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Zhou, H.; Li, N.; Zhu, X., and Mao, X., 2020. Coastal environmental policy, coastal aggregate pollution level and coastal industrial competitiveness. In: Wan, Z. (ed.), Coordinated Sustainable Development in Coastal Areas: Environment and Economy. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 109, pp. 27–33. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Coastal pollution is an undesirable output of cross-border trade. This paper demonstrates coastal aggregate pollution levels as unilateral and multilateral environmental tax changes in differentiated sectors under the assumption of heterogeneity in productivity and monopolistic competition in an open economic circumstance. Coastal economies will accelerate as a result of trade, but pollution levels are also expected to rise. This paper finds that when the government's environmental policy is biased towards unilateral financial sanctions, the environmental pollution will increase, while multilateral financial sanctions will reduce the environmental pollution. In this paper, the emphasis on coastal areas and marine economy is added to the setting of the model, and it is believed that industrial pollution control can be realized by enhancing industrial competitiveness in coastal environmental governance. This paper applies this conclusion to the pollution control of ports in Jiangsu Province, and puts forward feasible environmental policy suggestions in the near future development of port and marine economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lu, S.; Dong, X.Y.; Liu, Y.; Zhang, Q.; Li, S.H., and Yu, X., 2020. Landscape design schemes for coastal cities based on marine culture. In: Al-Tarawneh, O. and Megahed, A. (eds.), Recent Developments of Port, Marine, and Ocean Engineering. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 110, pp. 10–14. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. The development of regional economy and strategic decision-making are inseparable from cultural development, and the continuous accumulation and dissemination of marine culture have provided a direction for the development of coastal cities and their industrial planning. Marine culture does not exist by itself but attaches to an entity and reflects through it. Based on the marine culture of Jiangsu Province, China, this paper analyzes the development characteristics of marine culture in Jiangsu Province, and explores landscape design schemes for coastal cities. The research results show that the marine culture industry in Jiangsu Province presents three spatial structures: the scatter structure, the pole-axis structure, and the network structure. The development trend gets more inclined to the alliance regional linkage model and the virtual creative industry park model. In terms of overall planning, detailed planning and design, the landscape design should pay close attention to the role of coastline and skyline. The landscape design in some coastal cities in Jiangsu Province has fully reflected the economic value of coastal cities. The research in this paper has provided a theoretical basis for promoting the development and dissemination of marine culture in coastal cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global navigation satellite system reflectometry technology (GNSS-R) is rarely used for river flow velocity inversion, and in particular, there is currently no research using the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System reflectometry technology (BDS-R) for river flow velocity inversion. In this paper, a carrier phase observation of river flow velocity inversion model is proposed. The interference phase is the integral of the Doppler frequency. The raw intermediate frequency (IF) data sets are processed through an open-loop method to obtain the Doppler frequency observation generated by river flow and then realize velocity inversion. The shore-based river current measurement was conducted on the south bank of Dashengguan Yangtze River in Nanjing city, Jiangsu Province, for nearly two hours on 22 April 2021. After realizing the inversion of river flow velocity in GPS L1, the combined inversion of BDS B1I GEO satellite and IGSO satellite is realized for the first time, which demonstrates the feasibility of river flow velocity inversion using BDS reflected signals. Compared with the real river flow velocity, the GPS L1 PRN 4 (1st period) inversion precision reaches up to 0.028 m/s (mean absolute error, MAE) and 0.036 m/s (root mean square error, RMSE). In parallel, BDS GEO 2 inversion precision can reach 0.048 m/s (MAE) and 0.063 m/s (RMSE), and BDS IGSO 10 inversion precision is 0.061 m/s (MAE) and 0.073 m/s (RMSE). These results illustrate that satellite elevation change rate and distance between specular points and current meter may have a negative effect on the accuracy of river flow velocity inversion. Specular points obstructed by obstacles or too far from the velocity meter may introduce uncertain error in both MAE and RMSE. Neither the satellite elevation nor the signal strength has an obvious correlation with inversion precision, which is consistent with the theoretical principle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the improvement of China's economic strength, the energy consumption of public buildings is continually increasing, notably for hotels. The energy consumptin of a hotel accounts for more than 15% of its revenue, and the average energy consumption per floor area is more than 10 times that of urban residents. Therefore, the energy-saving retrofit of existing hotels is imperative. This study investigates the economic evaluation methods for existing hotel retrofit projects, and constructs an economic evaluation model using economic evaluation and cost-effectiveness ratio as the base. The energy-saving retrofit measures of 15 existing hotels in Jiangsu Province, China, are used as a case study to demonstrate the research framework. The results indicate that the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, monitoring system, lighting system, domestic hot water system, and building envelope system are the five energy-saving retrofit technical measures with the highest application ratio. The average dynamic investment payback period of hotels in Jiangsu Province is 2.96 years, which meets the requirement of no more than 10 years specified in the energy-saving building standard. The cost-effectiveness ratio of different technologies differs significantly. Lighting and kitchen systems have the highest energy-saving efficiency, followed by monitoring systems, while HVAC and domestic hot water systems have the lowest. The research presented in this paper contributes to the economic evaluation of the energy-saving retrofit of hotels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper optimises projected land-use structure in 2020 with the goal of increasing terrestrial ecosystem carbon storage and simulates its spatial distribution using the CLUE-S model. We found the following: The total carbon densities of different land use types were woodland > water area > cultivated land > built-up land > grassland > shallows. Under the optimised land-use structure projected for 2020, coastal Jiangsu showed the potential to increase carbon storage, and our method was effective even when only considering vegetation carbon storage. The total area will increase by reclamation and the original shallows will be exploited, which will greatly increase carbon storage. For built-up land, rural land consolidation caused the second-largest carbon storage increase, which might contribute the most as the rural population will continue to decrease in the future, while the decrease of cultivated land will contribute the most to carbon loss. The area near the coastline has the greatest possibility for land-use change and is where land management should be especially strengthened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper’s main purpose is to estimate the dietary exposure to lead for the inhabitants of Jiangsu province, China. Lead concentration data were obtained from the national food contamination monitoring programme during 2007–10. Food samples (n = 2077) were collected from 23 food categories in Jiangsu province. Consumption data were derived from Chinese national nutrition and health survey in 2002, which included 3938 inhabitants from 1451 households in Jiangsu province. Concentration data were combined with consumption data to estimate the dietary intake for the inhabitants of 2–6, 7–17 and 18–80 years, respectively. The β-binomial–normal (BBN) model was used to estimate the