Free Zone Research Articles

The impact of pilot free trade zones on producer services agglomeration

ABSTRACT Pilot Free Trade Zones (PFTZs) are essential tools that stabilize foreign trade and promote industrial transformation and upgrading. This study utilizes panel data from 284 cities in China between 2003 and 2019 to explore the impact of PFTZ on producer services agglomeration. The findings reveal that PFTZs significantly promote producer services agglomeration and regional industrial upgrading. Regarding mechanisms, PFTZs accelerate regional informatization, expand opening-up, and enhance technological innovation, which in turn drive producer services agglomeration and industrial upgrading. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that PFTZs significantly impact producer services agglomeration in coastal cities, with a pronounced effect on high-end producer services agglomeration. This study provides empirical evidence that PFTZs facilitate producer services agglomeration, industrial restructuring, and regional coordinated development.

A systematic meta-analysis of the efficacy of treatments for a global honey bee pathogen - the Varroa mite.

The western honey bee Apis mellifera is the world's most important managed pollinator. However, globally honey bees have been facing increasing colony losses due to a combination of stress factors. Foremost among these is the invasive mite Varroa destructor, which is the pathogen most commonly linked to colony losses. Despite intensive research focus on this problem, V. destructor management remains extremely challenging, with no definitive treatment approach. A variety of synthetic chemical, agriculturally organic chemical, biological, and physical treatments have been trialled and used in V. destructor management, each with benefits and drawbacks. Here, we carried out a first systematic meta-analysis of the comparative effectiveness of V. destructor treatment methods. We incorporated data from 138 studies from 30 countries, across five continents and found that overall, synthetic chemicals show high effectiveness as a treatment due to their ability to suppress the V. destructor mite. In our analyses of honey bee responses, there was some evidence that synthetic chemicals may have an overall negative impact on them, even while suppressing V. destructor. For improving honey bee health measures, biological treatment methods showed the most positive effect, but with a relatively low sample size. Our study highlights that there is a relative lack of studies on biological management methods, with far more focus in the literature on chemical treatments. We show that, until biological methods receive greater research attention, agriculturally organic methods likely provide the best current treatment option, because they are well studied, nearly as effective at suppressing V. destructor as synthetic chemicals, and less associated with negative impacts on honey bees. Varroa destructor remains a major threat to honey bees globally, with the last large V. destructor free zone (Australia) having now been invaded, emphasising the need to fill these knowledge gaps.

Prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschool children in Hainan: a cross-sectional study in China's largest free-trade zone.

Childhood obesity leads to significant health risks, emphasizing the critical need for effective preventive measures during the preschool years. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on overweight and obesity among preschool children in Hainan Island, China's largest free-trade zone. Our study assessed the prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschool children across Hainan Island using Chinese, World Health Organization (WHO), and International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) criteria. Additionally, the potential factors influencing overweight and obesity among preschool children in Hainan Island were further explored. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of children aged 3-6 years covering 18 cities and counties in China's largest free trade zone. The survey primarily involved anthropometric data collection and questionnaires on children's information and the sociodemographic characteristics of their parents or guardians. We recorded the height and weight of each child and calculated their body mass index (BMI). The z-score for BMI-for-age was calculated using the WHO-recommended Anthro and AnthroPlus software, and diagnoses of overweight and obesity were determined separately according to the Chinese, WHO, and IOTF criteria. The chi-squared test, t-test, or rank-sum test was applied to describe and statistically analyze the baseline characteristics of the participating children. Additionally, potential factors affecting overweight and obesity were analyzed using a multifactor binary logistic regression model. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschool children in Hainan Island was 11.30% based on the Chinese criteria, significantly higher than the rates of 5.80% and 5.40% observed according to the WHO and IOTF criteria, respectively (χ 2 = 12,870.368, P < 0.001). After multifactorial adjusted analyses, we found that according to the three growth criteria, having overweight fathers or mothers, family incomes of more than 100,000 Yuan, fully active eating, and higher birth weights increased the risk of overweight and obesity among preschool children in Hainan Island. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschool children in Hainan Island was lower compared to rates reported in other regions. Considering that the growth and development indicators for children under 7 years old in Hainan Island are generally lower than international standards, the use of Chinese standards may be more suitable for detecting overweight and obesity among preschool children in this area. Based on the risk factors identified in this study, preventive measures can be targeted in the future to reduce the risk of overweight and obesity in preschool children in Hainan Island.

