Electricity Generation from Heatwaves

We chose a definition of heatwaves (HWs) that has ~4-year recurrence frequency at world hot spots. We first examined the 1940-2022 HWs climatology and trends in lifespan, severity, spatial extent, and recurrence frequency. HWs are becoming more frequent and more severe for extratropical mid- and low-latitudes. To euphemize HWs, we here propose a novel clean energy-tapping concept that utilizes the available nano-technology, micro-meteorology knowledge of temperature distribution within/without buildings, and radiative properties of earth atmosphere. The key points for a practical electricity generation scheme from HWs are defogging, insulation, and minimizing the absorption of infrared downward radiation at the cold legs of the thermoelectric generators. One sample realization is presented which, through relay with existing photovoltaic devices, provides all-day electricity supply sufficient for providing air conditioning requirement for a residence (~2000-watt throughput). The provision of power to air conditioning systems, usually imposes a significant stress on traditional city power grids during heatwaves.

A novel Ag/ZnO core-shell structure for efficient sterilization synergizing antibiotics and subsequently removing residuals

The massive use of antibiotics has led to the aggravation of bacterial resistance and also brought environmental pollution problems.This poses a great threat to human health.If the dosage of antibiotics is reduced by increasing its bactericidal performance,the emergence of drug resistance is certainly delayed,so that there's not enough time for developing drug resistance during treatment.Therefore,we selected typical representative materials of metal Ag and semiconductor ZnO nano-bactericides to design and synthesize Ag/ZnO hollow core-shell structures(AZ for short).Antibiotics are grafted on the surface of AZ through rational modification to form a composite sterilization system.The research results show that the antibacterial efficiency of the composite system is significantly increased,from the sum(34.7%+22.8%-57.5%)of the antibacterial efficiency of AZ and gentamicin to 80.2%,net synergizes 22.7%,which fully reflects the effect of 1+1>2.Therefore,the dosage of antibiotics can be drastically reduced in this way,which makes both the possibility of bacterial resistance and medical expenses remarkably decrease.Subsequently,residual antibiotics can be degraded under simple illumination using AZ-self as a photocatalyst,which cuts off the path of environmental pollution.In short,such an innovative route has guiding significance for drug resistance.

Levering Urban Sustainability Transitions

Despite increased awareness of the global sustainability crisis,particularly surrounding carbon emissions and global warming,the majority of the world population has maintained its unsustainable trajectory.Within the South Afiican context,as with much of the global South,there is a stark juxtaposition between wealth and poverty which denies"one size fits all"solutions or education programs.

Geochronology,Mineralogy,and Geochemistry of the Tonsteins from the Permo–Carboniferous Benxi Formation,Ordos Basin,North China Craton

Tonstein layers are found worldwide in the Permo-Carboniferous coal-bearing strata.This study investigates the geochronology,mineralogy,and geochemistry of four tonstein samples from the Permo-Carboniferous Benxi Formation,Ordos Basin,North China Craton(NCC).The typical features of the studied tonsteins include thin beds,lateral continuity,angular quartz grains,and euhedral zircons with similar U-Pb ages,indicating a significant pyroclastic origin.In addition,the tonstein samples have low TiO_(2)/Al_(2)O_(3)ratios(<0.02)and rare earth elements and yttrium(REY)concentrations with obvious negative Eu anomalies,indicating that the tonsteins have a felsic magma origin.Moreover,compared with the mean composition of clay shale,the studied tonsteins are characterized by high concentrations of the elements Nb and Ta,which may affect the concentration of the corresponding elements in surrounding coal seams.The zircon U-Pb ages of the tonsteins(293.9-298.8 Ma)provide a precise chronological framework on the Benxi Formation in the Ordos Basin,constraining the Gzhelian-Aselian stages.The tonsteins were probably sourced from arc volcanism along the western margin of the NCC during the early Permian,implying that the Alxa Terrane had not amalgamated with the NCC at that time.

