Yi Liu

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the design, mechanisms, and performance of metakaolin-based geopolymers (MKG), with a focus on uncovering the underlying mechanisms that differentiate MKG from ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Covering a wide range of topics surrounding MKG, from the early stages of geopolymerization to the final mechanical performance of MKG concrete, this book provides fundamental insights into the performance of MKG-based materials and their relationship with the composition and microstructure of MKG. The findings presented in this book may serve as a guide for the design and application of MKG in civil engineering constructions. Targeted at scientists and engineers in materials science and civil engineering, this book is intended for those interested in adopting MKG as a sustainable technology for a greener future.

This book presents an overview of the development of China-Europe express train in the broader context of BRI. It analyzes the benefits to the regions along the route from the safe, smooth and stable operation of the train in recent years, involving the strong impetus for building a new pattern of dual cycle development and driving the recovery of the economy in the post-pandemic era. Based on in-depth case studies of the operations in many regions, this book proposes measures in order to promote the high-quality development of China-Europe train: to improve infrastructure and enhance port capacity; to unify international standards and improve the efficiency of train customs clearance; to open up the European market and actively organize the return source of goods; to standardize government administrative intervention according to market orientation; to strengthen the construction of digital infrastructure with the focus on connectivity; to cultivate international logistics talentsand build a high-quality China-Europe express train talent team.

This book utilises expectancy–value theory and undermining effect of extrinsic reward theory to examine the impact of the Central Government-Funded Teacher Education (CGFTE) policy on Chinese pre-service teachers' motivations for choosing the teaching profession. Quantitative data analysis revealed six distinct categories of motivations to teach: teacher influence, job advantages (extrinsic), social value (altruistic), personal interest (intrinsic), others' suggestions, and fallback career. These categories were further exemplified in ten narrative stories. The findings indicate that the CGFTE policy attracts high-school graduates with higher intrinsic motivation to enrol in teacher-training programs, but it seems ineffective in increasing their intrinsic career-choice motivation. It is argued that the CGFTE policy, which emphasises extrinsic benefits but limits professional development, does not have a significant negative impact on pre-service teachers' motivation to choose teaching. This conclusion is supported by the offsetting effects of the policy's restrictive and encouraging aspects, as explained by expectancy–value theory and the qualitative data. Nevertheless, the intrinsic motivation of policy-funded pre-service teachers did not improve as much as that of their self-supported counterparts, indicating potential undermining effects of the policy. The study concludes by discussing the implications of these findings for enhancing the CGFTE policy, teacher training, and career education in China. The book will be an essential read for students and scholars of higher education, Chinese studies, and educational studies in general.

This book presents an overview of the development of China-Europe express train in the broader context of BRI. It analyzes the benefits to the regions along the route from the safe, smooth and stable operation of the train in recent years, involving the strong impetus for building a new pattern of dual cycle development and driving the recovery of the economy in the post-pandemic era. Based on in-depth case studies of the operations in many regions, this book proposes measures in order to promote the high-quality development of China-Europe train: to improve infrastructure and enhance port capacity; to unify international standards and improve the efficiency of train customs clearance; to open up the European market and actively organize the return source of goods; to standardize government administrative intervention according to market orientation; to strengthen the construction of digital infrastructure with the focus on connectivity; to cultivate international logistics talentsand build a high-quality China-Europe express train talent team.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of the design, mechanisms, and performance of metakaolin-based geopolymers (MKG), with a focus on uncovering the underlying mechanisms that differentiate MKG from ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Covering a wide range of topics surrounding MKG, from the early stages of geopolymerization to the final mechanical performance of MKG concrete, this book provides fundamental insights into the performance of MKG-based materials and their relationship with the composition and microstructure of MKG. The findings presented in this book may serve as a guide for the design and application of MKG in civil engineering constructions. Targeted at scientists and engineers in materials science and civil engineering, this book is intended for those interested in adopting MKG as a sustainable technology for a greener future.

This book utilises expectancy–value theory and undermining effect of extrinsic reward theory to examine the impact of the Central Government-Funded Teacher Education (CGFTE) policy on Chinese pre-service teachers' motivations for choosing the teaching profession. Quantitative data analysis revealed six distinct categories of motivations to teach: teacher influence, job advantages (extrinsic), social value (altruistic), personal interest (intrinsic), others' suggestions, and fallback career. These categories were further exemplified in ten narrative stories. The findings indicate that the CGFTE policy attracts high-school graduates with higher intrinsic motivation to enrol in teacher-training programs, but it seems ineffective in increasing their intrinsic career-choice motivation. It is argued that the CGFTE policy, which emphasises extrinsic benefits but limits professional development, does not have a significant negative impact on pre-service teachers' motivation to choose teaching. This conclusion is supported by the offsetting effects of the policy's restrictive and encouraging aspects, as explained by expectancy–value theory and the qualitative data. Nevertheless, the intrinsic motivation of policy-funded pre-service teachers did not improve as much as that of their self-supported counterparts, indicating potential undermining effects of the policy. The study concludes by discussing the implications of these findings for enhancing the CGFTE policy, teacher training, and career education in China. The book will be an essential read for students and scholars of higher education, Chinese studies, and educational studies in general.

