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China’s unprecedented economic growth has significantly improved the living standards of its citizens. Higher living standards, however, do not necessarily lead to greater happiness felt by the peo...

Substantial studies have revealed the capacity of moderate-intensity static magnetic fields (SMFs) on promoting osteogenesis and inhibiting bone resorption. However, it is unknown whether moderate SMF can resist the deterioration of bone microarchitecture and strength induced by the reduction of estrogen in animal model for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Herein, the efficiency of moderate SMF of 0.2~0.4 T and SMF of 0.6 T on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), bone microarchitecture, bone strength, and histological bone turnover was systematically investigated in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. OVX mice and sham mice were subjected to SMF exposure continuously for four weeks. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) data showed SMF prevented the reduction of BMD and BMC in OVX mice. Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) results revealed that SMF ameliorated the deterioration of trabecular and cortical bone microarchitecture. Three-point bending test showed that SMF mitigated OVX-induced reduction in femoral mechanical properties, including stiffness, ultimate stress, and elasticity modulus. Moreover, bone histochemical analysis demonstrated that SMF decreased osteoclast formation in cancellous bone and cortical bone, while SMF increased osteoblast formation in trabecular bone. Together, these results demonstrate that moderate SMF alleviated menopause-induced bone loss effectively, and imply that moderate SMF might become a potential biophysical treatment modality for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Treatment of antibiotic fermentative residue (AFR) produced from pharmaceutical industries and their application in the environment has been gaining researchers' interest. In this study, lincomycin residue (LMR, the type of AFR) was treated with microwave-assisted hydrothermal liquefaction (MW-HTL) in a temperature range 120–210 °C, transforming effect of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) functional groups in LMR samples was characterized with elemental analysis, XRD, XPS, FT-IR, and P-extraction, and utilized LMR samples for Pb2+ removal from aqueous solutions. The temperature had a significant impact on P and N functional groups conversion justified by characterization techniques and also responsible for Pb2+ adsorption. LMR hydrochar produced at 210 °C was accounted highest Pb2+ adsorption capacity (57.4 mg g−1), higher four folds than raw LMR (13.8 mg g−1). To understand the mechanism and rate defining phase of adsorption equilibrium isotherm and kinetic models were applied systematically. Adsorption results of LMR and its derived hydrochar samples found connectivity with Langmuir and pseudo-first-order isotherm models. Adsorption mainly occurred as ion-exchange dependent on the substitution of metal ions (Pb2+) to Ca2+ ions present in P-materials, and surface adsorption dependent on surface functional groups of LMR samples. Better operation feasibility of MW-HTL treated LMR, elaboration of P and N conversion behavior and high sorption of Pb2+ ions could make LMR a frontrunner for heavy metals immobilization.

The practical implementation of supercapacitors is hindered by low utilization and poor structural stability of electrode materials. Herein, to surmount these critical challenges, a three-dimensional hierarchical α-Co(OH)2/α-Ni(OH)2 heterojunction nanorods are built in situ on Ni foam through a mild two-step growth reaction. The unique lamellar crystal structure and abundant intercalated anions of α-M(OH)2 (M = Co or Ni) and the ideal electronic conductivity of α-Co(OH)2 construct numerous cross-linked ion and electron transport paths in heterojunction nanorods. The deformation stresses exerted by α-Co(OH)2 and α-Ni(OH)2 on each other guarantee the excellent structural stability of this heterojunction nanorods. Using nickel foam with a three-dimensional network conductive framework as the template ensures the rapidly transfer of electrons between this heterojunction nanorods and current collector. Three-dimensional hierarchical structure of α-Co(OH)2/α-Ni(OH)2 heterojunction nanorods provides a large liquid interface area. These result together in the high utilization rate and excellent structure stability of the α-Co(OH)2/α-Ni(OH)2 heterojunction nanorods. And the capacitance retention rate is up to 93.4% at 1 A g−1 from three-electrode system to two-electrode system. The α-Co(OH)2/α-Ni(OH)2//AC device also present a long cycle life (the capacitance retention rate is 123.6% at 5 A g−1 for 10000 cycles), a high specific capacitance (207.2 F g−1 at 1 A g−1), and high energy density and power density (72.6 Wh kg−1 at 196.4 W kg−1 and 40.9 Wh kg−1 at 3491.8 W kg−1), exhibiting a fascinating potential for supercapacitor in large-scale applications.

