Tingting Miao and Hao Ju
Over the past several decades, there has been an increasing trend towards inter-city cooperation, which is an efficient policy option to deal with the challenges from…
Abstract
Purpose
Over the past several decades, there has been an increasing trend towards inter-city cooperation, which is an efficient policy option to deal with the challenges from globalization, regionalization and the externalities resulting from urban entrepreneurialism. Specific to China, the city governments, which mainly refer to prefecture-level and county-level governments, have also made many attempts to cooperate with respect to their local economic development and public affairs. Nevertheless, the results of these initiations to cooperate vary to a great extent. Based on a review of regional pollution governance in the Xiaoqing River area, tourism cooperation initiatives at Weishan Lake and transport integration between Jinan and Laiwu. The findings demonstrate that China's idiosyncratic institutional background has a significant impact on the shaping of inter-city cooperation. For the most part, leading small groups (LSGs) and their leadership property tend to determine the effectiveness of inter-city cooperation.
Design/methodology/approach
To examine the effect of the LSGs, we categorize them into three types, groups with strong leadership, weak leadership and self-forming leadership. Through reviewing regional pollution governance in the Xiaoqing River area, tourism cooperation initiatives at Weishan Lake and transport integration between Jinan and Laiwu, we try to probe the role of leading groups in the settlement of cross-administrative border issues.
Findings
Based on these three cases, the conclusion can be drawn that the leadership type of the LSG can exert an important influence on the efficiency of inter-city cooperation. If there is a leader with a higher administrative rank or authority, the cooperation can be quite efficient. Otherwise, the cooperative ending might be very negative. In terms of the operation principle, we can infer that even though the cities are always self-development oriented, the leader with higher authority or a strong coordinating capacity can convince and persuade the city leaders to overcome their self-centered behavior template and boost the cooperation to March on smoothly. Also, it means that the LSG is constrained by its personalistic characteristic. Key command derives from the person who chairs the LSG other than specific rules and norms. If the lead of the LSG leaves his position, the cooperation might just become paralyzed. From this point of view, the lack of legal basis remains to be the LSGs' significant deficiency and the future reform should attach more importance to the legalization of the LSGs so the operation of LSGs can be more standard and stable.
Originality/value
Many scholars have proposed their own theoretical models to explain the reason some cities successfully and effectively form cooperative relations, while the other cities do not. However, their models do not consider the idiosyncratic context of China or, how and to which extent LSGs can promote cooperation. Therefore, this paper seeks to probe which path in the context of China cities usually follows in the formation of joint efforts, and what role LSGs play in enabling cities to cooperate.
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Chaudhry Muhammad Nadeem Faisal, Daniel Fernandez-Lanvin, Javier De Andrés and Martin Gonzalez-Rodriguez
This study examines the effect of design quality (i.e. appearance, navigation, information and interactivity) on cognitive and affective involvement leading to continued intention…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines the effect of design quality (i.e. appearance, navigation, information and interactivity) on cognitive and affective involvement leading to continued intention to use the online learning application.
Design/methodology/approach
We assume that design quality potentially contributes to enhance the individual's involvement and excitement. An experimental prototype is developed for collecting data used to verify and validate the proposed research model and hypotheses. A partial-least-squares approach is used to analyze the data collected from the participants (n = 662).
Findings
Communication, aesthetic and information quality revealed to be strong determinants of both cognitive and affective involvement. However, font quality and user control positively influence cognitive involvement, while navigation quality and responsiveness were observed as significant indicators of affective involvement. Lastly, cognitive and affective involvement equally contribute to determining the continued intention to use.
Research limitations/implications
This study will draw the attention of designers and practitioners towards the perception of users for providing appropriate and engaging learning resources.
Originality/value
Prevalent research in the online context is focused primarily on cognitive and utilization behavior. However, these works overlook the implication of design quality on cognitive and affective involvement.
