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This study takes the Green Finance Pilot Zones (GFPZ) policy in China as a quasi-natural experiment and employs the synthetic control method to test the policy effect of GFPZ on ecosystem product value realization, using the province-level gross ecosystem product (GEP) panel data from 2011 to 2020. The results reveal that GFPZ significantly promotes the value realization of ecosystem products, this positive impact remains robust after the test of spatial placebo studies, leave-one-out estimation, difference-in-differences (DID) method, and controlling the effects of other policy impacts. Meanwhile, the ecological transformation of industries and ecological industry development serves as the critical mechanism pathways for GFPZ to realize the value of ecosystem products. In addition, we identify significant spatial spillover effects resulting from GFPZ implementation. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the impact of the GFPZ policy on ecosystem product value realization is more significant in the central, the western regions, and the areas with high financial development levels. Moreover, for heterogeneous policy goals, GFPZ has greater policy impacts in ecologically vulnerable regions, followed by industrial upgrading regions, while the impact on the resource development region is not significant. These findings provide empirical evidence on the attributions of green finance policy to sustainable development and underscore the pressing need for enhancing the effective adaptation of green finance policy to local circumstances, making full use of green finance tools to promote ecosystem product value realization and advance sustainable development.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) interrupts long-projecting descending spinal neurons and disrupts the spinal central pattern generator (CPG) that controls locomotion. The intrinsic mechanisms underlying re-wiring of spinal neural circuits and recovery of locomotion after SCI are unclear. Zebrafish shows axonal regeneration and functional recovery after SCI making it a robust model to study mechanisms of regeneration. Here, we use a two-cut SCI model to investigate whether recovery of locomotion can occur independently of supraspinal connections. Using this injury model, we show that injury induces the localization of a specialized group of intraspinal serotonergic neurons (ISNs), with distinctive molecular and cellular properties, at the injury site. This subpopulation of ISNs have hyperactive terminal varicosities constantly releasing serotonin activating 5-HT 1B receptors, resulting in axonal regrowth of spinal interneurons. Axon regrowth of excitatory interneurons is more pronounced compared to inhibitory interneurons. Knock-out of htr1b prevents axon regrowth of spinal excitatory interneurons, negatively affecting coordination of rostral-caudal body movements and restoration of locomotor function. On the other hand, treatment with 5-HT 1B receptor agonizts promotes functional recovery following SCI. In summary, our data show an intraspinal mechanism where a subpopulation of ISNs stimulates axonal regrowth resulting in improved recovery of locomotor functions following SCI in zebrafish. The mechanisms involved in regeneration of the spinal cord after injury are unclear. Here, the authors show that a subpopulation of intraspinal serotonergic neurons localized at the injury site stimulates axonal regrowth of interneurons via 5-HT1B receptor, resulting in recovery of function following SCI in zebrafish.

This research delves into the transfer and loss of energy in a discrete mass when subjected to forced vibration. Using discrete element method (DEM), we analyzed the dynamic behavior of regular spherical granular assemblies and the energy distribution characteristics under different excitation frequencies and reduced accelerations. Moreover, the energy transfer and dissipation process of granular assemblies under different vibration states are studied using an experimental method. The results show that the granular assemblies will produce collision energy dissipation, thermal energy dissipation, acoustic energy dissipation and other forms of energy dissipation in the forced vibration state and the proportion of different energy dissipation under different excitation is given. The collision and friction of granular assemblies are the key to affecting other forms of energy dissipation. When the excitation increases, the energy dissipation forms are generated inside the granular assemblies, and the proportion of collision energy dissipation of the granular assemblies increases. The acoustic energy above 20 kHz occupies the main part of the acoustic energy dissipation. Thermal energy consumption always exists, which takes a long time to play a role. The granular also have other forms of energy loss, which is hard to be measured, including Rayleigh waves generated by granular collision. In this study, the relationship between the forced vibration state of the granular assemblies and the energy loss distribution is established. Various types of energy transfer and conversion distribution which further enriches the energy dissipation of discrete element calculation of the granular assemblies is discussed and provides a reference for the energy loss analysis of the granular assemblies.

Efforts to advance an integrated early childhood education and care (ECEC) system in China are constrained by a persistent age-phase division: childcare for children aged 0–3 and preschool education for ages 3–6. This structural divide limits curriculum continuity and constrains the implementation of integrated ECEC policies. Drawing on domestic and selected international scholarship, this study examines how the 0–3/3–6 division is reproduced in curriculum implementation and teacher development. It further proposes culturally grounded strategies to promote curriculum coherence across the 0–6 continuum and to reconfigure teacher development pathways supporting integrated care-education practice.

Transporting materials and mine staff is a vital link necessary to the production process in underground mines. Deteriorating climatic conditions, mainly due to the increasingly deep mining and the usage of machines, force us to look for solutions to improve the underground mine environmental situation. Another essential factor responsible for deteriorating working conditions is harmful substances and exhaust fumes emitted from diesel engines. Supplying the workplaces with air quantity exceeding requirements such as the minimum velocity of air movement or gas and climatic conditions will allow for maintaining the gas concentration at the appropriate level. One possible way to solve the problems mentioned above is to replace suspended monorails powered by internal combustion engines with new solutions of electrically battery-powered monorails. Electric monorails are not yet widely used in mines; nevertheless, they have many advantages. This article analyzes the exhaust gas parameters from monorail locomotives operating in a hard coal mine and determines the required airflow to maintain permissible concentrations of harmful gases. It also focuses on a comparative analysis of climatic conditions in the development heading, considering the roadway’s functioning with and without using diesel or electric monorail. The study consists of the methodology for predicting climate conditions. Based on the performed analysis, it was shown that using electric monorails could significantly improve working conditions.

