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The reverse distribution of renewable energy resources and load centers makes exploring the optimal transmission mode of long-distance and large-scale renewable hydrogen the key to solving the bottleneck of renewable hydrogen development. This study incorporates hydrogen pipeline (HGP), natural gas pipeline (NGP), and Ultra High Voltage (UHV) into an optimal planning model framework and analyzes the optimal transmission mode, quantity, network, and cost of large-scale renewable hydrogen in China. Constructing a sensitivity analysis framework, this study also investigates the optimal transmission mode changes under different scenarios. The results show that the optimal mode of large-scale renewable hydrogen transmission in the province is NGP, and 5.4% of supply level is the critical point to export renewable hydrogen inter-provincially. It switches to the combination of NGP and HGP when the unit transmission costs of these elements decrease to a certain proportion simultaneously or switches to HGP when the unit transmission cost of HGP decreases more than that of NGP. The complementary transmission mode of NGP and UHV is the optimal mode for inter-provincial transmission, and the HGP can be put into use for inter-provincial transmission only when the unit transmission cost of which is reduced to less than 25%. Jilin is the key node in the NGP network, and Tibet and Gansu are the key nodes in UHV network, and the participation or absence of which will have significant impact on the renewable hydrogen transmission system. Only minor adjustments to the transmission technical parameters of NGP or HGP can promote the qualitative overflight of the optimal transmission volume of them so as to achieve the target optimization at the minimum cost.

Mixed geographically weighted regression (MGWR) models are a useful tool to model a regression relationship where the impact of some explanatory variables on the response variable is global and that of the others is spatially varying. The existing estimation methods for MGWR models assume that the model errors are homoscedastic. However, heteroscedasticity is very common in geo-referenced data and ignoring heteroscedasticity may cause efficiency loss on the coefficient estimates. In this paper, we propose a re-weighting estimation method for heteroscedastic MGWR models, in which the variance function of the model errors is estimated by the kernel method with an adaptive bandwidth and the coefficients are re-estimated based on the weighted observations. The simulation study shows that the proposed method can substantially improve the estimation efficiency especially for the constant coefficients. A real-world example based on the Dublin voter turnout data is given to demonstrate the application of the proposed method.

ATP is essential for mammalian sperm to maintain fertilizing capacity. Metformin (Met) can activate 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to maintain energy homeostasis. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether Met can improve testis function, semen quality, antioxidant and autophagy capacity through AMPK mediation of energy metabolism in goats. Twelve adult goats were randomly divided into three dietary treatments. All goats were fed a basal diet for 3 weeks and then assigned to a Met supplementation diet containing 0, 150, or 300 mg/kg for 8 weeks. The results showed that sperm viability, sperm membranal functional integrity, and acrosome integrity increased (P 0.05) relative to the other treatments in the 300 mg/kg Met group. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) in the 300 mg/kg Met group significantly decreased (P 0.05) relative to the control group. Estrogen levels (E

A new nanomaterial or nano-filler in the form of multiwalled carbon nanotube-zinc oxide (MWCNT-ZnO) was synthesized for the purpose of modifying poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and its derivative (modified PBAT or MPBAT) through a melt-blending method (MPBAT was obtained by introducing maleic anhydride groups into PBAT). The effect of the new nano-filler on the properties of resultant nanocomposites was determined from the characterization of mechanical properties, morphology, crystallinity, thermal stability, barrier properties, hydrophilicity, conductivity, antibacterial property, and biodegradability. The results showed that MPBAT nanocomposites had stronger mechanical properties, better barrier properties, and higher electrical conductivity than PBAT nanocomposites. Scanning electron microscopy illustrated that MWCNT-ZnO had better compatibility with MPBAT than with PBAT. At 0.2% MWCNT-ZnO, the MPBAT/MWCNT-ZnO nanocomposite film exhibited the greatest mechanical properties (17.74% increase in tensile strength, 22.17% in yield strength, and 14.29% in elongation at break). When the MWCNT-ZnO content was 0.4%, the nanocomposite film demonstrated the best water vapor barrier ability (an increase of 30.4%). The MPBAT/MWCNT-ZnO film with 0.6% MWCNT-ZnO turned out to have the best oxygen barrier performance (an increase of 130% relative to pure PBAT). It was shown from the results of antibacterial evaluation that the new nanomaterial could impart PBAT and MPBAT with antibacterial activity. The biodegradability tests indicated that an MWCNT-ZnO content of 0.2% could slightly reduce the biodegradability, and when the content was higher than 0.2%, the weight loss rate would increase.

This letter examines the problem of clutter cancellation in airborne passive radar. This problem is exacerbated by the Doppler spread of clutter due to the receiver motion, since targets falling in the clutter Doppler band will be canceled. To address this problem, a least mean square-based algorithm is proposed for the sidelooking airborne passive radar. Making use of the directional dependence of the clutter Doppler frequency, this algorithm cancels clutter along the clutter ridge and thus avoids the cancellation of targets. Simulations with the experimental data show that clutter can be canceled ideally with the proposed algorithm and signal-to-noise ratio losses are slight, for example, the losses are within 1 dB for targets with radial velocity greater than 10 m/s.