This study evaluates the importance of contracting institutions as a source of comparative advantage across Chinese provinces. We find that industries differ in their reliance on relationship-specific investments. Provinces with better contracting institutions specialize in industries with more intensive relationship-specific investments. We implement two proxies to measure contracting institutions, including efficiency of the legal system and service of contract enforcement. The empirical results of this study indicate that contracting institutions play a role in shaping the patterns of industrial specialization. Specifically, the service of contract enforcement has the first-order effect on the patterns of industrial specialization in China; by contrast, legal jurisdiction plays a modest role.

Biomass pyrolysis is a promising method and often used to reduce hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) residue. However, the pyrolysis reduction mechanisms of Cr(VI) remain unclear, particularly regarding which tar compositions help the Cr(VI) reduction. In the present study, on-line MS analysis suggests that yields of CO and CH4 from biomass pyrolysis can principally represent the rate of Cr(VI) reduction. FT-ICR MS results indicate that high-molecular-weight compounds in tar (m/z > 350) located in the lignin/CRAM-like structure region or saturated (H/C = 0.7–1.5) and oxidized (oxygen number >6) compounds preferentially crack by catalysis of Cr(VI) to produce CO via decarbonylation reaction, further promoting the reduction of Cr(VI). Pyrolysis material with low stability (low aromaticity) can release more reducing gases and more easily cracks tar to promote Cr(VI) reduction. Lastly, chromite slag from a polluted site was successfully remediated by pyrolysis of a hydrochar sample. An extremely low leaching Cr concentration from remediated chromium slag can be obtained due to the carbon layer coating on Cr element. This study provides a novel perspective on the pyrolysis remediation mechanism of Cr(VI) and is highly significant for developing thermal remediation techniques for polluted sites.

Potassium thiocyanate (KSCN), a highly efficient “three birds with one stone” activator, might work with inorganic activators to produce excellent N/S co-doped porous carbon (NSC) materials for environmental remediation. However, the effects of inorganic activators on cooperative activation are unclear. As a result, the influence of inorganic activators on the synthesis of NSC materials was investigated further. This study shows that the surface areas of the NSC materials acquired through cooperative activation by potassium salts (KOH or K2CO3) were considerably higher than those acquired through KSCN activation alone (1403 m2/g). Furthermore, KSCN could cooperate with K2CO3 to prepare samples with excellent specific surface area (2900 m2/g) or N/S content. The as-prepared NSC materials demonstrated higher adsorption capability for chloramphenicol (833 mg/g) and Pb2+ (303 mg/g) (pore fitting, complexation). The research provides critical insights into the one-step synthesis of NSC materials with a vast application potential.

Bone loss is one of the most serious medical problem associated with prolonged weightlessness in long-term spaceflight mission. Skeletal reloading after prolonged spaceflight have indicated incomplete recovery of lost bone, which may lead to an increased risk of fractures in astronauts when returning to Earth. Substantial studies have revealed the capacity of static magnetic fields (SMFs) on treating various bone disorders, whereas it is unknown whether SMFs have the potential regulatory effects on bone quality in unloaded mice during unloading. This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of whole-body SMF exposure with 0.2 ∼ 0.4 T on the recovery of unloading-induced bone loss. Eight‐week‐old male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to hindlimb unloading (HLU) for 4 weeks, following the mice were reloaded for 4 weeks under geomagnetic field (GMF) and SMF of 0.2 ∼ 0.4 T. Bone quality indexes, including bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), bone microarchitecture, and bone mechanical properties were examined by the measurement of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT), and 3-point bending. Bone turnover was evaluated by bone histomorphometric and serum biochemical assay. We found that SMF exposure for 4 weeks significantly promoted the recovery in HLU-induced decrease of BMD and BMC, deterioration of bone microarchitecture, and reduction of bone strength. The results from bone turnover determination revealed that SMF exposure for 4 weeks induced lower osteoclast number of trabecular bone and serum TRAP-5b levels in reloaded mice, whereas SMF showed no significant alteration in skeletal osteoblast number and serum osteocalcin levels. Together, our findings suggest that SMF of 0.2 ∼ 0.4 T facilitated the recovery of unloading-induced bone loss by inhibiting the increase of bone resorption in reloaded mice, and indicate that SMF might become a promising biophysical countermeasure for maintaining bone health in astronauts after landing.

