This study was conducted to investigate the effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and Bacillus licheniformis (B. licheniformis) on growth performance, body composition, intestinal enzymes activities ...and gut histology of Megalobrama terminalis. Nine experimental diets were formulated to contain three FOS levels (0, 3 and 6 g kg⁻¹) and three B. licheniformis levels (0, 1 and 5 × 10⁷ CFU g⁻¹) following a 3 × 3 factorial design. Accordingly, diets were named as 0/0, 0/3, 0/6, 1/0, 1/3, 1/6, 5/0, 5/3 and 5/6 (B. licheniformis/FOS). At the end of the 8‐week feeding trial, weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) of fish fed 6 g kg⁻¹ FOS were both significantly (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05) higher than that of the other groups in terms of dietary FOS levels. Besides, WG and SGR of fish fed 1 × 10⁷ CFU g⁻¹ B. licheniformis were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of the control group in terms of dietary B. licheniformis levels. In addition, a significant interaction (P < 0.05) between dietary FOS and B. licheniformis was observed in finial weight, WG, SGR as well as the survival rate with the highest values all observed in fish fed diet 1/3. Hepatosomatic index, carcass lipid content, lipase activities as well as microvilli length increased significantly (P < 0.05) from 0 to 1 × 10⁷ CFU g⁻¹, but no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed in terms of dietary FOS levels. In addition, a significant (P < 0.05) interaction of FOS and B. licheniformis was observed in both protease and Na⁺, K⁺‐ATPase activities with the highest value obtained in fish fed diet 1/3. The results indicated that the dietary applications of dietary FOS and B. licheniformis alone or in combination can significantly improve the growth performance, survival rate, intestinal enzymes activities as well as microvilli length of triangular bream. In addition, there is a significant interaction between dietary FOS and B. licheniformis. The best combination for this species is 3 g kg⁻¹ FOS with 1 × 10⁷ CFU g⁻¹ B. licheniformis.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with its ten member countries, has a total population exceeding 600 million. Its energy-related CO2 emissions have been growing and in 2013 ...amounted to 3.6% of total global emissions. About 40% of ASEAN's energy-related CO2 emissions are currently attributable to electricity production. In view of this high share, we study the CO2 emissions of ASEAN's electricity production sector with a focus on the aggregate emission intensity (ACI) given by the level of CO2 emissions for each unit of electricity produced. Drivers of ACI are analysed for individual countries and spatial analysis is conducted by comparing factors contributing to differences between the ACIs of individual countries and that of the ASEAN average. Arising from these analyses and in light of the current developments, it is concluded that drastic actions need to be taken both at the national and regional levels in order to reduce growth in the region's electricity-related CO2 emissions. Two key policy issues, namely overcoming national circumstances to improve electricity generation mix and improving power generation efficiency, are further discussed.
•Aggregate carbon intensities (ACIs) of ASEAN countries analysed temporally and spatially using index decomposition analysis.•Bleak future for emissions and ACI of ASEAN countries with increasing inclination towards coal for electricity production.•National circumstances impact ability of countries to improve electricity generation mix.•Significant unexploited potential for improvements in thermal efficiency of generation.
A facile method has been developed to prepare a freestanding binder-free nitrogen-doped delaminated-Ti3C2/reduced graphene oxide hybrid films for high-performance supercapacitor electrodes. This film ...exhibits a high specific capacitance of 247 F g−1 (∼445.2 F cm−3) at 1 A g−1 in 6 M KOH, which is still well maintained after 10000 cycles at 10 A g−1, demonstrating excellent long-term electrochemical stability. In addition, a flexible symmetric supercapacitor has been assembled with such films that delivers a maximum energy density of 15.7 W h kg−1 (at 309.3 W kg−1) and a power density of 3738.7 W kg−1 (at 11.1 W h kg−1) in PVA/H2SO4 gel. This impressive electrochemical performance can be attributed to the enhanced conductivity and high pseudocapacitance offered by the heteroatoms of nitrogen and the alleviated self-restacking of MXene layers by the introduction of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets.
Summary
To identify the critical genes and pathways that related to OP development in male AS patients, bioinformatic gene analysis and qRT-PCR validation were performed. SBNO2 and VPS13B were ...identified as the potential target for OP development, which may be valuable for the prevention of OP in male AS patients.
