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We assessed the safety, immunogenicity and antibody persistence of two- and three-dose schedules of the novel bivalent HPV16/18 vaccine (HPV-2, Walrinvax) in the per-protocol target population of initially seronegative 9–14 year-old girls, including a non-inferiority comparison with the three-dose schedule in 18–26 year-old women. This randomized phase 3b trial in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, involved healthy Chinese females in two age cohorts; 600 girls aged 9–14 years and 300 women aged 18–26 years. Girls were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either two (Months 0,6) or three (Months 0,2,6) intramuscular doses of HPV-2. All participants were monitored for immunogenicity as neutralizing antibodies up to 36 months. Primary objectives were non-inferiority analyses of immunogenicity between two- and three-dose girl groups and adult women at Month 7; safety assessments were based on participant-completed diary cards. All groups demonstrated marked increases in neutralizing antibodies against HPV 16 and 18 that persisted above baseline to 36 months. Month 7 responses in both girl groups were non-inferior to those in the women and were statistically higher after two-doses than girls or women who received three doses. GMTs waned after month 7, but then maintained a plateau level until month 36. Vaccination was well tolerated in all groups with no serious adverse events reported. Immune responses to two doses of HPV-2 vaccine in adolescent girls were non-inferior to those after three doses in young women, an age cohort in which clinical efficacy of HPV-2 against cervical cancer has been demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification of the technical cooperation mode in the field of hydrogen energy is of great importance in guiding technological innovation. Based on the social network analysis (SNA) and spatial network method, this paper constructs the technical cooperation graph of China's industry-university-research (IUR) tripartites in the field of hydrogen technology. Based on the performed graphs, it shows the game and evolution of hydrogen technology innovation in three stages, respectively 2000–2010, 2011–2015 and 2016–2019. Meanwhile, this paper calculates the changes of network indicators and found that: (1) the network density showed a downward trend, from the initial 0.062 to 0.003. (2) The degree centrality of the network decreased from 14.7% to 5.7%. (3) The average path length and clustering coefficient indicate that the internal connections within the network were relatively close from 2000 to 2010, and had small-world characteristics. From 2016 to 2019, although the clustering coefficient increased, the average path length also increased significantly, indicating that the internal connections of the network did not become closer. From the network characteristics, the collaborative innovation network of China's hydrogen energy industry continues to expand in scale and scope, and the cooperation relationship is stable. However, it shows the characteristics of low network density and loose cooperation relationship, gradually developing into a scale-free network. Developed provinces and cities in North and East China occupy core positions in the industry-university-research network, while other regions are gradually expanding their cooperation efficiency; however, the overall cooperation frequency is relatively low in Northeast China, and most provinces and cities in South and Northwest China are in edge positions with poor collaboration capabilities. • Network analysis sheds light on China's hydrogen energy tech cooperation via patent. • Collaborative innovation in hydrogen technology evolves through three stages. • Tight internal connections with small-world properties seen in network (2000–2010). • Network's internal connections didn't become closer (2016–2019). • Network transforms from a stable and expanding structure into a scale-free network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Is ART associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcome in 12-month-old offspring compared with those conceived through natural conception? In this prospective cohort study, 488 infertile women undergoing ART and 1397 women with natural conception were recruited and followed until their offspring were 12 months old. The primary outcome was the neurodevelopment in the offspring. The association between exposure to ART and Gesell developmental scale scores was investigated using multiple linear regression models after adjusting for confounders. Propensity score matching (PSM) and inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) were used to verify the results. In total, 18 (3.7%) and 40 (2.9%) children in the ART and natural conception groups, respectively, had been diagnosed with neurodevelopmental delay at 12 months of age. It was found that gross motor, adaptive behaviour, language and total development quotient scores were comparable between the groups. Following multivariate linear regression and IPTW, social behaviour development quotient scores were found to be slightly higher in the ART group than the natural conception group. Higher social behaviour development quotient scores in the ART group were also observed in the male and the singleton subgroups. At 12 months, offspring born after ART appeared to have similar motor, language and adaptive behaviour skills, and total development quotient scores, to those born after natural conception. However, social behaviour development in 12-month-old infants was slightly higher in those conceived using ART than in naturally conceived offspring, especially in male or singleton infants. These findings may provide new information in evaluating the potential benefits and risks of ART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigates key drivers of renewable energy transition in China using the quarterly data from Q1-2000 to Q4-2020. We employed the Bootstrap Autoregressive Distributed Lag method for long-run and short-run parameters. The results exhibit that financial development and research and development expenditures are the most prominent factors that encourage energy transition. In addition, human resources and information and communication technology (ICT) also contribute to stimulating the renewable energy transition in China. The overall long-run estimates have pronounced impact than the short-run results, except for the ICT, which has an insignificant effect in the short run. Moreover, the significant negative value of the error correction term converges the model by a 32.9% adjustment rate in case of any deviation. The empirical outcome recommends that the government of China should promote financial development resources and R&D spending to spur the energy transition. • Bootstrap ARDL applies to China's quarterly data. • Drivers of Renewable Energy Transition (RET) are explored. • Financial development and R&D expenditures are the most prominent drivers of RET. • Human development and ICT stimulate RET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the impact of iodine-rich processed foods and dining places on the iodine nutritional status of children. School-aged children (SAC) in seven provinces in China were selected by school-based multistage sampling. Urinary iodine, salt iodine, and thyroid volume (TVOL) were determined. Questionnaires were used to investigate dining places and iodine-rich processed foods. The water iodine was from the 2017 national survey. Multi-factor regression analysis was used to find correlations between variables. Children ate 78.7% of their meals at home, 15.1% at school canteens, and 6.1% at other places. The percentage of daily iodine intake from water, iodized salt, iodine-rich processed foods, and cooked food were 1.0%, 79.2%, 1.5%, and 18.4%, respectively. The salt iodine was correlated with the urinary iodine and TVOL, respectively (r = 0.999 and -0.997, P < 0.05). The iodine intake in processed foods was weakly correlated with the TVOL (r = 0.080, P < 0.01). Non-iodized salt used in processed foods or diets when eating out had less effect on children's iodine nutrition status. Iodized salt remains the primary source of daily iodine intake of SAC, and processed food has less effect on iodine nutrition. Therefore, for children, iodized salt should be a compulsory supplement in their routine diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal solid waste (MSW) disposal leads to environmental pollution, including greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Waste generated by consumption is an integral part of MSW management. Based on the meta-frontier super SBM-data envelopment analysis (DEA) (MF-SSBM-DEA) model, this study evaluates the eco-efficiency of MSW management in 30 provinces in China from 2006 to 2021, especially considering the undesirable output of GHG emissions. This study compares the heterogeneity of the performance of MSW management in different regions and explores the factors that influence the differences in its efficiency. In particular, this study uses the panel Tobit model to explore the impact of upgrading household consumption on the eco-efficiency of MSW management at two levels: consumption scale (CSC) and consumption structure (CST). In addition, we examined other socioeconomic influencing factors. The results indicate that the average eco-efficiency in 2021 was 21.5% higher than in 2006. The expansion of the CSC reduces eco-efficiency, whereas the upgrading of CST improves eco-efficiency greater than the expansion of the CSC. In addition, improvements in the industrial structure and economic development (ED) contribute to the eco-efficiency of MSW management. • Constructed an MSW eco-efficiency assessment that considers greenhouse gas emissions. • MSW eco-efficiency increases gradually, but regional differences are significant. • Consumption scale and consumption structure have different impact. • Industrial structure and scale of economy promote MSW eco-efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban development in China is entering an era of stock space utilisation. Herein, the spatial composite utilisation is a crucial approach to high-quality urban spatial development. Deconstructing the traditional notion of mixed land use indicates that mixed land development driven by the land market may significantly impact urban spatial composite function (USCF). To assess this effect, we analysed the theoretical mechanisms affecting the USCF in a coupled human-land spatial system. Using 296 town street units in Beijing, China for the spatial analysis of geographic big data, we employed an econometric model to examine the spatial composite functional effects of urban mixed land development (UMLD). The results indicated that the USCF strengthened alongside the maturation of the land market, while the intensity effect of the mixed land development was less pronounced. UMLD significantly promoted the spatial composite function, primarily contingent on the effects within the unit itself. Population density and UMLD exhibited a substitutive relationship in their impact on the USCF, and excessively high population density may attenuate the positive marginal effect of UMLD. Through instrumental variable methods and replacement variable estimations, the results were confirmed as robust. Therefore, the reform in the supply and development mechanisms of existing construction land should be deepened to stimulate market-oriented mixed land development and enhance the vitality of sustained urban spatial functional development. • Redevelopment and utilisation of existing stock space are vital • We apply spatio-temporal geographic big data for POI and