Structural Upgrade Research Articles

Design and Optimization of Tourism Information Management System Based on Artificial Intelligence

This study aims to implement a tourism information management system based on the concept of Smart Tourism. As the people's living conditions have improved, the traditional model of tourism management failed to match the customers' demands, because it has some flaws such as low efficiency. Integrating AI with tourism management helps to meet clients' needs with smarter and more comfortable accommodations before, during, and after their trip. This study optimizes the artificial neural network (ANN) by utilizing long short-term memory (LSTM) to address its inherent faults, such as delayed convergence, easy oscillation, and falling into local minima. The experimental findings demonstrate that this algorithm achieves a recall rate of 99.6% and a prediction accuracy of 98.2%. This algorithm offers some useful recommendations for tourist management while avoiding the pitfalls of more conventional algorithms. In addition, this study extends the idea of "smart tourism" to particular forms of tourist informatization, which has the potential to boost the tourism industry's overall development level by facilitating structural upgrades and transformations.

Does environmental regulation promote enterprise environmental protection investments? A quasi-natural experiment from river chief system in the Yangtze river delta of China

The investment decisions of enterprises are affected by environmental regulations designed to protect the environment, so environmental regulations may change companies' investment behavior in environmental protection. This study focuses on the River Chief System (RCS)1, an innovative environmental regulation related to river governance which officially launched in China in 2014. Based on data collected from heavy-polluting companies in the Yangtze River Delta, we use the difference-in-differences model (DID Model)2 and focus on RCS's impacts on micro-environmental protection investments. Our findings reveal that the RCS is conducive to expanding the scale of enterprises' environmental protection investments. Industrial structural upgrades appear to have a masking effect wherein the one-sided pursuit of industrial structural upgrades may slow economic growth and cause enterprises to reduce the scale of environmental investments. We recommend that the allocation of environmental investment should be based on the characteristics of local markets and public participation, and maintain a balance between secondary and tertiary industries, government and business incentives.

Numerical Investigation of Reinforced Concrete (RC) Columns Strengthened with Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) Jackets.

The strengthening of existing columns using additional reinforced concrete (RC) jackets is one of the most popular techniques for the enhancement of a column's stiffness, load-bearing capacity and ductility. Important parameters affecting the effectiveness of this method are the strength of the additional concrete, concrete shrinkage and the connection between the old and the new concrete. In this study, the application of Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) jackets for the structural upgrade of RC columns has been examined. Extensive numerical studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of parameters such as the thickness of the jacket, concrete shrinkage and the addition of steel bars, and comparisons have been made with conventional RC jackets. The results of this study indicate that the use of UHPFRC can considerably improve the strength and the stiffness of existing reinforced concrete columns. The combination of UHPFRC and steel bars in the jacket leads to the most effective strengthening technique as a significant enhancement in the stiffness and the ultimate load capacity has been achieved.

Examination of Patient Safety and Experience in Ghanaian Healthcare Facilities

Objective: This paper analyzes Ghana’s healthcare quality challenges utilizing the Donabedian model covering structures, processes and outcomes to inform comprehensive systems improvement recommendations. Methods: A mixed methods approach compiles empirical findings from multiple clinical studies across Ghana assessing healthcare infrastructure, service delivery patterns, and resultant patient consequences. Qualitative case reports provide context while quantitative metrics spotlight nationwide deficiencies. An adapted Donabedian framework incorporated expanded quality domains for rigorous evaluation. Results: Significant infrastructure limitations, disjointed processes and alarming patient outcomes signify major quality gaps tied to wider health financing shortfalls. Specific issues include resource distribution inequities, medical supply unreliability, poor referral systems, limited staff accountability and infection control breaches—culminating in high preventable complications. Conclusions: Interdependencies exist between financing, tools, clinical workflows and patient experiences whereby strengthening isolated aspects risks continued quality issues without addressing root causes holistically. Sustainable reforms necessitate coordinated investments in infrastructure, oversight, coordination and worker training. Recommendations: A 10-step roadmap details structural upgrades, delivery protocols and monitoring mechanisms health authorities must institute in tandem to raise care standards for patient welfare and trust. Scientific Significance: This paper advances use of mixed, multi-level modeling to diagnose complex health sector challenges in resource-limited contexts. Practical Relevance: The blueprint formulated provides an evidence-based guide for policymakers to sequentially address identified healthcare deficiencies through coordinated quality assurance initiatives.

