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Abstract Mobile edge computing (MEC) has risen as an effective approach to support ubiquitous and prosperous mobile applications. Due to the strict delay requirements and the increasingly complex application environments, the computation efficiency and security have become the bottleneck that restricts the MEC system. Here, a blockchain‐enabled task offloading scheme is proposed, where the sensitive computation tasks of user terminals (UTs) can be offloaded to a blockchain‐assisted base station (BS). The MEC‐assisted BS helps UTs compute tasks while the blockchain consensus protocol ensures the security of the task offloading and computing process. To manage the allocation of computing resources between task offloading and blockchain consensus, the task offloading and resource allocation are formulated as a joint optimization problem. The aim of the problem is to minimize the energy consumption of UTs while guaranteeing the delay requirement. By transforming the original problem into a Markov decision process, a collective reinforcement learning algorithm is proposed to solve the problem in an online fashion. In the simulations, the convergence and the performance of the proposed scheme are evaluated. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the scheme.

Abstract Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and rapidly fatal disease with an intricate etiology. Identifying biomarkers for early PAH lesions based on the exploration of subtle biological processes is significant for timely diagnosis and treatment. In the present study, nine distinct cell populations identified based on gene expression profiles revealed high heterogeneity in cell composition ratio, biological function, distribution preference, and communication patterns in PAH. Notably, compared to other cells, endothelial cells (ECs) showed prominent variation in multiple perspectives. Further analysis demonstrated the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) in ECs and identified a subgroup exhibiting a contrasting phenotype. Based on these findings, a machine-learning integrated program consisting of nine learners was developed to create a PAH Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition Signature (PETS). This study identified cell populations underlying EndMT and furnished a potential tool that might be valuable for PAH diagnosis and new precise therapies.

BackgroundAsthma exacerbation significantly contribute to disease mortality and result in heightened health care expenditures. This study was aimed at gaining important new insights into the heterogeneity of epithelial and immune cells and elucidating key regulatory genes involved in the pathogenesis of asthma exacerbation.MethodsFunctional enrichment, pseudotime, metabolism and cell-cell communication analyses of epithelial cells and immune cells in single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset were applied. Immune infiltration analysis was performed in bulk RNA sequencing (bulk RNA-seq) dataset. Key regulatory genes were obtained by taking the intersection of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between control and asthma group in epithelial cells, immune cells and bulk RNA-seq data. Asthma animal and in vitro cell line models were established to verify the key regulatory genes expression by employing quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).ResultsScRNA-seq analysis identified 7 epithelial subpopulations and 14 distinct immune cell types based on gene expression profiles. Further analysis demonstrated that these cells manifested high heterogeneity at the levels of functional variations, dynamics, communication patterns and metabolic changes. Notably, TMPRSS11A, TUBA1A, SCEL, ICAM4, TMPRSS11B, IGFBP2, CLC, NFAM1 and F13A1 were identified as key regulatory genes of asthma. The results of the qRT-PCR demonstrated that the 9 key regulatory genes were involved in asthma.ConclusionsWe systematically explored epithelial and immune characteristics in asthma exacerbation and identified 9 key regulatory genes underlying asthma occurrence and progression, which may be valuable for providing new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving asthma exacerbations.