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Yingyu Zhao, Zhenbin Chen, Jie Li, Zhen Liu, Donglei Liu and Zhizong Li
The purpose of the paper is to separate and purify flavonoids existed in Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo. by macroporous adsorption resin (MAR) mixed-bed technology.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to separate and purify flavonoids existed in Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo. by macroporous adsorption resin (MAR) mixed-bed technology.
Design/methodology/approach
The adsorption and desorption parameters were characterized by UV-VIS spectrophotometry. The optimal MAR mixed bed was screened based on the adsorption experiments; the experiment process was investigated by the order of single, two and three MAR mixed bed separately; and the adsorption performance, which was composed by the authority of 80 per cent adsorption ratios and 20 per cent desorption ratios, was adopted to screen MAR mixed bed for flavonoids. The adsorption dynamic investigated the order of reaction first, and then the adsorption mechanism was researched further. The adsorption thermodynamic investigated the adsorption isotherm first, and then the adsorption feature was analyzed.
Findings
This research found that MAR mixed bed of LS-840 + LSD301 with mass ratio of mLS840:mLSD301 = 3:2 was the optimized combination, and the optimal conditions of the adsorption were volume V = 50 mL, time t = 6.5 h, T = 40°C. The desorption conditions were ethanol content = 70 per cent, desorption time t = 3.0 h, T = 40°C. The adsorption dynamic experimental data fitted better to the pseudo-second-order, and the intra-particle-diffusion model was more suitable for expression of the adsorption mechanism in mesopores process, whereas the homogeneous particle-diffusion model was more suitable in microspores. The adsorption was a physical and multilayer adsorption, and the adsorption driving force was disappeared as it transferred to the fourth layer.
Practical implications
Find an efficient way to separate flavonoids that useful for human’s health, which can not only utilize of plant resources effectively, but also make outstanding contributions to medical industry. It has very high economic and social value.
Originality/value
This contribution provided a new way to separate flavonoids from Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudo. Under the optimal conditions, the adsorption rate (F) of MAR mixed bed LS-840 + LSD301 to the flavonoids was 97.81 per cent, the desorption rate (D) was 90.02 per cent and the purity of flavonoids was dramatically increased about 2.08 fold of the crude extract from 28 to 58.4 per cent, and the recovery yield of flavonoids arrived at 91.6 per cent after a circle of adsorption/desorption operation.
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Ximing Yin, Fei Li, Jin Chen and Yuedi Zhai
University–industry (UI) collaboration is essential for knowledge and technology exchange between higher education institutions and industries, enabling enterprises to accelerate…
Abstract
Purpose
University–industry (UI) collaboration is essential for knowledge and technology exchange between higher education institutions and industries, enabling enterprises to accelerate innovation. However, few studies have investigated the collaborative innovation mechanism through which UI collaboration can enhance the accumulation of firms' intellectual capital (IC) and how this, in turn, affects their innovation-driven development.
Design/methodology/approach
Drawing from the knowledge management and collaborative innovation theory, this research proposes a theoretical framework of the inter-organization relationship between enterprises and universities to investigate the influence mechanism of UI collaboration, including academic engagement and commercialization, on corporate performance as well as the mediating role of IC by employing survey that covers 177 UI collaborations.
Findings
Empirical results show that human capital and relational capital fully mediate the relationship between academic engagement UI collaboration and corporate economic performance, while human capital partially mediates the relationship between commercialization UI collaboration and corporate economic performance. Additionally, structural capital and relational capital partially mediate the relationship between academic engagement and corporate innovation performance, while structural capital fully mediates the relationship between commercialization and corporate innovation performance.
Originality/value
This study empirically investigates how academic engagement and commercialization impact corporate performance (i.e. innovation dimension or economic dimension). It uncovers this relationship's underlying mechanism by documenting the IC's mediating impact.