Effect of Na doping on the structural and magnetic properties of La1-xNaxCoO3 (0≤x≤0.4) nanopowder samples synthesized by sol-gel method have been investigated. Rietveld crystal structure refinement of the X-ray diffraction data shows that La1−xNaxCoO3 (x≤0.3) crystallizes in the rhombohedral structure with space group . The lattice parameters decrease and the crystallite sizes increase with the increase of x. For the sample with x=0.4, a secondary hexagonal phase NaCo2O4 was observed. The zero field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) curve of the samples (x≤0.3) exhibit a paramagnetic-ferromagnetic transition with decreasing temperature.

As a fundamental regulator of mitochondrial function, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PPARGC1A) acts as a powerful coactivator of many transcriptional factors that relate to steroidogenesis, while the regulatory mechanism remains unclear. In the present study, testosterone secretion of goat Leydig cells (LCs) mediated by miR-1197-3p via PPARGC1A was investigated. We found PPARGC1A protein was diversely localized in testis, and the expression of PPARGC1A in testis of 9-month-old goat was significantly higher than that in 3-month-old goat. In addition, suppression of PPARGC1A significantly decreased the testosterone secretion in goat LCs, as well as reduced the expressions of key steroidogenesis related genes [steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily A member 1 (CYP11A1), and 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3BHSD)], and overexpression of PPARGC1A showed the opposite effects. Moreover, we observed suppression of miR-1197-3p increased the synthesis of testosterone and promoted the expressions of PPARGC1A, StAR, CYP11A1, and 3BHSD by directly targeting PPARGC1A in the LCs. Furthermore, overexpression of PPARGC1A could alleviate miR-1197-3p induced aberrant steroidogenesis related gene expressions and testosterone synthesis. Taken together, miR-1197-3p could act as an essential regulator of LC testosterone secretion in goat testis by targeting PPARGC1A. These results provide a novel view of the regulatory mechanisms involved in male sexual maturation and help us to understand the molecular role of PPARGC1A in testosterone synthesis.

The effect of temperature on the structural evolution and physical properties of nanocrystalline BiFeO3 compound has been studied systematically. The results show that the compound crystallizes in the hexagonal LiNbO3 type-structure (space group R3c) and the structural characterization was a=b=5.5979 Å, c=13.9163 Å and V=387.43 Å3. The average crystallite size was about 32.5 nm. The Neel temperature was the same in the vacuum and air conditions, but the decomposition temperature in the air condition was higher 190°C than that of the vacuum condition.

A series of polycrystalline Bi1−xLaxFeO3 (0≤x≤1.00) solid solution were synthesized by sol–gel method. The effects of lanthanum concentration on the phase formation, phase transition and magnetic properties were studied. The XRD results displayed that there is a clear indication of structural modification and symmetry change brought about by La doping. At room temperature the crystal structure of the solid solution transforms from rhombohedral R3c (x≤0.15) to tetragonal P4mm (0.15

In the course of assessing OPC compact modeling capabilities and future requirements, we chose to investigate the interface between CD-SEM metrology methods and OPC modeling in some detail. Two linked observations motivated our study: 1) OPC modeling is, in principle, agnostic of metrology methods and best practice implementation. 2) Metrology teams across the industry use a wide variety of equipment, hardware settings, and image/data analysis methods to generate the large volumes of CD-SEM measurement data that are required for OPC in advanced technology nodes. Initial analyses led to the conclusion that many independent best practice metrology choices based on systematic study as well as accumulated institutional knowledge and experience can be reasonably made. Furthermore, these choices can result in substantial variations in measurement of otherwise identical model calibration and verification patterns. We will describe several experimental 2D test cases (i.e., metal, via/cut layers) that examine how systematic changes in metrology practice impact both the metrology data itself and the resulting full chip compact model behavior. Assessment of specific methodology choices will include: • CD-SEM hardware configurations and settings: these may range from SEM beam conditions (voltage, current, etc.,) to magnification, to frame integration optimizations that balance signal-to-noise vs. resist damage. • Image and measurement optimization: these may include choice of smoothing filters for noise suppression, threshold settings, etc. • Pattern measurement methodologies: these may include sampling strategies, CD- and contour- based approaches, and various strategies to optimize the measurement of complex 2D shapes. In addition, we will present conceptual frameworks and experimental methods that allow practitioners of OPC metrology to assess impacts of metrology best practice choices on model behavior. Finally, we will also assess requirements posed by node scaling on OPC model accuracy, and evaluate potential consequences for CD-SEM metrology capabilities and practices.

