Structural Adjustment Research Articles

Improving the Methane Oxidation by Self‐Adaptive Optimization of Liquid‐Metal Catalysts

Methane, a major greenhouse gas and abundant carbon resource, presents significant challenges in catalysis due to its high symmetry and thermodynamic stability, which tend to cause over‐oxidation to CO2. Traditional catalysts require high temperatures and pressures to facilitate CH4 conversion, constrained by their rigid structures which lack the flexibility needed for optimizing complex reaction steps. This study introduces a novel Cu single atoms‐embedded liquid metal catalyst (Cu‐LMC) based on gallium alloys, characterized by dynamic, self‐adaptive structures that provide enhanced catalytic performance and selectivity. Our findings reveal that Cu‐LMC achieves a high methane conversion to methanol yield (5.9 mol·gCu‐1·h‐1) with a selectivity of 82%. The results show that mild surface oxidation significantly boosts the catalytic performance of Cu‐LMC by increasing active copper sites through the formation of a Cu‐O‐Ga configuration while preserving the catalyst's structural flexibility. In‐situ XPS and XAFS analyses, along with AIMD simulations, demonstrate that the Cu‐LMC enables self‐adaptive structural adjustments that lower methanol desorption energy and increase the energy barrier for by‐product formation, optimizing the overall methane conversion process. The results underscore the importance of designing catalysts with dynamic and adaptable structures to overcome traditional limitations and improve efficiency in catalytic reactions.

Improving the Methane Oxidation by Self-Adaptive Optimization of Liquid-Metal Catalysts.

Methane, a major greenhouse gas and abundant carbon resource, presents significant challenges in catalysis due to its high symmetry and thermodynamic stability, which tend to cause over-oxidation to CO2. Traditional catalysts require high temperatures and pressures to facilitate CH4 conversion, constrained by their rigid structures which lack the flexibility needed for optimizing complex reaction steps. This study introduces a novel Cu single atoms-embedded liquid metal catalyst (Cu-LMC) based on gallium alloys, characterized by dynamic, self-adaptive structures that provide enhanced catalytic performance and selectivity. Our findings reveal that Cu-LMC achieves a high methane conversion to methanol yield (5.9 mol·gCu-1·h-1) with a selectivity of 82%. The results show that mild surface oxidation significantly boosts the catalytic performance of Cu-LMC by increasing active copper sites through the formation of a Cu-O-Ga configuration while preserving the catalyst's structural flexibility. In-situ XPSand XAFSanalyses, along with AIMD simulations, demonstrate that the Cu-LMC enables self-adaptive structural adjustments that lower methanol desorption energy and increase the energy barrier for by-product formation, optimizing the overall methane conversion process. The results underscore the importance of designing catalysts with dynamic and adaptable structures to overcome traditional limitations and improve efficiency in catalytic reactions.

Wearable Body Temperature Sensing with Autonomous Self‐regulated Joule Heating and Passive Cooling for Healthcare Applications

AbstractThe positive temperature coefficient (PTC) effect observed in conductive polymer composites (CPCs) holds significant promise due to its wide materials selection and ability to offer enhanced sensitivity. However, traditional CPCs have relatively high PTC switching temperatures (typically above 100 °C) and are often unsuitable for bodily healthcare devices. This study introduces a novel approach leveraging the synergistic effect of an eco‐friendly fatty acid, namely lauric acid (LA), with flexible styrene‐ethylene‐butylene‐styrene (SEBS) thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) as a matrix and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) as a conductive filler. The composite film demonstrates exceptional temperature responsiveness at body‐relevant temperatures (35–40 °C) with a PTC intensity reaching an unprecedented 4 orders of magnitude, set apart by its fine‐tuning ability across a remarkable detecting temperature interval (Maximum temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR): 471.4% °C−1). This advancement is facilitated through a carefully engineered morphology, wherein the distribution of LA significantly influences the conductive network's reformation within the composite, with the in‐situ optical microscope used to reveal the reformation of the conductive network structure. The flexible composite demonstrates significant potential for body temperature sensing, self‐regulating heating, and passive cooling, paving the way for future developments in eco‐friendly, highly sensitive, and flexible sensors in wearable health monitoring and thermotherapy.

