Bin Mei, Micah Ezekiel, Changyou Sun and Yanshu Li
Using a 62,742-ha working forest in New Brunswick, Canada, we examine the benefit and cost of carbon additionality at the landscape level.
Abstract
Purpose
Using a 62,742-ha working forest in New Brunswick, Canada, we examine the benefit and cost of carbon additionality at the landscape level.
Design/methodology/approach
The baseline scenario is set to maximize timber profit over a 100-year planning period, whereas the carbon scenario is set to have a 5- or 10-year rotation extension.
Findings
At a carbon price of $8/tCO2e, the benefit of additional carbon sequestration from the working forest cannot offset its cost. For the benefit-cost ratio to be one, the respective break-even price needs to be $21/tCO2e for the 5-year rotation extension and $25/tCO2e for the 10-year rotation extension.
Originality/value
This study analyzes the carbon additionality and economics of working forests at the 50–100 thousand hectare scale. Specifically, we examine the change in benefit and cost between a baseline scenario of timber management only and a scenario of rotation extension for both timber and carbon sequestration.
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Abstract
Purpose
Coal and power generation are related upstream and downstream industries. Coal price marketization and electricity price regulation have caused the price of coal to be sensitive to the benefits of generators. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
As a financial tool, contracts for differences can both help balance interests and reduce risks caused by spot price fluctuation. This thesis regards coal demand as a triangular fuzzy stochastic variable while directing a levelling consideration towards risk returns for coal and power enterprises that are involved in coal generation contracts for differences. Risk and benefit measurement models were established between coal suppliers and power generators, and risk and benefit balance optimization models for contract negotiation were constructed.
Findings
A numerical example showed that the above models can be effectively used to avoid the risks of coal-electricity parties.
Originality/value
This thesis regards coal demand as a triangular fuzzy random variable while directing a levelling consideration towards the risk return to coal and power enterprises that are involved with coal generation contracts for differences. The features of this thesis are the following: demand information is regarded as a fuzzy random variable instead of a random variable. With historical data, sales experience and increasingly clear macro-economic conditions, coal and power enterprises are able to make a fuzzy decision – to a certain extent – when the transaction approaches. Accurate market information enables the supply chain system to satisfy the clients’ needs better, improve the profit level or avoid severe financial damages; by developing a feasible set of contracts for different parameters, it is possible to estimate whether the price difference enables supply chain coordination, requires changes or gives accounts to all involved parties of the supply chain; and without the assumption that the traditional M-V rule is unfavourable to decision makers, this thesis proposes the prospect M-V rule, which involves decision makers’ projections of future coal generation prices and enables wide applicability of the response method to contracts for differences.
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Haiyan Wang, Jiayu Fu, Li Mei, Xiangrong Xu, Shanshan Xu, Zhixiong Wang and Ri Su Na
This study aims to obtain the speed and angle during safe and comfortable standing of elderly people. With the advancement of society, it is becoming increasingly difficult for…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to obtain the speed and angle during safe and comfortable standing of elderly people. With the advancement of society, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the elderly to sit-to-stand (STS) independently and comfortably in a safe and comfortable manner. Safety is essentially a prerequisite for the elderly to achieve a comfortable STS. The speed, angle and power of the STS process can all affect safe STS. From the standpoint of health-care delivery and administration, comfortable STS can be realized easily by addressing the safety issues during STS.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper summarizes the research progress on speed and angle during safe and comfortable standing of older people. The authors analyzed the speed and angle of the STS using the Vicon optical gait acquisition system and plantar pressure sensor to find the appropriate angle and speed thresholds.
Findings
The center of gravity movement is a prerequisite for the elderly to achieve a comfortable STS. The authors found that the standing speed during the STS process should not be higher than 103.8 mm/s so that the elderly can stand comfortably and safely (safe and dangerous speeds are 72.8 mm/s and 125.2 mm/s). The limitations of waist angle, waist angle speed and the acceleration are also obtained.
Originality/value
This paper analyzes and summarizes the research status of speed and angle during safe and comfortable standing of elderly people, which is essentially a prerequisite for the elderly to achieve a comfortable STS. These results can lay the foundation for the development of assistive devices and related technologies that meet the needs of older adults.
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This chapter examines the significant role of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain technology in fostering a sustainable economy in the metaverse. Blockchain allows the…
Abstract
This chapter examines the significant role of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and blockchain technology in fostering a sustainable economy in the metaverse. Blockchain allows the saving and transfer of decentralized and secure data. As a primary component of the metaverse economy, NFTs are distinct and secure virtual assets saved on the blockchain. These assets facilitate possessing, trading, and monetizing digital assets. These advancing technologies have also revolutionized the method by which creators and artists test and exchange their digital work, introducing a novel period of ownership and value in the digital realm. However, the negative environmental effects of some blockchain technologies constitute a considerable constraint, pushing a shift to a sustainable economy. Platforms like The Sandbox have implemented initiatives to address environmental concerns. As a case study, The Sandbox play-to-earn model with tokenized assets showcases its ability to create value and encourage user participation. It shows the ability of NFTs and blockchain to support a sustainable economy.
