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Online health monitoring of large complex equipment has become a trend in the field of equipment diagnostics and prognostics due to the rapid development of sensing and computing technologies. The purpose of this paper is to construct a more accurate and stable grey model based on similar information fusion to predict the real-time remaining useful life (RUL) of aircraft engines.

First, a referential database is created by applying multiple linear regressions on historical samples. Then similarity matching is conducted between the monitored engine and historical samples. After that, an information fusion grey model is applied to predict the future degradation trajectory of the monitored engine considering the latest trend of monitored sensory data and long-term trends of several similar referential samples, and the real-time RUL is obtained correspondingly.

The results of comparative analysis reveal that the proposed model, which is called similarity-based information fusion grey model (SIFGM), could provide better RUL prediction from the early degradation stage. Furthermore, SIFGM is still able to predict system failures relatively accurately when only partial information of the referential samples is available, making the method a viable choice when the historical whole life cycle data are scarce.

The prediction of SIFGM method is based on a single monotonically changing health indicator (HI) synthesized from monitoring sensory signals, which is assumed to be highly relevant to the degradation processes of the engine.

The SIFGM can be used to predict the degradation trajectories and RULs of those online condition monitoring systems with similar irreversible degradation behaviors before failure occurs, such as aircraft engines and centrifugal pumps.

This paper introduces the similarity information into traditional GM(1,1) model to make it more suitable for long-term RUL prediction and also provide a solution of similarity-based RUL prediction with limited historical whole life cycle data.

Attentional bias toward safety (ABS) is a positive safety cognitive ability that could encourage individuals to engage in proactive safety behaviors; however, there is a lack of systematic sorting out of the driving mechanism of ABS. This study aims to identify the influencing factors and underlying mechanisms of ABS among construction workers (CWs) in China, thereby enhancing the practice of construction safety management.

An exploratory study using the open-ended approach of grounded theory was conducted, including 25-depth interviews with CWs. Based on the interviews’ records, a scale for measuring CWs’ ABS was developed and an empirical study on 554 workers was performed. The ABS scale was validated in conjunction with an ABS modification training experiment published by the authors’ team, and the theoretical model of the driving mechanism of CWs’ ABS was obtained.

The results showed that the six driving factors of construction workers’ ABS include organizational factors, risk perception, safety awareness, safety investment, job stress and workers’ educational level. This paper also identified the critical approach to improving workers’ ABS as an effective intervention on risk perception. In addition, the ABS scale was found to be effective in measuring the ABS level.

This paper is of importance in reducing the unsafe behaviors of construction workers and preventing and promoting the sustainable development of construction enterprises.

The purpose of this paper is to use the framework of rule-based and relation-based governance to examine the evolution of governance environment in the East Asian region including China, South Korea and Taiwan.

Both qualitative and quantitative evidences are presented to demonstrate the paths these East Asian countries take in their transitions from relation-based governance to rule-based governance. Based on the framework, this analysis sheds light on the debate on whether East Asian economies will eventually move away from relation-based governance to rule-based societies.

The authors find that relation-based governance has helped East Asian countries achieve rapid economic growth in the early stages of their development. However, as the scale and scope of East Asian economies expand, continuing to rely on it may hinder their further development and therefore these countries should adopt a rule-based governance system in order to be efficient and competitive in the world market. While South Korea and Taiwan have made substantial progress in this transition, China has just embarked on the process.

This paper is among the first to systematically review the theories and evidence of the transition and the challenges East Asian countries face during the process.

A new beam-column ultimate strength calculation method has been developed and compared with nonlinear finite element analysis by ANSYS and ABAQUS.

A computer code ULTBEAM2 based on this method has been used for one and three span beam-columns with I-shaped cross-section under axial compression.

This paper studies the ultimate strength of beam-columns with various initial deflections of different shapes and magnitudes.

The comparison of ULTBEAM2 and finite element analysis shows good agreement for all cases with different initial deflections.

Propose a more comprehensive explanation on the determinants and fluctuations of China’s exchange rate policy in the past decade (2005–2015).

Case study on China’s exchange rate policies in three respective stages since 2005 and then a comparative study on these three stages.

Put forward a two-pronged explanation on the determinants and fluctuations of China’s exchange rate policy in the past decade and arrive at three specific conclusions. First, external pressure is only one factor among many influencing the formation of China’s national interests (Guojia Liyi in Chinese) and the decision-making process on exchange rate policy. Second, national interest is the fundamental driving force and substratum for making China’s exchange rate policy. Third, in the short term, the specific exchange rate policies in different periods were not always in accordance to the national interests (or Guojia Liyi), due to the influences of some factors on the decision-making environment.

