Since the construction sector, interacting with urbanization and economic growth, boosts energy consumption and CO2 emissions, and so challenges environmental sustainability. This work systematically ...analyzes empirical interactions among construction sector, urbanization, energy consumption, economic growth and CO2 emissions in a modified version of ‘Stochastic Impacts by Regression on Population, Affluence, and Technology’ model. An aggregate panel of China along with its three disaggregated regional panels is estimated through augmented mean group and dynamic common correlated effects mean group estimators. The core empirics are as follows. First, energy consumption, gross regional product (GRP), urbanization, construction sector, and CO2 emissions established a long-run equilibrium relationship. Second, energy consumption growth, GRP growth, urbanization, and construction sector growth exerted significant positive impacts on CO2 emissions labeled as; energy, growth, urbanization, and construction driven emissions push impacts, respectively. Third, urbanization revealed negative, neutral, and positive contributions to GRP growth for western zone, intermediate zone, and eastern zone termed as; urbanization-driven growth deceleration, neutrality, and acceleration impacts, respectively. Likewise, GRP growth positively influenced urbanization. Fourth, energy consumption growth and construction sector growth exhibited significant positive impacts on GRP growth characterized as; energy and construction driven growth acceleration impacts, respectively. Also, GRP growth imparted a significant positive influence on energy consumption growth and construction sector growth. Fifth, CO2 emissions growth induced a significant negative influence in GRP growth entitled as, emissions-driven growth deceleration impact. Sixth, construction sector growth imparted a significant positive contribution to urbanization named as construction-driven urban migration impact. Whereas, urbanization revealed positive contribution to construction sector growth called as urbanization-driven construction expansion impact. Seventh, urbanization and construction sector growth presented significant positive contributions to energy consumption growth, namely, urbanization and construction abundance driven energy utilization impacts, respectively. Finally, construction sector-augmented Environmental Kuznets Curve hypothesis is found valid. Based on empirics, policy relevance is proposed.
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•By modified STIRPAT tested and found construction sector-augmented EKC to be valid•Found urbanization, construction abundance driven energy utilization impacts•Energy, growth, urbanization, and construction driven emissions push impacts•Construction-driven urban migration impact, urbanization-driven construction expansion impact•Construction, energy, urbanization, emissions driven growth acceleration, neutrality, deceleration impacts
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Phase change materials (PCMs) have triggered considerable attention as candidates for solar‐thermal energy conversion. However, their intrinsic low thermal conductivity prevents the rapid spreading ...of heat into the interior of the PCM, causing low efficiencies in energy storage/release. Herein, anisotropic and lightweight high‐quality graphene aerogels are developed by directionally freezing aqueous suspensions of polyamic acid salt and graphene oxide to form vertically aligned monoliths, followed by freeze‐drying, imidization at 300 °C and graphitization at 2800 °C. After impregnating with paraffin wax, the resultant phase change composite (PCC) exhibits a high transversal thermal conductivity of 2.68 W m−1 K−1 and an even higher longitudinal thermal conductivity of 8.87 W m−1 K−1 with an exceptional latent heat retention of 98.7%. When subjected to solar radiation, solar energy is converted to heat at the exposed surface of the PCC. As a result of the PCC's high thermal conductivity in the thickness direction, heat can spread readily into the interior of the PCC enabling a small temperature gradient of <3.0 K cm−1 and a fast charging feature. These results demonstrate the potential for real‐time and fast‐charging solar‐thermal energy conversion using phase change materials with tailored anisotropy in their thermal properties.
Anisotropic and high‐quality graphene aerogels are fabricated by directional‐freezing of polyamic acid salt/graphene oxide slurries, followed by freeze‐drying, imidization, and graphitization. A phase change composite derived from the aerogel exhibits both high longitudinal thermal conductivity of ≈8.87 W m−1 K−1 and excellent latent heat retention of 98.7% with satisfactory stability, and is suitable for real‐time and fast solar‐thermal energy conversion.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Exploring low‐cost and high‐performance nonprecious metal catalysts (NPMCs) for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells and metal–air batteries is crucial for the commercialization of these ...energy conversion and storage devices. Here we report a novel NPMC consisting of Fe3C nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous Fe‐N‐doped carbon nanofibers, which is synthesized by a cost‐effective method using carbonaceous nanofibers, pyrrole, and FeCl3 as precursors. The electrocatalyst exhibits outstanding ORR activity (onset potential of −0.02 V and half‐wave potential of −0.140 V) closely comparable to the state‐of‐the‐art Pt/C catalyst in alkaline media, and good ORR activity in acidic media, which is among the highest reported activities of NPMCs.
