The Effect of Foreign Direct Investment on Air Pollution in the Economic Community of West African States region: What Influence Does Tax Expenditure Have?

Air pollution is one of the crucial environmental challenges facing the countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The objective of this paper is to examine the effect of an attractive tax policy on the relationship between Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and air pollution in ECOWAS region over the period 2000 to 2019. By using the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method and panel data analyses (fixed effects and random effects), the results show that, in general, FDI does not have a significant effect on air pollution in the region. However, closer analysis reveals that an interaction between FDI and an attractive tax policy has a negative effect on air quality, leading to an increase in air pollution. Thus, companies attracted by tax incentives may not meet rigorous environmental standards. These results highlight the importance for policymakers to balance economic incentives with environmental protection in ECOWAS. Attractive tax policies can stimulate investment, but they must be designed in a way that encourages environmentally friendly practices, thereby helping to improve air quality in the region.

The Defects and Future Research Direction of the Auditof the Policy Implementation Effect 2 China

近年来,政策执行效果审计在中国逐渐引起了关注.论文首先介绍了政策执行效果审计的内涵和研究的意义,在此基础上简要阐述了政策执行效果审计的发展现状,并指出了其缺陷,最后提出了未来的研究应重点关注建立政策执行效果审计理论框架体系、完善政策执行效果审计评价指标体系、探索对政策本身的评价以及将政策执行效果审计与新兴互联网工程及信息技术结合起来等几个方面.

Direct Climatic Effect of Dust Aerosol in the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model Version 3 (CAM3)

Direct climate responses to dust shortwave and longwave radiative forcing （RF） are studied using the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model Version 3 （CAM3）. The simulated RF at the top of the atmosphere （TOA） is-0.45 W m-2 in the solar spectrum and ＋0.09 W m-2 in the thermal spectrum on a global average. The magnitude of surface RF is larger than the TOA forcing, with global mean shortwave forcing of-1.76 W m-2 and longwave forcing of ＋0.31 W m-2 . As a result, dust aerosol causes the absorption of 1.1 W m-2 in the atmosphere. The RF of dust aerosol is predicted to lead to a surface cooling of 0.5 K over the Sahara Desert and Arabian Peninsula. In the meantime, the upper troposphere is predicted to become warmer because of the absorption by dust. These changes in temperature lead to a more stable atmosphere, which results in increases in surface humidity. The upward sensible and latent heat fluxes at the surface are reduced, largely balancing the surface energy loss caused by the backscattering and absorption of dust aerosol. Precipitation is predicted to decrease moderately on a global scale.

Direct Climatic Effect of Aerosols and Interdecadal Variations over East Asia Investigated by a Regional Coupled Climate-Chemistry/Aerosol Model

The direct climatic effect of aerosols for the 1980-2000 period over East Asia was numerically investigated by a regional scale coupled climate-chemistry/ aerosol model, which includes major anthropogenic aerosols （sulfate, black carbon, and organic carbon） and natural aerosols （soil dust and sea salt）. Anthropogenic emissions used in model simulation are from a global emission inventory prepared for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report （IPCC AR5）, whereas natural aerosols are calculated online in the model. The simulated 20-year average direct solar radiative effect due to aerosols at the surface was estimated to be in a range of-9- -33 W m-2 over most areas of China, with maxima over the Gobi desert of West China, and-12 W m-2 to -24 W m-2 over the Sichuan Basin, the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River. Aerosols caused surface cooling in most areas of East Asia, with maxima of-0.8℃ to -1.6℃ over the deserts of West China, the Sichuan Basin, portions of central China, and the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Aerosols induced a precipitation decrease over almost the entire East China, with maxima of-90 mm/year to -150 mm/year over the Sichuan Basin, the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and the lower reaches of the Yellow River. Interdecadal variation of the climate response to the aerosol direct radiative effect is evident, indicating larger decrease in surface air temperature and stronger per- turbation to precipitation in the 1990s than that in the 1980s, which could be due to the interdecadal variation of anthropogenic emissions.

