State‐Led Innovation at the City Level: Policy Measures to Promote New Energy Vehicles in Shenzhen,China

Unlike many Western countries, the Chinese state has a much more active role in innovation that includes direct involvement with actors in innovation processes and the use of state capacity, money, and power to attain certain goals. With the rise of China, innovation processes that critically depend on state action, often labeled state‐led innovation, have thus received growing scholarly attention. However, only few contributions study the specific sector of new energy vehicles (NEV) and policy measures applied at the city level. This paper examines policy and planning tools used in Shenzhen, China, to assert innovation in the NEV industry, using an evaluation of documents and interviews. The paper finds that a city can play a decisive role in the implementation of innovation policy, and Chinese cities in particular make use of a broad set of innovation support measures ranging from binding quotas, public procurement, and incentives to bans and orders. The findings underline the importance of strong regulatory instruments that do not conform to the Western notion of market‐compliant policy, but nevertheless work effectively in the Chinese context. Moreover, the results highlight how successful policy support for innovation in the NEV can be implemented.     

What controls equatorial Atlantic winds in boreal spring?

The factors controlling equatorial Atlantic winds in boreal spring are examined using both observations and general circulation model (GCM) simulations from the coupled model intercomparison phase 5. The results show that the prevailing surface easterlies flow against the attendant pressure gradient and must therefore be maintained by other terms in the momentum budget. An important contribution comes from meridional advection of zonal momentum but the dominant contribution is the vertical transport of zonal momentum from the free troposphere to the surface. This implies that surface winds are strongly influenced by conditions in the free troposphere, chiefly pressure gradients and, to a lesser extent, meridional advection. Both factors are linked to the patterns of deep convection. Applying these findings to GCM errors indicates, that, consistent with the results of previous studies, the persistent westerly surface wind bias found in most GCMs is due mostly to precipitation errors, in particular excessive precipitation south of the equator over the ocean and deficient precipitation over equatorial South America. Free tropospheric influences also dominate the interannual variability of surface winds in boreal spring. GCM experiments with prescribed climatological sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) indicate that the free tropospheric influences are mostly associated with internal atmospheric variability. Since the surface wind anomalies in boreal spring are crucial to the development of warm SST events (Atlantic Niños), the results imply that interannual variability in the region may rely far less on coupled air–sea feedbacks than is the case in the tropical Pacific.     

Vodyanitskii mud volcano,Sorokin trough,Black Sea: Geological characterization and quantification of gas bubble streams

Vodyanitskii mud volcano is located at a depth of about 2070 m in the Sorokin Trough, Black sea. It is a 500-m wide and 20-m high cone surrounded by a depression, which is typical of many mud volcanoes in the Black Sea. 75 kHz sidescan sonar show different generations of mud flows that include mud breccia, authigenic carbonates, and gas hydrates that were sampled by gravity coring. The fluids that flow through or erupt with the mud are enriched in chloride (up to ∼650 mmol L⁻¹ at ∼150-cm sediment depth) suggesting a deep source, which is similar to the fluids of the close-by Dvurechenskii mud volcano. Direct observation with the remotely operated vehicle Quest revealed gas bubbles emanating at two distinct sites at the crest of the mud volcano, which confirms earlier observations of bubble-induced hydroacoustic anomalies in echosounder records. The sediments at the main bubble emission site show a thermal anomaly with temperatures at ∼60 cm sediment depth that were 0.9 °C warmer than the bottom water. Chemical and isotopic analyses of the emanated gas revealed that it consisted primarily of methane (99.8%) and was of microbial origin (δD-CH₄ = −170.8‰ (SMOW), δ¹³C-CH₄ = −61.0‰ (V-PDB), δ¹³C-C₂H₆ = −44.0‰ (V-PDB)). The gas flux was estimated using the video observations of the ROV. Assuming that the flux is constant with time, about 0.9 ± 0.5 × 10⁶ mol of methane is released every year. This value is of the same order-of-magnitude as reported fluxes of dissolved methane released with pore water at other mud volcanoes. This suggests that bubble emanation is a significant pathway transporting methane from the sediments into the water column.     