The comprehensive view is conducive to better explaining the formation and fluctuations of China’s exchange rate policy and consequently contributes to understanding and even predicting future policies.

Depression and its symptoms negatively influence the health-related quality of life of patients. This paper aims to explore the occurrence of depressive symptoms and their relationship with health-related quality of life and sociodemographic characteristics.

It was a cross-sectional study conducted among patients attending the outpatient psychiatric clinics of two Nigerian hospitals. Data were collected using sociodemographic, PHQ-9 and 15 D questionnaires from a convenience sample of patients. Statistical Product and Services Solution Software (SPSS) version 21.0 was used to evaluate depressive symptoms, health-related quality of life, sociodemographic characteristics and the associations among them.

The mean depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life scores were found to be 12.118 ± 4.373 and 0.829 ± 0.141, respectively. The result showed a significant negative correlation (r = −0.318, p < 0.001) between respondents’ depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life. Patients with comorbid conditions reported a significantly higher level of depressive symptoms (p = 0.002) and lower health-related quality of life (p < 0.001). There was a significant difference in the mean health-related quality of life of the respondents across their level of education and marital status.

Depressive symptoms are a common occurrence in psychiatric conditions. This study provides an insight into the associations between depressive symptoms, socio-demographic factors and the health-related quality of life of psychiatric patients in a low-income country.

The authors study and compare the effects of three CEO compensation restricting policies issued by the Chinese government in 2009, 2012 and 2015. This paper aims to shed light on the conditions under which CEO compenstation can be effectively regulated without negatively affecting firm performance.

These policies targeted state-owned enterprises (SOEs), especially central state-owned enterprises (CSOEs). Using these policies as natural experiments, the authors investigate how their effects differ on CEO compensation, firm performance and two known performance-decreasing mechanisms: perk consumption and tunneling activities.

The authors show that restricting CEO pay does not necessarily backfire in terms of deteriorating firm performance. This non-decreasing firm performance can be achieved by restricting perk consumption and tunneling activities while introducing CEO pay regulations.

The authors exploit a powerful experimental setting in the context of China. The evidence contributes to the literature on CEO pay regulations and is relevant to the managerial decisions of policy makers and boards of directors.

The interbank market in China experienced remarkable squeezes in liquidity in 2013. In particular, the overnight Shanghai Interbank Offered Rate reached a historical high in June. Banks were unprepared, facing the occurrence of various liquidity demands simultaneously. Effects of the liquidity squeeze spread across markets, and concerns were expressed about the health of the banking sector in the world’s second largest economy. Yet the central bank of China maintained an unswerving view that the tightness of liquidity was only structural, and could be overcome by the commercial banks themselves. While it may be too early to judge whether the central bank was correct, or whether there is systematic liquidity risk in the banking sector, markets received a clear signal from the People’s Bank of China. The central bank stopped acting as a ‘perpetual put option’ for commercial banks and refused to take responsibility to satisfy liquidity needs in the interbank market. Its intention is clear; that is, to adjust monetary policy and support economic reform in China. The new Chinese government seems determined to steer a new course away from the previous growth episode. Its resolution has been published and actions have been taken. Among them, the central bank’s changes to monetary policy have received responses from the markets, and the People’s Bank of China is now in the vanguard of a battle to squeeze liquidity. It is difficult to predict what further actions the government will take. However, it should be aware that the driving force of economic reform in China comes from structural change and productivity improvement. Without follow-up policies, complication in the financial system could undermine the central bank’s effort and international capital flows may quickly substitute the opening position of the central bank in the interbank market. More wisdom is required if China is to win the battle for deleveraging and structural reform.

The purpose of this paper is to present a novel structure of 4H‐SiC bipolar junction transistor (BJT) to realize high current gain, high current gain stability, and high breakdown voltage.

A novel structure of 4H‐SiC BJT with floating buried layer in the base epilayer is presented. The simulation and optimization are done using the TCAD tool.

This novel structure is increasing the current gain effectively, at the same time, the current gain stability and breakdown voltage are higher comparing with the conventional structure.

The paper proposes a new “4H‐SiC FBL‐BJT” with high current gain, high current gain stability and high breakdown voltage.

China has showed its eagerness in using its economic strength in the very recent years. Is China going to be a major sanctioning state like the United States or the European Union? This chapter argues that although there have been an increasing number of economic sanctions imposed by China with its expanding national interests and growing diplomatic problems, China will still keep a low profile in using economic sanctions because of the restraining factors such as the WTO rules, inherent problems in its economy, the pursuit of a good reputation and its strategy of peaceful development. Thus the frequency and tactics of using economic sanctions may vary according to its rising economy and changing international situation, but that will go in a very limited way.