Search Results (117)

The low-carbon city pilot (LCCP) and carbon emissions trading (CET) represent two critical policies for reducing carbon emissions. Accurately evaluating their synergistic effects on the reduction in pollution and carbon emissions (RPCE) is of utmost importance for advancing China’s low-carbon economic growth and achieving the dual-carbon objectives. Utilizing data from 279 prefecture-level cities during 2008 to 2021, this study employed a multi-phase differences-in-differences model to investigate the synergistic effects of the concurrent implementation of LCCP and CET (referred to as the “dual pilot” policy) on RPCE. The findings revealed that (1) the dual pilot policies reduced per capita CO₂ emissions by 0.644% and PM_2.5 concentration by 0.114%, with the dual effect being significantly superior to that of single pilot policies; (2) through mechanism analysis, it was found that technological innovation and clean energy transition served as the principal channels through which the “dual pilot” policy exerted its influence on RPCE; and (3) heterogeneity analysis demonstrated that the “dual pilot” policy was particularly effective in the RPCE in big cities, non-resource-based cities, and highly urbanized cities. This study provides novel empirical evidence supporting the integration of active government intervention with effective market mechanisms to maximize synergies in carbon emission reduction policies and achieve RPCE. Full article

In the context of China’s transition from “dual control of energy consumption” to “dual control of carbon emissions,” understanding the synergistic mechanisms among carbon emission trading (CET), energy use rights trading (EURT), and electricity markets is critical for achieving the nation’s dual carbon goals. This study develops a system dynamics (SD) model to examine the coupled interactions within this “carbon–electricity–energy” ternary market system, focusing on thermal power enterprises as the primary analytical subject. The model reveals that the ternary market framework drives energy conservation and emission reduction through three key mechanisms: price signal transmission, dual regulatory constraints, and mutual quota recognition. These mechanisms propagate low-carbon incentives throughout the industrial chain by transmitting cost signals to end-users via electricity prices. Compared to binary market structures, the ternary framework achieves superior outcomes, it facilitates higher renewable energy consumption, maintains more stable price levels, enhances market liquidity for both carbon and energy rights, and improves resource allocation efficiency alongside environmental–economic performance. However, the simulation also exposes critical inefficiencies under the current “dual control of energy consumption” regime. The parallel operation of EURT and CET markets creates functional overlap and duplicated compliance burdens. This redundancy increases enterprise costs without commensurate environmental gains, validating the necessity of transitioning to carbon-focused dual control. Further analysis demonstrates that a mutual recognition mechanism between carbon and energy rights effectively alleviates dual compliance pressures and improves enterprise profitability. Optimal market performance emerges when the recognition ratio is appropriately calibrated. Additionally, gradually increasing the share of auctioned quotas while maintaining appropriate levels of free allowances can drive emission reductions without compromising enterprise profitability. This research provides both theoretical foundations and practical policy recommendations for building an efficient multi-market coordination mechanism, facilitating the policy transition, and advancing low-carbon transformation in China’s power sector. Full article

The accelerating global demand for renewable heating, cooling and electricity, driven by climate change and rising living standards, presents both a challenge and an opportunity for sustainable energy transitions. This paper introduces the Initial-Aid Cashback (IAC) model, an innovative business model designed to finance renewable energy solutions, with a focus on space cooling, by leveraging citizen participation and collaborative financing mechanisms. The model incentivizes private investors through discounted energy prices, while system operators benefit from reduced upfront capital requirements and minimised financial risk. Through two case studies, an office building in Romania (small-scale case) and the application of the REGEN-BY-2 technology in a mixed housing–office area (large-scale case), the paper demonstrates the model’s potential to accelerate the adoption of renewable cooling technologies, enhance profitability for operators, and provide attractive returns for investors. The findings highlight the model’s adaptability to diverse stakeholder needs, its scalability, and its role in fostering the clean energy transition (CET). However, challenges such as the need for a minimum number of investors, legal complexities, and trust-building among stakeholders are identified as critical barriers to implementation. The paper concludes that the IAC model offers a promising pathway to integrate citizens and small investors into the CET, while emphasising the importance of supportive policies, clear governance structures, and practical testing to ensure its success. Full article

