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This study aims to investigate how firms of different sizes respond to competitive pressure from peers.

This study employs machine learning techniques to measure competitive pressure based on management discussion and analysis (MD&A) documents and then utilises the constructed pressure indicator to explore the relationship between competitive pressure and corporate risk-taking behaviours amongst firms of different sizes.

We find that firm sizes are positively associated with their risk-taking behaviours when firms respond to competitive pressure. Large firms are inclined to exhibit a high level of risk-taking behaviours, whereas small firms tend to make conservative decisions. Regional growth potential and institutional ownership moderate the relationships.

Utilising text mining techniques, this study constructs a novel quantitative indicator to measure competitive pressure perceived by focal firms and demonstrates the heterogeneous behaviour of firms of different sizes in response to competitive pressure from peers, advancing research on competitive market pressures.

This study aims to analyze the roller dynamic characteristics and cage whirling of tapered roller bearing considering roller tilt and skew which provide a theoretical basis for the design and application of tapered roller bearing.

Based on rolling bearing dynamic analysis, the dynamic differential equations of tapered roller bearing are established. Fine integral method and predict correct Adams–Bashforth–Moulton multi-step method are used to solve the dynamic differential equations of tapered roller bearings.

Friction at the flange contact between roller and large flange is the chief factor of roller skew. In comparison to cone speed, axial loads have more visible effect on roller skew, and proper speed or axial load is beneficial to sustain cage motion and decrease cage instability. Under the combined effort of axial load and radial load, the distribution of roller skew is correlated to the roller-flange contact load. In addition, roller skew angle in loaded zone is larger than that in unloaded zone; hence, it is helpful for cage stability if an extent radial load is applied. The pocket clearance of cage has very small influence on roller skew; therefore, a reasonable pocket clearance is suggested to assure minimum instability of cage. Friction coefficient of flange contact has a large effect on roller skew, and cage whirl is found to demonstrate a circular orbit with increasing friction coefficient.

The dynamic differential equations of tapered roller bearing considering roller large end/inner ring back face rib contact under various lubrication states were established. The impact of flange friction working conditions and cage pocket clearance on cage instability and roller skew were focused on. It is the first time that the ratio of the standard deviation of the cage-center translational speed to its mean value is used to access the instability of cage in tapered roller bearing.

In modern China, sports and nationalism always have close connection, and nationalism is the important reason for the promotion of Chinese sports. However, the relationship between Chinese sports and nationalism in globalised China could be much more examined by academics, as well as its influencing factors. This chapter selects the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games as the context and representative three Chinese sports heroes in the period of globalisation to study. The findings show that in some extent, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and three Chinese sports heroes represent the national image of China in the globalised world, also bearing the burden of washing away historical humiliation and pursuing national glory. Furthermore, it is manifested that China have a complex nationalism in the process of hosting the 2008 Olympic Games. Under the influence of mass media, market economy and sports professionalisation, nationalism still exists in Chinese sports, but people gradually start to reflect on the ‘Juguo Tizhi’, the traditional Chinese sports system and the concept of ‘winning glory for the nation’. The relationship between Chinese nationalism and sports shows the important implications of rapid Chinese sports development.

Navigating in off-road environments is a huge challenge for autonomous vehicles, due to the safety requirement, the effects of noises and non-holonomic constraints of vehicle. This paper aims to describe a path planning method based on fuzzy support vector machine (FSVM) and general regression neural network (GRNN) that is able to provide a solution path for the autonomous vehicle navigating in the off-road environments.

The authors decompose the path planning problem into three steps. In the first step, A* algorithm is applied to obtain the positive and negative samples. In the second step, the authors use a learning approach based on radial basis function kernel FSVM to maximize the safety margin for driving, and the fuzzy membership is designed based on GRNN which can help to resolve the problem that the traditional path planning method is easily influenced by noises or outliers. In the third step, the Bezier interpolation algorithm is used to smooth the path. The simulations are designed to verify the parameters of the path planning algorithm.

The method is implemented on autonomous vehicle and verified against many outdoor scenes. Road test indicates that the proposed method can produce a flexible, smooth and safe path with good anti-jamming performance.

This paper applied a new path planning method based on GRNN-FSVM for autonomous vehicle navigating in off-road environments. GRNN-FSVM can reduce the effects of outliers and maximize the safety margin for driving, the generated path is smooth and safe, while satisfying the constraint of vehicle kinematic.

Recently, increasing importance has been given to electronic records in China, despite the lack of understanding that institutions and organizations have regarding the security status of electronic records preservation. Wuhan, the largest city in central China, serves as a case to investigate the preservation security of electronic records. Challenges to security are summarized, and solutions are proposed to support policy-developing and operational guidance. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

The Delphi method is applied to analyze the advice of nine experts, select survey items and design questionnaires. Data are collected from 34 archives in Wuhan through field surveys, oral interviews and e-mails, which are analyzed and illustrated with three representative cases.

Main achievements of electronic records preservation are concluded in the electronic records management system, carrier types and storage formats, and data backup. Problems are summarized as a lack of awareness and capability of defending against security risks, disaster recovery capability, and understanding of electronic record characteristics. Solutions are proposed as follows: carrying out regular security risk evaluation, adopting new technologies, implementing application-level backup, strengthening technology-related education and attracting more IT talent to join the archive discipline. In addition, it is critical to promote an understanding of the characteristics of electronic records.

This paper investigates the security status of electronic records in central China by surveys and case studies. Critical problems and corresponding solutions are raised to support policy-developing and operational guidance for the research and practice of all kinds of institutions that implement electronic records preservation.