Search results

An inductor for the uniform heating of the extremity of a ferromagnetic steel tube for stress relieving is considered. The main goal of the study is to investigate the possibility to achieve a reasonable design of the inductor when dealing with many design variables.

Genetic optimization algorithms are used for this purpose, demonstrating the applicability of these techniques to the design of induction heating inductors. Genetic algorithms provide to the designer several optimal solutions belonging to Pareto Front, and this way they allow choosing the solution that better fits the technological requirements. In any case, the designer has to adapt the chosen solution to fit in with the real possibilities in industrial application.

The study demonstrates that automatic optimization methods may help the designer of the induction heating system to solve complex problems with very conflicting technological requirements.

In the paper, a problem with a high number of design variables is solved. Moreover, the goals of the optimization process are strongly conflicting, and the proposed problem is a challenging one.

The aim of the paper is to compare two different approaches to multi‐objective optimisation in magnetostatics; in this way, the case study is investigated as a possible benchmark.

A Tabu search method modified with ε‐constraint algorithm is compared with a multi‐objective multi‐individual evolution strategy. The case study is the automated shape design of a magnetic pole. In order to reduce the computational cost of solving the direct problem, which requires repeated analyses of the magnetic field, a neural network has been used to approximate the objective functions that depend on the design variables.

An approximation of the Pareto front for each method is obtained. A twofold comparison between the two methods is made, based on both the result accuracy and the computational cost.

Two different methods were already tested on a case study proposed as a benchmark for multi‐objective optimization in magnetostatics. The paper represents a contribution to bridge the gap between analytical and numerical benchmarks in electromagnetism.

Traditional ceramic industries (ceramic tiles, frits, glazes and pigments) generate solid wastes, wastewater and gas emissions that have different characteristics depending on the type of product made. The present study was undertaken to define a series of test methodologies for characterising each type of waste. The approach involved defining the elements to be analysed in each kind of sample, subsequently carrying out the respective test methods for the determinations in terms of type of parameter and sample. In gas emissions, the study addressed fluorine compound analysis. In liquid samples, AAS and ICP‐OES techniques were compared, validating the methods by using reference materials and participating in CALITAX and AQUACHECK intercomparison rounds on wastewater analysis. In solid samples, ICP‐OES and XRF techniques were compared, validating the methods by participating in International Proficiency Tests of Analytical Geochemistry Laboratories (GEOPT‐7, GEOPT‐8 and GEOPT‐9). The selective electrode determination of fluorine in gas emissions yields good results. The study shows that toxicity can be determined in liquid and solid samples by the bioluminescence assay. In liquid samples, good results were found for metal elements analysis by AAS and ICP‐OES, the latter being better. Finally, in solid wastes the ICP‐OES technique has advantages in analysing minor elements compared with XRF, whereas XRF is more suitable for analysing major elements, as it is a faster, more reproducible technique.

This paper aims to analyze the repatriation adjustment process of international employees in the Spanish context. The paper also aims to test the applicability of Black et al.'s repatriation adjustment model for Spanish repatriates.

The paper reports on empirical quantitative research, based on data from 124 Spanish repatriates. Multiple regression analysis and factor analysis are used to test the hypotheses of the study.

The findings provide evidence for some of the relations proposed in the model but they do not support the model as a whole. The paper questions the existence of the different dimensions of expectations/adjustment and the importance of some of the factors included in the model.

The sample is not very large; some bias could appear as only repatriates who continue working in their companies were questioned. Future research should conduct longitudinal studies.

The study provides evidence of the relevance of facilitating repatriates' adjustment, as it affects their performance. The study also shows that some variables can facilitate the process. In particular, having a mentor and frequent communication with home during the expatriation has been found to help the repatriates to create accurate expectations, which, in turn, affect their general adjustment. Social capacity and the fact that the repatriates had not adjusted completely overseas also facilitate readjustment. Finally, work autonomy on return and social status have been found to positively affect work adjustment.