Influence of climate fluctuations on Pinus palustris growth and drought resilience

The longleaf pine(Pinus palustris Mill.)ecosystem is an endangered ecosystem in the southeastern USA,and efforts to restore the species are ongoing.However,in recent decades,the region has experienced drastic fluctuations between wet and dry growing season conditions from year to year,and it is not fully understood how these fluctuations have influenced the growth of P.palustris.To address this topic,we cored P.palustris trees in woodlands of southwest Georgia and used dendrochronology techniques to determine how climate fluctuations have influenced the growth and drought resilience of P.palustris.We also cored slash pine(Pinus elliottii Engelm.)trees in the same woodlands to compare growth between species.While P.palustris growth was less impacted by adverse climate conditions compared to P.elliottii,the strength of correlations between P.palustris growth and temperature,precipitation,and Palmer Drought Severity Index(PDSI)changed over time.In recent decades,climate conditions during the growing season became more influential on P.palustris growth than the previous year's conditions.This is concerning given that drought severity during the growing season has been increasing.Our results also indicate that P.palustris was less resilient to droughts during the 2000s and 2010s than to those of the 1950s.Under this new climate paradigm,our results suggest that P.palustris might be more susceptible to growth reductions and less resistant to droughts than once expected.This work highlights the importance of understanding the impact of novel climate conditions on P.palustris and has implications for restoration efforts,such as using silvicultural treatments that reduce tree vulnerability to drought(e.g.,thinning)and promote other climate-adapted species in mixture with P.palustris.

Divergent responses of Picea crassifolia Kom.in different forest patches to climate change in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau

Global climate changes have significantly affected tree growth and forest structures and functions in some arid and semi-arid regions,which are becoming warmer and wetter.Due to natural factors such as climate and terrain,some tree species may form different forest patches at the edges of their distribution areas.However,how forest patches of various sizes respond to climate change is unclear.In this study,we collected 203 tree cores from six different sizes of forest patches at the edge of the distribution area of Picea crassifolia Kom.in the northeast Tibetan Plateau.And we used the dendrochronology method to study the response of tree growth and resilience in different forest patches to climate change from 1961 to 2020.We simultaneously measured the contents of nonstructural carbohydrates(NSC),total nitrogen and total phosphorus of tree needles.Our results showed that the growth of trees in small-and medium-size forest patches(0.8–18.6 ha)has increased significantly.The early growing season(May–July)minimum temperature was the most important climate factor driving the growth of small-and medium-sized patch trees.The early growing season maximum temperature was the most important climate factor that inhibited the growth of trees in the largest patches(362.8 ha).The growth of individual trees in medium forest patches was better and the correlation with annual minimum temperature,maximum temperature,precipitation,actual evapotranspiration,and palmer drought severity index was stronger.The higher NSC content,stronger photosynthesis,and higher nitrogen utilization efficiency in leaves might be one of the reasons for the better growth of trees in moderate forest patches.In extreme drought years,as the forest patch area increased,the overall trend of tree growth resistance showed a unimodal pattern,with the highest at a forest patch area of 7.1 ha,while the overall trend of tree growth recovery was opposite.Therefore,we should strengthen the management of trees in large forest patches to cope with climate change.

粤港澳大湾区CO_(2)排放趋势、驱动因素及减排路径

粤港澳大湾区是我国为建设世界级城市群提出的国家战略,其CO_(2)排放趋势、社会经济驱动因素和减排路径对区域经济高质量发展具有重要意义。本研究编制了2000-2019年粤港澳大湾区CO_(2)排放清单,采用对数平均迪氏指数法探究CO_(2)排放的关键驱动力。结果表明,粤港澳大湾区CO_(2)排放在2017年后明显放缓,已经与国内生产总值(GDP)增长脱钩。经济增长和能源强度分别是驱动和抑制粤港澳大湾区CO_(2)排放增加的主要因素。能源生产和重工业对粤港澳大湾区CO_(2)排放增长的推动作用降低,服务业正成为主要驱动力。粤港澳大湾区通过产业结构调整和升级实现低碳发展取得了显著成效。深圳和香港地区的产业升级以及深圳、广州和佛山的技术进步抑制了粤港澳大湾区CO_(2)排放增长。粤港澳大湾区各城市异质性增加了减排指标分配难度和制定区域碳中和路线图的复杂性。本研究提出了粤港澳大湾区城市分级减排策略和碳达峰碳中和建议,为制定粤港澳大湾区城市碳达峰和碳中和行动方案以及其他城市和地区的低碳发展提供了科学依据。

