This essay evaluates the behavioural dynamics generated by profit incentives and compares them with those in government-owned and charitable enterprises.Drawing on neoclassical microeconomics,agency theory,and institu...This essay evaluates the behavioural dynamics generated by profit incentives and compares them with those in government-owned and charitable enterprises.Drawing on neoclassical microeconomics,agency theory,and institutional economics,it shows how the profit motive drives cost minimization,allocative efficiency,innovation,and consumer responsiveness.Profit expectations,formalized in endogenous growth models,act as catalysts for technological progress and dynamic efficiency,while agency-theoretic governance mechanisms align managerial incentives with shareholder interests.In contrast,government-owned enterprises operate under multi-objective welfare functions,often constrained by soft budget expectations,political interference,and X-inefficiencies that dilute efficiency.Charitable organizations,structured by the non-distribution constraint,emphasize social trust,equity,and mission fulfilment,supported by warm-glow altruism but constrained by free-rider problems and underfunding.A comparative evaluation suggests that profit-driven firms outperform in competitive markets producing private goods,whereas government and charitable forms play essential roles in addressing market failures and providing public or credence goods.The analysis affirms the institutionalist principle that ownership and governance structures must be aligned with the nature of the goods or services delivered.展开更多
Building energy efficiency is a long-term strategy to achieve sustainable development, but the inconsistencies of main interests during the implementation lead to the need for government regulation in building energy ...Building energy efficiency is a long-term strategy to achieve sustainable development, but the inconsistencies of main interests during the implementation lead to the need for government regulation in building energy conservation. Implementation of building energy efficiency of government regulation covers three aspects of construction and involves relevant participators, so the paper analyzes interests and roles of the related subjects in building energy saving, explore the motivations and its conversion mechanism of each player, and dissect the game relationship of associated earnings of developers' and consumers' behaviors selection under government control. Finally, the paper proposes basic requirements of building incentive policies for related subjects under government control to regulate the main behaviors of subjects in building energy efficient buildings and achieve energy efficiency goals and balance of all parties' benefits.展开更多
The hottest topic now among Europe's automotive industry is CO2. The European Union has set the goal. By 2012, all Europe-based car makers would have to reduce the per car CO2 level to as low as 120-130g/km from t...The hottest topic now among Europe's automotive industry is CO2. The European Union has set the goal. By 2012, all Europe-based car makers would have to reduce the per car CO2 level to as low as 120-130g/km from the current 160g/km.展开更多
Evaluating urban land use efficiency(ULUE) provides insights into the interactions between land use systems and their external environment. Specifically, changes in ULUE are important for monitoring urban transformati...Evaluating urban land use efficiency(ULUE) provides insights into the interactions between land use systems and their external environment. Specifically, changes in ULUE are important for monitoring urban transformation in developing countries. In this study, using a traditional input-output index model, we incorporated slack-based measurements and undesirable outputs into a SBM-UN(slack-based measure-undesirable) model to investigate ULUE within the context of increasing environmental restrictions in China. The model was used to estimate the ULUE of 26 cities in the highly developed urban agglomeration of the Yangtze River Delta from 2000 to2018. The average ULUE in the Yangtze River Delta was relatively low compared to that of developed city regions in the European Union(EU) and North America and exhibited a U-shaped curve over the study period. Incorporating undesirable outputs, such as environmental pollution, into the model reduced ULUE by 19.06%. ULUE varied spatially, with the kernel density estimation exhibiting a bimodal distribution. Efficiency decomposition analysis showed that scale efficiency made a greater contribution to ULUE than pure technical efficiency. Based on our findings, recommended approaches to improve ULUE include optimizing factor allocation, reducing undesirable outputs, and increasing the effective output per land unit. The study suggests that ULUE and the SBM-UN model are useful planning tools for sustainable urban development.展开更多