Effect of Stress Aging on Strength, Toughness and Corrosion Resistance of Al-10Zn-3Mg-3Cu Alloy.

The 7000 series aluminum alloy represented by Al-Zn-Mg-Cu has good strength and toughness and is widely used in the aerospace field. However, its high Zn content results in poor corrosion resistance, limiting its application in other fields. In order to achieve the synergistic improvement of both strength and corrosion resistance, this study examines the response of strength, toughness and corrosion resistance of a high-strength aluminum alloy tail frame under aging conditions with external stresses of 135 MPa, 270 MPa and 450 MPa. The results show that with the increase in the external stress level, the strength of the alloy improves, while its corrosion resistance decreases. An optimal balance of strength, toughness and corrosion resistance is achieved at the conditions of 270 MPa-120-24 h. This phenomenon can be attributed to two main factors: first, lattice defects such as vacancy and dislocation are introduced into the stress aging process. The introduction of a vacancy makes it easier for neighboring solute atoms to migrate there. This makes the crystal precipitates more dispersed. Also, the number of precipitates in the matrix increases from 2650 to 3117, and the size is refined from 2.96 nm to 2.64 nm. At the same time, the dislocation entanglement within the crystal structure promotes the dislocation strengthening mechanism and promotes the solute atoms to have enough channels for migration. Since too many dislocations can cause the crystal to become brittle and thus reduce its strength, entangled dislocations hinder the movement of the dislocations, thereby increasing the strength of the alloy. Secondly, under the action of external force, the precipitated phase is discontinuous, which hinders the corrosion expansion at the grain boundary, thus improving the corrosion resistance of the alloy. At low-stress states, the binding force of vacancy is stronger, the precipitation free zone (PFZ) is significantly inhibited, and the intermittent distribution effect of intergranular precipitates is the most obvious. As a result, the self-corrosion current decreases from 1.508 × 10-4 A∙cm-2 in the non-stress state to 1.999 × 10-5 A∙cm-2, representing an order of magnitude improvement. Additionally, the maximum depth of intergranular corrosion is reduced from 274.9 μm in the non-stress state to 237.7 μm.

Improvement of the Mechanical Properties of TC17 Alloy by Different Heat Treatments through Directed Energy Deposition

The microstructure evolution of TC17 alloy fabricated by directed energy deposition (DED) under different heat treatments was investigated, and its effects on tribological and mechanical properties were analyzed. The results indicated that the deposited TC17 alloy consisted of acicular α' martensite and residual β phase. Annealing at 840 ℃ and solution treatment at 800 ℃ promoted the precipitation and growth of lath and plate-like primary α phase (αP), as well as continuous and discontinuous grain boundary α phase (αGB). A phase free zone (PFZ) was observed adjacent to the continuous αGB. Aging induced the preferential precipitation of secondary α phase (αS) around the grain boundaries, but it did not fully occupy the PFZ region. As the aging temperature increased, both the αP and αS underwent coarsening. Heat treatment effectively enhanced the wear resistance of the TC17 alloy, with a wear rate of only 0.0343mg/m after aging at 580 ℃. The deposited TC17 alloy exhibited average tensile strength of 1224MPa and average elongation of 1.2%. Compared to the deposited samples, the average tensile strengths of the aging treatments at 580 ℃, 630 ℃, and 680 ℃ decreased by approximately 12.66%, 15.28%, and 18.06%, respectively; while the average elongation increased by 475%, 691.67%, and 600%, respectively.