Nanocomposite electrocatalyst: A high‐performance electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is based on Fe3C nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous Fe‐N‐doped carbon nanofibers. It can be synthesized from low‐cost and abundant precursors and exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance for the ORR in both alkaline and acidic media.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Although many solar‐driven water evaporators are developed for solar steam generation, most solarthermal energy conversion materials cannot be used repeatedly for constructing solarthermal water ...evaporators with variable shapes and patternable surfaces. Herein, reshapable Ti3C2Tx MXene/graphene oxide (GO)/polyaniline (PANI) (MGP) hybrids with variable shapes and patternable surfaces are fabricated by PANI‐assisted assembly of GO and MXene for efficient solar‐driven purifications of both seawater and wastewater. The variable shapes, patternable surfaces, and reusability of the plastic MGP hybrids are attributed to the strong interactions of PANI with both GO and MXene. Benefiting from the excellent solarthermal energy conversion of hydrophilic GO and MXene, the variable shapes and patternable surfaces of the MGP, and the reduced water vaporization enthalpy, the patternable MGP evaporators with flat and concave pyramid surfaces exhibit average water evaporation rates of as high as 2.89 and 3.30 kg m−2 h−1 under 1‐sun irradiation, respectively. When the plastic MGP is molded to a flower‐shaped evaporator, an outstanding evaporation rate of ≈3.94 kg m−2 h−1 with an exceptional evaporation efficiency of ≈135.6% is achieved under 1‐sun irradiation. The reusable MGP evaporators are highly efficient in generating clean water from both seawater and wastewater with satisfactory ion rejection rates of nearly 100%.
Reshapable Ti3C2Tx MXene/graphene oxide (GO)/polyaniline (PANI) (MGP) hybrids with variable shapes and patternable surfaces are fabricated for efficient solar‐driven purifications of both seawater and wastewater by PANI‐assisted assembly of GO and MXene. The patternable MGP evaporators with a concave pyramid surface and a flower‐like shape exhibit outstanding water evaporation rates of 3.30 and 3.94 kg m−2 h−1 under 1‐sun irradiation, respectively.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Lithium–sulfur battery is recognized as one of the most promising energy storage devices, while the application and commercialization are severely hindered by both the practical gravimetric and ...volumetric energy densities due to the low sulfur content and tap density with lightweight and nonpolar porous carbon materials as sulfur host. Herein, for the first time, conductive CoOOH sheets are introduced as carbon‐free sulfur immobilizer to fabricate sulfur‐based composite as cathode for lithium–sulfur battery. CoOOH sheet is not only a good sulfur‐loading matrix with high electron conductivity, but also exhibits outstanding electrocatalytic activity for the conversion of soluble lithium polysulfide. With an ultrahigh sulfur content of 91.8 wt% and a tap density of 1.26 g cm−3, the sulfur/CoOOH composite delivers high gravimetric capacity and volumetric capacity of 1199.4 mAh g−1‐composite and 1511.3 mAh cm−3 at 0.1C rate, respectively. Meanwhile, the sulfur‐based composite presents satisfactory cycle stability with a slow capacity decay rate of 0.09% per cycle within 500 cycles at 1C rate, thanks to the strong interaction between CoOOH and soluble polysulfides. This work provides a new strategy to realize the combination of gravimetric energy density, volumetric energy density, and good electrochemical performance of lithium–sulfur battery.
Conductive cobalt oxyhydroxide (CoOOH) sheets are prepared as the carbon‐free immobilizer for Li–S batteries for the first time. The S/CoOOH composite exhibits outstanding electrochemical performance resulting from the remarkable conductive framework and electrocatalytic activity contributed by the CoOOH sheets. Moreover, such composite delivers high gravimetric and volumetric energy densities, owing to the high sulfur content and tap density.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The matter state inside neutron stars (NSs) is an exciting problem in astrophysics, nuclear physics, and particle physics. The equation of state (EOS) of NSs plays a crucial role in the present ...multimessenger astronomy, especially after the event of GW170817. We propose a new NS EOS, "QMF18," from the quark level, which describes robust observational constraints from a free-space nucleon, nuclear matter saturation, heavy pulsar measurements, and the tidal deformability of the very recent GW170817 observation. For this purpose, we employ the quark mean-field model, which allows us to tune the density dependence of the symmetry energy and effectively study its correlations with the Love number and the tidal deformability. We provide tabulated data for the new EOS and compare it with other recent EOSs from various many-body frameworks.