Examination of Patient Safety and Experience in Ghanaian Healthcare Facilities

Objective: This paper analyzes Ghana’s healthcare quality challenges utilizing the Donabedian model covering structures, processes and outcomes to inform comprehensive systems improvement recommendations. Methods: A mixed methods approach compiles empirical findings from multiple clinical studies across Ghana assessing healthcare infrastructure, service delivery patterns, and resultant patient consequences. Qualitative case reports provide context while quantitative metrics spotlight nationwide deficiencies. An adapted Donabedian framework incorporated expanded quality domains for rigorous evaluation. Results: Significant infrastructure limitations, disjointed processes and alarming patient outcomes signify major quality gaps tied to wider health financing shortfalls. Specific issues include resource distribution inequities, medical supply unreliability, poor referral systems, limited staff accountability and infection control breaches—culminating in high preventable complications. Conclusions: Interdependencies exist between financing, tools, clinical workflows and patient experiences whereby strengthening isolated aspects risks continued quality issues without addressing root causes holistically. Sustainable reforms necessitate coordinated investments in infrastructure, oversight, coordination and worker training. Recommendations: A 10-step roadmap details structural upgrades, delivery protocols and monitoring mechanisms health authorities must institute in tandem to raise care standards for patient welfare and trust. Scientific Significance: This paper advances use of mixed, multi-level modeling to diagnose complex health sector challenges in resource-limited contexts. Practical Relevance: The blueprint formulated provides an evidence-based guide for policymakers to sequentially address identified healthcare deficiencies through coordinated quality assurance initiatives.

Integrated Approach of Retrofitting an Existing Residential Building to a Nearly Zero Energy Building with Simultaneous Seismic Upgrading

Introduction The current study's goal is to apply an integrated approach of retrofitting a typical building in Cyprus that was designed and constructed for the refugee settlements in the period 1975-1985. The existing building is retrofitted to a nearly zero-energy building. Methods This typical type of building examined represents approximately 15,347 houses and stands for 3.57% of households in Cyprus. This percentage is considered significant with regards to energy consumption, as this type of structure has an estimated energy consumption of 1000 kWh/m2/y and CO2 emissions of 293.74kg CO2/m2/y. This corresponds to 0.293 Mt CO2/y, which stands for 4.18% of total CO2 emissions in Cyprus for 2011, based on the latest IEA (International Energy Agency) data. An integrated approach is followed for the retrofitting of the existing building, which involves both energy and structural upgrades, taking into account the earthquake resistance upgrade. Since Cyprus is in a highly seismic region, an important factor in this approach is the ability of the structure to survive a strong earthquake during its remaining lifetime, according to the design criteria. The study presents and discusses three possible coalitions with multiple scenarios of approaching the upgrade of the existing building. In each coalition, various criteria and implementation actions are considered based on the energy consumption, the CO2 footprint, and the seismic resistance. Results The study also investigates whether the extension of life expectancy of the existing structure through earthquake resistance upgrade will have a positive or negative effect on the CO2 life cycle footprint and cost of the building. Results show that for the examined typical building, simultaneous energy and earthquake resistance upgrade is more efficient in terms of cost and environmental impact. The building with the smallest construction age had the smallest Decision-Making Index (DMI) from the A, B and C coalitions. Conclusion It is important that for an existing building, the option to remain in its original state (coalition A) without any upgrading intervention is not the most favorable option. Therefore, the need to evaluate the existing building stock and plan the upgrade of the buildings in question is of utmost importance.