Collaborative Linkages Among Universities, Industry, and Research: Empowering Enterprises in Free Trade Zones for High-Quality Advancement

Against the backdrop of current economic globalization and regional economic integration, the construction of pilot free trade zones and free trade ports has become an important strategic measure for China to promote high-quality economic development and enhance international competitiveness. As an important base for knowledge innovation and talent cultivation, universities can provide strong intellectual support and technical support for the high-quality development of free trade zones and free trade port enterprises through industry university research cooperation. This article delves into the significance of university industry academia research cooperation for the high-quality development of enterprises in pilot free trade zones and free trade ports, analyzes the current problems, and proposes forward-looking, targeted, and actionable countermeasures and suggestions.

Features of Iran’s Integration Efforts in Trade Relations with Russia

The relevance of this research is determined by the growing interest in integration processes in Eurasia and their impact on international trade relations, particularly in the context of the interaction between Russia and Iran. In the face of global economic challenges, Iran’s integration efforts within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) become a significant factor contributing to the development of foreign economic ties. The novelty of the study lies in the application of various econometric methods to the analysis of trade and integration between Iran and Russia.Aim. The purpose of this study is to study the impact of Iran’s integration process into the economies of the EAEU and SCO on the foreign trade relations between Russia and Iran.Tasks. The objectives of the research include calculating the trade complementarity index to assess the mutual complementarity of the trade profiles of Iran, Russia, and their trading partners, analyzing economic data and indicators of EAEU and SCO integration to gain a deeper understanding of Iran’s integration process into the regional economy and its implications for trade between Iran and Russia, as well as developing an econometric trade model to evaluate the influence of various factors, particularly those related to integration, on the trade turnover between Russia and Iran and other countries.Methods. The methods employed include econometric modeling of international trade using a gravity approach, calculating the trade complementarity index, and descriptive statistics.Results and Conclusions. The results demonstrate a low level of trade complementarity between the trade profiles of Russia and Iran, which may indicate a weak potential for trade development. Nevertheless, trade between Russia and Iran is at a low stage of development, and there is significant potential for growth in various areas. Iran’s successful efforts to integrate into the EAEU, the conclusion of a Temporary Agreement leading to the establishment of a free trade zone, and the Free Trade Agreement between the EAEU and Iran have become important incentives for increasing trade turnover and fulfilling existing potential. Econometric calculations show that the conclusion of free trade agreements and preferential trade agreements could lead to a multiple increase in trade turnover between Russia and Iran.

Организационно-правовые особенности сельскохозяйственной кооперации в новых регионах РФ

The author conducts a comparative analysis of productive and consumer cooperatives in agriculture to clarify the organizational and legal features of their creation and functioning. The analysis assesses the positive results and benefits that farmers can achieve by participating in cooperatives, including: cost reduction, access to higher prices for their products, new markets, the use of expensive innovative equipment, solutions for product storage, processing, and delivery, and creation of new jobs. The author also highlights the challenges and complexities of establishing and developing agricultural cooperatives in new regions of Russia. Current government programs for farmers are examined, with a particular focus on support measures for agricultural producers, especially those operating within cooperative associations. This is essential during the integration of farmers in new territories into the economic and legal framework of the Russian Federation. The establishment of a free economic zone with tax and credit incentives and a cost-sharing system can facilitate the smooth transition for small producers in new regions and increase agricultural output.

