The effects of straw alone or combined with industrial and agricultural wastes as fertilizers on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are still poorly known in cropland areas. Here, we studied the effects of 3.5 Mg ha−1 straw and 3.5 Mg ha−1 straw combined with 8 Mg ha−1 of diverse wastes on GHG emission in a subtropical Jasminum sambac plantation in southeastern China. There were five treatments in a completely randomized block design: control, straw only, straw + biochar, straw + steel slag, and straw + gypsum slag. Emissions of carbon dioxide were generally higher in the treatments with waste than in the control or straw-only treatments, whereas the contrary pattern was observed in CH4 and N2O emission rates. Moreover, the total global warming potentials (GWPs) were no significantly higher in most of the amended treatments as compared to the control and straw-only treatments. In relation to the treatment with only straw, GWPs were 9.4% lower when steel slag was used. This finding could be a consequence of Fe amount added by steel slag, which would limit and inhibit the emissions of GHGs and their transport from soil to atmosphere. Our results showed that the application of slags did not increase the emission of GHGs and that the combination of straw with steel slag or biochar could be more effective than straw alone for controlling GHGs emission and improve soil C and nutrient provision.

For wave loads on cylinders constituting a long but finite array in the presence of incident waves, variations in the magnitude of the load with the non-dimensional wavenumber exhibit interesting features. Towering spikes and nearby secondary peaks (troughs) associated with trapped modes have been studied extensively. Larger non-trapped regions other than these two are termed Region III in this study. Studies of Region III are rare. We find that fluctuations in Region III are regular; the horizontal distance between two adjacent local maximum/minimum points, termed fluctuation spacing, is constant and does not change with non-dimensional wavenumbers. Fluctuation spacing is related only to the total number of cylinders in the array, identification serial number of the cylinder concerned and wave incidence angle. Based on the interaction theory and constructive/destructive interference, we demonstrate that the fluctuation characteristics can be predicted using simple analytical formulae. The formulae for predicting fluctuation spacing and the abscissae of every peak and trough in Region III are proposed. We reveal the intrinsic mechanism of the fluctuation phenomenon. When the diffraction waves emitted from the cylinders at the ends of the array and the cylinder concerned interfere constructively/destructively, peaks/troughs are formed. The fluctuation phenomenon in Region III is related to solutions of inhomogeneous equations. By contrast, spikes and secondary peaks are associated with solutions of the eigenvalue problem. This study of Region III complements existing understanding of the characteristics of the magnitude of wave load. The engineering significances of the results are discussed as well.

Direct determination of barrier height (ΦBH) value between Ir and single crystal (001) hydrogen-terminated diamond with lightly boron doped has been performed using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy technique. 70 nm Ir islands were formed on hydrogen-terminated diamond surface using anodic aluminum oxide. The ΦBH value for Ir/hydrogen-terminated diamond was −0.43 ± 0.14 eV, indicating that Ir was a suitable metal for ohmic contact with hydrogen-terminated diamond. The band diagram of Ir/hydrogen-terminated diamond was obtained. The experimental ΦBH was compared with the theoretical ΦBH in this work.

There is a dearth of data on the iodine balance studies of Chinese population. In the present study, we aimed to explore the appropriate recommended nutrient intake (RNI) of iodine based on healthy Chinese women. A 4-week study was conducted in twenty-five Chinese euthyroid women. Uniform diets with different iodine contents were provided in two different periods, in which non-iodised salt was given in the first 3 weeks, followed by 1 week of iodised salt administration. The total iodine intake from diet, water and air as well as the total iodine excretion through urine, faeces and respiration were monitored and determined. The sweat iodine loss was also considered. Moreover, the regression curve model was established between the 24 h iodine intake and 24 h iodine excretion. The 24 h iodine intake in the two periods was 194·8 (sd 62·9) and 487·1 (sd 177·3) μg/d, respectively. The 24 h iodine excretion was 130·9 (sd 39·5) and 265·4 (sd 71·8) μg/d, respectively. Both 24 h iodine intake and 24 h iodine excretion of the two periods were significantly different (all P<0·05). The iodised salt contributed approximately 62·7 % of the total daily iodine intake. Moreover, 92·3 % (277/300) of samples were in positive balance, while twenty-three cases were in negative balance. Our data show that the estimated average requirement for iodine was 110·5 μg/d. Therefore, the RNI for iodine to non-pregnant, non-lactating Chinese women was 154·7 μg/d.

For an analytic function $f$ on the unit disk $\mathbb{D}$ , we show that the ${{L}^{2}}$ integral mean of $f$ on $\text{c}\,\text{}\,\text{ }\!\!|\!\!\text{ z }\!\!|\!\!\text{ }\,\text{}\,\text{r}$ with respect to the weighted area measure ${{\left( 1\,-\,|z{{|}^{2}} \right)}^{\alpha }}dA\left( z \right)$ is a logarithmically convex function of $r$ on $\left( c,\,1 \right)$ , where $-3\,\le \,\alpha \,\le \,0\,\text{and}\,\text{c}\,\in \,[\,0,\,1)$ . Moreover, the range $[-3,\,0]$ for $\alpha $ is best possible. When $c\,=\,0$ , our arguments here also simplify the proof for several results we obtained in earlier papers.