land transfer • A framework of coupled human-land urban spatial composite function is constructed • We analyse spatial composite function effects of urban mixed land development • A substitution effect between population density and UMLD in affecting USCF exists [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The genomic characteristics and mutations in Notch signaling pathway-related genes of SCLC patients were clarified. • The relationship of Notch signaling pathway mutations with tumor immune microenvironment were analyzed. • There was a significant negative correlation between NOTCH 1 gene mutation status and PD-L1 protein expression level. • Patients with positive DLL3 expression and no NOTCH 1 gene mutation had higher PD-L1 expression and may be more likely to benefit from PD-1/PD-L1 ICIs treatment. To explore the characteristics of Notch pathway in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), clarify the expression of delta-like protein 3 (DLL3) in SCLC patients undergoing surgical treatment, and explore the correlation between DLL3 expression and clinicopathological features, prognosis, and immune microenvironment. A total of 134 patients who received surgical treatment and were diagnosed as SCLC by postoperative histopathology were enrolled. All exon gene sequencing was performed in tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues of 28 patients to clarify the genomic characteristics of SCLC. The expressions of DLL3 and programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PDL1) were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 101 postoperative pathological specimens. Notch receptor mutations are common, but the overall mutation rate of Notch ligand family is not high and mutually exclusive. The mutation status of Notch and Notch1 gene were not related to the prognosis. Notch1 gene mutation was significantly negatively correlated with the expression of PD-L1. DLL3 was highly expressed in SCLC and had no significant correlation with prognosis. There was a positive correlation between DLL3 expression and PD-L1 expression. Patients with positive DLL3 expression and no NOTCH 1 gene mutation had higher PD-L1 expression. SCLC patients with such characteristics may be more likely to benefit from immunotherapy. This study preliminarily explored the genomic characteristics and immune microenvironment of surgical resection of SCLC in China, and found the correlation between Notch gene mutation, DLL3 expression and PD-L1 expression, which provided a new idea for selecting appropriate treatment strategies for SCLC in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China generates substantial quantities of gasified fine ash (GFA) annually through entrained flow bed coal gasification processes. These GFAs are laden with significant amounts of poorly reactive carbon and abundant ash resources, including silica, aluminum. Typically GFA represent not only a gross squandering of resources but also a potential source of environmental contamination. In order to use both ash and carbon of GFA, our team has developed the thermal modification -melting combustion method. The study conducted thermal modification-melting combustion experiments of GFA with auxiliary heating fuel and varying moisture content on a pilot-scale experimental platform. The aim was to ascertain the influence of operating conditions on the physical and chemical properties of GFA fuel, as well as the carbon conversion rate of GFA and the potential for reusing ash after melting combustion in the entire system. The results indicate that an increase in the moisture content of GFA allows the thermally modified fine ash (MFA) to possess smaller particle sizes and more reactive sites in carbon structures, along with higher combustible gas yield and calorific value. Post-melting combustion, the residual carbon conversion rate in GFA surpassed 96.88 %, indicative of a high recovery potential. Moreover, the ash slag, rich in inorganic non-metallic glassy phases, emerged as a promising candidate for material reuse and application. • Thermal modification and melting combustion of GFA on a pilot scale. • Auxiliary fuel and moisture's impact on melting combustion were studied. • The physical and chemical properties of MFA under different conditions. • Carbon conversion and ash utilization potential were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The far-field effects of the Indian-Asian collision and the crust-mantle processes triggered by the paleo-Pacific plate formed the Weihe Graben in the Paleogene. • The eastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau controls the evolution of the Weihe Graben since the Neogene. • The Weihe Graben was formed by a strike-slip and extensional combined mechanism in the Paleogene, but an extensional mechanism since the Neogene. The Weihe Graben is located in the composite area of the Tethys-Himalayan tectonic and circum-pacific tectonic domains and is an essential structural feature related to Cenozoic intracontinental deformation. However, two different hypotheses, sinistral strike-slip, and extensional mechanism, are proposed for the origin of this graben. In this study, we designed crust-scale analog models based on fault kinematics to better understand the deformation and dynamic mechanisms of the Weihe Graben. Fault kinematics shows early sinistral strike-slip and NW-SE extensional deformation and late NE-SW, S-N, and NW-SE extensional deformation. Our experimental results reveal that Model C1 (sinistral strike-slip + NW-SE extension) is the most similar to the geological structure of the Weihe Graben in the Paleogene. Furthermore, the NE-SW extension results in two larger subsidence areas in the northeast and southwest of the basin, similar to the formation of the two depressions during the Miocene. The S-N extension causes the basin to expand southward and northward, consistent with the sedimentary characteristics of Weihe Graben in the Pliocene. The NW-SE extension leads to relatively strong fault activity in the northwest and southeast of the basin, resembling the active fault characteristics since the Quaternary. Therefore, we propose that the Weihe Graben formed by a strike-slip and extensional combined mechanism in the Eocene-Oligocene, influenced by the far-field effects of the Indian-Asian collision and crust-mantle processes triggered by the stagnant paleo-Pacific plate. Subsequently, during the Neogene-Quaternary, the graben's development shifted towards an extensional regime under the influence of the eastward extrusion of the Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two phases of deformation occured in the south of the Shangdan suture zone across the Mianyuzui ductile strike-slip fault. • The metamorphic temperature of the early stage of shearing deformation is ∼ 600-700℃ and ∼ 300-500℃ for the late stage. • The subduction of the Shangdan Oceanic lithosphere was active till the Early Silurian, and subsequent collisions occurred during the Late Silurian. The Shangdan suture zone (SDSZ) subdivides the Qinling Orogenic Belt into North Qinling and South Qinling belts, marking the main tectonic boundary between the North China and South China Blocks. The Mianyuzi ductile strike-slip fault (MYZF) within the SDSZ separates the North China Block from the South China Block and contains valuable collisional information. This paper integrates the structural and geochronological data of the MYZF to investigate the Paleozoic tectonic evolution of the Qinling Orogenic Belt and the collision between the North China and South China Blocks. Two phases of deformation (D 1 -D 2a-b) are identified along the southern boundary of the SDSZ. The metamorphic temperature of mylonites is ∼ 600–700 ℃ for the early stage and ∼ 300–500 ℃ for the late stage of shearing deformation. U-Pb zircon analysis of the mylonites and diabase dike in the ductile shear reveals that zircons have major younger protolith populations at 480–460 Ma, 450–430 Ma, and 405–425 Ma, which suggests that rocks were probably derived from the North Qinling belt. The metamorphism and deformation cooling age from the MYZF have been constrained to be 339–328 Ma and 259 ± 1.6 Ma using U-Pb and 40Ar/39Ar dating. Combined with previously published data, we concluded that the subduction of the Shangdan Ocean was active until the Early Silurian and subsequent collisions occurred during the Late Silurian. Meanwhile, the shearing might have been related to the intraplate extension-exhumation during the Carboniferous-Late Permian in the Qinling Orogenic Belt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban residents' waste sorting plays a pivotal role in addressing the pressing challenge of the "waste siege" in China and is also closely associated with the quality of urban governance. We draw on the Technology–Organization–Environment framework to identify six key variables affecting municipal waste sorting in China: digital technology innovation, attention allocation, publicity and education, enforcement intensity, economic development level, and volunteer resources. Using the fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method to analyze the effect of conditions on municipal waste sorting, the results show the following: 1) A single condition is insufficient to ensure high levels of municipal waste sorting. We propose that the "multiple concurrency" of technological, organizational, and environmental conditions creates diverse paths for promoting municipal waste sorting. 2) We then identify three paths for waste-sorting promotion, which all require technological, organizational, and environmental conditions. In addition, the two paths obtained for low levels of municipal waste sorting are not the opposite of those obtained for high levels. By observing the above five paths of waste sorting, we deduced that digital technology innovation is indispensable in driving waste sorting, and 3) Our cross-case comparisons show that there are effective paths to waste-sorting governance that work for cities regardless of their location or piloting. In some cases, high levels of attention allocation and high levels of publicity and education are substitutes for each other. We recommend that local governments refer to their own unique characteristics and resource endowments when tailoring waste-sorting strategies. • No single condition solely determines municipal waste sorting. • Configuration analysis reveals diverse paths for promoting municipal waste sorting. • Digital technology innovation is indispensable in driving waste sorting. • Local governments should refer to their characteristics when tailoring strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In terms of achieving the dual goal of nature-positive and climate-neutral, there are more or less weaknesses in linking ecological networks (ENs) and carbon-related factors in both research and practice. Considering the widely recognized multifunctionality of ENs across ecological, economic, social, and aesthetic aspects, we propose to integrate spatial carbon emission as a proxy of human activity intensity into the ecological resistance system, and further to improve the design of the ecological nodes and corridors. Here, the spatial pattern of carbon emissions was studied in the Hohhot–Baotou–Ordos–Yulin (HBOY) city cluster, a large energy-intensive area in northern China. And then, by overlying with the primary landscape patterns, 23 ecological nodes and 67 artificial corridors were added to the primary EN, improving network closure, line point rate, and network connectivity by 92%, 30.48%, and 27.45%, respectively. Importantly, the potential capacity of carbon sink would be increased by 28.61%. It is found, the improved EN may help deal with the challenge