Delivering Tram-Based Boulevards: Learning from Opportunities and Challenges in Three European City Case Studies

Increasing calls for zero-carbon cities invite transformative solutions for people and places within our cities around the world. Key to the transformation is cities and regions shifting in mobility away from fossil-fuel based car-oriented solutions. The paper investigates a range of case studies where “tram-based boulevards” have been planned or implemented to provide such opportunities. The case studies share a common broader policy objective: to transform the car-oriented or car-saturated areas to an intensified urban template based on a critical presence of dedicated mid-tier transit infrastructure and active transport. “Trams”, or mid-tier, mid-capacity transit when combined with Transit oriented development (TOD) along whole corridors can provide transformative pathways towards zero-carbon outcomes as well as multiple, strong urban benefits. However, many successful or instructive examples of this practice from non-English speaking countries, particularly in Europe, are underdocumented in the international literature. The paper addresses this gap by investigating opportunities and challenges evident in a range of European case studies. These are explored for insight towards policy learning particularly in New World cities seeking to transform into a zero-carbon and more transit-oriented template: How can decision-makers avoid repeating the identified pitfalls, and instead focus on emulating the successful approaches and outcomes? We conclude the need for recognition of the inherent synergies between transport and land use settings in any endeavour, and their translation into policy priorities in both fields of planning. We also conclude the importance of decision makers proactively identifying and critically appraising specific opportunities for change, concerning funding, technology, public opinion, stakeholder alliances or market dynamics, and capitalising on them at suitable moments in time.

Flow and heat transfer of a nanofluid through a porous medium due to stretching/shrinking sheet with suction,magnetic field and thermal radiation

This study investigates the suction and magnetic field effects on the two-dimensional nanofluid flow through a stretching/shrinking sheet at the stagnation point in the porous medium with thermal radiation.The governing partial differential equations(PDEs)are converted into ordinary differential equations(ODEs)using the similarity transformation.The resulting ODEs are then solved numerically by using the bvp4c solver in MATLAB software.It was found that dual solutions exist for the shrinking parameter values up to a certain range.The numerical results obtained are compared,and the comparison showed a good agreement with the existing results in the literature.The governing parameters’effect on the velocity,temperature and nanoparticle fraction fields as well as the skin friction coefficient,the local Nusselt number and the Sherwood number are represented graphically and analyzed.The variation of the velocity,temperature and concentration increase with the increase in the suction and magnetic field parameters.It seems that the thermal radiation effect has increased the local Sherwood number while the local Nusselt number is reduced with it.

Words apart:Standardizing forestry terms and definitions across European biodiversity studies

Forest biodiversity studies conducted across Europe use a multitude of forestry terms,often inconsistently.This hinders the comparability across studies and makes the assessment of the impacts of forest management on biodiversity highly context-dependent.Recent attempts to standardize forestry and stand description terminology mostly used a top-down approach that did not account for the perspectives and approaches of forest biodiversity experts.This work aims to establish common standards for silvicultural and vegetation definitions,creating a shared conceptual framework for a consistent study on the effects of forest management on biodiversity.We have identified both strengths and weaknesses of the silvicultural and vegetation information provided in forest biodiversity studies.While quantitative data on forest biomass and dominant tree species are frequently included,information on silvicultural activities and vegetation composition is often lacking,shallow,or based on broad and heterogeneous classifications.We discuss the existing classifications and their use in European forest biodiversity studies through a novel bottom-up and top-driven review process,and ultimately propose a common framework.This will enhance the comparability of forest biodiversity studies in Europe,and puts the basis for effective implementation and monitoring of sustainable forest management policies.The standards here proposed are potentially adaptable and applicable to other geographical areas and could be extended to other forest interventions.

