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Article
Publication date: 21 August 2018

Bo Li, Bo Yuan, Shuai Tang, Yuwen Mao, Dongmei Zhang, Changyun Huang and Bilian Tan

This paper aims to investigate weight-climbing assistance strategy for the biomechanical design of passive knee-assisting exoskeleton (PKAExo) and evaluate a designed PKAExo which…

579

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate weight-climbing assistance strategy for the biomechanical design of passive knee-assisting exoskeleton (PKAExo) and evaluate a designed PKAExo which stores energy when the knee joint flexes and releases the energy to assist ascending when the knee joint extends.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors constructed theoretic modeling of human weight-climbing to analyze characteristics of knee angle and moment. They then conducted camera-based movement analysis, muscle strength and endurance tests and surface electromyography (sEMG) measures to verify the relationship of knee angle and moment with both stair height and load weight. Afterwards, the authors proposed an assistant strategy for passive knee assistance, then gave out designed PKAExo and conducted mechanical experiment to test the knee-assisting torque. Finally, the authors conducted comparison experiment based on measuring the sEMG signals of knee extensor to verify the assistance effect of the PKAExo for weight-climbing.

Findings

The knee extensor produces the maximum force during weight-climbing, and the muscle force provided by knee extensor has significant increasing rate along with the stair height. Thus, the assistance torque of PKAExo is designed to increase nonlinearly along with increasing knee angle. It stores energy when knee flexes and assists when knee extends. Both the mechanical experiment and comparison experiment have demonstrated that the PKAExo is able to provide nonlinear assistance torque for weight-climbing, thus decreasing the average maximum load of knee extensor by about 21 per cent, reducing muscle fatigue and enhancing wearer’s weight-climbing ability.

Originality/value

The authors construct theoretic maximum force model produced by knee extensor for weight-climbing in static situation and conduct a series of experiments to verify and revise the model, which is the fundamental reference for knee-assisting mechanism designed for weight-climbing. The authors have also provided and validated an assistant strategy and the mechanism based on the biomechanical analysis, which aims to translate wearer’s energy-providing mode form high load to mid-low load by storing energy when knee flexes and assisting when knee extends. The PKAExo decreases the maximum load of knee extensor, reduces muscle fatigue and helps people to easily climb with load.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 45 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

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Article
Publication date: 3 December 2018

Wee-Kheng Tan and Bo-Yuan Lee

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the credibility assessment and adoption of electronic word-of-mouth on online social-networking sites, social word-of-mouth (sWOM)…

881

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the credibility assessment and adoption of electronic word-of-mouth on online social-networking sites, social word-of-mouth (sWOM), where the author writes product reviews on Facebook and hopes their Facebook friends will buy these products. The readers of the sWOM message are aware of the author’s commercial intentions. sWOM messages on search goods and experience goods are considered separately.

Design/methodology/approach

Author of sWOM messages invites their closed circle of Facebook friends to participate in a survey. The respondents are randomly assigned to read a product review of a search good (i.e. a laptop computer) or an experience good (i.e. a moisturizer cream (beauty product)). The partial least squares method is used to analyze the data from 339 returns (166 for the search good and 173 for the experience good).

Findings

The sWOM readers’ assessments of the messages’ credibility remain free from commercial influence. While the traditional factors of credibility and author-reader tie strength continue to influence the adoption of sWOM message, readers’ perceptions of the sWOM author’s marketing skills is also a factor. The relationships between the constructs depend on whether the products are search or experience goods.

Originality/value

Few studies investigate the type of sWOM considered here. Commercially influenced sWOM messages are effective since the author’s marketing skills, and other often-cited factors, affect the credibility and adoption of sWOM. Thus, the equality-matching (friendship) relationship and the market-pricing (sales) relationship can work hand-in-hand in the sWOM context.

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 13 September 2023

Siyao Li, Bo Yuan, Yun Bai and Jianfeng Liu

To address the problem that the current train operation mode that train selects one of several offline pre-generated control schemes before the departure and operates following…

416

Abstract

Purpose

To address the problem that the current train operation mode that train selects one of several offline pre-generated control schemes before the departure and operates following the scheme after the departure, energy-saving performance of the whole metro system cannot be guaranteed.

Design/methodology/approach

A cooperative train control framework is formulated to regulate a novel train operation mode. The classic train four-phase control strategy is improved for generating specific energy-efficient control schemes for each train. An improved brute force (BF) algorithm with a two-layer searching idea is designed to solve the optimisation model of energy-efficient train control schemes.

Findings

Case studies on the actual metro line in Guangzhou, China verify the effectiveness of the proposed train control methods compared with four-phase control strategy under different kinds of train operation scenarios and calculation parameters. The verification on the computation efficiency as well as accuracy of the proposed algorithm indicates that it meets the requirement of online optimisation.

