http://hdl.handle.net/10453/35362 2026-05-20T10:52:19Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194965 Title: The heterogeneous effects of emissions trading systems on energy consumption Authors: Shum, WY; Tan, X; Nghiem, X-H; Cheong, TS; Ma, N Abstract: Various measures have been proposed to reduce energy consumption (and ultimately emission) among which emission trading scheme (ETS) has been on top of the agenda. However, the majority of the existing literature focuses on the general impact of ETS while ignoring its potential heterogeneous effects. This paper investigates the influence of ETS on energy consumption with respect to different groups of stakeholders in China s Hubei province. To overcome the shortcomings of traditional econometric methods, the distribution dynamics method (which can capture transition probabilities and future evolutions) is employed. Empirical results confirm the significant and inhibiting impact of ETS on energy consumption in Hubei province, China. The superior role of benchmark and historical allocation methods in mitigating energy consumption is also confirmed. As the ETS can lower energy consumption in different areas (urban and rural), different types of firms (State-owned and private) and different industries (high- and low-polluting ones), Hubei provincial leaders are recommended to utilize this kind of scheme to decouple economic growth and energy consumption, thus protecting the environment in this area. Furthermore, other provinces in China may take the Hubei ETS as a shining example and implement appropriate steps similar to those of the Hubei ETS to yield similar benefits. 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194960 Title: Revealing nexus between crime and inequality: Application of artificial neural network with bootstrapping approach Authors: Zeng, T; Cheong, TS; Shum, WY; Wan, G; Wu, H; Ma, N Abstract: The social structure theory posits that crime is a consequence of inequality. However, an expanding body of research indicates that crime can also emerge from affluence and equality. This study used an artificial neural network approach (ANN) and a bootstrapping approach (RAB) to study the relationship between crime and inequality, incorporating various influencing factors into the model. Results reveal an asymmetric inverted U-shaped pattern, with crime at its minimum when the Gini coefficient is 0.35. This observation implies that crime is promoted at elevated levels of inequality or excessive equality. Furthermore, the study acknowledges the influence of diverse factors, including human capital, population density, inflation, unemployment, urbanization, and civil liberties, on the dynamics of the relationship between inequality and crime rates. These findings provide pragmatic policy implications for countries at different stages of economic development, aiming to achieve economic growth with social equity and crime reduction. 2025-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/194404 Title: Australia Authors: Austin, G Abstract: Australia has served as an international partner for Western security and intelligence interests for over a century, even before its national independence in 1901. It sent troops to fight with the British Empire in South Africa in 1889 and with the colonial powers, including the US, in the Boxer rebellion in China in 1900. This positioning of Australia was strengthened significantly since then by alliances with the US and the UK in two world wars, especially against Japan from 1941 to 1945, and by Australia s subsequent participation in most US-led foreign wars (Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan). Australia has partnered closely with the US in strategic competition with China, including in cyberspace, since at least 2011. As a result, over eight decades, Australia has become ever more deeply engaged in the most powerful cyber military and intelligence alliance in the world-the Five Eyes. This position was further transformed and strengthened in 2021 under the auspices of the AUKUS agreement. At the same time, new forms of multilateral cyber diplomacy with a hard security focus affecting Australia began to emerge, for example, with Ukraine, within NATO, and with major Indo-Pacific powers apart from China. These hard security interests of Australia in cyberspace have now pushed into the shade what had become a creditable level of international citizenship in support of the development of cyber norms within the framework of the United Nations and other multilateral settings. The main policy challenge for Australia now is to reconcile different strands of international cyber policy to secure its basic needs national defence, economic prosperity and domestic human security-while contributing to the good order of the region and the world. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10453/193879 Title: Development of Aromatic Organic Materials for High‐Performance Lithium‐on Batteries: Strategies, Advances and Future Perspectives Authors: Wang, T; Fu, C; Liu, X; Gu, W; He, D; Liu, X; Lu, J; Liu, Y; Wang, C; Pang, H Abstract: Ever since lithium (Li) ion batteries were successfully commercialized, aromatic compounds have attended every turning point in optimizing electrolytes, separators, and even electrode materials. However, the contribution of aromatic compounds has always been neglected compared to other advanced materials. At the same time, designing next-generation Li-ion batteries with higher flexibility, solid-state electrolytes, high energy density, and better coulombic efficiency has imposed stricter duties on aromatic components. In this review, we first systematically introduce the history of aromatic compounds that promote the development of Li-ion batteries. Typical applications of aromatic compounds in Li-ion batteries (e.g., separators, electrolytes, binders, and electrodes) are discussed in detail, and corresponding design characteristics are systematically analyzed. Finally, we suppose conjectures and prospects orientally designing aromatic compounds in the next generation Li-ion batteries. 2025-12-15T00:00:00Z