Trends In Production Research Articles

Future climate impacts on crop production in Bhutan

Understanding the relationship between weather extremes and crop productivity is the backbone of risk assessments on food security. The former is paramount in countries (i.e., Bhutan) where there are a limited number of impact assessments in agriculture. The analysis performed in this work highlights the trends in agricultural production under a changing climate and the attribution of yield change to a specific climatic hazard. We improve the understanding between the two (climate and yields) by applying an FAO eco-physiological model (PyAEZ) and by relying on state-of-the-art downscaled climate projections (CORDEX-CORE). We analyze climate change impacts on ten crops (maize, foxtail millet, buckwheat, wheat, rice, common beans, cabbage, white potatoes, carrots, and citrus) at national level. The main simulation findings point to a higher yield gain and loss under rainfed conditions as opposed to irrigated conditions by the end-century (2070-2099) compared to the baseline period (2010-2039), particularly under RCP 8.5 for white potatoes (+17.7%), wheat (+15.5%), cabbage (+12.8%), buckwheat (-6.6%), and citrus (-5.8%). The irrigation potential to modulate climate change impacts is reflected in a yield gain of +43.4% on average for all crops and RCP’s when compared to rainfed conditions. On average, weather extremes explain 28% and 33% of the yield variability over time, respectively under RCP’s 2.6 and 8.5. Overall, this study supports smallholder farmers, decision-makers, and project developers to implement adaptation solutions that minimize growing weather extremes such as heat-stress and dry-spells.

Spatial and Temporal Variation of GPP and Its Response to Urban Environmental Changes in Beijing

The carbon sequestration capacity of vegetation is the key to the carbon cycle in terrestrial ecosystems. It is significant to analyze the spatiotemporal variation and influencing factors of vegetation carbon sequestration ability to improve territorial carbon sink and optimize its spatial pattern. However, there is a lack of understanding of the impact of environmental conditions and human activity on the vegetation’s carbon sequestration ability, especially in highly urbanized areas. For example, effective vegetation management methods can enhance vegetation Gross Primary Productivity, while emissions of air pollutants like O3, CO, NO2, and PM2.5 can suppress it. This paper mainly explores the factors influencing vegetation carbon sequestration capacity across different regions of Beijing. Based on remote sensing data and site observation data, this paper analyzed the spatiotemporal variation trend of Annual Gross Primary Production (AGPP) and the influence of environmental factors and human activity factors on GPP in Beijing from 2000 to 2020 by using the Theil−Sen’s slope estimator, Mann−Kendall trend test, and comparing Geographically Weighted Regression method (GWR) and Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression method (GTWR). GWR is a localized multiple regression technique used to estimate variable relationships that vary spatially. GTWR extends GWR by adding temporal analysis, enabling a comprehensive examination of spatiotemporal data variations. Besides, we used land use cover data to discuss the influence of land use cover change on AGPP. The results showed that the spatial distribution pattern of GPP in Beijing was higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast, and it showed an overall upward trend from 2000 to 2020, with an average annual growth rate of 14.39 g C·m−2·a−1. From 2000 to 2020, excluding the core urban areas, the GPP of 95.8% of Beijing increased, and 10.6% of Beijing showed a trend of significant increase, concentrated in Mentougou, Changping, and Miyun. GPP decreased in 4.1% of the regions in Beijing and decreased significantly in 1.4% of the areas within the sixth ring. The areas where AGPP significantly decreased were concentrated in those where land use types were converted to Residential land (impervious land), while AGPP showed an upward trend in other areas. CO and NO2 are the main driving forces of GPP change in Beijing. O3 and land surface temperature (LST) also exert certain influences, while the impact of precipitation (PRE) is relatively minor. O3 and CO have a positive impact on AGPP as a whole, while LST and NO2 generally exhibit negative impacts. PRE has a positive impact in the central area of Beijing, while it has a negative impact in the peripheral areas. This study further discusses opinions on future urbanization and environmental management policies in Beijing, which will promote the carbon peak and carbon neutrality process of ecological space management in Beijing. Besides, this study was conducted at the urban scale rather than at ecological sites, encompassing a variety of factors that influence vegetation AGPP. Consequently, the results also offer fresh insights into the intricate nexus between human activities, pollutants, and the GPP of vegetation.