煤矿事故风险因子耦合作用分析及度量研究

煤矿事故具有多因素耦合致因性,事故发生的重要原因是风险因子的耦合作用。构建风险因子耦合作用视角下的煤矿事故致因模型,将煤矿事故风险因子耦合划分为同质因子风险耦合和异质因子风险耦合,并探寻煤矿事故风险耦合的作用机理;在分析上述同质因子和异质因子风险耦合关系的基础上,构建煤矿事故风险因子耦合度模型对风险因子间的耦合程度进行度量;根据风险耦合程度并结合解耦思想提出有效预控煤矿耦合风险产生的对策和建议。

新能源汽车关键原材料全球供应风险评估

近年来,新能源汽车井喷式的发展对关键原材料形成了强劲的需求,使原材料面临更加严重的供应风险。本文界定了钴、镍、锂、稀土等23种新能源汽车关键原材料,从地质性、技术性及经济性因素,社会发展水平和监管政策因素以及地缘政治因素3个影响因素出发,设计了5项二级指标,对新能源汽车关键原材料的全球供应风险进行定量评估,并进一步分析了城市矿产循环利用对新能源汽车关键原材料供应风险的调节效应。结果显示:不考虑城市矿产循环利用的情景下,新能源汽车23种关键原材料中,锡的风险最高,铬、锗、钴的风险依次降低,锂的风险最低;在考虑城市矿产循环利用的情景下,这些关键原材料的全球供应风险有不同程度的下降,中高风险原材料种类减少,中低风险原材料种类增加。鉴于新能源汽车快速发展对其关键原材料的强劲需求,应尽快实施关键原材料的分类管理,加强城市矿产的开发利用,以提升新能源汽车关键原材料的保障能力。

气候和人为因素对黄土高原地区小麦生产的影响

为量化气候和人为因素对黄土高原地区小麦产量的影响，找到减少干旱对小麦生产影响的途径，利用气象数据和多种来源的作物数据模拟了1955～2004年冬小麦产量。结果表明，黄土高原地区的降水量、和蒸散量在1960～2000年间，以每10年高达20mm的速度减少，并且自20世纪90年代以来气温上升加剧了土壤水分的亏缺，但黄土高原稳定的春雨降低了气温上升带来的影响。在过去的50年里，人为因素（非气候，技术进步）对小麦总产量的走向起了决定性作用，然而最近10年来，模拟结果显示，气候影响已经上升到了60％，达到每10年每公顷300kg（总量约500kg）。现代农业中重型农机具的使用对黄土土壤质量和小麦产量都有不良影响。相反，免耕措施与小麦秸秆覆盖改进土壤水分平衡及其再分配，不仅增加了作物产量，而且降低了减产的风险。

Creative Industries Agglomeration,Regional Innovation and Productivity Growth in China

This paper falls into the broad area of economic geography and economics of creativity,and it presents an alternative approach to explain why total factor productivity(TFP)growth is different across China′s regions.It establishes an empirical model to estimate the spatial agglomeration effects of creative industries on regional TFP growth,using China′s provincial panel data during the period of 2003 to 2010.We found that the creative industries agglomeration(CIA)has significant and positive impact on regional TFP growth.The result also implies that the CIA can facilitate regional TFP growth through promoting regional innovation instead of improving regional efficiency.Therefore,we argue that policy makers should take some measures to retain and establish more creative zones.

Breakage and separation mechanism of ZGM coal mill based on parameters optimization model

Sampling ports were firstly drilled on a ZGM95 coal mill in the power plant in China, and the coal samples from various points in the pulverizer were collected under the different operation conditions. The property of the sampling material from the mill was analyzed, applying the float–sink test, size distribution analysis, proximate analysis and so on. It was indicated that the +250 lm fraction in the pulverized fuel accounted for only 0.02%, while it was 83.2% in the new feed. The circulating ratio and coal flow in the separator and the cone zone were calculated using the mass balance of the circulating load. So, the circulating ratio in the separator of the pulverizer was between 8 and 13, and the circulating ratio, the feed flow of separator and cone zone all raised with the increase of the air volume. Furthermore, the parameters of the separation functions were obtained based on the fitting method. It was shown that the mean value of the shape factor B was 0.7617, and the parameter D which is the particle size at 50% cumulative yield in the separator almost kept unchanged.