Limited study time constrains university EFL vocabulary learning, so efficiency should be evaluated alongside accuracy. A web-based multimodal environment was developed that uses a large language model for contextualized drills and tutoring, text-to-speech for pronunciation and listening rehearsal, and an interactive 3D mastery view for self-regulated tracking. Vocabulary knowledge is modeled as a discrete mastery state (m = 0–5), updated after each attempt, and an adaptive scheduler allocates practice across mastery strata. Learning ROI is defined as newly mastered words per hour and computed from logged study time and mastery transitions. In a three-month deployment (N = 171), learners achieved a mean ROI of 9.8 words/hour, about 60% higher than conventional estimates (5–6 words/hour); high-adherence users reached 17–21 words/hour. End-of-trial surprise review results indicated retention above 85%. For CET-4, the platform cohort obtained the highest mean score (457.66) and pass rate (74.24%) compared with Baicizhan (442.22; 64.81%) and traditional instruction (428.60; 53.70%). The results provide quantitative support for the hypothesis that multimodal personalization improves time-based vocabulary gains and their durability. Full article

District heating systems are central to Europe’s decarbonisation strategy and its 2050 climate-neutrality objective. However, district heating is deeply embedded in the socio-economic system and the built environment. This makes compliance with policy targets at the local level particularly challenging. The issues are attributable to two factors. Firstly, the process is characterised by a high degree of complexity and multidimensionality. Secondly, there is a scarcity of local resources (e.g., land, surface waters, waste heat, etc.). In Bucharest, Romania, the largest district heating system in the European Union, the process of decarbonisation represents a particularly complex challenge. The system is characterised by large physical dimensions, high technical wear, heavy dependence on natural gas, significant heat losses and complex governance structures. This paper presents a strategic planning exercise for aligning the Bucharest system with the Energy Efficiency Directive 2023/1791. Drawing on system data, investment modelling, and local resource mapping from the LIFE22-CET-SET_HEAT project, the study evaluates scenarios for 2028 and 2035 that shift heat generation from natural gas to renewable, waste heat, and high-efficiency sources. The central objective is the identification of opportunities and issues. Options include large-scale heat pumps, waste-to-energy, geothermal and solar heat. Heat demand profiles and electricity price dynamics are used to evaluate economic feasibility and operational flexibility. The findings show that the decarbonisation heat supply in Bucharest is technically possible, but financial viability hinges on phased investments, interinstitutional coordination, regulatory reforms and access to EU funding. The study concludes with recommendations for staged implementation, coordinated governance and socio-economic measures to safeguard heat affordability and system reliability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a molecularly targeted cancer therapy that employs antibody–photoabsorber conjugates (APCs) comprising the photosensitizer IRDye700DX (IR700) and tumor-specific antibodies. Following near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation, IR700 undergoes structural modification, inducing selective and rapid necrotic cell death. In mouse tumor models, we observed that IR700 fluorescence decreased during irradiation but recovered immediately afterward. This study aimed to characterize this novel phenomenon, named “early fluorescence recovery,” and explore its therapeutic implications. Methods: Cetuximab-IR700 (Cet-IR700) was synthesized and administered to A431 and FaDu-Luc2 xenograft female BALB/c-nu/nu mouse models. In vivo fluorescence imaging was conducted using LIGHTVISION during and after NIR irradiation (690 nm, 50 J/cm²). Reactive oxygen species involvement was examined via intraperitoneal administration of L-sodium ascorbate. Tumor blood flow changes were assessed via indocyanine green (ICG) imaging, and therapeutic efficacy was compared between single and divided irradiation protocols. Results: Tumor fluorescence markedly decreased during NIR-PIT but rapidly recovered within 10 min after irradiation. This recovery was significantly inhibited by L-sodium ascorbate (p < 0.01) and accompanied by increased ICG fluorescence (p < 0.01), suggesting enhanced tumor perfusion. Divided irradiation performed after fluorescence recovery tended to yield greater tumor suppression than did single irradiation, although the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Early fluorescence recovery after NIR-PIT reflects transient reactivation of photoactive APCs through oxygen-dependent molecular and vascular mechanisms. Exploiting this brief recovery window with divided irradiation may improve therapeutic efficacy and guide optimization of NIR-PIT protocols. Full article