The paper contributes to the literature by examining the repatriation model of Black et al. that has not been thoroughly analyzed before wither as a whole regarding its applicability to non‐Anglo‐Saxon countries.

Between 1840s and 1940s, 27 occidental concessions have been created in several cities in China which represented difficult signs and memories for Chinese. Nowadays, these territories are experiencing a joint phenomenon of heritagization and tourismification which makes them experimental theaters for modern urban life and identity. Taking the former concessions of Tianjin as place study, the purpose of this study is to analyze the role of the heritage and tourism in the former concessions in city branding and more specifically the actors, approaches and products of this phenomenon.

This research draws on the comparison and analysis of two place studies in China. The authors base their analysis on semi-structured interviews in Chinese with previously identified stakeholders. In all, 20 individuals, including developers, public authority representatives, business owners, academics and conservation association members, were interviewed. This research was completed, updated and triangulated by content analysis of Web-based materials; official documents such as urban plans, guidelines and urban and tourism strategies collected during the fieldwork, as well as non-intrusive spatial observations of the concession and its various developments.

The results of this study show that the heritage in the former concessions has become an attractive tool for the city branding through tourism development, often led by the public actors with the participation of private entrepreneurs.

This study looks at the hybrid dimensions of the former concessions in China. It provides a better understanding of the co-action of heritage and tourism in the processes of territorial rehabilitation, which contributes to both the practitioners and researchers in this domain.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a bi-objective optimization problem characterized by coupled field analysis. The optimal design of a pancake inductor for the controlled heating of a graphite disk is considered as the benchmark problem. The case study is related to the design of industrial applications of the induction heating of graphite disk.

The expected goal of the optimization process is twofold: to improve temperature uniformity in the disk and also electrical efficiency of the inductor. The solution of the relevant bi-objective optimization problem is based on multiphysics field analysis. Specifically, the direct problem is solved as a magnetic and thermal coupled problem by means of finite elements; a mesh-inspired definition of thermal uniformity is proposed. In turn, the Pareto front trading off electrical efficiency and thermal uniformity is identified exploiting evolutionary computing.

By varying the problem targets, different Pareto fronts are identified trading off thermal uniformity and electrical efficiency of the induction-heating device.

These results suggest how to improve the design of this kind of device for the epitaxial growth of silicon wafer; the advantage of using a magnetic concentrator placed close to the inductor axis is pointed out.

The coupling of a multiphysics direct problem with a multiobjective inverse problem is presented as a benchmark problem and accordingly solved. The benchmark provides a simple analysis problem that allows testing various optimization algorithms in a comparative way.

Since the end of the twentieth century a movement has been observed, both in geography of tourism and in fashion, spreading to districts located on the outskirts of cities. This is the case of Château Rouge, located in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. For years considered as a “no-go-zone,” the district is now experiencing parallel phenomena of “off-the-beaten-tracks” tourism and fashion development. This chapter analyzes the processes and actors behind the expansion of the tourism perimeter and the diversification of fashion venues, as well as the implications of these developments for the city of Paris.

This study aims to analyse the literature on the digital transformation of family businesses and the impact of artificial intelligence on this process, highlighting key areas of interest and future perspectives.

A bibliometric analysis is performed to explore the interconnection between variables and the relationships between authors, countries and journals in this research area. The Scopus database was used as of March 2024, and the data analysis was carried out with Bibliometrix for result analysis and VOSviewer for scientific mapping.

The analysis confirms the increasing relevance of the topic, with a high number of articles in 2023. Prominent journals are identified, and authors are mainly from China and Europe. Keywords “family business” and “family firms” are strongly linked, showing a connection to artificial intelligence and digital transformation. Family businesses are embracing the digital era, and research must respond accordingly.

This pioneering study offers a novel contribution, as no prior bibliometric analysis has addressed this topic. It lays the groundwork for future research, identifying emerging themes with significant future potential.