Since household carbon emissions (HCEs) have become a new growing source and a significant contributor to global emissions, the reduction of HCEs is crucial. To formulate targeted and effective ...emission mitigation policies, we need to fully understand the characteristics of the distribution and evolution of per capita HCEs and their urban-rural and regional heterogeneity. This paper explores the transitional dynamics of per capita HCEs in China by employing the distribution dynamics approach with panel data compiled at the household level. We find that the overall per capita HCEs are unimodal distribution in the long run and the distribution dynamics of the per capita HCEs between the urban and rural areas or among the regional subgroups are quite different. However, the speed of convergence has accelerated over time. Moreover, our findings indicate that the per capita HCEs in the urban areas will achieve convergence to an emission level much higher than that of the rural areas. Meantime the per capita HCEs in Northeast China will converge to an emission level much higher than those of the other three regions. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers in implementing differentiated environmental policies for different regions and between urban and rural households in China.
•Distribution dynamics approach is used to investigate per capita carbon emissions at the household level.•Significantly different dynamics can be found for the urban and rural subgroups.•Disparity in carbon emissions is very different among the regions across time.•Single modality convergence can be reached in the long run.
In diamond wire saw cutting monocrystalline silicon (mono-Si), the material brittleness removal can cause microcrack damage in the subsurface of the as-sawn silicon wafer, which has a significant ...impact on the mechanical properties and subsequent processing steps of the wafers. In order to quickly and non-destructively obtain the subsurface microcrack damage depth (SSD) of as-sawn silicon wafers, this paper conducted research on the SSD prediction model for diamond wire saw cutting of mono-Si, and established the relationship between the SSD and the as-sawn surface roughness value (SR) by comprehensively considering the effect of tangential force and the influence of the elastic stress field and residual stress field below the abrasive on the propagation of median cracks. Furthermore, the theoretical relationship model between SR and SSD has been improved by adding a coefficient considering the influence of material ductile regime removal on SR values based on experiments sawing mono-Si along the (111) crystal plane, making the theoretical prediction value of SSD more accurate. The research results indicate that a decrease in wire speed and an increase in feed speed result in an increase in SR and SSD in silicon wafers. There is a non-linear increasing relationship between silicon wafer SSD and SR, with SSD = 21.179
. The larger the SR, the deeper the SSD, and the smaller the relative error of SSD between the theoretical predicted and experimental measurements. The research results provide a theoretical and experimental basis for predicting silicon wafer SSD in diamond wire sawing and optimizing the process.
The significant achievements in economic growth and urbanization in China have recently led to substantial increases of and great inequality in household carbon footprints (HCFs). To achieve ...efficiency and justice in emissions reduction, policymakers need to fully understand the sources of HCFs and identify the major causes of carbon inequality. By applying the Unconditional Quantile Regression (UQR) model and decomposition method to the Chinese household survey data, this paper investigates the distributional features of HCFs and their determinants. We find that HCFs are unevenly distributed due to differences in the volume and pattern of consumption, which are further determined by household characteristics and lifestyles. The intertemporal lifestyle changes have played a major role in the rise of HCFs inequality measured by various quantile emissions differentials. In addition, considerable increases in HCFs come from the high carbon emission groups, and most of the HCFs inequality stems from the 90–50 emissions differential. To transform the current carbon-intensive economy, policies are required to enhance environmental equity and encourage low-carbon lifestyles.
•Unconditional quantile regression is used to investigate the distributional features of HCFs.•HCFs are unequally distributed due to differences in the scale and pattern of consumption.•Intertemporal lifestyle changes account for a major part of the rise of HCFs inequality.•Policies are needed to enhance environmental equity and encourage low-carbon lifestyles.
•Designing a carbon leakage prevention policy for developing countries.•In addition to cost and trade intensity, the abatement potential is introduced.•Distinguishing industrial differences by ...continuous and dynamic coefficients.•Using Hubei Province data to verify the applicability of policies.