Strengthening of reinforced concrete columns incorporating different configurations of stainless-steel plates

Reinforced concrete columns may need to be strengthened to support additional load arising from structural upgrades of existing structures or for retrofitting purposes. There is an increasing demand for sustainable and durable construction materials and techniques for strengthening and retrofitting purposes. Existing studies proposed additional jacketing using steel tubes or fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP). However, steel tubes can corrode when exposed to harsh environments whereas jacketing using FRP is very expensive. This study proposes innovative strengthening techniques using exterior bonding of stainless-steel plates (SSP) strips. SSP offers higher strength and corrosion resistance compared to steel and FRP materials. This paper presents an experimental and numerical study on strengthening reinforced concrete columns by innovative exterior bonding of SSP strips. A total of nine reinforced concrete column specimens are experimentally tested under axial compression loading to failure. The columns are strengthened using two different innovative techniques namely bonding stainless-steel plates to the exterior of the columns in flat as well as spirally wrapped around the columns. The cracking load, ultimate load and energy absorption capacity of the strengthened columns are found to be increased within a range of 45%− 162%, 26%− 112% and 34%− 190%, respectively when compared to the unstrengthened control column. The spacing of the SSP significantly effects the performance of strengthened columns. The ultimate load of the columns with reduced spacing increased as high as 44.9%. Additionally, employing a continuous full-height stainless steel spiral sheet yielded the most significant ultimate strength gains, calculated as high as 112% compared to the unstrengthened column although this led to an increase in the cost of the columns. A nonlinear finite element model (FEM) is also performed of the tested columns and validated the numerical prediction against the test results. The FEM is found to accurately predict the performance of such a column experimentally observed. This study provides crucial knowledge to understand the behavior of such a column and provides numerical tools for design engineers.

Synergy level of urban resilience and urban land use efficiency in the Yellow River Basin: Spatial-temporal evolution characteristics and driving factors

The complex global context, including globalization, rapid urbanization, and climate change, poses significant challenges to urban stability and development. Balancing urban land use efficiency and resilience is crucial for sustainable progress. Focusing on the vulnerable Yellow River Basin (YRB), this study examines the interplay between urban resilience and land use efficiency. Panel data from 2013 to 2020 for 54 cities in the YRB were used, it quantifies the Coupling Coordination Degree of Urban Resilience and Urban Land Use Efficiency (CCDUU), explores its spatiotemporal evolution and influencing factors. Key findings include: The CCDUU exhibits a sustained and discernible growth trend. Notably, CCDUU is higher in downstream areas in comparison to the middle reaches, reaching its lowest point in the upstream areas; however, the increase in CCDUU in the upstream areas surpasses that observed in other regions. Concurrently, regional disparities in CCDUU are diminishing. Despite the presence of a notable positive spatial correlation in CCDUU within the YRB, the strength of this spatial association is not sufficiently robust. Of paramount importance factor is the role of regional innovation, which significantly influences the enhancement of CCDUU. Following closely is the degree of openness, whereas the positive effects of government support and population density are concentrated predominantly in the upper YRB region. In contrast, urban-rural disparity exerts an adverse impact on CCDUU in most regions. Policy recommendations for enhancing CCDUU in YRB cities include strengthening government support and planning control, particularly in upstream regions, to achieve efficient resource utilization and environmental protection. Implementing population density management policies, encouraging rational movement, and promoting population migration to upstream areas can alleviate pressure in downstream cities. Enhancing openness, attracting foreign investment, and promoting innovation and industrial upgrading will drive economic structural upgrades and improve CCDUU.