Narrowing the gaps between perception and adoption behavior of integrated pest management by farmers: Incentive and challenge

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an important strategy in global agriculture, aimed at maintaining the growth trend of food production without compromising environmental integrity or human health. Despite various measures taken by the government to encourage farmers to adopt IPM technologies, the adoption rate of IPM in China remains insufficient. This study finds that the number of farmers who adopt IPM to a high degree is significantly lower than those who view IPM as a win-win solution for profits and the environment. To address the gap between attitudes and behaviors, this research utilizes data from a survey of 480 households in Dengkou County, Inner Mongolia, China, employing structural equation modeling to analyze the impact of farmers' perceived factors on IPM adoption rates. Additionally, a generalized linear mixed model is used to assess farmers' attitudes toward financial subsidies, while an Ordered Logit model conducts an empirical analysis of the factors influencing barriers to IPM adoption. The findings indicate that: (1) Farmers' overly optimistic expectations regarding the initial costs of IPM hinder their adoption; (2) Farmers who are skeptical about the economic benefits of IPM demonstrate greater interest in cash subsidies; (3) Land characteristics and farmer attributes influence farmers' evaluations of barriers to IPM adoption. To develop reasonable and effective policies aimed at narrowing the adoption gap for IPM, it is essential to thoroughly understand the characteristics of farmers and their perceptions of IPM, and to design incentive measures that account for group differences. Findings of the study provide information regarding the IPM adoption gap among farmers in China, thereby offering practical insights and empirical evidence to assist policymakers in developing appropriate policies. It also provides a framework for countries in similar situations globally to examine and address the adoption gap.

Research Progress on Mechanization Technology and Equipment for Cassava Field Production

Cassava is one of the world’s staple crops and an important economic and food crop for one billion people. It holds significant value in food, feed, and industrial raw materials. However, cassava production is faced with the following problems: agricultural machinery and agronomy are not integrated, work efficiency is not high, it is not suitable for large-scale planting plots, and there is a lack of large-scale equipment, automation, and intelligent cassava production equipment. This study reviews research on cassava planting agronomy and mechanized production technologies and equipment, including planting, stem–tuber separation, and harvesting, both globally and in China. The shortcomings are analyzed, and recommendations are provided for current mechanized cassava production to accelerate the development of intelligent equipment and strengthen the shortcomings. Meanwhile, we used typical and extensive Chinese planting and harvesting machines as case studies. The future trends in cassava production are forecasted, underscoring the importance of advancing global mechanized technology and equipment for cassava production to enhance its efficiency, competitiveness, and modernization.

PRODUCTION AND EXPORT PERFORMANCE OF COIR PRODUCTS IN INDIA

The coir sector is an important agro-based industry in India that plays an important role in employment opportunities and economic development. India is the world's largest producer and exporter of coir and coir products, exporting coir and its products to more than a hundred countries. It is the by-product of coconut's outer shell, which is used to produce coir fiber, coir yarn, different mats, mating rugs, non-woven products, non-woven mats, coir geo-textiles, coir pith, garden articles, curled coir, needle felt, hand knotted netting, coir ply articles, coir braid, coir rope, coir tea leaf bags, coir brushes, lunch bags, office bags, chapels, pouches, and many more. It is a 100 percent natural and biodegradable product that helps to store water molecules in soil to improve its fertility. The aim of the study is to determine the trend in production of coir fiber and its products in India and to know the export performance of coir fiber and its products in India during the last ten years. According to the study release, there are good opportunities in the world market for the coir products. KEY WORDS: coir fiber, coir products, production, exports, value, countries etc.