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Hao Guo, Feng Ju, Ning Wang, Bai Chen, Xiaoyong Wei, Yaoyao Wang and Dan Wang
Continuum manipulators are often used in complex and narrow space in recent years because of their flexibility and safety. Vision is considered to be one of the most direct…
Abstract
Purpose
Continuum manipulators are often used in complex and narrow space in recent years because of their flexibility and safety. Vision is considered to be one of the most direct methods to obtain its spatial shape. However, with the improvement of the cooperation requirements of multiple continuum manipulators and the increase of space limitation, it is impossible to obtain the complete spatial shape information of multiple continuum manipulators only by several cameras.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes a fusion method using inertial navigation sensors and cameras to reconstruct the shape of continuum manipulators in the whole workspace. The camera is used to obtain the position information, and the inertial navigation sensor is used to obtain the attitude information. Based on the above two information, the shape of the continuum manipulator is reconstructed by fitting Bézier curve.
Findings
The experiment result of single continuum manipulator shows that the cubic Bézier curves is applicable to curve fitting of variable curvature, the maximum fitting error is about 2 mm. Meanwhile, the experiment result shows that this method is not affected by obstacles and can still reconstruct the shape of the continuum manipulators in 3-D space by detecting the position and attitude information of the end.
Originality/value
According to the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study on spatial shape reconstruction of multiple continuum manipulators and the first study to introduce inertial navigation sensors and cameras into the field of shape reconstruction of multiple continuum manipulators in narrow space. This method is suitable for shape reconstruction of manipulator with variable curvature continuum manipulator. When the vision of multiple continuum manipulators is blocked by obstacles, the spatial shape can still be reconstructed only by exposing the end point. The structure is simple, but it has certain accuracy within a certain range.
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Peng Bo Wang, Jia Qi Li, Tao Yang, Jie Wei Hu, Mariya Edeleva, Ludwig Cardon and Jie Zhang
This paper aims to develop an innovative 3D printer based on material extrusion to expand applied material field and shorten the production cycle. The developed 3D printer can…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to develop an innovative 3D printer based on material extrusion to expand applied material field and shorten the production cycle. The developed 3D printer can fabricate products directly using various powders, including polymers and fillers. In addition, the influence of extrusion on the orientation of thermal conductive filler is also investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
To ensure the plasticizing effect and the mixing ability, the printing head is a conical twin-screw extruder, which have a smaller volume. PA12 and h-BN powders were selected for printing as matrix and filler, respectively. The properties of printing products were characterized.
Findings
The results show that the new printer can fabricate products directly using polymer powders because of the mixing ability of the twin-screw. The h-BN filler orient in the PA12 matrix and form thermal conduction paths due to the extrusion process, which make the printed samples have an anisotropic thermal conductivity.
Originality/value
The innovative 3D printer provides a method of printing products directly using powders, which can expand material field and shorten the production cycle. For composites, the extrusion process can make fillers orient in the matrix to fabricate products with anisotropic characteristics.
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Xiaoyong Wei, Feng Ju, Bai Chen, Hao Guo, Dan Wang, Yaoyao Wang and Hongtao Wu
There is an increasing popularity for the continuum robot in minimally invasive surgery owing to its compliance and dexterity. However, the dexterity takes the challenges in…
Abstract
Purpose
There is an increasing popularity for the continuum robot in minimally invasive surgery owing to its compliance and dexterity. However, the dexterity takes the challenges in loading and precise control because of the absence of the shape tracking for the continuum robot. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new type of continuum manipulator with variable stiffness that can track the bending shape timely.
Design/methodology/approach
The low-melting-point alloy (LMPA) is used to implement the stiffness variation and shape detection for the continuum manipulator. A conceptual design for a single module is presented, and the principle of stiffness control based on the established static model is formulated. Afterward, a shape detection method is introduced in which the shape of the continuum manipulator can be detected by measuring the resistance of every LMPA. Finally, the effect of the proposed variable stiffness method is verified by simulation; the variable stiffness and shape detection methods are evaluated by experiments.
Findings
The results from the simulations and experiments indicate that the designed continuum manipulator has the ability of stiffness variation over 42.3% and the shape detection method has high precision.
Originality/value
Compared with conventional structures, the novel manipulator has a simpler structure and integrates the stiffness variation and shape detection capabilities with the LMPA. The proposed method is promising, and it can be conveniently extended to other continuum manipulators.