A comparison of methods used to estimate the height of sand dunes on Mars

The collection of morphometric data on small-scale landforms from other planetary bodies is difficult. We assess four methods that can be used to estimate the height of aeolian dunes on Mars. These are (1) stereography, (2) slip face length, (3) profiling photoclinometry, and (4) Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA). Results show that there is good agreement among the methods when conditions are ideal. However, limitations inherent to each method inhibited their accurate application to all sites. Collectively, these techniques provide data on a range of morphometric parameters, some of which were not previously available for dunes on Mars. They include dune height, width, length, surface area, volume, and longitudinal and transverse profiles. The utilization of these methods will facilitate a more accurate analysis of aeolian dunes on Mars and enable comparison with dunes on other planetary surfaces.     

Zum mittleren Kluftabstand aus der Anzahl von Kluftanschnittlinien

ZusammenfassungZum mittleren Kluftabstand aus der Anzahl von Kluftschnittlinien Der mittlere Kluftabstand wird anhand von zwei Methoden bestimmt: In der ersten Methode werden Kluftgefüge typisiert und durch drei senkrecht aufeinanderstehende Kluftscharen approximiert. Von diesen drei Kluftscharen wie dem gesamten Kluftgefüge wird der mittlere Kluftabstand ermittelt. Je nach Gefügetyp stellt der mittlere Kluftkörper einen Quader, ein Prisma mit quadratischer Grundfläche oder einen Würfel dar. Gemessen wird die Anzahl von Kluftanschnittlinien bzw. Sehnen entlang von Meßgeraden, die parallel zu Gefügekoordinaten orientiert werden.Die zweite Methode ermöglicht, den Kluftabstand vonn Kluftscharen festzustellen. Meßgrößen sind wiederum die Anzahl von Kluftanschnittlinien und außerdem die Raumstellung der Klüfte. Die Meßgeraden können beliebig orientiert sein.Dazu werden die Gleichungen für den mittleren Kluftabstand hergeleitet. An einem Verwitterungsprofil eines oberdevonischen Siltsteines werden beide Methoden getestet.

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SummaryAbout the Mean Joint Spacing from the Number of Dissecting Lines Between Joints and Rock Faces The mean joint spacing is determined by two methods: The first method typifies the fabric and approximates the joints by three orthogonally sets of joints. The mean joint spacing is determined by these sets of joints as well as by the entire fabric of the joints. Depending upon the fabric type the mean rock block defined by joints is a rectangular parallelepiped, a prism with a quadratic basal surface or a cube. The number of dissecting lines between joints or chords are measured along secants, which are parallel to fabric coordinates. The second method allows to determine the spacing ofn shares of joints. Measuring units are once again the number of dissecting lines between joints and moreover the position in space of the joints. The orientation of the measuring secants may be at random.In addition to this equations are derived for the mean joint spacing. A weathering profile of Upper Devonian siltstone is used to test both methods.

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RésuméDistance de failles moyenne établie par le nombre des lignes de failles coupées La distance de failles moyenne se détermine à l'aide de deux méthodes: La première méthode sert à typiser les textures de failles et à rapprocher ces textures par trois séries de cassures orthogonales. Pour chacune de ces trois séries de cassures aussi bien que pour la texture de failles intégrale on établit la distance de failles moyenne. Selon le type de texture, le polyèdre moyen représente un parallélépipède orthogonal, un prisme à base quadratique ou un cube. On mesure le nombre des lignes de failles coupées respectivement des cordes le long des lignes de mesures qui se trouvent en relation avec les coordonnées de texture. La seconde méthode permet à déterminer la distance de failles den séries de cassures. Les quantités de mesure sont de nouveau le nombre des lignes de failles coupées et plus l'orientation des failles. Les lignes de mesure peuvent être orientées de manière quelconque.En outre on déduit les équations pour la distance de failles moyenne. On met à l'épreuve ces deux méthodes à l'exemple d'un profil de désagrégation dans le schiste argileux du Dévonien supérieur.

