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This study aims to explore the relationship between different electric vehicle (EV) information sources and consumers’ psychological perceptions and purchase intentions for EVs. Based on the survey data from 1,311 respondents in pilot cities, the analysis results show that authority and peer sources are positively associated with economic, psychological, and environmental benefits and negatively correlated with financial, performance, and physical safety risks. Moreover, media sources are positively associated with the psychological and environmental benefits of EVs but negatively related to performance and physical safety risks. Beyond our expectation, media sources lack significant impact on financial risk and economic benefit. Furthermore, financial, performance, and physical safety risks are negatively associated with purchase intention; whereas psychological and economic benefits are positively related to purchase intention. Unfortunately, the relationship between environmental benefit and purchase intention has not been confirmed. Additionally, policy recommendations for the further promotion of EVs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using panel data for Chinese listed firms from 2009 to 2015, this research examines the impact of the green credit policy on the audit fees of heavily polluting firms by adopting a difference-in-difference (DID) model. The results show that the green credit policy increases the audit fees of heavily polluting firms, suggesting that auditors can perceive the risks imposed by the green credit policy on heavily polluting firms. Mechanism tests reveal that the implementation of the green credit policy increases audit fees by increasing the financing cost and reducing the loan maturity. Further research shows that the positive effect is more significant in regions with stronger regulatory environments and higher trust, and among firms without political connections and audited by the top-ten domestic audit firms. The Chinese government should actively encourage third-party financial institutions to participate in firms' environmental governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates whether pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs) in the workplace have a negative cross-contextual spillover effect on PEBs in a hotel context. The latter setting differs due to the privacy and hedonic nature of the hotel context and the disappearance of social pressures from the workplace. Furthermore, the contribution ethic and identity resilience are incorporated into the research framework to understand the negative cross-contextual spillover. The results reveal that workplace PEBs are negatively associated with hotel PEBs, and the negative spillover effect of low-effort workplace PEBs is smaller than that of high-effort workplace PEBs. PEBs in the workplace positively affect the contribution ethic, and the contribution ethic negatively affects PEBs in a hotel context. Notably, high-effort workplace PEBs have a greater positive impact on a person's contribution ethic than low-effort workplace PEBs. The negative cross-contextual spillover effect is contingent on identity resilience, and identity resilience positively moderates the negative relationships between workplace PEBs, the contribution ethic, and hotel PEBs. The findings offer hospitality scholars and practitioners a deeper insight into consumers' PEBs in a hotel context and provide guidelines on how to reduce the negative cross-contextual spillovers of PEBs in the workplace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To deal with environmental deterioration issues, various regulations and laws have been implemented by the Chinese government, including disclosing environmental governance information to the public to increase environmental transparency. This has not only affected the environmental governance performance but also residents' subjective well-being. This research aims to investigate whether, how and when government environmental governance information disclosure affects residents' subjective well-being in China. Data were gathered from 537 respondents and the analysis revealed that government environmental governance information disclosure exerts a significantly positive effect on residents' subjective well-being, mainly by reducing risk perception and improving perceived controllability. Furthermore, the result found that the positive influence of government environmental governance information disclosure on residents' subjective well-being depends on information credibility. Information credibility strengthens the effect of government environmental governance information disclosure. According to the findings, relevant recommendations to perfect government environmental governance information disclosure and improve residents' subjective well-being were provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gauging the extent of consumers’ willingness to choose electric vehicles rather than conventional vehicles has become increasingly important. Based on the push–pull–mooring framework, this study aims to examine how these three factors influence consumers’ intention to shift from conventional vehicles to electric vehicles. Based on 886 validated questionnaires from six pilot cities, findings reveal that push factors such as price consciousness and social influence are effective in convincing consumers to switch from conventional vehicles to electric ones. Moreover, pull factors, including perceived benefit and convenience, attract consumers to switch to EVs. In line with our expectations, mooring factors such as perceived risk and inertia have a negative effect on consumers’ switching intentions. Furthermore, perceived risk and inertia significantly reduce the positive effect of push and pull factors on consumers’ switching intentions. These findings provide important implications for China’s transition to low-carbon transportation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourists' pro-environmental behaviors are a prerequisite to the sustainability of tourist sites. Drawing from normative, ethical and cultural value perspective, this research aims to investigate the influences of social norms (e.g., injunctive norm and descriptive norm) on tourists' pro-environmental behaviors. This study further explores the mechanism and the boundary condition of the effects by testing the mediating effect of ethical evaluation (e.g., deontological evaluation and teleological evaluation) and the moderating effect of Chinese cultural values (e.g., collectivism and human-to-nature orientation). The survey data collected from 537 tourists showed that injunctive norm and descriptive norm pose no significant direct influence on tourists' pro-environmental behaviors but an indirect one via deontological evaluation and teleological evaluation. That is, ethical evaluation mediates the relationships between social norms and tourists' pro-environmental behaviors. Moreover, this research revealed that collectivism and human-to-nature orientation positively moderate the relationships between social norms and tourists' pro-environmental behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study attempted to investigate the impact of business strategy on corporate environmental information disclosure. We further explored whether the relationship between business strategy and environmental information disclosure is moderated by CEO power, industry competition, and government regulation. The research sample consisted of 1,530 firms listed in Chinese Stock "A" markets from the year 2013 to 2017. The results indicated that firms adopting prospector business strategy tend to disclose more environmental information. Besides, the relationship between business strategy and environmental information disclosure is strengthened when the CEO has more power, firms located in moderately competitive industries, and firms face more rigorous government regulation. Overall, this study provides specific policy implications for regulatory agencies and suggestions for the sustainable development of firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stabilization of growth and preservation of employment are the primary objectives of the current new economic normal. Investigating whether the low-carbon transition can be an opportunity or a shock for employment expansion in green development requires thorough examination. This study utilizes multi-temporal difference-in-difference (DID) models, analyzing comprehensive panel data from China (2007–2019) to assess the impact of the Low-carbon City Pilot (LCCP) policy on employment at meso-regional and micro-firm levels. Empirical findings robustly reveal that LCCP significantly boosts employment, with average treatment effects of approximately 0.548% and 5.892% at regional and firm scales, respectively. Positive impacts vary based on ownership, location, industry type, and energy consumption within enterprises. Notably, state-owned enterprises, those in the eastern region, engaged in secondary industries, and with high energy consumption experience pronounced positive effects. Mechanism analysis further reveals that LCCP boosts employment