Marginal abatement costs of carbon dioxide in China: A nonparametric analysis

AbstractThe estimates of abatement costs about CO2 can provide useful information for policy-makers. With the framework of production theory, a marginal abatement costs model is established using the nonparametric method, and empirical results about China in 2007 are found in this paper. The two CO2 reduction strategies, maintaining the level of CO2 or reducing CO2 and expanding GDP at the same time, impact potential GDP greatly. 143.5 millions CO2 reduction means 35.1billions GDP loss and the marginal abatement cost of CO2 is 475.3yuan/ton on average

The relationship between predicted peptide–MHC class II affinity and T-cell activation in a HLA-DRβ1*0401 transgenic mouse model

The HLA-DRB1*0401 MHC class II molecule (DR4) is genetically associated with rheumatoid arthritis. It has been proposed that this MHC class II molecule participates in disease pathogenesis by presenting arthritogenic endogenous or exogenous peptides to CD4(+) T cells, leading to their activation and resulting in an inflammatory response within the synovium. In order to better understand DR4 restricted T cell activation, we analyzed the candidate arthritogenic antigens type II collagen, human aggrecan, and the hepatitis B surface antigen for T-cell epitopes using a predictive model for determining peptide–DR4 affinity. We also applied this model to determine whether cross-reactive T-cell epitopes can be predicted based on known MHC–peptide–TCR interactions. Using the HLA-DR4-IE transgenic mouse, we showed that both T-cell proliferation and Th1 cytokine production (IFN-γ) correlate with the predicted affinity of a peptide for DR4. In addition, we provide evidence that TCR recognition of a peptide–DR4 complex is highly specific in that similar antigenic peptide sequences, containing identical amino acids at TCR contact positions, do not activate the same population of T cells

Region reaching control of robot manipulators

In this thesis, a new control con- cept called region reaching control for robot manipulators is proposed. In this new control concept, the desired objective can be specified as a region instead of a point. Several region reaching controllers are proposed in both joint-space and task-space. Since the desired region can be specified arbi- trarily small, the region reaching control concept is also a generalization of setpoint control problem.MASTER OF ENGINEERING (EEE

GenBank

GenBan

Decomposition Analysis of Aggregate Energy Consumption in China: An Exploration Using a New Generalized PDA Method

As the largest energy consumer, China is facing greater pressure to guarantee energy supply and energy security. Investigating the driving factors of energy consumption is very important. Decomposition analysis is an analytical tool for decomposing an aggregate indicator into its contributing factors. This paper introduces index decomposition analysis (IDA) into production decomposition analysis (PDA) and provides a new decomposition framework for analyzing energy consumption. Two application studies are presented to illustrate the use of our proposed approach. The first deals with the decomposition of aggregate energy consumption from 1991 to 2012; the second application studies seven sectors of China from 2001 to 2012. The empirical studies result in four meaningful findings: (1) the rapid economic growth has already resulted in severe energy supply crises; (2) China’s energy sector consumption structure has changed significantly; (3) potential economic effect is the largest driving factor for energy consumption growth; (4) potential energy intensity effect and technical change of economic output effect were the two primary driving factors in reducing energy consumption

Measurement and decomposition of energy-saving and emissions reduction performance in Chinese cities

10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.04.034Applied Energy15185-9

The influence of HLA-DR4 (0401) on the immune response to type II collagen and the development of collagen induced arthritis in mice

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that is genetically associated with the MHC class II molecule HLA-DRβ1*0401 (DR4). In order to determine if this MHC can influence the immune response to the candidate autoantigen type II collagen (CII), we have studied collagen induced arthritis (CIA) resistant C57BL/6 mice, made transgenic (Tg) for human DR4. These DR4 Tg mice exhibited a strong T cell proliferative response to CII and its DR4 restricted peptide p261-273 after immunization with these antigens that was not seen in the C57BL/6 wild type mice. DR4 Tg mice also exhibited an increase in IFN-γ production in response to CII, indicating the activation of Th1 cells. While these Tg mice produced IgM anti-CII antibodies, they failed to produce a detectable level of IgG2a (Th1 type) anti-bCII antibody and did not develop CIA. This study shows that a Th1 type T cell response to CII can be established in CIA non-susceptible mice by introducing the human transgene, DR4. This T cell response, however, is not sufficient to induce an antibody isotype switch to IgG2a, nor is it sufficient for the induction of CIA. These results may help to explain why many individuals expressing HLA-DRβ1*0401 do not develop RA. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd

Service Life Prediction of Concrete Coated with Surface Protection Materials by Ultrasonic Velocity in Cold Region

Lithium silicate (LS) crack repairing material, working as a crystal waterproof material, could be used to strengthen concrete made from solid waste materials. This paper presents the results of water absorption and rapid freeze–thaw tests with concrete specimens coated with LS. Concrete specimens with different water–binder ratios and air content (0.35–1 and 0.55–4.5) were tested. The moisture uptake and water absorption coefficient were analyzed in the water absorption test. The water absorption coefficient of LS-coated specimens was lower than that of uncoated specimens, resulting in a lower total moisture content. The relative dynamic modulus of elasticity was calculated by the fundamental transverse frequency (Er) and ultrasonic velocity (Ev), respectively. Er and Ev exhibited similar attenuation characteristics, and the attenuation of LS-coated specimens was lower than that of uncoated specimens. A two-segment freeze–thaw damage model based on Er and Ev was employed to predict the service life of concrete. The relative errors of the service life results calculated by Er and Ev were within 10%. The two-segment freeze–thaw model could be used for the service life prediction of concrete structures. The present work provides new insight into using LS to improve the service life of concrete

CO2 emission change in China's aviation industry: A fleet-wide index decomposition and scenario analysis

A fleet-wide index decomposition and scenario analysis model is developed to identify the influencing factors of CO2 emission change in China's aviation industry and predict CO2 emissions in multiple emission reduction scenarios through 2040. It was discovered that all aircraft types experienced operational improvements during 2009 and 2019. The fleet utilization growth resulted in the most of CO2 emission reduction. However, slowdown in fleet updates existed for most of aircraft types, and the decreased fleet fuel intensity only resulted in CO2 emission reduction in specific years. The rising air transport demand continues to be the greatest obstacle to reducing emissions. Under the baseline scenario, aviation carbon intensity can only realize the 60–65% target by 2035. With endeavours on traffic demand control and technology, aviation CO2 emissions will peak at 123 Mt in 2035. The rapid sustainable alternative fuels substitutions will be essential for achieving China's 35–40% target before 2040.</p