Microwave‐assisted control of PtNi nanoalloy clusters on the nitrogen‐doped graphene oxide for energy conversion with oxygen reduction reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction

AbstractResearch on the production and utilization of hydrogen energy is essential to overcome the environmental issues caused by fossil fuels. Herein, we anchor PtNi nanoalloy clusters (Pt‐Ni NACs) on nitrogen‐doped graphene oxide (NrGO) by a facile microwave‐assisted synthesis and analyze the variations of catalyst properties based on the PtNi composition and the presence of nitrogen. Ni inclusion in the Pt matrix can induce lattice strain and change the electronic structure, while the doped nitrogen into the graphene can enhance electron transfer and improve the durability of the catalyst through strong chemical bonding with the alloy clusters. TEM analysis discovers that the NACs are uniformly decorated in a few‐nanometer‐size on the graphene surface, and the formation of the PtNi NACs and structural changes according to composition are confirmed through XRD and XPS. In addition, the structural changes due to N‐doping and its bonding with the NACs are observed through Raman spectroscopy and XPS. Electrochemical measurements reveal that Pt2.6Ni NACs/NrGO exhibits the highest ORR onset potential (0.893 V) and the lowest HER overpotential at 10 mA cm−2 (22 mV) among other catalysts, and those activities are almost unchanged under long‐term durability tests. From these results, Pt2.6Ni NACs/NrGO is utilized in a zinc‐air battery (ZAB) system, demonstrating better battery performance than commercial Pt and Ir‐based catalysts. Moreover, it is applied to hydrogen collection, showing linear trend in hydrogen production over time, confirming the catalyst's availability in hydrogen production and utilization.image

Retrospective analysis of prevalence and risk factors of bovine lameness in dairy farms in South Africa

Lameness is a crippling problem in the dairy industry, posing a significant welfare challenge and leading to premature culling. The study aimed to determine the seasonal prevalence of lameness in two different provinces of South Africa. The data was collected in two local municipalities (Mpofana and Raymond Mhlaba). However, the computer software systems of four randomly selected dairy farms were used to collect retrospective secondary data for lameness and predisposing factors (2018–2022). The data's targeted parameters include breed, parity, weight, stage of lactation, diseases diagnosed (lameness), age, and milk production trends. The highest prevalence was observed in uMpofana municipality (58.8%) compared to Raymond Mhlaba municipality (41.2%). Among cattle above nine years of age, the prevalence of lameness was the highest (36%), compared to 7-8-year-old (24%), 4-6-year-old (21.7%), and 1-3-year-old (14.3%) cattle. Additionally, the highest prevalence of lameness was observed during the summer season, followed by spring, winter, and autumn. The strongest association is kept for the right front leg (p<0.0001), followed by the left front leg (p<0.001), right back leg (p<0.001), and left back leg (p<0.001). In conclusion, this study provides baseline information on several key factors influencing the prevalence of lameness in dairy cattle in various farms in uMpofana municipality and Raymond Mhlaba municipality. The study findings could be used for farm managerial decision-making and epidemiological interventions. Given the high prevalence of lameness in dairy farms in uMpofana municipality, there is a need for more focused research aimed at identifying the specific causes of lameness in these localities.

Outcomes of Radiation Dose Reduction Protocol in Electrophysiologic and Cardiac Device Procedures