via promoting government environmental subsidies and expanding enterprise investment scale to create more jobs. These findings provide policy recommendations for further promoting low-carbon transition and expanding employment to achieve the win-win goal of sustainable development. • Low Carbon City Pilot Policies (LCCP) can promote employment both at the regional and firm level. • The role of LCCP is achieved via two channels. • The facilitation effect of LCCP varies across cities, firms and industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The design of grouting engineering in practice is either based on conventional soil mechanics or empirical procedures ignoring the effect of degree of saturation (water content). In this study, a series of laboratory-pressurized grouting tests were conducted on unsaturated sand to reveal the influence of soil water content on the grouting characteristics. With combination of direct shear tests at constant water content, water retention tests as well as microscopy observations, the mechanisms that controlling the strength and in turn the grouting characteristics in unsaturated sand were interpreted from the perspective of water–air interface. It was found that the non-monotonic phenomena of grouting characteristics (injectability and diffusion characteristics) with increasing water content were strongly dependent on the shear strength, which is influenced by the apparent cohesion induced by capillary mechanisms relating to the water–air interface. The threshold value of the injectability and diffusion pattern is corresponding to the boundary of the two transition zones (two different desaturation mechanisms) in the water retention curve. In the primary transition zone, the water phase is interconnected with air bulbs entrapped. With the drainage of bulk water in the large pores, the amount of water menisci increases, generating larger and larger surface tension force between particles. Therefore, less and less grout was injected as the bearing capacity and shear strength increase. However, in the second transition zone, with the drainage of menisci water, the menisci area of each pores decreases, inducing less and less surface tension force. Thus, more and more grout was injected as the bearing capacity and shear strength decrease. It is hoped that the work in this study will facilitate researching the grouting mechanisms in unsaturated soil, thus optimizing the grouting parameters in engineering practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Customer-to-Business (C2B) crowdsourcing logistics presents a viable solution to the last-mile delivery problem in e-retailing, offering new prospects for sustainable supply chains. In response to this trend, some digital online platforms have introduced eco-friendly delivery vehicles and launched green delivery services. However, merchants on the demand side often exhibit heterogeneous environmental inclinations, significantly affecting their preferences and choices for delivery vehicle types. To address this, this paper proposes a novel dual-system design comprising two parallel and independent matching systems, aiming to accommodate merchants’ diverse preferences through a flexible supply-demand matching mechanism. We subsequently develop a supply allocation optimization model for the platform based on queuing analysis and derive the optimal driver allocation strategy that maximizes platform profitability. A key finding is that market and individual environmental awareness exert opposite effects on the platform’s optimal allocation decision. Our proposed dual-system design achieves a harmonious balance between reducing carbon emissions and enhancing profitability, resulting in a 13.3% reduction in platform carbon emissions and a 17.7% increase in profits in the baseline scenario. Interestingly, government environmental propaganda may not necessarily contribute to reducing platform carbon emissions unless complementary measures are implemented to control excessive environmental premiums associated with green delivery vehicles. Our study provides valuable insights for promoting the behavioral operations management of crowdsourcing logistics platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes an experimental investigation of a newly developed driven and grouted soil nail (x-Nail), which combines the capabilities of a purely frictional driven nail and a compaction-grouted nail. The innovative design allows the x-Nail to be driven into the ground with a latex balloon attached that is subsequently used for compaction grouting. A grout bulb is thus formed at the driven end of the nail to improve its pull-out resistance. For compaction grouting, a special type of additive−mixed cement grout was used in this investigation because of its zero bleeding and high bond strength. A series of pullout model tests was conducted to examine the performance of the x-Nail compared to a purely frictional soil nail. It was found that more than 90% of the pullout force of the x-Nail was resisted by the expanded grout bulb and the end bearing resistance of the grout bulb increased with the increment of the injected grout volumes. The experimental results revealed that the pullout force of the x-Nail increased approximately 1800%, 1550%, 1200%, and 900% compared to the purely frictional soil nail for the injected grout volumes of about 350, 270, 220, and 170 mL, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, two series of physical modeling experiments, with and without a grouting process, were conducted under different grouting pressures to study the effect of compaction grouting on the performance of compaction-grouted soil nails. In addition, a hyperbola-based model was proposed to describe the variation of the pullout forces with and without grouting. Some of the main conclusions drawn are as follows. First, the compaction effect initially influences the mobilized pullout force, but not the final stage of pullout; the large difference between the two series of tests in regard to the pullout force at the initial stage led to the first part of this conclusion. However, the final pullout force results of the tests, both those with and those without grouting, were similar. Second, once the soil condition changes, the compaction effect on the performance of a soil nail depends on the grouting pressure rather than the diameter of the grout bulb. Third, the difference in the soil response (i.e., vertical dilatancy and the vertical and horizontal squeezing effects) derived from the compaction grouting effect will result in the initial difference in the increased rate of the pullout force between the tests with a grouting process and those without. Finally, a hyperbola-based model was proposed to describe the variation of the pullout force of the model tests with and without grouting, through which the pullout force is available of prediction for the given diameter of grout bulb and pullout displacement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement of technology, especially the development and application of artificial intelligence, has deeply affected the education sector and brought opportunities for pedagogical adaptation. Intelligent tutoring systems, a major application of artificial intelligence in education, have drawn extensive concerns. However, in reality, the penetration rate of intelligent tutoring systems and the enthusiasm of faculty to use are still relatively low. This research examined the determinants of the willingness of faculty to use intelligent tutoring systems. Innovation diffusion theory was the theoretical basis of this research and it was adapted by incorporating perceived trust and experience. To gather data, a cross‐sectional questionnaire survey was performed and structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data. The findings indicated that relative advantage, compatibility, perceived trust and experience are the contributing determinants of the willingness of faculty to use intelligent tutoring systems, while complexity has no significant effect. Meanwhile, complexity is significantly negatively affected by experience and compatibility. Relative advantage is significantly positively affected by perceived trust but not by complexity. Based on the research findings, relevant recommendations for encouraging faculty to use intelligent tutoring systems were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a latex membrane with a diameter of 50 mm and thickness of 0.5 mm is used to encase an injection hole. The gap between the membrane and the nail rod is fixed to achieve compaction grouting and to prevent fracturing and permeating; hence, a regular grout bulb is easily formed and locked into the soil matrix to provide a pullout force for a compaction-grouted soil nail. For this type of soil nail, two series of physical model tests for an embedded soil nail and a soil nail with a predrilled hole (the soil sample was moistened and could sustain the hole without collapsing during the placement of the nail rod) were conducted to study the influence of the installation methods on the performance of a compaction-grouted soil nail. The results of the two series of tests were compared, and some conclusions were drawn: First, the aforementioned installation methods for a soil nail had little impact on the mass of injected grout, whereas the shape of the cured grout bulb showed some differences based on the type of soil response. Second, compared with that of an embedded soil nail, the pullout force of a postplaced soil nail remarkably decreased because the hole drilled for installation led to a gap between the soil nail and the surrounding soil. In addition, the loss rate correlated with the grouting pressure (i.e., the diameter of the grout bulb). Third, because of the lower soil densification, dilation, and squeeze effect, a slower growth rate (with increasing grouting pressure) of the pullout force (i.e., resistance) was found for the postplaced soil nail relative to that of the embedded soil nail, during which the efficiency of the increasing pullout force decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tourists' pro-environmental hotel behavior has a significant effect on the sustainable development of tourism and hospitality industry. This study examined the effect of religiosity on tourists' pro-environmental behavioral intention in hotels and explored the underlying mechanism and boundary condition for this effect. Data from 519 Chinese tourists indicated that intrinsic religiosity positively and directly affected tourists' pro-environmental behavioral intention in hotels, while extrinsic religiosity had no significant direct effect. Intrinsic religiosity and extrinsic religiosity both indirectly affected pro-environmental behavioral intention via frugality consciousness and connectedness to nature. In addition, the impact of intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity on tourists' pro-environmental behavioral intention was contingent on environmental concern, which positively moderated the relationships among them. This research contributed to the pro-environmental behavior literature by providing a deeper understanding of how and when religiosity affects tourists' pro-environmental behavioral intention in hotels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Personal moral norms, waste sorting knowledge and incentive measures have been considered. • Personal moral norms and waste sorting knowledge positively affect waste sorting intention. • Incentive measures narrow the gap between waste sorting intention and behavior. Waste sorting is essential to address the current predicament of waste management. Though it is important, insufficient attention has been paid to explore residents' waste sorting intention and behavior and understand its formation process. To narrow the research gap, this research built a theoretical research model by adding personal moral norms and waste sorting knowledge into the theory of planned behavior to explicate residents' waste sorting intention and behavior formation process. Meanwhile, given the discrepancy between waste sorting intention and actual behavior, this research also explored the effect of external conditions, such as incentive measures, on this discrepancy. Based on survey data from 397 Chinese residents, this research found that attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, personal moral norms and waste sorting knowledge were directly and significantly related to residents' waste sorting intention. Waste sorting knowledge also had an indirect influence on residents' waste sorting intention through attitudes and perceived behavioral control. Additionally, this research corroborated the discrepancy between waste sorting intention and behavior, and suggested that the link between intention and behavior was contingent on incentive measures. Incentive measures strengthened the effect of intention on behavior. This research is useful for understanding residents' waste sorting intention and behavior and valuable for encouraging residents to sort waste in their daily lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A FORTRAN program, consistent with the commercially available finite element (FE) code ABAQUS, is developed based on a three‐dimensional (3D) linear elastic brittle damage constitutive model with two damage criteria. To consider the heterogeneity of rock, the developed FORTRAN program is used to set the stiffness and strength properties of each element of the FE model following a Weibull distribution function. The reliability of the program is assessed against available experimental results for granite cylindrical specimens with a throughgoing, flat and inclined fissure. The calibration procedure of the material parameters is explained in detail, and it is shown that the compressive to tensile strength ratio can have a substantial influence on the failure response of the specimens. Numerical simulations are conducted for models with different levels of heterogeneity. The results show a smaller load bearing capacity for models with less homogeneity, representing gradual coalescence of fully damaged elements forming throughout the models during loading. The maximum load bearing capacity is studied for various combinations of inclination angles of two centrally aligned, throughgoing and flat fissures of equal length embedded in cylindrical models under uniaxial and multiaxial loading conditions. The key role of the compressive to tensile strength ratio is highlighted by repeating certain simulations with a lower compressive to tensile strength ratio. It is proven that the peak loads of the rock models with sufficiently small compressive to tensile strength ratios containing two throughgoing fissures of equal length are similar, provided that the minimum inclination angles of the models are the same. The results are presented and discussed with respect to the existing experimental findings in the literature, suggesting that the numerical model applied in this study can provide useful insight into the failure behaviour of rock‐like materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local residents play an indispensable role in environmental conservation at tourist destinations. To facilitate the sustainable development of tourism, it is of great significance to identify how and when residents engage in pro-environmental behaviors. Based on the theory of motives, the analysis results from a survey of 566 local residents in Xidi and Hongcun of Southern Anhui suggests that the motivations (i.e., egoistic and altruistic motivation) have not only direct effects but also indirect effects via the resident-destination relationship variables (i.e., pro-environmental identification and pro-environmental commitment) on residents' engagement in pro-environmental behaviors. These findings predict the underlying mechanisms of the motivations to influence residents' engagement in pro-environmental behaviors. The results also present that the direct effects of the motivations regarding residents' engagement in pro-environmental behaviors are positively moderated by the pro-environmental climate, which shows the boundary condition of the motivations to affect residents' engagement in pro-environmental behaviors. Generally, this paper reveals how and when the motivations play roles in residents' engagement in pro-environmental behaviors, which provides important practical implications for tourism destination management. Additionally, this study focuses on local residents of tourist destinations, which broadens the research perspective of pro-environmental behaviors in the tourism field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smog pollution has received widely attention in recent years due to its negative effects. There is consensus that the motor vehicle exhaust emission is one of the sources of smog pollution and reduced private car use would significantly improve the air quality and alleviate the smog pollution problem. In this research, we aim to investigate how public smog knowledge and risk perception (physical health risk perception and mental health risk perception) affect public attitude and intention to reduce car use. A questionnaire survey of 334 randomly sampled respondents was designed to test these relationships. The results show that public smog knowledge is positively and significantly related to physical health risk perception, mental health risk perception, attitude and intention to reduce car use. Public smog knowledge has the largest impact on intention to reduce car use. Furthermore, physical health risk perception and mental health risk perception are positively and significantly associated with attitude and intention to reduce car use. In addition, the results also indicated that public smog knowledge is at a low level. Based on the results, implications and suggestions for future research were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The original discontinuous deformation and displacement (DDD) method is greatly refined using the statistical damage theory and contact mechanics. Next, a novel coupled method is proposed to model the continuous to discontinuous failure process of rocks. By hybridizing the finite element method (FEM) and discontinuous deformation analysis (DDA) method, the proposed method inherits the advantages of both and is able to provide a complete and unified description of rock deformation, crack initiation