Plasmon Assisted Highly Efficient Visible Light Catalytic CO_(2) Reduction Over the Noble Metal Decorated Sr-Incorporated g-C_(3)N_(4)

The photocatalytic performance of g-C_(3)N_(4) for CO_(2) conversion is still inadequate by several shortfalls including the instability,insu cient solar light absorption and rapid charge carrier's recombination rate. To solve these problems,herein,noble metals(Pt and Au)decorated Sr-incorporated g-C_(3)N_(4) photocatalysts are fabricated via the simple calcination and photo-deposition methods. The Sr-incorporation remarkably reduced the g-C_(3)N_(4) band gap from 2.7 to 2.54 eV,as evidenced by the UV–visible absorption spectra and the density functional theory results. The CO_(2) conversion performance of the catalysts was evaluated under visible light irradiation. The Pt/0.15 Sr-CN sample produced 48.55 and 74.54 μmol h-1 g-1 of CH_(4) and CO,respectively.These amounts are far greater than that produced by the Au/0.15 Sr-CN,0.15 Sr-CN,and CN samples. A high quantum e ciency of 2.92% is predicted for the Pt/0.15 Sr-CN sample. Further,the stability of the photocatalyst is confirmed via the photocatalytic recyclable test. The improved CO_(2) conversion performance of the catalyst is accredited to the promoted light absorption and remarkably enhanced charge separation via the Sr-incorporated mid gap states and the localized surface plasmon resonance e ect induced by noble metal nanoparticles.This work will provide a new approach for promoting the catalytic e ciency of g-C_(3)N_(4) for e cient solar fuel production.

Fire behaviour of multiple fires in a mine drift with longitudinal ventilation

The fire behaviour involving multiple fires in a mine drift with longitudinal ventilation was analysed. The conditions and fire phenomena occurring were described. The analysis was based upon experimental data from model-scale fire experiments. A fire involving several fuel items may lead to flames tilted horizontally and filling up the entire cross section, leading to earlier ignition, higher fire growth rates, higher fire spread rate and severe fire behaviour. Longer flame lengths will also result due to decreased air entrainment. A correlation for the continuous flame length was proposed. The results of the analysis will help identifying and preventing potentially dangerous fire situations with several large combustible items distributed along a mine drift.

Utilization of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash in lightweight aggregates

Washing pre-treatment of municipal solid waste incineration(MSWI) fly ash blended with shale and sludge was utilized in the manufacture of light-weight aggregates and processed to form ceramic pellets.A formula uniform design was performed to arrange the mixture ratio of the materials.The optimal mixture ratio of the materials was determined by measuring the bulk density,granule strength,and 1 h water absorption of the pellets.It is shown that the optimal mixture ratios of materials,MSWI fly ash,shale,and sludge,are 23.16%,62.58%,and 14.25%(mass fraction),respectively.The performance testing indicators of light-weight aggregates are obtained under the optimum mixture ratio:bulk density of 613 kg/m3,granule strength of 821N,and 1 h water absorption of 11.6%,meeting 700 grade light-aggregate of GB/T 17431.2-1998 standard.The results suggest that utilization of MSWI fly ash in light-weight aggregates is an effective method and a potential means to create much more values.

Harmony Coefficient and Regional Agricultural Systems

The regional agricultural system （RAS） can be divided into three subsystems： ecological, economic, and social. This article examines the use of the harmony coefficient （HC）, efficacy coefficient, rank of the harmony coefficient （RHC）, and its appraising index system within the RAS. The harmony coefficient function was developed using a variance coefficient and then applied to Ziyang District, Yiyang City in Hunan Province （ZYH）, China, as a test case. From 1995 to 2002, the HC of RAS increased from 0.2982 to 0.4826 and the RHC increased from 3 to 5, although the HC trend was an ＂n＂ type in general. This suggests that the HC was weakly maladjusted and the RAS was not harmonious. The HC of the ecological subsystem decreased from 0.3898 to 0.2850, and its RHC from 4 to 3, with the HC trend following the ＂n＂ type. For the economic subsystem, the HC value increased from 0.5767 to 0.7458 and the RHC from 6 to 8. However, the trend in HC for the economic subsystem was of the ＂U＂ type. The HC of the social subsystem increased slightly from 0.4948 to 0.4663, and the RHC did not change in value. From the HC trends, the HC curve of the economic subsystem is above the HC curve of ZYH and the HC curve of the ecological subsystem is below the HC curve of ZHY. Hence, the ZHY environment has been destroyed by economic development. Environment and social building should be regarded as important issues in the future and promoting RAS harmony development should be considered. The results of the theoretical analysis match fairly closely with reality, and suggest that the harmony theory is feasible in appraising RAS development phases.