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1 – 10 of over 1000Pingping Hou, Zheng Qian, Meng Xin Hu, Ji Qi Liu, Jun Zhang, Wei Zhao, Xiao Li, Yong Wang, HongYan Huang and Qian Ping Ran
The purpose of this study is to explore the interfacial adhesion between superhydrophobic coatings FC-X (X = 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%) and the concrete substrate, along with the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the interfacial adhesion between superhydrophobic coatings FC-X (X = 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5%) and the concrete substrate, along with the impact of FC-X on the water repellency characteristics of the concrete substrate.
Design/methodology/approach
One synthetic step was adopted to prepare novel F-SiO2 NP hybrid fluororesin coating. The impact of varying mass fractions of F-SiO2 NPs on the superhydrophobicity of FC-X was analyzed and subsequently confirmed through water contact angle (WCA) measurements. Superhydrophobic coatings were simply applied to the concrete substrate using a one-step spraying method. The interfacial adhesion between FC-X and the concrete substrate was analyzed using tape pasting tests and abrasion resistance measurements. The influence of FC-X on the water repellency of the concrete substrate was investigated through measurements of water absorption, impermeability and electric flux.
Findings
FC-4% exhibits excellent superhydrophobicity, with a WCA of 157.5° and a sliding angle of 2.3°. Compared to control sample, FC-X exhibits better properties, including chemical durability, wear resistance, adhesion strength, abrasion resistance, water resistance and impermeability.
Practical implications
This study offers a thorough investigation into the practical implications of enhancing the durability and water repellency of concrete substrates by using superhydrophobic coatings, particularly FC-4%, which demonstrates exceptional superhydrophobicity alongside remarkable chemical durability, wear resistance, adhesion strength, abrasion resistance, water resistance and impermeability.
Originality/value
Through the examination of the interfacial adhesion between FC-X and the concrete substrate, along with an assessment of FC-X’s impact on the water repellency of the concrete, this paper provides valuable insights into the practical application of superhydrophobic coatings in enhancing the durability and performance of concrete materials.
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Xikui Li, Songge Zhang and Qinglin Duan
This paper aims to present a novel scheme for imposing periodic boundary conditions with downscaled macroscopic strain measures of gradient Cosserat continuum on the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a novel scheme for imposing periodic boundary conditions with downscaled macroscopic strain measures of gradient Cosserat continuum on the representative volume element (RVE) of discrete particle assembly in the frame of the second-order computational homogenization methods for granular materials.
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed scheme is based on the generalized Hill’s lemma of gradient Cosserat continuum and the incremental non-linear constitutive relation condensed to the peripheral particles of the RVE of discrete particle assembly. The generalized Hill’s lemma conducts to downscale the macroscopic strain or stress measures and to impose the periodic boundary conditions on the RVE boundary so that the Hill-Mandel energy equivalence condition is ensured. Because of the incremental non-linear constitutive relation condensed to the peripheral particles of the RVE, the periodic boundary displacement and traction constraints together with the downscaled macroscopic strains and strain gradients, micro-rotations and curvatures are imposed in the point-wise sense without the need of introducing the Lagrange multipliers for enforcing the periodic boundary displacement and traction constraints in a weak sense.
Findings
Numerical results demonstrate that the applicability and effectiveness of the proposed scheme in imposing the periodic boundary conditions on the RVE. The results of the RVE subjected to the periodic boundary conditions together with the displacement boundary conditions in the second-order computational homogenization for granular materials provide the desired estimations, which lie between the upper and the lower bounds provided by the displacement and the traction boundary conditions imposed on the RVE respectively.
Research limitations/implications
Each grain in the particulate system under consideration is assumed to be rigid and circular.
Practical implications
The proposed scheme for imposing periodic boundary conditions on the RVE can be adopted solely for estimating the effective mechanical properties of granular materials and/or integrated into the frame of the second-order computational homogenization method with a nested finite element method-discrete element method solution procedure for granular materials. It will tend to provide, at least theoretically, more reasonable results for effective material properties and solutions of a macroscopic boundary value problem simulated by the computational homogenization method.
Originality/value
This paper presents a novel scheme for imposing periodic boundary conditions with downscaled macroscopic strain measures of gradient Cosserat continuum on the RVE of discrete particle assembly for granular materials without need of introducing Lagrange multipliers for enforcing periodic boundary conditions in a weak (integration) sense.
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Mario Iván Tarride and Mario Italo Contreras
The paper aims to propose a model and a comprehensive diagnostic method of organizational health status based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to propose a model and a comprehensive diagnostic method of organizational health status based on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).