This book presents advances in control technologies for efficient operation of the brushless doubly-fed induction generator (BDFIG). For robust and low-cost operation of BDFIGs, it is required to keep high-quality output voltage and eliminate the speed/position encoder under different loads and operation conditions. Some advanced control technologies, from the authors’ latest work on these topics, are presented to achieve this goal with simple and accurate texts, illustrations, and tables. The qualified outcomes obtained from this book assure the high-performance operation of BDFIGs and also give the readers a straight insight toward challenges in this research area in the future.

This book presents advances in control technologies for efficient operation of the brushless doubly-fed induction generator (BDFIG). For robust and low-cost operation of BDFIGs, it is required to keep high-quality output voltage and eliminate the speed/position encoder under different loads and operation conditions. Some advanced control technologies, from the authors’ latest work on these topics, are presented to achieve this goal with simple and accurate texts, illustrations, and tables. The qualified outcomes obtained from this book assure the high-performance operation of BDFIGs and also give the readers a straight insight toward challenges in this research area in the future.

This books aims to encourage global parents to rethink what parenting philosophy means to each of us. We discussed different experiences sharing from groups of parents in academia and professional field and linked theory into practice: how do parenting philosophy apply to our engagement? What are our challenges and strategies about our engagement? How to navigate life wearing different hats based on different situations? How do we as parents navigate life based on our identities as a mom, as an educator, as a researcher, and as a person? How are we approaching our choices and decisions? We shared resources at the end and offer support for your parenting journey in this book.

This book focuses on agricultural waste treatment and renewable energy production from the perspective of anaerobic digestion. It covers topics on anaerobic digestion processes and practices in various types of biogas plant construction and management and systematically addresses the principle and main features of three kinds of anaerobic digestion systems: household digesters, biogas septic tanks, and biogas plants. Instructive, informative and easy to understand, the book offers a valuable asset for researchers, technicians, graduate students and managerial personnel working in the areas of renewable energy, agricultural ecological engineering and the treatment and utilization of agricultural wastes.

This book examines industrial upgrading in China’s Pearl River Delta (PRD), with a specific focus on how strategic coupling impacts industrial upgrading from the perspective of relational economic geography. It shows that firms in the PRD have been struggling after serving as low-tier suppliers and subcontractors for transnational corporations for two decades, since the 1980s opening reform in China. Indigenous innovation and direct state support have fostered the success of a few firms, but not the majority. In response, many local firms are now taking advantage of the opportunities to be found in global production networks, which link the PRD with the global economy. This book elaborates on how these opportunities are embedded and identified in global production networks with regard to different types of strategic coupling. It not only renews the theory of strategic coupling in economic geography, but also demonstrates potential strategies that latecomer firms can pursue, and which can have major implications for many developing countries and regions.

This book focuses on agricultural waste treatment and renewable energy production from the perspective of anaerobic digestion. It covers topics on anaerobic digestion processes and practices in various types of biogas plant construction and management and systematically addresses the principle and main features of three kinds of anaerobic digestion systems: household digesters, biogas septic tanks, and biogas plants. Instructive, informative and easy to understand, the book offers a valuable asset for researchers, technicians, graduate students and managerial personnel working in the areas of renewable energy, agricultural ecological engineering and the treatment and utilization of agricultural wastes.

This book examines industrial upgrading in China’s Pearl River Delta (PRD), with a specific focus on how strategic coupling impacts industrial upgrading from the perspective of relational economic geography. It shows that firms in the PRD have been struggling after serving as low-tier suppliers and subcontractors for transnational corporations for two decades, since the 1980s opening reform in China. Indigenous innovation and direct state support have fostered the success of a few firms, but not the majority. In response, many local firms are now taking advantage of the opportunities to be found in global production networks, which link the PRD with the global economy. This book elaborates on how these opportunities are embedded and identified in global production networks with regard to different types of strategic coupling. It not only renews the theory of strategic coupling in economic geography, but also demonstrates potential strategies that latecomer firms can pursue, and which can have major implications for many developing countries and regions.

This book undertakes two main tasks. First, it provides an overview of Sino-Mexican trade and economic relations since the normalization of diplomatic relations in the 1980s. Second, it presents a re-evaluation of Mexico’s trade policies with China, from the import substitution industrialization (ISI) period in the early 1990s to the strengthening of economic and trade relations in recent years. Both aspects are addressed within a unified framework by documenting historical events and conducting empirical analyses throughout Mexico’s economic development, which has been characterized by both growth and stagnation. The book analyzes the Sino-Mexican trade conflicts and cooperation by examining cases of antidumping (AD) and flows of international trade, and by addressing the current obstacles.