long-term intake for the population in Jiangsu province. The distribution of individual margin of exposure (IMoE) was introduced to assess the health effect. Uncertainty of IMoE was quantified by Monte Carlo and bootstrap methods. The mean levels of dietary exposure to lead were estimated at 3.019 µg kg−1bw day−1for children aged 2–6 years, 2.104 µg kg−1bw day−1for teenagers aged 7–17 years, and 1.601 µg kg−1bw day−1for adults aged 18–80 years. The mean intakes for the urban and rural populations were 1.494 and 1.822 µg kg−1bw day−1, respectively. From the 25th to 99.9th percentiles, IMoE was 0.125–2.057 for 2–6 years and 0.473–7.998 for 18–80 years, respectively. The distribution of IMoE could indicate a public health concern on lead for the Chinese population in Jiangsu. Control measures should be taken to reduce lead exposure in Jiangsu province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper firstly introduced overall condition of agricultural and rural economic development in Jiangsu Province, and analyzed restrictive factors and bottleneck in the process of new socialist countryside construction from policy, fund and understanding. There are many problems in the process of new socialist countryside construction, including no supply and management system for rural public service products, no agricultural ecological compensation mechanism, increasingly prominent rural hollowing and decline of passing on economic culture, lack of funds and technologies for new socialist countryside construction, and inadequate understanding of new socialist countryside construction. In line with these problems, it came up with recommendations and countermeasures for beautiful improvement, innovation management and cultural cultivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental regulation is an effective way to alleviate the contradiction between economic growth and environmental protection. Based on the current situation of environmental regulation in Jiangsu province, and through the establishment of the econometric model, this paper carries out an empirical study of environmental regulation in Jiangsu province. Location quotient and economic growth contribution rate of typical pollution-intensive industries are chosen as two indexes to evaluate their development and environmental regulation performance in a scientific manner. Finally, three conclusions are reached: first, despite some progress, the comprehensive environmental regulation in Jiangsu province still lags behind the average level of the whole nation (China); second, strict environmental regulation policies can alter the shape of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) and the position of the inflection point so as to contribute to a win-win outcome of economic growth and environmental protection under a relatively low environmental pollution level; third, to ease the pressure of environmental regulation, the formulation and implementation of environmental regulation policies should be combined with policies of optimizing the industrial structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The CO2 emissions of Jiangsu over the period 1995–2009 are calculated based on the presented method. [•] This paper examines the occurrence of a decoupling between economic activity and CO2 emission. [•] Jiangsu economy experienced weak decoupling and strong decoupling except 2003–2005. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jin, R.; Guo, J., and Li, F., 2019. The development level comprehensive evaluation and the regional differentiation characteristics analysis of shipbuilding industry agglomeration in Chinese coastal areas. In: Li, L.; Wan, X.; and Huang, X. (eds.), Recent Developments in Practices and Research on Coastal Regions: Transportation, Environment and Economy. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 98, pp. 203–206. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Industrial cluster is the phenomenon of the agglomeration of closely linked economic entities in a certain region. The phenomenon of industrial cluster is more and more obvious in the international shipbuilding industry. Cluster analysis has become an important strategic tool for the development of shipbuilding industry in various regions. Industrial clusters have many advantages, such as reducing production costs, strengthening collaborative innovation, creating market brands, and improving market competitiveness, which has been proved to be an efficient form of production organization by many practices at home and abroad. Influenced by the international financial crisis, the international shipping market is in a downturn. Taking Jiangsu shipbuilding industry cluster as an example, this paper constructs a complex network map of shipbuilding industry cluster. Then, this paper quantitatively evaluates the agglomeration degree of shipbuilding industry clusters in coastal areas by using the location entropy coefficient. Finally, this paper examines the characteristics of regional differentiation of ship industrial structure in coastal provinces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The PSR index system for evaluating urban ecological civilization (UEC) is developed. • An integrated analysis framework is proposed to evaluate the level and obstacle factor of UEC. • Responsiveness is critical shortcomings factors affecting the construction of UEC. • The obstacle factor restricting the level of UEC in 13 cities in Jiangsu Province are identified. Conducting urban ecological civilization (UEC) evaluation and identifying its key obstacle factors will help to formulate regionally differentiated ecological civilization promotion paths. From three dimensions of "pressure-state-response" (PSR) and four aspects of "Economy-Resources-Environment-Society"(ERES), this paper constructs an extended PSR index system of UEC to reflect the interactive relationship between humans and nature, and integrates the exponential variable weight (EVW) method, technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) model and obstacle degree (OD) model to evaluate and diagnose the regional differences and obstacle factors of UEC in Jiangsu Province. The results show that the performance of UEC in each city shows an increasing trend during the inspection period, but there are significant regional differences. The performance of UEC construction in Jiangsu Province has improved year by year, but the increase in its response index is relatively small, indicating that the response capacity of UEC in Jiangsu Province needs to be strengthened urgently, and its fundamental lies in reversing the GDP-oriented performance evaluation model. The key obstacles to the construction of UEC vary depending on the uneven regional development, but there are some common obstacles in the construction of UEC, such as clean energy investment, urban residents' water supply, foreign capital utilization, land resource protection, population education quality, etc. It is recommended that local governments improve the top-level system design of UEC construction, avoid a one-size-fits-all governance model, and adopt differentiated ecological civilization control measures according to local conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws upon smart growth theory to provide an analytical framework of "smart identification" for industrial land to be readjusted. Huai'an city, Jiangsu province, China, is selected as a case example for the developed framework. Unlike the identification method of efficiency orientation for stock industrial land, which emphasizes the core goal of input and output of production factors per unit area, the smart identification framework covers the five dimensions of industrial policy, urban planning, socioeconomic benefits, transportation convenience, and environment protection. The framework pays more attention to the characteristics of high-quality socioeconomic development, including innovation-driven, coordinated, and sustainable development. Industrial land blocks are used as the research unit. A total of 1,552 industrial land blocks are identified for readjustment, covering an area of 4,008.7 hm2 and accounting for 54.3% of the total industrial land area in Huai'an city; this shows that considerable potential exists for adjustment. We argue that the evaluation index selection of intensive industrial land use and the method by which industrial land is identified for readjustment is influenced by the stage of socioeconomic development. The smart identification method is more consistent with the connotation of high-quality development, and more conducive to revealing the current demand