ABSTRACT Toxoplasma gondii, the causative parasite of toxoplasmosis, is an apicomplexan parasite that infects warm-blooded mammals. The ability of the calcium-binding proteins (CBPs) to transport large amounts of Ca2+ appears to be critical for the biological activity of T. gondii. However, the functions of some members of the CBP family have not yet been deciphered. Here, we characterized a putative CBP of T. gondii, TgpCaBP (TGME49_229480), which is composed of four EF-hand motifs with Ca2+-binding capability. TgpCaBP was localized in the cytosol and ER of T. gondii, and parasites lacking the TgpCaBP gene exhibited diminished abilities in cell invasion, intracellular growth, egress, and motility. These phenomena were due to the abnormalities in intracellular Ca2+ efflux and ER Ca2+ storage, and the reduction in motility was associated with a decrease in the discharge of secretory proteins. Therefore, we propose that TgpCaBP is a Ca2+ transporter and signaling molecule involved in Ca2+ regulation and parasitization in the hosts.IMPORTANCECa2+ signaling is essential in the development of T. gondii. In this study, we identified a calcium-binding protein in T. gondii, named TgpCaBP, which actively regulates intracellular Ca2+ levels in the parasite. Deletion of the gene coding for TgpCaBP caused serious deficits in the parasite’s ability to maintain a stable intracellular calcium environment, which also impaired the secretory protein discharged from the parasite, and its capacity of gliding motility, cell invasion, intracellular growth, and egress from host cells. In summary, we have identified a novel calcium-binding protein, TgpCaBP, in the zoonotic parasite T. gondii, which is a potential therapeutic target for toxoplasmosis.

Abstract Background The human sortilin protein is an important drug target and detection marker for cancer research. The sortilin from Toxoplasma gondii transports proteins associated with the apical organelles of the parasite. In this study, we aimed to determine the intracellular localization and structural domains of T. gondii sortilin, which may mediate protein transportation. Approaches to the functional inhibition of sortilin to establish novel treatments for T. gondii infections were explored. Methods A gene encoding the sortilin protein was identified in the T. gondii genome. Immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry were performed to identify the protein species transported by T. gondii sortilin. The interaction of each structural domain of sortilin with the transported proteins was investigated using bio-layer interferometry. The binding regions of the transported proteins in sortilin were identified. The effect of the sortilin inhibitor AF38469 on the infectivity of T. gondii was investigated. The binding site of AF38469 on sortilin was determined. Results The subdomains Vps10, sortilin-C, and sortilin-M of the sortilin were identified as the binding regions for intracellular transportation of the target proteins. The sortilin inhibitor AF38469 bound to the Vps10 structural domain of T. gondii sortilin, which inhibited parasite invasion, replication, and intracellular growth in vitro and was therapeutic in mice infected with T. gondii. Conclusion The Vps10, sortilin-C, and sortilin-M subdomains of T. gondii sortilin were identified as functional regions for intracellular protein transport. The binding region for the sortilin inhibitor AF38469 was also identified as the Vps10 subdomain. This study establishes sortilin as a promising drug target against T. gondii and provides a valuable reference for the development of anti-T. gondii drug-target studies. Graphical Abstract

Abstract The transformation and gene editing of the woody species kiwifruit are difficult and time-consuming. The fast and marker-free genetic modification system for kiwifruit has not been developed yet. Here, we establish a rapid and efficient marker-free transformation and gene editing system mediated by Agrobacterium rhizogenes for kiwifruit. Moreover, a removing-root-tip method was developed to significantly increase the regeneration efficiency of transgenic hairy roots. Through A. rhizogenes-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, the editing efficiencies of CEN4 and AeCBL3 achieved 55 and 50%, respectively. And several homozygous knockout lines for both genes were obtained. Our method has been successfully applied in the transformation of two different species of kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis ‘Hongyang’ and A.eriantha ‘White’). Next, we used the method to study the formation of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystals in kiwifruit. To date, little is known about how CaOx crystal is formed in plants. Our results indicated that AeCBL3 overexpression enhanced CaOx crystal formation, but its knockout via CRISPR/Cas9 significantly impaired crystal formation in kiwifruit. Together, we developed a fast maker-free transformation and highly efficient CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system for kiwifruit. Moreover, our work revealed a novel gene mediating CaOx crystal formation and provided a clue to elaborate the underlying mechanisms. Graphical abstract

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) promotes Treg cell proliferation and suppresses plasma cell expansion through direct interaction and activation of c-Fos, underling the bilateral immunoregulatory mechanism of DHA.