This study explored radiomic features that help identify non-contrast-enhancing tumors (nCET) by analyzing regions where contrast-enhancing tumors (CET) transformed into nCET after Bevacizumab (BEV) treatment. The BEV cohort included 24 recurrent GBM (rGBM) patients treated with BEV, showing reduced contrast-enhancement on gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted imaging (T1Gd) imaging. The 11C-methionine positron emission tomography (Met-PET) cohort consisted of 24 newly diagnosed GBM (nGBM) patients with available Met-PET data. VOIs were created from T2WI, FLAIR, T1Gd, and Met-PET to analyze nCET and T2/FLAIR lesions. After significant radiomic features were identified, a prediction model for nCET was developed in the BEV cohort and subsequently evaluated in the Met-PET cohort. A total of 37 and 46 significant radiomic features were found in the BEV and Met-PET cohorts, respectively. The key feature, T2WI_whole_GLCMcorrelation_1, was selected for predictive modeling. The model demonstrated high accuracy (AUC = 0.93, p < 0.0001) in the BEV cohort, with sensitivity and specificity of 0.91, while the Met-PET cohort showed moderate accuracy (AUC = 0.74, p = 0.0053). Image reconstruction using these features also effectively visualized nCET in nGBM. These findings suggest that radiomic features in CET regions transforming to nCET after BEV treatment harbors valuable information for identifying nCET in GBM. Full article

In this study, a multiphysics coupling numerical model was developed to investigate the thermal-fluid dynamics and microstructure evolution during the laser metal deposition of AlCoCrFeNi high-entropy alloy (HEA) coatings on 430 stainless steel substrates. The model integrated laser-powder interactions, temperature-dependent material properties, and the coupled effects of buoyancy and Marangoni convection on melt pool dynamics. The simulation results were compared with experimental data to validate the model’s effectiveness. The simulations revealed a strong bidirectional coupling between temperature and flow fields in the molten pool: the temperature distribution governed surface tension gradients that drove Marangoni convection patterns, while the resulting fluid motion dominated heat redistribution and pool morphology. Initially, the Peclet number (Pe_T) remained below 5, indicating conduction-controlled heat transfer with a hemispherical melt pool. As the process progressed, Pe_T exceeded 50 at maximum flow velocities of 2.31 mm/s, transitioning the pool from a circular to an elliptical geometry with peak temperatures reaching 2850 K, where Marangoni convection became the primary heat transfer mechanism. Solidification parameter distributions (G and R) were computed and quantitatively correlated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-observed microstructures to elucidate the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis identified body-centered cubic (BCC), face-centered cubic (FCC), and ordered B2 phases within the coating. The resulting hierarchical microstructure, transitioning from fine equiaxed surface grains to coarse columnar interfacial grains, synergistically enhanced surface properties and established robust metallurgical bonding with the substrate. Full article