and change law of industrial land against the background of industrial transformation and upgrading, which is of great significance with regard to promoting the intensive use and spatial optimization of industrial land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Sutong Bridge is vulnerable to Pacific typhoons since it is located in the east coastal area of China. Therefore, the dynamic action on the bridge induced by the turbulence wind needs special consideration. In order to obtain the turbulent characteristics at the bridge site, 3D ultrasonic anemometers are included in the Structural Health Monitoring System (SHMS) to collect wind data. In this paper, the recorded real-time wind data are analyzed in detail to generate the wind-rose diagram, mean wind speed and direction, turbulence intensity, turbulence integral scale, and power spectral density. Comparative analyses are then conducted among the inhomogeneous wind characteristics of three strong wind events, including the Northern wind, Typhoon Kalmaegi and Typhoon Fung-Wong. In addition, calculated wind characteristic values and those recommended in the current design specification are compared. Results show that turbulence intensities decrease as the mean wind speed increases, except in the area with the superposition of general winds and typhoons. Meanwhile, turbulence intensities of the typhoons are different from the values recommended by the current design specification. In addition, the measured power spectra in the along-wind direction match relatively well with the Kaimal spectra, whereas in the vertical direction, apparent deviations can be witnessed. The conclusions can be used to determine the wind parameters of the east coastal area of China, and as references for wind-resistant evaluation of bridges in the area. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: As one of the most developed provinces in China, Jiangsu Province has been actively developing bio-energy in order to deal with its electricity supply shortage. By the end of 2010, there are 12 grid-connected straw-based power plants, but only two of them are profitable in this province. This paper presents a simple and detailed method for estimating the cost of straw-based power generation with life cycle analysis, and identifies the main causes for the financial deficit of these plants through a sensitivity analysis and survey. It concludes that: (i) compared with coal-fired power generation, the cost of straw-based power generation is indeed high. (ii) The fuel cost takes the largest share in the operation cost. (iii) The basic causes of the high cost are from straw characteristics, mismatch between demand and supply, immature technology, inappropriate project planning and low motivation of farmer selling straw. Based on the basic causes, we propose the countermeasures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

After the analysis of surface samples and core samples collected in Xinyanggang tidal land, the contents of Pbx, Cu, Zn, and Cr were obtained and analyzed in this paper. The heavy metal accumulation rule and pollution status were studied by Index of geo-accumulation, latent ecological risk index method, and elements accumulation index method. The research suggests that (1) the contents of heavy metal Pbx, Cu, Zn, and Cr in Xinyanggang tidal land have the same change trend, and such trend remains unchanged after the data were normalized, while the fluctuation range becomes smaller. (2) After analyzing the heavymetal content in the surface samples, it was revealed that the contents of heavy metals are getting lower from high tidal zone to low tidal zone, but the ranges of the change were different. Cu, Ni, and Zn emerge obvious decline from supratidal zone to subtidal zone, while the changes of Cr and Pbx are not obvious. (3) Pbx and Cr contents in Xinyanggang tidal land present accumulative character, as Pbx in Xinyanggang is 3 times as much as the local background value, whose EF reaches 3.774. (4) RI value in Xinyanggang is 23.552, which indicates that though Xinyanggang tidal land has some heavy metal pollution and accumulation, there are no ecosystem risks, and the whole Xinyanggang core area environment quality is relatively good. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the process-based morphodynamic modeling of a mudflat dominated by a long-shore tidal current. The model is schematized as a shore-parallel tidal basin with dimensions similar to the tidal flats near the Wanggang Mouth at the central Jiangsu coast, China. A long-shore tidal current and associated sediment transport are dominant in comparison with their cross-shore components. The mudflat evolution is reproduced for both the case with abundant sediment supply and that with insufficient sediment supply. The simulated flow patterns agree qualitatively with field observations from literature, i.e., involving tidal asymmetry, current directions, and tidal wave features. The analysis of sediment fluxes depicts that deposition occurs from spring tide to neap tide and erosion from neap tide to spring tide. The results show that siltation on intertidal flats is favored by flood dominance, as well as settling and scour lag effects, with less dependence on sediment supply. However, subtidal flats are strongly affected by sediment supply. The simulated double-convex cross-shore profile associated with an abundant sediment supply is qualitatively consistent with field observations. An insufficient sediment supply causes erosion and consequent widening of the subtidal flats. Finally, the practical case with an initial sand seabed is reproduced. The long-shore sediment transport contributes to long-shore variations of cross-shore profiles. Deposition rates increase clearly southward in the area between the lower intertidal and middle subtidal flats when sediment supply is abundant. In contrast, deposition rates increase southward only slightly when sediment supply is insufficient. In addition, stronger sediment supply generates wider intertidal flats. Most importantly, the creek patterns, i.e., the incised creeks on mudflats, are roughly reproduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The tectonic evolution of the North China Craton (NCC) from the Late Mesoproterozoic to the Neoproterozoic has been unclear. This paper reports the results of LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating and in situ Hf isotope analysis of detrital zircons from Neoproterozoic strata in the northern Jiangsu and southern Liaoning provinces of southeastern NCC, and we go onto discuss how these results help constrain the Late Precambrian evolution of the NCC. Most analyzed zircon grains exhibit oscillatory growth zoning, and they have relatively high Th/U ratios (>0.4) and positive Ce anomalies as well as negative Eu anomalies, all of which suggests a magmatic origin. The detrital zircons from the Xinxing and Jinshanzhai formations in northern Jiangsu Province give weighted mean ages of 1753, 1635, 1486, and 1121Ma, and 2515, 2305, 1856, 925, and 825Ma, respectively, and the detrital zircons from the Diaoyutai and Xingmincun formations in southern Liaoning Province give ages of 1745, 1619, 1484, 1175, and 1077Ma, and 1798, 1623, 1150, 1020, and 934Ma, respectively. These results, together with previously published ages, indicate that (1) the Neoproterozoic strata in the northern Jiangsu and southern Liaoning provinces were deposited during a period from the Late Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic, and (2) the sediments in the Neoproterozoic strata were sourced mainly from igneous rocks of Late Paleoproterozoic, Mesoproterozoic, and Early Neoproterozoic age, as well as from the ancient Precambrian basement of the NCC. The concordia plots for 291 detrital zircon grains give three prominent age groups of 1.86–2.5, 1.5–1.8, and 0.9–1.2Ga. The detrital zircon ages of 1.86–2.5Ga in the Neoproterozoic strata tie in with most of the Precambrian tectonic–magmatic–thermal events that occurred in the NCC. Zircon ages of 1.6–1.8Ga can be linked to rift magmatism of Late Paleoproterozoic age in the NCC. The detrital zircon ages of 0.9–1.2Ga can be related to Grenville-aged magmatism in the southeastern NCC. The zircons show negative ɛ Hf (t) values (−8.8 to −0.1), suggesting that the source rocks were dominated by reworked ancient Precambrian crust. The positive ɛ Hf (t) values (+0.3 to +10.8) and Hf model ages indicate that growth of continental crustal occurred at ∼2.7Ga, ∼1.9Ga, and ∼1.5Ga in the southeastern NCC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Pyrethroid pesticides are widely used throughout the