Green development is an important issue of sustainable development in China.Due to the relatively backward economy and the fragile ecological environment,restricted development zones need to embrace green development....Green development is an important issue of sustainable development in China.Due to the relatively backward economy and the fragile ecological environment,restricted development zones need to embrace green development.Taking 38 counties in Jilin Province as the empirical research objects,and based on cross-sectional data for each county in 2005,2010,and 2015,we accurately depicted the spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics of green development efficiency(GDE)in restricted development zones of Jilin Province using the slacks-based measure-data envelope analysis(SBM-DEA)model.Moreover,the factors that influence GDE were further analyzed using the Tobit model.We found that:first,GDE showed a V-shaped trend in restricted development zones of Jilin Province.The differences in GDE in the eastern,central,and western Jilin Province increased gradually.Second,76%of counties in the restricted development zones had high or higher efficiencies.The resource-based cities were the main areas with low or lower GDE.Third,the economic development level was the core factor affecting GDE.Urbanization level had a significant negative effect on GDE in the restricted development zones.The effect of technological innovation level on GDE fluctuated,and we found that a‘backward mechanism’of technological innovation was beginning to form.Industrial structure and environmental governance had no significant effects on GDE.展开更多
Background： The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary restriction and subsequent compensatory growth on the relative expression of genes involved in volatile fatty acid transport, metabolis...Background： The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary restriction and subsequent compensatory growth on the relative expression of genes involved in volatile fatty acid transport, metabolism and cell proliferation in ruminal epithelial tissue of beef cattle. Sixty Holstein Friesian bulls（mean liveweight 370 ± 35 kg;mean age 479 ± 15 d） were assigned to one of two groups：（i） restricted feed allowance（RES; n = 30） for 125 d（Period 1） followed by ad libitum access to feed for 55 d（Period 2） or（ii） ad libitum access to feed throughout（ADLIB; n = 30）. Target growth rate for RES was 0.6 kg/d during Period 1. At the end of each dietary period, 15 animals from each treatment group were slaughtered and ruminal epithelial tissue and liquid digesta harvested from the ventral sac of the rumen. Real-time q PCR was used to quantify m RNA transcripts of 26 genes associated with ruminal epithelial function. Volatile fatty acid analysis of rumen fluid from individual animals was conducted using gas chromatography.Results： Diet × period interactions were evident for genes involved in ketogenesis（BDH2, P = 0.017）, pyruvate metabolism（LDHa, P = 0.048; PDHA1, P = 0.015） and cellular transport and structure（DSG1, P = 0.019; CACT, P = 0.027）. Ruminal concentrations of propionic acid（P = 0.018） and n-valeric acid（P = 0.029） were lower in RES animals, compared with ADLIB, throughout the experiment. There was also a strong tendency（P = 0.064）toward a diet × period interaction for n-butyric with higher concentrations in RES animals, compared with ADLIB, during Period 1.Conclusions： These data suggest that following nutrient restriction, the structural integrity of the rumen wall is compromised and there is upregulation of genes involved in the production of ketone bodies and breakdown of pyruvate for cellular energy. These results provide an insight into the potential molecular mechanisms regulating ruminal epithelial absorptive metabolism and growth following nutrient restriction and subsequent compensatory growth.展开更多
The Hainan Free Trade Port(FTP),with the launching of island-wide special customs operations,is allowing greater convenience for overseas goods to enter the island,trying to build it into an efficient hub connecting C...The Hainan Free Trade Port(FTP),with the launching of island-wide special customs operations,is allowing greater convenience for overseas goods to enter the island,trying to build it into an efficient hub connecting China with the rest of the world.Its core appeal no longer relies solely on policy incentives but has shifted toward transparent and predictable institutional guarantees which provide stable expectations for global investors.展开更多
The purpose of the comprehensive benefit evaluation of the existing building energy saving renovation project is to promote the healthy development of the energy saving reconstruction. Therefore, it is necessary to re...The purpose of the comprehensive benefit evaluation of the existing building energy saving renovation project is to promote the healthy development of the energy saving reconstruction. Therefore, it is necessary to reflect the value and function of incentive and restraint. The concrete embodiment is that: improving energy saving standard renovation of existing buildings, promoting the construction of energy efficiency labeling system, and strengthening the construction of government supervision system by the comprehensive benefit evaluation.展开更多