Antisense inhibition of gene expression is usually achieved using nuclease-resistant oligonucleotide analogs that promote mRNA degradation through RNase H or RNase P, or by steric hindrance of translation. Bridge nucleic acids (BNAs) are nucleotide analogs available in a few chemical variants. We evaluated gapmers composed of an oligodeoxynucleotide flanked by BNA residues in a BNA₅-DNA₈-BNA₄ configuration, using the available variants: the original locked nucleic acid (LNA; 2′-O,4′-methylene bridge), cET (2′-O,4′-ethyl bridge), cMOE (2′-O,4′-methoxyethyl bridge), and BNANC (2′-O,4′-aminomethylene bridge). These gapmers were tested in vitro for their ability to induce cleavage of the model aac(6′)-Ib mRNA. All gapmers complementary to a previously identified region suitable for interaction with antisense oligomers induced RNase H-mediated degradation. Instead, only the LNA-containing gapmer also elicited RNase P-dependent cleavage, demonstrating dual RNA- and DNA-mimicking capability. In vitro coupled transcription–translation assays using cell lysates or reconstituted systems confirmed inhibition of expression and ruled out steric hindrance as the mechanism. In contrast, gapmers targeting the ribosome-binding site strongly inhibited expression by steric hindrance. These findings demonstrate that LNA-containing gapmers can exert their effects through multiple mechanisms, depending on the targeted mRNA region, thereby supporting their potential for synergistic inhibition of gene expression. Full article

Although numerous studies address inclusive education, especially in Latin America, research analyzing the overall life satisfaction of teachers in schools that implement inclusion policies are scarce. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relationship between Life Satisfaction, Optimism, Culture, and the Inclusive Practice of primary school teachers from Chile. A descriptive quantitative method was employed, with an ex post facto design including 246 primary teachers from urban and rural schools in Chile. The teachers completed four questionnaires: Inclusive Culture (IC), Inclusive Practice (IP) Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWSL), and Life Orientation Test Revised (LOT-R). The results show that these instruments present acceptable reliability. In addition, a significant correlation was found between Classroom Experience Time (CET) and SWSL (r = 0.201, p < .01), as well as between SWSL, and LOT-R (r = 0.411, p < .01), and IC and IP (r = 0.838, p < .01). The regression model is statistically significant [F (4, 241) = 139.572, p < .001]. The findings indicate that IC and SWSL predict IP directly, whereas CET is an inverse predictor. There is a statistically significant relationship between Life Satisfaction, Classroom Experience Time, Culture, and Inclusive Practice, with the three first variables being predictors of Inclusive Practice. Full article

As the scale of distributed resources continues to expand, decentralization and multi-agent characteristics bring significant challenges to low-carbon dispatching and market participation of power grids. To this end, this paper proposes a collaborative optimization scheduling framework with distributed resource aggregators (DRAs) as the main body, innovatively coupling carbon Emission trading (CET) with electric vehicle carbon quota participation, and the renewable energy quota (RPS) with tradable green certificate (TGC) transaction as the carrier, as well as constructing the connection path between the two to realize the integrated utilization of environmental rights and interests. Based on the ε-constraint method, a bi-objective optimization model of economic cost minimization and carbon emission minimization is established, and a multi-dimensional evaluation system, covering the internal and overall operation performance of the aggregator, is designed. The example shows that, under the proposed CET-RPS coupling mechanism, the total cost of DRA is about 23.4% lower than that of the existing mechanism. When the carbon emission constraint is relaxed from 2700 t to 3000 t, the total cost decreases from CNY 2537.32 to CNY 2487.74, indicating that the carbon constraint has a significant impact on the marginal cost. This study provides a feasible path for the large-scale participation of distributed resources in low-carbon power systems. Full article

Vehicle kilometers traveled (VKT) is a critical metric in transportation and environmental research. However, conventional VKT estimation approaches frequently fail to capture the complexity of route selection and spatiotemporal dynamics of individual road users. This study presents a framework for accurately estimating the total VKT using high-resolution trajectory data obtained from a commercial navigation system. To address the structural limitations of conventional origin destination matrix-based models, such as the modifiable areal unit problem, representative routes were identified based on cumulative travel distance coverage. A novel metric, coverage of estimated travel (CET), was introduced to quantify the explanatory capacity of these routes in approximating total travel distance. Representative routes were selected to maximize CET, and the resulting VKT estimates were validated against national statistical yearbook data. Robustness was further evaluated using mean absolute percentage error, correlation analysis, paired t-tests, and bootstrap-based confidence intervals. The results indicated that as few as five representative routes accounted for over 80% of the total estimated VKT, exhibiting strong agreement with the national statistics after temporal adjustment. These findings demonstrate that trajectory data can serve as a practical alternative to traditional methods, offering higher spatial resolution and enabling dynamic traffic analyses that support transportation policy and environmental planning. Full article