world in agriculture to protect crops and in public health to control diseases. Of particular concern is exposure of pregnant women and their fetuses because little is known about the potential developmental hazards of such exposure. Several studies have detected internal pyrethroid exposure in urine both in adults and children, but few published data are available on metabolites in pregnant women. The present paper provides data on pyrethroid pesticides exposure based on questionnaire items and measurement of maternal urinary metabolite levels among 1149 pregnant women living in agricultural area of Jiangsu Province, China in 2009–2010, none of which reported occupational exposure to pyrethroid insecticides during pregnancy. To assess exposure to pyrethroid pesticides, urine specimens were analyzed for three main metabolites of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA), cis-and-trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (cis-DCCA and trans-DCCA) using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry method. The limits of detection for three pyrethroid metabolites were 0.1μg/L. All pyrethroid metabolites were found in more than 94.0% of the urine samples. Median unadjusted and creatinine-adjusted values for urinary pyrethroid metabolites in these females were 1.01μg/L and 1.55μg/g Cre for 3-PBA, 0.44μg/L and 0.69μg/g Cre for cis-DCCA, 1.17μg/L and 1.86μg/g Cre for trans-DCCA, respectively. About half (45.5%) of women reported that they or family members had applied commercially available indoor insecticides during pregnancy. Both the questionnaire and laboratory data revealed that exposure to pyrethroid pesticides was considerably widespread in our subjects. The median values of urinary metabolites in the present study were about 4–10 times higher as those of general population from the developed countries. Interestingly, we found there was a temporal season variation tendency in different months. Especially, the levels of urinary metabolites in summer were significant higher than those in winter. These data indicated the need to assess the potential adverse effects of pyrethroid pesticides exposure on fetuses and infants in order to take adequate measures to protect pregnant women from pesticide exposures during pregnancy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper focuses on the piezocone (CPTU) test results and the related interpretation procedures to predict ultimate pile load capacities of driven and jacked piles for the Jiangsu soft soil deposits in China. The pile foundation data including pile load tests on twenty six piles from several field sites are compiled and presented. A comparison was made to explain the advantages and fallacies of various CPT based interpretation methods. A modified CPTU-based method has been proposed, which was used to predict the ultimate capacity from effective cone tip resistance and excess pore water pressure. Comparison of the calculated pile capacities to the measured pile capacities showed that the modified CPTU method''s predictions showed a better agreement with the ultimate load capacities determined from static loading tests. Also, there was less scatter in this method''s predictions than other CPTU methods for deep foundations of soft clay deposits, indicating a higher reliability in the proposed methodology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Cabbage butterfly ( Pieris rapae), included in the Lepidoptera genus, Pieris family, is the main pest that damages Cruciferae. In this paper, we reported a microsporidian isolate of Nosema species which was isolated from P. rapae in Zhenjiang City, Jiangsu Province, China. The mature spore of this microsporidium is long oval in shape and 3.8 ± 0.3 × 2.0 ± 0.2 μm in size. Research results showed that the novel microsporidium cannot infect the BmN cell in vitro and silkworm larvae. The organization of rRNA gene was 5′-SSU rRNA-ITS-LSU rRNA-3′. Phylogenetic trees based on SSU rRNA and LSU rRNA gene sequences were constructed by MEGA 4.0 software. The topology showed that this microsporidium was on the same second branch of Nosema clade, and had close relationships to other Nosema species. Consequently, this microsporidium was confirmed to be a member of Nosema genus, and named as Nosema sp. MPr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents the influence of different regulation strategies on wind energy integration into the existing energy system of Jiangsu. The ability of wind integration is defined in terms of the ability to avoid excess electricity production, to conserve primary energy consumption and to reduce CO2 emissions in the system. Firstly, a reference model of Jiangsu''s energy system is built using the energy system analysis tool EnergyPLAN based on the year 2009. The model results are then compared to actual values from 2009 to validate their accuracy. Based on the reference model, different regulations of Jiangsu''s energy system are compared and analyzed in the range of a wind input from 0% to 42% of the total electricity demand. It is concluded that operating power plants in a flexible way facilitates the promotion of more intermittent wind integration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The coefficient of consolidation ( c or c) is an important parameter in both geotechnical and geo-environmental engineering, measuring the flow characteristics of soils. In China, conventionally it is obtained from the oedometer test, which is time consuming and of limited accuracy due to inevitable sample disturbance. These difficulties can be overcome by in situ pizeocone dissipation tests which provide continuous measurements of pore water pressure with time. In this paper, existing methods for interpreting coefficient of consolidation in clays from piezocone dissipation tests are briefly reviewed. Piezocone tests were undertaken at different sites in the Jiangsu province of China and piezocone dissipation tests conducted at different penetration depths. Based on the reference c values determined from the laboratory oedometer tests, comparisons with existing interpretation methods were undertaken. It is shown that the Teh and Houlsby's interpretation method has a much higher accuracy for determining the coefficient of consolidation of Quaternary clay deposits while the values of c obtained by the CPTU method are in the range of back-analyzed field values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Since the start of economic reform in 1979, Jiangsu Province has become one of the most developed regions in China. To ensure adequate energy supply and sustainable development of economy and environment, it is necessary to analyze Jiangsu Province’s energy balance. The energy flow chart is taken as a useful tool for sorting out and displaying energy statistics data. The purpose of this paper is to draft the Jiangsu Province’s energy flow chart for 2009, which is used to study the characteristics of energy production and consumption in Jiangsu Province. We find that: (1) In 2009, energy imported from other regions accounted for 96.1% of the total primary energy supply. However, its energy supply mainly came from coal. (2) Jiangsu thermal power and heating efficiencies in 2009 were higher than those of Guangdong and China in 2007. However, its coal processing and petroleum refineries efficiencies in 2009 were lower than those of Guangdong and China in 2007. (3) Electricity supply in Jiangsu Province mainly depended on thermal power, which accounted for 88.97% of the total electricity supply. However, 96.36% fuel for thermal power was coal. (4) The share of final energy consumption of the secondary industrial sector was 81.28% in 2009. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Suzhou is located at the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in southeastern Jiangsu, China. It is part of the Su-Xi-Chang area including Suzhou, Wuxi and Changzhou. As one of the most developed areas in China, this region has suffered from severe land subsidence caused by extensive groundwater exploitation since 1980s. The land subsidence was controlled by prohibition of groundwater exploration in the past several years. However, the surface water pollution prompted a new task of how to sustainably utilize the groundwater resource, especially to satisfy the emergency demands of water supply. In this paper, we took Suzhou as a representative case to discuss how to develop groundwater resources while controlling the land subsidence. The relationship between the deformation and the groundwater level was analyzed, with focus on the deformation features after the period of groundwater exploitation ban. The results confirmed the conclusion by Shi et al. (2007, 2008a): even in the period of rising groundwater level, same units may manifest different deformation characteristics, such as elasticity, elasto-plasticity, and visco-elasto-plasticity, at different locations of the cone of depression. A land subsidence model that couples a 3-D groundwater model and a 1-D deformation model was developed to simulate the groundwater level and deformation. A high-resolution local grid (child model) for Suzhou was built based on the regional land subsidence model of Su-Xi-Chang area by Wu et al. (2009). The model was used for a number of predictive scenarios up to the year of 2012 to examine how to develop sustainable use of groundwater resources under the conditions of land subsidence control. Our results indicated that about 3.08×107 m3/a groundwater could be provided as emergency and standby water source while meeting the land subsidence control target of 10mm/a. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper focuses on the hydrodynamic and suspended sediment transport processes in response to sequential reclamations over the intertidal flat, Jiangsu coast, which used to be one of the widest intertidal flats in China. Investigations into the sediment transport patterns reveal that net suspended sediment fluxes increased from 102 kgm−1 on the upper intertidal flat to 103–4 kgm−1 on the lower intertidal flat, per tidal cycle. This variation was caused mainly by the phases of the current velocity, suspended sediment concentration (SSC), local bed geomorphology, inundation patterns, and extreme weather conditions. The longshore component of tidal currents intensifies seaward over the intertidal flat. Extreme weather conditions (e.g. storms) and strong winds were important factors affecting the current velocity structures, the intensity of residual currents, and the SSCs. The SSCs were characterized by several peaks throughout the tidal cycle. These peaks were associated with strong currents, combined wave-current interactions and intense turbulences due to the initial flood surge. Furthermore, the suspended sediment was finer and contained more clay materials during the flood phase of the tidal cycle, than during the ebb. Fine particles were transported within the upper water column by landward residual currents, but coarse particles were transported within the lower water column by seaward residual currents. Overall, residual currents were apt to transport fine-grained sediment landward and coarse-grained sediment seaward. This pattern indicates that the suspended sediment fluxes are highly variable in the water column, even for very shallow tidal environments. The cross-shore component accounted only for a small percentage of the total sediment flux. However, this part of sediment supply dominated accretion over the intertidal flat. The intertidal flat has become narrower and steeper, following sequential reclamations. A negative feedback process existed to maintain the convex profile shape, although the human activities (i.e. reclamation) could have modified the natural process. The surficial sediment tended to become finer on the mid-upper intertidal flat but coarser on the lower intertidal flat following reclamations, in response to a reduction in the tidal currents over the intertidal zone and enhancement of wave action over the lower intertidal flat. Accretion, with high rates, was maintained by landward transport of sediment. In such an accretional system with influences of reclamation, the width or slope of the intertidal flat is adjusted continuously. Before the cease of reclamation, the intertidal flat is unable to achieve an equilibrium shape. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper examines the reconstruction of the Maoshan temple complex in Jiangsu province. Since being almost completely obliterated between the 1930s and 1970s, it has been rebuilt in spectacular fashion, with more than a dozen temples dotting the region. Most are part of an ambitious tourism project but one, the nunnery Qianyuan guan, has taken a different approach, shunning entrance fees and mass tourism. These differing strategies reflect wider pressures facing Daoism and other organized religions in China to support the local economy by promoting tourism. They also raise questions about potential gender-based differences in Chinese religion and the ability of China's traditional religions to compete in a new, dynamic religious landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research paper presents the results concerning the comparative analysis of the textile production chain-garment of Jiangsu Province, China and the Department of Atlántico, Colombia, initially identifying the different variables and categories associated with the production chains followed by a comparative analysis using models of industrial districts, cluster models and enterprise networks, which eventually led to establishing the differences in production between production chains in the textile-clothing sector of the Atlantic Department and Jiangsu Province in the Republic China, two regions that, although dissimilar in many respects, displays some similarities in the development of textiles and garments, particularly as it has to do with operational infrastructure and human resource training. The assessment of these differences allowed us to establish strategies and guidelines that can generate positive effects through improved competitiveness and ensure better for competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Urbanization induces detrimental effects on the eco-environment that are beginning to be extensively described. However, the adoption of suitable indicators and reliable methods still requires attention to provide a basis for a more accurate understanding of eco-environmental effects from urbanization. The aggregated index system representing the coupling relationships between urbanization and eco-environment was introduced and an integrated sustainable development approach (ISD) to simulate and evaluate the integrative effects was developed in this paper. The ISD consists of modules of the coupling relationship assessments, systematic analysis of potential eco-environmental changes, and sustainability evaluation. An interpretative structural modeling (ISM) and grey relative technique (GRT) are used to analyze the systematical structure and assess the coupling relationships. A system dynamics model (SD) and artificial neural network (ANN) are used to simulate the potential environmental changes and compare the sustainability, respectively. An application study of Jiangsu province in China was performed, where the general eco-environmental integrity is under significant urbanization pressure. The potential eco-environmental scenarios from 2010 to 2015 under natural, populated, economic, spatial and social urbanization patterns were simulated and analyzed. The result reveals that the urbanization sustainability may be met on condition that either populated urbanization or social urbanization pattern is adopted in Jiangsu province, China. The aggregated indexes and ISD may help local authorities better understand and address the complex coupling relationship, and develop improved regional environmental management strategies that better balance urbanization and eco-environmental conservation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Geotechnical engineers worldwide practice a variety of in-situ techniques to classify soils in order to obtain their physical and engineering properties. An electric piezocone, which is an advanced version of the cone penetrometer, is capable of measuring cone resistance, sleeve friction and pore pressure. The piezocone testing data not only provide valuable information on soil types but are also useful in deriving correlations with the engineering properties of soil for the purposes of analysis and design of foundations. In a view to establish a region-specific correlation between piezocone penetration resistance and soil properties, piezocone penetration tests (PCPT or CPTu), borings, and other in situ tests were carried out at seven locations in Jiangsu Province, China. PCPT data were first used for classifying soil; thus the data were fully analyzed and validated for providing a reasonable soil classification. Several available CPT based classification charts are used to determine soil types; these results are further validated with the soil classification determined from the field samples and basic soil test results. This paper summarizes these analysis results, including description of the available charts