Has China completed the supply-side structural reform of construction land supply? Evidence from 335 cities

Has China completed the supply-side structural reform of construction land supply? Evidence from 335 cities

Reassessing Journalist and Media Dynamics for Sustainable Development in Africa

This study reassessed the role of journalists and media dynamics in promoting sustainable development in Africa, specifically examining how media ownership structures, profit-driven models, and government policies impact journalistic objectivity and coverage of development issues. The research employs a descriptive survey design with a population comprising journalists and media practitioners and a sample size of 30 respondents from the region. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire, with mean and standard deviation used to analyse responses. Findings showed that media ownership often influences editorial content, with ownership structures limiting journalists' independence in covering sustainable development objectively. Additionally, profit-driven models significantly affect the quality and focus of development reporting, as the pursuit of revenue frequently prioritises entertainment over critical sustainable development topics. Government policies and censorship further restrict media freedom, impeding the balanced and thorough reporting of politically sensitive development issues. Based on these insights, the conclusion reached was that structural reforms and policy interventions are necessary to enhance the media's role in sustainable development advocacy. Recommendations include promoting editorial independence, diversifying funding sources to reduce reliance on commercial revenue and implementing policies to protect press freedom and enable objective reporting on development issues across Africa.

Economic policy and structural reforms in Uruguayan left-wing administrations

Economic policy and structural reforms in Uruguayan left-wing administrations

Oil price uncertainty and capital structure dynamics

Purpose The literature is remarkably silent on questions concerning the nexus between firms’ capital structure adjustment speed and the uncertainty of oil prices. This study aims to examine how oil price fluctuations affect a firm’s capital structure and adjustment speed. Design/methodology/approach This research focuses on a set of corporations from the Gulf Cooperation Council spanning from 2011 to 2022. The methods applied are panel fixed effects and dynamic two-step system Generalized Method of Moments models. Findings The findings indicate that changes in oil prices significantly impact corporate capital structure. Specifically, high oil price volatility leads to a reduction in both market leverage and book leverage. In addition, increased volatility in oil prices results in higher costs for leverage adjustment speed, which subsequently influences how quickly companies move toward their optimal leverage ratio. It is observed that when there is an increase in oil price volatility, firms adjust their leverage more slowly. At the same time, they do so more rapidly during phases of lower oil price volatility. Practical implications The findings of this study hold significant implications for corporate managers, investors and lenders. The observed negative relationship between oil price uncertainty and leverage suggests that corporate managers may benefit from prioritizing equity financing over debt during periods of heightened oil price volatility. In addition, managers should integrate oil price uncertainty into their liquidity management strategies by maintaining sufficient cash reserves. This proactive approach can help mitigate the challenges posed by reduced access to external debt financing during volatile periods. Furthermore, understanding the influence of oil price fluctuations on firms’ cost of debt is crucial, as it directly impacts firms’ adjustment costs in achieving their optimal capital structures. Creditors, too, should consider the adverse effects of oil price volatility on corporate financing when designing credit policies, ensuring they remain responsive to the financial constraints faced by firms under such conditions. Originality/value At best, this study presents new evidence that sheds light on the nexus between oil price volatility and the speed at which firms adjust their leverage toward the trade-off theory’s optimal target.

Design a functional graphene with decoration of dual transition metal dopants for hydrogen evolution electrocatalysis.