在碳达峰和碳中和背景下,工业园区综合能源系统(integrated energy system,IES)因其较高的灵活性和较低的碳排放受到了广泛关注。为降低工业园区IES的碳排放,并提高工业园区IES的经济效益,构建了考虑富氧燃烧捕集技术与电转氢(power-to-...在碳达峰和碳中和背景下,工业园区综合能源系统(integrated energy system,IES)因其较高的灵活性和较低的碳排放受到了广泛关注。为降低工业园区IES的碳排放,并提高工业园区IES的经济效益,构建了考虑富氧燃烧捕集技术与电转氢(power-to-hydrogen,P2H)技术合作以及需求响应机制的工业园区IES系统优化调度模型。首先,该模型通过对火电机组进行富氧燃烧改造来提高系统灵活性,降低火电机组碳排放;其次,通过引入P2H与富氧燃烧电厂合作,不仅提高了风光消纳量,也降低了富氧燃烧电厂供氧压力;然后,通过掺氢设备降低了能量转化过程中的损耗,实现了氢气高位利用;最后,通过引入需求响应,进一步提高IES的灵活性,降低碳排放,并基于此建立了该工业园区IES的最小成本优化调度模型。通过案例研究发现实际碳排放较碳配额低29.60%,验证了该模型的有效性,并分析了部分关键变量对工业园区IES的影响。展开更多
This paper investigates residential energy consumption in the UK by using a novel and topical approach based on behavioural analysis. A key lesson from recent advances in behavioural economics is that the responses of...This paper investigates residential energy consumption in the UK by using a novel and topical approach based on behavioural analysis. A key lesson from recent advances in behavioural economics is that the responses of individuals to both policy incentives and uncertainty may differ from the predictions of classical rational optimising behaviour. By employing a focused case study approach using both quantitative and qualitative response analysis, it considers the motivations of residential householders in the UK to reduce fossil fuel use, with additional perspectives from UK landlords, a global environmental NGO, a senior politician, and two senior stakeholder strategy managers from a large energy company. Our interpretative behavioural analysis shows that a variety of incentives are necessary to encourage behaviour change. However, case study participants largely agree on the beneficial role of government regulation and efforts to “nudge” them in the right direction with regard to their energy use. As a means of more effectively reducing carbon dioxide emissions, we conclude that policy should focus on sustainable energy use. The findings allow us to understand why important recent policy initiatives such as the UK Green Deal failed to achieve their objectives and they suggest lessons for more effective incentive based policy making in the field of residential energy consumption.展开更多
Energy efficiency is providing the same services consuming less energy.Less energy means less energy bill and less greenhouse emissions.Bhutan presents a unique scenario in promoting the use of energy efficiency equip...Energy efficiency is providing the same services consuming less energy.Less energy means less energy bill and less greenhouse emissions.Bhutan presents a unique scenario in promoting the use of energy efficiency equipment and investments.Bhutan enjoys availability of adequate low cost hydropower energy resource that is green and clean and enjoys cheap electrical energy.To aggravate the situation,the domestic tariffs are subsidized and even free up to 100 units in rural parts of the country.Export tariffs are determined independently according to entirely different principles.However for cooking,Bhutan imports LPG(Liquefied Petroleum Gas)from India.With increasing threats of climate change,it is reported water flow in rivers is decreasing.For energy security and related socio environmental issues,prospects of energy supply constraints and increasing demand of quality power in the country,there is a need to take appropriate policy measures which would lead to the development of indigenous,local and dispersed clean energy sources in the future.When a customer is asked to retrofit the house with energy efficiency,the owner questions oneself if the available investment resources are being directed to an effective return.Various criteria are available but all can not to be considered to come to a final decision.This paper presents an overview of many factors which affect energy efficiency investment in building in Bhutan.展开更多
We investigated the growth and body composition of Nile tilapia under five different feeding regimes. A control group was fed to satiation twice daily for 185 days; four treatment groups were fed at intervals of 2, 3,...We investigated the growth and body composition of Nile tilapia under five different feeding regimes. A control group was fed to satiation twice daily for 185 days; four treatment groups were fed at intervals of 2, 3, 4 or 7 days(dietary ‘restricted' period, days 0–80) and then fed to satiation(‘refeeding' period, days 80–185). Compensatory growth in weight and length of the feed-restricted groups was observed during the refeeding period. However, the growth of none of the restricted groups caught up with that of the control group over the experimental period. Feed intake upon refeeding increased with the duration of deprivation. There were no significant differences in feed efficiency between the restricted and control groups during the refeeding stage, suggesting that hyperphagia was the mechanism responsible for the increased growth rates during this period. Tilapia preferentially used n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and nonessential amino acids during the restricted-feeding period. Higher production was achieved by higher feed consumption. We suggest that if attainment of market size in minimum time is required, fish should be consistently fed to satiation, while taking care to avoid the possible negative consequences of overfeeding.展开更多
