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This study aims to address the challenge of the real-time state of charge (SOC) estimation for lithium-ion batteries in robotic systems, which is critical for monitoring remaining battery power, planning task execution, conserving energy and extending battery lifespan.

The authors introduced an optimal observer based on adaptive dynamic programming for online SOC estimation, leveraging a second-order resistor–capacitor model for the battery. The model parameters were determined by fitting an exponential function to the voltage response from pulse current discharges, and the observer's effectiveness was verified through extensive experimentation.

The proposed optimal observer demonstrated significant improvements in SOC estimation accuracy, robustness and real-time performance, outperforming traditional methods by minimizing estimation errors and eliminating the need for iterative steps in the adaptive critic and actor updates.

This study contributes a novel approach to SOC estimation using an optimal observer that optimizes the observer design by minimizing estimation errors. This method enhances the robustness of SOC estimation against observation errors and uncertainties in battery behavior, representing a significant advancement in battery management technology for robotic applications.

This paper aims to investigate the differences in hot corrosion behavior of the GTD222 superalloy and TiC/GTD222 composite in a mixed salt of 75% Na₂SO₄ and 25% K₂SO₄ at 900°C.

The GTD222 superalloy and TiC/GTD222 nickel-based composite were prepared using selective laser melting (SLM). Subsequently, the hot corrosion behavior of the two alloys was systematically investigated in a salt mixture consisting of 75% Na₂SO₄ and 25% K₂SO₄ (Wt.%) at 900°C.

The TiC/GTD222 composite exhibited better hot corrosion resistance compared to the GTD222 superalloy. First, the addition of alloying elements led to the formation of a protective oxide film on the TiC/GTD222 composites 20 h before hot corrosion. Second, TiC/GTD222 composite corrosion surface has a higher Ti content, after 100 h of hot corrosion, the composite corrosion surface Ti content of 10.8% is more than two times the GTD222 alloy 4% Ti. The Ti and Cr oxides are tightly bonded, effectively resisting the erosion of corrosive elements.

The hot corrosion behavior of GTD222 superalloy and TiC/GTD222 composites prepared by SLM in a mixed salt of 75% Na₂SO₄ and 25% K₂SO₄ was studied for the first time. This study provides insights into the design of high-temperature alloys resistant to hot corrosion.

Based on an in-depth literature review, this chapter aims to examine impacts of informal economy on the glocal sustainable and inclusive development and sustainability from the political economy and ethics perspectives. This chapter examines drivers for and causes of the informal economy from the perspective of the sustainability's three pillars. Furthermore, this chapter examines opportunity cost of the informal economy. It highlights informal economy's impacts on fair competition, circular economy, factors of production, and socio-economic aspects. Furthermore, this chapter discusses the informal economy from an ethical perspective. It highlights informal employment, its impacts on sustainability, and sustainable and inclusive development. This chapter provides recommendations on how to enhance glocal sustainable and inclusive development, and sustainability through reduced informal economy and its adverse impacts.

This study aims to improve the control accuracy and antidisturbance performance of the manipulator with the flexible link, a combined controller, which combines the novel backstepping sliding mode controller based on the extended state observer (ESO) and super-twisting sliding mode controller.

First, the dynamic of the system is constructed by Lagrange method and assumed mode method, and then the dynamic is decoupled by the singular perturbation theory to obtain the slow-varying subsystem and fast-varying subsystem. For the slow-varying subsystem, the novel backstepping sliding mode controller based on ESO is used to achieve joint tracking. For the fast-varying subsystem, the super-twisting sliding mode controller is used for vibration suppression. At the same time, to suppress chattering, the tanh function is used to replace the sign function in the reaching law.

The simulation results show that the combined control has better trajectory tracking performance, antiinterference performance and vibration suppression performance than traditional sliding mode control (SMC).

A novel backstepping sliding mode controller based on ESO is designed to guarantee the performance of the tracking trajectory. The new controller improves the converge rate. A super-twisting sliding mode controller, which can stabilize the fast-varying subsystem, is used to suppress the vibration of flexible link.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings and sealed PEO coatings on the corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility of a novel Mg-1Zn-0.45Ca alloy in simulated body fluid (SBF).

The microstructure, corrosion resistance and cytocompatibility of PEO coatings and phosphate conversion-treated PEO coatings were investigated and was compared with the bare Mg alloy.

The hot-extruded Mg-Zn-Ca alloy exhibit inhomogeneous microstructure and suffered from localized corrosion in the SBF. The PEO coating after phosphate conversion treatment offers enhanced protectiveness to the Mg alloy within an immersion period of up to 60 days, which is significantly improved compared with the performance of the PEO-coated Mg alloy, but the cytocompatibility was slightly decreased.

This work offers new perspective in balancing the protectiveness and cytocompatibility of bio-materials.

This paper aims to explore the nexus between family involvement and environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance based on socioemotional wealth theory, and it also analyzes the potential influence mechanism.

Based on the categorization of China Stock Market & Accounting Research database, this study divides the Chinese listed firms into family and nonfamily firms and applies multiple regression methods to test the theoretical hypotheses.

Family involvement can incentivize corporations to enhance corporate transparency, which can in turn enhance their ESG performance. The role of family involvement in bolstering corporate ESG performance is negatively contingent on external financing constraints.