of carbon reduction and ecological degradation in a manner of multi-objective synergy. • It is meaningful to enrich multifunctionality of the ENs by considering carbon factors. • A new perspective is raised to link spatial carbon factors with EN construction. • Spatial carbon emissions are incorporated into the ecological resistance index. • 23 Ecological nodes are identified by overlapping with spatial carbon characters. • The revised network may enhance both connectivity and carbon sink potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exemption clauses in China's Insurance Law delineate the scope of obligations, performance standards, and certification requirements pertaining to fishery mutual insurance and supplementary coverage. However, the legal validity of time-limited exemption clauses remains contentious in Chinese legal theory, with judicial practice evidencing inconsistent interpretation standards. This paper argues that the application of such clauses enables insurers to potentially restrict or deny liability to some extent, promoting moral hazard and violating public order and good customs. Through analysing current theories and judicial judgments, the paper examines threats and rationale underlying the incorporation of these clauses in fishery mutual insurance policies. It contends that time-limited exemption clauses essentially function as implicit coverage exemptions and should, therefore, be deemed invalid, precluding insurers from refusing claims based on time limits. The paper concludes by recommending insurers fully disclose the liability time restrictions imposed by this clause when formulating contracts to ensure policyholder awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Demand simulation of ecosystem services (ES) was refined using a system dynamics model. • Supply-demand bundles were established to identify mismatches in ES supply-demand (ESSD). • Imbalances and mismatches of the ESSD were analyzed at the grid, city, and sub-city cluster scales. • Eight, six, and three regulatory zones were identified via the supply-demand bundles at three scales. • Multi-tier regulatory strategies were proposed to improve ES management. Ensuring ecological sustainability in urbanizing mega-regions like the Yangtze River Middle Reaches (YRMR) city cluster is crucial. Distinct dynamics in ecosystem service supply and demand (ESSD) have emerged due to land use changes, climate shifts, and policy drivers. Addressing potential imbalances and mismatches necessitates strategic ESSD regulation. However, it remains unclear how the future ESSD relationship will evolve under the combined impact of climate change and rapid urbanization. To improve demand simulation, this study examined causal links between socio-economic factors, land use, and ES demands from 2000 to 2018 using a system dynamics model. Six ES supplies and demands were simulated under the SSP-RCP scenarios in 2018–2050. Imbalances and mismatches in ESSD were assessed at grid, city, and sub-city cluster scales. The results showed sizable deficits in crop production (CP) and nature access (NA) services at three scales. A synergistic relationship between CP supply and water yield (WY) demand suggested that increased agricultural production could strain water resources. Growing demand for carbon storage (CS) and WY would worsen ESSD imbalance. To maintain long-term ESSD balance, strict carbon policies, land-use restrictions, cross-scale collaboration are needed. A tiered zoning approach based on supply-demand bundles can enhance ecosystem management in a socio-ecological context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a precautionary tool for decision-makings towards sustainable development, strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is quite promising in coping with climate change by taking the advantage of alternatives evaluation as early intervention and planning optimization. Despite of the acknowledged merits, the current alternatives evaluation has presented a weakness when tackling with the climate factors in practice due to an evident lack of carbon-related indicators. The challenge is even more pronounced in hydropower planning for the most sensitive response to climate, the most complicated impacts to evaluate and the recent doubts about the nature as a clean energy. Considering the assignable carbon emissions from the hydropower engineering including pre-treatment, construction, operation and decommission, six indicators of carbon footprint were selected and integrated with the conventional eco-environment and socio-economic considerations for evaluating four alternatives in the SEA of Upper Yellow River hydropower planning in China. The total 24 indicators were marked by the invited experts, and weighted by employing the BP neural network. The ranked marks from invited experts and improved by BP neural network weighting showed that the alternative II is the best among the four, indicating the slightest environmental impacts, the minimal carbon emissions, and the highest socio-economic benefits. This study delivered an improved framework based on the conventional rapid impact assessment method (RIAM) and carbon footprint assessment, and provided a practical technical solution for evaluating planning alternatives in the context of green hydropower development. • Considering carbon with other impacts at source is critical to green hydropower. • Carbon impacts is absent in China's hydropower strategic environmental assessment. • The proposed method integrates carbon footprint and rapid impact assessment matrix. • The improved evaluation recommended more low-carbon and eco-friendly alternative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has committed to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and become carbon neutral by 2060. Hebei, as a major energy province in China, has more challenging carbon peaking and carbon neutrality targets. Based on the extended STIRPAT model, this paper evaluates the time to peak carbon and post-peak carbon trend changes in Hebei province under different scenarios from 2020 to 2060. Based on the support vector machine model with particle swarm optimization, this paper evaluates the carbon neutral pathways under different scenarios in Hebei province from 2020 to 2060 in terms of forests, croplands, wetlands, grasslands and Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS). The results show that a monotonically flat trend without inflection point, a single-inflection-point plateau-period trend and a multi-inflection-point inverted U-wave trend occur after carbon peaks. Hebei Province can achieve carbon neutrality by 2060 under the policy scenario and the enhanced scenario, and the enhanced scenario is better. Comparing with existing studies, the innovation of this paper is to design different trends of changes after carbon peak, combining carbon absorption and carbon emission, and providing more diversified development paths for carbon neutral strategies through a more integrated perspective and multi-scenario comprehensive analysis. Therefore, In the future, Hebei Province should establish a platform for carbon emissions monitoring and carbon footprint assessment, and set up an early warning and assessment mechanism for carbon peaking, so as to prevent a rebound trend in carbon emissions after peaking. At the same time, it should introduce and develop carbon capture and conversion technologies and promote the low-carbon transformation of the industrial and energy sectors, thereby forcing the early realization of peak carbon. Pay attention to the role of forestry resources in carbon neutrality, increase carbon sink resources such as forests and wetlands, promote the development of CCUS, and enhance the implementation of the policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal pollution caused by acid mine drainage (AMD) is a global environmental concern. The processes of migration and transformation of heavy metals carried by AMD are more complicated in karst areas where carbonate rocks are widely distributed. Water, suspended particulate matter (SPM), and sediments are the crucial media in which heavy metals migrate and it is important to elucidate the geochemical behavior of AMD heavy metals in these environments. This study tracked AMD heavy metals from release to migration and transformation in a natural river system in a karst mining area. AMD directly impacted the hydrochemical composition of the karst water environment, but the carbonate rock naturally neutralized the acidity of the AMD. AMD heavy metal concentrations decreased gradually after the tributaries from the mining area entered the main river, with the metals tending to accumulate in SPM and sediments. The forms in which heavy metals were present were influenced by pH and their relative concentrations. Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy of sediments from the mining area suggested that the presence of an iron phase plays an important role in the fate of AMD-derived heavy metals. It is, therefore, necessary to elucidate the mechanisms of iron phase precipitation from sediments in order to control AMD-derived heavy metals in karst mining areas. This study improves our understanding of the geochemical behavior of heavy metals in karst environments and provides direction for the prevention and control of AMD in affected areas. [Display omitted] • Mechanisms of heavy metals migration in karst mining areas are elucidated. • Heavy metals migrate mainly in suspended particulate matter and sediments. • Goethite and jarosite are the dominant Fe phases in sediments. • Iron phase precipitation is central to the control of acid mine drainage pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the most vital wood-based products, the carbon footprint of wooden doors has received increasing attention in recent years. The studies on the carbon footprints of different types of wooden doors are few. In this study, the cradle-to-grave carbon footprints of three types of wooden doors produced in China were comparatively analyzed. Models used for calculating the total life-cycle carbon footprint of a wood-based composite door, a solid wood composite door, and a solid wood door were developed. Considering the biogenic carbon storage and its delayed emissions, the wood-based composite door, solid wood composite door, and solid wood door featured carbon footprints of 0.379, 0.257, and −0.277 kg CO 2 e per kg product, respectively. The solid wood door exhibited a negative carbon footprint, indicating that its carbon storage was higher than the carbon emission during the life cycle stage. The raw material acquisition (38%–66%) and the transportation stages (23%–38%) of the three types of wooden doors were the main contributors to the total carbon footprints (excluding the biogenic carbon). The product manufacturing stage released relatively small emissions (11%–24%). The waste disposal treatment at the end-of-life phase, the degradation of wood materials in landfills, and their service life displayed significant impacts on the carbon footprints of the three types of wooden doors. Fiberboard, laminated veneer lumber, sawn lumber, finger-jointed lumber, and electricity were identified as the main emission hotspots. This study provides guidelines for low-carbon development in the wooden door industry. [Display omitted] • The full life cycle carbon footprint of three types of wooden door were compared. • Solid wood door showed the best profile, followed by the solid wood composite door and wood-based composite door. • The disposal at the end of life significantly impacted the carbon footprint of wooden door. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to explore the dynamic relationship among economic growth, clean energy, and carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions in China. The indicators of economic growth, clean energy, CO 2 emissions, fixed assets investment, and research and development intensity of 30 provinces and municipalities for the period of 2005–2019 in China have been investigated by Panel Vector Autoregression model (PVAR). To further explore regional differences, three types of regions were classified by K-means cluster analysis. The results show that clean energy has a positive impact on economic growth in China; Clean energy reduces CO 2 emissions in Region II while others do not; Both fixed assets investment and research and development promote clean energy development; The dynamic relationship between the 5 indicators varies across regions. Various regions in China should combine their development characteristics and location advantages, increase capital investment and research and development input in clean energy, strengthen environmental regulations, and improve the energy consumption structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Zircon U-Pb dating results refine the emplacement age of the Xikeng pluton at 232.2 ± 1.1 Ma. • Cassiterite and wolframite U-Pb dating constrains the timing of W-Sn mineralization from Xigkeng deposit at 228.4 ± 0.90 Ma and 227.8 ± 1.60 Ma, respectively. • Source of magmatic materials was derived from reworking of crustal materials under an extensional setting. The Chongyi–Shangyou–Dayu ore-concentrated district represents one of the most important wolframite production bases in China, and most of the W-Sn deposits formed in the early Yanshanian period. The Xikeng quartz vein-type W-Sn deposit is located spatially not far from the Triassic Keshuling granitic pluton. The deposit contains 43 ore-bearing quartz veins, in which the ore minerals are mainly cassiterite and wolframite. These ore veins are concentrated in the Sinian metasandstone and sandy slate of the Laohutang Formation and extend down to the top of the concealed granite. The concealed intrusion is composed of medium- to fine-grained muscovite granites, which relate to the Indosinian Keshuling granite, according to geophysical data. Zircon grains from the concealed Xikeng granitic intrusion have a concordant U-Pb age of 232.1 ± 1.1 Ma (MSWD = 0.9). The zircon εHf(t) values range from −11.0 to −7.9, indicating primary reworking of the ancient crustal materials. Wolframite and cassiterite grains yield Tera-Wasserburg concordia intercept ages of 228.4 ± 0.9 Ma (MSWD = 1.2) and 227.8 ± 1.6 Ma (MSWD = 0.3) for the Xikeng deposit, respectively. These data demonstrate that the Indosinian W-Sn mineralization events were genetically related to granitic magma activities that share similar magmatic sources with the Yanshanian W-Sn mineralization-associated granitic intrusions. Combined with previous robust granitic and metallogenic ages, this paper identifies a new Indosinian W-Sn mineralization event in southern Jiangxi Province, Nanling Range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the national 'dual carbon' strategy, expediting the green and low-carbon transformation has become a focal point across various industries. The challenge of reducing carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions in the transportation sector is exceptionally formidable, given its heavy reliance on energy. Swift progress within this industry unavoidably entails heightened energy consumption, consequently exacerbating CO 2 emissions within the sector. This article aims to identify an attainable, comprehensive pathway towards achieving net-zero emissions within the industry. The study reveals that strict control over the growth rate of the transportation industry's total output value and significant promotion of energy intensity decline can lead to a substantial 44% reduction in CO 2 emissions by 2050, equivalent to approximately 2.17 Gt and 2.15 Gt of CO 2 eq. Successfully achieving net-zero emissions necessitates the replacement of fossil fuels with alternative transportation fuels in the range of 3.34 EJ to 15.22 EJ, accompanied by technological advancements to drive cost reductions. Additionally, considering non-CO 2 radiation forcing, each scenario requires carbon dioxide removal (CDR) ranging from 0.17 Gt to 2.67 Gt for achieving net-zero emissions. This article comprehensively examines key factors including economy, energy, and technology, conducting an in-depth investigation into the viable pathway to achieve net-zero emissions within the industry. The findings presented herein offer valuable insights into facilitating the industry's low-carbon development and supporting the attainment of the national 'dual carbon' goal. • The proportion of alternative fuels in transportation fuels affects carbon intensity. • The potential pathways to net-zero carbon dioxide emissions in China's transportation industry are investigated. • Considering non-carbon dioxide radiation forcing, the industry's net-zero emissions require carbon dioxide removal. • China should be committed to developing technologies to improve the production capacity of synthetic fuels and biofuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study was focused on two objectives: to explore (a) Chinese elite athletes' perceptions of their rehabilitation experiences after severe acute injuries, and (b) support strategies facilitating their return to competition. We interviewed 10 Chinese elite athletes through a semi-structured interview guide consisting of open questions and requests for information about the participants' injury and rehabilitation experiences. We utilized a reflexive thematic analysis to interpret participants' accounts. Two themes are presented to reveal the Chinese elite athletes' perceptions: (a) psychological injury rehabilitation lags behind physical rehabilitation and (b) post-injury psychological support within the CWNS.This study contributes to athlete rehabilitation scholarship by providing a unique Eastern, collective perspective embedded with the Chinese Whole Nation System (CWNS). • Cultural understandings of severe acute injury, national context and Chinese elite athletes. • Unique Eastern perspective of elite athletes' physical and psychological rehabilitation. • We advocate post-injury psychological support across athletes within the CWNS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has decided to impose carbon tariffs on some imported goods after 2026 based on their embodied carbon emissions. And China, as the fourth largest steel importer in the EU, its foreign trade in steel will undoubtedly be affected. The Multi-regional Input-output and Single-regional Input-Output models were used to calculate the embodied carbon in China's steel exports to the EU from 2000 to 2020. Under the current development scenario, the EU carbon tariff rate in 2034 will reach about 5.5%, exceeding the average profitability of steel in recent years. In order to reduce carbon tariffs, a strategy to accelerate the development of carbon reduction capacity is proposed from the perspective of reducing embodied carbon. Meanwhile, considering the development trend of the tradable green certificate system and the controversial nature of CBAM in the WTO framework, a countermeasure to promote green certificates offsetting carbon tariffs is proposed from the policy perspective, and the cost increase rate generated by this measure is calculated with the scenario settings, and the cost increase rate is only 1.1% under the best situation. • Combined use of MIRO and SIRO methods to calculate carbon embodied. • Using BA optimizer to improve ELM algorithm to predict hidden carbon content. • The implied carbon emissions of China's foreign trade steel can be greatly reduced. • Explore the impact of CBAM on China's foreign trade steel in different scenarios. • Putting forward various ways to reduce the impact of CBAM from multiple angles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the distribution of 8 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in 321 shellfish samples collected from four coastal cities along the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea of Shandong Province, China. The concentrations of total PFASs (∑PFASs) were in the range of 0.061–178.259 ng/g wet weight (ww). Two legacy long-chain compounds were dominant. Three emerging compounds and two short-chain alternatives were also observed with higher concentration and detection frequency than in previous studies, whereas 4, 8-dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoate acid (ADONA) was not detected. There were differences in concentrations and composition profiles of PFASs among different species, as well as among different sampling cities. According to scores of principal component analysis, metal plating plants, textile treatments, and fluoropolymer products were considered as the main sources of PFAS contamination in shellfish. Furthermore, a potential health risk of perfluorooctanoic acid should be highly considered for local residents that frequently consume crabs and molluscs. • Legacy PFASs were dominant in shellfish from the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea. • PFASs alternatives were detected more frequently, indicating an increase in use. • Industrial pollution was the main potential source of PFASs in studied shellfish. • PFOA showed a potential risk via consuming seafood to local residents in Shandong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inappropriate long-term reclamation has reduced ecological services, including carbon sequestration, in Inner Mongolia's interlocking agricultural and pastoral lands near the northern foot of Yinshanbeilu, making this one of China's most environmentally fragile areas. Regional ecosystem changes and sustainable development depend on the understanding of how climate change and anthropogenic activities affect the net primary production (NPP) of vegetation. (1) Fluctuations in vegetation NPP tended to increase at a ratio of 2.974 g·m−2·a−1. The vegetation NPP increased in 99.49% of the research area; 77.97% of this production was significant. (2) Precipitation and temperature restricted vegetation growth, and the impact of atmospheric precipitation on vegetation NPP exceeded that of both the spatial and temporal dimensions. Precipitation affected grassland NPP more than arable NPP. However, the direct and indirect effects of temperature were greater on arable NPP than on grassland NPP. (3) Changes in climate and anthropogenic activities changed the vegetation NPP by 46.23% and 53.77%, respectively, with the values showing significant spatial variability. Climate change dominated vegetation changes in sparsely populated and underdeveloped areas, whereas human activity was dominant in populated and economically developed areas. (4) Vegetation NPP loss in Yinsanbeilu occurred mostly when the land was changed from grassland to other land use types, whereas growth occurred mostly when the land was changed from arable land to grassland. These results improve the understanding of how climate change and anthropogenic activities affect vegetation dynamics and provide a foundation for vegetation restoration and quality enhancement. • Separate the effects of climate change and human activity on NPP. • Precipitation (temperature) has a combined effect on NPP, both directly and indirectly. • Vegetation NPP loss in the Yinsanbeilu is mostly from grassland to other land uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bohai Sea area has the highest intensity of reclamation in China, and this has created a series of ecological problems. It is generally believed that marine ecological compensation is an effective strategy for promoting the sustainable development of the marine economy and the ecological environment in the Bohai Sea reclamation area. However, at present, China is still in the early stages of developing marine ecological compensation mechanisms, and many problems have been exposed stemming from historical issues and the institutions exerting strict control over Bohai Sea reclamation. After analysing the current situation and summarizing the existing policies and laws governing marine ecological compensation for Bohai Sea reclamation, this paper expounds upon the major issues with marine ecological compensation management at present. Management countermeasures are also proposed, such as incorporating ecological compensation for reclamation into territorial spatial planning, perfecting the compensation incentive mechanisms, and constructing multisource financing mechanisms. • Summarize the current status of ecological compensation for Bohai Sea reclamation. • Overview legislative practices of coastal reclamation and ecological compensation. • Elaborate institutional gaps of ecological compensation for Bohai Sea reclamation. • Propose strategies to promote the managing ecological compensation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Higher-order thinking skills are essential competencies for the 21st century. • Programming education improves higher-order thinking skills effectively. • The impact of learning engagement on higher-order thinking skills is multi-dimensional. • Learning engagements are critical factors in developing higher-order thinking skills. Learning engagements in programming learning activities are critical to developing students' higher-order thinking skills. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between K-12 students' learning engagement levels (i.e., cognitive engagement, emotional engagement, and behavioral engagement) and higher-order thinking skills (i.e., computational thinking, problem solving, creative thinking, and critical thinking) in programming learning, and the moderating effects of behavioral engagement and emotional engagement on this relationship. A total of 714 K-12 students in China's Zhejiang Province participated in this study and completed an online questionnaire, which included the learning engagement scale and the high-order thinking tendency scale. Cross-sectional survey data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and hierarchical multiple regression as a way to examine the relationship between the variables. The results showed that cognitive engagement, emotional engagement, and behavioral engagement were all key factors in developing those students' higher-order thinking for programming learning activities in K-12 students during associated activities. Furthermore, when the students' emotional engagements were elevated, the positive relationships between cognitive engagement, computational thinking, and creative thinking were closer. Inversely, when students' behavioral engagement was high, the positive relationship between cognitive engagement and critical thinking, and the positive relationship between emotional engagement and problem-solving and critical thinking became looser. These results can help deepen educators' understanding of the relationship between learning engagement and higher-order thinking skills to facilitate their search for effective strategies to improve programming instruction. Additionally, it can provide a more precise research direction for the broader development of programming education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Xiong'an New Area (XNA) is a new district to relieve pressure the Chinese capital. • Comprehensive analysis of WRCC using "quantity, quality, watershed and flow" (WQQSF). • Significant influence of water quantity factor on WRCC in XNA. • SD Model of WRCC based on obstacle factors and uncertainties of future development. • Future XNA should strictly control population, water saving and water supply. Water resources play a pivotal role in sustaining and shaping urban development. To assess the suitability of a site for urban construction, a water-resource–carrying capacity (WRCC) assessment is typically conducted. Here, we expand on the concept of the WRCC and construct an evaluation system based on the water quantity, quality, watershed and flow (WQQSF). Using this WQQSF evaluation system, we investigated the suitability of water resources for the development of the Xiong'an New Area (XNA) in China. Specifically, we evaluated the WRCC of XNA from 2010 to 2020 and identified the main obstacle factors. By building a system dynamics (SD) model, we analyzed projected changes in the carrying capacity of XNA from 2021 to 2035. The main findings were as follows:(1) the average WQQSF-index was 0.32 from 2010 to 2017, which corresponds to the overload condition, and rises to 0.41 from 2018 to 2020, which corresponds to the critical overload condition. (2) From the perspective of obstacle factors, the water quantity factor has a large influence on the water resources bearing condition of XNA accounting for about 40 %. (3) Considering that XNA is a water-scarce area, we should first ensure the balance between the supply and demand of water resources, and secondly, choose the optimal scenario for the carrying capacity. Among the five scenarios based on uncertainty, the S3 scenario not only meets the balance of water resources supply and demand but also has the best-carrying index, which is 0.7, showing a weak carrying condition. To ensure the sustainable development of WRCC in XNA, water conservation and strict control of population size should be adhered to in the future while increasing water recharge through multiple channels. This study provides a decision basis for the management, rational development, and allocation of WRCC in XNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parenting skills, such as Autonomy Support (AS), have been proposed as a potential mechanism explaining the intergenerational contiguity of Executive Function (EF). However, few studies have focused on mothers and fathers among non-Western families. The current study investigated the role of maternal and paternal AS in the relation between parental EF and infant EF at 14 months of age among 123 Dutch and 63 Chinese first-time mothers and fathers and their infants. Multiple-group structural equation models were built for mothers and fathers separately with country as a grouping variable. Results showed that parental AS did not mediate the relation between parent EF and infant EF at 14 months. Mean-level differences were found in parental AS, maternal EF, and infant inhibition across countries, while no country differences were found in the relation between parent EF, AS and infant EF. Our findings suggested that individual differences in early EF may not be stable enough to be reliably predicted from parental factors across the Netherlands and China. • Parental autonomy support did not mediate the relation between parent executive function and 14-month executive function. • The mediation model was similar across the Netherlands and China. • Mean-level differences were found in parental autonomy support, maternal executive function, and infant inhibition across countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among all kinds of developmental plans under the legal requirements for strategic environmental assessments (SEA) in China, SEA involving watershed development planning (WDP) is characterized by the longest evolution history, the most time-consuming procedure, and the most complicated assessment. In order to help understanding of the development and context of Chinese WDP-SEA, an introduction was made here to display its management rules, technical framework, and the progress in practice. Besides, by collecting 25 state-level cases completed during the period of 2014–2019, the substantive SEA performance was portrayed through the chief elements of evaluation indicators, recommendations on planning improvement and the mitigation measures. A literature review invovling 46 researches showed the procedural effectiveness has been ensured by increasingly complete regulations, technical guidelines, and rigorous review. To further promote contributions of the WDP-SEA to watershed environmental management and green development, it is suggested to strengthen the impact assessments related with biodiversity and climate change and linking SEA works with such new governing devices as the three-lines & one-list, and the river chief system in China. • Twenty-five cases are reviewed for indicators selection and performance approaches. • Complete requirements and rigorous review contribute to procedural effectiveness. • Objectives are achieved by recommended improvements, mitigation and compensation measures. • Substantive effectiveness focus on water utilization, biodiversity and ecosystem services and socioeconomic development. • Strengthen impacts assessment of climate change and biodiversity, and link with new policies are required for improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Natural capital and pollutions are incorporated into the productivity accounting. • Natural capital contributed to GDP growth by 0.4 percentage per year before 2012. • Productivity growth is overestimated by 1.1 percentages compared to new accounting. • China has made significant progress on green development since 2013. This paper links "green" and "growth" to produce a measure of economic and environmental performance and natural resource depletion based on an expanded accounting framework: the environmentally adjusted multifactor productivity (EAMFP), which provides a new perspective to examine China's post-1978 economic growth. The results show that China's annual economic growth would be overestimated by 1.14 percentage points over the past four decades averagely. The EAMFP growth maintains positive at an average annual rate of 3.07%, moderating the MFP growth by 1.11 percentage points. It could be further improved compared to the EAMFP-driven economic growth in OECD countries. Benefiting from the greater efforts in environmental and natural resource regulation since 2013, China's growth may be revised upwards by 0.43 percentage points. The contribution of natural capital to economic growth falls from 0.41% to 0.06% per year, and the adjustment of pollution changes from negative to positive. Figure. The expansion of the growth accounting framework [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embodied carbon emissions have an important role in China's "dual carbon" target and carbon reduction policy. Our study applied a multiregional input–output (MRIO) model and structural decomposition analysis (SDA) to examine the spatiotemporal evolution and driving forces of embodied carbon emissions in the specific region of Shanxi Province, an energy-rich region in China, in the empirical study using MRIO data. First, we found that Shanxi had considerable net embodied carbon outflow in interprovincial trade, with outflow increasing from 216.18 Mt in 2012 to 221.60 Mt in 2017. Second, the main driving forces of embodied carbon outflow include technological level and trade demand. We then classified 29 sectors into six categories, including mainly developed, controlled, moderately guided, moderately controlled, cost guided, and maintained to describe the relationship between the net transfer of embodied carbon emissions and value added, and formulated proposed sectoral development policies. Third, the sectors with the highest net embodied carbon outflow include electricity and heat production and supply; metal smelting and rolling processing; and petroleum processing, coking, and nuclear fuel processing. We constructed a coupled relationship model to