Design/methodology/approach
The methodology is qualitative/interpretive and uses of the concept of functional homomorphism of WR Ashby is used, establishing similarities between the way in which this ancient medicine considers the human being and their condition as healthy to transfer it to an organization that produces goods and/or services.
Findings
A healthy organization is conceived as one constituted by an association of people regulated by a set of norms based on certain purposes in a state of harmonious balance of their physical and energetic dimensions. In that the physical refers to storage functions, regulation and allocation of resources; transformation of raw materials and inputs into goods and services; waste disposal, distribution and coordination and with information systems for management control, while energy is associated with the ability to act with its management and policies.
Research limitations/implications
The current paper is a first theoretical proposal, which should be enriched with practical applications that feedback its conceptual formulation, thus contributing to its validation.
Practical implications
A comprehensive organizational diagnostic method is made available.
Social implications
The proposed method allows a comprehensive organizational diagnosis, considering the participation of all the actors that make up this type of social systems.
Originality/value
Although the methodological resource is old, the way it is used here is considered original, and it is also part of an original investigative process by the authors, oriented toward the search for comprehensive organizational diagnostic methods.
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Abstract
Purpose
This research aims to propose a comparative environmental analysis of conventional and prefabricated construction techniques utilizing a building information modelling (BIM) technique.
Design/methodology/approach
A set of indicators are selected to assess the environmental emissions throughout the construction life cycle, based on BIM platform. An existing project involving ten apartment buildings in Shanghai is selected as a case study.
Findings
The results reveal that prefabricated construction demonstrates environment-friendly performance with some exceptions of acidification and mineral resource consumption. Environmental impacts can also be further reduced by increasing the projected area ratio and percentage of project prefabrication.
Originality/value
Overall, the proposed method can be used to identify relevant environmental merits and for decision-making of appropriate construction techniques in building construction projects.
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This study aimed to investigate the impact of benevolent leadership on proactive customer service performance by creating a moderated mediation model. The model focuses on the…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the impact of benevolent leadership on proactive customer service performance by creating a moderated mediation model. The model focuses on the role of harmonious passion as a mediator in the relationship between benevolent leadership and proactive customer service performance as well as the moderating influence of proactive personality on this mediation.
Design/methodology/approach
The model was tested using data from 339 immediate supervisor-subordinate pairs in eight five-star hotels in Egypt. Frontline service employees and their immediate supervisors completed separate questionnaires, and the responses were matched using identification numbers.
Findings
The results indicate that harmonious passion fully mediates the positive relationship between benevolent leadership and proactive customer service performance. Additionally, proactive personality was found to moderate the mediated relationship between benevolent leadership and proactive customer service performance through harmonious passion, such that the mediation was stronger for employees with higher proactive personalities.
Research limitations/implications
By testing the moderated mediation model, this study contributes to our theoretical understanding of the motivational mechanism through which benevolent leadership influences proactive customer service performance.
Originality/value
This research offers initial evidence of the mediating role of harmonious passion in the positive relationship between benevolent leadership and proactive customer service performance. The moderated mediation model extends existing findings by incorporating proactive personality as a significant moderator in explaining the impact of benevolent leadership on proactive customer service performance.
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Yong-Quan Li, Jia-Cheng Ji, Wen-Qi Ruan, Mei-Yu Wang and Shu-Ning Zhang
This study aims to investigate how the frame orientation format and visual content of tourism short videos interact to influence tourists’ travel intention.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate how the frame orientation format and visual content of tourism short videos interact to influence tourists’ travel intention.
Design/methodology/approach
Two scenario-based experiments were designed and conducted through Credamo. The researchers enrolled 187 participants for Study 1 using convenience sampling, measuring the impact of video frame orientation and visual content on travel intention by conducting a two-factor analysis of covariance. Study 2 retested the interaction effect using 237 sample data and conducted bootstrapping to examine the serially mediating effect of imagery fluency and travel inspiration.
Findings
Frame orientation formats and visual content interactively affect the video audience’s travel intention: For site-centric tourism short videos, the horizontal frame orientation format can help inspire audiences’ travel intention; However, for activity-centric tourism short videos, the vertical frame orientation format is more suitable. Imagery fluency and travel inspiration have serially mediated effects in the above interactions.
Practical implications
Destination marketers can use a combination of vertical format and activity-centric content (or horizontal format and site-centric content) to ensure the marketing effectiveness of short videos.