There are insufficient studies on the nexus between family ownership and ESG performance. The findings provide insights into helping policymakers formulate targeted measures to encourage corporations to be more active in promoting ESG initiatives.

To identify and analyze the relevant themes in the literature on digital transformation and internationalization, revealing opportunities for future studies.

A systematic literature review was developed using the Scopus and Web of Science databases. Initially, 156 publications were identified. Based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, a final sample of 74 articles was reached. A bibliometric and qualitative analysis were developed.

Eight main themes related to internationalization, such as internationalization strategy, internationalized companies, marketing-related issues, export, global supply chain, entrepreneurship and new ventures, SMEs internationalization and internationalization of educational institutions, were identified. Eight main themes related to digital transformation were also identified, including internationalization drivers, digital technologies, business model innovation, digitalization, Industry 4.0, digital platforms and e-commerce, people and digital transformation and digital institutional environment.

In recent years, the term digital transformation has become part of the daily lives of many organizations and of life in society itself. For internationalized companies, this discussion has also become present. Although a relationship between digital transformation and internationalization is often presented, the dimensions of analysis of this relationship are still very fragmented, and this study presents a systemic view of the themes. These themes represent opportunities for future studies.

This study aims to report the development and experimental evaluation of two kinds of PANI@semiconductor based photocathodic anti-corrosion coating, for application on stainless steel substrates.

PANI was in situ chemical polymerized on TiO₂ and BiVO₄ particles, and FT-IR and SEM/EDS were used to understand the characteristics and elemental distribution of the composite particles. Composite coatings, which consisted of epoxy, PANI@TiO₂ or PANI@BiVO₄ and graphene, were prepared on the 304L stainless steel. Photoelectrochemical response measurement, electrochemical tests and immersion tests were used to assess the anti-corrosion performance of the prepared coatings in 45°C 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution. And the corrosion protection mechanism was further explained by combining with surface observation.

The photoelectrochemical response tests revealed the good photocathodic effect of the coatings, and the reversible oxidation-reduction properties of PANI (pseudocapacitive effect) leading to the repeated usage of the coatings. Consequently, the anti-corrosion mechanism of the composite coating is attributed to the physical barrier effect of the coating, the anodic protection effect of PANI and the photocathodic and energy store effect.

These kind coatings could prevent corrosion from day to night for stainless steel, which has great engineering application prospects on stainless steel corrosion protection.

With recent advances in artificial intelligence, the hospitality industry has introduced the concept of unmanned smart hotels staffed by service robots instead of human employees. Research is needed to understand consumers’ receptivity to such an innovation. This paper examines factors associated with consumers’ potential resistance to using automated service hotels via two sequential studies. Given that younger generations of consumers are typically early adopters of advanced technology and innovative services, our sampling approach focused on this consumer group.

Two studies were conducted. Study 1 proposed and empirically tested a theoretical model. Results revealed that attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control each positively influenced individuals’ intentions to use unmanned smart hotels. In Study 2, we further investigated aspects informing perceived security, a key variable in the use of unmanned smart hotels.

Findings showed how people’s beliefs about unmanned smart hotels and security control assurances led to perceived security. These perceptions were shaped by perceived physical risks, privacy concerns, website design and hotel reputation. Overall, this research provides theoretical and practical implications for various stakeholders associated with unmanned smart hotels.

Findings of this study suggested that managers of unmanned smart hotels should design user-friendly, secure processes and offer comprehensive support resources to enhance customer experience and usage.

The findings provide a holistic understanding of consumers’ receptivity to unmanned smart hotels.

While ChatGPT is gaining popularity, its potential role in supply chains (SCs) remains unexplored. This study explores the potential applications, benefits and challenges of using ChatGPT as a tool in SCs.

The data were gathered through an online survey involving 116 respondents from the academic and industrial sectors who have knowledge of ChatGPT and SC management. These participants were affiliated with the Decision Science Institute (DSI) in the USA and contributed to the published DSI conference proceedings from 2019 to 2022. The survey is structured in three main sections: (1) general information (5 background questions), (2) ChatGPT's potential applications and benefits in SCs (15 pre-determined questions) and (3) potential challenges with using ChatGPT in SCs (5 pre-determined questions). The collected data underwent analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics software.

ChatGPT can potentially benefit SC operations in 15 areas. Eight potential benefits received more support than the rest, including enhanced process efficiency, cost reduction, providing sustainability reports, better demand forecasting, improved data analysis, streamlined supplier communication, streamlined customer communication, supported promotional activities and enhanced customer satisfaction, but all were supported. Also, the study identified some challenges and hurdles currently impacting the use of ChatGPT in the SC, including that ChatGPT cannot replace experts, it is not an immediate game changer, its uses may lack accuracy, and ChatGPT may take time to reach maturity.

The study is the first to offer empirically grounded evidence of ChatGPT's potential in SCs. The research enhances academic literature by deepening our comprehension of the potential applications of ChatGPT within SCs. Therefore, the study makes an invaluable contribution to the extant literature on ChatGPT in SCs. It can benefit manufacturers, suppliers, logistics providers and other types of businesses through more efficient procurement practices, supplier management, operations and inventory management, logistics practices and customer relationships. Future research may explore how and why ChatGPT is used in SCs.