Since hydrogen is a promising alternative to fossil fuels due to its high energy density and environmental friendliness, water electrolysis for hydrogen production has received widespread attentions wherein the development of active and stable catalytic materials is a key research direction. This article designs a dual transition metal doped functional graphene for hydrogen evolution reaction via density functional theory calculations. Among varied combinations, 16 candidates are screened out that are expected to be stable as reflected by the criterion of formation energy Ef < 0 and active due to its free energy of hydrogen adsorption ∆GH within the window of ±0.3 eV. Considering its feasibility in structural modification and electronic adjustment due to the strong dd orbital couplings, the homogeneous dual-atom moiety delivers improved performance toward hydrogen evolution in comparison with the single-atom counterpart. Owing to the good resistance of electrochemical dissolution, the work figures out the potential combinations of Cu2C3N3, Rh2C6, Rh2C3N3 and Rh2N6 endowed with the ∆GH values of -0.03, 0.12, -0.21, and 0.06 eV, respectively, being comparable to the benchmark Pt materials. Therefore, this study provides a new direction for the experimental synthesis of highly active carbon-based electrocatalysts and highlights the well-tuning ability posed by dual-atom interaction.

Research on Evolutionary Path of Land Development System Towards Carbon Neutrality

Based on complex system theory and multi-dimensional coupling analysis paradigm, this study constructs a dynamic model covering land use, real estate development, and carbon emissions, and deeply explores the internal mechanism and evolution law of land development system in the process of moving toward a low-carbon path. Firstly, through nonlinear dynamics and bifurcation analysis, this study identifies three typical transformation paths that the system may experience: gradual, transitional, and hybrid, emphasizing the nonlinear, phased, and highly context-dependent characteristics of the transformation process. On this basis, early warning indicators and robustness analysis methods are introduced, which provide operational tools for identifying critical turning points in the system and improving the effectiveness and resilience of regulatory strategies. Furthermore, this paper proposes a multi-level regulation mechanism design framework, which combines the immediate feedback with the historical cumulative effect to achieve the refined guidance of land development patterns and carbon emission paths. The results provide a scientific basis and practical enlightenment for land use optimization, green infrastructure construction, and industrial structure adjustment under the background of realizing the “3060” dual carbon goal and the reform of territorial spatial planning in China. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen the empirical calibration of parameters, data-driven optimization, and collaborative research of multiple policy tools to further improve the applicability and decision-making reference value of the model.

Teach the Unteachable with a Virtual Reality (VR) Brain Death Scenario - 800 Students and 3 Years of Experience.

Traditionally, clinical education has combined classroom theory with hospital-based practical experiences. Over the past 50 years, simulation-based training, particularly virtual reality (VR), has gained prominence for its flexibility and scalability. This article describes the development, implementation and evaluation of a VR-based brain death diagnostic training module at the University of Münster over a three-year period. A multidisciplinary team developed the VR scenario to simulate a realistic intensive care unit, in line with German guidelines for brain death diagnosis. The module includes a tutorial and a preparatory video podcast to accommodate varying levels of VR experience. The course maintained its former small-group format, integrating VR to replace a manikin-based brain death examination. A randomized pilot study compared the traditional and VR-based approaches. Feedback from over 800 students indicated a strong preference for VR training, with a significant increase in perceived competence in brain death diagnosis. The VR module also increased the individual training time and provided more varied clinical scenarios than traditional methods. Continuous feedback led to iterative improvements, including reflex simulations and improved hardware management. The VR-based training was well received, demonstrating its potential to revolutionize medical education by providing immersive, realistic simulations. Challenges such as initial hardware adaptation and high personnel costs were addressed through comprehensive tutorials and structural adjustments. The success of this module has led to the development of additional VR courses, optimizing the use of hardware and justifying the initial investment. The integration of VR into medical education at the University of Münster has proven effective, enhancing student engagement and competence in brain death diagnosis. The positive outcomes suggest a promising future for VR in medical education, highlighting the importance of innovative tools in the preparation of future medical professionals. Efforts are continuing to broaden the application and accessibility of VR-based training.

