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Describes a new catalytic gas sensor which claims high stability and low‐consumed power by using extra fine wires of precious metals and the addition of a support stabilizer and pore‐making agents. Outlines the experiment methods and materials used, the principles of detection and the performance of the catalytic elements. Concludes that with the addition of a support stabilizer which makes the specific surface of the support decrease slowly during use, and a pore‐making agent which can eliminate the effect of the internal diffusion on the sensor, the novel catalytic sensor can be widely applied to the detection of damp gas in coal mines and various combustible gases on the earth’s surfaces.

Public private partnership (PPP), which has been operating in China for over 20 years. In addition, an increased focus on value for money in the public sector has led to a need to improve the efficiency of the management, delivery and effectiveness of public services, especially at the local level. This paper aims to examines the PPP system and the problems yet to be overcome at a time when China is seeking to widen the use of PPP in sectors as yet not open to it.

The paper examines the current PPP system in China and identifies the constraints facing it in the context of several models of bureaucracy arguing that these are as valid in China as they have been in the West.

The paper argues that there are five key constraints present in the Chinese PPP system and that these are fundamentally associated with risks of various types.

Extending PPP in China will require significant reform of public sector administration, closer supervision, transparent regulatory systems and easier access to capital for local private sector firms.

This paper should be of interest to both academics and practitioners in the field of PPP in terms of theoretical debate, key issues and the specific prospects for PPP in China.

The purpose of this paper is to propose an adaptive output feedback controller using wavelet neural networks with nonlinear parameterization for unknown nonlinear systems with only system output measurement.

An error observer is used to estimate the tracking errors through output measurement information, and the wavelet neural networks are utilized to online approximate an unknown control input by adjusting their internal parameters.

The controller integrates an error observer and wavelet neural networks with nonlinear parameterization into adaptive control design and is derived in accordance with implicit function and mean value theorem. The adjustment mechanism for the parameters of the wavelet neural networks can be derived by means of mean value theorem and Lyapunov theorem, and the stability of the closed‐loop system can be guaranteed.

This paper utilizes the nonlinear parametric wavelet neural networks with estimate state inputs to obtain the adaptive control input for nonaffine systems with only system output measurement, and the nonlinear wavelet parameters can be adjusted efficiently.

The stepped topography of the friction pairs mainly causes the fluid film thickness to change in the direction of motion. In this region, there have very few topographical design methods for continuous or non-linear distribution of the fluid film. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of the curved surface on the performance of the liquid film.

First, a numerical simulation is used to solve the optimal bearing capacity and friction coefficient of the liquid film under the condition of the minimum film thickness. Then, the curved surface described by the sinusoidal curve equation is applied in the transitional region of maximum and minimum film thickness. The bearing capacity and the friction coefficient of the liquid film are respectively simulated and compared in the same condition of the minimum film thickness.

The research results show that the liquid film using the curved surface transition model, the optimal bearing capacity is significantly increased by 32 per cent while the optimal friction coefficient is clearly reduced by 38 per cent in comparison with using stepped surface model.

The friction pair with curved transition enables better lubrication performance of the liquid film and better adaptability under unstable conditions.

This paper aims to examine how the official discourse of frugality evolved in China between 1979 and 2015.

The study uses historical and textual analysis. It divides the Chinese official discourse on frugality between 1979 and 2015 into four periods: 1979-1992, 1993-2002, 2003-2012 and 2013-2015.

A Chinese official discourse on frugality persisted between 1979 and 2015, even though during the same period, China transformed from a socialist economy of central planning and insufficient supply to a market economy of excessive supply and weak consumer demand. The intensity of this official discourse frequently vacillated, adjusting to both economic and political conditions of the time as part of the larger political-economic contestation between competing ideas and policies.

There have been calls for more studies on how frugality discourses have evolved in international markets, especially in terms of how they are shaped by local historical antecedents and long-standing tensions. Through the Chinese case, this article illuminates why some traditional values persist and obtain a paradoxical co-existence with consumerist ethos in our modern society.

This study aims to investigate whether eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) disclosure management solution improves public companies’ earnings release efficiency and mitigates earnings management.

This study adopts a unique survey data set from the Financial Executives Research Foundation 2013 to identify companies’ XBRL implementation strategies. Earnings release efficiency is measured by earnings announcement time lag. Multiple indicators of both accruals- and real activities-based earnings management are adopted to examine the research hypotheses.

The authors find that the disclosure management solution (DMS) XBRL implementation is positively associated with earnings release efficiency for companies with good news. The authors also find that DMS implementation strategy is negatively related to accruals-based earnings management, but positively related to real activities-based earnings management measured by abnormal cash flows.

The results of this study can inform regulators, investors and corporate management on how XBRL adoption is associated with corporate financial reporting.