In order to improve the fuel economy of heavy-duty diesel engines under high-load conditions, based on the combustion pathway model, it is proposed that the proportion of lean mixture with 0 < Φ < 1 is the most important spray characteristic affecting the overall diesel combustion process. Answering the question of how to increase the proportion of lean mixture inside the spray is the key to achieving the efficient and clean combustion of diesel engines. This paper investigated the mechanism of injector nozzle diameter on the in-cylinder air–fuel mixture and combustion process based on a high-density and lean mixture characteristic combustion strategy. The experimental results show that with an increase in nozzle diameter, the peak pressure and instantaneous heat release rate significantly increase, the combustion duration is shortened by about 20%, and the heat release becomes more concentrated. At 1200 rpm and IMEPg~2.3 MPa conditions, the indicated thermal efficiency increases by 1.3%, reaching a maximum of 51.5%. The numerical simulation results show that with the increase in nozzle diameter from 0.169 mm to 0.218 mm, the spray ejection momentum per unit time increases by 30%, the momentum transferred to the air by the spray increases, the oxygen transport process becomes more intense, and the air entrainment mass during the spray free development stage increases by 42%. The proportion of lean mixture inside the spray throughout the entire spray development process increases, resulting in an increase in the heat release rate of the lean mixture, making the overall combustion more intense and concentrated.

Herein, a diesel engine jet disturbance combustion system was proposed to achieve efficient and clean combustion under heavy load conditions in heavy-duty diesel engines. The key components of the combustion system were designed, and a research platform was constructed. Focusing on the internal combustion conditions of the disturbance chamber and the developmental path of high-speed jets, the design and comprehensive optimization of the jet disturbance combustion system were carried out. Following optimization, the peak internal heat release rate increased from 86 J/deg to 269 J/deg, and the cumulative heat release increased by 112 J, significantly enhancing the energy of the disturbance chamber jet. Then, considering combustion optimization and the heat transfer loss from the piston, it was determined that the optimal configuration for the disturbance chamber jet channel angles was 60 deg inter-channel angle and 10 deg channel incidence angle. This configuration allowed the disturbance chamber jet to precisely disturb the concentrated mixture area in the middle and late stages of combustion. The intervention of the disturbance chamber jet provided sufficient energy for the fuel–air mixing process and complicated the gas flow state in the main combustion chamber. Despite its low-momentum density, the residual mixture in the cylinder maintained a high mixing rate after the end of the fuel injection process. Single-cylinder engine test results showed that a diesel engine using this jet disturbance system and a 180 MPa common rail pressure fuel system achieved 52.12% thermal efficiency.

Abstract We proposed and demonstrated a flexible, endoscopic, and minimally invasive coherent anti-Raman Stokes scattering (CARS) measurement method for single-cell application, employing a tapered optical fiber probe. A few-mode fiber (FMF), whose generated four-wave mixing band is out of CARS signals, was selected to fabricate tapered optical fiber probes, deliver CARS excitation pulses, and collect CARS signals. The adiabatic tapered fiber probe with a diameter of 11.61 μm can focus CARS excitation lights without mismatch at the focal point. The measurements for proof-of-concept were made with methanol, ethanol, cyclohexane, and acetone injected into simulated cells. The experimental results show that the tapered optical fiber probe can detect carbon-hydrogen (C–H) bond-rich substances and their concentration. To our best knowledge, this optical fiber probe provides the minimum size among probes for detecting CARS signals. These results pave the way for minimally invasive live-cell detection in the future.