and their performance in soil classification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Coastal wetland vegetation classification with remotely sensed data has attracted increased attention but remains a challenge. This paper explored a hybrid approach on a Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) image for classifying coastal wetland vegetation classes. Linear spectral mixture analysis was used to unmix the TM image into four fraction images, which were used for classifying major land covers with a thresholding technique. The spectral signatures of each land cover were extracted separately and then classified into clusters with the unsupervised classification method. Expert rules were finally used to modify the classified image. This research indicates that the hybrid approach employing sub-pixel information, an analyst's knowledge and characteristics of coastal wetland vegetation distribution shows promise in successfully distinguishing coastal vegetation classes, which are difficult to separate with a maximum likelihood classifier (MLC). The hybrid method provides significantly better classification results than MLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the trajectories of handicraft cloth production in three major sub-regions of Jiangsu Province in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. In contrast to traditional focus on the bankruptcy of rural handicrafts in the face of competition from the modern industry, it argues that the fate of handicrafts depended on the specific characteristics of each sub-regional economy. Thus in Song-Tai, handicraft weaving declined as labour was drawn off into modern industry. In Tong-Hai the availability of machine-spun yarn in the market enabled the development of a commercialised handicraft weaving sector. Finally, in Xu-Huai-Hai machine-spun yarn enabled the inhabitants to substitute their own subsistence handicraft production for cloth purchased from elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a perspective of Urban-Airshed Carrying-Capacity (UACC) concept for air pollution abatement in Tangshan Municipality, China. A 3D Multi-Box Air Quality Prediction (3DMBAQP) model was developed for predicting daily average SO2, TSP and PM10 concentrations in each sub-box of different municipal Function Zones (FZs). A 6-step procedure was designed to determine the UACC levels for each pollutant. The abatement amounts for each zone can then be obtained. The study results can be used by municipal authorities to develop effective initiatives to allocate abatement amounts among different emission contributors and thus improve local air quality in a long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The GreenWatch program has been implemented nationally in China. However, whether the program and its process have been effective in improving firms'' environmental performance remains unclear. Based on the stakeholder theory, this paper conducts a comparative analysis between firms participating in the program and those that do not, all of which are based in Changshu City in the developed part of Jiangsu Province, China. Data suggest that GreenWatch encourages firms to improve and disclose their environmental performance. Through pressures imposed by different stakeholders—from the government, investors, and consumers, to the public, such as the community and media—this program has become the main driving force for improving the firms'' environmental performance. The current study also provides substantial evidence that public disclosure in China opens up channels for effective public participation. Therefore, the GreenWatch program deserves to be promoted in China. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract - Due to the operation mechanism of R&D input-output system that is imprecise, it is hard to predict the structure optimization of R&D funding investment. This paper confirms contribution degree of scientific and technological output from R&D funding by grey relational analysis, and establishes objective function. At last, we predict and optimize the R&D funding investment of Jiangsu Province in the eleventh five-year plan, and the best allocation program is given, which verifies the feasibility and effectiveness of the method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, the time series method is used to analyze the effect of fire disasters and serious fires on monthly fire occurrence statistics in 10 cities from January 1997 to December 2001 in Jiangsu province. After removal of outliers in the irregular component of the original data series and seasonal adjustments, the intervention model is applied to quantify the effect of the fire disasters and serious fires on the total monthly fire statistics in the cities of Jiangsu province. The results show that the impact on monthly fires lasts for 3 months for eight cities and 2 months for two cities. Other phenomena are also detected in these 10 cities. Finally, some explanations for these phenomena are proposed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper describes a site-based, ecological asset-based, holistic environmental flows assessment approach, and demonstrates its application to reaches of the Jiaojiang (Jiao River) Basin, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, the People's Republic of China. The methodology broadly combines information on ecological and other assets associated with the river system (in this case, fish, vegetation, water quality and geomorphology) together with information that links these assets to aspects of the flow regime via hydraulic relationships. This is a site-based methodology, and it requires a medium-level effort and budget. The methodology hinges on being able to gain a basic understanding of the ecology and geomorphology of the stream system, having daily flow series' available, and having the capacity to develop hydraulic models. A comparison of the flow regimes recommended for the Jiaojiang reaches with recommendations derived from two hydrology-only methods found little correspondence. This was explained by the failure of hydrology-only methodologies to take into account the downstream change in the relationship between a river's geomorphic and hydrologic characteristics (i.e. expressed as hydraulics). Also, the ecological assumptions made by the hydrology-only methods cannot necessarily be applied in a generic way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estimates of regional and national topsoil soil organic carbon (SOC) stock change may help evaluating the soil role in mitigation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through carbon (C) sequestration in soils. However, understanding of the exact mitigation role is often constrained by the uncertainty of the stock estimation associated with different methodologies. In this paper, a soil database of topsoil (0–20 cm) SOC measurements of Jiangsu Province, China, obtained from a soil survey in 1982, and from a geological survey in 2004, was used to analyze the variability of topsoil SOC among soil groups and among soil regions, and to estimate the change in SOC stocks that have occurred in the province over the last two decades. The soil survey data was obtained from measurements of 662 690 randomly collected samples, while the geological survey data was from 24 167 samples taken using a 2 km × 2 km grid. Statistical analysis was conducted on SOC values for 1982 and 2004 for different categories of soil groups, soil regions, and administrative municipalities, respectively. Topsoil SOC storage was then calculated and the provincial topsoil SOC stock was estimated for each sampling time. There were remarkable differences in SOC levels between soil groups and soil regions and different municipalities. The grid sampling with the geological survey in 2004 yielded smaller variability of topsoil SOC averages, both with soil groups and with soil spatial distribution than the random sampling method used in 1982. Variation of SOC was greater with soil groups than with soil regions in both sampling times, although it was less variable across soil taxonomic categories than within a spatial category. Little variance of the SOC level with soil groups could be explained by clay content. However, the prevalence of paddy fields in the total cropland area governed the regional and municipal average SOC levels. The average provincial topsoil SOC content increased from 9.45 g kg−1 in 1982 to 10.9 g kg−1 in 2004, and the total provincial topsoil SOC stock was enhanced from 149.0±58.1 Tg C in 1982 to 173.2±51.4 Tg C in 2004, corresponding to a provincial average SOC sequestration rate of 0.16±0.09 t C ha−1 yr−1. The SOC sequestration trend for the last two decades could be, in part, attributed to the enhanced agricultural production, symbolized by the grain yield per hectare. The results of SOC stock changes suggest a significant C sequestration in soils of Jiangsu, China, during 1980–2000, with paddy management playing an important role in regional SOC storage and sequestration capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: For the Xiashu loess–palaeosol sequence in Nanjing, China, further to our work on the cyclic variability in its chemical composition and swelling-shrinkage properties [Xia, J., Huang, G.L., Liu, Z. T., Chen, X.M., 2007. Cyclic variability in chemical composition and swelling–shrinkage properties of the Xiashu loess stratum near Nanjing, China. Pedosphere 17 (5), 666–672.], this paper studies the cyclic variability in its microstructure and physico-mechanical properties and the corresponding influence on its engineering behaviour for geotechnical and geological practices. In addition, the cyclic variability in the soil''s grain-size distribution and geochemical characteristics is compared with that of the loess–palaeosol sequences at two other sites in China, indicating a geographical pattern of cyclic variation of the sequences. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper proposes an approximation procedure of whitening response in GM(1, 1), GM(1, 1) procedure for short, by using a technique that combines the improved initial value with the optimized background value. The procedure is constructed and compared with the existing three kinds of GM (1, 1) models in modeling precision. We use the financial investments to science and technology forecasting of Jiangsu province of China as a case study to test the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed procedure. According to the experimental results, this procedure obviously can improve the prediction accuracy of the original grey model. Compared with the other three GM (1, 1) models, the modeling precision (simulation precision and forecast precision) of the GM (1, 1) procedure (model) is the highest. It is not only suitable for the low growth sequence modeling, but also suitable for the high growth sequence modeling, particularly to the high growth sequence, the simulation precision and the forecast precision of the GM (1, 1) procedure is still high even if the development coefficient is bigger than 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Changzhou City, underlain by a multi-layered aquifer system in Quaternary sediments in the Great Yangtze River Delta region, experienced a maximum land subsidence rate of 147 mm/year in the early 1980s due to excessive groundwater extraction. A large-scale monitoring station of 11 borehole extensometers was established in the city in 1983 to investigate land subsidence. Nine strata were predetermined in the Quaternary depth interval and monitored by borehole extensometers. Presented in this paper are the long-term observations of land subsidence, strata compression and groundwater level in four aquifers from 1984 to 2002, and discussion on strata compression based on the measured data with reference to the stratigraphy, soil properties, groundwater withdrawn and literature of similar situations. The compression of strata varies significantly and is strongly influenced by groundwater drawdown in the second confined aquifer, or CA2. The groundwater level in CA2 declined from −55 m in 1981 to −76 m in 1994 and the land subsidence rate remained high. After the city government enforced restrictions on groundwater extraction in 1995, the extraction rate sharply reduced, the groundwater level in CA2 steadily recovered to −56 m until 2003, and the land subsidence rate declined to 10 mm/year in 2002. From 1984 to 2002, the land subsidence was mainly attributed to the consolidation of the thick aquitard overlying CA2. In the future, to prevent the subsidence rate from rising, it is vital to stop groundwater drawdown in aquifers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Traditional stability analysis for salt cavern as UGS overlooks the thermal effects induced by cycling loading and cannot predict the potential risk. In this study viscoelastic WIPP model is employed to describe the temperature-dependent creep behavior of rock salt. A thermal-mechanical simulation framework is established to couple the effect of mechanical stress and thermal stress. A coupling thermal-mechanical numerical model implemented by FLAC3D in combination with the WIPP creep model is proposed. A field case, Cavern L, in Jintan, Jiangsu Province of China is demonstrated in this paper to explore the thermal response to gas injection-and-withdrawal process. The results show that there is tensile stress concentration region at the cavern roof. The dynamic process of thermal damage evolution and block falls on cavern roof is also investigated. The disintegration of rock salt mass at cavern roof occurs after the most severe gas depressurization period, and the retain of low pressure after gas withdrawal aggravate the thermal damage. It indicates that the thermal-induced tensile stresses are critical for salt cavern stability assessment. The feasibility and accuracy of the proposed thermal-mechanical modeling is verified by the field case, and the simulation results of thermal damage are coincided with the sonar results. This analysis confirmed the influence of thermal-mechanical effects on salt cavern wall. The approach used in this study provides an improved method for the stability evaluation and optimal operation parameters for salt caverns. • A coupled thermo-mechanical model is established for stability analysis of cavern wall. • The thermal-mechanical effect on salt cavern during cycling loading is investigated by thermal-mechanical coupling model. • The thermal damage on salt cavern roof occurs after the most severe gas withdrawal period. • The retain time of low pressure operation after gas withdrawal aggravates the thermal damage, resulting in collapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Established the mathematical model of users' cooling load based on principle of heat transfer. • Analyzed the uncertainty of the users responses considering the differences in the economic and comfort preferences. • Constructed users' differential response probability model through the multi-objective optimization method. • Analyzed the users' decision behavior characteristic with the proposed discrete choice model. Because of the thermal inertia of air conditioning load, electric power companies can guide users to manage it effectively and reduce the peak-valley difference of power grid through the electricity price mechanism on the premise of less affecting the comfort of users. Although the load adjustable potential of a single air conditioner user is small, its aggregation potential cannot be ignored due to a large number of residential air conditioners. In order to accurately describe users' differential response decision behavior, an analysis method of air conditioning users' response decision behavior considering uncertainty and demand diversity response behavior is proposed in this paper. Firstly, according to the change in the indoor and outdoor environmental factors of air conditioning, the cooling load characteristics of residential buildings were modeled, the difference in the comfort temperature of the users was considered, the cooling load characteristics of various types of residential users were identified, and the daily load curves of the cooling demand of the users were obtained. Secondly, the uncertainty of the user response under the electricity price mechanism was analyzed, and the user preference for economy and comfort was comprehensively considered. Finally, the decision-making behavior of the users was analyzed with the discrete choice model, and the probability model of the differential responses of the users was simulated by the multi-objective optimization method. An example is given to analyze the actual response data of users in a residential district in Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, and get the response of users to air conditioning load under the time-of-use electricity price and different incentive degrees. It provides more comprehensive user response decision information for the grid side, and enables the power company to improve the implementation effect of air conditioning load participating in demand response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Reinforcement learning framework for asphalt pavement maintenance decision. • Construction