Originality/value

Most existing studies optimised energy-efficient train timetable or train control strategies through an offline process, which has a defect in coping with the disturbance or delays effectively and promptly during real-time train operation. This paper studies an online optimisation of cooperative train control based on the rolling optimisation idea, where energy-efficient train operation can be realised once train running time is determined, thus mitigating the impact of unpredictable operation situations on the energy-saving performance of trains.

Details

Railway Sciences, vol. 2 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2755-0907

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 10 April 2019

Qingchao Sun, Xiaokai Mu, Bo Yuan, Jiawen Xu and Wei Sun

This paper aims to distinguish the relationship between the morphology characteristics of different scales and the contact performance of the mating surfaces. Also, an integrated…

271

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to distinguish the relationship between the morphology characteristics of different scales and the contact performance of the mating surfaces. Also, an integrated method of the spectrum analysis and the wavelet transform is used to separate the morphology characteristics of the actual machined parts.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a three-dimensional (3D) surface profilometer is used to obtain the surface morphology data of the actual machined parts. Second, the morphology characteristics of different scales are realized by the wavelet analysis and the power spectral density. Third, the reverse modeling engineering is used to construct the 3D contact models for the macroscopic characteristics. Finally, the finite element method is used to analyze the contact stiffness and the contact area of the 3D contact model.

Findings

The contact area and the nominal contact pressure Pn have a nonlinear relationship in the whole compression process for the 3D contact model. The percentage of the total contact area of the macro-scale mating surface is about 70 per cent when the contact pressure Pn is in the range of 0-100 MPa, and the elastic contact area accounts for the vast majority. Meanwhile, when the contact pressure Pn is less than 10MPa, the influence factor (the relative error of contact stiffness) is larger than 50 per cent, so the surface macro-scale morphology has a weakening effect on the normal contact stiffness of the mating surfaces.

Originality/value

This paper provides an effective method for the multi-scale separation of the surface morphology and then lays a certain theoretical foundation for improving the surface quality of parts and the morphology design.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 36 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 19 April 2024

Pan Ai-Jou, Bo-Yuan Cheng, Pao-Nan Chou and Ying Geng

We applied a true-experimental randomized control posttest design to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to compare the effects of the AR and traditional board…

123

Abstract

Purpose

We applied a true-experimental randomized control posttest design to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to compare the effects of the AR and traditional board games on students’ SDG learning achievements.

Design/methodology/approach

We applied a true-experimental randomized control posttest design to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data to compare the effects of AR and traditional board games on students' SDG learning achievements.

Findings

Our analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data revealed that the effects of AR and traditional board games on the students' cognitive outcomes differed significantly, indicating the importance of providing a situated learning environment in SDG education. Moreover, the students perceived that the incorporation of the AR game into SDG learning improved their learning effectiveness – including both cognitive and affective dimensions – thus confirming its educational value and potential in SDG learning.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explore the effectiveness of different learning tools (AR and traditional board games) and to evaluate the importance of providing a situated learning environment through a true-experimental randomized control posttest design.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 6 April 2020

Wei-Tek Tsai, Yong Luo, Enyan Deng, Jing Zhao, Xiaoqiang Ding, Jie Li and Bo Yuan

This paper aims to apply blockchains (BCs) for trade clearing and settlement in a realistic clearinghouse. The purpose is to demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of this…

843

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to apply blockchains (BCs) for trade clearing and settlement in a realistic clearinghouse. The purpose is to demonstrate the feasibility and scalability of this approach.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses account BCs and trading BCs as building blocks for trade clearing and settlement. Careful design is made to ensure that this approach is feasible and scalable.

Findings

A design has been proposed that can process hundreds of thousands of trades for a clearinghouse and it addresses performance, privacy and scalability of realistic trade clearing and settlement. The design has been implemented and experimented in a clearinghouse for over two months and processes over 3B real transactions from an exchange. The first month was to experiment with the system with historical data, the second month was to experiment with real-time data during market trading hours. The system performed as designed and intended.

Research limitations/implications

This is the first large research paper that applied BCs for clearing in the world. The authors applied the system to a clearinghouse and processed over 3 billion transactions, equivalent to 13 years of London Stock Exchange transaction volume, demonstrating that BCs can handle a large number of transactions.

Practical implications

The design can be duplicated to many clearinghouses in the world, and this also paves the way BCs can be used in large financial institutions.

Social implications

An implication is that other trading firms, clearinghouses and banks can apply the same technology for trade clearing, ushering the way BCs can be used in institutions. As clearing is a core function in business transactions, this has significant implications. The design can be discussed and improved in various communities.

Originality/value

As this is the first application of BCs to large clearinghouses that uses unique BC designs. This has significant value. Many studies have been performed but few have been reported in the scientific community. The system has been implemented, experimented and demonstrated in public for months.