Investigation of key parameters affecting the use of Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) as strengthening material

The use of Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) for strengthening applications is gaining increasing attention due to its advantageous mechanical and durability characteristics. However, the lack of design guidelines and code recommendations hinders the extensive use of UHPFRC in strengthening applications. The aim of the present study is to offer valuable insights regarding the effect of critical parameters on the performance of UHPFRC as a strengthening material. In this current research, experimental and numerical results have been used to evaluate the effectiveness of UHPFRC layers for the structural upgrade of existing Reinforced Concrete (RC) beams. Critical parameters such as the thickness of the additional layers, the connection at the old-to-new concrete interface, the mechanical performance of UHPFRC, and the amount of additional longitudinal reinforcement have been studied, and recommendations for the effective design of the strengthened elements, considering both performance and cost, are presented. The results of the present study indicate that the addition of steel bars with different diameters in the layer increased the load-carrying capacity by up to 183%. On the contrary, an increase of 5.8% in the load-carrying capacity was achieved when the RC beams had 30 mm layers, and an 18.1% increment was achieved for layers with a higher thickness of 70 mm. The assumption of perfect connection at the interface, which can be achieved with dowels at the interface, resulted in further enhancement of the load carrying capacity, which was found to be equal to 11.8% for the 30 mm layer and 35.3% for the 70 mm layer. An increment of the UHPFRC tensile strength of the strengthening layer from 11.5 MPa to 14 MPa resulted in a further increment of the load-carrying capacity by 8%.

Novel (±)-trans-β-lactam ureas: Synthesis, in silico and in vitro biological profiling.

A diastereomeric mixture of racemic 3-phthalimido-b-lactam 2a/2b was synthesized by the Staudinger reaction of carboxylic acid activated with 2-chloro-1-methylpyridinium iodide and imine 1. The amino group at the C3 position of the b-lactam ring was used for further structural upgrade. trans-b-lactam ureas 4a-t were prepared by the condensation reaction of the amino group of b-lactam ring with various aromatic and aliphatic isocyanates. Antimicrobial activity of compounds 4a-t was evaluated in vitro and neither antibacterial nor antifungal activity were observed. Several of the newly synthesized trans-b-lactam ureas 4a-c, 4f, 4h, 4n, 4o, 4p, and 4s were evaluated for in vitro antiproliferative activity against liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), ovarian carcinoma (A2780), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF7) and untransformed human fibroblasts (HFF1). The b-lactam urea 4o showed the most potent antiproliferative activity against the ovarian carcinoma (A2780) cell line. Compounds 4o and 4p exhibited strong cytotoxic effects against human non-tumor cell line HFF1. The b-lactam ureas 4a-t were estimated to be soluble and membrane permeable, moderately lipophilic molecules (logP 4.6) with a predisposition to be CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein substrates. The tools PASS and SwissTargetPrediction could not predict biological targets for compounds 4a-t with high probability, pointing to the novelty of their structure. Considering low toxicity risk, molecules 4a and 4f can be selected as the most promising candidates for further structure modifications.

The Impact of China’s New Infrastructure Development on Urban Innovation Quality—A Quasi-Natural Experiment of Smart City Pilots

Currently, human society is in the era of the digital economy, driven by a new wave of digital technology revolution. Against this backdrop, China actively draws on global development concepts, accelerating the advancement of new infrastructure construction. This initiative aims to stabilize current economic demands while laying a material foundation for long-term development. Therefore, the efficient implementation of this new infrastructure has become a pressing issue for China, as unlocking its empowering role in the national economy is of paramount importance. This study, based on balanced panel data from China’s initial smart city pilot projects from 2008 to 2018, employs both two-way fixed effects and mediation effect models to empirically examine the impact of new infrastructure construction on urban innovation quality, considering endogeneity issues. The research findings reveal that new infrastructure construction enhances urban innovation quality by expediting industrial structural upgrades and enhancing total factor productivity. Furthermore, due to variations in geographical location and population density, there is heterogeneity in the impact of new infrastructure on urban innovation quality, with investments in new infrastructure exerting a more pronounced positive effect in cities with high population density.

