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This chapter reviews three main issues in the interactions between air transport and high-speed rail (HSR) in China, namely the interaction between low-cost carriers (LCCs) and HSR, HSR speed effect on airlines, and airline–HSR integration. Studies on these three aspects of airline–HSR interactions have yet been well reviewed, and our chapter aims to fill in this gap. In this chapter, we comprehensively survey literature on the topics, especially studies on Chinese markets that have recently witnessed major HSR developments (and have planned further large-scale HSR expansion in the coming years). Our review shows that, first, compared to full-service carriers, LCCs face fiercer competition from HSR. However, the expansion of HSR network in China can be better coordinated with LCC development. Second, HSR speed exerts two countervailing effects on airline demand and price (the “travel-time” effect and “safety” effect, respectively). Specifically, an HSR speed reduction can have a positive effect on airlines due to longer HSR travel time, but a negative effect on airlines due to improved perception on HSR safety. Third, airline–HSR integration can be implemented through cooperation between airlines and HSR operators and through co-location of airports and HSR stations and can have important implications for intermodal transport and social welfare.

This paper aims to explore the leaf-surface wax as green lubricant additive and compare the tribological properties between coastal and inland leaf-surface waxes of the same species plant.

The leaf-surface waxes were extracted from the leaves of Robinia pseudoacacia cv. Idaho and Populus nigra in coastal and inland areas, and then the compositions of the four kinds of leaf-surface waxes were characterized using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The tribological properties of these leaf-surface waxes as lubricant additives in the base oil of synthetic ester (SE) were investigated by an MFT-R4000 reciprocating friction and wear tester. As well as the surface morphologies and chemical compositions of the wear scars were characterized by a scanning electron microscope and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, respectively.

The results indicate that all the leaf-surface waxes as additives can effectively improve the friction reduction and anti-wear performances of SE for steel–aluminum friction pairs. Therein, coastal leaf-surface waxes have better tribological performances than inland leaf-surface waxes, which are attributed to that the leaf-surface waxes extracted from coastal plants can form a better protective film on the worn surface throughout the friction process.

This paper investigated a new kind of environmentally friendly lubricant additive and compared the tribological properties of the leaf-surface wax extracted from coastal and inland plants. The associated conclusions can provide a reference to explore the tribological performances of leaf-surface wax as green lubricant additive.

The aim of the study is to assess the extent to which Taoist philosophy offers thematic and ethical insights relevant to current global crises, including climate change, food insecurity, renewed conflict and increased authoritarianism.

A critical review of specific verses from the Tao Te Ching and research sources relevant to them is carried out.

Taoist philosophy, of ancient origins, is surprisingly relevant to modern crises. While not offering definitive answers, it does provide thematic and ethical insights for reorienting governance in more productive ways.

While there is a large literature on Taoist philosophy itself, there is a paucity of research articles on the modern relevance of Taoist philosophy to pressing current issues. The article brings together and assesses these sources, considering relevant research.

This paper aims to compare the Greek and Chinese rhetorical traditions and explore their influences on today’s business and marketing communication across relevant cultures. In particular, it uses the Aristotelian persuasive orientations as reference points to introduce the Chinese rhetoric, and interpret cultural differences in persuasion from a historical and sociocultural perspective. It has been found that Greek and Chinese rhetoric and persuasion were developed to meet the needs of the social and cultural environments and this rule still applies to today’s business communication. The logical approach has been emphasised in the English rhetorical tradition while both qing (emotional approach) and li (logical approach) are the focus of persuasion in the Chinese tradition. This difference is also the root of cultural differences in modern business communication. Findings from both English and Chinese texts and data are examined to substantiate our focal argument.