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This study aims to address the issues of limited pipe diameter adaptability and low inspection efficiency of current pipeline inspection robots, a new type of pipeline inspection robot capable of adapting to various pipe diameters was designed.

The diameter-changing mechanism uses a multilink elastic telescopic structure consisting of telescopic rods, connecting rods and wheel frames, driven by a single motor with a helical drive scheme. A geometric model of the position relationships of the hinge points was established based on the two extreme positions of the diameter-changing mechanism.

A pipeline inspection robot was designed using a simple linkage agency, which significantly reduced the weight of the robot and enhanced its adaptive pipe diameter ability. The analysis determined that the robot could accommodate pipe diameters ranging from 332 mm to 438 mm. A static equilibrium equation was established for the robot in the hovering state, and the minimum pressing force of the wheels against the pipe wall was determined to be 36.68 N. After experimental testing, the robots could successfully pass a height of 15 mm, demonstrating the good obstacle capacity of the robot.

This paper explores and proposes a new type of multilink elastic telescopic variable diameter pipeline inspection robot, which has the characteristics of strong adaptability and flexible operation, which makes it more competitive in the field of pipeline inspection robots and has great potential market value.

The robot is characterized by the innovative design of a multilink elastic telescopic structure and the use of a single motor to drive the wheel for spiral motion. On the basis of reducing the weight of the robot, it has good pipeline adaptability, climbing ability and obstacle-crossing ability.

This study examines how maturity mismatch, a specific type of financial structure of firms, affects corporate outward foreign direct investment (OFDI).

Using the number of newly established foreign subsidiaries in a given year as firm-level OFDI and utilizing data from Chinese listed firms between 2007 and 2022, we employ a negative binomial regression model to examine the impact of corporate maturity mismatch on the OFDI. We also make efforts to ensure the robustness of the result, such as employing an exogenous policy to establish a difference-in-difference model.

The empirical result indicates that maturity mismatch inhibits firms' OFDI. Additional test shows that maturity mismatch increases firms' financing costs and reduces firms' research and development (R&D) investment and that the negative impact of maturity mismatch on OFDI is predominantly observed in firms with high financial constraints and low R&D intensity, indicating that maturity mismatch may affect firms' OFDI through the financing cost channel and the R&D investment channel.

Corporate maturity mismatch is common in China and similar emerging markets. However, research on the economic consequences of maturity mismatch, especially its impact on firms' overseas expansions, is rare. This study establishes the relationship between corporate maturity mismatch and OFDI, contributes to the literature on the relationship between financial factors and OFDI, and provides policy implications for emerging market countries.

This study aims to improve the maneuverability and stability of four-wheel chassis in a small paddy field; a front axle swing steering four-wheel chassis with optimal steering is designed.

When turning, the front inner wheel stops and the rear inner wheel is in the following state. The hydraulic drive system of the walking wheel adopts a driving mode in which two front-wheel motors are connected in series and two rear wheel motors in parallel. The chassis uses a combination of a gasoline engine with a water cooling system, a CVT continuously variable transmission and a hydraulic drive system to increase the control capability. The front axle rotary chassis adopts a step-less variable speed engine and a hydraulic control system to solve the hydraulic stability of the chassis in uphill and downhill conditions so as to effectively control the over-speed of the wheel-side drive motors. Through the quadratic orthogonal rotation combination design test, the mathematical models of uphill and downhill front-wheel pressures and test factors are established.

The results show that the chassis stability is optimal when the back pressure is 0.5 MPa, and the rotating slope is 4°. The uphill and downhill pressures of the front wheels are 2.38 MPa and 1.5 MPa, respectively.

The influence of external changes on the pressure of hydraulic motors is studied through experiments, which lays the foundation for further research.

The authors examined the influence of perceived value on consumer attitude and purchase intention (PI) and the relationship between attitude and PI towards sustainable luxury products (SLP) in China.

An online survey was conducted with 935 consumers of luxury fashion in mainland China. Structural equation modelling was applied to measure and analyse the relationship between values (i.e. hedonic values, social values, and value for money) and consumer attitude and PI.

Consumers' multidimensional values positively affected their attitude. Social values and value for money had a significant positive effect on PI towards SLP. However, hedonic values had no effect on PI.

The sample was drawn from first-tier cities in China, and the results cannot be generalised. The authors examined three dimensions of consumption values. Future research should consider additional markets, values, and influencing factors.

Luxury companies should understand Chinese consumers' diverse values and develop sustainable products that meet consumers' principles. These principles increase the perceived value of the products and thereby guide luxury brands to make marketing strategies to increase sales.

This is the first empirical study to use the theory of perceived value scale (PERVAL) to understand consumer behaviour regarding SLP in China.

The purpose of this paper is to present current state of understanding on jet electrodeposition manufacturing; to compare various experimental parameters and their implication on as deposited features; and to understand the characteristics of jet electrodeposition deposition defects and its preventive procedures through available research articles.

A systematic review has been done based on available research articles focused on jet electrodeposition and its characteristics. The review begins with a brief introduction to micro-electrodeposition and high-speed selective jet electrodeposition (HSSJED). The research and developments on how jet electrochemical manufacturing are clustered with conventional micro-electrodeposition and their developments. Furthermore, this study converges on comparative analysis on HSSJED and recent research trends in high-speed jet electrodeposition of metals, their alloys and composites and presents potential perspectives for the future research direction in the final section.

Edge defect, optimum nozzle height and controlled deposition remain major challenges in electrochemical manufacturing. On-situ deposition can be used as initial structural material for micro and nanoelectronic devices. Integration of ultrasonic, laser and acoustic source to jet electrochemical manufacturing are current trends that are promising enhanced homogeneity, controlled density and porosity with high precision manufacturing.

This paper discusses the key issue associated to high-speed jet electrodeposition process. Emphasis has been given to various electrochemical parameters and their effect on deposition. Pros and cons of variations in electrochemical parameters have been studied by comparing the available reports on experimental investigations. Defects and their preventive measures have also been discussed. This review presented a summary of past achievements and recent advancements in the field of jet electrochemical manufacturing.

Indigenous farmers have, for centuries, applied practices which maintained resilient and sustainable landscapes. Thus, understanding and preserving the agricultural knowledge of Indigenous farmers may enhance the knowledge base of sustainable agriculture. The purpose of this paper is to review current research in the fields of Indigenous knowledge and sustainability to present a research approach which enables a cohesive global way forward for future research projects seeking to understand and preserve Indigenous agricultural knowledge.

This study applied thematic analysis to review 57 research studies in the field of Indigenous knowledge and sustainability. Key themes were identified from four overarching criteria: research methodology, data input, output and outcomes.

The findings revealed a range of commonalities among the 57 research studies reviewed. This study proposes the research should continue to seek to understand and preserve Indigenous knowledge, however, research needs to go beyond simply documenting Indigenous knowledge. The way forward requires research of Indigenous agricultural knowledge to establish databases, digital repositories (including oral, video, visual) and online repositories with globally shared access, whilst acknowledging and acting in partnership with Indigenous farmers and their communities.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is an original study which has practical implications for enhancing research outcomes with regard to preservation of Indigenous knowledge. The findings of this study may be used to influence research policy formulation and implementation.