Background: Exposure to radiation has been demonstrated to be associated with adverse short- and long-term health outcomes. Objective: To presented outcomes before and after the implementation of a radiation dose reduction protocol in electrophysiologic (EP) and cardiac device procedures. Materials and Methods: The present study was a retrospective comparative study, conducted at Chiang Mai University Hospital in Thailand using 2017 and 2019 data, including all patients who underwent EP and cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) procedures. Exclusion criteria involved patients with incomplete radiation dose records. The authors compared fluoroscopic time, radiation exposure, and complication rates before and after the protocol. Results: Among the 458 cases, with 214 Eps and 244 devices, the mean age was 58 years. For device implantation procedures, there was no significant change in fluoroscopic time as median (P₂₅, P₇₅) before and after protocol implementation were 3.1 (0.4, 5.8) versus 4.4 (1.2,7.6) minutes, respectively (p=0.117). However, there was a decreasing trend in dose area product (DAP) at 242.0 (119.2, 766.0) versus 197.9 (71.5, 494.5) cGy.cm² (p=0.073). The reduction in DAP was more pronounced in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) implantation when comparing 2017 to 2019 were 1,933.6 (1,039.4, 7,683.8) versus 1,074.6 (427.2, 2,890.7) cGy.cm² (p=0.020). In EP procedures, fluoroscopic time significantly decreased from 8.1 (3.0, 14.3) minutes in 2017 to 1.0 (0.0, 3.6) minute in 2019 (p<0.001), accompanied by a significant reduction in exposure dose of 45.0 (10.8, 153.3) versus 1.7 (0.0, 31.6) mGy (p<0.001) and DAP of 1,022.9 (247.2, 2,660.3) versus 38.5 (0.0, 566.9) cGy.cm² (p<0.001). There was no difference in the complication rate between the two periods. Conclusion: The implementation of the radiation dose reduction protocol resulted in a significant decrease in radiation exposure during EP procedures and showed a trend towards reduction in CIED procedures.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY IN THE PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION SYSTEM: CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Sustainable development is a key topic on today's global agenda due to the threats posed by climate change, environmental pollution, and other ecological issues. Governments and international institutions aim to achieve a balance between economic growth, social welfare, and environmental protection. In this context, new technologies and support for green innovations, which have the potential to enhance environmental safety, play a particularly important role. Effective public administration must adapt to these challenges by actively implementing environmental policies and promoting sustainable development. International cooperation is also critical for integrating global commitments into national strategies. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how environmental policy can support sustainable development through the improvement of the public administration system. The study provides a detailed analysis of international legal frameworks that regulate environmental policy and sustainability in public administration. Based on a systems approach, the complex interrelationships between government, society, business, and environmental factors are explored, allowing for a deeper understanding of how these elements interact. Using Switzerland as an example, one of the leading countries in environmental governance, the article identifies key elements for integrating environmental principles into public administration. This example demonstrates specific approaches and tools that other countries can adopt. Additionally, the statistics highlight not only global trends in plastic production and consumption but also the number of countries that have implemented environmental policy instruments between 2010 and 2023. This helps assess the scale of environmental initiatives at the global level. A SWOT analysis was conducted to assess the strengths and weaknesses of existing environmental policies, as well as to identify opportunities and threats for future development. This analysis helped outline the key directions for improving environmental policy to further support sustainable development. As a result, it was found that environmental policy within public administration has significant potential for growth, but its success depends on the establishment of an effective monitoring system, the intensification of international cooperation, the adoption of advanced technologies, and active public participation.

Effects of Rainfall Variability on Maize Production in Migori County, Kenya

Maize is the main staple food crop in Kenya and is of vital concern to agricultural policy decisions, food security, and the overall development of the sector and the economy. It is also the dominant staple food crop in Migori-County. However, there has been a declining trend in maize production among farmers in the study area threatening household food security. This study was conducted in Migori County using cross sectional survey research design. A sample size of 384 households was selected through stratified and systematic sampling techniques though just 310 households accepted to be interviewed. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire. Validated secondary weather data for the period 2011-2023 was obtained from the Migori Meteorological Station. The collected data was entered into SPSS software, version 20, and analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. The results indicated that 60% of households have an adequate food supply, while 40% face food shortages. Further, there was a strong positive and significant relationship between maize production (yield) and annual weather conditions from 2018 to 2023 (r = 0.845, p = 0.05). This indicates that changes in weather patterns, such as rainfall and temperature, had a significant influence on maize yields during the study period. Hence, farmers should be encouraged to use income from cash crops to purchase food stocks and engage in non-farm activities as alternative income sources to mitigate the effects of rainfall variability and climate change on food security.

Influence of operating conditions on heat and mass transfer in PEMFCs with platinum loading random distributions

The catalyst loading random distribution has a divergent effect on heat transfer and electrical property inside fuel cells than the catalyst loading homogeneous distribution, but the effects of different stoichiometric ratios and average platinum loadings on electrical property, heat as well as species transfer in the fuel cell considering catalyst content random setting are still unclear. Hence, the impacts of stoichiometric ratios and average platinum loadings on the electrical property of fuel cell considering catalyst content random distribution are explored in this paper by using a steady state, two-dimensional, two-phase, non-isothermal fuel cell model coupled the catalyst layer agglomerate model considering the multi-scale problem of catalyst layer. Results indicate that stoichiometric ratio and average platinum loading do not influence the effect direction of catalyst content distributed randomly on the output power. However, with the stoichiometric ratio rising, the impact degree of catalyst content distributed randomly on the output power first enhances and then diminishes. When the stoichiometric ratio is 1.3, the power density of uniform random distribution changes the most, decreasing by 3.91 %. As the average platinum loading rises, the impact degree of catalyst content distributed randomly on the output power gradually decreases. The power density of uniform random distribution decreases by 4.93 % when the catalyst content is 0.2 mg/cm2. Furthermore, the variation trends of temperature distribution, product and reactant content with stoichiometric ratio and average platinum loading under the platinum loading random distribution condition are consistent with that under the platinum loading homogeneous distribution condition. However, as the stoichiometric ratio rises, the reaction rate distribution becomes more uniform for normal random and homogeneous distributions, but the reaction rate distribution becomes uneven under uniform random distribution.