Intensification of Trade Interactions between the Regions of China and Russia

The article identifies the Chinese provinces that are the points of growth of the Russian imports. Their main supply channels to the Chinese market are concentrated in the eastern coastal regions of China, being traditionally more developed. Russian imports are growing faster through the Chinese pilot free trade zones. However, geographical and product diversification is still slow. The supply structure of Russian products is still dominated by raw materials, while imports of high value added products are growing rapidly in some regions of China. The rapid growth of Russian imports is observed in some regions of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, which creates additional opportunities for the intensification of trade interactions with the Russian regions within the project «Volga-Yangtze». The connection of the export sectors of the economy of the Volga Federal District with the import of China is considered in more detail in the article as a potential for further intensification of trade interactions. The regions with a high level of economic diversification (the Nizhny Novgorod and the Samara regions) have the greatest opportunities for developing trade interactions. Current conditions indicate that prospects for the further intensification of Russian exports to China are determined by the expansion of production (in the regions with a high share of exports to China and other friendly countries), development of transport and logistics system, adaptation of Russian products to the needs of the Chinese consumer. One way to increase exports of Rus-sian high-value-added products is to reduce barriers to the supply of such products in China’s free-trade zones. In a limited international market, Russian regions may have to compete more for Chinese consumers as the domestic market becomes saturated.

The Frustrations of Free Trade and the Africa–European Union Samoa Agreement

The Samoa Agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) includes strict language on concluding controversial Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between their members. Skeptical OACPS members have instead called for greater intra-African economic integration embodied in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). However, there are concerns that the EU aims to use the AfCFTA as a stepping-stone for a vast bicontinental free trade zone. Building upon elite interviews with African diplomatic officials, this article questions whether the pan-Africanism at the heart of the AfCFTA is compatible with the more integrative Eurafrican agenda embodied in the Samoa Agreement.

одаткові стимули інвестиційної активності для юридичних осіб: досвід країн ЄС та українські реалії

Introduction. European and global experience in stimulating investment indicates the interest of states in increasing investment in the economy. Problem Statement. The state of war in Ukraine significantly affected the starte's economic condition and investment activity. In the current conditions, it is important to review the approach to stimulating investment activity in order to attract financial resources in order to restore the economy and infrastructure of Ukrainian cities in the post-war recovery period. The purpose is to develop recommendations for improving investment incentives in Ukraine based on the analysis of foreign experience and domestic practice of supporting investment activity with tax policy instruments. Results. The article examines the state of attraction of foreign direct investment in Ukraine. The analysis proved that in the period 2017-2021 foreign direct investments in Ukraine grew. The dynamics of foreign direct investment in the EU was volatile, and the figures for 2022 were among the worst for the EU in recent years. The main tax benefits used by France, Poland and the Baltic countries to stimulate and attract investments are considered. It was determined that the main emphasis is on stimulating scientific research and development, supporting energy efficiency, developing investment and free economic zones, stimulating the increase of objects of intellectual property rights and accelerated depreciation. It was determined that there are clear rules and restrictions in place during the provision of tax benefits for attracting investments in EU countries. The main instruments of tax stimulation of investment activity in Ukraine are considered. It was determined that such instruments have their stimulating effect, but at the same time they set certain restrictive measures. It has also been proven that some tax benefits do not provide for a clear formulation of the procedure for their application, which creates certain barriers for their full application by investors. Conclusions. On the basis of foreign experience, the main areas of tax incentives to attract investments in Ukraine are substantiated. Measures to improve the current instruments of tax incentives for investments in Ukraine are singled out.

Залучення іноземних інвестицій для повоєнної відбудови: досвід країн Західних Балкан

The article is dedicated to summarizing and comparing the experience of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) for post-war reconstruction in the Western Balkans and its significance for Ukraine amid ongoing military aggression and the need for post-war rebuilding. It characterizes the experiences of Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo, which suffered destruction during the Yugoslav wars in the Balkans and used FDI as a key tool for economic recovery. The paper examines legislative, tax, institutional, and infrastructural measures aimed at attracting foreign capital, including the establishment of free economic zones, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, tax reductions, and subsidies. The importance of legal protection, political stability, and anti-corruption measures for creating a favorable investment environment is argued. Additionally, the article highlights the critical role of international organizations such as the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which provided funding for infrastructure projects and institutional reform. Their involvement contributed to the reconstruction of key economic sectors and prepared the countries for European integration. The Balkan experience is valuable for Ukraine, as the current challenges and reconstruction needs after the war share similar features. Ukraine can leverage the tools and approaches of the Western Balkan countries to develop its strategy for attracting FDI, including European integration processes, legal system improvements, anti-corruption reforms, and the stimulation of domestic investment.