Introduction
Osteoporosis (OP) is common in men with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The specific pathogenesis of OP in AS, however, is still unclear. The present study attempted to identify potential genes associated with the development of OP in males with AS.
Methods
Gene expression profiles were downloaded from the GSE73754 and GSE35959 datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Data from OsteoporosAtlas were downloaded as a supplement. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were determined with the
limma
package. The overlapping DEGs between male AS-related genes and OP-related genes were determined. The DEGs were validated by qRT-PCR in the blood samples of males with AS. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was utilized to establish a co-expression network to identify the hub genes.
Results
A total of 17 overlapping DEGs were identified; 6 genes in 17 overlapping DEGs were verified as the essential genes in the pathogenesis of OP in male AS by qRT-PCR analysis. After WGCNA, the modules of MEblue (> 0.6) and MEred (> 0.8) were screened out by the correlation analysis and were determined to function mainly in MAPK signaling pathway and osteoclast differentiation. Analysis of the two modules revealed VPS13B and SBNO2 as key genes due to the high degree of correlation. Both genes play an important role in bone metabolism regulation in male AS. Two hub genes MYD88 in MEblue and NCK1 in MEred with high degree of connectivity were selected.
Conclusions
Gender-specific SBNO2 and VPS13B may be key genes involved in OP in male AS.
An overview of Sun–Sky Radiometer Observation Network (SONET) measurements in China is presented. Based on observations at 16 distributed SONET sites in China, atmospheric aerosol parameters are ...acquired via standardization processes of operational measurement, maintenance, calibration, inversion, and quality control implemented since 2010. A climatology study is performed focusing on total columnar atmospheric aerosol characteristics, including optical (aerosol optical depth, ÅngstrÖm exponent, fine-mode fraction, single-scattering albedo), physical (volume particle size distribution), chemical composition (black carbon; brown carbon; fine-mode scattering component, coarse-mode component; and aerosol water), and radiative properties (aerosol radiative forcing and efficiency). Data analyses show that aerosol optical depth is low in the west but high in the east of China. Aerosol composition also shows significant spatial and temporal variations, leading to noticeable diversities in optical and physical property patterns. In west and north China, aerosols are generally affected by dust particles, while monsoon climate and human activities impose remarkable influences on aerosols in east and south China. Aerosols in China exhibit strong light-scattering capability and result in significant radiative cooling effects.
Binder-free Ti3C2 MXene/carbon nanotubes (Ti3C2/CNTs) films were successfully deposited onto graphite paper via electrophoretic deposition (EPD) method for supercapacitor electrodes. The as-prepared ...Ti3C2/CNTs electrode exhibits enhanced specific capacitance, approximately 1.5 times and 2.6 times of that of pristine Ti3C2 and CNTs films, respectively. Impressively, Ti3C2/CNTs electrodes demonstrate excellent cycling stability, without capacitance decay over 10,000 cycles. Incorporation of CNTs into MXene builds a robust structure, preventing MXene from restacking, and thus leading to the enhanced electrochemical performance. These results suggest that robust Ti3C2/CNTs films can be prepared by a simple yet effective EPD method, potentially applicable to other hybrid MXene systems.
•Binder-free Ti3C2/CNTs films were successfully fabricated on graphite substrates by EPD method.•Ti3C2/CNTs films exhibit enhanced specific capacitance compared with pristine Ti3C2 and CNTs film.•Ti3C2/CNTs films show outstanding cycling stability after 10,000 cycles even at 5 A g−1.•CNTs serve as interlayer spacers and offer charge transport pathway, leading to an enhancement in electrochemical performance.
As countries seek to adopt cleaner energy sources, a key question that is often asked is what the avoided emissions from the switch to non-fossil based energy sources are. There is no standard ...approach to tackle this problem. The most common approach, which is known as the primary energy equivalent (PEE) approach, estimates emission reductions by computing the amount of CO2 emissions that would have been emitted from fossil fuels had renewables or nuclear energy not been used. Another approach, the Equal Share (ES) approach, estimates emission reductions based on the change in the share of non-fossil based energy. As the two approaches have some limitations, a more comprehensive approach based on index decomposition analysis (IDA) is proposed as an alternative, together with an extension to quantify substitution amongst non-fossil based sources. A comparison of the assumptions and features of all three approaches is presented. The study finds that IDA is favoured for its ability to identify policy intervention areas beyond a switch to cleaner energy and is well-suited for tracking of progress towards emission reduction targets and analysing future scenarios.