Carbon aerogels with 3D networks of interconnected nanometer‐sized particles exhibit fascinating physical properties and show great application potential. Efficient and sustainable methods are ...required to produce high‐performance carbon aerogels on a large scale to boost their practical applications. An economical and sustainable method is now developed for the synthesis of ultrathin carbon nanofiber (CNF) aerogels from the wood‐based nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) aerogels via a catalytic pyrolysis process, which guarantees high carbon residual and well maintenance of the nanofibrous morphology during thermal decomposition of the NFC aerogels. The wood‐derived CNF aerogels exhibit excellent electrical conductivity, a large surface area, and potential as a binder‐free electrode material for supercapacitors. The results suggest great promise in developing new families of carbon aerogels based on the controlled pyrolysis of economical and sustainable nanostructured precursors.
Nano‐woodwork: An economical and sustainable method has now been developed for the synthesis of ultrathin carbon nanofiber (CNF) aerogels by engineering the thermal decomposition chemistry of nanofibrillated wood cellulose. This work suggests great promise in developing new families of carbon aerogels based on the controlled pyrolysis of sustainable nanostructured precursors.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Sunitinib resistance is a major challenge for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Understanding the underlying mechanisms and developing effective strategies against sunitinib resistance are highly ...desired in the clinic. Here we identified an lncRNA, named lncARSR (lncRNA Activated in RCC with Sunitinib Resistance), which correlated with clinically poor sunitinib response. lncARSR promoted sunitinib resistance via competitively binding miR-34/miR-449 to facilitate AXL and c-MET expression in RCC cells. Furthermore, bioactive lncARSR could be incorporated into exosomes and transmitted to sensitive cells, thus disseminating sunitinib resistance. Treatment of sunitinib-resistant RCC with locked nucleic acids targeting lncARSR or an AXL/c-MET inhibitor restored sunitinib response. Therefore, lncARSR may serve as a predictor and a potential therapeutic target for sunitinib resistance.
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•lncARSR promotes sunitinib resistance and predicts poor response of RCC patients•Intercellular transfer of lncARSR by exosomes disseminates sunitinib resistance•lncARSR acts as a ceRNA for miR-34 and miR-449 to promote AXL and c-MET expression•Targeting lncARSR or AXL/c-MET in sunitinib-resistant RCC restores drug sensitivity
Qu et al. identify lncARSR as a mediator of sunitinib resistance in renal cell carcinoma by acting as a competing endogenous RNA for miR-34 and miR-449, thereby increasing expression of their targets AXL and c-MET, and show that exosome-mediated transmission of lncARSR can confer resistance to sensitive cells.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Thirsty fibers: The aerogels described in the title can be fabricated in large scale by using a low‐cost biomass, bacterial cellulose, as a precursor, which can be produced at industrial level in a ...microbial fermentation process. The carbon nanofiber aerogels (black pieces in picture) exhibit superior absorption capacity for organic solvents (red solution) and high potential for pressure sensing.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Composite materials with multifunctional properties usually possess synergetic effects in catalysis toward cascade reactions. In this work, a facile strategy to the encapsulation of octahedral Cu2O ...nanocrystals (NCs) by metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is reported, and an oriented growth of MOF enclosures (namely, HKUST‐1) around Cu2O NCs with desired feedstock ratio is achieved. The strategy defines the parameter range that precisely controls the etching rate of metal oxide and the MOF crystallization rate. Finally, the Cu@HKUST‐1 composites with uniform morphology and controlled MOF thickness have been successfully fabricated after the reduction of Cu2O to Cu NCs in HKUST‐1. The integration of Cu NCs properties with MOF advantages helps to create a multifunctional catalyst, which exhibits cooperative catalytic activity and improved recyclability toward the one‐pot cascade reactions under mild conditions involving visible‐light irradiation. The superior performance can be attributed to the plasmonic photothermal effect of Cu NCs, while HKUST‐1 shell provides Lewis acid sites, substrates and H2 enrichment, and stabilizes the Cu cores.
In this work, the oriented growth of HKUST‐1 on Cu2O nanocrystals (NCs) in a one‐to‐one structure has been successfully fabricated by precisely controlling the rates between metal oxide etching and HKUST‐1 formation. Upon reduction of Cu2O to Cu NCs, the obtained Cu@HKUST‐1 exhibits synergistically enhanced catalytic performance toward the cascade reactions under mild conditions involving visible‐light irradiation.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
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