The Impact of Free Trade Zones on the International Competitiveness of Cross-Border E-Commerce Companies

As international e-commerce expands so quickly, cross-border e-commerce (CBEC) is becoming more and more important to China's exports. This study attempts to investigate the effect of free trade zones (FTZs) on the global competitiveness based on the FTZ. A thorough analysis of the ideas surrounding FTZs and CBEC allows for the clarification of the fundamental research framework and the application of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. The development strategy of CBEC is finally presented. After a review of the advantages of FTZ policies (such as expediting the customs clearance process, lowering trade barriers, improving logistics efficiency, etc.) and the disadvantages of CBEC policies (such as increasing market competition, diversifying the international market), and unpredictable regulatory policies: formulate and improve the relevant policies, strengthen the construction of the CBEC service platform, expand the scope of the CBEC comprehensive pilot zone, improve the financial service system, and cultivate the interdisciplinary talents needed for CBEC.

Visiting the microstructures, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of hot-rolled Al-Cu(-Mg) alloys with and without T6 treatment

It is important to optimize the microstructures of Al-Cu based alloys for expanding their practical applications. In this work, the effects of Mg additions and T6 treatment on the microstructures, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of hot-rolled Al-Cu alloy were investigated. The hot-rolled Al-4Cu, Al-4Cu-0.25Mg and Al-4Cu-0.5Mg (wt.%) alloys with and without T6 treatment were prepared. Experimental results indicated that the grain size of the as-rolled samples was decreased by adding Mg because of the introduction of S′-Al2CuMg phases, and the T6 treatment also obviously reduced the grain size with the help of static recrystallization regardless of alloy composition. However, the grain size of the Mg-free sample was smaller than that of the Mg-containing samples after T6 treatment, which might be resulted from the more nucleation sites provided by stored energy. The combination of Mg additions and T6 treatment could significantly enhance the mechanical properties with the help of increased second phases and decreased precipitate free zone widths, and the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and fracture elongation were 333.5MPa, 397.1MPa and 24.5% for the T6-treated Al-4Cu-0.5Mg alloy. In addition, the corrosion resistance in 3.5wt.% NaCl solution was obviously enhanced by adding Mg, which was attributed to the narrow PFZs. Differently, the amounts of second phases were increased after T6 treatment, which induced more PFZs and damaged the corrosion resistance. As a result, the hot-rolled Al-4Cu-0.5Mg alloy with corrosion potential of -0.667V and corrosion current density of 2.668×10-7 A/cm2 exhibited the highest corrosion resistance. It is believed that this work can offer referenced information to design and process the high-performance Al-Cu based alloys in various service conditions.

Optimization of chitosan-gelatin-based 3D-printed scaffolds for tissue engineering and drug delivery applications

