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Marine soft clays are prevalent in coastal regions of China, giving rise to engineering challenges such as salt swelling, corrosion, and load bearing in foundations with soft soil. This study is dedicated to enhancing the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced cement-stabilized soft clay (FCSSC) and revealing its strengthening mechanism. Uniaxial compression tests are performed to explore the impact of fiber length, fiber amount, and curing ages on mechanical behavior. The stabilization mechanisms of cement and glass fibers are explored through damage analyses and microscopy. Based on the experimental results, a damage constitutive model is formulated for FCSSC, and its validity is established by comparing fitting curves with testing curves. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in the mechanical properties of the stabilized soil, attributed to the synergistic effects of the cement and glass fibers. The growth rate of the unconfined compressive strength decreased with increasing curing ages. Notably, the fiber length significantly impacted the strength index, with short-chopped fibers playing a crucial role in strength enhancement. The compressive strength exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease with rising fiber content, reaching a maximum between 0.3% and 0.4%. The bridging effect of the glass fibers proved effective in inhibiting compression crack expansion and mitigating structural damage of the soil sample. However, excessive fiber content or length led to improved local porosity, resulting in the deterioration of strength and deformation properties. The stress–strain curves fitted using the proposed damage constitutive model accurately reflected the stress–strain relationship and deformation characteristics of the FCSSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper selected the data of 284 prefectural-level cities in China in the time range of 2011 to 2020 as the research sample, and established an index system of sustainable development consisting of 22 indicators including economic development, social progress, ecological environment and public institutions and so on, to comprehensive evaluate the sustainability of the cities. Total annual investment in pollution control is selected as the proxy variable of reform, and annual actual amount of foreign investment used is selected as the proxy variable of openingup, to empirically explore the impact of the two on sustainable development. The results of empirical analysis show that reform and opening-up has a significant positive impact on sustainable development. After fixing time and individual effect, it is found that the effect of reform is more prominent. Regional heterogeneity analysis shows that, the impact strength of reform and opening-up in the east is larger than that in the middle and west of China. To study the spatial auto-correlation and spillover effect, Moran's I was calculated and spatial Durbin model was constructed based on the weight matrix of geographical distance, which produced the results that spatial agglomeration is evident for sustainability, and that reform has a significant positive spillover effect. Further, considering the time auto-correlation of sustainability, a dynamic panel model is established, and dynamic threshold regression is carried out. Results show that lag effect of sustainability is significant, and a certain threshold must reform reach can sustainable development be promoted. This paper puts forward several policy suggestions in terms of formulating effective sustainable development strategy, to provide insights for new-pattern urbanization in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deciphering dust outbreak frequency in inland Asia during the late Cenozoic is important for predicting future hydroclimate in the arid parts of China. Here, we present an eolian sedimentary sequence in the southern Junggar Basin over the past 3.5 Ma, Northwestern China. Our data provide a minimum age of 3.5 Ma for the Gurbantunggut Desert. Rb/Sr ratios exhibit prominent 405 Kyr eccentricity cycles throughout our record with weak expression 41 Kyr cycles. We interpret this cyclicity as resulting from a strong impact of the global carbon cycle on western China hydroclimate. By contrast, gamma‐ray intensity data displays significant 100‐ and 41‐Kyr cycles after 2.8 Ma, suggesting important variations of the input of westerly derived dust. Our results demonstrate that Westerly derived moisture supply and dust input into inland Asia respond differently to orbital forcing; they suggest that moisture supply and dust transport by the Westerlies are controlled by different drivers since 3.5 Ma. Plain Language Summary: Little is known about how hydrological changes in desert areas respond to today's high atmospheric CO2 concentrations. Hydroclimatic archives from these areas are critical to understand (and possibly forecast) future hydrological changes at local and regional scales. Herein, we present paleomagnetic, gamma‐ray intensity and Rb/Sr data over the past 3.5 Ma from an eolian sedimentary sequence in the southern Junggar Basin, Northwestern China. Our results provide a minimum age of 3.5 Ma for the Gurbantunggut Desert; they show that humidity and Westerlies strength variations in inland Asia follow different cyclicity during the Quaternary, indicating that moisture supply by the Westerlies since 3.5 Ma is not directly impacted by wind strength. Our results show that Junggar hydroclimate is likely poorly sensitive to changes in Westerlies strength, despite their role as moisture conveyor, raising questions about the main control on moisture supply in inland Asia. Key Points: Rb/Sr ratios exhibit prominent 405 Kyr eccentricity cycles throughout our recordGR data displays significant 100‐ and 41‐Kyr cycles after 2.8 MaMoisture supply by westerlies is not directly impacted by wind strength since at least 3.5 Ma [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Purpose: This paper aims to determine whether performing an emotional intelligence (EI) intervention improves employees' self-perceived emotional–social competencies (ESC) to achieve relational outcomes in firms based in China. Design/methodology/approach: Based on a qualitative, interpretive approach through purposive sampling, this paper explored the impacts the Strengths Deployment Inventory (SDI) 2.0 intervention might have upon Chinese employees regarding ESC and relational outcomes. Data was collected from 18 semi-structured interviews with Chinese executives and individual contributors. Findings: The findings suggested that ESC could be developed and improved in Chinese employees. The SDI 2.0 intervention may effectively bring about positive EI shifts and relevant attitudinal and behavioral changes related to work relationships. Practical implications: The developed ESC and relational outcomes provide practitioners with insight to better understand the role training plays in organizational effectiveness, as well as to implement the SDI 2.0 program in human resource practices of Chinese organizations to develop personnel and promote high-quality work relationships. Originality/value: This study gains significance by highlighting the effectiveness of the SDI 2.0 intervention in enhancing respondents' ESC with relational outcomes from the perspectives of Chinese firms. Thus, supporting the effectiveness of EI training in the Chinese workplace and introducing the EI training literature the SDI 2.0 tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of entrepreneurial networks and effectuation on business model innovation (BMI) are widely recognized. However, the existing researches focus on the driving of entrepreneurial networks (external factor) and effectuation (internal factor) on BMI separately. Few studies explore the combination of internal and external drivers. Consequently, how entrepreneurial networks' resource translates into the BMI in start‐ups remains unclear. Based on RBV, this research explored the impacts of entrepreneurial networks on BMI through effectuation in dynamic environments. A survey of 408 start‐ups in China reveals that (1) entrepreneurial networks have positive impacts on BMI. Particularly, network size and network strength positively impact BMI. (2) Effectuation plays a mediating role in the relationship between entrepreneurial networks and BMI. (3) Environmental dynamism strengthens the relationship between effectuation and BMI. The findings enrich the theoretical understanding of the relationships among entrepreneurial networks, effectuation and BMI and provide practical implications for start‐up BMI in dynamic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine if the international experience of a family firm's chairman, second-generation managers and other top managers all have impacts of different strengths using information about Chinese family firms' international expansion. Design/methodology/approach: Matching tactics and dynamic Heckman 2-stage analysis were applied to data on 766 publicly-listed Chinese family businesses covering 2008–2014. Findings: The international experience of the chairman, second-generation family managers and other senior managers all were found to correlate with the proportion of a firm's revenue earned abroad, as well as with the number of its cross-border mergers and acquisitions. The impact of a chairman's international experience is stronger than the impact of the other two groups when internationalization is measured in terms of the proportion of revenue earned overseas. The second-generation managers' international experience is the most influential when internationalization is measured in terms of the number of cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Originality/value: This paper bridges agency theory with upper echelons theory in the context of the family business. The findings contribute to the scholarly understanding of family business by illuminating the mechanisms through which second-generation managers may influence family firms' internationalization. They also enrich the knowledge of family firms in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel pantograph strip of copper mesh modified carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite was fabricated by impregnating copper foam with the resin mixture of carbon fiber and flaky graphite, following by mold hot‐pressing technology. Microstructure, mechanical strength, electric conductivity, friction, and wear behaviors of the composite were investigated and analyzed to explore the fracture failure and wear mechanisms. The results show that the composite obtains much lower electric resistance than that of the pure carbon strip used in China's high‐speed railway. Adding carbon fiber can improve impact strength and wear resistance considerably, but has little effect on anti‐friction performance. The electric resistance and tribological performances are graphite dependent, reduced electric resistance and friction coefficient can be obtained with the increase of flaky graphite from 0 to 15 wt% while negligible changes of impact strength and wear rate are found. However, further increasing the flaky graphite to 20 wt%, the wear rate reveals a dramatic rise. High content of flaky graphite contributes to the formation of thick tribolayer with unconsolidated structure. And the tribolayer is easy to curl and worn off from the wear surface, leading to severe wear of the composite during the current carrying friction tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining cities are special ecosystems that distinguish from general mining areas. They combine the influence of mining activities, natural factors, and other anthropogenic factors. In this study, we proposed a method called MMD to extract the mining disturbance on vegetation, and explored the driving mechanism between NDVI and natural, socio-economic and accessibility