and propagation, and rock body translation, rotation and interaction. Moreover, to improve the deformation results and refine the stress distribution within the model blocks, finite elements are introduced into the blocks. The ability of an intact block to fracture is included as well, i.e., the deformable blocks that contain several finite elements may split into smaller blocks if the strength criteria are satisfied continuously. The boundaries of damaged elements represent newly formed joints, and sliding and opening may occur along these joints, i.e., mechanical interaction is allowed between adjacent blocks. The correctness and validity of the proposed method are verified through a series of benchmark tests. The simulated results are consistent with the analytical solutions, previous studies and experimental observations. Overall, the coupled method is an effective and reliable approach for modelling the entire rock failure process with satisfactory accuracy and shows considerable potential in geotechnical engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of large-scale model tests was conducted on compaction-grouted soil nails to study the influence of the degree of saturation on the soil response to compaction grouting and pull-out. The experimental results show that the initial degree of saturation of the soil strongly influences the grout injectability, thus the formed diameter of grout bulb. Subsequently, the diameter of the grout bulb alters the pull-out force, with larger grout bulbs generating higher pull-out forces and exhibiting greater hardening behaviour. Interestingly, the initial pull-out forces are the same for the same grouting pressure, regardless of the initial degree of saturation and the subsequently grout bulb. In addition, some of the main factors influencing the pressure grouting and pull-out of the soil nail, as the initial degree of saturation varies, are as follows. First, the variations in the soil pressure and density with the initial degree of saturation are similar to that of the volume of grout injected, and the compression of the soil induced by pressure grouting exhibits a similar evolution with the initial degree of saturation at different locations. Second, the initial degree of saturation of the soil sample plays a dominant role in the change in suction during pressure grouting and pull-out of soil nail. Third, the horizontal soil pressure derived from the pull-out of soil nail propagates closely in the soil sample of lower initial degree of saturation. The vertical soil pressure induced by the vertical soil dilation and squeezing effect varies in accidence with the initial degree of saturation and the grout bulb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pricing mechanism of battery recycling e-platforms is clarified. • Non-equalizing supply and demand are considered. • Platform revenue is more sensitive to commission rates than social welfare. • Social welfare is more susceptible to recycling prices. • Higher recycling volume implies a greater supply–demand imbalance. With the rapid advancement of electric vehicles (EVs), the burgeoning increase in used power batteries necessitates the development of efficient battery recycling e-platforms. A key challenge in this field is the mismatch between supply and demand. In response, a dynamic optimization model is proposed to capture the non-equalizing supply–demand relationship and its linkage over continuous periods to enable dynamic simulations and predictions of transaction volume changes. Meanwhile, pricing and commission-setting strategies are optimized based on the objectives of maximizing social welfare and platform revenue. The result shows that due to the lower recycling volumes that result, increasing the recycling price usually increases platform revenues, exacerbates environmental costs, and leads to lower social welfare. Moreover, platform revenues are more sensitive to commission rates than social welfare, which is more vulnerable to recycling prices. Furthermore, prioritizing social welfare leads to a higher recycling volume compared to prioritizing revenue, but it also creates an imbalance between supply and demand, destabilizing the recycling market. With the dynamic pricing and commission strategies, this study enriches the literature in the third-party recycling mode for power batteries, offering a novel perspective that is more aligned with real-world operational conditions. Our findings help platforms clarify the impact of pricing and commission decisions on platform revenue and social welfare and thereby provide support for their decision optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Employee's electricity conservation behavior in workplace is beneficial to reduce electricity consumption and carbon emissions. This research aims to analyze how normative (e.g., personal norm, subjective norm and descriptive norm), emotional (e.g., positive and negative anticipated emotion) and habitual factors (e.g., electricity conservation habit) affect employee's electricity conservation behavior in workplace. The research data were collected from 309 employees in four Chinese cities using a questionnaire survey. The results indicated that employee's personal norm, subjective norm, descriptive norm, negative and positive anticipated emotions and electricity conservation habit are all positively and significantly affect employee's intention to conserve electricity in workplace. Moreover, personal norm has the largest effect. The results also suggested that demographic variables (e.g., gender, age, educational level and income level) have no significant effects on employee's intention to conserve electricity. The current research highlighted the importance of normative, emotional and habitual factors and contributed to the research on employee's electricity conservation behavior in workplace. Based on the research findings, the relevant policy implications were proposed and recommendations for following research were discussed. Highlights • This research studied employee's electricity conservation behavior in workplace. • The effects of normative, emotional and habitual factors have been examined. • Normative, emotional and habitual factors have positive and significant effects. • Personal norm was found to be the most influential determinant. • Education and publicity campaign about electricity conservation can be launched. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study explores how information publicity affects waste separation intention. • A questionnaire survey is conducted to collect the research data. • Information publicity has a limited direct effect on waste separation intention. • Personal norm has the largest effect on waste separation intention. • Information quality positively moderates the effect of information publicity. Waste separation is beneficial to minimize the negative environmental effects of waste and to promote the recycling use of waste. Based on the norm activation model framework, this study mainly focused on examining how information publicity about waste separation affects resident's waste separation intention. A questionnaire survey was conducted in China to collect the research data, and the data were analyzed by using the structural equation modeling technique. The results indicated that resident's awareness of consequences of not separating waste is positively and significantly associated with ascription of responsibility, and both of them are positively and significantly related to personal norm. Personal norm is positively associated with resident's waste separation intention. Furthermore, information publicity has a direct and positive effect on resident's waste separation intention. However, the effect is relatively small. Meanwhile, it is worth noting that the effect of information publicity on waste separation intention depends on information quality. Information quality positively moderates the effect of information publicity on waste separation intention. The current study enriched the research on resident's waste separation behavior and highlighted the role of information publicity. Based on the results, policy implications about how to motivate residents to separate waste were discussed and the research limitations were pointed out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Changes in consumer behavior due to a personal carbon trading (PCT) scheme are theoretically attractive, yet untested in practice. In this paper, simulations on the basis of an equilibrium model are used to examine the effects of carbon allowance prices on energy use choice under a particular PCT scheme. It is shown that the equilibrium price of allowances would emerge under the PCT scheme considered here. Further analyses indicate that the quantity of energy consumption under PCT is a nonlinear function of the allowance price, with a sharp kink at the point of equilibrium. When the allowance price is below the equilibrium price, consumers would prefer higher-carbon energy. In contrast, when the allowance price is above the equilibrium price, consumers would choose lower-carbon energy. However, when the allowance price equals the equilibrium value, consumers would purchase lower-carbon energy and