Simulation of the Direct Radiative Effect of Mineral Dust and Sea Salt Aerosols in a Doubled Carbon Dioxide Climate

The authors examine the equilibrium climatic response to the direct radiative effect （DRE） of mineral dust and sea salt aerosols in a doubled-CO2 climate with two-way coupling of aerosol-climate interactions.In response to the drier and windier conditions,dust emissions increase by 26％ in the Sahara Desert and by 18％ on the global scale relative to present day.Sea salt emissions increase in high latitudes （＞60°） but decrease in middle latitudes （30°-60°） of both hemispheres due to the poleward shift of westerlies,leading to a 3％ decrease in global emissions.The burdens of dust and sea salt increase by 31％ and 7％ respectively,because reductions in rainfall over the tropical oceans increase the lifetime of particles in the warmer climate.The higher aerosol loading in the doubled-CO2 climate reinforces aerosol DRE by -0.2 W m-2,leading to an additional cooling of 0.1℃ at the surface compared with the climatic effects of aerosols in present day.The additional cooling from changes in natural aerosols compensates for up to 15％ of the regional warming induced by doubled CO2.

Correlation of Direct Piezoelectric Effect on EAPap under Ambient Factors

Direct piezoelectricity of electro-active papers （EAPap） is analysed in this paper. The test setups for direct effect are designed and determined. Different ambient factors impacting the piezoelectricity of EAPap, such as temperature, humidity, and strain rate, are applied and analyzed. Strong piezoelectricity of EAPap is found on the basis of the test results and in comparison with polyvinylidene fluoride （PVDF） and lead zirconate titanate （PZT）-5H. The maximum piezoelectric constant is achieved to be 504 pC/N. The reason of strong piezoelectricity of EAPap is discussed in this paper. The potential of EAPap as a biomimetic actuator and sensor is also investigated.

All-Sky Direct Radiative Effects of Urban Aerosols in Beijing and Shanghai, China

Aerosol particles can directly alter the radiation balance by scattering and absorbing incident solar radiation, thus decreasing the amount of light reaching the surface and increasing the fraction of diffuse radiation—the so-called ‘aerosol direct radiative effect'. Using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer aerosol products, the aerosol direct radiative effects under all-sky conditions in Beijing and Shanghai in 2007 were explored in this study. The total shortwave radiation was calculated using the Fu-Liou radiative transfer model, with the influence of clouds taken into account through sunshine-duration data, and the diffuse radiation was calculated with radiation decomposition models. Good correlation between measured and calculated total radiation was obtained at both cities, with an R greater than 0.9, and thus this calculation method was adopted to derive aerosol direct radiative effects. The presence of aerosols caused the mean total and diffuse solar radiation reaching the surface to change by-19.9% and +27.4% in Beijing, respectively, and by-18.4% and +6.5% in Shanghai. It was also found that, despite the strong negative correlation between aerosol optical depth and total radiation change, the diffuse radiation changes were determined predominantly by clouds. The effects of such changes induced by aerosols on plant productivity should be further studied.

Regional Oceanic Impact on Circulation and Direct Radiative Effect of Aerosol over East Asia

The Regional Integrated Environmental Model System （RIEMS 2.0） coupled with a chemistry-aerosol model and the Princeton Ocean Model （POM） is employed to simulate regional oceanic impact on atmospheric circulation and the direct radiative effect （DRE） of aerosol over East Asia. The aerosols considered in this study include both major anthropogenic aerosols （e.g., sulfate, black carbon, and organic carbon） and natural aerosols （e.g., soil dust and sea salt）. The RIEMS 2.0 is driven by NCEP/NCAR reanalysis II, and the simulated period is from 1 January to 31 December 2006. The results show the following： （1） The simulated annual mean sea-level pressure by RIEMS 2.0 with POM is lower than without POM over the mainland and higher without POM over the ocean. （2） In summer, the subtropical high simulated by RIEMS 2.0 with POM is stronger and extends further westward, and the continental low is stronger than without POM in summer. （3） The aerosol optical depth （AOD） simulated by RIEMS 2.0 with POM is larger in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River than without POM. （4） The direct radiative effect with POM is stronger than that without POM in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and parts of southern China. Therefore, the authors should take account of the impact of the regional ocean model on studying the direct climate effect ＆aerosols in long term simulation.

