Research Progress of the International Carbon Tariff: A Review

Under the constraints of the target peak carbon dioxide emissions and carbon neutrality, how the international carbon tariff can be levied have become an important question for scholars and research institutions all over the world. This paper aimed to comprehensively sort the relevant literature on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism from an economic perspective. Based on defining the concept connotation and extension of carbon tariff, we summarized and determined the price mechanism, institutional mechanism, and coordination mechanism of the carbon tariff, and analyzed the impact of carbon tariff on the economic environment and other fields. Further, this paper makes an international comparison of the existing reasonably operable carbon tariff, points out the focus and direction of the next research, and strives to provide valuable experience and theoretical reference for the innovative practice of building the international Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. Keywords: carbon tariff, border tax adjustment, connotation and extension, mechanism design, economic impac

Stress reduction through cortical bone thickening improves bone mechanical behavior in adult female Beclin-1+/− mice

Fragility fractures, which are more prevalent in women, may be significantly influenced by autophagy due to altered bone turnover. As an essential mediator of autophagy, Beclin-1 modulates bone homeostasis by regulating osteoclast and chondrocyte differentiation, however, the alteration in the local bone mechanical environment in female Beclin-1+/− mice remains unclear. In this study, our aim is to investigate the biomechanical behavior of femurs from seven-month-old female wild-type (WT) and Beclin-1+/− mice under peak physiological load, using finite element analysis on micro-CT images. Micro-CT imaging analyses revealed femoral cortical thickening in Beclin-1+/− female mice compared to WT. Three-point bending test demonstrated a 63.94% increase in whole-bone strength and a 61.18% increase in stiffness for female Beclin-1+/− murine femurs, indicating improved biomechanical integrity. After conducting finite element analysis, Beclin-1+/− mice exhibited a 26.99% reduction in von Mises stress and a 31.62% reduction in maximum principal strain in the femoral midshaft, as well as a 36.64% decrease of von Mises stress in the distal femurs, compared to WT mice. Subsequently, the strength-safety factor was determined using an empirical formula, revealing that Beclin-1+/− mice exhibited significantly higher minimum safety factors in both the midshaft and distal regions compared to WT mice. In summary, considering the increased response of bone adaptation to mechanical loading in female Beclin-1+/− mice, our findings indicate that increasing cortical bone thickness significantly improves bone biomechanical behavior by effectively reducing stress and strain within the femoral shaft

A heterozygous moth genome provides insights into herbivory and detoxification

How an insect evolves to become a successful herbivore is of profound biological and practical importance. Herbivores are often adapted to feed on a specific group of evolutionarily and biochemically related host plants1, but the genetic and molecular bases for adaptation to plant defense compounds remain poorly understood2. We report the first whole-genome sequence of a basal lepidopteran species, Plutella xylostella, which contains 18,071 protein-coding and 1,412 unique genes with an expansion of gene families associated with perception and the detoxification of plant defense compounds. A recent expansion of retrotransposons near detoxification-related genes and a wider system used in the metabolism of plant defense compounds are shown to also be involved in the development of insecticide resistance. This work shows the genetic and molecular bases for the evolutionary success of this worldwide herbivore and offers wider insights into insect adaptation to plant feeding, as well as opening avenues for more sustainable pest management.Minsheng You … Simon W Baxter … et al

Orthobunyaviruses: From Virus Binding to Penetration into Mammalian Host Cells

International audienceWith over 80 members worldwide, Orthobunyavirus is the largest genus in the Peribunyaviridae family. Orthobunyaviruses (OBVs) are arthropod-borne viruses that are structurally simple, with a trisegmented, negative-sense RNA genome and only four structural proteins. OBVs are potential agents of emerging and re-emerging diseases and overall represent a global threat to both public and veterinary health. The focus of this review is on the very first steps of OBV infection in mammalian hosts, from virus binding to penetration and release of the viral genome into the cytosol. Here, we address the most current knowledge and advances regarding OBV receptors, endocytosis, and fusion

Synergistic Effect of 4A Molecular Sieve on Intumescent Ternary H-Bonded Complex in Flame-Retarding of Polypropylene