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Mit 12 Abbildungen     

Vegetation and hydraulic-morphological interactions at the individual plant, patch and channel scale

Interactions between vegetation, flow and sediment are a key ingredient for the development of vegetated islands in highly dynamic, fluvial alpine ecosystems such as the Tagliamento River, north-east Italy. There has been substantial research on factors influencing the establishment of vegetation and feedback mechanisms between vegetation, hydraulic, and geomorphological processes in such environments. This has yielded the development of conceptual models identifying different trajectories of vegetation and landform development from bare gravel to established floodplain forest. Nevertheless, some of the finer-scale processes underpinning such interactions are not well understood and parameterisation concepts that augment our knowledge from process understanding to quantified data and prediction models are not available until now. This paper identifies mechanisms and parameters of vegetation-flow interaction at the individual scale that are reflected at a patch or even at the channel scale. These mechanisms are reviewed from a multi-disciplinary perspective and concepts and analogies are proposed that provide ideas to progress research towards the development of predictive vegetation-flow models. Such models must incorporate both hydraulic and ecological components and this is demonstrated for a simplified force-bending model of Salicaceae seedlings. The development of such models demands advances in the individual disciplines of hydraulics, morphology, plant ecology and biomechanics, which offers many possibilities for multidisciplinary research between these disciplines.     

MediaPark cologne: A large high tech project to develop Cologne's inner city

All over the world the development in microelectronics and the internationalisation of communications and media production and transmission leads to financial and technological merges: computer and communication and information industries move closer together and give birth to new products, services and organisations. In Cologne, on a large inner city site of 200.000 m² near the Rhine, the Cathedral, Broadcasting Centres and the Central Business District, an innovative development project is under way to promote the further growth and acceptance of new technics and new media production. MediaPark is designed as a centre for activities in microelectronics, arts presentation and production, and centres for professional architectural competition for the design and structure of the planned land use has just started.     

The thermal springs of Jordan

The thermal springs alongside Wadi Araba, Dead Sea and Jordan valley, Jordan, were investigated and sampled in a comprehensive field study of 2 weeks. Conventional physicochemical properties were measured in situ; dissolved solids and isotopic composition were analyzed. Two main spring locations on the east side of the Dead Sea were mapped. It became evident, that the hottest springs are among the closest to prominent faults; some springs are controlled by gas lift. Jordan’s hot springs are described by means of a broad hydrochemical and physicochemical data set and several figures are presented. Based on their hydrochemistry, the thermal springs are classified into four thermal provinces. Water genesis is discussed. Several geothermometers are applied to estimate reservoir temperatures. Observed discharge rate, water temperature and isotopic composition are compared with data from the literature. Although discharge and water temperature are reported to be constant over the last decades, groundwater overexploitation led to a shift of the isotopic composition, what is documented for the first time in Jordan. Thus, the effect of groundwater mining on Jordan’s hot springs can be stated as a fact.     

Impact of the 2010 tsunami on an endangered insular soil–plant system

Natural catastrophes could damage island biodiversity and ecosystems, and their effects could become devastating if combined with human disturbances. In this study, we determined the effects of the tsunami occurred in Robinson Crusoe Island (Chile) on 27 February 2010 on an endangered soil–plant system. Using data of endemic Cabbage Trees (Dendroseris litoralis Skottsb.) and soil attributes taken before and after the 2010 event, we developed thematic maps to assess the changes in population size and soil substrate of Cabbage Trees caused by the tsunami. We determined that from 153 pre-tsunami (2009) standing Cabbage Trees, only 66 (43 %) survived in 2011, mostly in elevations above 25 m a.s.l. Before the tsunami, 86 (56 %) of Cabbage Trees were established in humus-rich soil sites whereas after the tsunami, this number declined to 53 (35 %). These results represent the first report of a severe population decline after a tsunami and indicate that tsunamis are an important source of species extinction in small oceanic islands not only by reducing the population size but also by reducing the quality of sites for plant growth.