Carbon leakage has become the core issue of emission trading systems. Using data from Hubei Province, this paper identifies the drawbacks of the prevailing methods for preventing carbon leakage and proposes a new methodology to overcome them, namely, Emission Control Coefficients. In contrast to the common tiered structure method, the Emission Control Coefficients generate a dynamic and continuous emission control coefficient for each industry which will improve the effectiveness and fairness of allowance allocation, set aside sufficient time for the low carbon transformation of industries, and balance the needs to protect competitiveness and decarbonize and are particularly suitable for the emission trading systems of developing counties. This paper makes three main academic contributions: Firstly, it proposes a new indicator, the abatement potential for more effective determining allowance allocation than the prevailing method. Secondly, it better distinguishes industrial differences. Thirdly, it can better respond to the problem of excess allowances that is due to technological advances and trade pattern changes.
The Synaptotagmin-like Mitochondrial-lipid-binding Protein (SMP) domain is a newly identified lipid transfer module present in proteins that regulate lipid homeostasis at membrane contact sites ...(MCSs). However, how the SMP domain associates with the membrane to extract and unload lipids is unclear. Here, we performed in vitro DNA brick-assisted lipid transfer assays and in silico molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the molecular basis of the membrane association by the SMP domain of extended synaptotagmin (E-Syt), which tethers the tubular endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the plasma membrane (PM). We demonstrate that the SMP domain uses its tip region to recognize the extremely curved subdomain of tubular ER and the acidic-lipid-enriched PM for highly efficient lipid transfer. Supporting these findings, disruption of these mechanisms results in a defect in autophagosome biogenesis contributed by E-Syt. Our results suggest a model that provides a coherent picture of the action of the SMP domain at MCSs.
Homotypic membrane fusion of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is mediated by dynamin-like GTPase atlastin (ATL). This fundamental process relies on GTP-dependent domain rearrangements in the N-terminal ...region of ATL (ATL
), including the GTPase domain and three-helix bundle (3HB). However, its conformational dynamics during the GTPase cycle remain elusive. Here, we combine single-molecule FRET imaging and molecular dynamics simulations to address this conundrum. Different from the prevailing model, ATL
can form a loose crossover dimer upon GTP binding, which is tightened by GTP hydrolysis for membrane fusion. Furthermore, the α-helical motif between the 3HB and transmembrane domain, which is embedded in the surface of the lipid bilayer and self-associates in the crossover dimer, is required for ATL function. To recycle the proteins, Pi release, which disassembles the dimer, activates frequent relative movements between the GTPase domain and 3HB, and subsequent GDP dissociation alters the conformational preference of the ATL
monomer for entering the next reaction cycle. Finally, we found that two disease-causing mutations affect human ATL1 activity by destabilizing GTP binding-induced loose crossover dimer formation and the membrane-embedded helix, respectively. These results provide insights into ATL-mediated homotypic membrane fusion and the pathological mechanisms of related disease.
In this study, a linear ultrasonic motor (USM) with carbon-fiber-reinforced/poly-phenylene-sulfide (PPS/CF) was developed and the feasibility of using PPS/CF to achieve a lightweight USM was tested. ...Here, anisotropic Young's moduli of PPS/CF possibly enhance the driving force when the slider's moving direction is orthogonal to the carbon-fibers' filling direction. Further, PPS/CF's low density may help avoid excessive enhancement in weight. Initially, we measured anisotropic Young's moduli of PPS/CF, and determined the vibration modes, configuration, and dimensions of the PPS/CF vibrating body through finite element analysis. Subsequently, we fabricated a 45.7-mm-long 30-mm-diameter vibrator to form a linear motor. Finally, we evaluated the load characteristics of the PPS/CF-based motor and made comparisons with isotropic-material-based USMs. At 30.2 kHz frequency, the PPS/CF-based vibrator worked in the 2nd bending and 2nd longitudinal modes as predicted. The PPS/CF-based motor yielded the maximal thrust, no-load speed, and maximal output power of 392 mN, 1103 mm/s, and 62 mW, respectively. Moreover, the thrust force density and power density reached 20.3 N/kg and 3.2 W/kg, respectively, which were relatively high compared to those of the PPS- and aluminum-based USMs with the same vibration modes and similar structures. This preliminary study implies PPS/CF's feasibility for achieving lightweight USMs, and provides a candidate material for designing micro/meso USMs.