Universal salt iodisation (USI) has been successfully implemented in China for more than 15 years. Recent evidence suggests that the definition of ‘adequate iodine’ (100–199 µg/l) be revised to ‘sufficient iodine’ (100–299 µg/l) based on the median urinary iodine concentration (MUI) in school-age children. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in populations after long-term salt iodisation and examine whether the definition of adequate iodine can be broadened to sufficient iodine based on the thyroid function in four population groups. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in six provinces in the northern, central and southern regions of China. Four population groups consisting of 657 children, 755 adults, 347 pregnant women and 348 lactating women were recruited. Three spot urinary samples were collected over a 10-d period and blood samples were collected on the 1st day. In the study, among the adults, pregnant women and lactating women, the prevalence rates of elevated thyroglobulin antibody and thyroid microsomal antibody levels were 12·4, 8·5 and 7·8 %, and 12·1, 9·1 and 9·1 %, respectively. Abnormally high thyroid dysfunction prevalence was not observed after more than 15 years of USI in China because the thyroid dysfunction rates were all <5 %. The recommended range should be cautiously broadened from adequate iodine to sufficient iodine according to the MUI of school-age children considering the high levels of hormones and antibodies in the other populations. Adults, particularly pregnant women positive for thyroid antibodies, should be closely monitored.

Astrophysical collisionless shocks are amazing phenomena in space and astrophysical plasmas, where supersonic flows generate electromagnetic fields through instabilities and particles can be accelerated to high energy cosmic rays. Until now, understanding these micro-processes is still a challenge despite rich astrophysical observation data have been obtained. Laboratory astrophysics, a new route to study the astrophysics, allows us to investigate them at similar extreme physical conditions in laboratory. Here we will review the recent progress of the collisionless shock experiments performed at SG-II laser facility in China. The evolution of the electrostatic shocks and Weibel-type/filamentation instabilities are observed. Inspired by the configurations of the counter-streaming plasma flows, we also carry out a novel plasma collider to generate energetic neutrons relevant to the astrophysical nuclear reactions.

A continuous time delay-difference model (CD-DM) was applied to the Chinese neon flying squid (Ommastrephes bartramii) jigging fisheries data (2001–2004) in the north-west Pacific Ocean. The continuous time delay-difference model (CD-DM) was modified from the discrete-time delay-difference model (D-DM), in which recruitment, growth and mortality rates are treated as varying continuously over time. Some commercially important stocks, such as shrimp and O. bartrami with recruitment, growth and mortality rates all varying continuously over time, may be better analysed by a continuous delay-difference model. We estimated the growth and recruitment of O. bartramii on the basis of the CD-DM, and biological reference points (BRPs) and accuracy of estimates are discussed in this study. We obtained population sizes of 183.9–201.8 million squid during early September 2004. The status of the stock was not in a sustainable state at this time with the available data, which suggests that measures should be taken for the sustainable utilization of this stock. The ability to calculate reference points without need of a full age-structured data makes CD-DM an attractive option for data-poor fisheries. We provided an alternative method for assessing O. bartramii stock and bridged the gap between simple surplus production models and complex fully age-structured models.

Silicone Rubber (SR) filled with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) and carbon black (CB) is prepared for high performance flexible pressure sensor. Due to the synergetic effect of mixed GNPs and CB, the percolation threshold of GNPs/CB/SR is lower than that of CB/SR, which indicates the addition of GNPs is contributed to enhance the electrical conductivity of GNPs/CB/SR. Moreover, the GNPs/CB/SR has a higher electrical stability and weaker resistance creep than that of GNPs/SR. That is to say, the addition of CB can promote the electrical and mechanical performance of GNPs/CB/SR, simultaneously. The pressure sensor array based on GNPs/CB/SR with weight on different sensing element is tested, and the results show that the size of applied loading on the pressure-sensitivity array can be recognized accurately.

The existence of black holes with masses of about one billion solar masses in quasars at redshifts z > 6 presents significant challenges to theories of the formation and growth of black holes and the black hole/galaxy co-evolution in the early Universe. Here we report a recent discovery of an ultra-luminous quasar at redshift z = 6.30, which has an observed optical and near-infrared luminosity a few times greater than those of previously known z > 6 quasars. With near-infrared spectroscopy, we obtain a black hole mass of about 12 billion solar masses, which is well consistent with the mass derived by assuming an Eddington-limited accretion. This ultra-luminous quasar with at z > 6 provides a unique laboratory to the study of the mass assembly and galaxy formation around the most massive black holes at cosmic dawn. It raises further challenges to the black hole/galaxy co-evolution in the epoch of cosmic reionization because the black hole needs to grow much faster than the host galaxy.

