754 research outputs found
Searching for the parallel growth of cities
Three urban growth theories predict parallel growth of cities. The endogenous growth theory predicts deterministic parallel growth; the random growth theory implies that city growth follows Gibratâs law with a steady-state distribution; and the hybrid growth theory suggests the co-movement of random city growth. This paper uses the Chinese city size data from 1984-2006 and time series econometric techniques to test for parallel growth. The results from various types of stationarity tests on pooled heterogeneous cities show that city growth is random. However, once growth trend and structural change are taken into account, certain groups of cities with common group characteristics, such as similar natural resource endowment or policy regime, grow parallel.Urban growth; Parallel growth; Zipfâs law; Unit root; Structural change
Conversion of sugarcane bagasse to carboxylic acids under thermophilic conditions
With the inevitable depletion of the petroleum supply and increasing energy
demands in the world, interest has been growing in bioconversion of lignocellulosic
biomass (e.g., sugarcane bagasse). Lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant, inexpensive,
and renewable resource. Most of current conversion technologies require expensive
enzymes and sterility. In contrast, the patented MixAlco process requires no enzymes or
sterility, making it attractive to convert lignocellulosic biomass to transportation fuels
and valuable chemicals. This study focuses on pretreatment and thermophilic
fermentation in the MixAlco process.
Ammonium bicarbonate (NH4HCO3) was discovered to be a better pH buffer than
previously widely used calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in anaerobic fermentations under
thermophilic conditions (55°C). The desired pH should be controlled within 6.5 to 7.5.
Over 85% acetate content in the product was found in paper fermentations and bagasse
fermentations. Hot-lime-water-treated bagasse countercurrent fermentations buffered by
ammonium bicarbonate achieved 50â60% higher total product concentrations than those
using calcium carbonate. It was nearly double in paper batch fermentations if the pH
was controlled around 7.0.
Ammonium bicarbonate is a âweakâ methane inhibitor, so a strong methane
inhibitor (e.g., iodoform) is still required in ammonium bicarbonate buffered
fermentations. Residual calcium salts did not show significant effects on ammonium
bicarbonate buffered fermentations. Lake inocula from the Great Salt Lake, Utah, proved to be feasible in ammonium
bicarbonate buffered fermentations. Under mesophilic conditions (40°C), the inoculum
from the Great Salt Lake increased the total product concentration about 30%, compared
to the marine inoculum. No significant fermentation performance difference, however,
was found under thermophilic conditions.
The Continuum Particle Distribution Model (CPDM) is a powerful tool to predict
product concentrations and conversions for long-term countercurrent fermentations,
based on batch fermentation data. The experimental acid concentrations and
conversions agree well with the CPDM predictions (average absolute error < 15%).
Aqueous ammonia treatment proved feasible for bagasse. Air-lime-treated bagasse
had the highest acid concentration among the three treated bagasse. Air-lime treatment
coupled with ammonium bicarbonate buffered fermentations is preferred for a âcrop-tofuelâ
process. Aqueous ammonia treatment combined with ammonium bicarbonate
buffered fermentations is a viable modification of the MixAlco process, if âammonia
recycleâ is deployed
LA CROISSANCE URBAINE CHINOISE RECONSIDĂRĂE
Over the last decade, many researchers have focused on the study of different urban hierarchies and their evolution over time. These studies may or may not confirm Zipfâs law and emphasize the characteristics of urban growth. The question is then whether urban growth depends upon city-size or not, which is a main issue in modern regional economics. Using data on Chinese cities for the period 1960-2000, this paper aims to provide some answers to this question which has led to a recent passionate debate between the random growth theories and the endogenous growth theories.CROISSANCE URBAINE, HIĂRARCHIES URBAINES, LOI DE ZIPF, URBANISATION CHINOISE, AGGLOMĂRATION, LOI DE GIBRAT
Towards Integrated Optical Quantum Networks in Diamond
We demonstrate coupling between the zero phonon line (ZPL) of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond and the modes of optical micro-resonators fabricated in single crystal diamond membranes sitting on a silicon dioxide substrate. A more than ten-fold enhancement of the ZPL is estimated by measuring the modification of the spontaneous emission lifetime. The cavity-coupled ZPL emission was further coupled into on-chip waveguides thus demonstrating the potential to build optical quantum networks in this diamond on insulator platform
Mechanical properties and structural health monitoring performance of carbon nanotube-modified FRP composites:A review
This article provides an extensive review of key publications covering topics of fabrication methods, enhancement of mechanical properties, and applications of CNT-modified FRP materials in structural health monitorin
Searching for the Parallel Growth of Cities
Based on the parallel growth implications of the four urban growth theories (endogenous growth theory, random growth theory, hybrid growth theory, and locational fundamentals theory), this paper uses the Chinese city size data from 1984-2006 and time series econometric techniques to test for parallel growth. The results from various types of stationarity tests show that city growth is generally random. Conditioning on growth trend and structural change, certain groups of cities with common location specific characteristics, such as similar natural resource endowment or policy regime, grow parallel in the long run, suggesting that locational fundamentals may have persistent impacts on city growth
Searching for the parallel growth of cities
Three urban growth theories predict parallel growth of cities. The endogenous growth theory predicts deterministic parallel growth; the random growth theory implies that city growth follows Gibratâs law with a steady-state distribution; and the hybrid growth theory suggests the co-movement of random city growth. This paper uses the Chinese city size data from 1984-2006 and time series econometric techniques to test for parallel growth. The results from various types of stationarity tests on pooled heterogeneous cities show that city growth is random. However, once growth trend and structural change are taken into account, certain groups of cities with common group characteristics, such as similar natural resource endowment or policy regime, grow parallel
Identification of Cbp1, a c-di-GMP Binding Chemoreceptor in Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571 Involved in Chemotaxis and Nodulation of the Host Plant
Cbp1, a chemoreceptor containing a PilZ domain was identified in Azorhizobium caulinodans ORS571, a nitrogen-fixing free-living soil bacterium that induces nodule formation in both the roots and stems of the host legume Sesbania rostrata. Chemoreceptors are responsible for sensing signals in the chemotaxis pathway, which guides motile bacteria to beneficial niches and plays an important role in the establishment of rhizobia-legume symbiosis. PilZ domain proteins are known to bind the second messenger c-di-GMP, an important regulator of motility, biofilm formation and virulence. Cbp1 was shown to bind c-di-GMP through the conserved RxxxR motif of its PilZ domain. A mutant strain carrying a cbp1 deletion was impaired in chemotaxis, a feature that could be restored by genetic complementation. Compared with the wild type strain, the Îcbp1 mutant displayed enhanced aggregation and biofilm formation. The Îcbp1 mutant induced functional nodules when inoculated individually. However, the Îcbp1 mutant was less competitive than the wild type in competitive root colonization and nodulation. These data are in agreement with the hypothesis that the c-di-GMP binding chemoreceptor Cbp1 in A. caulinodans is involved in chemotaxis and nodulation
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