Prospect theory is among the most influential frameworks in behavioural science, specifically in research on decision-making under risk. Kahneman and Tversky's 1979 study tested financial choices ...under risk, concluding that such judgements deviate significantly from the assumptions of expected utility theory, which had remarkable impacts on science, policy and industry. Though substantial evidence supports prospect theory, many presumed canonical theories have drawn scrutiny for recent replication failures. In response, we directly test the original methods in a multinational study (n = 4,098 participants, 19 countries, 13 languages), adjusting only for current and local currencies while requiring all participants to respond to all items. The results replicated for 94% of items, with some attenuation. Twelve of 13 theoretical contrasts replicated, with 100% replication in some countries. Heterogeneity between countries and intra-individual variation highlight meaningful avenues for future theorizing and applications. We conclude that the empirical foundations for prospect theory replicate beyond any reasonable thresholds.
-Di-2-propyn-1-yl-2-furanmethanamine (DPFA) was synthesized from 2-furanemethylamine and 3-chloropropyne. Then, furan-containing polytriazoles were made from DPFA and diazide compounds. The ...Diels-Alder (DA) reaction between 4,4′-bismaleimidodiphenylmethane and furan-containing polytriazoles was used to prepare recyclable polytriazole resins. The effects of the main chain structures on the reversible processes and mechanical properties of the resins were investigated. The results show that the flexibility of the chain structures could be regulated by introducing different contents of azide-terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG) in the polymerization process. The PEG segments could not only promote the degree of the DA reaction but also play a role in reinforcing and/or toughening the recyclable polytriazole resins. RFPTA-5 resin film displays a tensile strength of 107.2 MPa and RFPTA-20 resin film shows an elongation at break of 224.8%. Moreover, the resin films demonstrate high recyclability.
To explore the correlated clinical and psychological factors of stigmatization and investigate the relationship between stigma and white matter abnormalities in epilepsy patients.
Stigmatization was ...obtained by a three-item stigma scale in 256 epilepsy patients with genetic or unknown etiology. Personality and quality of life (QOL) were assessed by Eysenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ) and QOL-31 questionnaire respectively. One hundred and fourteen of them were performed Hamilton Depression Scale-17 (HAMD) and scanned with diffusion tensor imaging in 3T MRI. Fractional anisotropy (FA) values of frontotemporal contact fibers were calculated.
There were about 39.8% patients felt stigma, with the highest score (Score 3) in 8.2% (21/256). Stigma scores were significantly negatively correlated with education (
< 0.01), age of onset (
< 0.05), extraversion score of EPQ (
< 0.01), total and all the subscale QOL scores (
< 0.001), and positively correlated with duration (
< 0.01), HAMD score (
< 0.001), neuroticism score of EPQ (
< 0.001). We found negative correlation between stigma scores and FA values of right superior longitudinal fasciculus and left cingulum (
< 0.05). Logistic regression results showed that FA value of left cingulum (
= 0.011; OR = 0.000), social function (
= 0.000; OR = 0.935) of QOL, and neuroticism score of EPQ (
= 0.033; OR = 1.123) independently correlated to felt stigma.
Felt stigma in epilepsy patients was found to be correlated with neuroticism, depression, and deficient social function of QOL, which might be predisposed by the impairment of the left cingulum. Our results provide preliminary evidence for the underlying neural circuits in stigmatization.
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