Experimental study on thermal matrix composite for seismic-energy upgrade of masonry buildings

The existing building stock consists mainly of masonry constructions built long before modern seismic regulations and the issue of energy saving. As a result of the well-known problems related to climate change and the need to reduce energy consumption, the issues of sustainability and reducing the environmental impact of the construction industry have become increasingly relevant. In this context, the present research addresses an integrated way for both structural and energy upgrade of masonry buildings. Specifically, innovative fibre-reinforced composite materials assembled by using lime-based thermal matrices combined with a balanced high-strength basalt fibre were experimentally investigated at the Laboratory of the University of Florence. These composite materials are identified by the acronym FRLM (Fiber Reinforced Lime Matrix). Initial work involved the selection of thermally efficient and compatible matrices, and then, the composite materials were investigated through tensile tests and single shear tests in order to evaluate their bond performance. Different bond lengths were considered with the goal of identifying the effective one.

Emerging renovation strategies and technical solutions for mass-construction of residential districts built after World War II in Europe

While deep energy renovations of buildings have been implemented for over a decade, the pace and volume of building upgrades are still insufficient to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Therefore, it is urgent to adopt technological and management innovations to significantly improve renovation performance. A significant portion of Europe's building stock was constructed after World War II using industrial methods, often in concentrated districts. It is reasonable to consider mass-renovating these dwellings that require urgent structural and energy performance upgrades. This paper aims to assess the extent to which EU member states are planning to implement mass-renovations and identify the main barriers to initiating and mainstreaming mass-renovation approaches. We conducted a content analysis of EU member states' long-term renovation strategies (n = 29) and used in-depth interviews (n = 16) with representatives of the renovation supply side in Estonia. Our findings reveal that the recent iteration of national long-term renovation strategies demonstrates a weak approach to mass-renovations. Only the regions of Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium have provided specific action plans. While one third of states have mentioned the theoretical benefits of mass-renovations, most countries have not addressed this approach at all. The interviews revealed that maintaining consistent demand, involving large new builders, and adopting offsite prefabrication of renovation components are key factors for initiating or mainstreaming mass-renovations. First, we propose that EU member states include mass-renovation goals and action plans in the next version of strategic documents that determine the financing of energy efficiency. Second, central governments should empower local governments with the necessary skills and resources to lead district-based renovation adoption. Third, we suggest that countries make significant investments in industrializing current resource-consuming onsite renovation practices to transition towards off-site prefab serial renovation.

Transition of household cooking energy in China since the 1980s

As urbanization accelerates and an increasing number of people move from rural to urban areas, changes in household energy consumption have become a major symptom of typical human-land relationship activities in different regions, i.e., labour migration is affecting household energy consumption, especially household cooking energy. Based on household data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (1989–2015), this paper employs a panel multinomial logit model and mathematical statistics to reveal structural changes in urban and rural Chinese households cooking energy consumption and the driving factors of these changes over the past 30 years and provides suggestions for the structural upgrade of household cooking energy consumption. The research shows that household cooking energy consumption in China has undergone a substantial transition since the 1980s, displaying diverse trends in urban and rural households. The shift from coal to natural gas in urban areas and from solid fuels to electricity in rural areas was driven by a range of factors such as per capita disposable income, government policies, energy prices and availability. Among these, household income was found to be the most influential factor. Additionally, migration had a notable effect on household cooking energy consumption in rural areas. The reduction of solid fuel usage and the electrification of cooking are proven methods of lowering household energy emissions, as natural gas releases 60% less CO2 compared to coal when producing the same amount of heat. The government must implement a focused strategy for the transition towards cleaner energy sources for household cooking, prioritizing rural areas by strengthening energy infrastructure and fostering the development of solar and wind energy. In urban areas, efforts should be directed towards enhancing income, stabilizing energy costs, and popularizing the use of natural gas.