adjust the technology and scale of interprovincial trade to reduce carbon emissions with lower cost and higher equity. The results can be used as a reference for formulating carbon reduction policies in energy-rich regions. [Display omitted] • We calculate the amount of net embodied carbon transferred from Shanxi. • We estimate the sectors' embodied carbon emissions in inter-provincial trade. • Driving forces are decomposed of embodied carbon outflowed from Shanxi. • A classification model is constructed to identify sectoral characteristics. • The key sectors are identified and then trade relationships are adjusted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Carbon emission inventories were calculated during 2000 to 2018 in the Yangtze River Delta. • A multi-objective particle swarm algorithm was used to the optimal allocation of land use structures with respect to quantity and space. • Optimal land use allocation for reconciling carbon emissions and GDP development. • The TOPSIS minimum optimized land-use model increases GDP and reduces carbon emissions. Reconciling carbon emissions and GDP development is a challenge for most Chinese cities in the sustainable development process. Taking the Yangtze River Delta of China as an example, this study calculated carbon-emission inventories for five typical years and assigned anthropogenic carbon emissions to land-use types. A multi-objective particle swarm algorithm was used to consider three functions of land-use allocation: maximizing GDP, minimizing carbon emissions, and maximizing suitability. Thereafter, the technique for order of preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) method was combined to find the optimal solution for carbon emission and economic development trade-offs. It is observed that Jiangsu has the largest carbon emissions in the Yangtze River Delta region; energy consumption is the main source of the carbon emissions, and industrial land is the most carbon intensive region. The land-use allocation obtained by multi-objective optimization with the TOPSIS evaluation method increases GDP and reduces carbon emissions, which is worthy of reference for land planners. Land use optimization from the perspective of balancing carbon emissions and economic development can provide a useful reference for the rational use of land resources and socio-economic sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A novel leakage model test system was proposed. • Deformation, uneven settlement and deterioration of the segment were simulated during service. • A non-linear growth trend in water leakage was observed. • Decreased contact stress and gasket aging aggravate leakage. With the increasing mileage and operation time of China's subsea tunnels, tunnels are entering a period of high disaster. Water leakage is one of the most common disasters. To study the mechanism of water leakage in subsea shield tunnels during the service period, a model test study was carried out by proposing a novel tunnel seepage leakage model test system in this paper. The system consists of a model frame, ground stress loading system, hydraulic pressure loading system, temperature control system, and monitoring system. Through 3D printing, the tunnel segments were innovatively made of resin. The process of uneven settlement, seawater erosion, joint deformation, gasket stress relaxation, and water leakage during the service period were successfully simulated by heating the model segments and local overloading. The test results showed that the joint deformation with service life could be approximately divided into three stages: non-linear rapid growth, linear growth, and non-linear slow growth. And the joint deformation and the aging of the gasket resulted in the decrease of the contact stress of the segment joint. Both exacerbated the leakage in the joint. By the time the service life reaches 16th year, the waterproofing performance no longer met the waterproofing standard for subsea tunnels. The developed test device and method are practical in predicting water surges in subsea tunnels during service life. This paper provides new insights into long-term waterproofing performance testing of shield tunnels under complex conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Long-term biochar application changed the diversity and composition of rhizobacterial communities. • Long-term biochar application had the potential to improve growth traits of winter wheat. • The rhizobacteria community partly explained the variations in winter wheat development. The use of biochar as a soil amendment has obvious impacts on soil biota and crop productivity. However, the relationship between the rhizosphere bacterial community and crop growth under biochar application is unclear, especially long-term analysis under repeated application of biochar. Thus, we evaluated changes in soil environmental factors, rhizosphere bacterial community structure, and growth traits of winter wheat following the application of different amounts of biochar. Biochar was applied twice in October 2011 and October 2016. The medium or high amount of biochar (10 t ha–1 or 20 t ha−1) application increased the soil moisture, nutrient contents, and urease and catalase activities. The β-diversity of the rhizosphere bacterial community was significantly affected by biochar and its interaction with different growth stages. Biomarkers enriched under biochar addition belonged to phyla comprising Cyanobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Nitrospirae, and Chloroflexi. Biochar addition significantly (P < 0.05) improved crop biomass, carbon and nitrogen uptake, and increased the relative crop nitrogen and carbon uptake rates (RNU and RCU) in all growth stages, with the highest dose in a medium amount of biochar (10 t ha−1). Biomarkers enriched under biochar treatments had positive correlations with RNU and RCU, such as Chloroflexales, Thermobioceraceae, and Parviterribacter. Our study furthers the understanding of the association of rhizobacteria community and crop growth under long-term application of biochar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A better understanding of urban sustainability would be accomplished if the food-energy-water (FEW) relationship was linked with the system of multiple ecosystem services (ESs); however, the two systems have thus far been studied intensively but separately. Here, an analytical framework is developed from the perspective of the FEW interactions to investigate the dynamics of multiple ESs and its stressors. The main steps include 1) selecting ES and FEW indicators according to the socionatural features; 2) studying the spatiotemporal dynamics by a synergy and trade-off analysis and ES bundles; and 3) applying the random forest algorithm to identify the key stressors. The framework is applied to the state-level Hohhot-Baotou-Ordos-Yulin urban agglomeration, which consists of 4 cities and 38 counties in northern China, from 1991 to 2015 (5 years as a period). The results indicate that ESs with the food supply have increased while certain ESs have declined in some counties (e.g., Tumd Zuoqi, and Junggar). The trade-offs have increased from 5 to 11 pairs since 1996, and most of them were related to provisioning ESs. The bundles for water supply and conservation have shrunk, whereas the bundles for food supply have expanded. Agriculture and animal husbandry, which account for 71.58–83% of the total water consumption, have always been the most important stressors. Coal mining and thermal power generation were the important stressors from 2011 to 2015. The findings indicate that ESs should be considered constraining variables in FEW-related policy formulations. • An indicator-based framework is developed to link multiple ESs and the FEW interactions. • Increasing trade-offs were mainly observed between provisioning ESs and other ESs. • Food-related ESBs have expanded while water-related ESBs have shrunk. • Agricultural water consumption is always the most important FEW stressor. • The stress for coal mining and thermal power generation has continued to rise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adding biochar to agricultural soils is an innovative method to improve soil fertility and sequester recalcitrant carbon. However, effects of biochar application on soil nitrogen balance under dryland conditions have not been assessed. In this study, we applied biochar at four rates [no biochar (B0), 5 t ha−1 (B5), 10 t ha−1 (B10), and 20 t ha−1 (B20)] to a rainfed winter-wheat agroecosystem on the Loess Plateau in China in October 2011 and 2016. Biochar application at the low and medium rates (5 and 10 t ha−1) reduced nitrogen losses through NH 3 volatilization and N 2 O emissions by 9.23–15.41 % and 2.77–10.44 %, respectively, in all the three experimental study seasons from 2016 to 2019. In addition, biochar application reduced soil NO 3 −-N leaching by 14.71–37.96 % within 100 cm soil depth in a dose-dependent manner. The reduced nitrogen losses increased the retention of soil total nitrogen in the 0–60 cm soil layer (particularly in the 0–20 cm layer). Biochar application increased the crop and grain nitrogen uptake by 5.07–17.77 % and 1.73–21.74 %, respectively, and this effect was more pronounced at higher biochar application rates (10 and 20 t ha−1). Estimation of N inputs and outputs indicated that biochar application significantly (P < 0.05) increased the mean soil nitrogen balance by 52.09–116.84 % through decreased nitrogen losses and increased soil nitrogen retention. The results indicate that biochar application at 10 t ha−1 could be recommended as the optimal dose for sustainable nitrogen management in rainfed wheat cropping ecosystems on the Loess Plateau. • Biochar application reduces N losses intensity. • Biochar application increased the soil N retention and crop N uptake. • Biochar application significantly improved the mean soil N balance. • 10 t biochar ha−1 should be recommended as the optimal dose for N sustainability in agroecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast and accurate identification of soybean varieties is important for determining seed quality, protecting the interests of soybean growers and ensuring food safety. A combination of Raman spectroscopy with chemometric methods has been widely applied in the identification of agricultural products such as grains, fruit, edible oils, and honey; however, the identification methods of soybean varieties mainly focuses on infrared spectroscopy and hyperspectral imagery. Therefore, a partial least squares (PLS) identification model was established by Raman spectroscopy combined with characteristic wavenumber extraction method to rapidly identify four high-protein soybean varieties (Heinong 88, Heinong 98, Suinong 71, and Suinong 76) that are extensively planted in Heilongjiang Province, China. Owing to the high-dimensional and high correlation data obtained from Raman spectroscopy, a full-spectrum prediction mode will lead to high complexity and poor stability. Therefore, first, the optimal combinations of spectral subintervals were selected by backward interval PLS (BIPLS) and synergy interval PLS (SIPLS); however, redundant variables still existed in the selected continuous band and strong collinearity was observed between adjacent wavenumbers. Consequently, ElasticNet was used to re-filter the characteristic spectral regions of BIPLS and SIPLS, which effectively reduced the collinearity between the selected wavenumbers. The performance of different algorithms, i.e., full-spectrum and five characteristic wavenumber selection algorithms—BIPLS, SIPLS, ElasticNet, BIPLS-ElasticNet, and SIPLS-ElasticNet —were compared. In the BIPLS-ElasticNet algorithm, 1113 effective