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Abstract The technology heterogeneity in the construction industry causes difficulties for an unbiased evaluation of safety performance. The non-parametric and two-hierarchy frontier data envelopment analysis (DEA) model was constructed according to the inputs and outputs of China’s provincial construction industry in 2017. Safety performance and its potential as well as undesirable output potential were analyzed from the aspect of technology gap and management efficiency. The results showed that the average safety performance in China's provincial construction industry was calculated to be 0.715, which was caused by technology gap and management efficiency. Northwest China has good performance in technology gap ratio and Central China performs well in management efficiency. Meanwhile, the strategies to improve safety performance in China's provincial construction industry were developed. In addition, potential of the safety technology gap and safety management efficiency took up 70.18% and 29.82% in terms of the undesirable output control. East, Central, South and Southwest China are the main areas needing to strengthen accident prevention practice. The findings can be used to help scholars understand the condition of safety performance in China's provincial construction industry, and provide guidelines to evaluate the performance in construction safety considering production technology heterogeneity.

Global fossil fuel reserves are declining due to differential uses, especially for power generation. Everybody can help to do their bit for the environment by using solar energy. Geographically, Bangladesh is a potential zone for harnessing solar energy. In March 2021, the renewable generation capacity in Bangladesh amounted to 722.592 MW, including 67.6% from solar, 31.84% from hydro, and 0.55% from other energy sources, including wind, biogas, and biomass, where 488.662 MW of power originated from over 6 million installed solar power systems. Concurrently, over 42% of rural people still suffer from a lack of electricity, where solar energy can play a vital role. This paper highlights the present status of various forms of solar energy progress in Bangladesh, such as solar parks, solar rooftops, solar irrigation, solar charging stations, solar home systems, solar-powered telecoms, solar street lights, and solar drinking water, which can be viable alternative sources of energy. This review will help decision-makers and investors realize Bangladesh’s up-to-date solar energy scenario and plan better for the development of a sustainable society.

Abstract Two office layouts with high and low levels of thermal control were compared, respectively traditional cellular and contemporary open plan offices. The traditional Norwegian practice provided every user with control over a window, blinds, door, and the ability to adjust heating and cooling. Occupants were expected to control their thermal environment to find their own comfort, while air conditioning was operating in the background to ensure the indoor air quality. In contrast, in the British open plan office, limited thermal control was provided through openable windows and blinds only for occupants seated around the perimeter of the building. Centrally operated displacement ventilation was the main thermal control system. Users’ perception of thermal environment was recorded through survey questionnaires, empirical building performance through environmental measurements and thermal control through semi-structured interviews. The Norwegian office had 35% higher user satisfaction and 20% higher user comfort compared to the British open plan office. However, the energy consumption in the British practice was within the benchmark and much lower than the Norwegian office. Overall, a balance between thermal comfort and energy efficiency is required, as either extreme poses difficulties for the other.

Abstract The Renewable energy power generation capacity has been rapidly increasing in China recently. Meanwhile, the contradiction between power supply and demand is becoming increasingly more prominent due to the intermittence of renewable energies. On the other hand, on the mitigation of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in China needs immediate attention. Power-to-Gas (PtG), a chemical energy storage technology, can convert surplus electricity into combustible gases. Subsurface energy storage can meet the requirements of long term storage with its large capacity. This paper provides a discussion of the entire PtG energy storage technology process and the current research progress. Based on the comparative study of different geological storage schemes for synthetic methane, their respective research progress and limitations are noted. In addition, a full investigation of the distribution and implementation of global PtG and CO2 capture and storage (CCS) demonstration projects is performed. Subsequently, the opportunities and challenges of the development of this technology in China are discussed based on techno-economic and ecological effects analysis. While PtG is expected to be a revolutionary technology that will replace traditional power systems, the main issues of site selection, energy efficiency and the economy still need to be adequately addressed. Additionally, based on the comprehensive discussion of the results of the analysis, power-to-gas and subsurface energy storage implementation strategies, as well as outlook in China are presented.

Abstract One characteristic of railway stations in China is that the entrance hall, ticket office, integrated waiting hall and auxiliary space are all concentrated in a large span of space, forming a unified whole space. However, the multi-function fusion in such a large space results in a series of acoustic problems, such as long reverberation time, high environmental noise and poor language articulation. Therefore, it is necessary to study the acoustic environment of railway stations in China. In this study, the sound field characteristics of the typical railway station are studied to reveal its law of sound propagation. Next, subjective evaluation and objective experiments are carried out to study the acoustic environment and comfort in the waiting hall. Finally, based on the comparative analysis of various influential factors, such as sound source and sound field, this paper advances some suggestions for the acoustical design of high-speed railway stations.

The failure to fully internalize externalities from production and consumption, including on future generations, is supposed to be at the core of the perceived failure to ensure (ecological) sustainability within the realm of antitrust enforcement. While some argue that sustainability should constitute a goal in itself that must be balanced against economic efficiency in antitrust analysis, we instead want to explore whether and how sustainability can be incorporated into a consumer welfare approach. We make a key distinction between what we term an individualistic and a collective consumer welfare analysis. Within an individualistic consumer welfare analysis, consumers’ willingness-to-pay is measured ceteris paribus, holding other consumers’ choices fixed. In a collective consumer welfare analysis, consumers may express their willingness-to-pay also for the choices of others and, thereby, also for the reduction of externalities on themselves. Borrowing from environmental and resource economics, we also discuss more indirect ways of incorporating such externalities. And we critically assess the possibility of ‘laundering’ consumers’ sustainability preferences in the light of supposed biases and cognitive limitations. Finally, we relate our analysis to the Draft Horizontal Guidelines of the European Commission, published in March 2022. antitrust, consumer welfare, conjoint analysis, contingent valuation, Draft EU Horizontal Guidelines, environmental economics, externalities, laundering preferences, sustainability, willingness-to-pay

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is characterized by hepatocyte damage, inflammatory cell activation, and increased intestinal permeability leading to the clinical manifestations of alcoholic hepatitis. Selected members of the family of microRNAs (miRNAs) are affected by alcohol, resulting in an abnormal miRNA profile in the liver and circulation in ALD. Increasing evidence suggests that miRNAs that regulate inflammation, lipid metabolism and promote cancer are affected by excessive alcohol administration in mouse models of ALD. This communication highlights recent findings in miRNA expression and functions as they relate to the pathogenesis of ALD. The cell‐specific distribution of miRNAs, as well as the significance of circulating extracellular miRNAs, is discussed as potential biomarkers. Finally, the prospects of miRNA‐based therapies are evaluated in ALD.

Abstract Hydrothermal treatment (HT) is one of the efficient approaches for upgrading municipal solid waste (MSW). In the present study, emission characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from hydrothermally treated municipal solid waste (H-MSW) combustion alone and H-MSW/coal co-combustion were investigated at different temperatures. The results showed that for all fuel combustion, the majority of PAHs were 3- or 4-ring PAHs. In addition, flue gas had the highest yields of PAHs followed by fly ash and bottom ash, while the ring number of dominated PAHs in fly ash was higher than those in flue gas and bottom ash. Compared to MSW, H-MSW combustion generated less PAHs at the value of 1131.95–7649.24 μg/g. The blending of H-MSW and coal reduced total PAH emissions and positive interactions were observed between H-MSW and coal during co-combustion. The toxicity equivalent quantity (TEQ) values of the PAHs from combustion were in the order MSW > H-MSW > H-MSW/coal, which was consistent with the total PAH emissions. The present study illustrated that significant reduction of PAH emissions and toxicity from combustion could be achieved by HT and the blending of H-MSW and coal.