method of Environment module in this framework. • Test and verify the practicability by engineering real data. Making a proper maintenance plan for the pavement health is the key to maintain a good service level and bearing capacity. To cope with the increasing demand for pavement maintenance, based on the idea of reinforcement learning, an intelligent decision-making model for pavement maintenance plans based on proximal policy optimization algorithm was proposed in this paper. The decision model fully considers the comprehensive maintenance benefit-cost ratio during the whole life cycle of the road. To overcome the problems of the experience-led manual decision-making, it conducted the decision-making between pavement conditions and maintenance plans based on data mining technique. Besides, a method for constructing a reinforcement learning Environment module based on a deep artificial neural network was proposed, and a reward function is designed for road maintenance decisions. The model was applied to the highway maintenance decision in Jiangsu Province, and verified that the decision overall accuracy of the reinforcement learning model was 82.2%, which was an increase of 17.2% compared with the artificial neural network model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A two-stage black-spot identification model is proposed for inland waterway shipping. • Dynamic segmentation and DBSCAN algorithm are combined in identifying black-spots. • 12 preliminary black-spots and 5 detailed black-spots are identified in case study. • Most of the identified black-spots belong to high risk waters in previous research. Inland shipping plays a significant role in the integrated transport system. Maritime safety has been one of the top concerns due to its high-risk characteristics. The historical accident data is treated as a valuable source for identifying the riskiest waters (also called black-spots) where special attention is necessary. In view of this, a two-stage black-spot identification model is proposed in this paper to identify and locate waterways with higher accident rates. In stage 1, the dynamic segmentation and equivalent accident number methods are proposed to identify the preliminarily black-spots. In stage 2, Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise (DBSCAN) algorithm is introduced to pinpoint the precise locations of the detailed black-spots based on the results from the first step. The model is further applied to the Jiangsu section of the Yangtze River based on the historical accident data between 2012 and 2016. The results show that altogether 12 preliminary black-spots and 5 detailed black-spots are identified in the investigated waters. This research provides helpful reference for optimizing the allocations of search and rescue resource as well as differentiated safety management of black-spot waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the goal of carbon neutrality has been proposed consecutively, renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and bioenergy are gaining close attention in national strategic and sustainable development plans. Along with the development of renewable energy generation technologies, it is necessary to assess the environmental burden of renewable energy generation. This study analyzed the economic and environmental benefits of wind power, solar power, and biomass power generation methods over their life cycle. This paper comprehensively assessed and compared their environmental impacts based on a life cycle assessment (LCA) framework combined with ecological footprint analysis for the three renewable energy generation in China, and compared the results with those of thermal power generation to make strategic suggestions for the renewable energy power generation industry. The results show that: (1) wind power consumed the least energy, only 6.80 kJ/kW·h, and had the lowest emissions of CO 2 , SO 2 , NOx and CO and environmental impact potential. (2) Based on the ecological footprint analysis on the provincial level, only Anhui, Shandong and Jiangsu provinces showed ecological deficits, while the other provinces were in ecological surplus, mostly above 50% of their ecological areas. (3) Compared to thermal power generation, which consumed 1170.911 kJ/kW·h, wind power was the only one of the three renewable energy achieved a reduction in energy consumption. Wind power is currently the most efficient way of generating renewable energy. [Display omitted] • The environmental and economic benefits of wind power, solar photovoltaic power, and biomass power generation were assessed. • Life cycle assessment and ecological footprint were used as analytical methods. • Wind power generation is preferred to solar photovoltaic and biomass power generation. • Recommendations for the future development of the renewable energy generation industry are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insufficient sewage treatment facility is one important reason for wastewater entering and affecting aquatic ecosystems. The PPP mode, serving as one of the fastest-growing mechanisms for public service provision in recent decades, is considered to be an effective way to alleviate the pressure of funding shortages and to improve the efficiency of sewage treatment. However, the performance of PPPs has been questioned, especially the service quality given the inherent nature of the private sectors' pursuit of maximizing economic profit and the shortcoming of incomplete contracts. This paper evaluates the service quality, namely the environmental performance, of the PPP mode in China's urban sewage treatment sector. Based on detailed firm-level data in Jiangsu Province, China, we find that the PPP mode has improved the pollutant treatment performance, and increased operation cost and promoted sewage treatment efficiency serve as the main mechanism for the improvement of environmental performance. The research findings could help both developed and developing countries to apply and design a public-private partnerships mechanism. [Display omitted] • Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in China provides higher sewage treatment quality. • Under the PPP mode, the operation cost of sewage treatment increases. • PPP contracts of sewage treatment plants are relatively complete in China. • The government payment mechanism provides less strong incentives to reduce costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the topics related to restructuring and the historical outcome of the working class in China. This report examines loopholes in state policy. The article contains a report about the Tongyu, China textile group of Jiangsu. Discussed is the premise for restructuring state-run enterprises. This paper is an account of the restructuring of one enterprise in one locality in one province at a certain historical time in China. The report also reveals how economic transition merely makes acceptable social theft.

City outskirts serve as the concentration centers for the pollutants discharged from various sources such as industry, agriculture and transportation. With the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization, the eco-environment of the city outskirts has become a hot spot of public concern. An analysis was conducted in this paper on the soil in the outskirts of Yixing City using frequency distribution functions. The heavy metal sources in this region had been divided into two components, i.e. natural background component and strong human disturbance component. The corresponding interpretation of the distribution pattern and features of heavy metal elements was presented by spatial analysis. The results showed that the strong human disturbance components of Hg, Pb, and Cu accounted for 36.9%, 26.7%, and 23.3% in their contents respectively, which indicated directly the serious effect of human activities on heavy metal contents. Hg and Pb, because of the human disturbance, showed the greatest spatial variability, and human activities intensified the heterogeneity of the spatial distribution. The anisotropic analysis showed the higher organisation of Hg and Zn in the direction of urban-rural transition, which indicated their spatial characteristics with urban-rural transition. Pb displayed distinctive structure in the vertical direction of urban-rural transition, which was largely controlled by highway distribution. Cu content in paddy fields was significantly higher than those of other land-use-types, and the agricultural non-point source pollution played an important role in the distribution pattern of Cu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]