Jiaojiao Liu, Weidong Li, Qi Zou, Shuai Liu, Meng Wang and Jing Zheng
The Chinese government hopes to achieve the goal of benefiting citizens by building a National Integrated Online Government Service Platform (NIOGSP). However, citizens' low…
Abstract
Purpose
The Chinese government hopes to achieve the goal of benefiting citizens by building a National Integrated Online Government Service Platform (NIOGSP). However, citizens' low adoption of the platform makes it difficult for the government to achieve its goal. Research on the influencing factors of citizen adoption of NIOGSP can help the government fully understand the concerns and needs of its citizens and take targeted measures to increase citizen adoption.
Design/methodology/approach
First, this research builds a model of the citizen adoption process, including attention, retention and motivation, based on an observational learning model. Next, research variables are determined based on social cognitive theory, literature review and real-world needs. Finally, based on the questionnaire survey and structural equation model, the influencing factors of each stage of the citizen adoption process model are studied and the relationship between the three stages of the model is verified.
Findings
Results show that perceived usefulness (PU) and self-efficacy (SE) positively affect attention. SE positively affects retention, while perceived privacy (PP) negatively affects retention. PU, social influence, PP and anxiety positively affect motivation.
Originality/value
The conclusion of this study can provide reference for governments in various countries to establish and improve online one-stop government. In addition, this study verifies the citizen adoption process model and finds that there is no obvious causal relationship between attention and retention, but both have positive effects on motivation.
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Ding‐Rong Qu, Yu‐Gui Zheng, Xiu Jiang and Wei Ke
The objective of the present work was to study the influence of chemical compositions of five naphthenic acids (NAs) extracted from Liaohe crude oil on their corrosivity.
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of the present work was to study the influence of chemical compositions of five naphthenic acids (NAs) extracted from Liaohe crude oil on their corrosivity.
Design/methodology/approach
Fourier‐transform infrared spectrometry and electron impact mass spectrometry were used to characterize the chemical structures and compositions if five NAs. The corrosivities of the NAs were assessed by stagnant NA corrosion (NAC) tests. An attempt was made to identify any correlation between the chemical composition of the NAs and their corrosiveness.
Findings
The acidic species in all five NA samples were saturated aliphatic and naphthenic acids and the amount of aromatic and unsaturated acids was negligible. A relationship between the carboxylic acid distribution and the molecular weight was obtained. Most of the carboxylic acids in five NAs contained 0‐3 ring structures. NAs with lower molecular weight and fewer ring structures usually were more corrosive.
Originality/value
The findings have important implications for assessing the corrosivity of acidic crude oils from various resources.
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Huanchun Huang, Yingxia Yun, Jiangang Xu, Shizhen Wang, Xin Zheng, Jing Fu and Lintong Bao
Urban water bodies play an important role in reducing summertime urban heat island (UHI) effects. Previous studies focused mainly on the impact of water bodies of large areas, and…
Abstract
Urban water bodies play an important role in reducing summertime urban heat island (UHI) effects. Previous studies focused mainly on the impact of water bodies of large areas, and there is no analysis of the efficacy and scale effect of how small and medium-sized water bodies reduce the UHI effects. Hence, these studies could not provide theoretical support for the scientific planning and design of urban water bodies. This study aims to confirm, within different scale ranges, the efficacy of a water body in reducing the summertime UHI effects. We propose a scale sensitivity method to investigate the temporal and spatial relationship between urban water bodies and UHI. Based on the scale theory and geostatistical analysis method in landscape ecology, this study used the platforms of 3S, MATLAB, and SPSS to analyze the distance-decay law of water bodies in reducing summertime UHI effects, as well as the scale response at different water surface ratios. The results show that the influence of water surfaces on UHIs gradually decreases with increasing distance, and the temperature rises by 0.78 °C for every 100 m away from the water body. During daytime, there is a scaled sensitivity of how much water surfaces reduce the summertime UHI effects. The most sensitive radius from the water was found at the core water surface ratio of 200 m. A reduction of UHI intensity by 2.3 °C was observed for every 10% increase of the average core water surface ratio. This study provides a theoretical reference to the control of heat islands for the planning and design of urban water bodies.
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Jing Zheng, Chuan‐You Deng, Shao‐Min Cheng, Wen‐Ya Liu and A‐Tao Wang
The purpose of this paper is to examine the great contributions made by the American library expert, Mary Elizabeth Wood, to Chinese library development.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the great contributions made by the American library expert, Mary Elizabeth Wood, to Chinese library development.