To enhance spatial resource complementarity and cross-entity coordination among multi-regional integrated energy systems (MRIESs), an optimized operation strategy is developed based on a bilevel Stackelberg game framework. In this framework, the integrated energy system operator (IESO) and MRIES act as the leader and followers, respectively. Guided by an integrated demand response (IDR) mechanism and a collaborative green certificate and carbon emission trading (GC–CET) scheme, energy prices and consumption strategies are optimized through iterative game interactions. Inter-regional electricity transaction prices and volumes are modeled as coupling variables. The solution is obtained using a hybrid algorithm combining particle swarm optimization (PSO) with mixed-integer programming (MIP). Simulation results indicate that the proposed strategy effectively enhances energy complementarity and optimizes consumption structures across regions. It also balances the interests of the IESO and MRIES, reducing operating costs by 9.97%, 27.7%, and 4.87% in the respective regions. Moreover, in the case study, renewable energy utilization rates in different regions—including an urban residential zone, a renewable-rich suburban area, and an industrial zone—are improved significantly, with Region 2 increasing from 95.06% and Region 3 from 77.47% to full consumption (100%), contributing to notable reductions in carbon emissions. Full article

In the context of growing climate change and more frequent heat extremes, tourism in Mediterranean cities like Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) is becoming increasingly vulnerable. This study aimed to provide a detailed analysis of the human bioclimatic conditions in Mostar using the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) index, the modified PET (mPET), and the Climate-Tourism Information Scheme (CTIS), based on hourly meteorological data for the period 2000–2020. By applying the RayMan model, relevant bioclimatic parameters were calculated for three key times of day (07:00, 14:00, and 21:00 CET), and the results were analyzed in terms of seasonal and daily patterns of thermal stress. The most intense thermal stress was observed during summer afternoon hours, while the transitional seasons (spring and autumn) offer significantly more favorable conditions for tourist activities. A major contribution of this study is the creation of the first integrated bioclimatic information sheet for Mostar, which brings together PET, mPET, and CTIS outputs in accessible format tailored to local tourism needs. It serves as a scientifically based and practical tool for informing visitors and improving the planning of tourism activities in accordance with local climatic characteristics. Due to its visual clarity and ease of interpretation, the information sheet has strong potential for strategic adaptation in climate-sensitive tourism management. Full article

In the context of the global response to climate change and the active promotion of energy transformation, a number of low-carbon policies coupled with the development of synergies to help power system transformation is an important initiative. However, the insufficient articulation of the green power market, tradable green certificate (TGC) market, and carbon emission trading (CET) mechanism, and the ambiguous policy boundaries affect the trading decisions made by its market participants. Therefore, this paper systematically analyses the composition of the main players in the electricity-CET-TGC markets and their relationship with each other, and designs the synergistic mechanism of the electricity-CET-TGC markets, based on which, it constructs the optimal profit model of the thermal power plant operators, renewable energy manufacturers, power grid enterprises, power users and load aggregators under the electricity-CET-TGC markets synergy, and analyses the behavioural decision-making of the main players in the electricity-CET-TGC markets as well as the electric power system to optimise the trading strategy of each player. The results of the study show that: (1) The synergistic mechanism of electricity-CET-TGC markets can increase the proportion of green power grid-connected in the new type of power system. (2) In the selection of different environmental rights and benefits products, the direct participation of green power in the market-oriented trading is the main way, followed by applying for conversion of green power into China certified emission reduction (CCER). (3) The development of independent energy storage technology can produce greater economic and environmental benefits. This study provides policy support to promote the synergistic development of the electricity-CET-TGC markets and assist the low-carbon transformation of the power industry. Full article