The combination of biocompatible materials and advanced three-dimensional (3D) additive manufacturing technologies holds great potential in the development of finely tuned complex scaffolds with reproducible macro- and micro-structural characteristics for biomedical applications, such as tissue engineering and drug delivery. In this study, biocompatible printable inks based on chitosan, collagen and gelatin were developed and 3D-printed with a pneumatic-based extrusion printer. The printability of various chitosan–gelatin (CS-Gel) hydrogel inks was assessed by evaluating the quality of the printed constructs. The inks required an extrusion pressure of 150 ± 40 MPa with G22 and G25 nozzles for optimal printing. Inks with low chitosan concentrations (<4% w/v) exhibited poor printability, while inks with 4 % w/v chitosan and 1 % w/v gelatin (CG) demonstrated satisfactory extrusion and printing quality. The addition of collagen (0.1 % w/v) to the optimized ink (CGC) did not compromise printability. Post-printing stabilization using KOH produced self-supporting scaffolds with consistent morphological integrity, while weaker bases like NaOH/EtOH and ammonia vapors resulted in lower pore sizes and reduced structural stability. Water evaporation studies showed that neutralized samples had slower evaporation rates due to the strong intermolecular interactions formed during the neutralization process, contributing to a stable crosslinked network. FTIR spectra confirmed the formation of polyelectrolyte complexes in the CS-Gel and CS-Gel-Collagen blends, further enhancing structural stability. Swelling tests indicated that neutralized constructs maintained stability in different pH environments, with KOH-treated samples exhibiting the lowest swelling ratios and the highest structural stability. After optimizing the ink composition, 10 wt% Levofloxacin was loaded in the constructs as a model antibiotic and it’s in vitro release rate was quantified. Drug loading was approximately 4 % for both ink compositions GC and CGC. CG Levo released over 80 % of levofloxacin within the first hour, reaching full release in 24 h, indicating inadequate control, while CGK Levo exhibited slower initial release (55 % in 15 min) followed by stabilized release after 4 h, likely due to controlled diffusion from expanded constructs. These findings demonstrate that the developed hydrogel inks and optimized printing parameters can produce scaffolds suitable for tissue engineering applications. Finally, the cell compatibility of the 3D-printed constructs was confirmed with MTT assay on fibroblasts and the antimicrobial activity of the drug-loaded constructs was tested against E. coli and S. aureus, showing an increase of the bacteria free zone from 8 ± 0.4 mm of the control against E. coli up to 16.4 ± 0.37 mm in the presence of the KOH-treated CG Levo printed construct.

Techno-economic analysis of green hydrogen production from wind and solar along CPEC special economic zones in Pakistan

Hydrogen-based systems are garnering attention as part of efforts to achieve low-carbon emissions and net-zero targets. In developing countries, natural gas and coal serve as a primary source for hydrogen production, given their accessibility and cost-effectiveness. Green hydrogen presents a promising clean energy solution with significant potential to decarbonize the industrial sector. In this article, a techno-economic analysis has been performed for green hydrogen production using wind and solar as primary energy sources. The analysis is conducted at nine special economic zones (SEZs) and a free zone at Gwadar Sea Port using the Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER) Pro software. A hybrid energy system has been designed to meet the industrial electrical and hydrogen demand of 600 MWh/day and 60 tonnes H2 per day, respectively. A comparative analysis of on-grid and off-grid systems across all SEZs is performed for the optimal system. A sensitivity analysis is conducted on different parameters that could impact the levelized cost of hydrogen (LCOH). The results indicate that LCOH varies from 4.19 $/kg to 8.66 $/kg for off-grid and 2.12 $/kg to 4.65 $/kg for on-grid systems which is a competitive cost to other countries. The most feasible economic zones for green hydrogen production are found to be Dhabeji and Port Qasim with the lowest LCOH of 4.19 $/kg and 4.22 $/kg for off-grid, 2.12 $/kg and 2.36 $/kg for the grid-connected system, respectively. Dhabeji also exhibits the lowest CO2 emissions per year making itself the most feasible location for green hydrogen production. Grid-connected systems are a great opportunity for Pakistan to produce low-cost green hydrogen for industrial decarbonization and the country’s economic growth.

Can institutional openness policies enhance corporate technology innovation efficiency?Evidence from the establishment of Free Trade Zone

The establishment of Free Trade Zones (FTZs) is a testing ground for deepening reform in the new era. It is a significant endeavour for China to investigate institutional innovation, execute an innovation-driven development strategy, and raise the quality of economic development. This study examines a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2009 to 2022 and explores the positive relationship between institutional openness, represented by China's Free Trade Zone, on corporate technology innovation efficiency. The findings highlight that introducing China's Free Trade Zone can strengthen corporate technology innovation efficiency. Furthermore, the stimulating impacts of China's Free Trade Zone on corporate technology innovation efficiency are attained through alleviating corporate financing constraints and facilitating innovative knowledge flow. Heterogeneous analysis confirms that firms' ownership and industry nature play a critical role. The findings demonstrate how institutional openness can enhance stimulate corporate technology innovation efficiency, support the critical role of openness in stimulating corporate technology innovation capability, and contribute to further institutional openness.