Employment Challenges and Employment Structure Adjustment of Low-Carbon City Pilot Policies: Evidence from Chinese Enterprises

Under the background of global climate change and sustainable development, low-carbon transformation has become an inevitable choice for China and even global economic development. As the cornerstone of social stability and the key to people’s well-being, employment is facing profound changes brought about by low-carbon development. Based on the micro perspective of enterprise behavior change, this paper takes the implementation of China’s low-carbon city pilot policy as an exogenous policy shock and constructs a time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) model to test the impact of the low-carbon city pilot policy on enterprise employment, based on the data of China’s A-share listed enterprises from 2008–2021. The results show that the implementation of low-carbon city pilot policies significantly expands the employment scale of enterprises and increases overall employment by about 6.77%. From the perspective of employment skill structure, it can promote the employment of high-skilled and low-skilled workers. From the perspective of employment position structure, it can promote the employment of production operations personnel, technology research and development personnel, and service and management personnel. These results are still valid after a series of robustness tests. The policy effect is due to the deepening of enterprise capital integration, green investment, technological innovation and vertical specialization. In addition, it is also affected by the differences of enterprise ownership, enterprise scale, industry pollution degree, regional environmental regulation, and market competition degree. Further research shows that low-carbon city pilot policies significantly reduce the share of labor income of employees in heavily polluting enterprises, resulting in the loss of employee welfare. From the perspective of employment, this paper provides more theoretical support and empirical evidence for low-carbon policies to drive changes in micro-enterprise behavior, so as to achieve the sustainable goals of “double carbon” and “stable employment”.

The Intricate Dynamics of Democratic Crises in Least Developed Countries

This paper explores how the economic crisis, lack of education, political corruption, and Western intervention contribute to declines in overall democratization in developing or LDC nations. Using a comparative analysis of case studies from various regions, the study analyzes cross-cutting trends and deviations in democratic backsliding. This paper suggests how economic instability either originates in or feeds resource scarcity and instability in local and world markets, resulting in a downward spiral of poverty, unemployment, and social unrest that can destroy public confidence in democratic institutions. Keeping the access to education to the masses low, with the representatives disengaging from their voters, makes the individuals vulnerable and weak, making democracy weak. One example is political corruption, which abuses power for personal gain, undermining public trust and confidence in democratic governance. The trajectory where this was at that point could be influenced by external actors, like foreign aid or structural adjustment programs from international financial institutions, that perpetuate dependency and, if the terms of those loans are not met, impose austerity packages that shrink democracy. This paper contributes to the academic literature on LDCs challenged by crisis redeems in democracies by highlighting processes over multiple years that determine crises as the formation of social, economic, political, or external tensions involving three interconnected levels of operations of tensions: social, economic, and political; political and external; and financial and external. Such insights illustrate the urgency for holistic solutions that confront the causes of democratic deterioration and enable the US to build sustained support that is successful against those most at risk.

Analysis on the adjustment of transportation structure and the logistics transformation of railway freight

Analysis on the adjustment of transportation structure and the logistics transformation of railway freight

Intelligent classification of computer vulnerabilities and network security management system: Combining memristor neural network and improved TCNN model.

To enhance the intelligent classification of computer vulnerabilities and improve the efficiency and accuracy of network security management, this study delves into the application of a comprehensive classification system that integrates the Memristor Neural Network (MNN) and an improved Temporal Convolutional Neural Network (TCNN) in network security management. This system not only focuses on the precise classification of vulnerability data but also emphasizes its core role in strengthening the network security management framework. Firstly, the study designs and implements a neural network model based on memristors. The MNN, by simulating the memory effect of biological neurons, effectively captures the complex nonlinear relationships within vulnerability data, thereby enhancing the data insight capabilities of the network security management system. Subsequently, structural optimization and parameter adjustments are made to the TCNN model, incorporating residual connections and attention mechanisms to improve its classification performance, making it more adaptable to the dynamically changing network security environment. Through data preprocessing, feature extraction, and model training, this study conducts experimental validation on a public vulnerability dataset. The experimental results indicate that: The MNN model demonstrates excellent performance across evaluation metrics such as Accuracy (ACC), Precision (P), Recall (R), and F1 Score, achieving an ACC of 89.5%, P of 90.2%, R of 88.7%, and F1 of 89.4%. The improved TCNN model shows even more outstanding performance on the aforementioned evaluation metrics. After structural optimization and parameter adjustments, the TCNN model's ACC increases to 93.8%, significantly higher than the MNN model. The P value also improves, reaching 91.5%, indicating enhanced capability in reducing false positives and improving vulnerability identification accuracy. The integrated classification system, leveraging the strengths of both the MNN and improved TCNN models, achieves an ACC of 95.2%. This improvement not only demonstrates the system's superior capability in accurately classifying vulnerability data but also proves the synergistic effect of MNN and TCNN models in addressing complex network security environments. The comprehensive classification system proposed in this study significantly enhances the classification performance of computer vulnerabilities, providing robust technical support for network security management. The system exhibits higher accuracy and stability in handling complex vulnerability datasets, making it highly valuable for practical applications and research.