Combined effects of urbanization and climate variability on water and carbon balances in a rice paddy-dominated basin in Southern China

Abstract Urbanization is known to elevate storm runoff, but how it influences carbon cycle and ecosystem productivity through altering the evapotranspiration (ET) process is less clear. We examined the combined effects of urbanization including change in impervious surface area (ISA) and climate variability on the water and carbon balances of the Qinhuai River Basin (QRB) over 2001-2018. QRB represents a typical rice paddy-dominated region that experienced rapid urbanization in southern China. We improved a monthly scale Water Supply Stress Index (WaSSI) ecosystem service model by integrating local eddy flux measurements and high-resolution remote sensing data. We found a significant downward trend in both ET (−4.6 mm yr-1, p<0.05) and gross primary productivity (GPP) (−10.4 gC m-2 yr-1, p<0.05) but a significant upward trend in water yield (Q) (+28.6 mm yr-1, p<0.05). These ecosystem function changes coincided with a 96% increase in urban areas, 23.2% increase in ISA, and a 37% reduction in rice paddy fields. The mean annual watershed GPP decreased from 1048 gC m-2 to 998 gC m-2 while the annual Q increased from 284 mm to 669 mm from 2001 to 2018. Scenario modelling experiments suggested that the negative impacts of loss of rice paddy fields and increase in ISA on ET and GPP overwhelmed the positive impacts of climate warming. The reduction in GPP and increase in Q were largely attributed to the increases in ISA, not necessarily due to changes in land use types (e.g., urban area). The expansion of urban area, increase in ISA and reduction in leaf area index, and increase in precipitation explained the increase in Q. Our research offers insight about the interactions of carbon and water cycles through the critical ET processes under a changing climate and land surface characteristics at a watershed level. Our modelling tool and analysis provides land managers and policy makers information for designing effective ‘Urban Nature-based Solutions’ to mitigate the negative environmental effects of urbanization on carbon and water.

Analysis of Growth Trends, Regional Variations and Productivity Metrics of Apple Cultivation in Himachal Pradesh, India

India has seen a spatial escalation on apple growth and it fostered the country’s economy and employment opportunities of the apple growing states. States of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh are primarily known for apple production. Therefore, we worked on the secondary data on apple growth trends, its production from the different sources and analyzed it through growth rate, decomposition analysis and instability index techniques to quantify the production metrics and trend shift. Our findings reported that between1973–1974 to 2021–2022, there was an increase found in the global area, productivity and production of apples in Asia and India. The output of apples worldwide has found to be escalated at a compound annual growth rate of 2.51%, whereas, India has experienced a notable rise of 3.40 percent annually. The majority of the apple's area, output and productivity came from the Asian region, with growth rates of 3.38, 5.97, and 2.59 %, respectively. Furthermore, Worldwide scenario on apple cultivation reported that Poland had the highest relative instability in apple productivity (21.44%), followed by India (15.96%), China (12.53%), Turkey (11.18%) and USA (8.61%). Area yield effect was used to explain the rise in apple output in Asia, however, area expansion was found as the primary cause of increase in area under apple production. In Himachal Pradesh, Zone III has the greatest average yearly productivity (4.78%), followed by Zone II (3.35 %) and Zone IV (0.57%). In zones III and IV, the expansion of area (96.93%) and yields (85.13%) was the reason for the increase in apple production, however, in zone II, the yield effect (102.05%) was the only cause found for the increase in apple’s production.

