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The purpose of this paper is to identify the measures employed in the provision of patron services in Chinese academic libraries responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting the challenges and issues inherent in providing substantial services while undergoing a public health emergency.

This paper uses an analytical survey study of 137 Chinese academic libraries using data collected through a combination of website investigation, social media access and direct correspondences.

Over 94% of Chinese academic libraries released COVID-19-related information through their websites; the majority switched their service focus to partly or solely remotely online, including remote access, free electronic resources, virtual references reachable 24/7 and research support services deliverable online; services of print materials were altered to e-books for conveniences.

It should be noted that the survey was conducted from February 12 to April 5, 2020; because of the rapid updates to the library's website and social media channels, the status of their patron services are in the process of dynamic changes and that there should be many libraries that have adopted some patron service methods, but this study is difficult to cover comprehensively. In addition, patron services carried out offline by the surveyed libraries but not disclosed on the online platform could not be analyzed in a way that would be consistent with the data provided by the survey.

By providing evidence of the current status of patron services in Chinese academic libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study helps fulfill the scant empirical attention given to the impact of nationwide public health crises on academic libraries and offers new data of the best practices that help library administrators enhance the impact, efficiency and value of library services to their target community users.

The spatial–temporal conflicts in the construction process of concrete arch dams are related to the construction quality and duration, especially for pouring blocks with a continuous high-strength and high-density construction process. Furthermore, the complicated construction technology and limited space resources aggravate the spatial–temporal conflicts in the process of space resource allocation and utilization, directly affecting the pouring quality and progress of concrete. To promote the high-strength, quality-preserving and rapid construction of dams and to clarify the explosion moment and influence degree of the spatial–temporal conflicts of construction machinery during the pouring process, a quantification method and algorithm for a “Conflict Bubble” (CB) between construction machines is proposed based on the “Time–Space Microelement” (TSM).

First, the concept of a CB is proposed, which is defined as the spatial overlap of different entities in the movement process. The subsidiary space of the entity is divided into three layered spaces: the physical space, safe space and efficiency space from the inside to the outside. Second, the processes of “creation,” “transition” and “disappearance” of the CB at different levels with the movement of the entity are defined as the evolution of the spatial–temporal state of the entity. The mapping relationship between the spatial variation and the running time of the layered space during the movement process is defined as “Time–Space” (TS), which is intended to be processed by a microelement.

The quantification method and algorithm of the CB between construction machinery are proposed based on the TSM, which realizes the quantification of the physical collision accident rate, security risk rate and efficiency loss rate of the construction machinery at any time point or time period. The risk rate of spatial–temporal conflicts in the construction process was calculated, and the outbreak condition of spatial–temporal conflict in the pouring process was simulated and rehearsed. The quantitative calculation results show that the physical collision accident rate, security risk rate and efficiency loss rate of construction machinery at any time point or time period can be quantified.

This study provides theoretical support for the quantitative evaluation and analysis of the spatial–temporal conflict risk in the pouring construction process. It also serves as a reference for the rational organization and scientific decision-making for pouring blocks and provides new ideas and methods for the safe and efficient construction and the scientific and refined management of dams.

Librarians have been involved in collecting and disseminating statistics for many years. Utilising statistics to describe and assess the operation of library activities as a part of library tradition has received growing attention from researchers, policymakers, library managers, and professionals. However, few studies have investigated how statistics are used in libraries. This report compares directors’ uses of statistics provided by national agencies in the USA and China to highlight the differences and similarities between the ways in which the two groups of directors make use of statistics, and the statistical information that directors find particularly useful. The results are intended to provide library administrators with an insight of how library statistics are used in the managerial process, and may also help the national statistical providers to obtain an understanding of the characteristics and pattern of use of their products.

Librarians have been involved in collecting and disseminating statistics for many years. Utilizing statistics to describe and assess the operation of library activities as a part of library tradition has received growing attention from researchers, policymakers, library managers, and professionals. However, few studies have investigated how statistics are used in libraries. This report compares directors’ uses of statistics provided by national agencies in the USA and China to highlight differences and similarities of the uses the two countries’ directors make of statistics and the statistical information that directors find particular useful. The results are intended to provide library administrators with an insight of how library statistics are used in the managerial process and may also help the national statistical providers to obtain an understanding of the characteristics and pattern of use of their products.

In this paper, the authors aim to study the relationship between hydrogen embrittlement (HE) susceptibility and cathodic current density applied on the X70 steel girth welds.

The HE susceptibility of X70 steel girth welds were investigated through slow strain rate tensile test and observed and analyzed by optical microscope and scanning electron microscope methods.