higher-carbon energy simultaneously. Furthermore, it is shown that the initial allowance allocation could also affect energy use choice. On the basis of these results, one of the main implications is that the allowance price should exceed the breakeven price to stimulate consumers to switch to green energy and progressively live a low-carbon lifestyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research is to explore the effect of environmental knowledge on consumers’ intentions to visit green hotels through consumption values. The research data was collected using the questionnaire survey. The results showed that environmental knowledge is significantly related to consumption values of consumers, which in turn has significant impacts on the visiting intentions. Moreover, this study also found that consumption values mediate the relationship between environmental knowledge and the intentions to visit green hotels. According to the results, the implications, limitations, and the directions of follow-up research were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Electric vehicles (EVs) have been regarded as one of the most promising green technologies to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption from the transport sector. Understanding and exploring the factors that affect consumer’s intention to adopt EVs is important. The main purpose of this research is to analyze the effects of consumer’s knowledge about EVs, perceived risk, perceived usefulness and current financial incentive policies on consumer’s intention to adopt EVs using an extended technology acceptance model. The model is empirically tested using questionnaire survey data collected from 320 consumers in China. The results shown that consumer’s knowledge about EVs is positively and significantly related to perceived usefulness, attitude and intention to adopt EVs, but negatively and significantly related to perceived risk. Perceived risk negatively affects perceived usefulness, attitude and intention to adopt EVs. Meanwhile, perceived usefulness has a positive effect on adoption intention and attitude, and attitude is also positively related to the intention to adopt EVs. However, the results also indicate that the financial incentive policy has no significant effect on intention to adopt EVs. In addition, the results also find that consumers lacking of knowledge about EVs and perceiving high risk of EVs could be the psychological barriers to their acceptance of EVs. Based on the results, policy implications for increasing the adoption of EVs and suggestions for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the presence of natural joints and weak interlayer interfaces in the rock mass, the rock mass will be damaged or even deformed to high degree under the action of dynamic loads such as strong seismic activity, resulting in significant engineering safety accidents and casualties. In light of the aforementioned dynamic issues with rock discontinuities, complete rock samples and interface rock samples containing cemented material (gypsum) underwent a series of SHPB impact compressive and splitting tensile tests. To investigate the dynamic properties and change laws of rocks, theoretical analysis, high-speed camera systems, and "binary method" fracture extraction technology were employed. It was concluded that the peak strength of impact tension and impact compression of the samples increased with the increase of strain rate in a power function relationship. The cemented material (gypsum) interface causes stress wave and energy dissipation to be attenuated. When compared to an intact rock sample, the interface causes the number, area, and transmission coefficient of the cracks to decrease, preventing further crack development. However, the initial position and development direction of the crack and the overall stress loading of the sample are not affected. When the energy input is too much, the rock crack gradually changes from peritectic to transgranular, showing that the dissipative energy increases and reaches the peak strength. The findings can serve as a guide and a point of reference for major projects involving joined rock mass and broken rock mass in terms of safety design and operation. Highlights: Peak strength of the rock sample increases as a power function of strain rate. Strain rate does not affect the initial position and development direction of the crack. The interface decreases the number, area, and transmission coefficient of the cracks. Cemented interface causes the stress wave and energy dissipation to be attenuated. Cracks will change from peritectic to transgranular as the input energy is too great. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the effectiveness of fracturing treatment, it is vital to understand how multiple fractures interact with each other. This study presents a fully coupled hydraulic fracture model that considers both Newtonian fluids and power-law fluids to investigate the effect of stress shadowing in different propagation regimes, from toughness- to viscosity-dominated, under limited entry conditions. The dimensionless parametric space for a plane-strain fracture driven by power-law fluids is outlined, and numerical analysis is performed in the parametric space to simplify the problem. Moreover, the numerical scheme for the coupled hydromechanical problem is verified by comparing the results to the existing analytic solutions. It is shown that the simultaneous propagation of multiple fractures is significantly influenced by the fracture propagation regime and cluster spacing. Fractures tend to grow uniformly in the viscosity-dominated regime, and the fracture reorientation can be observed if both the cluster spacing and stress anisotropy are small. In contrast, fractures propagating in the toughness-dominated regime tend to propagate in the opposite direction of the adjacent fractures to avoid each other, resulting in minimal overlap between fracture lengths. The influence of fracture propagation regime is consistent for Newtonian and power-law fluids. Additionally, as the cluster spacing increases, the effect of stress shadow decreases, and the behavior of each individual fracture resembles that of an isolated fracture. Highlights: A fully coupled hydraulic fracture model for studying the simultaneous growth of multiple fractures driven by Newtonian and power-law fluids is developed. A dimensionless parametric space for a plane-strain fracture driven by power-law fluid is established. The effect of fracture propagation regimes and cluster spacing on the simultaneous growth of multiple fractures is revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the shear-friction behaviour of concrete interfaces (joints) with rubber between concrete segments or rings from the perspective of experiment and theoretical analysis. A number of direct shear concrete specimens with and without rubber cushions were tested under conditions of different normal loads. The shear test results of the concrete interfaces without rubber show that the slip or shear displacements can be divided into elastic and perfectly plastic phases. The post-peak shear strengths hold almost a constant with increasing shear slip, which can be described by the Coulomb frictional law. However, when concrete interface is pasted with rubber, the slip failure behaviour of the interfaces under pressure-shear loads is more appropriately characterized by hyperbolic failure criterion. The shear tests of the interfaces with rubber show that rubber materials significantly reduce the shear strength of the interfaces, which indicate that thin rubber can accommodate the mechanical response of the tunnel concrete lining, particularly by reducing the stress level of concrete segments surrounding joints due to the rubber material pasted to the joints. An elasto-plastic constitutive model for describing the three-dimensional mechanical behaviour of concrete joint with rubber is developed and also verified by means of the shear tests of concrete joints with rubber mentioned above. The predictions by the present interface model are well in agreement with the shear tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on the word-of-mouth intention of consumers has received increasing attention in hospitality research. However, little research has explored the effect of green image on the word-of-mouth intention of consumers and how this effect was mediated by green satisfaction and green trust. Based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) framework, this research examined the relationship between green image and the word-of-mouth intention of consumers in the Chinese green hotel industry and explored the mediating effects of green satisfaction and green trust. Considering that Millennials (a large and influential generation born in the 1980s and late 1990s) are extremely concerned about green issues, more concerned about the environment than previous generations, and a powerful source of word-of-mouth about products and services, this research also examined the moderating effect of Millennials. The questionnaire survey method was used to collect data from 324 respondents with the help of travel agencies to test these relationships. The results