Emerging trends in the selective production of value-added aromatics

Emerging trends in the selective production of value-added aromatics

Mapping the Evolution of Digital Health Research: Bibliometric Overview of Research Hotspots, Trends, and Collaboration of Publications in JMIR (1999-2024).

While bibliometric studies of individual journals have been conducted, to the best of our knowledge, bibliometric mapping has not yet been utilized to analyze the literature published by the Journal of Medical Internet Research (JMIR). In celebration of the journal's 25th anniversary, this study aimed to review the entire collection of JMIR publications from 1999 to 2024 and provide a comprehensive overview of the main publication characteristics. This study included papers published in JMIR during the 25-year period from 1999 to 2024. The data were analyzed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and the "Bibliometrix" package in R. Through descriptive bibliometrics, we examined the dynamics and trend patterns of JMIR literature production and identified the most prolific authors, papers, institutions, and countries. Bibliometric maps were used to visualize the content of published articles and to identify the most prominent research terms and topics, along with their evolution. A bibliometric network map was constructed to determine the hot research topics over the past 25 years. This study revealed positive trends in literature production, with both the total number of publications and the average number of citations increasing over the years. And the global COVID-19 pandemic induced an explosive rise in the number of publications in JMIR. The most productive institutions were predominantly from the United States, which ranked highest in successful publications within the journal. The editor-in-chief of JMIR was identified as a pioneer in this field. The thematic analysis indicated that the most prolific topics aligned with the primary aims and scope of the journal. Currently and in the foreseeable future, the main themes of JMIR include "artificial intelligence," "patient empowerment," and "victimization." This bibliometric study highlighted significant contributions to digital health by identifying key research trends, themes, influential authors, and collaborations. The findings underscore the necessity to enhance publications from developing countries, improve gender diversity among authors, and expand the range of research topics explored in the journal.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of vegetation net primary productivity and its response to climate variability

Despite its significance, net primary productivity is rarely used as an indicator of climate change. The purpose of this study was to assess the spatiotemporal dynamics of vegetation net primary productivity and its response to climate variability in the Welmel watershed, southeastern Ethiopia. The investigation utilized data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer, and the Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations accessed through the Google Earth Engine cloud computing platform. To evaluate the trend and response of net primary productivity to climatic factors, the Mann-Kendall and Theil Sen’s tests, the Pearson correlation coefficient, and stability analysis through the coefficient of variation of net primary productivity were utilized. The analysis of the temporal trend of net primary productivity revealed that the entire watershed, forest, wood, and cultivated land areas exhibited decreasing trends with net primary productivity values of -0.681, -4.361, -1.41, and − 3.25 g C m− 2/year, respectively. On the other hand, shrubs and grazing land displayed increasing trends of 1.15 and 2.04 g C m− 2/year, respectively. The wood and shrubland trends were statistically significant (p < 0.05). In the spatial analysis, an area of 64.6% showed a decreasing trend, whereas 33.78% displayed an increasing trend in net primary productivity values. The areas with stable and unstable variations in net primary productivity accounted for 26.47% and 8.02%, respectively. The net primary productivity of the land cover types and entire watershed were positively correlated with rainfall, however, only forests and woodlands were statistically significantly correlated (p < 0.05). The net primary productivity and land surface temperature were negatively correlated, except for forests and cultivated land, which were positively correlated. The results of this study provide essential information for managing ecosystems, supporting agricultural practices, and enhancing community resilience in a changing climate.

Synthesis of Ag/Cu decorated 3D self-assembled nanowire TiO2 photocatalyst for hydrogen production: a promising pathway towards sustainable energy generation.