The encapsulation failure is a serious problem which leads to power degradation and life time reduction of silicon based thin film solar module. Therefore, the encapsulation material and related technology research and development become more and more important. This article describes some different junction box and middle foil encapsulation technology of the silicon based thin film solar module, different encapsulation materials and processes are compared and their impact on the manufacturing cost and module performance are discussed. The aim of this study is to find an appropriate solution of module encapsulation failure.

Titanium carbide (TiC) twins are believed to be extremely unstable because of their high twin boundary energy. Here, we report that TiC twins are always presented in platelets with dimensions of 2–3 μm in length and less than 300 nm in width. In-depth microstructural characterizations by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy demonstrate that Al atoms at the twin boundary play a decisive role in stabilizing TiC twins. With different amounts of Al, perfect and defective TiC twins are formed. For perfect twins, three types of twin boundaries can be formed depending on the amount of remaining Al at the twin boundary. With inadequate Al, the TiC twins become defective with certain degrees of deviation from the perfect twin orientation. Based on a detailed analysis of the microstructure of the twin boundaries, a mechanism for the formation and stabilization of TiC twins is proposed.

The electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) technique was applied to investigate the local variation in the phase of barium titanate (BaTiO3) ceramics. It was found that the fine structure of the titanium L2,3 edge and their satellite peaks were sensitively varied with the tetragonal–cubic phase transition. The peak splitting of Ti-L3 edge of tetragonal-phased BaTiO3 ceramics was widened because of the increased crystal field effect compared with that of cubic-phased BaTiO3. In case of nanoscale BaTiO3 powders, the L3 edge splitting of the core region was found to be smaller than that of the shell region. The energy gap between peaks t2g and eg varied from 2.36 to 1.94 eV with changing the probe position from 1 to 20 nm from the surface. These results suggest that the EELS technique can be used to identify the local phase of sintered BaTiO3 ceramics.

From continental to regional scales, the zoonosis alveolar echinococcosis (AE) (caused by Echinococcus multilocularis) forms discrete patches of endemicity within which transmission hotspots of much larger prevalence may occur. Since the late 80s, a number of hotspots have been identified in continental Asia, mostly in China, wherein the ecology of intermediate host communities has been described. This is the case in south Gansu, at the eastern border of the Tibetan plateau, in south Ningxia, in the western Tian Shan of Xinjiang, and in the Alay valley of south Kyrgyzstan. Here we present a comparative natural history and characteristics of transmission ecosystems or ecoscapes. On this basis, regional types of transmission and their ecological characteristics have been proposed in a general framework. Combining climatic, land cover and intermediate host species distribution data, we identified and mapped 4 spatially distinct types of transmission ecosystems typified by the presence of one of the following small mammal ‘flagship’ species: Ellobius tancrei, Ochotona curzoniae, Lasiopodomys brandtii or Eospalax fontanierii. Each transmission ecosystem had its own characteristics which can serve as a reference for further in-depth research in the transmission ecology of E. multilocularis. This approach may be used at fine spatial scales to characterize other poorly known transmission systems of the large Eurasian endemic zone, and help in consideration of surveillance systems and interventions.

Naringenin, one of the most abundant flavonoids in citrus, grapefruits and tomatoes, has been used as a traditional anti-inflammatory agent for centuries. However, the molecular mechanism of naringenin in intestinal inflammation remains unknown so far. The present study investigated a molecular basis for the protective effect of naringenin in dextran sulphate sodium-induced murine colitis. Pre-administration of naringenin significantly reduced the severity of colitis and resulted in down-regulation of pro-inflammatory mediators (inducible NO synthase (iNOS), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), cyclo-oxygenase-2 (Cox2), TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA) in the colon mucosa. The decline in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, specifically TNF-α and IL-6, correlated with a decrease in mucosal Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) mRNA and protein. Phospho-NF-κB p65 protein was significantly decreased, which correlated with a similar decrease in phospho-IκBα protein. Consistent with the in vivo results, naringenin exposure blocked lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65 in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. In addition, in vitro NF-κB reporter assays performed on human colonic HT-29 cells exposed to naringenin demonstrated a significant inhibition of TNF-α-induced NF-κB luciferase expression. Thus, for the first time, the present study indicates that targeted inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signalling pathway might be an important mechanism for naringenin in abrogating experimental colitis.

We have been carrying out a systematic survey of the star formation and ISM properties in the host galaxies of z∼6 quasars. Our 250 GHz observations, together with available data from the literature, yield a sample of 14 z∼6 quasars that are bright in millimeter dust continuum emission with estimated FIR luminosities of a few 1012 to 1013 L⊙. Most of these millimeter-detected z∼6 quasars have also been detected in molecular CO line emission, indicating molecular gas masses on order of 1010 M⊙. We have searched for [C II] 158 micron fine structure line emission toward four of the millimeter bright z∼6 quasars with ALMA and all of them have been detected. All these results suggest massive star formation at rates of about 600 to 2000 M⊙ yr−1 over the central few kpc region of these quasar host galaxies.