indicated that the green image of green hotels strongly influences consumer green satisfaction and green trust, and consumer green satisfaction has a significant effect on green trust. The consumers’ green satisfaction and green trust are positively related to their intention to recommend green hotels to individuals around them. Furthermore, significant moderating effects of Millennials were found in all paths between the investigated variables in the proposed model. The results also showed that female tourists are more likely than male tourists to recommend green hotels. The implications of these findings were discussed, and limitations and future research directions were suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The unpredictable and instantaneous collapse behaviour of coastal rocky cliffs may cause damage that extends significantly beyond the area of failure. Gravitational movements that occur during coastal cliff recession involve two major stages: the small deformation stage and the large displacement stage. In this paper, a method of simulating the entire progressive failure process of coastal rocky cliffs is developed based on the gravity increase method (GIM), the rock failure process analysis method and the discontinuous deformation analysis method, and it is referred to as the GIM-DDD method. The small deformation stage, which includes crack initiation, propagation and coalescence processes, and the large displacement stage, which includes block translation and rotation processes during the rocky cliff collapse, are modelled using the GIM-DDD method. In addition, acoustic emissions, stress field variations, crack propagation and failure mode characteristics are further analysed to provide insights that can be used to predict, prevent and minimize potential economic losses and casualties. The calculation and analytical results are consistent with previous studies, which indicate that the developed method provides an effective and reliable approach for performing rocky cliff stability evaluations and coastal cliff recession analyses and has considerable potential for improving the safety and protection of seaside cliff areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cap-and-trade mechanism has a significant effect on firm's production and operation decisions and carbon emissions. This study develops a mathematical model to examine the effect of cap-and-trade mechanism on firm's production planning and emission reduction strategy. Based on the model, the firm's critical production planning decisions, such as the optimal production quantity, optimal allowance selling price and the maximum profit under the cap-and-trade mechanism are derived firstly. Then based on the cost-benefit analysis, the conditions under which the firm makes the optimal emission reduction strategy between buying carbon allowance from the carbon trading market and conducting low-carbon processing are identified. The result suggests that when the low-carbon processing cost is greater than the potential opportunity benefit, the firm is inclined to purchase carbon allowance from the carbon trading market, and vice versa. Finally, a numerical analysis is conducted to investigate the effects of relevant factors, such as carbon quotas, carbon emission rate, low-carbon processing cost and transaction cost on firm's production and operation decisions. The results indicate that under the cap-and-trade mechanism, the transaction cost has a positive effect on allowance selling price. The firm's optimal production quantity and maximum profit is positively related to carbon quotas, while negatively related to carbon emission rate and low-carbon processing cost. This research contributes to enrich related literature and knowledge with regard to carbon emissions reduction at the firm level and highlight the critical importance of cap-and-trade mechanism in reducing carbon emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the effects of urbanization and economic development on carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions in non-high income countries using the extended STIRPAT model. Following the building idea of the IPAT model, CO 2 emissions (I) are decomposed into nine factors: population, affluence, technology level, urbanization level, urban employment level, industrialization level, population carrying intensity of the real economy built on goods and services, CO 2 emission intensity and energy intensity. Then the extended IPAT model is reconstructed as the extended STIRPAT model. Furthermore, based on panel data from 1991 to 2013 and using the extended STIRPAT model, this article respectively analyzes the effects of the driving forces, especially urbanization and real economic development, on CO 2 emissions for non-high income countries, upper and lower middle-income countries. The results indicate that urbanization and real economic development have a small impact on CO 2 emissions in non-high income countries. Accelerating urbanization and real economic development will not result in a significant increase in CO 2 emissions. In fact, for upper middle-income countries, real economic development will lead to a decrease in CO 2 emissions, and acceleration of the urbanization process will only cause a small increase in emissions. The main driving factors of CO 2 emissions remain population, affluence, energy intensity and CO 2 emission intensity. This article also quantitatively calculates the actual contribution rate of each driving force for the 1991–2013 period. The study contributes to understanding the emission characteristics and key driving forces in each type of countries, allowing for appropriate policy recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electric Vehicles (EVs) have been recognized as a promising means to reduce carbon emissions from the transport sector. To promote the adoption of EVs, great efforts have been made and a series of policy measures have been introduced. However, the widespread adoption of EVs is likely to be insufficient. This study divides policy measures into three catalogs (i.e., financial incentive policy measures, information provision policy measures and convenience policy measures) and investigates how these policy measures motivate consumers to adopt EVs and how such effects are moderated by consumers’ environmental concern. The results of a survey of 324 respondents suggest that three catalogs of policy measures are positively and significantly related to EVs adoption intention, and convenience policy measures are the most important policy measures to promote EVs. In addition, the results indicate that consumers’ environmental concern plays a moderating role in the relationships between two catalogs of policy measures (financial incentive policy measures and convenience policy measures) and EVs adoption intention. Implications and suggestions for future research are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A model test was conducted for a newly developed soil nail, the result of which was compared to that of a 3D finite element method (FEM) simulation. The shape angle ( β ) and friction coefficients ( μ ) contributed to the difference in pull-out force between the model test and the simulation. Further verifications were conducted, during which the pull-out mechanisms of the soil nail for different β and μ were analysed. It was found that both β and μ have a positive influence on the pull-out force; β only affects the increase rate, while μ influences the overall pull-out force level. Three components were found to govern the pull-out force, with the component applied to the expanded cement bulk surface accounting for approximately 80% of the total. This study proves that the optimal approach for increasing pull-out force is to enlarge the diameter of the cement bulk rather than extend the nail length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate consumers’ intention to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) from the consumption value perspective. Drawing from consumption value theory, consumers’ value perceptions of EVs are classified into functional values (monetary, performance and convenience values) and non-functional values (emotional, social and epistemic values). We try to explore how consumers’ intention to adopt EVs is affected by these two groups of values and how such effects are mediated by their attitude towards EVs. Via a survey of car drivers in Hefei, China, 607 responses were obtained to empirically test the relationships. The results indicate that the perceived functional value have both direct and indirect effects on consumers’ intention to adopt EVs. While the perceived non-functional value have only indirect effects on the adoption intention, which is mediated by attitude. This research deepens the existing understanding of consumers’ multi-dimensional value perceptions towards EVs. In practice, the findings could provide sensible guidelines for making the marketing strategies and offer references for policy makers to enhance the operability and pertinence of current policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inhibitory effect of environmental protection interview (EPI) on air pollution is self-evident. However, the