The host genome may influence the composition of the intestinal microbiota, and the intestinal microbiota has a significant effect on muscle growth and development. In this study, we found that the deletion of the myostatin (MSTN) gene positively regulates the expression of the intestinal tight junction-related genes TJP1 and OCLN through the myosin light-chain kinase/myosin light chain pathway. The intestinal structure of MSTN−/− pigs differed from wild-type, including by the presence of a thicker muscularis and longer plicae. Together, these changes affect the structure of intestinal microbiota. Mice transplanted with the intestinal microbiota of MSTN−/− pigs had myofibers with larger cross-sectional areas and higher fast-twitch glycolytic muscle mass. Microbes responsible for the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were enriched in both the MSTN−/− pigs and recipient mice, and SCFAs levels were elevated in the colon contents. We also demonstrated that valeric acid stimulates type IIb myofiber growth by activating the Akt/mTOR pathway via G protein-coupled receptor 43 and ameliorates dexamethasone-induced muscle atrophy. This is the first study to identify the MSTN gene-gut microbiota-SCFA axis and its regulatory role in fast-twitch glycolytic muscle growth.

Background: The genetic etiology of fetal chromosome abnormalities remains unknown, which brings about an enormous burden for patients, families, and society. The spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) controls the normal procedure of chromosome disjunction and may take part in the process.Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the association between polymorphisms of MAD1L1 rs1801368 and MAD2L1 rs1283639804, involved in SAC and fetal chromosome abnormalities.Methods: The case–control study collected 563 cases and 813 health controls to test the genotypes of MAD1L1 rs1801368 and MAD2L1 rs1283639804 polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction–restrictive fragment length polymorphism methods (PCR-RFLP).Results:MAD1L1 rs1801368 polymorphism was associated with fetal chromosome abnormalities alone or combined to lower homocysteine (HCY) levels (alone: dominant: OR: 1.75, 95%CI: 1.19–2.57, and p = 0.005; CT vs. CC: OR = 0.73, 95%CI: 0.57–0.94, and p = 0.016; lower HCY: C vs. T: OR = 0.74, 95%CI: 0.57–0.95, and p = 0.02; dominant: OR = 1.75, 95%CI: 0.79–1.92, and p = 0.005). No significant differences were found in other genetic models or subgroups (p > 0.05, respectively). MAD2L1 rs1283639804 polymorphism revealed a sole genotype in the studied population. HCY is significantly associated with fetal chromosome abnormalities in younger groups (OR: 1.78, 95%CI: 1.28–2.47, and p = 0.001).Conclusion: The results implied that the polymorphism of MAD1L1 rs1801368 may become the susceptibility factor to fetal chromosome abnormalities alone or combined to lower HCY levels but not to MAD2L1 rs1283639804 polymorphism. In addition, HCY significantly affects fetal chromosomal abnormalities in younger women.

An optical fiber probe composed of a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) and a reflective S fiber taper (SFT) with graphene oxide (GO) film, for simultaneous relative humidity (RH) and temperature measurement, was proposed and experimentally demonstrated in this paper. The SFT is made into reflection type by depositing silver mirror at the fiber end face, which is highly sensitive to surrounding refractive index (RI). The GO nanosheets, as a two-dimensional hydrophilic nano material, is coated on the fiber surface, acting as a RH-to-RI converter. The simultaneous RH and temperature measurements are realized by monitoring the characteristic wavelength shifts of the SFT and FBG in the reflection spectrum. Experimental results show that the RH sensitivity of the probe is 161.1 pm/%RH during the range of 30%RH∼90%RH, and the temperature sensitivity is 14.1 pm/°C during the range of 10 °C∼50 °C. The proposed probe is compact, flexible, and easy to be fabricated, which has potential application for precise localized measurement in medical and biochemical fields.

In this study, we aimed to characterize the anti-type 2 diabetes (T2D) effects of Gastrodia elata Blume extract (GEBE) and determine whether these are mediated through modification of the gut microbiota and bile acids. Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), with or without GEBE, and we found that GEBE significantly ameliorated the HFD-induced hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and inflammation by upregulating glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) and inhibiting the toll-like receptor 4-nuclear factor kappa-B signaling pathway in white adipose tissue (WAT). In addition, we found that GEBE increased the abundance of Faecalibaculum and Lactobacillus, and altered the serum bile acid concentrations, with a significant increase in deoxycholic acid. The administration of combined antibiotics to mice to eliminate their intestinal microbiota caused a loss of the protective effects of GEBE. Taken together, these findings suggest that GEBE ameliorates T2D by increasing GLUT4 expression in WAT, remodeling the gut microbiota, and modifying serum bile acid concentrations.

