Lorenzo Fornari, Enrico Laeng and Vittorino Pata
The authors propose a rather elementary method to compute a family of integrals on the half line, involving positive powers of sin x and negative powers of x, depending on the…
Abstract
Purpose
The authors propose a rather elementary method to compute a family of integrals on the half line, involving positive powers of sin x and negative powers of x, depending on the integer parameters
Design/methodology/approach
Combinatorics, sine and cosine integral functions.
Findings
The authors prove an explicit formula to evaluate sinc-type integrals.
Originality/value
The proof is not present in the current literature, and it could be of interest for a large audience.
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Qian Lin, Haifeng Wu and Xi Li
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the temperature reliability for a parallel high-efficiency class-E power amplifier (PA).
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the temperature reliability for a parallel high-efficiency class-E power amplifier (PA).
Design/methodology/approach
To explore the relationship between temperature and direct current (DC) characteristics, output power, S parameters and efficiency of the PA quantitatively, a series of reliability experiments have been designed and conducted to study the temperature reliability for this PA.
Findings
From the results, the prominent performance degradation even failure is found during the testing. Furthermore, the thermal shock test can cause permanent failure, which is a great threat for PA.
Research limitations/implications
Therefore, to ensure the good performance, the influence of temperature on PA reliability should be carefully considered during the stage of PA design.
Practical implications
All these can provide important guidance for the reliability design of PA.
Social implications
All these can give some important guidance for PA application.
Originality/value
In addition, PA is usually designed according to the electrical properties at the room temperature. From the results above, it can be concluded that it may be unable to satisfy the performance requirement at high temperature. In turn, if it is designed according to the electrical properties at low temperature, the transistor often works in the super-saturated state, the reliability of PA will become the new problem. Therefore, to ensure the good performance, the influence of temperature on PA reliability should be carefully considered during the design.
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Enrico Colla, Maria Eugenia Ruiz-Molina, Catherine Chastenet De Gery, Maryline Schultz, Martine Deparis and Laurence Lemmet
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of participative franchising on performance from the franchisee perspective. In particular, the paper analyses the impact of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of participative franchising on performance from the franchisee perspective. In particular, the paper analyses the impact of the franchisee autonomy – in human resource management and marketing decisions – affective commitment to the network and network innovativeness on the franchisee relative performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey answered by 226 franchisees in France allowed to estimate a structural equations model through partial least squares regression analysis to test the hypothesised relations between autonomy, affective commitment, innovativeness and performance.
Findings
According to the authors’ findings, franchisee’s autonomy in commercial policies, mediated by to franchisor’s ability to innovate and acknowledge innovations stemming from the franchisees, and the affective commitment to the network, emerge as strong determinants of the franchisee’s performance.
Research limitations/implications
The results confirm the conclusions of other research, but extend and integrate them, providing evidence that the role of participative franchising should not be neglected.
Practical implications
The results obtained provide evidence about the importance of bidirectional communication instruments in the relations between franchisor and franchisee, and participation tools for the identification, recognition and support to the innovative successful practices developed by franchisees to be quickly implemented by other franchisees in the network.
Originality/value
This paper looks at franchisee autonomy, affective commitment and innovativeness as potential determinants of franchisee’s performance, being the latter an underexplored topic.
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Monica Moscatelli, Alessandro Raffa and Arzu Ulusoy Shipstone
This study aims to demonstrate how women's involvement in urban planning and design in Gulf cities improves urban space's inclusivity and strengthens identity through cultural…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to demonstrate how women's involvement in urban planning and design in Gulf cities improves urban space's inclusivity and strengthens identity through cultural heritage revitalisation. It also promotes the participation of women in architecture and city-making by showcasing how shaping urban spaces offers local communities opportunities for social interaction and a more inclusive environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper critically compares two case studies in the Gulf region—one in the United Arab Emirates and the other in Bahrain—according to four inclusion criteria: context connection, cultural sensitivity, community engagement and choices of amenities. These inclusion criteria are also applied to an experimental project by women architects' students in Saudi Arabia to inspire the future female architects of the Gulf region. From urban to architectural scales, the project offers a glance into the heritage design by women architects.
Findings
In light of this critical analysis, this study highlights the sensitivity to issues related to the revitalisation of urban areas by women architects. The case studies identified show the role of the female architect in making architecture and linking cultural heritage with contemporary themes. These projects stitch the past with the present and link cultural identity with aspects related to sustainable architecture. Therefore, valorising women's architectural experience is necessary to contribute to sustainable urban development in the Gulf region and beyond.
Originality/value
The present study addresses the importance of the role of women architects in the Gulf region. The research promotes the full and equal participation of women in the architecture and construction of the city to recognise their achievements by increasing their involvement in the work in a more integrated and balanced way.
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Chiara Bregoli, Jacopo Fiocchi, Carlo Alberto Biffi and Ausonio Tuissi
The present study investigates the mechanical properties of three types of Ti6Al4V ELI bone screws realized using the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process: a fully threaded…
Abstract
Purpose
The present study investigates the mechanical properties of three types of Ti6Al4V ELI bone screws realized using the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) process: a fully threaded screw and two groups containing differently arranged sectors made of lattice-based Voronoi (LBV) structure in a longitudinal and transversal position, respectively. This study aims to explore the potentialities related to the introduction of LBV structure and assess its impact on the implant’s primary stability and mechanical performance.
Design/methodology/approach
The optimized bone screw designs were realized using the LPBF process. The quality and integrity of the specimens were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and micro-computed tomography. Primary stability was experimentally verified by the insertion and removal of the screws in standard polyurethane foam blocks. Finally, torsional tests were carried out to compare and assess the mechanical strength of the different designs.
Findings
The introduction of the LBV structure decreases the elastic modulus of the implant. Longitudinal LBV type screws demonstrated the lowest insertion torque (associated with lower bone damage) while still displaying promising torsional strength and removal force compared with full-thread screws. The use of LBV structure can promote improved functional performances with respect to the reference thread, enabling the use of lattice structures in the biomedical sector.
Originality/value
The paper fulfils an identified interest in designing customized implants with improved primary stability and promising features for secondary stability.