Originality/value
This study explores how frame orientation and visual content interact to influence video audiences’ travel intention. The findings challenge the traditional understanding of frame orientation selection in short videos, provide a meaningful extension of construal-level theory and contribute to the research on visual effects in short tourism videos.
目的
本文旨在研究旅游短视频的画面方向格式和视觉内容如何交互影响游客的出游意愿。
设计/方法/途径
本研究利用见数平台开展了两个情景实验。实验1招募了187名被试者, 利用双因素方差分析测量了视频画面方向和视觉内容对出游意愿的交互效应。实验2利用237个样本数复测了交互效应, 并验证了图像流畅性和旅游灵感对上述交互效应的链式中介作用。
研究发现
框架方向格式和视觉内容交互影响视频受众的旅游意向:对于以景点为中心的旅游短视频而言, 水平方向的画面形式有助于激发受众的出游意愿; 但对于以活动为中心的旅游短视频而言, 垂直方向的画面形式更为适合。在上述交互作用中, 图像流畅度和旅游灵感具有链式中介效应。
实践意义
目的地营销人员可以将垂直格式和以活动为中心的内容(或水平格式和以景点为中心的内容)结合起来使用, 以确保短视频的营销效果。
原创性/价值
本研究探讨了框架取向和视觉内容如何相互作用并影响视频受众的出游意愿。研究结果挑战了关于短视频中画面方向选择的传统理解, 为旅游短视频构图相关理论提供了有意义的延伸, 并为旅游短视频中视觉效果的研究做出了贡献。
Propósito
Este estudio investiga cómo el formato de orientación del marco y el contenido visual de los vídeos cortos turísticos interactúan para influir en la intención de viaje de los turistas.
Diseño/metodología/enfoque
Se diseñaron y llevaron a cabo dos experimentos basados en escenarios a través de Credamo. Los investigadores reclutaron a 187 participantes para el Estudio 1 mediante un muestreo de conveniencia, y midieron el impacto de la orientación del fotograma de vídeo y el contenido visual en la intención de viajar realizando un análisis de covarianza de dos factores. El Estudio 2 volvió a probar el efecto de interacción utilizando 237 datos de muestra y realizó bootstrapping para examinar el efecto de mediación en serie de la fluidez de las imágenes y la inspiración para viajar.
Conclusiones
Los formatos de orientación de los fotogramas y el contenido visual influyen de forma interactiva en la intención de viajar del público del vídeo: Para los vídeos turísticos de corta duración centrados en un lugar, el formato de orientación horizontal puede ayudar a inspirar la intención de viajar del público; sin embargo, para los vídeos turísticos de corta duración centrados en una actividad, el formato de orientación vertical es más adecuado. La fluidez de las imágenes y la inspiración para viajar tienen efectos mediados en serie en las interacciones mencionadas.
Implicaciones practices
Los responsables de marketing de destinos pueden utilizar una combinación de formato vertical y contenido centrado en la actividad (o formato horizontal y contenido centrado en el sitio) para garantizar la eficacia de marketing de los vídeos cortos.
Originalidad/valor
Este estudio explora cómo la orientación del encuadre y el contenido visual interactúan para influir en la intención de viaje de los espectadores de vídeos. Los resultados cuestionan la interpretación tradicional de la selección de la orientación del encuadre en los vídeos cortos, proporcionan una ampliación significativa de la teoría del nivel de construcción y contribuyen a la investigación sobre los efectos visuales en los vídeos turísticos cortos.
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Qiang Shen, Jieyu Liu, Huang Huang, Qi Wang and Weiwei Qin
The purpose of this study is to explore a signal processing method to improve the angular rate accuracy of micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) gyroscope by combining numerous…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore a signal processing method to improve the angular rate accuracy of micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) gyroscope by combining numerous gyroscopes.
Design/methodology/approach
To improve the dynamic performance of the signal processing method, the interacting multiple model (IMM) can be applied to the fusion of gyroscope array. However, the standard IMM has constant Markov parameter, which may reduce the model switching speed. To overcome this problem, an adaptive IMM filter is developed based on the kurtosis of the gyroscope output, in which the transition probabilities are adjusted online by utilizing the dynamic information of the rate signal.
Findings
The experimental results indicate that the precision of the gyroscope array composed of six gyroscopes increases significantly and the kurtosis-based adaptive Markov parameter IMM filter (K-IMM) performs better than the baseline methods, especially under dynamic conditions. These experiments prove the validity of the proposed fusion method.
Practical implications
The proposed method can improve the accuracy of MEMS gyroscopes without breakthrough on hardware, which is necessary to extend their utility while not restricting the overwhelming advantages.