sustained effect of EPI is still controversial in current studies. Meanwhile, the mechanism of the effect of EPI on air pollution and the policy efficiency have also not been sufficiently explained. To narrow the research gap, this research explores the relevant issues using the time-varying difference-in-differences (DID) method based on panel data of 287 prefecture-level cities in China from 2010 to 2020. It is found that EPI reduces PM2.5 by 3.709 μg/m3 on average, and the curbing effect exists for 5 years after the policy implementation. Mechanism analysis shows that EPI reduces air pollution by raising the attention of local governments to environmental protection, promoting industrial structure upgrading, mobilizing public participation, and synergistic management of the threefold approach. Heterogeneity analysis further suggests that the reduction effect of EPI is more pronounced in regions with developed economies, poor resource endowments, and low levels of rule of law. The final analysis of policy efficiency indicates that the health benefits generated by EPI are 2.82 times greater than the economic costs of its application. • DID method is used to explore the effect of environmental protection interview. • Environmental protection interview can significantly reduced air pollution. • Environmental protection interview reduces air pollution through three channels. • The reduction effect of environmental protection interview varies across cities. • The cost of environmental protection interview is lower than its benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The frequent occurrence of seismic activity in strong earthquake areas has led to the serious damage of deeply buried underground engineering structures. In the face of numerous and densely distributed fault fracture zones, deep tunnels in strong earthquake areas are required to cross the faults, causing large deformations and even destruction. However, the seismic failure law of the fault-crossing deep tunnels under strong earthquakes remains unclear. In this study, we selected the Xianglushan tunnel engineering as the subject to perform a series of shaking table tests and numerical simulation tests. The peak acceleration, peak strain and peak displacement were selected to indicate the seismic deformation characteristics, as well as the catastrophic mechanism from a near-fault to a fault-crossing deep tunnel under different influencing factors. The results reveal the fault dips to exert the most markedly amplification effect on peak acceleration, peak strain and peak displacement. With the fault dip increased, the amplifying effect of peak acceleration and peak strain continued to decrease, while the deformation values of the tunnel lining gradually increased. The fault width and relative distance also exerted an amplifying effect on parameters such as the peak strain and peak acceleration. As the fault widths increased, the peak acceleration and peak strain of the fault became more pronounced. Under the influence of the relative distance, the seismic response of the fault reached its maximum at a relative distance of 10 cm. This work determined the relative peak velocity and relative peak displacement of the deep tunnel during the seismic failure, and proposed a stability assessment method. The results provide a guidance for stability analysis and safety assessment of the deep underground tunnels in strong earthquake areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dual-credit policy (DCP), introduced by the Chinese government in 2017, aims to establish a market-based mechanism for fostering the coordinated development of energy-efficient and new energy vehicles in the automobile industry through a credit trading system. This policy plays a significant role in promoting green technology innovation, thereby contributing to the low-carbon transformation of the transportation sector in line with the dual-carbon target. However, challenges related to policy design and substantial variations among automakers during the implementation process have cast uncertainty on the effectiveness of the DCP. To address this issue, this study examines the impact and mechanisms of the DCP on the green technology innovation efficiency (GTIE) of automakers by utilizing a sample of 18 Chinese A-share listed automakers from 2012 to 2020. The analysis employs a combination of the propensity score matching (PSM) and difference-in-differences (DID) approaches. The empirical findings indicate that the introduction of the DCP significantly improves the GTIE of automakers. However, the intensity of this effect diminishes over time. The promotion of GTIE is primarily achieved by alleviating automakers' financial constraints and increasing their management fund inputs. Furthermore, this effect is strengthened by customer concentration and supply chain concentration. Additionally, the study identifies certain enterprise characteristics that generate heterogeneity in the effects of the DCP, including enterprise ownership, region, and executive education background. The results reveal that the DCP has a more pronounced impact on private automakers, those located in eastern regions, and those with lower levels of executive education. • The PSM-DID method is applied to empirically examine the value of DCP implementation. • DCP has significantly improved the GTIE of automakers. • Exploring the potential channels for DCP working from three different perspectives. • Identifying three enterprise characteristics that determine DCP effect heterogeneity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban transport sector has become an important haze air pollution emitter due to the amplification of the gasoline-based vehicles which release amounts of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Regulating resident’s PM2.5 reduction behaviors related to vehicle use is an effective measure for PM2.5 emission control. The present study focuses on two types of resident vehicular PM2.5 reduction behaviors (taking public transportation and purchasing electric vehicles) and examines their key predictors and influencing mechanism based on the extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The data was collected from Chinese urban residents who lived in heavy haze areas. The results indicated that attitude, subjective norm and moral norm have positive effects on each vehicular PM2.5 reduction intention. It was highlighted that the differentiated perceived behavioral control components (self-efficacy and perceived control) and their moderating effects were inconsistent across two behaviors. Regarding to the behavior of taking public transportation, self-efficacy affected the intention positively and directly, while perceived control affected intention indirectly by moderating the relationship between subjective norm and intention. For purchasing electric vehicles, self-efficacy and perceived control didn’t affect intention directly. Instead, self-efficacy moderated the relationship between moral norm and intention, and perceived control moderated the relationship between subjective norm and intention. The results confirm the appropriateness of the extended TPB model in predicting resident intentions to participate in vehicular PM2.5 reduction behaviors. The conclusions would be helpful for policy makers to take effective measures to reduce PM2.5 emissions and mitigate haze pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xylans play an important role in dispersing and lubricating cellulose fibrils in lignocellulosic plant cell walls. However, the effect of acetylation on the dispersing and emulsifying properties of xylan is still unclear. In this study, we show that the natural degree of acetylation is vital to ensure xylan an excellent water solubility and emulsifying ability. Alkali extracted xylans were artificially acetylated to degree of substitution (DS Ac) between 0.12 and 2.00, while the DMSO extracted originally acetylated xylan (OAX) shows a DS Ac of 0.18. Artificially acetylated xylans (AX) with DS Ac value similar to OAX shows water solubility and emulsifying ability similar to those of OAX and the best among all the AX samples with different DS Ac. They demonstrate excellent emulsifying properties with an emulsifying activity of ~1.3 and an emulsion cream index of ~5 %. AX with the natural DS Ac value also demonstrates strong barrier effects in preparing lutein delivery emulsions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This paper intends to identify the safety and stability issues within quay structures, including scouring and hollowing, in the infrastructure for off-shore rubble bed. The three main research approaches are to combine 3D laser scanning technology, particle discrete element method and on-site experiments. The rubble bed model is established using the rigid block (Rblock) element in discrete element particle flow. Combined with the gradation generation method and the calibration of on-site tests, the influencing factors and evolution characteristics of vibratory compaction technique of rubble bed are then numerically investigated. First, the shape of the on-site stones is characterized using 3D mesoscopic extraction by 3D laser scanning