Here, synthesis and characterization of TiO2 with different morphologies along with the cost-effective bimetallic decoration on optimized 3D self-assembled nanowire TiO2 (NWT) photocatalyst (Ag/Cu-NWT) with overwhelming hydrogen production rate is reported. All the photocatalysts were well characterized by different characterization techniques. Initially, the effect of morphology change obtained by changing the NaOH concentration has been studied for TiO2. Morphology obtained at 10M NaOH solution, i.e., NWT (678μmol/g), showed better hydrogen production than morphology obtained at 5M (410μmol/g), 15M (210μmol/g), and 20M (160μmol/g) NaOH solutions. Further, with the aim to achieve comparable or better activity low-cost photocatalyst as compared to Pt-TiO2 system, NWT was decorated with various Cu percentages and then with a minimal percentage of Ag on an optimized Cu-NWT photocatalyst. The observed trend for photocatalytic hydrogen production has been found to be P25 TiO2 < NWT < 1.0Cu-NWT < 0.5Pt-NWT ≤ 0.1Ag/1.0Cu-NWT. The marked increase by a factor of 103 in hydrogen production for the optimized bimetallic 0.1Ag/1.0Cu-NWT (10,184μmol/g) photocatalyst compared to P25 TiO2 (99μmol/g), nearly threefold increment in hydrogen production than an optimized 1.0 Cu-NWT (3907μmol/g) photocatalyst and comparable hydrogen production as compared to 0.5Pt-NWT (10,050μmol/g) may be attributed to the successful synthesis of a highly porous NWT morphology, which offers large surface area, increased light absorption combined with the synergistic effects of surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and the Schottky barrier for H+ reduction to H2 gas. The optimization of TiO2 morphology and an inexpensive bimetallic decoration strategy opens up promising opportunities for the development of cost-effective photocatalysts in the realm of energy and environment.

Complementary and competitive dynamics of CO2 and N2 in CH4 – Flue gas replacement within natural gas hydrates

To mitigate global warming, the paramount imperative lies in curbing the emission of CO2. The guest replacement method is a prominent carbon-neutral technological advancement that involves injecting CO2 into natural gas hydrate layers to accomplish the dual objectives of energy production and carbon storage. In this study, the guest dynamics in the CH4 – flue gas replacement process were examined, and the impacts of the N2 concentration of the injected gas were systematically analyzed. A powder X-ray diffraction analysis of the cage-specific guest distributions after CH4 − CO2 (20 %) + N2 (80 %) replacement revealed that CH4 production increased in both the large and small cages compared to the CH4 – CO2 replacement. This enhancement was attributed to the N2 molecules participating in both cages. However, this simultaneously led to a decrease in CO2 storage potential, indicating a ‘complementary’ relationship for CH4 production and a ‘competitive’ one for CO2 storage with respect to CO2 and N2. In situ Raman spectroscopy revealed that the introduction of N2 resulted in a deceleration of CO2 storage kinetics. Guest composition measurements after replacement showed an upward trend in CH4 production and a simultaneous decline in CO2 storage as the N2 composition increased. Notably, an intriguing correlation was established between the CO2/N2 ratios for the injected gas and the replaced hydrates, exhibiting a strong alignment with a simple first-order equation. The findings not only contribute to a deeper understanding of the CH4 − CO2 + N2 replacement technique but provide practical insights for its application in real-world scenarios.

Intercomparison of gross primary productivity in spatio-temporal distribution over a typical tropical region based on different datasets.

Gross Primary Productivity (GPP) plays a vital role in the carbon cycle of terrestrial ecosystems. For the purpose of assessing the performance of various GPP products in a typical tropical area, this study conducted an intercomparison of seven different GPP products over Hainan Island, China, and analyzed spatiotemporal characteristics of GPP in different elevation regions and vegetation types over study area. The results showed that although the GPP spatial distribution pattern over Hainan Island, as presented by different GPP products, is similar- showing that GPP values in the southwest are higher than those in the northeast- there are significant differences in the spatial distributions and magnitudes of each GPP product. The multi-annual mean GPP values from the seven GPP products exhibited similar temporal variation trends, with GOSIF being obviously higher than other GPP products. The GPP products indicated significant differences in different elevation and vegetation type groups. The GPP gap between GLASS AVHRR and BESS V2 decreases slightly with the increase in elevation. Most GPP products show a consistent change trend over time. There were also significant differences in the results of significance tests for the change trends of GPP products. Though GOSIF is significantly higher than other GPP products, it demonstrated a relatively high correlation with all GPP products, while AGPP exhibited relatively low correlations with all GPP products. The quantitatively comparative analysis of seven different GPP products in this study is valuable for improving GPP retrieval models and can also serve as a scientific reference for the application of GPP products in tropical region vegetation studies.

Forecasting Emerging Product Trends in Smart Supply Chains

Forecasting Emerging Product Trends in Smart Supply Chains