In this study, a ternary hydrogen (H)-bonded complex intumescent flame retardant (TH-IFR) of melamine (ME) · phosphoric acid (PA)…pentaerythritol (PER) was synthesized through hydrothermal reaction. The combination of the synthesized TH-IFR with 4A molecular sieve as the synergist was used for the first time to improve the flame retardancy of polypropylene (PP). The involved structure, morphology, flame retardancy, flame-retarding mechanism and mechanical properties of the prepared PP composites were systematically investigated. The results show that incorporation of 1 wt% synergist 4A shows the optimum synergistic effect, and the flame retardancy and mechanical properties of the flame-retarded (FR) PP composites are significantly improved. Incorporation of 4A could change the pyrolysis process of the entire system and promote the char-forming chemical interaction, thereby further enhancing the flame retardancy of FR PP composite. The synergistically flame-retarding mechanism of 4A is explained by the significantly improved quality and quantity of the solid-phase char layer, which is formed through generation of SiO2 and Al2O3 substances, and also participation of PP macromolecular chains in the final char layer formation during burning. Furthermore, the improved dispersion and compatibility of TH-IFR in the composite is largely beneficial to the improvement of flame retardancy and mechanical properties

Influence of Fluoride Ions on Electrochemical Behavior of Lanthanum and Neodymium Ions in Molten LiCl

The influence of fluoride ions on electrochemical behavior of lanthanum and neodymium ions in molten LiCl at 1073 K was experimentally investigated. Cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry were conducted using a molybdenum working electrode. Galvanostatic electrolysis using a molybdenum electrode as cathode in molten LiCl-5 mol%LaCl3, LiCl-5 mol%NdCl3, and LiCl-30 mol%LiF-5 mol%NdCl3 were conducted to investigate the influence of fluoride ions. The result indicates that the cathodic process for La3+ in molten LiCl is a one-step reaction, i.e., La3+ + 3e = La. The cathodic process of Nd3+ in molten LiCl is a two-step reaction, including Nd3+ + e = Nd2+ and Nd2+ + 2e = Nd. With the introduction of fluoride ions, however, the current of the first cathodic reaction decreases and when the molar ratio of F− to Nd3+ reaches to 6, the cathodic process of Nd3+ turns to a one-step process: Nd3+ + 3e = Nd. The results indicate that the addition of fluoride ions makes Nd3+ stabler and thus inhibits the reaction to Nd2+ in molten chloride. The deposited neodymium metal was dispersed in the electrolyte in pure chloride melt due to the shuttle of disproportionation and proportionation reactions of neodymium ions. With the addition of enough LiF to melt, the deposited neodymium metal adhered on the cathode. The current efficiency of neodymium electrolysis was remarkably improved and reached the similar value as that for lanthanum electrolysis

Entry of Phenuiviruses into Mammalian Host Cells

International audiencePhenuiviridae is a large family of arthropod-borne viruses with over 100 species worldwide. Several cause severe diseases in both humans and livestock. Global warming and the apparent geographical expansion of arthropod vectors are good reasons to seriously consider these viruses potential agents of emerging diseases. With an increasing frequency and number of epidemics, some phenuiviruses represent a global threat to public and veterinary health. This review focuses on the early stage of phenuivirus infection in mammalian host cells. We address current knowledge on each step of the cell entry process, from virus binding to penetration into the cytosol. Virus receptors, endocytosis, and fusion mechanisms are discussed in light of the most recent progress on the entry of banda-, phlebo-, and uukuviruses, which together constitute the three prominent genera in the Phenuiviridae family

Establishment of a Material Database for PTSS Induced by Analogue Trauma Paradigm in the Field of Civil Aviation

The analogue trauma paradigm has long been used to induce flashback symptoms in healthy subjects to study the impact of stress symptoms on the performance of certain tasks. Currently, a large number of existing studies use road traffic accident videos or negative picture materials to apply this paradigm. In the field of civil aviation, stress symptoms of pilots, controllers, etc., are important factors affecting flight safety. How to explore the impact of stress symptoms of civil aviation employees on their task performance in research, the first step is to induce their stress symptoms under experimental conditions, which perfectly coincides with the application scope of the analogue trauma paradigm. However, existing research lacks material for applying the analogue trauma paradigm in the field of civil aviation, which has prevented this paradigm from being used in civil aviation-related research for a long time. Through theoretical analysis and experimental means, this article established a reliable material database of analogue trauma paradigm can arouse flashback in the civil aviation field, and provides a reliable basis for the future application of analogue trauma paradigm in the civil aviation field