This book provides an in-depth explanation of public pension plan management and the decision-making processes surrounding pension policies within state and local governments in the United States. It addresses the intricate balance between securing retirement benefits for public employees and ensuring the fiscal sustainability of pension systems and their sponsoring governments. The book begins with an introduction to the purpose and significance of public pension systems, establishing a f...

Life in twentieth-century Communist China is not easy for its people who must navigate through hardships, oppression, and many other complex challenges. Within five original screenplays, Greg Gang CHEN shares insights into the lives of diverse characters demonstrating the resilience of the human spirit, despite the obstacles standing in the way: After intellectuals settle in a village in the late sixties, a school is established in a Buddhist temple. As locals and new arrivals recite Chair...

This book gives readers a working knowledge of vehicle vibration, noise, and sound quality. The knowledge it imparts can be applied to analyze real-world problems and devise solutions that reduce vibration, control noise, and improve sound quality in all vehicles—ground, aerospace, rail, and marine.Also described and illustrated are fundamental principles, analytical formulations, design approaches, and testing techniques. Whole vehicle systems are discussed, as are individual comp...

In this book, Chen Gang examines the real-world effectiveness of China's approach to the promotion of green technologies and practices, and discusses the political landscape in which it is situated.Politics of Renewable Energy in China questions the wisdom of hailing China as a model for authoritarian environmental governance with an up-to-date examination of the subject. It provides readers with a thorough and timely account of recent developments in China's low-carbon en...

Advances in 3D Textiles presents the most recent advances in the production of three-dimensional fibrous structures and how their use has resulted in the creation of novel fabrics and applications. The text covers a wide range of fabric types, including their structures, properties, and uses in the textiles industry. Beginning with the various types of woven three-dimensional fabrics, the text then examines 3-D knitted, braided, and non-woven textiles, and the main applications and uses of...

This book explores and analyzes influential predictors and the underlying mechanisms of individual content sharing/retweeting behavior on social networking sites (SNS) from an empirical perspective. Since Individual content sharing/ retweeting behavior expedites information dissemination, it is a critical mechanism of information diffusion on Twitter.Individual sharing/retweeting behavior does not appear to happen randomly. So, what factors lead to individual information disseminat...

This book highlights the latest developments in acute and delayed neurovascular injury studies including delayed cerebral vasospasm, early brain injury, micro-circulation compromise, spreading cortical depolarization, neuroinflammation, and long-term cognitive dysfunctions after subarachnoid hemorrhage. About 32 chapters cover original presentations from the 14th international conference on neurovascular events after subarachnoid hemorrhage, held in Los Angeles in October 2017. Neurosurgeo...

Friction Dynamics: Principles and Applications introduces readers to the basic principles of friction dynamics, which are presented in a unified theoretical framework focusing on some of the most important engineering applications. The book's chapters introduce basic concepts and analytical methods of friction dynamics, followed by sections that explore the fundamental principles of frictions. Concluding chapters focus on engineering applications in brake dynamics, the friction dynamics of...

Thus far the top-performing thermoelectric materials have included toxic elements or materials that are not abundant or expensive and difficult to produce. Consequently metal oxide materials are now being investigated as potential thermoelectric materials. Metal Oxide-Based Thermoelectric Materials reviews the characteristics of metal oxide materials in comparison to other materials utilized for thermoelectric applications. In particular, there is discussion of the intrinsic advantages of ...

Soft power has become a very popular concept in international affairs, appearing in government policy papers, academic discussions, and the popular media. In China, soft power has become one of the most frequently used phrases among political leaders, leading academics, and journalists. Defined against hard power, which often involves threat and coercion, soft power applies attraction, persuasion, and cooperation, finding its sources in culture, political values, and foreign policies. Chin...

This book analyzes the governance of illegal immigrants in ethnic areas along China’s southwest border. Since China is not an immigrant country and lacks an immigrant culture, the goals of law enforcement departments are limited to sanfeirenyuan (three types of illegal persons: illegal immigrants, illegal residents, and illegal employees). The transformation of sanfeirenyuan, an issue that has plagued China for many years, into an “illegal immigration” governance issue that is of general c...

This book provides a timely introduction to the methodology of Intelligent Bridge Maintenance and Management (IBM&M) and a comprehensive synthesis of emerging digital technologies for realizing IBM&M. The authors, who carry research, teaching, and consulting experience in the USA, Japan, and China, present the background, principles, methods, and application examples of essential IBM&M solutions in eight dedicated chapters. The digital technologies covered in this book include:• Ar...