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Yi-Cheng Chen, Yun-Hao Cheng, Jui-Tang Tseng and Kun-Ju Hsieh
This paper aims to present simulation results of a harmonic drive (HD) with involute flexspline (FS) profiles based on two-dimensional (2-D) finite element analysis (FEA).
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present simulation results of a harmonic drive (HD) with involute flexspline (FS) profiles based on two-dimensional (2-D) finite element analysis (FEA).
Design/methodology/approach
First, the mathematical model of the FS with involute tooth profile was developed using a straight-edge rack cutter based on the theory of gearing. Then the engaging circular spline (CS) with conjugate tooth profile of FS was derived based on the enveloping theory and theory of gearing. Additionally, a mesh generation program was developed to discretize the FS based on the mathematical model. An elliptical wave generator (WG) was inserted into the FS, and a torque was applied to drive the FS meshing with the CS. The WG and the CS were both assumed to be rigid in the finite element model.
Findings
Finally, a 2-D FEA was conducted to explore the stress distribution on the FS, the engagement movement of the FS, the torsional stiffness and the engaged area of teeth of the HD under various conditions. Moreover, this research also studied the effect of changing pressure angle of the involute FS on the performance of the HD.
Research limitations/implications
The simulation model and methodology presented in this paper paved the way for further investigation and optimization of the HD with involute tooth profile FS and conjugate CS.
Originality/value
The simulation model of HD is established on conjugate shape based on the theory of gearing and an automatic mesh generation program is developed to generate the finite element model. The characteristics of the HD can thus be simulated according to the developed model.
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Yaming Wang, Feng Ju, Yahui Yun, Jiafeng Yao, Yaoyao Wang, Hao Guo and Bai Chen
This paper aims to introduce an aircraft engine inspection robot (AEIR) which can go in the internal of the aircraft engine without collision and detect damage for engine blades.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to introduce an aircraft engine inspection robot (AEIR) which can go in the internal of the aircraft engine without collision and detect damage for engine blades.
Design/methodology/approach
To obtain the position and pose information of the blades inside the engine, a novel tactile sensor based on electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is developed, which could provide location and direction information when it contacts with an unknown object. In addition, to navigate the continuum robot, a control method is proposed to control the continuum robot, which can control the continuum robot to move along the pre-planned path and reduce the deviation from the planned path.
Findings
Experiment results show that the average error of contact location measurement of the tactile sensor is 0.8 mm. The average error relative to the size (diameter of 18 mm) of the sensor is 4.4%. The continuum robot can successfully reach the target position through a gap of 30 mm and realize the spatial positioning of blades. The validity of the AEIR for engine internal blade detection is verified.
Originality/value
The aero-engine inspection robot developed in this paper can replace human to detect engine blades and complete different detection tasks with different kinds of sensors.
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Abayomi Isaac Adeleke, Bamidele Sunday Fakinle, Olayemi Abosede Odunlami and Jacob Ademola Sonibare
The study investigated the heavy metal flux around the vicinity of a steel recycling factory using passive biomonitoring technique with several pollution indices to assess the…
Abstract
Purpose
The study investigated the heavy metal flux around the vicinity of a steel recycling factory using passive biomonitoring technique with several pollution indices to assess the quality of the ambient environment.
Design/methodology/approach
The vegetation around the facility was identified, and the most abundant species were selected for analysis. The collected samples were dried, milled, sieved and analyzed for elemental composition using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF). Pollution indices were used to quantitatively assess the data.
Findings
Results show that maximum contamination occurs at the vicinity of factory. Generally, the deterioration of the ambient air around the vicinity of the steel recycling plant decreases with increasing distance from the steel recycling plant. However, for the radius considered in this study – 1 km, the ambient air at 1 km of the steel recycling facility is quickly deteriorating, and there is an urgent need for measures to mitigate the air quality impact of the steel recycling facility.
Originality/value
The study shows that the metal recycling process emits high levels of heavy metals to the environment, and there is an urgent need for personal protective equipment for the human population working in and around the close proximity of the recycling plant.