Design/methodology/approach
As a pioneer of the modern library movement Mary Elizabeth Wood devoted herself to a Chinese library career. It was structured according to the following theme: setting up the Boone Library and introducing the modern American public library into China; establishing Boone Library School and initiating Chinese library science education; raising money and appealing for China's library development; helping forward the foundation of the Library Association of China; as well as promoting Chinese library intercommunion and cooperation with the West.
Findings
With the background of underdeveloped Chinese librarianship, Mary Elizabeth Wood introduced modern American public library spirit into China, opened the gate of Chinese library science, and promoted Chinese library science.
Research limitations/implications
The paper discusses the library history of China and the role of an American librarian in Chinese library history; thus, it should be of wide interest to researchers involved in library history.
Originality/value
Mary Elizabeth Wood devoted herself to a Chinese library career, and promoted Chinese library science greatly, but research on her is limited. This paper considers her contribution to Chinese library science.
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Simei Wen, Jing Zheng and Xiaoli Liu
The trade cost is a significant factor which restricts the trade potential between two nations. This paper aims to make a measurement of agricultural bilateral trade costs of…
Abstract
Purpose
The trade cost is a significant factor which restricts the trade potential between two nations. This paper aims to make a measurement of agricultural bilateral trade costs of China.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on Novy model, this paper makes a measurement of agricultural bilateral trade costs before and after China joining the WTO (1995‐2007).
Findings
This paper finds that China's agricultural trade costs with its five major trade partners have not got a pronounced downward trend during 1995‐2007. In ascending order, these are: Malaysia, the USA, Japan, Brazil and Argentina in 2007. Otherwise, there is an obvious corresponding relationship between the trade potential and costs of agricultural products, which is that high costs lead to inadequate trade. With a simple regression, distance and free trade agreement are found to be main factors influencing agricultural trade costs.
Originality/value
Based on the revised gravity model, this paper especially calculates the agricultural bilateral trade costs before and after China joining the WTO, which expands the understanding of trade costs in an industrial perspective. It can prove the agricultural market opening extent, and also help us to learn more about how China participates in the division of the world farm produce market.
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Peng Xue, Jie Zheng, Yue Xu, Haiyang Bao and Rui Zhang
This study aims to analyze the transmission characteristics of a long-period grating (LPG) fabricated on plastic optical fibers (POFs) and its refractive index (RI) sensing.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to analyze the transmission characteristics of a long-period grating (LPG) fabricated on plastic optical fibers (POFs) and its refractive index (RI) sensing.
Design/methodology/approach
The geometric optic method is used to analyze the factors affecting the transmission characteristics of an LPG on POFs. The RI sensing performances of unbent LPGs and U-bent LPGs fabricated on POFs with different diameters are evaluated experimentally.
Findings
This study shows that the transmission loss caused by LPG strongly depends on the structural parameters of LPG and the environmental RI. For the unbent LPG, the highest RI sensitivity of 1,015%/RI unit (RIU) was obtained in the RI range of 1.33–1.45. For the U-bent LPG without cladding, the highest RI sensitivities of 1,007 and 559%/RIU are obtained in the RI ranges of 1.33–1.40 and 1.40–1.45, respectively.
Originality/value
A geometric optic method is used to analyze the transmission characteristics for an LPG on POFs, and the RI sensing of the LPGs are studied experimentally. The results show the LPG has a good RI sensing performances and is with the features of low-cost, simple structure and easy fabrication.
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This paper aims to propose a liquid level sensor with a multi-S-bend plastic optical fiber.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a liquid level sensor with a multi-S-bend plastic optical fiber.
Design/methodology/approach
The principle of liquid sensing used is based on the leakage of higher modes out of the fiber and repeated regeneration in the following bend sections. Therefore, a propagation loss was introduced in every bend section of the fiber with the loss depending on the refractive index of the environment.
Findings
Therefore, a continue shift in the liquid level can be detected by observing changes in the propagation loss of the fiber. The sensor features compactness and a flexible resolution.
Originality/value
Compared with the exited ones, the sensor has capability of continue liquid measurement and a greater measurement range.
