic profit, nitrogen fertilizer efficiency and soil inorganic nitro- gen balance, the optimal nitrogen application amount was 625.3-660.0 kg/hm2 in high-yield winter wheat-summer maize rotation system.

Effect of Continuous Application of Controlled Release Nitrogen Fertilizer in Various Types of Soil in Dong-Ting Lake Region under Double Rice Cropping System

[Objective] This study aimed to explore the effects of continuous application of controlled release nitrogen fertilizer under double rice cropping system. [Method] By modeling three types of paddy soils in Dong-Ting Lake area, four treatments as no fertilizer （CK）, urea, controlled release nitrogen fertilizer （CRNF） and 70% controlled release nitrogen fertilizer （70% CRNF） were designed in the micro-plot trials from 2005 to 2008. [Result] The rice yield in treatment CRNF at N 150 kg/hm2 was increased by 10.3%, 8.0% and 2.4% compared with treatment of urea, in alluvial sandy loamy paddy soil （ALS）, purple calcareous clayey paddy soil （PCS）, and reddish yellow loamy paddy soil （RYS）, respectively; and the yield in treatment of 70% CRNF was increased by 6.1%, 2.6% and -0.8%, respectively. The ranking order of nitrogen uptake amount by plant in early rice and late rice was CRNF 70% CRNF urea CK in all three types of soil. Nitrogen utilization efficiency of CRNF in above three types of soil was 60.7%, 59.6% and 56.3%, increased by 23.8%, 19.4% and 16.3% compared with that in treatment of urea, respectively. Nitrogen utilization efficiency of CRNF in early rice was increased year by year, and was higher than that of 70% CRNF during the whole experiment stage, while that in late rice was increased first and then decreased from the 3rd year. [Conclusion] Continuous application CRNF could alleviate the decreasing of soil nitrogen fertility and organic carbon especially in ALS, increase rice yield and nitrogen utilization efficiency in double-rice cropping system.

Design and Research on Artificial Rumen Continuous Culture System

[Objective] The paper was to study the dynamic changes of forage nutrient substance fermentation in rumen, and a set of continuous culture system of artificial rumen was designed. [Method] With in vivo as control, the simulating rumen fer- mentation effect in vitro culture system was evaluated. [Result] The simulation rumen fermentation test needed adaptive phase of 2-3 d, and the fermentation state was relatively stable within 3-9 d, with good effects. The test showed certain regularity variation with index value of rumen in vivo. [Conclusion] The continuous culture sys- tem of artificial rumen could be used as the ideal model to study the rumen fermen- tation in vivo.

THE IMPLICIT CONTINUITY OF DISCONTINUOUS SYSTEMS

An example is presented to introduce the concept of implicit continuity proposed as contrasted with the explicit continuity.A sufficient and necessary condition of the implicit continuity is given and proved in forms of implicit system.This condition also offers the solution of initial values at the points where the dynamic system is discontinuous.Some discussions are contributed to the physical significance of implicit continuity.

Correlation between key indicators of continuous glucose monitoring and the risk of diabetic foot

BACKGROUND Continuous glucose monitoring(CGM)metrics,such as time in range(TIR)and glycemic risk index(GRI),have been linked to various diabetes-related complications,including diabetic foot(DF).AIM To investigate the association between CGM-derived indicators and the risk of DF in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).METHODS A total of 591 individuals with T2DM(297 with DF and 294 without DF)were enrolled.Relevant clinical data,complications,comorbidities,hematological parameters,and 72-hour CGM data were collected.Logistic regression analysis was employed to examine the relationship between these measurements and the risk of DF.RESULTS Individuals with DF exhibited higher mean blood glucose(MBG)levels and increased proportions of time above range(TAR),TAR level 1,and TAR level 2,but lower TIR(all P<0.001).Patients with DF had significantly lower rates of achieving target ranges for TIR,TAR,and TAR level 2 than those without DF(all P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis revealed that GRI,MBG,and TAR level 1 were positively associated with DF risk,while TIR was inversely correlated(all P<0.05).Achieving TIR and TAR was inversely correlated with white blood cell count and glycated hemoglobin A1c levels(P<0.05).Additionally,achieving TAR was influenced by fasting plasma glucose,body mass index,diabetes duration,and antidiabetic medication use.CONCLUSION CGM metrics,particularly TIR and GRI,are significantly associated with the risk of DF in T2DM,emphasizing the importance of improved glucose control.

Continuous-flow columns packed with zero-valent iron and iron sulfide as a feasible strategy to remediate the persistent contaminant nitroguanidine

The insensitive munitions compound nitroguanidine(NQ)is used by the U.S.Army to avoid unintended explosions.However,NQ also represents an emerging contaminant whose environmental emissions can cause toxicity toward aquatic organisms,indicating the need for effective remediation strategies.Thus,we investigated the feasibility of treating water contaminated with NQ in continuous-flow columns packed with zero-valent iron(ZVI)or iron sulfide(FeS).Initially,the impact of pH on NQ transformation by ZVI or FeS was evaluated in batch experiments.The pseudo first-order rate constant for NQ transformation(k_(1,NQ))by ZVI was 8-10 times higher at pH 3.0 compared to pH 5.5 and 7.0,whereas similar k_(1,NQ)values were obtained for FeS at pH 5.5-10.0.Based on these findings,the influent p H fed to the ZVIand Fe S-packed columns was adjusted to 3.0 and 5.5,respectively.Both reactors transformed NQ into nitrosoguanidine(Nso Q).Further transformation of Nso Q by ZVI produced aminoguanidine,guanidine,and cyanamide,whereas Nso Q transformation by Fe S produced guanidine,ammonium,and traces of urea.ZVI outperformed Fe S as a reactive material to remove NQ.The ZVI-packed column effectively removed NQ below detection even after 45 d of operation(490 pore volumes,PV).In contrast,NQ breakthrough(removal efficiency<85%)was observed after 18 d(180 PV)in the Fe S-packed column.The high NQ removal efficiency and long service life of the ZVI-packed column(>490 PV)suggest that the technology is a promising approach for NQ treatment in packed-bed reactors and in situ remediation.

Silencing the Guns Internal and external challenges to Africa’s security persist,but long-term outlook remains positive

The world in 2024 was far from peaceful.The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has persisted for over 1,000 days.Meanwhile,a new wave of violence in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict,ongoing for more than a year,spilled over into Lebanon,Iran,and even Syria.Africa also faced new challenges to peace and security over the past year.Armed conflicts continued in various regions,particularly in the Horn of Africa,while terrorism and external interference exacerbated regional instability.These challenges made peace and security a crucial focus for African nations and an increasingly important aspect of China-Africa cooperation.

Instructions for Authors

GENERAL INFORMATION International Journal of Ophthalmology—IJO,published continuously since 2008,a global ophthalmological scientific publication and a peer-reviewed,open access periodical published in print and online monthly(ISSN:2222-3959 print,ISSN:2227-4898 online).IJO is sponsored by the Chinese Medical Association Xi’an Branch,China and obtains guidance,and support from World Health Organization(WHO)and International Council of Ophthalmology(ICO).