Abstract Osteoporosis, which is caused by an imbalance in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, is a global age-related metabolic disease. Osteoblasts induce osteocyte and bone matrix formation, while osteoclasts play an important role in bone resorption. Maintaining a balance between osteoblast formation and osteoclastic absorption is crucial for bone remodeling. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), which are characterized by closed-loop structures, are a class of novel endogenous transcripts with limited protein-coding abilities. Accumulating evidence indicates that circRNAs play important roles in various bone diseases, such as osteosarcoma, osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis, and osteoporosis. Recent studies have shown that circRNAs regulate osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation and may be potential biomarkers for osteoporosis. In the current review, we summarize the expression, function, and working mechanisms of circRNAs involved in osteoblasts, osteoclast differentiation, and osteoporosis.

High‐resolution temperature measurement is nerve‐wracking obstruction for precise characterization of many physical, chemical, and biological processes. To solve this problem, a novel microcavity–optomechanical–oscillation‐based thermometer is proposed. The microcavity serving as a link parametrically couples the mechanical resonator and optical resonator in the same structure and provides a natural and highly sensitive temperature transduction mechanism and ultrahigh‐resolution optical demodulation. The mathematical model of geometrical parameters, mechanics, and material properties for temperature response mechanism is established and verified experimentally. The proposed thermometer has a thermal sensitivity of 11 300 Hz °C−1 and an ultrahigh‐temperature resolution of 1 × 10−4 °C, to the best of one's knowledge, which is the highest temperature resolution with a silica cavity.

Abstract Protein assays show great importance in medical research and disease diagnoses. Liquid crystals (LCs), as a branch of sensitive materials, offer promising applicability in the field of biosensing. Herein, we developed an ultrasensitive biosensor for the detection of low-concentration protein molecules, employing LC-amplified optofluidic resonators. In this design, the orientation of LCs was disturbed by immobilized protein molecules through the reduction of the vertical anchoring force from the alignment layer. A biosensing platform based on the whispering-gallery mode (WGM) from the LC-amplified optofluidic resonator was developed and explored, in which the spectral wavelength shift was monitored as the sensing parameter. The microbubble structure provided a stable and reliable WGM resonator with a high Q factor for LCs. It is demonstrated that the wall thickness of the microbubble played a key role in enhancing the sensitivity of the LC-amplified WGM microcavity. It is also found that protein molecules coated on the internal surface of microbubble led to their interactions with laser beams and the orientation transition of LCs. Both effects amplified the target information and triggered a sensitive wavelength shift in WGM spectra. A detection limit of 1 fM for bovine serum albumin (BSA) was achieved to demonstrate the high-sensitivity of our sensing platform in protein assays. Compared to the detection using a conventional polarized optical microscope (POM), the sensitivity was improved by seven orders of magnitude. Furthermore, multiple types of proteins and specific biosensing were also investigated to verify the potential of LC-amplified optofluidic resonators in the biomolecular detection. Our studies indicate that LC-amplified optofluidic resonators offer a new solution for the ultrasensitive real-time biosensing and the characterization of biomolecular interactions.

Brown-Séquard syndrome (BSS) has many etiologies, including penetrating trauma, extramedullary tumors, and disc herniation. However, thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) is an extremely rare cause of this syndrome. A 46-year-old woman with motor weakness in her right lower extremity and urinary retention was admitted to our department. Based on the results of physical examination, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, a diagnosis of BSS with OLF was considered. The patient underwent urgent conservative treatment. BSS is a rare condition characterized by hemisection or hemicompression of the spinal marrow. The herein-described case of incomplete BSS due to OLF responded to conservative treatment. However, the successful nonoperative management of this case is insufficient evidence to consider it as the standard of care. Therefore, emergency laminectomy decompression remains the standard of care for BSS.