technology.Statistics are used to examine the shape charactrization parameters of stone particles, and 3D mesoscopic characterization description and reconstruction techniques are developed for stone particles. Second, the 3D model of rubble bed is then built using the Rblock element in discrete particle flow, and the necessary model parameters are calibrated through a on-site vibratory compaction test. Additionally, the PFC3D program is used to study two types of influencing factors, namely the particle characteristics and vibration conditions during the vibratory compaction process of rubble bed. The results show how the riprap thickness, particle size, grading effect, vibration time, vibration frequency, and effective excitation amplitude affect the vibratory compactory properties of rubble bed. The functional link between various influencing factors with density degree and deformation modulus is proposed after combining experimental tests to examine the relevance between compaction parameters with density degree after vibration and deformation modulus. The suggested discrete element method can serve as a guide for vibratory rubble bed compaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge sharing between cooperative partners is the key to the success of cooperative innovation projects (CIPs). Understanding the knowledge sharing behaviour of cooperative partners is conducive to the development of cooperative innovation project management. From the perspective of cooperative partners, this study explores the effects of the status of cooperative partners on knowledge sharing behaviour, as well as the moderating effects of task complexity in CIPs. Based on a survey of 174 CIPs, the research results show that the status of cooperative partners has a positive impact on both explicit and tacit knowledge sharing behaviours. Meanwhile, task complexity positively moderates the impact of the status of the cooperative partners on explicit and tacit knowledge-sharing behaviours. Thus, this study provides a cooperative partner's subjective perspective on cooperative behaviour of CIPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic policy uncertainty (EPU) has a significant effect on firm decisions, especially corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure. This research examines the impact of EPU on corporate ESG disclosure, and tests whether this effect can be influenced by financing constraints and internal control using a sample of A-share listed firms in China from 2011 to 2019. The empirical results show that EPU positively affects corporate ESG disclosure. The positive impact of EPU on ESG disclosure is stronger at higher levels of financing constraints and internal control. The heterogeneity analysis further reveals that the positive effect of EPU on corporate ESG disclosure is more significant in state-owned enterprises, heavily polluting firms and those with a higher degree of marketization and industry competition. In times of rising EPU, firms will actively disclose ESG information to mitigate business management risks and reduce negative economic benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The consolidation behavior of ground with vertical drains is known to be greatly affected by the finite permeability of the sand drains, also called the effect of well resistance. However, up to now, no analytical methods have been reported for evaluating this effect on the nonlinear consolidation behavior of vertical drains. In this paper, by considering the nonlinear compressibility and permeability of soil during consolidation, the effect of well resistance was incorporated into the derivation of the equations that govern the nonlinear consolidation of a vertical drain with coupled radial–vertical flow. In addition, the smear effect was considered by assuming three decay patterns for the radial permeability coefficients of the soil toward the sand drain in the smeared zone. After obtaining the governing equations, a simplified analytical solution is derived for a general time-variable surcharge loading. Based on the general solution obtained, detailed solutions are provided for three special types of loading schemes: constant loading, single-stage loading, and multi-stage loading. The validity of the solution is verified by reducing it to several special cases and comparing these to existing solutions. Finally, the effect of the well resistance, the ratios of the compression index to the radial and vertical permeability indices, various loading schemes, and various variation patterns of the radial permeability coefficient of the soil in the smeared soil zone are investigated using parametric analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PCT (personal carbon trading) is a downstream cap-and-trade scheme used to reduce carbon emissions from the household sector. It is argued that the PCT scheme could provide a buffer between the energy price and the total energy price, and thus energy demand remains stable. However these effects have never been verified. To fill in this gap in the literature, a price effect analysis is conducted. Firstly, a GUO (general utility optimization) model is proposed to obtain the general formulae of the price effect, substitution effect and income effect under the PCT scheme. Secondly, a specific version of the GUO model, namely a Cobb–Douglas utility function model, is employed to obtain the specific effect formulae to verify the buffer effect. Finally, a numerical example and a sensitive analysis are presented to demonstrate these effects. The results indicate that, under the PCT scheme, the total energy price and energy demand are less sensitive to the energy price changes. Thus, when energy prices fluctuate, the PCT scheme is capable of providing certainty in emissions reduction and is more effective than carbon taxes. On the basis of these results, implications of this research are discussed and suggestions for future research are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY By incorporating the nonlinear variation of a soil's compressibility and permeability during the process of consolidation, an analytical solution for the radial consolidation of vertical drains has been developed for a general time-variable loading. The general solution was verified for the cases of instantaneous loading and ramp loading. Detailed solutions were further derived for two special loading schemes: multistage loading and preloading-unloading-reloading. The nonlinear consolidation behavior of a vertical drain subjected to these two types of loading schemes was then investigated by a parametric study. The results show that the loading rate, the ratio of the compressibility index to the permeability index ( Cc/ Ck), and the initial stress state have a significant influence on the consolidation rate. A smaller value of Cc/ Ck, a larger initial stress, or a fast loading rate always leads to a rapid consolidation rate. During the unloading period, a negative excess pore water pressure may occur, and a slower unloading rate may reduce this negative value. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The whole life cycle evolution process of roadway surrounding rocks of deep mines is the energy competition evolution process. Therefore, a "three-stage" stress path was proposed to obtain the energy evolution characteristics and impact damage mechanism of deep-bedded sandstone. Meanwhile, conventional triaxial loading and "three-stage" triaxial loading and unloading mechanical tests of deep-bedded sandstone with various bedding angles were conducted. The results show that: (1) within β ∈ (30°, 45°), the decay rate of the peak strength in the two stress paths was significant, (2) the failure degree of deep-bedded sandstone under "three-stage" loading and unloading condition (TLUT) was weak failure, but that under conventional triaxial loading condition (CTLT) was medium failure and strong failure, and the proportion of medium failure degree was relatively high, (3) there was a significant linear relationship among the peak elastic energy, peak strength, and peak strain; in addition, the linear energy storage law of rocks from the perspective of triaxial conditions was verified, (4) the accumulated energy in the tips of the weakest structural plane corresponding to the high stress concentration zone or high state gradient zone continuously impacted the low state gradient zone in terms of the "Energy Flow". Subsequently, the weakest structure plane was gradually and continuously expanded, and extension and connection accumulated and eventually resulted in failure. The obtained conclusions provide a theoretical basis for the stability control of deep roadways and the prevention and control of rock burst. Highlights: A "three-stage" stress path was proposed based on the whole life-cycle evolution process of roadway surrounding rocks of deep mines. Two triaxial mechanical tests of deep bedded sandstone were conducted. The evolution characteristics, competition mechanism and anisotropy of energy were elaborated. The failure degree of deep bedded sandstone was quantitatively determined. The weak structure - "Energy Flow" impact damaged mechanism was revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]