文摘This essay evaluates the behavioural dynamics generated by profit incentives and compares them with those in government-owned and charitable enterprises.Drawing on neoclassical microeconomics,agency theory,and institutional economics,it shows how the profit motive drives cost minimization,allocative efficiency,innovation,and consumer responsiveness.Profit expectations,formalized in endogenous growth models,act as catalysts for technological progress and dynamic efficiency,while agency-theoretic governance mechanisms align managerial incentives with shareholder interests.In contrast,government-owned enterprises operate under multi-objective welfare functions,often constrained by soft budget expectations,political interference,and X-inefficiencies that dilute efficiency.Charitable organizations,structured by the non-distribution constraint,emphasize social trust,equity,and mission fulfilment,supported by warm-glow altruism but constrained by free-rider problems and underfunding.A comparative evaluation suggests that profit-driven firms outperform in competitive markets producing private goods,whereas government and charitable forms play essential roles in addressing market failures and providing public or credence goods.The analysis affirms the institutionalist principle that ownership and governance structures must be aligned with the nature of the goods or services delivered.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 71171141)Post-funded Projects of Social Science Planning in Tianjin (Grant No. TJGLHQ1403)
文摘Building energy efficiency is a long-term strategy to achieve sustainable development, but the inconsistencies of main interests during the implementation lead to the need for government regulation in building energy conservation. Implementation of building energy efficiency of government regulation covers three aspects of construction and involves relevant participators, so the paper analyzes interests and roles of the related subjects in building energy saving, explore the motivations and its conversion mechanism of each player, and dissect the game relationship of associated earnings of developers' and consumers' behaviors selection under government control. Finally, the paper proposes basic requirements of building incentive policies for related subjects under government control to regulate the main behaviors of subjects in building energy efficient buildings and achieve energy efficiency goals and balance of all parties' benefits.
文摘The hottest topic now among Europe's automotive industry is CO2. The European Union has set the goal. By 2012, all Europe-based car makers would have to reduce the per car CO2 level to as low as 120-130g/km from the current 160g/km.
基金Under the auspices of the Project Supported by Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (No. BK20200109)the Open Fund of Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection,Ministry of Natural Resource (No. 2021CZEPK05)+1 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 42001225)the Project of Philosophy and Social Science Research in Colleges and Universities of Jiangsu Province,China (No. 2022SJYB0287)。
文摘Evaluating urban land use efficiency(ULUE) provides insights into the interactions between land use systems and their external environment. Specifically, changes in ULUE are important for monitoring urban transformation in developing countries. In this study, using a traditional input-output index model, we incorporated slack-based measurements and undesirable outputs into a SBM-UN(slack-based measure-undesirable) model to investigate ULUE within the context of increasing environmental restrictions in China. The model was used to estimate the ULUE of 26 cities in the highly developed urban agglomeration of the Yangtze River Delta from 2000 to2018. The average ULUE in the Yangtze River Delta was relatively low compared to that of developed city regions in the European Union(EU) and North America and exhibited a U-shaped curve over the study period. Incorporating undesirable outputs, such as environmental pollution, into the model reduced ULUE by 19.06%. ULUE varied spatially, with the kernel density estimation exhibiting a bimodal distribution. Efficiency decomposition analysis showed that scale efficiency made a greater contribution to ULUE than pure technical efficiency. Based on our findings, recommended approaches to improve ULUE include optimizing factor allocation, reducing undesirable outputs, and increasing the effective output per land unit. The study suggests that ULUE and the SBM-UN model are useful planning tools for sustainable urban development.