Seismic hazard assessment of Tehran,Iran with emphasis on near-fault rupture directivity effects

Many destructive earthquakes happened in Tehran, Iran in the last centuries. The existence of active faults like the North Tehran is the main cause of seismicity in this city. According to past investigations, it is estimated that in the scenario of activation of the North Tehran fault, many structures in Tehran will collapse. Therefore, it is necessary to incorporate the near field rupture directivity effects of this fault into the seismic hazard assessment of important sites in Tehran. In this study, using calculations coded in MATLAB, Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis （PSHA） is conducted for an important site in Tehran. Following that, deaggregation technique is performed on PSHA and the contribution of seis- mic scenarios to hazard is obtained in the range of distance and magnitude. After identifying the North Tehran fault as the most hazardous source affecting the site in 10000-year return period, rupture directivity effects of this fault is incorporated into the seismic hazard assessment using Somerville et al. （1997） model with broadband approach and Shahi and Baker （2011） model with narrowband approach. The results show that the narrowband approach caused a 27% increase in the peak of response spectrum in 10000-year return period compared with the conventional PSHA. Therefore, it is necessary to incorporate the near fault rupture directivity effects into the higher levels of seismic hazard assessment attributed to important sites.

Simulating Aerosol Optical Depth and Direct Radiative Effects over the Tibetan Plateau with a High-Resolution CAS FGOALS-f3 Model

Current global climate models cannot resolve the complex topography over the Tibetan Plateau(TP)due to their coarse resolution.This study investigates the impacts of horizontal resolution on simulating aerosol and its direct radiative effect(DRE)over the TP by applying two horizontal resolutions of about 100 km and 25 km to the Chinese Academy of Sciences Flexible Global Ocean-Atmosphere Land System(CAS FGOALS-f3)over a 10-year period.Compared to the AErosol RObotic NETwork observations,a high-resolution model(HRM)can better reproduce the spatial distribution and seasonal cycles of aerosol optical depth(AOD)compared to a low-resolution model(LRM).The HRM bias and RMSE of AOD decreased by 0.08 and 0.12,and the correlation coefficient increased by 0.22 compared to the LRM.An LRM is not sufficient to reproduce the aerosol variations associated with fine-scale topographic forcing,such as in the eastern marginal region of the TP.The difference between hydrophilic aerosols in an HRM and LRM is caused by the divergence of the simulated relative humidity(RH).More reasonable distributions and variations of RH are conducive to simulating hydrophilic aerosols.An increase of the 10-m wind speed in winter by an HRM leads to increased dust emissions.The simulated aerosol DREs at the top of the atmosphere(TOA)and at the surface by the HRM are–0.76 W m^(–2)and–8.72 W m^(–2)over the TP,respectively.Both resolution models can capture the key feature that dust TOA DRE transitions from positive in spring to negative in the other seasons.

Study on the effect of ground motion direction on the response of engineering structure

Due to the randomness of earthquake wave magnitude and direction, and the uncertain direction of strong axis and weak axis in the construction of engineering structures, the effect of the direction of ground motion on a structure are studied herein. Ground motion records usually contain three vertical ground motion data, which are obtained by sensors arranged in accordance with the EW （East -West） direction, NS （South- North） direction and perpendicular to the surface （z） direction, referring to the construction standard of seismic stations. The seismic records in the EW and NS directions are converted to Cartesian coordinates in accordance with the rotation of θ = 0°-180°, and consequently, a countless group of new ground motion time histories are obtained. Then, the characteristics of the ground motion time history and response spectrum of each group were studied, resulting in the following observations： （1） the peak and phase of ground motion are changed with the rotation of direction θ, so that the direction θ of the maximum peak ground motion can be determined; （2） response spectrum values of each group of ground motions change along with the direction θ, and their peak, predominant period and declining curve are also different as the changes occur; then, the angle θ in the direction of the maximum peak value or the widest predominant period can be determined; and （3） the seismic response of structures with different directions of ground motion inputs has been analyzed under the same earthquake record, and the results show the difference. For some ground motion records, such as the Taft seismic wave, these differences are significant. Next, the Lushan middle school gymnasium structure was analyzed and the calculation was checked using the proposed method, where the internal force of the upper space truss varied from 25% to 28%. The research results presented herein can be used for reference in choosing the ground motion when checking the actual damage to structures following earthquakes and explaining the seismic damage. Meanwhile, it also provides a reference value for research into the most severe ground motion.