Bone loss is one of the most serious medical problem associated with prolonged weightlessness in long-term spaceflight mission. Skeletal reloading after prolonged spaceflight have indicated incomplete recovery of lost bone, which may lead to an increased risk of fractures in astronauts when returning to Earth. Substantial studies have revealed the capacity of static magnetic fields (SMFs) on treating various bone disorders, whereas it is unknown whether SMFs have the potential regulatory effects on bone quality in unloaded mice during unloading. This study was conducted to investigate the potential effects of whole-body SMF exposure with 0.2–0.4 T on the recovery of unloading-induced bone loss. Eight‐week‐old male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to hindlimb unloading (HLU) for 4 weeks, following the mice were reloaded for 4 weeks under geomagnetic field (GMF) and SMF of 0.2–0.4 T. Bone quality indexes, including bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC), bone microarchitecture, and bone mechanical properties were examined by the measurement of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT), and 3-point bending. Bone turnover was evaluated by bone histomorphometric and serum biochemical assay. We found that SMF exposure for 4 weeks significantly promoted the recovery in HLU-induced decrease of BMD and BMC, deterioration of bone microarchitecture, and reduction of bone strength. The results from bone turnover determination revealed that SMF exposure for 4 weeks induced lower osteoclast number of trabecular bone and serum TRAP-5b levels in reloaded mice, whereas SMF showed no significant alteration in skeletal osteoblast number and serum osteocalcin levels. Together, our findings suggest that SMF of 0.2–0.4 T facilitated the recovery of unloading-induced bone loss by inhibiting the increase of bone resorption in reloaded mice, and indicate that SMF might become a promising biophysical countermeasure for maintaining bone health in astronauts after landing.

Throughout the development cycle of a country, major tasks and challenges may arise during various stages of development and the possibility of a period of stagnation exists in each stage. In the low-income stage, anemic economic growth, lagging human development, political instability and social unrest often lead to a vicious cycle in national development. For instance, many countries in Africa have so far failed to fight poverty effectively and remain mired in the “poverty trap”. In the middle-income stage, many countries fall into the “middle income trap”. Even if countries succeed in overcoming the “middle income trap”, their economic growth may still be plagued by the “high income trap”, with Japan being one such example.

Nearly four decades of reform and opening-up shows that China is one of the few successful cases of development. First, sustained high growth became a reality in China. China’s GNP grew by 32.19 times from 1978 to 2016 at constant prices, that is, an annual increase of 9.6%, of which the annual GDP growth hit 9.9% and 7.8% from 1978 to 2010 (high-speed growth) and from 2011 to 2016 (moderately high-speed growth) respectively on average.

As the 2008 financial crisis unfurled with its impact on global trade and economy, China also saw a transition. The country’s high (even super high) speed growth, which peaked at 14.2% in 2007, slackened to medium-to-high growth, thus entering the new normal era of economic development. In response, international organizations such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank began to adjust downward projections of Chinese economic growth. In some international media, the prevailing sentiment toward China’s economic development was one of pessimism.

In 2007, Indermit Gill and Homi Kharas (2007), two World Bank economists, published a report titled An East Asian Renaissance: Ideas for Economic Growth, which suggested that East Asia would soon develop into a middle-income region and proposed the concept of the “middle income trap”. It should be noted that the report did not provide an in-depth interpretation of the concept, nor did it offer a clear income range for the “middle income trap”. In 2011, Homi Kharas and Harinder Kohli (2011) further elaborated on the concept, specifying that when a country escapes the poverty trap in the low-income development stage and enters into the middle-income development phase, the country may face growth stagnation and inability to further move up the ladder into the high-income range.

Whether a country can overcome the “middle income trap” is a test of its governance capability. The above comparative analysis of the practices in various countries shows that tackling the “middle income trap” is only possible when certain conditions are met, which may be summarized as follows.