An organic ionic plastic crystal (OIPC) 2-hydroxyethyltrimethylammonium iodide (choline iodide) as an important component in solid electrolyte is synthesized and applied in dye-sensitized solar cells. It allows relatively rapid diffusion of the redox couple through the plastic crystal phase that is critical to the cell performance. The novel material, utilizing strong quaternary ammonium cation 2-hydroxyethyltrimethylammonium (HETA+) as a cation donor, is treated as matrix in electrolyte. At optimal condictions, the cell gives a short-circuit photocurrent density (Jsc), open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) of 6 mA cm−2, 0.69 V and 63%, respectively. The corresponding overall conversion efficiency (η) is 2.5%. The results suggest that the OIPC is a promising solid electrolyte material for dye-sensitized solar cells applications.

An improved tripolar pulse width modulation method has been proposed in this paper. According to the linear effect of optical system defocusing, the three-gray-level structured light pattern can be split into two binary ones. With the composite image, the same measurement result as the tripolar method is obtained. Simulation result shows that, under three-step phase shifting method, the error of phase retrieval is greatly eliminated. Thus, the proposed method can achieve better depth reconstruction results than PWM method. Furthermore, both simulation and experimental results show that the measurement range of this method is effectively extended.

Host alternation, an obligatory seasonal shifting between host plants of distant genetic relationship, has had significant consequences for the diversification and success of the superfamily of aphids. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the molecular mechanism of host alternation was explored through a large-scale gene expression analysis of the mealy aphid Hyalopterus persikonus on winter and summer host plants. More than four times as many unigenes of the mealy aphid were significantly upregulated on summer host Phragmites australis than on winter host Rosaceae plants. In order to identify gene candidates related to host alternation, the differentially expressed unigenes of H. persikonus were compared to salivary gland expressed genes and secretome of Acyrthosiphon pisum. Genes involved in ribosome and oxidative phosphorylation and with molecular functions of heme-copper terminal oxidase activity, hydrolase activity and ribosome binding were potentially upregulated in salivary glands of H. persikonus on the summer host. Putative secretory proteins, such as detoxification enzymes (carboxylesterases and cytochrome P450s), antioxidant enzymes (peroxidase and superoxide dismutase), glutathione peroxidase, glucose dehydrogenase, angiotensin-converting enzyme, cadherin, and calreticulin, were highly expressed in H. persikonus on the summer host, while a SCP GAPR-1-like family protein and a salivary sheath protein were highly expressed in the aphids on winter hosts. These results shed light on phenotypic plasticity in host utilization and seasonal adaptation of aphids.

To evaluate the schistosomiasis control effect of the measures of replacing cattle with machine for cultivation and forbidding depasturage of livestock on marshlands in marshland and lake regions.The retrospective review and field survey were implemented in the Jiangling and Gongan counties of Hubei Province where were implemented with the measure of replacing cattle with machine for cultivation, and Yuanjiang and Huarong counties of Hunan Province where were implemented with the measure of forbidding the depasturage of livestock on marshlands. The schistosome infection status of human, cattle, and Oncomelania hupensis snails, and schistosome-infested field excreta were surveyed from 2007 to 2013. The effects of the interventions were compared before and after their implementations.The 6 villages of Hubei Province were implemented with the measure of replacing cattle with machine for cultivation, and 7 villages of Hunan Province were implemented with the measure of forbidding the depasturage of livestock on marshlands. From 2007 to 2013, the schistosome infection rates of residents declined from 3.95% to 0.70% (χ2 = 128.376, P0.05), with the descend range of 82.53%. The descend ranges of the measures of replacing cattle with machine for cultivation and forbidding the depasturage of livestock on marshlands were 83.081% and 81.62% respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two measures (χ2 = 0.132, P0.05). The infection rate of cattle decreased from 3.66% in 2007 to 0.65% in 2013, and the descend range was 82.24% (χ2 = 13.692, P0.05). The field excreta was surveyed in the snail breeding place in 2013. The investigated area was 157.435 hm2, and 625 samples of field feces of cattle were collected with the density of field excreta of 3.97/hm2, and the positive rate was 1.12% (7/625). The schistosome infection rate of snails and the density of infected snails decreased successively from 2007, and no infected snails were detected from 2011 to 2013.The schistosomiasis endemic situation are decreased significantly after the interventions of replacing cattle with machine for cultivation and forbidding the depasturage of livestock on marshlands. Therefore, schistosomiasis control effect of these measures is notable in the marshland and lake regions.

The dispersion process and structure of impregnated CuO/ZrO2 systems were studied by x-ray diffraction (XRD) and extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS). The results showed that, after being calcined at 773 K, monolayer dispersed cupric nitrate decomposed into monolayer dispersed cupric oxide on zirconia's surface. The dispersion threshold of CuO was related to its precursor, cupric nitrate. The surface-dispersed Cu nearest coordination structure changed into about five equally long Cu–O bonds. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The differences among radial distribution functions (RDFs) of monoclinic ZrO 2 , tetragonal ZrO 2 , and mixed-phase ZrO 2 have been discussed. A much decreased Zr-Zr peak was found in the RDF of mixed-phase ZrO 2 . The result was explained by Lu Kunquan's equation very well.