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Designing cheap, stable, and efficient electrocatalysts for selective CO2 reduction to ethanol is a green and sustainable approach for converting the greenhouse gas into value-added products.

AbstractAlthough our observing capabilities of solar‐induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) have been growing rapidly, the quality and consistency of SIF datasets are still in an active stage of research and development. As a result, there are considerable inconsistencies among diverse SIF datasets at all scales and the widespread applications of them have led to contradictory findings. The present review is the second of the two companion reviews, and data oriented. It aims to (1) synthesize the variety, scale, and uncertainty of existing SIF datasets, (2) synthesize the diverse applications in the sector of ecology, agriculture, hydrology, climate, and socioeconomics, and (3) clarify how such data inconsistency superimposed with the theoretical complexities laid out in (Sun et al., 2023) may impact process interpretation of various applications and contribute to inconsistent findings. We emphasize that accurate interpretation of the functional relationships between SIF and other ecological indicators is contingent upon complete understanding of SIF data quality and uncertainty. Biases and uncertainties in SIF observations can significantly confound interpretation of their relationships and how such relationships respond to environmental variations. Built upon our syntheses, we summarize existing gaps and uncertainties in current SIF observations. Further, we offer our perspectives on innovations needed to help improve informing ecosystem structure, function, and service under climate change, including enhancing in‐situ SIF observing capability especially in “data desert” regions, improving cross‐instrument data standardization and network coordination, and advancing applications by fully harnessing theory and data.

Machine learning studies in the field of renewable energy are analysed here (REML). So, from 2012 to 2021, we looked at the publication tendencies (PT) and bibliometric analysis (BA) of REML research that was indexed by Elsevier Scopus. Key insights into the research landscape, scientific discoveries, and technological advancement were revealed by BA, while PT highlighted REML's important players, top cited papers, and financing organisations. In total, the PT discovered 1,218 works, 397 of which were conference papers and 106 were reviews. Because it spans the disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, REML research is exhaustive, varied, and consequential. The most productive researchers, countries, and sponsors include Ravinesh C. Deo, the United States' National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and China's National Natural Science Foundation. Journal prestige and open access are valued by contributors, as seen by the success of Applied Energy and Energies. Productivity among REML's key stakeholders is boosted by collaborations and research funding. Keyword co-occurrence analysis was used to categorise REML research into four broad topic areas: systems, technologies, tools/technologies, and socio-technical dynamics. According to the results, ML plays a crucial role in the prediction, operation, and optimisation of RET as well as the design and development of RE-related materials.

Post-synthetically modified defect-regulated Ce-UiO-66 MOF produces selective C2-based product (acetic acid) by visible light-driven CO2 reduction reaction.

This study evaluates and compares the economic performance of four (agro-) forestry plantations on alkaline soils in semi-arid conditions in the North Indian state of Haryana. The plantations were located in the villages of Gudha, Kohand, Nain and Sutana. The plantations varied with respect to the plantation management, the tree species and the use of intercrops. The economic performance is evaluated by calculating the net present values (NPVs) of the four (agro-) forestry systems. The NPVs are compared to the NPVs of the reference land use, i.e., the land use before the establishment of the (agro-) forestry plantations. The impact of soil regeneration via (agro-) forestry plantations on the NPVs is evaluated as well. Also the costs of production (COP) of three biomass applications (fuelwood, timber and charcoal) are calculated and compared to market prices to estimate the economic competitiveness of these commodities. The results show that the NPV ranges from −196 to 1197 €/ha without subsidies and 318 to 1441 €/ha with subsidies. In most cases the NPVs of subsidized plantations are well above the NPVs of the reference land use. However, without subsidies only the NPV of the (agro-) forestry plantation in Gudha is higher than that of the reference land use. The highest NPV is observed in Gudha, which is due to the high economic value of the tree species Acacia nilotica and Eucalyptus teriticornis and the fodder crop Leptochloa fusca. In Nain and Sutana Prosopis juliflora trees were planted at a higher density compared to Gudha and Kohand, which resulted in a higher productivity, but also higher establishment and maintenance costs. The net result is a NPV lower than at Gudha. Furthermore, the study found that (agro-) forestry plantations can help regenerate alkaline soils for conventional rice and wheat production. Soil regeneration can increase the NPV strongly but the actual increase depends on the method used to quantify the value of soil regeneration. The results also indicate that the production of fuelwood and charcoal from wood from (agro-) forestry plantations on alkaline soils is competitive with existing production chains. For timber the results are mixed. The results of this study show the need and benefits of optimizing the economic performance of (agro-) forestry plantations as part of current and future policies by, for example, subsidizing (parts of the) establishment costs and creating a mechanism by which soil regeneration is rewarded.

Energy performance contracting is increasingly employed to promote energy conservation toward sustainable development. This study characterizes these services in China through an analysis from 2011 to 2020 that reveals imbalances in the energy services company (ESCO) sector with respect to trade route, customer base, and energy conservation technology. More specifically, analyses of inter- and intra-province trade networks show that Beijing was the lead provider of ESCO projects, whereas Hebei was the lead customer. Jiangsu, Liaoning, and Inner Mongolia have risen to be new significant players during the 13th Five Year Plan (FYP) period (2016–2020). Although a wide range of energy conservation measures were deployed, ESCO projects were most prevalent in the industrial sector, with particular emphasis on residual heat, pressure and gas recovery. However, the building sector become an increased focus for ESCO projects during the 13th FYP. We further find that national guidelines alone may not lead to significant advances in energy conservation without additional and complementary provincial support. Such heterogeneity, especially at the provincial level, may help explain observed imbalances in ESCO projects. While prior studies usually focus on national guidelines, the more general implication and call of our study is that greater attention should be placed on subnational (provincial) guidelines around energy conservation.

Abstract Objective. In the present hadrontherapy scenario, there is a growing interest in exploring the capabilities of different ion species other than protons and carbons. The possibility of using different ions paves the way for new radiotherapy approaches, such as the multi-ions treatment, where radiation could vary according to target volume, shape, depth and histologic characteristics of the tumor. For these reasons, in this paper, the study and understanding of biological-relevant quantities was extended for the case of 4He ion. Approach. Geant4 Monte Carlo based algorithms for dose- and track-averaged LET (Linear Energy Transfer) calculations, were validated for 4He ions and for the case of a mixed field characterised by the presence of secondary ions from both target and projectile fragmentation. The simulated dose and track averaged LETs were compared with the corresponding dose and frequency mean values of the lineal energy, y D ¯ and y ¯ F , derived from experimental microdosimetric spectra. Two microdosimetric experimental campaigns were carried out at the Italian eye proton therapy facility of the Laboratori Nazionali del Sud of Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN-LNS, Catania, I) using two different microdosimeters: the MicroPlus probe and the nano-TEPC (Tissue Equivalent Proportional Counter). Main results. A good agreement of L ¯ d Total and L ¯ t Total with y ¯ D and y ¯ T experimentally measured with both microdosimetric detectors MicroPlus and nano-TEPC in two configurations: full energy and modulated 4He ion beam, was found. Significance. The results of this study certify the use of a very effective tool for the precise calculation of LET, given by a Monte Carlo approach which has the advantage of allowing detailed simulation and tracking of nuclear interactions, even in complex clinical scenarios.