Production of bio-energy from low-value biomass by bioconversion

Since 1993, China has become a net importer of energy from a net exporter. The total energy con- sumption has been greater than the total supply, and the external dependence of the energy demand increases rapidly. China＇ s crude oil import volume and imports amount reached 253.78 million tons and 196.664 billion US dollars in 2011, with a growth rate of 6 % and 45.3 %, respectively, year-on-year. The significant increase in demand for oil and the caused structural contradictions are increasingly becoming the greatest challenge for China＇ s energy security. The energy crisis has not only touched everyone＇ s nerves, but also sparked a strong desire to find alternative energy.

Study on the Phenomenon of Geomagnetic Low-value Displacement before Moderately Strong Earthquakes in Gansu

This paper analyzes the distribution characteristics of geomagnetic low-value displacement in Gansu and its adjacent areas from 1995 to 2003 on the basis of the data of the daily amplitude minimum value time of the geomagnetic vertical component. It is shown that in addition to the changing rules of geomagnetic low-value displacement itself, there is a better correlation between geomagnetic low-value displacement and the occurrence of moderately strong earthquakes. There appeared to be geomagnetic low-value displacement before the moderately strong earthquakes in Gansu in the 9 years from 1995 to 2003. This result indicates that geomagnetic low-value displacement is of instructive significance for earthquake prediction to some extents.

Optimal targeted advertising strategies based on consumers' value attributes

To evaluate the effects of consumers＇ value attributes on a firm＇s marketing strategies with targeted advertising, each consumer＇s value is measured according to the consumer＇s consuming behavior and consumption features. The baseline model in which a firm sends targeted advertising to myopic consumers with constant valuations is established. The results showthat, when a firm sells products to consumers with distinct values using the strategies of targeted advertising and discriminative price, the firm＇s equilibrium profit with targeted advertising may not always be higher than that using mass advertising, which depends on the ratio of high-value and low-value consumers. Then, three extension models are constructed.First, the firm sends targeted advertising to consumers with different targeting precisions. Secondly, the firm invests in the targeting precision of targeted advertising. Finally, the deliberation cost of rational consumers accepting the discriminative price and targeted advertising is considered. The results indicate that it is profitable for a firm to send targeted advertising to consumers with different value attributes.