基金Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.41771138,41801105)。
文摘Green development is an important issue of sustainable development in China.Due to the relatively backward economy and the fragile ecological environment,restricted development zones need to embrace green development.Taking 38 counties in Jilin Province as the empirical research objects,and based on cross-sectional data for each county in 2005,2010,and 2015,we accurately depicted the spatiotemporal evolutionary characteristics of green development efficiency(GDE)in restricted development zones of Jilin Province using the slacks-based measure-data envelope analysis(SBM-DEA)model.Moreover,the factors that influence GDE were further analyzed using the Tobit model.We found that:first,GDE showed a V-shaped trend in restricted development zones of Jilin Province.The differences in GDE in the eastern,central,and western Jilin Province increased gradually.Second,76%of counties in the restricted development zones had high or higher efficiencies.The resource-based cities were the main areas with low or lower GDE.Third,the economic development level was the core factor affecting GDE.Urbanization level had a significant negative effect on GDE in the restricted development zones.The effect of technological innovation level on GDE fluctuated,and we found that a‘backward mechanism’of technological innovation was beginning to form.Industrial structure and environmental governance had no significant effects on GDE.
基金funded through Science Foundation Ireland(SFI)contract no 09/RFP/GEN2447
文摘Background： The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary restriction and subsequent compensatory growth on the relative expression of genes involved in volatile fatty acid transport, metabolism and cell proliferation in ruminal epithelial tissue of beef cattle. Sixty Holstein Friesian bulls（mean liveweight 370 ± 35 kg;mean age 479 ± 15 d） were assigned to one of two groups：（i） restricted feed allowance（RES; n = 30） for 125 d（Period 1） followed by ad libitum access to feed for 55 d（Period 2） or（ii） ad libitum access to feed throughout（ADLIB; n = 30）. Target growth rate for RES was 0.6 kg/d during Period 1. At the end of each dietary period, 15 animals from each treatment group were slaughtered and ruminal epithelial tissue and liquid digesta harvested from the ventral sac of the rumen. Real-time q PCR was used to quantify m RNA transcripts of 26 genes associated with ruminal epithelial function. Volatile fatty acid analysis of rumen fluid from individual animals was conducted using gas chromatography.Results： Diet × period interactions were evident for genes involved in ketogenesis（BDH2, P = 0.017）, pyruvate metabolism（LDHa, P = 0.048; PDHA1, P = 0.015） and cellular transport and structure（DSG1, P = 0.019; CACT, P = 0.027）. Ruminal concentrations of propionic acid（P = 0.018） and n-valeric acid（P = 0.029） were lower in RES animals, compared with ADLIB, throughout the experiment. There was also a strong tendency（P = 0.064）toward a diet × period interaction for n-butyric with higher concentrations in RES animals, compared with ADLIB, during Period 1.Conclusions： These data suggest that following nutrient restriction, the structural integrity of the rumen wall is compromised and there is upregulation of genes involved in the production of ketone bodies and breakdown of pyruvate for cellular energy. These results provide an insight into the potential molecular mechanisms regulating ruminal epithelial absorptive metabolism and growth following nutrient restriction and subsequent compensatory growth.
文摘The Hainan Free Trade Port(FTP),with the launching of island-wide special customs operations,is allowing greater convenience for overseas goods to enter the island,trying to build it into an efficient hub connecting China with the rest of the world.Its core appeal no longer relies solely on policy incentives but has shifted toward transparent and predictable institutional guarantees which provide stable expectations for global investors.
基金supported by Nature Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 71171141)Soft Science Research Project of MOE (Grant No. 2013-R1-14)Social Science Planning Project in Tianjin City (Grant No. TJGLHQ1403)
文摘The purpose of the comprehensive benefit evaluation of the existing building energy saving renovation project is to promote the healthy development of the energy saving reconstruction. Therefore, it is necessary to reflect the value and function of incentive and restraint. The concrete embodiment is that: improving energy saving standard renovation of existing buildings, promoting the construction of energy efficiency labeling system, and strengthening the construction of government supervision system by the comprehensive benefit evaluation.