factors. The main results were as follows: (1) From 2000 to 2014, the decline rate of NDVI in the Fengfeng District was 0.0015/yr, and from 2014 to 2022, the growth rate of NDVI was 0.0058/yr. The overall trend was positive growth; (2) The response of NDVI to mining activities showed a distance decay pattern, with 2.0 km from the mine as the turning point of impact degree and 3.0 km as the boundary of the impact range; (3) The impact intensity of six factors in descending order was population density > gross domestic product density > precipitation> temperature > elevation> distance to the road. Natural factors were positive factors, and socio-economic factors were negative factors. In addition, socio-economic factors held the dominant position, whereas the impact on vegetation showed a declining trend. It's worth noting that natural factors exceeded gross domestic product density as the dominant factors in 2015. This study can provide scientific reference for the green transition development of mining cities. • We proposed a method called MMD to quantify the impact range of mining on vegetation. • 2.0 km and 3.0 km from the mine field boundary were the turning points and boundary points for the magnitude of mining impacts. • The impact of driving factors on NDVI shows spatial heterogeneity. • The impact strength of socio-economic factors on NDVI is greater than that of natural factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pipelines may be subject to displacement-controlled external loads exceeding yield strength of materials due to many causes, e.g., soil settlements and ground movement. It is important to ensure that strength of girth welds even- or over-matches that of pipe steel to avoid strain concentration in the weld leading to a premature failure of a pipeline. Unfortunately, a number of high strength pipeline failure incidents primarily associated with weld strength under-match had been reported. Currently most standards do not explicitly specify strength match requirements for girth welds in pipelines and it is a challenge to achieve weld strength over-match in high strength pipelines. This paper provides a comprehensive review on the characteristics of strength mismatch, the difficulties faced in achieving weld strength over-match in high strength pipelines and the impact of weld strength under-match on structural integrity of pipelines. It also introduces the research, failure incidents, operation practice and the relevant standards/codes associated with weld strength mismatch in high strength pipelines in China. The paper starts by briefly reviewing the historic origin for weld strength requirements, different definitions for weld strength mismatch are then described, the acceptance requirements for pipe steel and girth welds in several major standards and codes are introduced and their inadequacies are discussed. This paper also discusses macro- and micro-scale weld strength mismatch, the influence of weld strength under-match on failure of girth weld and both design and engineering construction requirements for weld strength over-match. Possible mitigation measures to avoid strength under-match are finally proposed. • The paper provides a comprehensive review on the characteristics of strength mismatch, the difficulties faced and the impact of weld strength under-match on structural integrity of pipelines. • It introduces the research, failure incidents, operation practice and the relevant standards/codes associated with weld strength mismatch in high strength pipelines in China. • Possible mitigation measures to avoid strength under-match of girth welds are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large proportion of minable coal seams in China belong to low-permeability soft coal seams. Such coal seams suffer serious coal and gas outburst hazards and endure a high incidence of major disasters in coal mines. The adoption of the high-pressure water jet (HPWJ) hydraulic flushing cavity can effectively promote the gas drainage efficiency and volume and eliminate the hidden danger of gas disasters. Nevertheless, the shape and impact pressure of rotating HPWJ are rarely researched. In this study, on the basis of the numerical simulation, the axial and radial stress distributions of HPWJ and the energy-gathering effect of a conical-cylindrical combined nozzle were analyzed. It is concluded that the submerged condition will accelerate the attenuation of jet velocity and reduce the impact strength of the jet. The jet diffusion angle grows with the increases in the nozzle diameter and water pressure, and 24° is the optimal contraction angle. Finally, the influences of factors such as the rotation speed on the shape and impact pressure of HPWJ were explored, and the results show that the rotation speed should be controlled within 90 r/min. The research findings lay the foundation of the study on the mechanism of coal crushing by HPWJ and provide technical support for the research and development of drilling and flushing integrated equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of fast-growth wood species, hybrid yellow poplar (YP-h, Liriodendron sino16 americanum) has been extensively planted throughout of China, however, little is known about its properties and applicability in structural and nonstructural applications such as construction and furniture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the properties of YP-h and examine its differences with yellow poplar (YP, Liriodendron tulipifera). The average vessel diameter of YP-h (55 µm) was 19 % lower than YP (68 µm), but, the density of YP-h was 37 % higher than YP and the dimensional change in YP-h was higher than YP. Comparable tensile strength and flexural modulus were found in YP-h and YP, however, the flexural, shear, and impact strength of YP-h was 35 %, 40 %, and 55 % higher than those of YP, respectively. The drilling, mortising, and turning processability of YP-h were superior to those of YP. Compared to the gluing