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The aim of this paper is to illustrate how scholars may adopt a multi‐method – not just multidisciplinary – approach on research on conflict management. Taking the Diaoyu Islands…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to illustrate how scholars may adopt a multi‐method – not just multidisciplinary – approach on research on conflict management. Taking the Diaoyu Islands as a case, the author draws on literature from management, political sciences, war, military studies, history, etymology and culture. In the process, the author deepens, enriches and expands the Thomas‐Kilman (T‐K) model for mapping out possible solutions in resolving conflicts: not just between people at workplaces but for between states as well. For instance, the author explains why the Diaoyu Islands conflict, if not amicably resolved may well lead to obliteration (integrated as part of the model) in resolving the conflict via a nuclear outbreak. Third World War may just be sparked off with Russia aligned with China against Japan and the USA.
Design/methodology/approach
Of all the issues in management, conflict management is the most culturally embedded. Through a multi‐method approach, the author illuminates the complexity of the Diaoyu Islands case. Literature from past empirical war studies are reviewed to suggest the geography of the islands (proximity, borderless, richness of resources) makes war highly probable. Past Chinese‐Japanese hatred (utilizing visual imagery), antagonism and guanxi are reviewed in exploring their impacts on outcomes (see model). Etymological research is attempted using English, Japanese and Chinese words, characters and pictograms that are related to concepts within the T‐K model. To better grasp how young Chinese feel towards the Diaoyu Islands and the Japanese, the author conducted some field research in Harbin, China. The continuing Chinese angst against Japanese is explained through war imagery: there remains in young Chinese an unquenchable thirst for exacting revenge on the Japanese. In a search to uncover ways of resolving the dispute, a further, extended study is undertaken on ancient Chinese pictograms: for example, whether a 5,000 years old Chinese concept of compromise zhe zhong (Graphic 1; oracular bones) or splitting into halves may be relevant. The role of time in conflict management is discussed in relation to the Diaoyu Islands.
Findings
By providing the WWII visual imagery as a backdrop to Chinese‐Japanese antagonism, the author explains to readers why the Diaoyu Islands is such a complex case to resolve. Also in his fieldwork, he highlights that the younger Chinese are as equally indignant about Japanese unethical grabbing, “thieving” behaviour. In their minds, such behaviour harks back to the blatant seizure of Manchuria and Japanese puppetry of Manchukuo. Through the Diaoyu Islands case, the T‐K model and theory of conflict management is broadened, enriched and enhanced. The paper illustrates how in conflicts that involve cultures are very different from the West, for instance very ancient civilizations like China and India, authors should take a multi‐method approach and explore the issues and search for solutions far more deeply.
Originality/value
Very few scholars seek to integrate the two streams of research in resolving conflict as illustrated through this paper: management and social sciences (e.g. political sciences, military and war studies). Conflict is about people and therefore integral use of multi‐methods needs to be used.
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Jing Yu, Jiawei Guo, Qi Zhang, Lining Xing and Songtao Lv
To develop an automated system for identifying and repairing cracks in asphalt pavements, addressing the urgent need for efficient pavement maintenance solutions amidst increasing…
Abstract
Purpose
To develop an automated system for identifying and repairing cracks in asphalt pavements, addressing the urgent need for efficient pavement maintenance solutions amidst increasing workloads and decreasing budgets.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was conducted in two main stages: Crack identification: Utilizing the U-Net deep learning model for pixel-level segmentation to identify pavement cracks, followed by morphological operations such as thinning and spur removal to refine the crack trajectories. Automated crack repair path planning: Developing an enhanced hybrid ant colony greedy algorithm (EAC-GA), which integrates the ant colony (AC) algorithm, greedy algorithm (GA) and three local enhancement strategies – PointsExchange, Cracks2OPT and Nearby Cracks 2OPT – to plan the most efficient repair paths with minimal redundant distance.
Findings
The EAC-GA demonstrated significant advantages in solution quality compared to the GA, the traditional AC and the AC-GA. Experimental validation on repair areas with varying numbers of cracks (16, 26 and 36) confirmed the effectiveness and scalability of the proposed method.
Originality/value
The originality of this research lies in the application of advanced deep learning and optimization algorithms to the specific problem of pavement crack repair. The value is twofold: Technological innovation in the field of pavement maintenance, offering a more efficient and automated approach to a common and costly issue. The potential for significant economic and operational benefits, particularly in the context of reduced maintenance budgets and increasing maintenance demands.