•3 approaches to quantify emission reductions from renewables and nuclear are compared.•Limitations such as biasness and inconsistent definitions in two approaches are discussed.•Index decomposition analysis (IDA) is recommended as an alternative approach.•An IDA technique to attribute emission reductions to various sources is presented.
As global action on climate change gathers momentum, an area of interest is what the world's greenhouse gas emission trajectory will be in the future and whether it can meet the emission targets set ...forth. To address these questions, emission scenarios which range from business-as-usual to deep decarbonization scenarios have been developed by researchers using different assessment models. An understanding of the sources of variations across the range of these emission trajectories is of interest for discussions, debates and policy planning. However, since these models often have different structures and input variables, comparisons of the results are not straightforward. In this regard, index decomposition analysis (IDA) has emerged as a tool to facilitate comparisons in a harmonized way. It allows differences in emissions over time or between models to be broken down based on a set of accepted driving factors. This paper reviews the literature and summarizes the features and challenges. A multi-level scenario decomposition framework is proposed to address the challenges which include how to quantify differences arising from the energy transformation sector, the adoption of renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, and bio-energy carbon capture and storage technologies. A case study and guidelines for implementing the framework are presented.
•Prospective index decomposition analysis (IDA) and its application•Issues and challenges in prospective IDA applied to emissions•Comparisons between prospective and retrospective IDA•A multi-level IDA framework for analysis of emission scenarios•Inclusion of renewable energy and carbon capture and storage technologies
Singapore is a small island-state and meticulously planned city. The lack of energy resources has underpinned its unwavering focus on energy efficiency. Yet to date it is unclear to what extent ...energy efficiency, or the so-called “hidden fuel” or “invisible fuel”, has contributed to reductions in its energy consumption. Using a comprehensive and unique set of energy and sectoral activity data, this study applies the energy intensity concept and index decomposition analysis technique to study the role of energy efficiency in reducing Singapore's energy consumption from 2005 to 2018. The results obtained show variations across energy consuming sectors, but overall energy efficiency has led to significant energy savings. A composite energy efficiency index is also constructed to quantify the extent of energy efficiency improvement economy-wide over time. The performance as captured by this index shows a slower rate of improvement as compared to that given by the reduction in Singapore's aggregate energy-to-GDP ratio. This development is similar to that observed in most OECD countries. The framework developed can be applied to the study of other major cities especially those in Southeast Asia. It should be noted that, while the approach used has been widely accepted in the energy efficiency literature, the energy efficiency trends derived are dependent on the activity indicators chosen to represent the useful work performed in the respective sectors. The results should therefore be interpreted in this context.
Despite the signing of the Paris climate agreement, there is still great uncertainty regarding the world's ability to decarbonize and meet the 2°C target. In this regard, the electricity production ...sector deserves particular attention. The sector has the largest decarbonization potential and its share of the world's CO2 emissions from fuel combustion increased from 30% in 1990 to 36% in 2014. To better understand global trends, this study analyses the factors influencing changes in the global aggregate carbon intensity (ACI) of electricity, a measure of the level of CO2 emissions per unit of electricity produced, over the last 25 years using multidimensional index decomposition analysis. It finds that global ACI barely improved since 1990 because of a shift in electricity production from developed to developing countries with higher ACIs. This geographical shift offset consistent improvements to power generation efficiency worldwide and is likely to persist in the future. To keep the 2°C target realisable, it is imperative to enhance international cooperation to lower the ACIs of emerging economies and deepen the penetration of renewables, which have thus far performed below expectations.
•Global aggregate carbon intensity (ACI) of electricity has stagnated since 1990.•ACI is decomposed over 5 time periods to identify key factors driving this stagnation.•The contribution of countries and energy sources to these factors is also quantified.•Greater penetration of renewables is needed to offset the geographical shift effect.