Details

The Journal of Risk Finance, vol. 21 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1526-5943

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 15 November 2012

Qiaozhuan Liang, Yao Meng, Shuxiang Li and Bo Yuan

The purpose of this paper is to track the changes of leadership attributes during the process of social development from 1998 to 2008 in China, and then to explore whether the…

991

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to track the changes of leadership attributes during the process of social development from 1998 to 2008 in China, and then to explore whether the significant events have potential impacts on the changes of leadership attributes during this time.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted two studies through qualitative approach, based on data collected from Chinese official newspapers (People's Daily and Guangming Daily) covering 216 stories (90 stories in Study 1 and 126 stories in Study 2). The first study focuses on comparing the leadership attributes in 2008 with those in 1998 and 1988 presented in previous research to find out the changes. In the second study, the most significant events are selected during the period of 1998‐2008 and their effects on the changes of leadership attributes are examined.

Findings

The findings show that leadership attributes changed during the ten years and some new attributes are advocated in China. Furthermore, the changes of leadership attributes, especially for non‐business leaders, relate to the occurrence of significant events and reflect the changes of government policies.

Originality/value

Although some literature has explored leadership attributes in China, this study contributes to the extant research in two ways. First, it promotes the use of existing documents as data sources of longitudinal study to track the changes of leadership attributes. Second, it advances the line of inquiry of leadership attributes in China by concentrating on the factors driving those changes.

Details

Chinese Management Studies, vol. 6 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-614X

Keywords

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Article
Publication date: 25 November 2013

Naicheng Chang, Yuchin Tsai, Gordon Dunsire and Alan Hopkinson

The purpose of this paper is to provide broad overviews of functional requirements for bibliographic records (FRBR) in the context of Chinese machine-readable cataloguing (CMARC)…

2134

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide broad overviews of functional requirements for bibliographic records (FRBR) in the context of Chinese machine-readable cataloguing (CMARC). It examines areas of the FRBR model, FRBR system development, FRBR applications and FRBR research.

Design/methodology/approach

A Chinese Koha_LibFRBR testbed was set up to develop three activities: building a FRBR application function library called LibFRBR to maintain FRBRized bibliographic records, implementing a mapping algorithm between CMARC/MARC 21 and FRBR, and designing a new generation Chinese FRBR Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) user interface.

Findings

The pilot system implementation demonstrates a workable process with useful output using both automated means (through a Perl module) and manual means (through a cataloguing interface (CI)). The study shows that existing poor Relator Code system and the maintenance of very little authority data in libraries in Taiwan are disadvantages in utilizing the FRBR model.

Practical implications

The software modules developed by this research have been released in GitHub through Koha-Taiwan distributed with a General Public License for further application within the Koha community.

Originality/value

The concrete research outcomes include: providing workable practices for CMARC coding information in FRBR, developing FRBRization of Chinese Koha library management systems, developing FRBR tools including LibFRBR, an application function library used to convert bibliographic records into FRBRized structures in Koha, and FRBR CI for library cataloguers and providing a preliminary evaluation on the views of library cataloguers and OPAC users.

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 9 November 2010

109

Abstract

Details

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, vol. 57 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0003-5599

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Article
Publication date: 19 November 2024

Daniel Dias Monnerat, José Antonio Fontes Santiago, José Claudio de Faria Telles, Flavio Cezario, Carlos Gouveia Riobom Neto and Edmundo Guimarães de Araújo Costa

The purpose of this study is to apply the Meshless Local Petrov–Galerkin (MLPG) method to solve the bending problems of linear viscoelastic plates, considering Reissner’s theory.

41

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to apply the Meshless Local Petrov–Galerkin (MLPG) method to solve the bending problems of linear viscoelastic plates, considering Reissner’s theory.

Design/methodology/approach

The weak formulation for the set of equations that govern Reissner’s plate theory is implemented in conjunction with the integral formulation applied to viscoelastic constitutive expressions. A meshless method based on the Moving Least Squares (MLS) approximation is considered in the numerical implementation. The final equation system is assembled by adopting simple and efficient schemes for numerical integration, considering a simplified formulation through centralization of the local interpolation domains and Gaussian quadrature at the same field point. The results obtained are compared with available solutions to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed formulation.

Findings

The hereditary integral approach proved to be the most general way to analyze the viscoelastic problem, especially when applied together with the modified scheme for numerical integration. In addition, the variable changing technique is demonstrated to be an efficient formulation for solving shear-locking effects in thin plate problems.

Originality/value

The differential of the present study is related to the manner in which the properties of linear viscoelastic materials are considered in the formulation. Although most authors consider this point through the application of the correspondence principle, the present study works with a hereditary integral formulation. In addition, the variable changing technique is applied to solve the shear-locking effects, and an alternative approximation technique is considered to speed up the numerical integration process.

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