wavenumbers were extracted, which accounted for approximately 35% of the total wavenumbers. Moreover, the values of root mean square error, determination coefficient, and identification accuracy of the prediction set were determined to be 0.2298,0.9568 and 100%, respectively. Therefore, the proposed BIPLS-ElasticNet demonstrated the best performance among the PLS models and can be used for the fast and accurate identification of soybean varieties; moreover, it can also provide a reference for the rapid identification of other crop seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the clinical experiences of the intern nursing students who did their internship in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at least two months. The key point is to investigate how nursing students achieved self-development in ICUs. Using qualitative study based on the grounded theory, we enrolled 15 intern nursing students from November 2021 to April 2022 in a Grade A hospital in Hunan Province, China. This study developed an explanatory theoretical framework of the interns' experience in ICUs, which was described as a comprehensive growth process for ICU interns. In this process, the intern nursing students often go through three stages: pressure period, adjustment period and growth period. Self-regulation and social interaction play a key role to help them get over the negative experiences they experienced in the stress period and achieve personal development. Clinical nursing educators could make appropriate interventions based on the characteristics of students at different intership stages in ICUs. The target training of intern nursing students should focus on their theoretical knowledge, emotion regulation, communication skills and personality optimization. In addition, clinical tutors should be trained regularly to prepare well for their important roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duck salmonellosis is a common acute septic infectious disease that spreads rapidly, with serious harm to the duck breeding industry and public health. To date, there are few reports about the epidemiological characteristics of drug resistance in Salmonella from ducks. In this study, an epidemiological investigation was conducted on drug resistance of 110 Salmonella strains isolated from multiple duck farms in Shandong Province and surrounding areas, China. The multidrug-resistant (MDR) rate for 110 Salmonella strains was up to 71.82% (79/110), and 12 types of drug resistance genes were detected in all isolates, including β-lactams, aminoglycosides, tetracycline, macrolides, and quinolones resistance genes. Using the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) based on 7 housekeeping genes, 13 various ST types were identified among all strains, and ST19 (32/110, 29.09%) was the primary type. As the dominant serotypes, S. Kottbus and S. Typhimurium were divided into multiple ST types. A total of 6 kinds of plasmid incompatibility groups were carried in the Salmonella strains, of which IncFIIs (29/110, 26.36%) was most prevalent, and the class I integrons were detected in 78.18% (86/110) of strains. Furthermore, we found that some drug resistance genes, plasmid incompatibility groups, and class I integrons coexist in the same strain. This phenomenon indicates that class I integrons and plasmids are important ways for the spread of drug resistance genes. Therefore, the spread of antibiotic resistance in Salmonella had been facilitated, especially erythromycin (108/110, 98.18%), streptomycin (93/110, 84.54%), and tetracycline (53/110, 48.18%). The above research results broadened ideas and provided directions for the transmission mechanism of Salmonella resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Promoting low-carbon development in the iron and steel industry (ISI) is essential for China to achieve the carbon neutrality targets. This paper separately adopts the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) technique and the Mean Impact Value (MIV) method to analyze the impact of driving factors on the CO 2 emissions of ISI in the historical and future dimensions. Furthermore, this paper establishes the extreme learning machine model optimized by the bat algorithm (BA-BP) to explore the carbon emission reduction pathways of ISI in the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, the low-speed, medium-speed and high-speed development scenarios considering the constraints of carbon neutrality targets. The results reveal that: (1) Production capacity and energy efficiency are important drivers of CO 2 emissions in ISI; (2) The emission reduction situation is not optimistic under the BAU scenario, and it is difficult to accomplish the carbon neutrality goals by 2060; (3) Under the most ideal emission reduction pathway (corresponding to the high-speed development scenario), ISI will reach its peak in 2022 with the peak value of 2143.42 MtCO 2. Compared to the peak year, the CO 2 emissions will be reduced by 654.69 MtCO 2 and 1558.61 MtCO 2 in 2030 and 2050, respectively. Moreover, the achievement of short-term and long-term emission reduction targets depends on production capacity decline and technological progress, respectively. The optimal emission reduction pathway provides a reference for ISI to formulate periodic emission reduction targets. • The improved extreme learning machine is employed to predict the carbon emissions. • The emission reduction pathways are explored under the carbon neutrality target. • Controlling production capacity is a crucial reduction strategy. • The energy rebound effect is supposed to be weakened. • The application of advanced technologies will greatly promote emission reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote sensing technology has been frequently used to obtain information on changes in urban land cover because of its vast spatial coverage and timeliness of observation. Block-level change detection with high temporal resolution image data provides fine detail of urban changes, is suitable for urban management, and has gradually received widespread attention. High-dimensional features are required to express the heterogeneous structure of the blocks. High-dimensional high-frequency time series, namely, multivariate time series, are formed by arranging high-dimensional features chronologically. Classic change detection methods treat multivariate time series as univariate time series one by one. Few studies have analyzed the change in a multivariate time series by considering all variables as an entirety. Therefore, a graph-based segmentation for multivariate time series algorithm (MTS-GS) is proposed in this paper. Specifically, 1) we construct a similarity matrix to explore the changing patterns of multivariate time series for seasonal change, trend change, abrupt change, and noise disturbance; 2) a multivariate time series graph is defined based on the changing patterns; and 3) the corresponding graph segmentation algorithm is proposed in the paper to detect the abrupt and trend changes under noise and seasonal disturbances. Sentinel-2 images of the rapidly developing third-tier city of Luoyang, Henan province, China, are adopted to validate the algorithm. The F1-score in the spatial domain is 84.1%; the producer's and the user's accuracy in the temporal dimension are 81.8% and 80.1%, respectively. Seven change types are defined and extracted, showing the development pattern and the efficiency of land use in the city. Furthermore, the proposed MTS-GS can be used for pixel-level change detection and performs well under various time intervals and cloud covers. • Developing a new change detection algorithm for multivariate time series. • Exploring the changing pattern of multivariate time series. • Creating a multivariate time series graph. • Enabling the detection of trend changes with short duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Over 60% extractable oil from oil-window shale is stored in the micro-mesopores. • Oil extraction has limited impacts on overmature dry shales. • Moisture contents of wet shales reduce by 7–37% after oil extraction. • Extraction increases micropore and methane adsorption capacities up to 282%. • GIP for oil-window shale can be over-estimated up to 22% by extracting the oil. The porosity and methane adsorption capacity of shale used to estimate gas in place (GIP) are affected both by moisture and oil residing in the pore structure, as well as oil naturally present from maturation, which can include contaminant drilling mud fluids used for drilling. To demonstrate the impact of extractable oil on methane adsorption capacity for both dry and moisture-equilibrated shales, two overmature shales from China (SH1, SH2) and two lower mature shales from UK (BS3, GH4) have been investigated. The oils extracted from the overmature shales (<0.5 wt% TOC) are in low yield and arise from oil-based drilling mud, while the much higher yields from the lower maturity UK shales (1.1–2.5 wt% TOC) is mainly from oil generated by maturation. After extraction, minimal changes (<5%) in total nanopore volume (<100 nm) were observed for the dry over mature shales, but significant increases (95 and 176%) were observed for the dry lower maturity shales. More than 60% of the extracted oil resides in micro and mesopores, and removal could unblock the micropore necks and enlarge the accessible meso and macropore volume. Moisture contents are lower for extracted shales, with reductions of 7–37% observed. Methane equilibrium adsorption capacities increased after oil extraction for both the dry and wet shales, especially for lower maturity shales, where increases were over 200% for the wet shales. Henry's Law was used to show that there were not significant amounts of dissolved methane in oils for the dry shales. Extracting oil from shales prior to determining the porosity and methane adsorption capacity can lead to the GIP being over-estimated for moisture equilibrated shales, particularly for oil-window shales where an overestimation of 22% was obtained for the shale investigated in this study. These findings provide a better understanding of the combined impacts of residual oil and water on GIP and avoid its overestimation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Liaodong Bay Depression was shaped by the Bohai Bay rift basin (BBRB) and the Tan-Lu strike-slip fault system (TSFS) in the Cenozoic and has undergone a tectonic transition from rifting to strike-slip. Therefore, it is an ideal region to study the transition from rifting to strike-slip. Based on new 3D serial seismic data interpretation, we investigated the types and formation times of the main faults in the Liaodong Bay Depression and restored them within the palaeogeography of each evolution stage. Our results show that the Liaodong Bay Depression underwent a tectonic transition from rifting to strike-slip: (1) The mantle material upsurge caused by the Izanagi plate trapped in the mantle transition zone led to rifting of the Liaodong Bay Depression from the Palaeocene to the Eocene. (2) In the middle Eocene, the change in the subduction direction of the Pacific plate led to dextral strike-slip movement along the Tan-Lu fault zone. (3) The rifting and strike-slip in the Liaodong Bay depression are related, and the transition from rifting to strike-slip occurred from the middle Eocene to the early Oligocene. The strike-slip faults developed when rifting was weak in the Oligocene. The transition from rifting to strike-slip faulting formed oil-gas accumulation zones along the strike-slip fault zone and thus resulted in the good oil and gas exploration prospects of this area. • The Liaodong Bay Depression experienced tectonic transition from rifting to strike slip in the