Min Zhu, Satvir Singh and Huaqing Wang
The purpose of this paper is to extend the social loafing literature by investigating the role of group development process on perceptions of social loafing within groups…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to extend the social loafing literature by investigating the role of group development process on perceptions of social loafing within groups. Building on extant literature, it is contended that group members’ association with the group development stages can help in predicting their perceptions of social loafing.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a cross-sectional survey data were collected from 164 individuals nested in 39 groups. Mixed-effect modeling in R was unitized to test the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
Results of mixed-effect modeling in R show that group development stage of inclusion and dependency (stage 1) has no significant effect on perceptions of social loafing. Whereas, group development stage of counterdependency and fight (stage 2) has positive, and trust and structure (stage 3) and work (stage 4) has negative effect on perception of social loafing by group members.
Originality/value
This study investigates unique relationships between group members’ association with different stages of group development and their perceptions of social loafing. Additionally, a newer, shorter and cost-effective scale to measure four stages of group development is developed.
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Bo Xu, Huaqing Min and Fangxiong Xiao
This article aims to provide a brief overview of the field now known as “evolutionary developmental robotics (evo-devo-robo)”, which is based on the concept and principles of…
Abstract
Purpose
This article aims to provide a brief overview of the field now known as “evolutionary developmental robotics (evo-devo-robo)”, which is based on the concept and principles of evolutionary and development principles such as evolutionary developmental psychology, evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) and evolutionary cognitive neuroscience.
Design/methodology/approach
Evo-devo-robo is a new field bringing together developmental robotics and evolutionary robotics to form a new research area. Basic concepts and the origins of the field are described, and then some basic principles of evo-devo-robo that have been developed so far are discussed.
Findings
Finally, some misunderstand concepts and the most promising future research developments in this area are discussed.
Originality/value
Basic concepts and the origins of the field are described, and then some basic principles of evo-devo-robo that have been developed so far are discussed. Finally, some misunderstood concepts and the most promising future research developments in this area are discussed.
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Huaqing Min, Chang'an Yi, Ronghua Luo and Jinhui Zhu
This paper aims to present a hybrid control approach that combines learning-based reactive control and affordance-based deliberate control for autonomous mobile robot navigation…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a hybrid control approach that combines learning-based reactive control and affordance-based deliberate control for autonomous mobile robot navigation. Unlike many current navigation approaches which only use learning-based paradigms, the authors focus on how to utilize the machine learning methods for reactive control together with the affordance knowledge that is simultaneously inherent in natural environments to gain advantages from both local and global optimization.
Design/methodology/approach
The idea is to decompose the complex and large-scale robot navigation task into multiple sub-tasks and use the hierarchical reinforcement learning (HRL) algorithm, which is well-studied in the learning and control algorithm domains, to decompose the overall task into sub-tasks and learn a grid-topological map of the environment. An affordance-based deliberate controller is used to inspect the affordance knowledge of the obstacles in the environment. The hybrid control architecture is then designed to integrate the learning-based reactive control and affordance-based deliberate control based on the grid-topological and affordance knowledge.
Findings
Experiments with computer simulation and an actual humanoid NAO robot have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed hybrid approach for mobile robot navigation.
Originality/value
The main contributions of this paper are a new robot navigation framework that decomposes a complex navigation task into multiple sub-tasks using the HRL approach, and hybrid control architecture development that integrates learning-based and affordance-based paradigms for autonomous mobile robot navigation.
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Huaqing Hu, Ketai He, Tianlin Zhong and Yili Hong
This paper aims to propose a method to diagnose fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing faults caused by the variation of temperature field and establish a fault knowledge base…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a method to diagnose fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing faults caused by the variation of temperature field and establish a fault knowledge base, which helps to study the generation mechanism of FDM printing faults.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the Spearman rank correlation analysis, four relative temperature parameters are selected as the input data to train the SVM-based multi-classes classification model, which further serves as a method to diagnose the FDM printing faults.
Findings
It is found that FDM parts may be in several printing states with the variation of temperature field on the surface of FDM parts. The theoretical dividing lines between different FDM printing states are put forward by traversing all the four-dimensional input parameter combinations. The relationship between the relative mean temperature and the theoretical dividing lines is found to be close and is analyzed qualitatively.
Originality/value
The multi-classes classification model, embedded in FDM printers as an adviser, can be used to prevent waste products and release much work of labors for monitoring.
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Alaa Mohamed, Mohamed Hamdy, Mohamed Bayoumi and Tarek Osman
This work describes the fabrication of composite nanogrease based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as an additive at different volume concentrations 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 Wt.% and…
Abstract
Purpose
This work describes the fabrication of composite nanogrease based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as an additive at different volume concentrations 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 3 Wt.% and investigates the correlation between CNTs and grease rheological behaviour. In addition, study the influence of shear thinning rate at various temperatures and investigates the thermal conductivity of nanogrease. The results demonstrated that grease behaves like a Newtonian viscoelastic material with a narrow linear domain. The thermal conductivity of nanogrease was enhanced by about 31.58 per cent, and the thermal and mechanical stabilities improved. Moreover, the apparent viscosity and dropping point increased by about 93 and 27 per cent, respectively.