Methane emissions from coal mines represent a significant environmental and atmospheric challenge, contributing to global greenhouse gas accumulation and impacting local air quality. This study aimed to quantify methane emissions from Polish coal mines, analyze their environmental and economic impacts, and evaluate advanced mitigation technologies to inform sustainable practices and policy alignment with global climate objectives. The study examined methane emissions from hard coal mining in Poland, emphasizing their scale, sources, and implications for the sector’s carbon footprint. A comprehensive overview of measurement methodologies, including direct sampling and advanced monitoring systems, is provided to highlight current capabilities and limitations. Furthermore, innovative capture technologies, such as ventilation air methane oxidation systems and methane drainage techniques, are explored alongside utilization pathways for energy production, including electricity generation and hydrogen synthesis. By integrating quantitative analyses and case studies, the article evaluates the effectiveness of these strategies in reducing methane emissions and improving air quality. The findings underscore the critical role of methane management in transitioning the coal industry toward more sustainable practices and achieving carbon neutrality goals. This study aims to inform policymakers, industry stakeholders, and researchers by presenting actionable insights into mitigating methane emissions, while fostering the dual objectives of environmental protection and resource efficiency.

IntroductionReconciling the conflict between economic growth and ecological conservation is a central challenge for global sustainable development. Innovative financial systems offer a transformative pathway to overcome this dilemma by translating ecosystem services into tangible economic outcomes. This study investigates the impacts of China’s Green Finance Reform and Innovation Pilot Zones (GFPZ) policy and digital finance on ecological product value realization (EPVR).MethodsBy constructing a multidimensional indicator based on the gross ecosystem product (GEP) framework, we develop an original EPVR dataset for China from 2011 to 2021. Employing a difference-in-differences (DID) approach, we evaluate the policy effects of the GFPZ and the role of digital finance.ResultsThe results demonstrate that the GFPZ policy significantly improves EPVR by 6.4% compared to non-pilot regions. Mechanism analyses reveal that this policy effect is primarily driven by facilitating industrial green transformation and boosting the development of ecological industries. Furthermore, the direct impact of digital finance on EPVR is contingent upon regional structural thresholds, exerting a significant positive effect in areas with abundant natural resources, deep digital-real economy integration, and strict environmental regulations. Nevertheless, digital finance can significantly amplify the positive impact of the GFPZ policy.DiscussionThese findings underscore the critical synergy between financial policies and natural resources management, providing replicable insights for advancing financial systems to achieve harmonized human-nature coexistence and sustainable development.

The study objective is to analyze the water expenditure of 4315 rural households in the Karst region of China. The empirical results have been analyzed by using the extended linear expenditure system model. The study has been based on water expenditure, which provides a feasible differential water pricing strategy in the karst region of China. The result shows that (1) the coefficient for water expenditure has been examined as low. The coefficient of water expenditure in the Karst region ranges from 0.534 to 1.025%, the average value is 0.723%, and the modified coefficient ranges from 0.814 to 1.508%, with an average value of 1.070%. (2) The marginal consumption propensity of rural residents in the Karst region is 0.2%, and the marginal consumption propensity in each province ranges from 0.1 to 1%. (3) The per capita basic water demand has 3 m3. In this scenario, the study recommended that basic water prices range from CNY 2.091 to CNY 3.468 per cubic meter. If the water consumption exceeds basic demand (3 m3 per month), then the bearing water price shall not be lower than CNY 2.091 to CNY 3.468 per cubic meter and not higher than CNY 7.122 per cubic meter.

Physics phenomena of multi-soliton complexes have enriched the life of dissipative solitons in fiber lasers. By developing a birefringence-enhanced fiber laser, we report the first experimental observation of group-velocity-locked vector soliton (GVLVS) molecules. The birefringence-enhanced fiber laser facilitates the generation of GVLVSs, where the two orthogonally polarized components are coupled together to form a multi-soliton complex. Moreover, the interaction of repulsive and attractive forces between multiple pulses binds the particle-like GVLVSs together in time domain to further form compound multi-soliton complexes, namely GVLVS molecules. By adopting the polarization-resolved measurement, we show that the two orthogonally polarized components of the GVLVS molecules are both soliton molecules supported by the strongly modulated spectral fringes and the double-humped intensity profiles. Additionally, GVLVS molecules with various soliton separations are also observed by adjusting the pump power and the polarization controller.

As an explosion control measure, rock dusting has been used in underground coal mines in many major coal producing countries with different standards. The effectiveness of the rock dust in reducing explosion intensity has been proven by historic events and laboratory experiments. The main functions of rock dust in controlling mine explosions （i.e., isolator, physical heat sink and chemical energy absorber） have been quantitatively studied and results are presented in this paper.