and coating performance of YP, YP-h had inferior gluing properties and equivalent coating performance. Therefore, hybrid yellow poplar can be an ideal candidate for yellow poplar to be utilized in construction and furniture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the crash test of new energy vehicles, the mechanical response data of power batteries during the collision process were collected, and the average impact strength curve of power batteries of typical new energy vehicles in China was obtained. The average impact strength curve was mathematically processed to obtain the impact strength characteristic value and tolerance by using the equivalent trapezoidal wave and the least square method, thereby determining the test conditions of the dynamic strength of the domestic new energy vehicle power battery. The differences are analyzed by comparing with ISO 12405-3 test conditions, which provides an important reference for the revision of power battery test standards in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of the high-speed railway in China, the problems of the noise pollution induced by passing trains emerge. Theoretically, the V-shaped noise barrier is of pretty good performance of noise-reduction and load-shedding. To assess the practical aerodynamic deloading characteristics of the V-shaped noise barrier, a full-scale field test was carried out at three measuring-sections equipped with noise barriers of different heights. In order to quantify the research work, the impact strength and deloading rate were selected as indicators. The effects of train speeds, train types and barrier heights are studied. This study includes the variations of impact strength and deloading rate in vertical directions. Meanwhile, 2D numerical simulation research is conducted to analyze the experimental results from the angle of mechanism. It is observed that the aerodynamic load acting on the surface of the V-shaped noise barrier was weaker and more uniform compared with conventional barrier. The flow field distribution influenced the deloading characteristics of the V-shaped noise barrier significantly. Moreover, the load-shedding effect of V-shaped noise barrier, when CRH380AM passed by, was slightly better than CRH380A. The deloading rate improved with the increasing of the noise barrier height in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systemic understanding of the thermal effects on the dynamic behaviour of granite is significant to geological engineering safe applications such as nuclear waste disposal engineering. The experimental granite was taken from Beishan area of Gansu province, China, a preferable region for high-level radioactive waste repository. In order to carry out in-depth research, elevated temperature, confining pressure and impact velocity on the strength of Beishan granite were studied. The results show that above 600°°C, the granite specimens produce a large number of obvious fine cracks, some of which have large cracks, volume expansion and density decrease, and their thermal conductivity decreases rapidly. The minerals change due to heat, resulting in an increase in initial damage, which determines the degree of macroscopic impact compression fracturing, which increases with the temperature under the same impact velocity of uniaxial impact. In triaxial impact compression, the circumferential confining pressure has a strong restraining effect on the radial deformation of the specimen, which effectively improves the mechanical strength of the specimen. Below 600°°C, the peak stress change of granite specimens is relatively small, and the confining effect and impact velocity strengthening effect of confining pressure is stronger than thermal damage effect. Above 600 °C, the peak stress decreases significantly, and the thermal damage effect is stronger than the confining pressure strengthening effect. • Thermal treatment on mechanical properties for Beishan granite is tested. • The temperature damage mechanism is revealed by analysing the physical and mineral properties of Beishan granite. • 600 °C can be considered as the thermal damage threshold of Beishan granite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the environmental issues behind solar energy and green procurement (GP) have received increasing attention, industries still struggle to identify key barriers hindering GP and analyze the interrelationships among them. Most of the previous studies ignored the cognition uncertainty in assessing the barriers to GP, and failed to consider the impact of barrier strength on the interrelationships among barriers. This paper proposes a rough weighted method that integrates the advantages of DEMATEL (Decision-Making and Trial Evaluation Laboratory) and ISM (Interpretive Structural Modeling). Variable rough precision theory is introduced to control the cognition uncertainty and vagueness in assessing the barriers. This novel approach is then applied to analyze the interrelationships among barriers to GP in China's photovoltaic (PV) industry. The analysis results show that internal obstacles (e.g. company's unawareness) are more important than external obstacles (e.g. lack of legislation). However, external obstacles (especially weak incentive policies) should be solved first by policy-makers because internal obstacles are found to be caused by external obstacles. Finally, comparative studies are employed to prove the effectiveness of the proposed method. Further studies are expected to apply the proposed method to different industries and promote the development of GP. Image 10953 • Variable precision rough number is introduced to manipulate vagueness and cognition uncertainty. • The impact of barrier strength on interrelationships among barriers is considered. • A hierarchical structure of barriers and interactions among barriers is graphically presented. • The method is validated with a case study of photovoltaic industry in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]