Nonideal effects in quantum field-effect directional coupler

The nonideal effects in a quantum field-effect directional coupler where two quantum wires are coupled through a finite potential barrier are studied by adopting the lattice Green function method. The results show that the electron energy distribution, asymmetric geometry and finite temperature all have obvious influence on the electron transfer of the coupler. Only for the electrons with energies in a certain region, can the complete periodic transfer between two quantum wires take place. The conductance of these electrons as a function of the barrier length and potential height exhibits a fine periodic or quasi-periodic pattern. For the electrons with energies beyond the region, however, the complete periodic transfer does not hold any more since many irregular oscillations are superimposed on the conductance profile. In addition, the finite temperature and asymmetric geometry both can reduce the electron transfer efficiency.

ANALYSIS OF SIZE EFFECT,SHEAR DEFORMATION AND DILATION IN DIRECT SHEAR TEST BASED ON GRADIENT- DEPENDENT PLASTICITY

The paper concerns the issue of size law,localized deformation and dilation or compaction due to shear localization. It is assumed that the shear localization initiates at the peak shear stress in the form of single shear band,and based on gradient-dependent plasticity,an analytical solution on size effect or snap-back is obtained. The results show that the post peak response becomes steeper and even exhibits snap-back with increasing of length. For small specimen,the relative shear displacement when specimen failure occurs is lower than that of larger specimen and the shear stress-relative displacement curve becomes steeper. The theoretical solution on non-uniformity of strains in shear band is obtained and evolution of the relative shear displacement is represented. By resorting to the linear relation between local plastic shear strain and local plastic volumetric strain,the dilation and compaction within shear band are analyzed. Relation between apparent shear strain and apparent normal strain and relation between shear displacement and vertical displacement are established.

Effects of Tensor Couplings on Nucleonic Direct URCA Processes in Neutron Star Matter

The relativistic neutrino emissivity of the nucleonic direct URCA processes in neutron star matter is investigated within the relativistic Hartree-Fock approximation. We particularly study the influences of the tensor couplings of vector mesons ω and ρ on the nucleonic direct URCA processes. It is found that the inclusion of the tensor couplings of vector mesons w and p can slightly increase the maximum mass of neutron stars. In addition, the results indicate that the tensor couplings of vector mesons ω and ρ lead to obvious enhancement of the total neutrino emissivity for the nucleonic direct URCA processes, which must accelerate the cooling rate of the non- superfluid neutron star matter. However, when considering only the tensor coupling of vector meson ρ, the neutrino emissivity for the nucleonic direct URCA processes slightly declines at low densities and significantly increases at high densities. That is, the tensor coupling of vector meson ρ leads to the slow cooling rate of a low-mass neutron star and rapid cooling rate of a massive neutron star.

Impact of Ground Effect on Airplane Lateral Directional Stability during Take-Off and Landing

Computational simulations of aerodynamic characteristics of the Common Research Model (CRM), representing a typical transport airliner are conducted using CFD methods in close proximity to the ground. The obtained dependencies on bank angle for aerodynamic forces and moments are further used in stability and controllability analysis of the lateral-directional aircraft motion. Essential changes in the lateral-directional modes in close proximity to the ground have been identified. For example, with approach to the ground, the roll subsidence and spiral eigenvalues are merging creating the oscillatory Roll-Spiral mode with quite significant frequency. This transformation of the lateral-directional dynamics in piloted simulation may affect the aircraft responses to external crosswind, modify handling quality characteristics and improve realism of crosswind landing. The material of this paper was presented at the Seventh European Conference for Aeronautics and Space Sciences EUCASS-2017. Further work is carried out for evaluation of the ground effect aerodynamics for a high-lift configuration based on a hybrid geometry of DLR F11 and NASA GTM models with fully deployed flaps and slats. Some aspects of grid generation for a high lift configuration using structured blocking approach are discussed.