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This paper aims to find proper technological parameters of low-temperature joining technique by silver sintering to eventually use this technique for reliable electronic packaging.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to find proper technological parameters of low-temperature joining technique by silver sintering to eventually use this technique for reliable electronic packaging.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the literature and author’s own experience, the factors influencing the nanosized Ag particle sintering results were identified, and their significance was assessed.
Findings
It has been shown that some important technological parameters clearly influence the quality of the joints, and their choice is unambiguous, but the meaning of some parameters is dependent on other factors (interactions), and they should be selected experimentally.
Originality/value
The value of this research is that the importance of all technological factors was analyzed, which makes it easy to choose the technological procedures in the electronic packaging.
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Danqing Fang, Chengjin Wu, Yansong Tan, Xin Li, Lilan Gao, Chunqiu Zhang and Bingjie Zhao
The paper aims to study the effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure, shear strength and ratcheting fatigue life of nanosilver sintered lap shear joint. In addition…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to study the effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure, shear strength and ratcheting fatigue life of nanosilver sintered lap shear joint. In addition, the Gerber model is used to predict the ratcheting fatigue lives of nanosilver sintered lap shear joints at different sintering temperatures.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the nanosilver sintered lap shear joints were prepared at three sintering temperatures of 250 °C, 280 °C and 310 °C. The bonding quality was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and shear tests, and the long-term reliability was studied by conducting ratcheting fatigue tests. In addition, three modified models based on Basquin equation were used to predict the ratcheting fatigue life of nanosilver sintered lap shear joint and their accuracies were evaluated.
Findings
When the sintering temperature is 250°C, the nanosilver sintered lap shear joint shows the porosity of 22.9 ± 1.6 %, and the shear strength of 22.3 ± 2.4 MPa. Raising the sintering temperature enhances silver crystallite size, strengthens sintering necks, thus improves shear strength and ratcheting fatigue life in joints. In addition, the ratcheting fatigue lives of the joints sintered at different temperatures are effectively predicted by three equivalent force models, and the Gerber model shows the highest life prediction accuracy.
Research limitations/implications
The sintered silver bondline is suffering a complex stress state. The study only takes the shear stress into consideration. The tensile stress and the combination of shear stress and tensile stress can to be considered in the future study.
Practical implications
The paper provides the experimental and theoretical support for robust bonding and long-term reliability of sintered silver structure.
Social implications
The introduced model can predict the ratcheting fatigue lives of the joints sintered at different temperatures, which shows a potential in engineering applications.
Originality/value
The study revealed the relationship between the sintering temperature and the microstructure, the shear strength and the ratcheting fatigue life of the joint. In addition, the Gerber model can predict the ratcheting fatigue life accurately at different sintering temperatures.
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Yansong Tan, Xin Li, Xu Chen, Zhenwen Yang and Guo-Quan Lu
This paper aims to use nano-silver paste to design a new bonding method for super-large-area direct-bonded-aluminum (DBA) plates. It compared several frequently used bonding…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to use nano-silver paste to design a new bonding method for super-large-area direct-bonded-aluminum (DBA) plates. It compared several frequently used bonding methods and proved the feasibility of an optimized low-pressure-assisted double-layer-printed silver sintering technology for large-area bonding to increase the thermal conductivity of power electronic modules with high junction temperature, higher power density and higher reliability.
Design/methodology/approach
The bonding profile was optimized by using transparent glasses as substrates. Thus, the bonding qualities could be directly characterized by optical observation. After sintering, the bonded DBA samples were characterized by nondestructive X-ray computed tomography system, scanning electron microscopy equipped with an energy dispersive spectrometer. Finally, bonding stress evolution was characterized by shear tests.
Findings
Low-pressure-assisted large-area double-layer-printed bonding process consisting of six-step was successfully developed to bond DBA substrates with the size of 50.8 × 25.4 mm. The thickness of the sintered-silver bond-line was between 33 and 74 µm with the average porosity of 12.5 per cent. The distribution of shear strength along the length of DBA/DBA bonded sample was from 9.7 to 18.8 MPa, with average shear strength of 15.5 MPa. The typical fracture primarily propagated in the sintered-silver layer and partially along the Ni layer.
Research limitations/implications
The bonding stress needs to be further improved. Meanwhile, the thermal and electrical properties are encouraged to test further.
Practical implications
If nano-silver paste can be used as thermal interfacial material for super-large-area bonding, the thermal performance will be improved.