Cytological Characterization of vrnp 1, a Pollen-Free Male Sterile Mutant in Mung Bean (Vigna radiata)

Mung bean (Vigna radiata) plays a significant role in agricultural trade, food processing and utilization, and cropping structure adjustment due to its abundant nutritional components, medicine-food homology, capacity for nitrogen fixation, and soil improvement. The low yield level is a crucial limitation factor in the mung bean industry, while heterosis is an efficient path for increasing crop yields. The flexible utilization of male sterile mung bean materials may solve this pressing demand in the industry. This study identified a completely male-sterile mutant, vrnp 1, in the EMS-mutagenized mung bean cultivar Jilv 10 population, which is controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene. Furthermore, we employed a series of microscopical and histological techniques and observed that the tapetal cells in the vrnp 1 mutant did not perform as expected when reaching stage 8 of anther development, notably exhibiting a delay in entering PCD. This was accompanied by a failure to deposit cell wall components onto the pollen wall, culminating in a complete absence of mature pollen and the manifestation of male sterility. In conclusion, the vrnp 1 mutant could potentially serve as a promising candidate for male sterility in exploiting hybrid vigor in mung bean. Our research may elucidate how the delayed initiation of programmed cell death in tapetal cells contributes to a factor implicated in mung bean male sterility. Furthermore, the phenotypic data collected during pivotal developmental phases may have contributed to a better grasp of mung bean microspores and anther development.

Influence of π-π interactions on organic photocatalytic materials and their performance.

Currently, organic photocatalyst-based photocatalysis has garnered significant attention as an environmentally friendly and sustainable reaction system due to the preferable structural flexibility and adjustable optoelectronic features of organic photocatalysts. In addition, π-π interactions, as one of the common non-bonded interactions, play an important role in the structure and property adjustments of organic photocatalysts due to their unique advantages in modulating the electronic structure, facilitating charge migration, and influencing interfacial reactions. However, studies summarizing the relationship between the π-π interactions of organic photocatalysts and their photocatalytic performance are still rare. Therefore, in this review, we introduced the types of π-π interactions, characterization techniques, and different types of organic photocatalytic materials. Then, the influence of π-π interactions on photocatalysis and the modification strategies of π-π interactions were summarized. Finally, we discussed their influence on photocatalytic performance in different photocatalytic systems and analyzed the challenges and prospects associated with harnessing π-π interactions in photocatalysis. The review provides a clear map for understanding π-π interaction formation mechanism and its application in organic photocatalysts, offering useful guidance for researchers in this field.

The Effect of Digital Economy Development on Carbon Emission Reduction—An Empirical Analysis Based on 80 Countries of the Belt and Road Initiative

Based on data from China and 80 countries belonging to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for the period 2010–2022, this study employs a benchmark panel regression model to thoroughly analyze the impact of digital economy development on carbon emission reduction in BRI countries. The research findings indicate that the development of the digital economy in BRI countries has facilitated carbon emission reduction. This effect exhibits heterogeneity. Compared to other regions, the impact is more pronounced in countries with higher levels of socio-economic development, located in Africa and Europe, and along the Land Silk Road, and BRI countries neighboring China. The mechanisms through which this effect operates include industrial structure adjustment, technological innovation, and changes in energy intensity. Based on these insights, specific and targeted development recommendations for BRI countries at different levels of development and geographical distributions are proposed. These suggestions focus on strengthening infrastructure construction to bridge the digital divide; enhancing technological capabilities and promoting the integration of the digital economy with the real economy to upgrade industrial structures; and implementing differentiated digital economy development strategies to reduce energy consumption, among other measures.