文摘在碳达峰和碳中和背景下,工业园区综合能源系统(integrated energy system,IES)因其较高的灵活性和较低的碳排放受到了广泛关注。为降低工业园区IES的碳排放,并提高工业园区IES的经济效益,构建了考虑富氧燃烧捕集技术与电转氢(power-to-hydrogen,P2H)技术合作以及需求响应机制的工业园区IES系统优化调度模型。首先,该模型通过对火电机组进行富氧燃烧改造来提高系统灵活性,降低火电机组碳排放;其次,通过引入P2H与富氧燃烧电厂合作,不仅提高了风光消纳量,也降低了富氧燃烧电厂供氧压力;然后,通过掺氢设备降低了能量转化过程中的损耗,实现了氢气高位利用;最后,通过引入需求响应,进一步提高IES的灵活性,降低碳排放,并基于此建立了该工业园区IES的最小成本优化调度模型。通过案例研究发现实际碳排放较碳配额低29.60%,验证了该模型的有效性,并分析了部分关键变量对工业园区IES的影响。
文摘This paper investigates residential energy consumption in the UK by using a novel and topical approach based on behavioural analysis. A key lesson from recent advances in behavioural economics is that the responses of individuals to both policy incentives and uncertainty may differ from the predictions of classical rational optimising behaviour. By employing a focused case study approach using both quantitative and qualitative response analysis, it considers the motivations of residential householders in the UK to reduce fossil fuel use, with additional perspectives from UK landlords, a global environmental NGO, a senior politician, and two senior stakeholder strategy managers from a large energy company. Our interpretative behavioural analysis shows that a variety of incentives are necessary to encourage behaviour change. However, case study participants largely agree on the beneficial role of government regulation and efforts to “nudge” them in the right direction with regard to their energy use. As a means of more effectively reducing carbon dioxide emissions, we conclude that policy should focus on sustainable energy use. The findings allow us to understand why important recent policy initiatives such as the UK Green Deal failed to achieve their objectives and they suggest lessons for more effective incentive based policy making in the field of residential energy consumption.
文摘Energy efficiency is providing the same services consuming less energy.Less energy means less energy bill and less greenhouse emissions.Bhutan presents a unique scenario in promoting the use of energy efficiency equipment and investments.Bhutan enjoys availability of adequate low cost hydropower energy resource that is green and clean and enjoys cheap electrical energy.To aggravate the situation,the domestic tariffs are subsidized and even free up to 100 units in rural parts of the country.Export tariffs are determined independently according to entirely different principles.However for cooking,Bhutan imports LPG(Liquefied Petroleum Gas)from India.With increasing threats of climate change,it is reported water flow in rivers is decreasing.For energy security and related socio environmental issues,prospects of energy supply constraints and increasing demand of quality power in the country,there is a need to take appropriate policy measures which would lead to the development of indigenous,local and dispersed clean energy sources in the future.When a customer is asked to retrofit the house with energy efficiency,the owner questions oneself if the available investment resources are being directed to an effective return.Various criteria are available but all can not to be considered to come to a final decision.This paper presents an overview of many factors which affect energy efficiency investment in building in Bhutan.
文摘We investigated the growth and body composition of Nile tilapia under five different feeding regimes. A control group was fed to satiation twice daily for 185 days; four treatment groups were fed at intervals of 2, 3, 4 or 7 days(dietary ‘restricted' period, days 0–80) and then fed to satiation(‘refeeding' period, days 80–185). Compensatory growth in weight and length of the feed-restricted groups was observed during the refeeding period. However, the growth of none of the restricted groups caught up with that of the control group over the experimental period. Feed intake upon refeeding increased with the duration of deprivation. There were no significant differences in feed efficiency between the restricted and control groups during the refeeding stage, suggesting that hyperphagia was the mechanism responsible for the increased growth rates during this period. Tilapia preferentially used n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and nonessential amino acids during the restricted-feeding period. Higher production was achieved by higher feed consumption. We suggest that if attainment of market size in minimum time is required, fish should be consistently fed to satiation, while taking care to avoid the possible negative consequences of overfeeding.