Original/value
A K-IMM algorithm is proposed in this paper, which is used to improve the angular rate accuracy of MEMS gyroscope by combining numerous gyroscopes.
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This study aims to understand the epistemic foundation of the classification applied in the first Chinese library catalogue, the Seven Epitomes (Qilue).
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to understand the epistemic foundation of the classification applied in the first Chinese library catalogue, the Seven Epitomes (Qilue).
Design/methodology/approach
Originating from a theoretical stance that situates knowledge organization in its social context, the study applies a multifaceted framework pertaining to five categories of textual data: the Seven Epitomes; biographical information about the classificationist Liu Xin; and the relevant intellectual, political, and technological history.
Findings
The study discovers seven principles contributing to the epistemic foundation of the catalogue's classification: the Han imperial library collection imposed as the literary warrant; government functions considered for structuring texts; classicist morality determining the main classificatory structure; knowledge perceived and organized as a unity; objects, rather than subjects, of concern affecting categories at the main class level; correlative thinking connecting all text categories to a supreme knowledge embodied by the Six Classics; and classicist moral values resulting in both vertical and horizontal hierarchies among categories as well as texts.
Research limitations/implications
A major limitation of the study is its focus on the main classes, with limited attention to subclasses. Future research can extend the analysis to examine subclasses of the same scheme. Findings from these studies may lead to a comparison between the epistemic approach in the target classification and the analytic one common in today's bibliographic classification.
Originality/value
The study is the first to examine in depth the epistemic foundation of traditional Chinese bibliographic classification, anchoring the classification in its appropriate social and historical context.
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Nguyen Thanh Viet, Denver Banlasan and Do Tien Sy
Adequate, reliable, and efficient urban infrastructure systems (UIS) are fundamental to sustainable development, social mobility, and economic vitality. As communities…
Abstract
Adequate, reliable, and efficient urban infrastructure systems (UIS) are fundamental to sustainable development, social mobility, and economic vitality. As communities continuously rely on basic infrastructure services to support their daily communal functions, major components of UIS are subject to heavy use, and thus rapidly deteriorate over time; hence, it is critical that efficient infrastructure management strategies practices are in place. As current strategies remain confronted with various limitations including adaptability to changing conditions, lack of public engagement, and cost-effectiveness, this study explores social media data mining as an approach to revitalise and support current urban infrastructure monitoring strategies by extracting valuable insights from public opinion. Twitter messages or ‘Tweets’ pertaining to public infrastructure in The Philippines were collected and analysed to identify recurring issues in public infrastructure, emerging topics in public discussions, and the overall perception of the public on infrastructure services. This study presents a topic model that extracts dominant topics from aggregated social media data and a sentiment analysis model that determines public opinion sentiment in relation to different urban infrastructure components. The findings of this study highlight the potential of social media data mining to surpass the limits of conventional data collection techniques and the importance of public opinion as a key driver for a more user-involved decision-making in infrastructure management and as an important social aspect that can be utilised to support planning and response strategies in routine maintenance, preservation, and improvement of UIS.
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Lei Qi, Ji Li, Zhiqiang Pang and Bing Liu
The purpose of this study is to enrich the literature on employee relations with a new model focusing on the effect of institutional structure and that of employees’…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to enrich the literature on employee relations with a new model focusing on the effect of institutional structure and that of employees’ organizational identification on the relationship between institutional structure in an organization and employees’ pro-environmental behaviors, which represents an alternative approach for understanding employees’ pro-environmental performance.
Design/methodology/approach
We collect multi-level and multi-source data from 52 four- or five-star hotels in China (N = 963). For data analysis, we adopt the approach of multilevel structural equation modeling.
Findings
The results suggest that organizations’ green institutional structure (G-structure) can significantly influence employees’ organizational identification, which in turn can increase their pro-environmental performance.
Originality/value
We propose a new multi-level theoretical perspective to explain employees’ pro-environmental behaviors. While prior studies on the issue mainly consider only the effects of such micro-level variables as ability, motivation and personality, we focus on the effect of organizational institution and its interaction with micro-level variables so that we can evaluate the effect a commonly-studied contextual variable, i.e. green institutions, on the behaviors. Moreover, in this new theoretical model, we also take into account the effect of another insufficiently-tested micro-level variable, i.e. employees’ identification, which has not been considered as frequently as other micro-level variables in studying employees’ pro-environmental performance. Our results highlight the importance of all these variables and suggest a valuable alternative model for more comprehensive research of employees’ green performance.
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