With the aim to develop optimized biochar with minimal contaminants, it is important significance to broaden the understanding of biochar. Here, we disclose for the first time, a highly toxic substance (metal cyanide, MCN, such as KCN or NaCN) in biochar. The cyanide ion (CN−) content in biochar can be up to 85,870 mg/kg, which is determined by the inherent metal content and type in the biomass with K and Na increasing and Ca, Mg and Fe decreasing its formation. Density functional theory (DFT) analysis shows that unstable alkali oxygen-containing metal salts such as K2CO3 can induce an N rearrangement reaction to produce for example, KOCN. The strong reducing character of the carbon matrix further converts KOCN to KCN, thus resulting biochar with high risk. However, the stable Mg, Ca and Fe salts in biomass cannot induce an N rearrangement reaction due to their high binding energies. We therefore propose that high valent metal chloride salts such as FeCl3 and MgCl2 could be used to inhibit the production of cyanide via metal interactive reaction. These findings open a new point of view on the potential risk of biochar and provide a mitigation solution for biochar’s sustainable application.

In this study, lincomycin residue (LR, a type of antibiotic mycelial residue) derived hydrochar samples (LR-HCs) were obtained from hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), and pyrolysis applied to these LR-HCs to produce activated pyrolyzed samples (LR-APs). Transformation of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) species during HTC and pyrolysis was of primary interest and characterized by several techniques. Nitrogen content of dry LR was calculated by elemental analysis, being 7.91 wt. %, decreasing to 2.51 after HTC and 1.12 wt. % after concesutive HTC and pyrolysis. FT-IR analysis provided evidence for amine groups in LR samples. XPS analysis described N species (Pyridinic-N, Amine-N, Protein-N, Pyrrolic-N, and Quaternary-N) and P species (ortho-P/pyro-P and Ar-P) in LR samples, effectively. Sequential extraction showed that the HTC and pyrolysis changed the proportion of the P species from labile (P-NaHCO3 and P-NaOH) to stable ones (P-residue). Utilization and suitability of as-prepared LR-HCs and LR-APs for heavy metal Pb (II) immobilization show promising results. To help understand immobilization process, kinetic (pseudo-1st-order and pseudo-2nd-order) and isotherm (Freundlich) models were tested and verified. Results confirmed that P and N species were transformed during HTC and pyrolysis and that these processes lead to an advantageous effect on Pb (II) removal from solution.

COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant increase in medical and infected domestic waste, greatly increasing risk of human infected with SARS-CoV-2. To control pandemic and restore social order, there is a great of importance to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 from solid waste to humans. Here, we prepared a renewable wheat straw-based bio-liquid that can damage SARS-CoV-2 RNA and protein. The wet thermochemical extraction (WTE) bio-liquid, with total organic carbon concentration exceeding 1,892 mg/L, could effectively damage the virus. However, dry thermochemical extraction (DTE) samples were not efficient due to their low content of effective compounds. The life cycle assessment showed that WTE bio-liquid production implies lower energy and environmental impacts than DTE. Moreover, the process by-product, char, can simultaneously reduce 3.1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions while used as coal substitute. Yield of antiviral bio-liquid extremely exceed commercial disinfectant with just 1% wheat straw utilisation, which meet the demand of processing solid waste. Further, their costs are significantly lower than commercial disinfectant s. Therefore, the antiviral bio-liquid produced from agricultural straw can meet the needs of preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 from solid waste to humans to control the epidemic and resume the sustainable development of society.

CaCO3-containing oil sludge (OS) is a by-product from petroleum industry, with great amount of production. Therefore, an effective processing methods for CaCO3-containing OS is urgently needed. Herein, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) composites based on CaCO3-containing OS and carbon black (CB) were prepared by melt blending method. The combustion behavior and thermal stability of flame-retardant EVA/OS/CB composites were investigated by cone calorimeter test, limiting oxygen index (LOI), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), smoke density test (SDT), and thermogravimetry-Fourier infrared spectrometry. The heat release rate and smoke production rate of the ternary composites containing 3% CB significantly decreased compared with the EVA/OS composites and pure EVA. Moreover, addition of a certain amount of CB could evidently increase LOI values. The morphologies and structures of the residues, revealed by SEM, ascertained that a better carbonaceous protective layer was formed on the ternary composites than the EVA/OS composite. It was obtained from SDT that CB in the material could retard the smoke production with the application of the pilot flame. The EVA/OS/CB composites assumed a higher thermal stability than the EVA/OS composites and pure EVA.