Sail-assisted technology can reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by saving the energy consumption of ships with wind energy utilization. The distribution characteristics of marine wind resources are critical to the energy-saving effect of sail-assisted ships. However, due to the lack of effective energy-saving evaluation methods for improving the utilization rate of wind energy, a high potential for wind energy utilization still exists. A novel energy-saving evaluation method based on the wind energy resource analysis of typical ship routes is proposed in this paper. First, a three-degree-of-freedom motion model for sail-assisted ships considering the wing sail forces is constructed. Then, a wind resource acquisition and analysis method based on spatial–temporal interpolation is proposed. On this basis, the wind field probability matrix and wing sail force matrix are established. Ultimately, an energy-saving evaluation method for sail-assisted ships on typical routes is proposed by combining the sailing condition of ships. The case study results show that the energy-saving effect of a wing sail-assisted oil tanker that sailed on the China-to-Middle East route was more than 5.37% in 2021 and could reach 9.54% in a single voyage. It is of great significance to realize the popularization and application of sail-assisted technology, thus improving the greenization of the shipping industry.

Quantitative detection of cardiac troponin biomarkers in blood is an important method for clinical diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). In this work, a whispering gallery mode (WGM) microcavity immunosensor based on a prefab hollow glass microsphere (HGMS) with liquid crystal (LC) sensitization was proposed and experimentally demonstrated for label-free cardiac troponin I-C (cTnI-C) complex detection. The proposed fiber-optic immunosensor has a simple structure; the tiny modified HGMS serves as the key sensing element and the microsample reservoir simultaneously. A sensitive LC layer with cTnI-C recognition ability was deposited on the inner wall of the HGMS microcavity. The arrangement of LC molecules is affected by the cTnI-C antigen—antibody binding in the HGMS, and the small change of the surface refractive index caused by the binding can be amplified owing to the birefringence property of LC. Using the annular waveguide of the HGMS, the WGMs were easily excited by the coupling scanning laser with a microfiber, and an all-fiber cTnI-C immunosensor can be achieved by measuring the resonant wavelength shift of the WGM spectrum. Moreover, the dynamic processes of the cTnI-C antigen—antibody binding and unbinding was revealed by monitoring the wavelength shift continuously. The proposed immunosensor with a spherical microcavity can be a cost-effective tool for AMI diagnosis.

Experiments and simulations were conducted to study effects of charge density, temperature, and oxygen concentration on the mixing-controlled engine combustion pathway in heavy-duty diesel engines. Due to the inherent heterogeneity of diesel combustion in high-load operations, the rich and lean mixtures are simultaneous present. The mass and accompanying heat transfers were found to be decisive in determining the combustion path. The chemical transformation from a richer mixture to a leaner mixture is primarily driven by charge density, which activates the combustion process, and reduction in oxygen concentration, which stagnates the mass and heat transfer and chemical transformation, reduces the reactivity of the mixtures. The difference in mass and heat transfer processes causes differences in the mass fractions of mixtures with different equivalence ratio intervals. The different mixtures produce different mass fractions of intermediate combustion products (carbon dioxide, CO), different heat releases, and different mass temperature distributions. It is found that the accumulated CO correlates well with the gross indicated thermal efficiency and soot emission; the mass averaged temperature and the high temperature abidance scale (HTAS) correlate well with NO x emissions. A significant optimization of the overall engine performance could be achieved by simultaneously minimizing the HTAS and accumulated CO.

