Opportunity of rooftop solar photovoltaic as a cost-effective and environment-friendly power source in megacities.

Rooftop solar photovoltaics (RSPV) are critical for megacities to achieve low-carbon emissions. However, a knowledge gap exists in a supply-demand-coupled analysis that considered simultaneously RSPV spatiotemporal patterns and city-accommodation capacities, a pivotal way to address solar PV intermittency issues. Here, we developed an aggregated model for an RSPV + system by linking building-level potential assessment to dynamic optimization of building-related flexible loads. Taking Beijing, the capital city of China, as case in point, we show that annual RSPV potential in Beijing's Greater-Metropolitan area amounts to 15.4 TWh, all of which could be accommodated environmentally friendly and cost-effectively through the smart operation of electric vehicles and air conditioners equipped with thermal energy storage (TES). Additionally, the RSPV + system would reduce the 8.6 GW transmission capacity otherwise required for increasing electricity demand for 2035 in Beijing. The analysis offers an important reference for sustainable RSPV development in mega-cities in China and other countries globally.

Case of COVID-19 in a 5-week-old baby.

On 31 December 2019, the first case of COVID-19, was reported in Wuhan. A public health emergency of international concern was declared on 30 January 2020 and the first case in Scotland, on 2 March. The effect of COVID-19 appears to be less in the paediatric population and there are fewer cases reported in the literature in comparison to the adult population. Here, we report a case of a previously well 5-week-old infant who presented with fever and increased sleepiness. There was no known contact with any unwell individuals. COVID-19 was identified through a septic screen work up. The infant's course was uneventful and she has made a full recovery. This case highlights the need to have a low index of suspicion in the diagnosis of COVID-19 and the need to be vigilant in use of personal protective equipment, even in paediatric patients with subtle symptoms.

Different characteristics of greenhouse gases and ammonia emissions from conventional stored dairy cattle and swine manure in China.

Livestock manure emits considerable amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and ammonia (NH3), inducing climate change and air pollution. However, there remains a lack of knowledge in the literature related to GHGs and NH3 emissions from the manure of various livestock species. This study reports on a field observation we conducted to analyze GHGs and NH3 emissions of solid stored manure from dairy cattle and swine, which represent the two main livestock species raised in China. Results showed that although dairy cattle manure emitted 521.9% more methane (CH4) than swine manure, they separately emitted 50.8% and 40.9% less nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, respectively. With respect to their global warming potential, the GHGs emission from dairy cattle manure was similar to that from swine manure. NH3 emissions from swine manure were significantly higher, namely, greater by a factor of 2.4 compared to dairy cattle manure. Differences in gas emissions between dairy cattle and swine manure can be explained by differences in the physicochemical characteristics of their manure and their associated microbiological, chemical, and physical processes that produce gas during storage periods. Based on our results, this study highlights the necessity for prospective mitigation strategies to simultaneously decrease GHGs and NH3 emissions from livestock manure. Our findings provide useful implications for understanding GHGs and NH3 emissions, which can be used to develop corresponding mitigation strategies for livestock manure management in China.