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This paper aims to present a novel hybrid time integration approach for efficient numerical simulations of multiscale problems involving interactions of electromagnetic fields with fine structures.

The entire computational domain is discretized with a coarse grid and a locally refined subgrid containing the tiny objects. On the coarse grid, the time integration of Maxwell’s equations is realized by the conventional finite-difference technique, while on the subgrid, the unconditionally stable Krylov-subspace-exponential method is adopted to breakthrough the Courant–Friedrichs–Lewy stability condition.

It is shown that in contrast with the conventional finite-difference time-domain method, the proposed approach significantly reduces the memory costs and computation time while providing comparative results.

An efficient hybrid time integration approach for numerical simulations of multiscale electromagnetic problems is presented.

This study aims to investigate the effect of vapor phase corrosion inhibitor (VCI) imidazoline, quinoline and urea on E36 ship steel in simulated marine atmospheric environment.

The inhibitive effect was investigated by weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance and Raman spectroscopy.

The corrosion process was inhibited by adsorption of the three VCIs on the surface of ship steel. The corrosion inhibition mechanism is the adsorption film type. The corrosion inhibitor adsorbs on the metal surface to prevent Cl^- from reaching the surface of the substrate, so as to achieve the corrosion inhibition effect.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the work described was original research that has not been published previously and not under consideration for publication elsewhere, in whole or in part.

This paper explores the driving factors of parasocial relationship (PSR) in the virtual reality (VR) shopping environment, and how this relationship affects brand equity. The study also investigates the moderating role of the celebrity endorser dynamism (CED) in the relationship between PSR and its antecedents.

The primary data collection tool is a survey administered to Chinese consumers (n = 531) who have experienced the products of UNIQLO brand on Taobao Buy + platform, and who had a PSR with the endorser in their VR shopping process. Structural equation modeling is employed to examine the hypothesized relationships among all variables.

The findings show that VR shopping factors (i.e. physical attractiveness, social presence and technology novelty) perceived by consumers to affect PSR, and this relationship and brand equity are positively associated, while CED moderates the relationship between PSR and its antecedents.

This study sheds light on how PSR in the VR shopping environment can improve brand equity. It contributes to the theory of PSR and persuasion as well as marketing strategies. From a managerial perspective, guidelines are provided for firms to implement value communication activities using VR, and to increase their brand equity.

Although trading stamps were popular in the USA and are still popular in some countries, few studies have investigated why customers are willing to participate in the promotional campaign despite the inconvenience of accumulating and storing stamps. The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing customer participation in trading stamp campaigns.

Through an extensive literature review, a research model was proposed and its validity evaluated through structural equation modeling. An empirical investigation using a questionnaire survey was conducted among Taiwanese consumers.

The functional value of premiums and the enjoyment value of a campaign will directly entice a customer to participate, whereas a customer’s purchase intention will be enhanced due to the functional and emotional values of the premiums, social influence of the campaign and motivation to help others obtain premiums through gift-giving. However, the perceived effort to accumulate stamps will inhibit a customer from participating.

The possibility of sampling bias may limit the applicability of the findings.

Effective trading stamp campaigns can be implemented by the careful design of premiums to emphasize their functional and emotional values and by emphasizing enjoyment and social values of the campaign.

This study aims to pioneer the application of the consumption value model in discussing trading stamp campaigns to fill the gap in marketing research. Another goal is to help retailers design successful campaigns.

This article intends to explore the sustainability accounting practices that emerge from the business of artificial forestry in the Qingshui River society of southwest China in the 18th-19th centuries.

Using a historical approach, we set out to discuss the systematic use of “folk contract” as a tool of tracing accountability in timber trading and in the collective management of community forests in this region, based on the archives of Qingshui River Manuscripts.

The findings indicate that active transactions of small forest plots facilitated by the prevalent use of folk contracts allow both the landlords and the tenants to easily acquire cashflow needed any time before the harvest, and in turn prevent premature logging and deforestation for crop farming. An “open ledger” bookkeeping system emerged from the extensive contracting practices guarantees the functioning of a dualistic accountability system, where both market value of timbers and “face” value of community members' reputation are preserved for long-term sustainability of local economy, society and ecological environment.

From the perspective of economic anthropology, this study forms the link between the folk contract practice in sustainable forestry of the Qingshui River society and the emancipatory accounting literature.

The research of unmanned air/ground vehicle (UAV/UGV) cooperation has attracted much attention due to its potential applications in disaster rescue and target surveillance. This paper aims to focus on the UAV/UGV cooperative target tracking and enclosing, considering the limits of detection and sensor failures.

The UAV/UGV cooperation structure is designed, contributing to homogeneous consistency and heterogeneous communication. The target tracking of UAVs is converted into a constraint optimization problem involving tracking cost, and the target enclosing of UGVs is modeled as formation control.

The energy estimation pigeon-inspired optimization is developed to generate control inputs for UAVs. And the controller combined with switchable topology is proposed, where the switching rule is flexible in dealing with some emergencies.

The proposed structure and algorithms can be easily applied to practice and help design the UAV/UGV control system.

The energy estimation mechanism is proposed for the target tracking of UAVs, and the rules of switching topologies ensure the target enclosing process of UGVs.

With the analysis of the causes of corruption, this study aims to investigate specific anti-corruption measures that can be implemented to reform the political system and the social climate of China.

This study examines 97 severe corruption cases of high-ranking officials in China, which occurred between 2012 and 2015. As this insinuates that both institutional and social corruption are major problems in China, the analysis delves into multiple facts of corruption, including different types, four primary underlying causes, and suggestions regarding the implementation of three significant governmental shifts that focus on investigation, prevention tactics and legal regulations.

China’s corruption is not only individual-based but also it has developed into institutional corruption and social corruption. Besides human nature and instinct, the causes of corruption can be organised into four categories, namely, social customs, social transitions, institutional designs and institutional operations. For the removed high-ranking officials, the formation of interest chains was an important underlying cause behind their corruption.

This study makes a significant contribution to the literature because this study provides a well-rounded approach to a complex issue by highlighting the significance of democracy and the rule of law as ways to regulate human behaviour to combat future corruption.

This paper aims at assessing the role of authenticity of local food in contributing to tourism as an ecosystem service in a small mountain tourism destination, i.e. Alagna Valsesia (North-West of Italy).

A mix method approach has been adopted. The research has been carried out by using both CAWI (Computer Assisted Web Interview) and PAPI (Paper And Pen Interview) methodologies for surveys on the accommodation facilities managers and tourists. In addition, an analysis of electronic word-of-mouth platforms (TripAdvisor and Google) was implemented to understand more in-depth the local foodservice.

Findings show that Alagna Valsesia embodies its authenticity with the tradition of the local culture, characterised by natural heritage and Walser uses. Some tools are identified to improve the attractiveness of the tourist destination.

The main limitation of this study can be found in the study' application to a rather limited and geographically restricted area.

The results provided by this study can help local policy-makers in driving local policies and public funds in implementing ecotourism based practices.

Although the role of local food has been much studied in relation to the tourism sector, to the knowledge of the authors, this contribution represents a first attempt to analyse local food's role in terms of local food's crossover contribution to supporting cultural tourism.