Cancer-Oriented Comprehensive Nursing Services in Republic of Korea: Lessons from an Oncologist’s Perspective

Background and objectives: As is well known, cancer patients require extensive medical attention as they undergo surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and supportive care. The importance of high-quality cancer-directed nursing, combined with precision medicine, to maximize their survival outcomes and help them achieve a better quality of life cannot be overemphasized. In this context, we offered a new cancer-oriented comprehensive nursing system to our inpatients and reviewed its clinical outcomes in comparison with those from the preexisting general cancer ward. Materials and Methods: From March 2019 to February 2020, a total of 102 cancer patients and 42 nurses were enrolled in this pilot study. We aimed to analyze their performance in three main categories: structure, process, and patient/nurse outcomes. Results: First, structural (nurse staffing and environment) upgrades were installed in the cancer-oriented comprehensive nursing ward, including an improved nurse-patient ratio (1:8 in the comprehensive ward as compared with 1:14 in the general ward), wider space between beds (1.5 m versus 1.0 m), fully automatic beds with fall prevention sensors, etc. Second, the nursing process was improved (missed care 0.1 event/month vs. 1.3 event/month). Third, both patient and nurse outcomes showed preferable results in the comprehensive ward. The patient satisfaction level was higher in the comprehensive nursing ward than in the general ward (willing to revisit: 91.7% and 78.4%, respectively; willing to recommend to others: 95.0% and 76.8%, respectively). Pressure ulcers, as a patient safety indicator, were also decreased (0.3 events/month vs. 0.8 events/month). However, the fall incidence was similar in both groups (1.6 events/month vs. 1.5 events/month). In terms of nurse outcomes, turnover intention was stabilized and nurses' job satisfaction in the comprehensive ward was superior to that of their counterparts. Conclusions: Our study was a pilot study to demonstrate that cancer patient-oriented comprehensive nursing services can be helpful in improving the quality of cancer treatment and nurses' job satisfaction. Continued interest in and efforts to improve nursing care delivery are also crucial in achieving and maintaining the best possible cancer patient care.

Research on the Impact of Digital Finance on the Industrial Structure Upgrading of the Yangtze River Economic Belt from the Perspective of R&D Innovation

According to the panel data of 11 provinces (including two municipalities) in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) for 2011–2020, we empirically test the influence of digital finance on the structural upgrade of industries of the YREB using the least squares dummy variable estimation (LSDV) of the fixed effect model (FEM). R&D innovation is taken as the mediating variable to explore the mediating effect of R&D innovation in digital finance and industrial structural upgrading of the YREB. The empirical results indicate that the advancement of digital finance is able to advance upgrading the industrial structure of the YREB, and its promotion effectiveness has regional heterogeneity. Digital finance plays the largest role in accelerating industrial structural upgrading downstream of the YREB, followed by the midstream. The upstream plays the smallest role; R&D innovation has some mediating effects in digital finance, promoting structural upgrading of industries of the YREB. Therefore, we propose accelerating the development of digital finance, improving the digital financial system, and promoting regional coordinated regional development. Moreover, we propose to raise the R&D innovation level, further advance the industrial upgrading of YREB, advance the coordinated development of the YREB, and achieve common prosperity.

Surface modification single crystal Li-rich Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 as high performance cathode materials for Li-ion batteries

To improve electrochemical performance and structure stability, Li3PO4 surface modification and single crystallization are applied for Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 to improve structural stability and upgrade electrochemical performance. The electrochemical characterization indicates that single crystal cathode material with Li3PO4 surface modification has high cycle stability and superior Li+ diffusion coefficient. Li-ion conductor Li3PO4 can supply diffusion channels for Li+ migration and inhibit phase transition. Coating Li3PO4 on Li-rich cathode materials is an effective method to improve the electrochemical performance and structure stability of the materials.