EFFECT OF HYDROGEN BONDING ON DIRECTION OF PHOTOISOMERIZATION OF RETINOIDS:THE ORIGIN OF THE SOLVENT POLARITY EFFECT.

Studies of direction of photoisomerization of retinal,retinonitrile,a- retinonitrile and a trienenitrile analog in different solvents with varying wave- lengths of excitation and reaction temperature led to the conclusion that the well known solvent dependent photochemistry of retinoids is due to selective excitation of the hydrogen bonded species.

PROMOTION EFFECT OF PYRIDINE FOR THE DIRECT ELECTROCHEMISTRY OF CYTOCHROME C AT GOLD ELECTRODES

It was found for the first time that the compounds with only one functional group, such as pyridine, can show the promotion effect for the electrochemical reaction of cytochrome C at gold electrodes.

The Influence of EMC Effect on Large Transverse Momentum Direct Photon Production

Using the statistical model of parton and applying the rescaling model tochoose nuclear parameters by fitting the experimental data in low-X and medium-X re-gion,the influence of EMC(European Muon Collaboration)effect on large-P_T directphoton production is studied.The result shows that the influence of EMC effect issmall.

Nursing Students’ Readiness for Self-Directed Learning and Its Effect on Learning Outcome in South-West Nigeria

Self-directed learning (SDL) uses diverse learning resources to solve identified problems in learning. Nursing is a lifelong learning profession and SDL is a valuable skill to remain relevant and productive professionals. Nursing students are expected to embrace SDL and develop these skills. However, there has been no evidence of this innovative process in South-West Nigeria. This study seeks to evaluate nursing students’ readiness for SDL and its effect on learning outcome. This quasi-experimental study purposively utilized 229 nursing students as participants. Baseline (P1) data was collected using Gugliemino’s SDL readiness scale (SDLRS) and a validated-structured questionnaire. Participants had a pre-test to assess knowledge at P1 followed by 6 weeks interaction using SDL on selected topics in Medical-surgical nursing and the same test at post-intervention (P2). Using a 50-point scale, knowledge was categorized as good ≥ 25 and poor < 25 and SDLRS on a 290-point scale was categorized as below average 5 - 201, average 202 - 226 and above average 227 - 290. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, t-test and linear regression analysis were used for analysis at p = 0.05. Nursing students’ SDLRS was average;mean = 203 ± 23.0. A significant difference exists between nursing students with good knowledge at P1 and P2. At P1, 39.2% had good knowledge, mean = 22.2 ± 6.3, and 90.1% at P2, mean = 30.6 ± 5.4, p < 0.05 also a significant relationship exist between SDLR and learning outcome at P2;p < 0.05. With the nursing students’ average SDL readiness level having a significant effect on learning outcome. Nursing training institutions should provide necessary resources to embrace SDL as a main-line teaching method to ensure competent life-long professionals.

Analysis on After-effects of Direct Subsidies for Grain Production in China

Long term of grain production subsidy policy can be guaranteed only with sound and sustainable development of economy,stable growth of fiscal revenues,and improvement of subsidy system.In combination with social survey,this paper analyzed after-effects of direct subsidies for grain production in China from pressure of grain production subsidies on central finance and local finance,consequence possibly brought about by classified bearing of direct subsidies for grain production,effectiveness of direct subsidies on stimulating grain production,and effect of direct subsidies on production of other agricultural products.It is concluded that direct subsidies for grain production should be shifted to direct subsides for agricultural production,which will be the reform and development trend of financial support for agriculture.