Layered double hydroxides-silicon dioxide hybrids (LDH-Si) were in situ synthesized by a co-precipitation method. Flame-retardant, smoke suppression and thermal degradation properties of the LDH-Si in ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) composites were studied using cone calorimeter test (CCT), limiting oxygen index (LOI), smoke density test (SDT), and thermogravimetry–Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The CCT results indicated that the peak heat release rate and peak smoke production rate of the EVA/LDH-Si composite with 2.5 mass% SiO2 were decreased by 28.5 and 21.9% compared to EVA/LDH composite, respectively. The LOI results showed that a suitable addition of SiO2 can significantly enhance the LOI values of the EVA composites. It was obtained from SDT that SiO2 could help smoke suppression. The EVA/LDH-Si composites possessed a higher thermal stability than the EVA/LDH composites at high temperatures.

Carbon leakage is one of the most critical environmental issues considered in China during the process of enacting mitigation policies. This study analyzes potential carbon leakage risk within and outside an emissions trading scheme (ETS). Results show that within ETS, six and eight four-digit subsectors are considered at risk of carbon leakage under a regulated and liberalized electricity market, respectively. Accordingly, the appropriate proportion of free allowances required for compensation varies between 15.8% and 17.0%. For non-ETS subsectors, four scenarios are designed for in-depth analysis. The results show that carbon leakage occurs in most scenarios. With carbon tax and a regulated market, the risk that carbon leakage will most likely occur in non-ETS sectors in China are insignificant if the average auctioning factor of ETS is lower than 60%. This result suggests that carbon leakage in non-ETS sectors is an insignificant concern in the near term. However, it can be serious if the auctioning factor increases or if the electricity market is liberalized in the future. Meanwhile, the sensitivity analysis implies that ETS expansion will help prevent non-ETS sectors from carbon leakage risk and will make the implementation of the auction mechanism for allocating initial allowances attractive and acceptable. Therefore, this study highlights that the design of carbon tax and its complementary measures should be regarded seriously to assure synergy, particularly with the process of the electricity market.

The low utilization rate of active materials has been a critical obstacle for the industrialization of ultracapacitors. In this study, a thin layer of cross-structured ultrathin α-Ni(OH)2 nanosheets was successfully grown in situ on the surface of a nickel foam as a high-conductivity framework by a vibratory water bath route under a low temperature (80 °C) and mild conditions. Combining the ultrathin α-Ni(OH)2 nanosheets and ultrashort electron transport, the strategy of a perfect intercalation structure of α-Ni(OH)2 and a thin layer of active material on a continuous conductive framework resulted in a high utilization rate of active material, which further achieved high specific capacitance of 213.55 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 in a two-electrode system and high capacitance retention from three to two electrode system (753.79 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 in the three-electrode system). Meanwhile, the device also achieved high energy density of 74.94 W h kg−1 at power density of 197.4 W kg−1 and still retained 24.87 W h kg−1 at power density of 3642 W kg−1.

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were synthesized by a coprecipitation method. The synergistic flame retardant effect of nano-silicon dioxide (nano-SiO2) on ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)/LDHs composites was studied using limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimeter test (CCT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results showed that the LOI values of the EVA/LDHs/nano-SiO2 composites were basically higher than that of the EVA/LDHs composite, and the EVA composite with 48% LDHs and 2% nano-SiO2 reached an LOI value of up to 31.2%. The CCT results indicate that the addition of nano-SiO2 greatly reduced the heat release rate, total heat release, mass loss, smoke production rate, total smoke release, and smoke factor. The morphology and structures of residues investigated by SEM gave positive evidence that char layers formed from the EVA/LDHs/nano-SiO2 composites were improved. The TGA data showed that the EVA/LDHs/nano-SiO2 composites show a higher thermal stability than the EVA/LDHs composites.

Summary Life satisfaction in China declined dramatically precisely at the time of its unprecedented economic growth and poverty reduction. We posit that a “progress paradox” is among the possible channels explaining these contrasting trends. Using data from the Chinese Livelihood Survey, we explore the role of reported physical and psychological health. The standard correlates of life satisfaction—such as age, income, and health—hold. In addition, we find that those with insufficient rest and leisure are significantly less satisfied. Urban, educated respondents are more likely to report depression, while rural and uneducated respondents are more satisfied with their lives and are less likely to report poor mental health. We also find that insufficient rest, stress, and low life satisfaction have a strong correlation with mental health problems. Given the gains in growth and poverty reduction in China, it is time to consider policies that focus on quality of life and mental illness.