The effects of structural and technical change on China’s industrial CO2 emissions pathways under uncertainty

ABSTRACT The industrialization process in China has resulted in the fast growth of the country’s energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Examining the effects of industrial structural change on the emissions pathways in the mid-term future would help advance understanding of how industrial policy choices affect the fulfillment of the strategic climate targets of emissions peaking and carbon neutrality. This study couples index decomposition analysis (IDA) with an additive nonparametric regression model to project the possible emissions pathways with different industrial structures. It develops a set of scenarios following the storylines of shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) to examine these effects in an uncertain environment towards 2040. The results show that structural change has played an increasing role in curbing carbon emissions of China’s industrial sectors since 2000. The CO2 emissions reductions attributable to this effect were 686 million tons (Mton CO2) between 2000 and 2013, and these contributions to emission mitigation rose to 798 Mton between 2014 and 2019. The scenario results suggest that the aggregated effect of energy efficiency and structure upgrades will decrease emissions by 43% in 2040 relative to the level in 2019 in the ideal case. Regardless of the uncertainties in scenario settings, heavy industry will continue to dominate China’s industrial emissions through 2040. Nevertheless, a significant structural change with an increased share of high-tech industries, such as information and communication technology, could lead to more than a 30% reduction in emissions compared to cases with more minor changes in this sub-sector. Key Policy Insights A rapid expansion of heavy industry is the primary factor driving the rapid growth of China’s industrial CO2 emissions since 2000. Industrial structural change is the second most significant factor curbing emissions growth, and the influence of this factor is increasing. Keeping up the momentum of structural change and technological upgrades in the industrial sector would make it possible for industry emissions to decrease in the medium-term future, therefore contributing substantially to China’s goal of peaking its CO2 emissions by 2030. Realizing carbon neutrality in the longer term necessitates not only structural change in industry, but also a fundamental transformation of the energy supply system.

Effects of digital economy on carbon emission reduction: New evidence from China

Recently, the progress of reaching carbon emission peaks and achieving carbon neutrality has had significant impacts on the global economy. The overall societal efforts on carbon emission reduction from various industries will likely be strengthened, thanks to the advantages enterprises could gain in digital technologies through a structural upgrade in the energy systems. Based on China's provincial panel data from 2011 to 2019, this paper constructs a spatial panel Durbin model and a mediating effect model to investigate the mechanism and influence of the digital economy on carbon emission reduction. The results show that (1) the development of the digital economy has a significant spatial spillover effect on carbon emission reduction; (2) the digital economy influences carbon emission reduction both directly and indirectly. This means that the carbon emission reduction can be affected indirectly by the digital economy through the transformation of energy structure; (3) the carbon emission reduction effect of the digital economy exhibits regional heterogeneity, it is more prominent in eastern regions than in other areas. The above findings provide substantial empirical evidence to policymakers on how to best promote the development of the digital economy and intensify the coordination of China’s digital infrastructure in regional environmental governance.

Urban-Industrial Development and Regional Economic Growth in a Developing Country: A Spatial Econometric Approach

This paper explored the effects of urbanization and industrial structure change in contemporary China using the data of 26 cities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) between 2006 and 2017. We analyzed the spatial characteristics of the regional economic growth by calculating the Global Moran’s I and the Local Moran’s I. We investigated the relationship between urbanization, industrial structure upgrade, and economic growth through a spatial econometric approach and tested the panel thresholds. Our findings included: (1) spatial autocorrelation is an important driver of urbanization and industrial structure upgrade; (2) the upgrade of the industrial structure leads to a structural economic deceleration which slows down the regional economic growth in the YRD; however, the positive effect of industrial structure upgrade on the regional economic growth still exists; (3) a synergy effect of New-type Urbanization and industrial structural upgrade positively affects the economic growth in the YRD; (4) the empirical results indicate that only when urbanization and industrial structural upgrade develop coordinately, will they play better roles in promoting the economic growth.