Social implications
The paper accelerated the use of nano-silver paste for super-large-area DBA bonding.
Originality/value
The proposed bonding method greatly decreased the bonding pressure.
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Dang Luo, Manman Zhang and Huihui Zhang
The purpose of this paper is to establish a two-stage grey cloud clustering model to assess the drought risk level of 18 prefecture-level cities in Henan Province.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to establish a two-stage grey cloud clustering model to assess the drought risk level of 18 prefecture-level cities in Henan Province.
Design/methodology/approach
The clustering process is divided into two stages. In the first stage, grey cloud clustering coefficient vectors are obtained by grey cloud clustering. In the second stage, with the help of the weight kernel clustering function, the general representation of the weight vector group of kernel clustering is given. And a new coefficient vector of kernel clustering that integrates the support factors of the adjacent components was obtained in this stage. The entropy resolution coefficient of grey cloud clustering coefficient vector is set as the demarcation line of the two stages, and a two-stage grey cloud clustering model, which combines grey and randomness, is proposed.
Findings
This paper demonstrates that 18 cities in Henan Province are divided into five categories, which are in accordance with five drought hazard levels. And the rationality and validity of this model is illustrated by comparing with other methods.
Practical implications
This paper provides a practical and effective new method for drought risk assessment and, then, provides theoretical support for the government and production departments to master drought information and formulate disaster prevention and mitigation measures.
Originality/value
The model in this paper not only solves the problem that the result and the rule of individual subjective judgment are always inconsistent owing to not fully considering the randomness of the possibility function, but also solves the problem that it’s difficult to ascertain the attribution of decision objects, when several components of grey clustering coefficient vector tend to be balanced. It provides a new idea for the development of the grey clustering model. The rationality and validity of the model are illustrated by taking 18 cities in Henan Province as examples.
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Yuhan Li, Qun Luo, Shiyu Zhao, Wenyan Qi, Zhong Huang and Guiming Mei
The purpose of this paper is to study the aerodynamic characteristics and uplift force tendencies of pantographs within the operational height span of 1,600–2,980 mm, aiming to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the aerodynamic characteristics and uplift force tendencies of pantographs within the operational height span of 1,600–2,980 mm, aiming to offer valuable insights for research concerning the adaptability of pantograph-catenary systems on double-stack high container transportation lines.
Design/methodology/approach
Eight pantograph models were formulated based on lines with the contact wire of 6,680 mm in height. The aerodynamic calculations were carried out using the SST k-ω separated vortex model. A more improved aerodynamic uplift force method was also presented. The change rule of the aerodynamic uplift force under different working heights of the pantograph was analyzed according to the transfer coefficients of the aerodynamic forces and moments.
Findings
The results show that the absolute values of the aerodynamic forces and moments of the upper and lower frame increase with the working height, whereas those of the collector head do not change. The absolute values of the transfer coefficients of the lower frame and link arm were significantly larger than those of the upper frame. Therefore, the absolute value of the aerodynamic uplift force increased and then decreased with the working height. The maximum value occurred at a working height of 2,400 mm.
Originality/value
A new method for calculating the aerodynamic uplift force of pantographs is proposed. The specifical change rule of the aerodynamic uplift force of the pantograph on double-stack high container transportation lines was determined from the perspective of the transfer coefficients of the aerodynamic forces and moments.
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Lan Li and Xingshan Zheng
Drawing on the self-concept-based theory, this study aims to consider subordinate moqi as a source of forming self-concept to develop a conceptual model to examine the…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on the self-concept-based theory, this study aims to consider subordinate moqi as a source of forming self-concept to develop a conceptual model to examine the relationships between subordinate moqi and employee creativity, including self-efficacy as a mediator and face consciousness as a moderator.
Design/methodology/approach
An online survey was conducted and 188 subordinate-supervisor paired samples were collected in China. This paper applied the multiple linear regression method to test the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
Results show that subordinate moqi is positively related to employee creativity, and employee self-efficacy mediates the positive relationship between subordinate moqi and employee creativity. Additionally, face consciousness moderates the positive effect of self-efficacy on employee creativity and the indirect effect of subordinate moqi on employee creativity via employee self-efficacy.
Practical implications
These findings suggest that employees, managers and organizations should foster subordinate moqi, especially for the managers whose subordinates have low-level creativity. Moreover, fostering subordinate moqi can enhancing employee self-efficacy and further promote employee creativity. Additionally, our findings show the moderating role of face consciousness. That is, face consciousness can be regarded as a management tool to inspire employees’ intrinsic motivation to achieve goal tasks. Especially in the Chinese context, the face culture is quite prominent.
Originality/value
The findings provide empirical evidence on how and when subordinate moqi promote employee creativity. This study enriches our understanding of subordinate moqi.