Treatment of antibiotic fermentative residue (AFR) produced from pharmaceutical industries and their application in the environment has been gaining researchers' interest. In this study, lincomycin residue (LMR, the type of AFR) was treated with microwave-assisted hydrothermal liquefaction (MW-HTL) in a temperature range 120-210 °C, transforming effect of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) functional groups in LMR samples was characterized with elemental analysis, XRD, XPS, FT-IR, and P-extraction, and utilized LMR samples for Pb

The practical implementation of supercapacitors is hindered by low utilization and poor structural stability of electrode materials. Herein, to surmount these critical challenges, a three-dimensional hierarchical α-Co(OH)2/α-Ni(OH)2 heterojunction nanorods are built in situ on Ni foam through a mild two-step growth reaction. The unique lamellar crystal structure and abundant intercalated anions of α-M(OH)2 (M = Co or Ni) and the ideal electronic conductivity of α-Co(OH)2 construct numerous cross-linked ion and electron transport paths in heterojunction nanorods. The deformation stresses exerted by α-Co(OH)2 and α-Ni(OH)2 on each other guarantee the excellent structural stability of this heterojunction nanorods. Using nickel foam with a three-dimensional network conductive framework as the template ensures the rapidly transfer of electrons between this heterojunction nanorods and current collector. Three-dimensional hierarchical structure of α-Co(OH)2/α-Ni(OH)2 heterojunction nanorods provides a large liquid interface area. These result together in the high utilization rate and excellent structure stability of the α-Co(OH)2/α-Ni(OH)2 heterojunction nanorods. And the capacitance retention rate is up to 93.4% at 1 A g−1 from three-electrode system to two-electrode system. The α-Co(OH)2/α-Ni(OH)2//AC device also present a long cycle life (the capacitance retention rate is 123.6% at 5 A g−1 for 10000 cycles), a high specific capacitance (207.2 F g−1 at 1 A g−1), and high energy density and power density (72.6 Wh kg−1 at 196.4 W kg−1 and 40.9 Wh kg−1 at 3491.8 W kg−1), exhibiting a fascinating potential for supercapacitor in large-scale applications.

This chapter introduces the hydrothermal carbonization of biomass for hydrochar production and its applications. It starts from production of hydrochar with the influence parameters of feedstock, reaction temperature, reaction time, and catalyst. Hydrochar properties, such as heating value, chemical properties, microcrystalline structure, and surface morphology, have been discussed. Following that, the environmental impact of hydrochar on soil physical characteristics, chemical characteristics, biological characteristics, and the plant growth were reviewed. Modification of hydrochar and its further application for climate change mitigation, pollution control, and remediation, and energy storage were also discussed.

Grouted splice sleeve (GSS) connectors have been widely employed to connect rebars in prefabricated concrete (PC) structures. However, grout defects may occur due to manual operation miss or poor control approaches for quality, which weaken the efficient embedment of rebars in GSS connectors and lead to a negative effect on mechanical properties of PC structures. The development of reliable and efficient grout defect detection methods for GSS connectors is challenging because its inaccessibility and inner structure complexity. In this paper, an active grout defects detection approach for GSS connectors using direct stress wave measurement is proposed, where piezoelectric-lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) patches are mounted on the surface of the sleeve as actuators and sensors, and experimental study is carried out to validate its feasibility. Stress wave propagating along the GSS connectors excited by the surface-mounted PZT actuator is measured with PZT sensors. In order to investigate the effect of grout defects on stress wave measurement, four GSS specimens with different degrees of mimicked grout defects are designed and analysis on the PZT sensor measurement with a pitch and catch pattern is carried out. By comparing the PZT sensors measurement of different specimens without and with different grout defects under an identical impulse excitation signal, the grout defect is detected. The relationship between a normalized defect evaluation index (DEI) determined by the use of the PZT sensor measurement and the grout defect severity is analyzed. Experimental results indicate grout defect leads to increase in PZT sensors measurement compared with that of specimen without grout defect. The results show that the proposed approach based on stress wave measurement is efficient in detecting grout defect and the stress wave measurement is sensitive to the dimension of grout defect in GSS.