Advanced multiple injection strategies have been suggested for compression ignition engines in order to meet the increasingly stringent emission regulations. Experiments and simulations were used to study effects of the main-injection mode (times), the post-injection proportion, and timing on combustion and emissions in a heavy-duty diesel engine at high load and constant low speed. The results reveal the following. The NO x emissions of 1main+1post, 2main+1post, and 3main+1post injections are all lower than those of single injection; the higher the number of main-injection pluses, the lower the NO x emissions. Enough main-post injection interval is needed to ensure post and main injections are relatively independent to entrain more fresh air to decrease the soot. Over-retarded post-injection timing tends to increase the soot due to the lower in-cylinder temperature. The combined effects of formation and oxidation determine the final soot. To gain the best trade-off of NO x and soot, compared with single injection, for the three multiple injections, the lowest soot emissions are gained at post-injection proportions of 15% and post-injection timings of 25°, 30°, and 35° CA ATDC, with soot reductions of 26.7%, −34.5%, and −112.8%, and NO x reductions of 5.88%, 21.2%, and 40.3%, respectively, for 1main+1post, 2main+1post, and 3main+1post injections.

A multi-fidelity micro combustor design approach is developed for a small-scale combined heat and power CHP system. The approach is characterised by the coupling of the developed preliminary design model using the combined method of 3D high-fidelity modelling and experimental testing. The integrated multi-physics schemes and their underlying interactions are initially provided. During the preliminary design phase, the rapid design exploration is achieved by the coupled reduced-order models, where the details of the combustion chamber layout, flow distributions, and burner geometry are defined as well as basic combustor performance. The high-fidelity modelling approach is then followed to provide insights into detailed flow and emission physics, which explores the effect of design parameters and optimises the design. The combustor is then fabricated and assembled in the MGT test bench. The experimental test is performed and indicates that the designed combustor is successfully implemented in the MGT system. The multi-physics models are then verified and validated against the test data. The details of refinement on lower-order models are given based on the insights acquired by high-fidelity methods. The shortage of conventional fossil fuels and the continued demand for energy supplies have led to the development of a micro-turbine system running renewable fuels. Numerical analysis is then carried out to assess the potential operation of biogas in terms of emission and performance. It produces less NOx emission but presents a flame stabilisation design challenge at lower methane content. The details of the strategy to address the flame stabilisation are also provided.

● County-level sustainability assessment of maize production is presented. ● County-level improvement potential exhibits a large spatial heterogeneity. ● Promoting technical innovations can facilitate China’s agricultural transition. Agricultural production by smallholders is crucial for ensuring food provision in China. However, smallholders face a series of challenges on their farms including high-to-excess resource inputs, low use efficiency, as well as negative environmental impacts, which may be unfavorable for sustainable agriculture production. This study developed a county-level sustainability assessment of maize production in Hebei, China, by applying multiple data sources in combination with emergy, carbon footprint, nitrogen footprint and cost-benefit analyses. Scenario analysis was applied to explore the localized implementation strategies to achieve the sustainable farming system. The results show that the average emergy sustainability index (ESI) of maize at 2.31 is relatively low. The average greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and reactive nitrogen (Nr) losses are 0.15 g·kcal−1 CO2-eq and 3.75 mg·kcal−1 N, respectively. The average cost and net income are 12,700 and 4340 CNY·ha−1, respectively. These results indicate a great potential to improve the environmental-economic sustainability of the maize production system of smallholders. In addition, the environmental and economic indicators calculated from the maize production show a substantial spatial heterogeneity among counties, indicating a requirement for different optimization strategies to improve the environment-economy sustainability at a finer scale. Based on the multiple scenario analysis, optimal strategies targeting each county are proposed. By adopting the optimal strategies, the average ESI and net income could increase by 32% and 83%, respectively, and the average GHG emissions and Nr losses reduce by 33% and 35%, respectively. These findings provide an important reference for adopting different strategies to achieve environment-economy sustainability for smallholders production systems with diverse landscapes in North China and propose a transition pathway toward achieving agriculture sustainability for smallholders worldwide.