Examining Ecology–Agriculture–Economy Nexus Shifts to Propose Win–Win–Win Pathways for Sustainable Development in Mountainous Areas: Insights From the Greenest City in China

ABSTRACTEcosystem restoration projects (ERPs) are effective methods for reversing land degradation. However, the dynamic responses of the ecology–agriculture–economy nexus to ERPs and socioeconomic development have yet to be systematically analyzed. To address this issue, we adopted an ERP hotspot as a basis for exploring the evolution regimes of sectoral variables and their determinants. ERPs facilitated vegetation restoration and strengthened carbon sequestration and soil retention, whereas grain productivity declined sharply since 2000 because of industrial and planting structure adjustments. Economic growth was accompanied by marked industrial transformation; the dominant role of the primary industry was gradually replaced by that of other industries, with the population and employment structures changing accordingly. Rural population loss weakened the agricultural production capacity, with the promotion of economic crops further degrading the dominant role of grain crops. Such nexus shifts indicated that positive progress in the ecological and economic sectors should be further optimized to reserve sufficient space for agricultural production and industrial development, instead of relying solely on expanding afforestation areas. Notably, the temporary synergic co‐evolution of nexus sectors from 2008 to 2022 is not stable because of the low grain self‐sufficiency ratio, which might threaten the sustainability of social‐ecological systems. Therefore, agricultural production efficiency must be improved through large‐scale production and improvements in agricultural production conditions to sustain the grain supply. The nexus perspective enriches our understanding of interlinkages among sectors in different phases, facilitating the formulation of coordinated strategies for regional sustainable development.

СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЕ КОНЦЕПТУАЛЬНЫХ ОСНОВ ПОЛИТИКИ ВЫРАВНИВАНИЯ РЕГИОНОВ

This paper compares the key ideas of regional policy for leveling regions based on various paradigms of its development. The concepts based on various approaches to regional development are considered. When forming regional policy in Russia, it is important to take into account the vast size of the country, cultural characteristics and traditions of the population, as well as the specifics of everyday life in different regions. For further effective functioning of the Russian economy, it is necessary to create a special classifier of theoretical systems that would be based on the individual characteristics of the regions. An analysis of the characteristics of the economic crisis through the prism of regional development leads to the conclusion about the need to distribute the powers of government bodies (both federal and local) in the structure of regional development management. Currently, the issue of carrying out structural reforms is one of the key aspects of the country's socio-economic development. The solution to this issue is actively discussed by government bodies and scientists. To stabilize the current situation in the domestic markets of the Russian Federation, it is necessary to formulate a strategy that would focus on building special characteristics of the regions

Tuning Optical Properties of Organic Thin Films through Intermolecular Interactions - Fundamentals, Advances and Strategies.

In applications ranging from photon-energy conversion into electrical or chemical forms (such as photovoltaics or photocatalysis) to numerous sensor technologies based on organic solids, the role of supramolecular structures and chromophore interactions is crucial. This review comprehensively examines the critical intermolecular interactions between organic dyes and their impact on optical properties. We explore the range of changes in absorption or emission properties observed in molecular aggregates compared to single molecules. Each effect is dissected to reveal its physicochemical foundations, relevance to different application domains, and documented examples from the literature that illustrate the potential modulation of absorption or emission properties by molecular and supramolecular structural adjustments. This work aims to serve as a concise guide for exploiting supramolecular phenomena in the innovation of novel optical and optoelectronic organic materials, with emphasis on strategic application and exploitation.