Liquid phase produced by the subcritical hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) of livestock manure is extensively used in agronomic and environmental applications, but the potential risks caused by inherent pollutants (e.g., roxarsone, ROX) of the livestock manure have not been considered. This study shows that less toxic ROX is completely converted into highly toxic As(III) and As(V) in the HTL reaction with temperature more than 240 °C. Moreover, more than 81.5% of As is distributed in the liquid phase generated by the livestock manure HTL reaction. Notably, the hydrothermal products of livestock manure facilitate the conversion of As(V) to As(III). The resulting hydrochar and aldehydes act as electron donors for As(V) reduction, thus resulting in the formation of As(III). Furthermore, the dissociated As promotes the depolymerization and deoxygenation of the macromolecular compounds to produce more small oxygen-containing compounds such as aldehydes, further boosting the As(V) reduction to As(III). These results indicate that the liquid phase of the livestock manure has potential risks in applications as a fertilizer. Such findings have substantial implications in biomass utilization and redox reactions of envirotechnical and biogeochemical relevance.

Mg-Al-Fe ternary-layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were synthesized by a calcination-rehydration method using Bayer red mud. The products were characterized using X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The flammability and thermal degradation of ethylene-vinyl acetate/layered double hydroxides/zinc borate (EVA/LDHs/ZB) composites were studied with limiting oxygen index, UL 94, cone calorimeter test, smoke density test, and thermogravimetry-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Although limiting oxygen index value of the composites decreased with increasing ZB amount, a suitable addition of ZB can apparently improve the UL 94 rating of the material. The heat release rate of the 5% ZB containing ternary composites decreased compared with the EVA/LDHs composites. It is obtained from smoke density test that ZB could help smoke suppression. The ternary composites possessed a higher thermal stability than the EVA/LDHs composites. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Given sheer geographic size and unequal regional development, common wisdom may attribute the heterogeneity of individual subjective wellbeing largely to regional disparity in China. Using a hierarchical ordered logit model and the Subjective Survey for Chinese Livelihood Index in 2012, this study however finds that regional factors only account for 3.7 % of total variance of individual subjective wellbeing in urban China. It implies that regional differences are not important for explaining individual happiness though some regional variables are statistically significant. Correspondingly, the Chinese governments should make policies down to individual level to promote people's life satisfaction. Other findings on income and social demographical variables are consistent with the current studies.

This study conducts a long-run analysis on the trends and components of Chinese saving rates from 1953 to 2012. We identify two structural changes in aggregate saving rates around 1978 and 2001, and examine them through a decomposition analysis of the income distribution and sector-specific saving rates. The following key findings are obtained. First, the major trends and compositions of Chinese saving rates changed markedly over the period considered, which explains the changes of aggregate saving rates with the dramatic economic transition from a planned economy to a market-oriented economy. Second, we investigate the surge in aggregate saving rates from 2001 to 2012 based on a series of institutional factors, such as the evolving labour market, domestic economic policy adjustments and changes in external economic conditions caused by China's accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001 and the 2008 global financial crisis. Finally, we present the future prospects for the high aggregate saving rates in China based on several evolving economic, demographic and policy trends. We argue that Chinese saving rates have peaked in recent years and that a declining trend is expected, which will contribute to the economic rebalancing of the country.

We analyze the impact of the central-local bureaucratic relation on the synchronization of regional economic growth in China using pairwise panel data of 31 provincial-level administrative units (465 pairs) from 1993 to 2014. We identify a significant positive impact of bureaucratic integration (top provincial-level government officials who have served in the central government) on regional output synchronization. Results from the estimations of instrumental variable, generalized method of moments, and subsample remain robust. However, bureaucratic rotation (top provincial-level government officials with prior working experience in other province) has no effects on regional output synchronization.

Understanding the energy use and choice behaviors in urban China is essential to curb its energy consumption and air pollutant emissions. Current energy consumption estimates for urban households in China rarely account for the effects of building types on energy choice behavior, thus may lead to biased policy implications. In this paper, we estimate the determinants of household energy consumption for different energy choice scenarios through the Seemingly Unrelated Regression (SUR) model, using urban household data. The empirical results show that household use of various energy carriers is driven by household income, fuel price, demographics, building attributes and lifestyles. Results show building types have a significant effect on household energy consumption behaviors. Households living in old houses have less access to clean energy, such as piped gas. Income and price elasticities of energy consumption vary with energy type in each scenario, and there exist certain substitution effects among different types of energy carriers. In particular, inter-fuel substitute elasticities between coal and clean energy are asymmetric. Our study highlights the significance of city planning and infrastructure expansion policies and also offers a better basis for coordinating and designing energy policies in urban China and other developing countries.