The results show that HE susceptibility of X70 girth weld was basically unchanged with increasing of ion concentration while gradually increased and maintain at a specific value with the increase of cathodic current density. As for same ion content, a dense calcareous deposit layer generated on the sample surface in soil simulation solution with Ca2+ and Mg2+ resulted a decreased HE susceptibility while the porous calcareous deposit layer resulted a increased HE susceptibility.

A logistic regression model was established to describe the correlation between HE index and the cathodic current density.

This paper aims to investigate Cu/SnAgCu/Cu transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding with different thicknesses for three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC).

This paper includes experiments and finite element simulation.

The growth rate of the intermetallic compound layer during TLP soldering was calculated to be 0.6 μm/s, and the small scallop-type morphology Cu₆Sn₅ grains can be observed. With the decrease in thickness in solder joint, the thickness of intermetallic compounds represents the same size and morphology, but the size of eutectic particles (Ag₃Sn, Cu₆Sn₅) in the matrix microstructure decrease obviously. It is found that with the increase in thickness, the tensile strength drops obviously. Based on finite element simulation, the smaller value of von Mises demonstrated that the more reliability of lead-free solder joints in 3D IC.

The Cu/SnAgCu/CuTLPbondingwithdifferentthicknessesfor3D IC was investigated.

This paper aims to present a direct analysis to demonstrate why markedly different tensile and compressive behaviors of concretes could not be simulated with the Drucker–Prager yield criterion.

This study proposed an extended form of the latter for establishing a new elastoplasticity model with evolving yield strengths.

Explicit closed-form solutions to non-symmetric tensile and compressive responses of uniaxial specimens at finite strain are for the first time obtained from hardening to softening.

With such exact solutions, the yield strengths in tension and compression can be explicitly prescribed by uniaxial tensile and compressive stress-strain functions. Then, the latter two are further provided in explicit forms toward accurately simulating tensile and compressive behaviors. Numerical examples are supplied for meso-scale heterogeneous concrete (MSHC) and high-performance concrete (HPC), etc. Model predictions are in good agreement with test data.

Today’s China has striven to exclude street vendors through political campaigns such as “National Sanitary City” and “National Civilized City.” Such campaigns pursue modernity and beautiful urban spaces by deeming street vendors to be disorderly, unsanitary, and obsolete. Taking a single Chinese city as a case study, this research analyzes why and how local bureaucratic apparatuses apply rapidly-changing and ambiguous political treatment to street vendors. This research also examines street vendors’ struggles and coping strategies with these ever-changing politics.

The data for this study were obtained during a total of ten months of fieldwork, beginning in 2013 and ending in 2016. In-depth interviews were conducted with fifty-one street vendors and six government officials; additionally, the researcher consulted newspaper reports, archives, and relevant official publications.

First, regarding the governance of street vendors, the local administration has shifted their stance between two distinct patterns – suppression and tolerance – depending on the timing of certain political campaigns. Second, the corruption and laziness of government officials has provided niches for the revival of street vending after campaigns are over, though with limitations. Third, street vendors in China tend to be passive recipients of government suppression, unable to forge effective resistance because of a lack of strong leadership and general organization.

This research will add to the general understanding of the government-vendor relationship by revealing the complexity, uncertainty, and flexibility inherent in interactions between these two groups.

This paper aims to estimate the relationship between defect structure with gas concentration for use as a gas sensor. The change in defect concentration caused a shift in the Fermi level, which in turn changed the surface potential, which is manifested as the potentiometric response of the sensing element.

A new theoretical concept based on defect chemistry and band structure was used to explain the experimental gas response of a sensor. The theoretically simulated response was compared with experimental results.

Understanding the origin of potentiometric response, through the generation of defects and a corresponding shift in Fermi level of sensing surface, by the adsorption of gas. Through this understanding, the design of a sensor with improved selectivity and stability to a gas can be achieved by the study of defect structure and subsequent band analysis.

This paper provides information about various types of surface defects and numerical simulation of material with defect structure. The Fermi energy of the simulated value is correlated with the potentiometric sensor response.

Gas sensors are an integral part of vehicular and industrial pollution control. The theory developed shows the origin of response which can help in identifying the best sensing material and its optimum temperature of operation.

Low-cost, reliable and highly sensitive gas sensors are highly demanded which is fulfilled by potentiometric sensors.

The operating principle of potentiometric sensors is analyzed through electron band structure analysis. With the change in measured gas concentration, the oxygen partial pressure changes. This results in a change in defect concentration in the sensing surface. Band structure analysis shows that change in defect concentration is associated with a shift in Fermi level. This is the origin of the potentiometric response.

This article has been withdrawn as it was published elsewhere and accidentally duplicated. The original article can be seen here: 10.1108/01435129710166842. When citing the article, please cite: Yan Quan Liu, (1997), “National public library statistical systems and management: a comparison between the United States and the Peopleʼs Republic of China”, Library Management, Vol. 18 Iss: 4, pp. 189 - 195.