The study contributes to the XBRL literature by providing empirical evidence on how the strategies adopted by companies to implement XBRL may affect the results of XBRL mandatory adoption.

The objective to achieve economic growth and sustainable development (SD) within the maritime industry has ever since been the ultimate goal of the International Maritime Organization and its stakeholders. Coupled with this effect, the United Nations organization has also mandated all its bodies to adopt sustainable working policies and practices towards the achievement of SD in its 2030 Agenda. From the standpoint of an emerging economy, this study aims to examine green maritime practices adopted by maritime authorities towards the achievement of SD in the maritime industry of Ghana. The proposed conceptual model of this study supports the natural resource-based view theory advocated by Hart (1995).

The dataset of this study was gathered using semi-structured questionnaires. A total of 635 valid responses were received as feedback which were tested and analyzed using partial least square structural equation modelling. The rationale for the adoption of this analytical tool is its resilient ability to handle a relatively small quantity of datasets. It is also suitable for empirical studies involving model development and at the early stage of theory development.

The findings of the study are as follows; firstly, quality maritime education and training directly and significantly influence green maritime transport (GMT), clean ocean and maritime resource conservation (COMRC), green port operations and services (GPOS), SD and waste management and treatment systems (WMTS). Secondly, GMT, COMRC, GPOS and WMTS have a direct significant influence on SD. Lastly, GMT, COMRC, GPOS and WMTS partially mediate the relationship between quality maritime education and training and SD.

This study proposes a conceptual model that attempts to explain to maritime authorities and stakeholders that although the adoption of green maritime practices significantly influences SD, yet, it may be insufficient without quality maritime education and training provided to maritime professionals. Hence, emphasizing that all maritime personnel receive quality maritime education and training to enhance the long-term achievement of SD in the maritime industry. It also attempts to prove and suggest to maritime authorities how they can collectively integrate both onshore and offshore green maritime practices to achieve SD.

The originality of this study shows in testing a conceptual model that affirms that, achieving SD in the maritime industry is dependent on quality maritime education and training received by maritime personnel, hence, demonstrating the significant role of maritime training institutions towards the maritime industry and the achievement of SD.

Risk perception is an essential factor affecting how individuals evaluate risk, make decisions and behave. The impact of risk perception on customer purchase behavior has been widely studied; however, the association has been debated. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between risk perception and customer purchase behavior and to examine factors that could moderate it.

This study conducted a meta-analysis of this relationship and examined factors that could moderate it. Six databases were comprehensively searched. Two reviewers independently selected the studies for inclusion, extracted data and assessed quality. Pearson's r was used as the effect estimate. A total of 33 studies were included in the meta-analysis.

The results revealed a negative relationship between risk perception and customer purchase behavior. The geographical region, purchase channel and country development level affected the relationship. The correlation between perceived risk and purchase behavior in European consumers was the highest, followed by the correlation in American consumers; the weakest correlation was found in Asian consumers. For consumers in developed countries, perceived risk had a stronger negative influence on customer purchase behavior than that for consumers in developing countries. The perceived risk of online purchase channels had a stronger negative impact on customer purchase behavior than that of offline purchase channels.

Risk perception is a useful context in which to explain barriers to customer purchase behavior. In addition, reducing consumers’ risk perception and perfecting the market transaction process with respect to buying behavior should be further studied.

The findings of this review indicate a direct negative relationship between risk perception and customer purchase behavior. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this review is the first to meta-analytically summarize the impact of risk perception on customer purchase behavior in social sciences research, and it also illuminates new perspectives for future studies.

As two essential styles of firm decision-making, the relationships among effectuation logic, causation logic and firm performance are unclear. It is helpful to deepen the understanding of reasoning theory and the process of decision-making. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between effectuation logic, causation logic and firm performance.

Based on 31 independent empirical studies (including 11,600 samples) published by predecessors, meta-analysis is used to systematically integrate the impact of two decision-making styles on firm performance and explore the potential factors affecting their relationship.

The results show a positive correlation between two decision-making styles and firm performance and the influence of effectuation decision-making style in firm performance is slightly stronger. However, the application environment is different: in the emerging market, the causation decision-making style is more effective for firm performance management. When the firm chooses the effectuation decision-making style, it is more effective for performance management in the emerging market. In addition, the industry type, firm performance evaluation tools, national development level and firm scale and firm age can significantly moderate the impact of two decision-making styles on firm performance.

Both decision-making logics are possible ways for firm to success. Still, the future needs to dig deeper into the black box that can unlock the decision-making styles to achieve firm performance or competitive advantage based on other factors of the decision-behavior-outcome business model, more longitudinal data and experiments.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore the impact of decision-making styles (effectuation logic and causation logic) on firm performance using a meta-analysis.