Novel insights into the cognitive, emotional, and experiential dimensions of stakeholder acceptance of wildlife management

Understanding wildlife stakeholders is vital in mitigating the risk for inertia in the implementation of management and illegal activities, e.g., poaching. We used a unique set of questionnaire data of stakeholders in Sweden (n = 8728) comprising birdwatchers, hunters, farmers, and the general public, to analyze evaluations of geese, beliefs about goose management at multiple levels, and acceptance of management tools. Also, a hierarchical model incorporating prior wildlife experience and integrating cognitions and emotions for acceptance was tested. The overall attitude towards geese was positive, but ecosystem disservices caused by large populations were acknowledged. The general public and birdwatchers displayed trust in the national, regional, and local levels. In contrast, farmers and hunters trusted mainly the local level. Broad stakeholder acceptance was found for several non-lethal tools for damage reduction and more generally a goose conservation approach including e.g., hunting free zones, but also for hunting during open hunting season. We found support for the proposed model in relation to acceptance of both the conservation and the lethal approach, thereby advancing theory integration. Results suggest that while goose conservation is widely accepted, problems caused by geese and distrust in the higher management levels among some stakeholder groups need to be addressed.

Effect of heat treatment on the microstructure of additive manufactured Ni-based hardfacing alloy deposits on stainless steel

Ni based (NiCrFeSiBC) hardfacing alloy was deposited on 304 L SS build plate by laser rapid manufacturing (LRM) process. As-deposited specimen showed nearly a precipitate free zone at the interface, grain boundary (GB) precipitation in stainless steel up to 10 µm, thin dilution layer (∼60 µm) followed by formation of zones with distinct microstructure, microhardness and microchemistry in the deposit. To investigate the effect of thermal exposure on the interface microstructure, deposits were heat treated in the temperature range of 823-1123 K for 5-100 h. Up to 923 K, structure of the LRM deposits resembled that of as-deposited specimen. A planar interface region devoid of precipitates was present even after thermal exposure up to 923 K. With further increase in the temperature, formation of CrB precipitates with globular morphology was observed along the deposit/build plate interface with simultaneous increase in hardness. Thermal exposures beyond 923 K promoted coarsening of M7C3 and Cr2B precipitates. Diffusion of carbon and boron from the deposit to the build plate promoted the grain boundary precipitation of chromium carbides up to a maximum distance of ∼1000 µm for the highest temperature of 1123 K.

Measurement of Free Trade Zones’ Investment Attraction: Sustainable Corporate Development Perspective

This study explores the measurement of FTZs’ investment attraction from a sustainable corporate development perspective. Through a comprehensive evaluation framework, the study assesses FTZs’ investment attraction across five indicators: urban business environment, economic development strength, innovation and openness vitality, urban environmental friendliness, and high-quality enterprise development. The weights of each layer’s indicators are calculated using entropy weight and the PCA method. The evaluation results of the investment attractiveness of China’s FTZs show that the investment attraction of FTZs in different regions exhibits hierarchical characteristics and unbalanced development. East China and South China occupy the forefront. Disparities in provincial FTZs’ developmental balance are conspicuous. Guangdong, Shanghai, and Beijing top the charts in terms of congruence with their overall environment rankings, whereas Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian exhibit a mismatch between their sub-indices and their relatively strong overall investment attractiveness. Conversely, Henan, Anhui, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Hunan, and Tianjin, though balanced in sub-environmental development, lag in overall investment appeal, necessitating concerted efforts towards balanced development. On the whole, compared with other indicators, innovation and openness vitality and high-quality enterprise development seem relatively weak. Drawing from our insights, foreign investors can choose free trade zones according to their own development needs. Policymakers can devise targeted interventions to bolster FTZs’ investment attractiveness, tailored to scores and rankings.