Paleogene. • The transition from rifting to strike-slip occurred from middle Eocene to early Oligocene in the Liaodong bay depression. • During the transition from rifting to strike-slip, strike slip faults develop when rifting is weak. • The transition from rifting to strike-slip forms oil-gas accumulation zones along the strike-slip fault zone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under the dual policy targets of carbon emission peaking (CEP) and industrial green transformation (IGT) in China, where a top-down policy implementation is usually adopted, a more integrative planning mode needs to be constructed for greening industrial development. This paper proposes a technical framework to tackle the weakness faced when integrating IGT-associated issues with CEP factors during the development of IGT options, with an application in the Hohhot–Baotou–Ordos–Yulin (HBOY) city cluster. A CEP-IGT model was built to portray the effects of seven selected indicators on industrial carbon emissions, and help develop six options by defining the transformation strengths of HBOY's energy-intensive industrial system. Particularly, the CEP times and volumes were employed as the criteria for evaluating the IGT options. We found that the regional CEP goal will not be accomplished by even 2035 under the business-as-usual scenario. To halt the emission growth trend will rely much on the structural factors of energy mix and industrial output, which were also determinants of the IGT performance. Option 3, representing a moderate level transformation, was the preferred IGT plan, reaching a peak volume of 255.27 MtCO 2 eq·a−1 in 2026. The preferred plan will result in the replacement of at least 14% of the coal used in thermal power by renewable energy, and an increase in industrial coal-use efficiency by 32.02%. Policy measures need to be implemented to cap the total industrial coal consumption to no more than 2494 Mt and sustain an industrial growth by developing lower-energy or carbon-intensive industries. By 2030, the intensity and volume of industrial carbon emissions will reach 1.89 tCO 2 eq·10,000 CNY−1 and 224.85 MtCO 2 eq·a−1, respectively. This CEP-IGT progress will benefit the goal of being carbon neutral. As such, we concluded that this new framework will aid the IGT planning process, not only improving our understanding of the relationships between carbon emission control and industrial updating levels, but also presenting an integrative path for China's city clusters to promote green, low-carbon industrial development. • A technical framework is raised to tackle the weakness of integrating the CEP factors into IGT planning. • The peaking time and volumes of carbon emissions are used as the criteria for determining the preferred plan. • Both industrial updating and carbon emission control rely on the structural factors. • The preferred Option 3 can achieve the peaking goal in 2026 with a moderate transformation strength. • The new framework presents an integrative path to promote the transformation to green, low-carbon industrial growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A low-coverage-mode shelterbelt stand can maintain a positive water budget. • Evapotranspiration (ET) had a markedly negative effect to deep drainage (DP). • Soil moisture, precipitation and soil conductivity affected positively daily DP. • Leaf area index, rooting depth and microclimate factors influenced DP by ET. Large-scale afforestation can combat desertification, provide ecosystem services, and mitigate climate change. However, it can also have negative effects on the hydrological cycle and water budget, and thus on water security in dryland regions depending on the afforestation strategy used. Currently, the effects of different afforestation strategies on soil moisture dynamics, evapotranspiration (ET), and water budget at the stand scale are unclear. In this study, we investigated the water budget in two poplar stands, one planted using a low-coverage-mode shelterbelt (LCMS) strategy and the other planted using a conventional strategy (control). Deep drainage (DP), as an indicator of water budget, was estimated using a Hydrus-1D model calibrated with the observed soil moisture at different soil depths (across 0–200 cm) during the growing seasons in 2016, 2017, and 2019. The average DP in the LCMS stand was 107.0–149.6 mm, accounting for 36.5–42.4% of the rainfall occurring during the growing seasons, which was slightly higher than that in the control stand containing younger trees at a higher density. However, DP was more spatially heterogenous in the LCMS stand compared with in the control stand. Specifically, in the LCMS stand, the inter-canopy DP was 195.3–237.5 mm, accounting for 66.6–69.7% of the rainfall, whereas the under-canopy DP was only 18.7–65.0 mm, accounting for 6.4–18.4% of the rainfall during the corresponding period. Structural equation modeling indicated that, on a daily scale, soil moisture had the greatest effect on DP, followed by precipitation and soil saturated hydraulic conductivity. Other climate factors (global radiation, air temperature, vapor pressure deficit and wind speed) and vegetation structure parameters (leaf area index and rooting depth) affected ET, which had a significantly negative relationship with DP. These results help explain the effects of plantation strategy on the water budget, with important implications for artificial forest management, ecological restoration, and protection of local water resources in water-limited environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 18 MRSA possessed SCCmec type Ⅲ, Ⅳa, Ⅻ and Ⅴ. • ST239 was first report in LA-MRSA in China. • Highlight the importance of continuous surveillance of MRSA. The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in animals is an increasing concern for the agriculture and public health. A four-years (2016) successional study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial resistant profiles and molecular characterizations of the livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA) from animal farms or slaughterhouses in Chongqing, China. A total of 1667 samples were collected from 2013 to 2016 in different animal farms and hog markets. LA-MRSA were isolated and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing (WGS). S. aureus was detected at a ratio of 3.7% (n = 62), in which 18 isolates were identified as MRSA. All the S. aureus isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) with the resistance to at least four drugs; however, none of those isolates was resistant to linezolid, vancomycin, or nitrofurantoin. The resistance was more obvious in the pig-associated S. aureus isolates than the strains associated with chickens or cows. The majority of multilocus sequence typing (MLST) types of the MRSA isolates were ST239, subsequently ST59, ST9, and ST630. Among these isolates, 18 MRSA possessed SCC mec type Ⅲ (n = 10), Ⅳa (n = 4), Ⅻ (n = 3) and Ⅴ(n = 1). Multiple spa types were also detected in the isolates, such as 899, 437, 30, 421, 969, 37, and 4549. This study indicates that MRSA could be transferred between humans and animals, and highlights the necessity of continuous surveillance of MRSA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a kind of zero-carbon and high-efficiency energy, hydrogen plays a vital role in environment protection and industry application. However, large-scale green hydrogen production is difficult to be promoted because of its high production cost. China is rich in hydropower resources, but the utilization rate is low. It is an ideal solution to combine a hydrogen energy system with the current installed hydropower system to promote the use of hydropower and the application of hydrogen energy. To study the capacity planning problem of a hydropower–hydrogen system, a bi-level programming model is first developed to maximize the system profit through incorporating long-term investment decision and operation strategy within a framework. Then, the developed model is solved based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm and Cplex. Finally, the model is verified through the empirical study of China's Hongru River basin over a five-year planning horizon. Multiple scenarios related to different seasonal and load demand characteristics are examined. Sensitivity analysis is discussed considering the impact of investment cost and hydrogen price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential adverse impact of international trade on the environment has received growing attention in recent years. Growing environmental pressure poses significant challenges to sustainable development, further highlighting the need for a comprehensive response to tackling the unsustainable food use driven by the soybean trade. Although a significant amount of literature on trade-related land footprints already exists, globally, there has been only a limited amount of research seeking to identify the main issues related to agriculturally driven land-use change and food trade flows that have high land-use impacts. In addition, existing research does not fully reveal the ecological significance of land footprints but instead focuses mainly on physical quantities. There have been few studies that shed any light on the underlying correlations between environmental footprints and the food trade. To address these challenges, in this study, a multi-region input-output (MRIO) model was used to study agricultural land use and changes in carbon losses related to the soybean trade along global supply chains in 2013; the bilateral flows of land and economic value between countries were also modeled. The empirical results of this research indicate that the total land footprint embodied in the global soybean trade in 2013 amounted to 16.51 Mha. Globally, China used the most land resources for the soybean trade and accounted for 9.69 Mha of this footprint. The countries where the soybean trade had the greatest impact on the land and the economy were the USA and Brazil, where 6.74 Mha and 5.76 Mha of land were used for soybeans, respectively. Most of the soybeans from these countries were exported to China. The situation on the supply side was similar as China was also ranked in the top ten countries on the supply side; however, its supply-side land footprint was sufficient to meet internal demand. To further assess the environmental impact of the international soybean trade, carbon loss values (represented by the loss of carbon sequestration capacity) were estimated for the soybean trade at a country level. The total global carbon loss and the social cost of carbon due to the soybean trade in 2013 were estimated at $93.27 billion and $15.48 billion, respectively, with Brazil, the USA, and other countries in South America having the largest figures. It was found that, following a peak in the expansion of the amount of cropland used for planting soybeans, these ecological costs had declined since 2005. Based on these results, we suggest that soybean exporting countries should focus more on improving land-use efficiency and ecological protection in order to minimize the net land footprint of soybeans. • We applied MRIO model to trace agricultural land use and environmental footprints related to global soybean trade in 2013. • The total land footprint embodied in the global soybean trade amounted to 16.51 Mha. • The carbon loss values were estimated for the soybean trade process at a country level. • Global soybean trade's carbon loss and social cost of carbon in 2013 were $93.27 billion and $15.48 billion respectively. • We suggest export countries lay more focus on ecological protection to minimize the net land footprint of soybeans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]