Design/methodology/approach
Grease was dissolved in chloroform (10 Wt.%), at 25°C for 1 h. In parallel, functionalized CNTs with different volume concentrations (0.5, 1, 2 and 3 Wt.%) were dispersed in N,N-dimethylformamide; the dispersion was stirred for 15 min, and then sonicated (40 kHz, 150 W) for 30 min. Grease solution was then added to the CNTs. The nanofluid was magnetically stirred for 15 min and then sonicated for 2 h. This ensured uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in the base fluid.
Findings
Inexpensive and simple fabrication of nanogrease. Thermal conductivity of nanogrease was typically enhanced compared to other reported studies. Apparent viscosity and dropping point increases with the increase the volume concentration.
Originality/value
This work describes the inexpensive and simple fabrication of nanogrease for improving properties of lubricants, which improve power efficiency and extend lifetimes of mechanical equipment.
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Huaqing Zhang and Shaoqian Luo
Against the backdrop of China’s curriculum reform, this paper explores how a Chinese lesson study (CLS) of English literature instruction in a senior high school promotes the…
Abstract
Purpose
Against the backdrop of China’s curriculum reform, this paper explores how a Chinese lesson study (CLS) of English literature instruction in a senior high school promotes the teacher participant’s professional development (PD) in teacher beliefs and emotions, teaching contents, teaching approaches and learner outcomes.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopted the CLS approach to explore the teacher participant, Lily’s PD. Three rounds of CLS of short fiction instruction were conducted. Triangulated data including interviews, reflection journals, discussion notes and lesson materials were collected for directed qualitative content analysis.
Findings
The results show that through the CLS, Lily has (1) changed her beliefs about the curriculum and literature instruction, and improved her emotion management and become more resilient and motivated; (2) shifted her teaching focus from forms and facts to meanings; (3) adopted a more learner-centred and inquiry-based teaching approach and (4) received satisfactory learner outcomes including increased learner participation and quality output. The follow-up class observations suggest the sustainability of such development.
Originality/value
This study applies and validates a conceptual framework of teachers’ PD, and establishes the value of promoting curriculum reform and facilitating EFL teachers’ PD through CLS and literature instruction.
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Changchun Tan, Kangkang Yin, Huaqing Wu and Peng Zhou
Corporate ESG performance has attracted widespread attention from various sectors of society. This paper aims to investigate whether analysts’ ESG attention can convey additional…
Abstract
Purpose
Corporate ESG performance has attracted widespread attention from various sectors of society. This paper aims to investigate whether analysts’ ESG attention can convey additional information to the market and consequently influence stock pricing efficiency.
Design/methodology/approach
Using A-share listed companies from 2014 to 2021 as the research subjects, this paper employs a deep learning algorithm, word2vec, to construct an ESG dictionary. Text analysis is then applied to create an analysts’ ESG attention index, delving into its impact on stock pricing efficiency.
Findings
Empirical research reveals that: (1) Analysts' ESG attention effectively enhances stock pricing efficiency, with a more significant impact from analysts’ attention to environmental (E) and social (S) factors compared to governance (G); (2) Further analysis indicates that this effect becomes more pronounced when there is higher disparity in corporate ESG ratings, greater marketization in the province where the company is located, and a higher institutional ownership percentage and (3) The mechanism by which analysts' ESG attention influences stock pricing efficiency is through an elevation in investor attention and stock liquidity. Additionally, it is observed that analysts prioritize ESG information to enhance their reputation and business capabilities.
Originality/value
From the perspective of ESG rating divergence, this paper innovatively uses analyst reports to construct ESG attention indicators and analyzes their impact on the efficiency of stock pricing.
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Xingchen Yan, Kexin Xu, Junjie Wang, Xicheng Wei and Wurong Wang
The purpose of this paper is to comparatively investigate the microstructure and interfacial intermetallic compound (IMC) layer of Cu/SACPG/Ni and Cu/SAC0307/Ni solder joints…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to comparatively investigate the microstructure and interfacial intermetallic compound (IMC) layer of Cu/SACPG/Ni and Cu/SAC0307/Ni solder joints after thermal aging.
Design/methodology/approach
The specimens were thermally aged at 150°C for 0, 24, 168 and 500 h. The microstructure and morphology of the interface IMC layer were observed by means of scanning electron microscope. The IMCs and the solder bump surface were analyzed by EDS. Moreover, the thickness of IMC layer was measured by using the image analysis software.
Findings
The morphology of IMC of Cu/SAC0307/Ni solder joint was consistent with that of the Cu/SACPG/Ni joint, which indicates that the addition of P and Ge had little effect on the IMC formation. The needle-like (Cu,Ni)6Sn5 was formed at the interface of solder/Ni solder joints. Meanwhile, the tiny particles inferred as Ag3Sn phase attached to the surface of (Cu,Ni)6Sn5. The growth rate of IMC layer of the Cu/SACPG/Ni joint was smaller than that of Cu/SAC0307/Ni joint with aging time increasing, which means the addition of trace P and Ge can slightly suppress the diffusion rate of the interfacial IMC.
Originality/value
There are no previous studies on the formation mechanism of the IMC layer of SAC0307 solder alloys with P and Ge addition.
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Zhixia Zang, Ke Tan, Xue Yang, Chengjue Wang and Geng Li
This study aims to investigate the factors and mechanism which influence the doctor’s social and economic benefits from the perspective of social capital.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the factors and mechanism which influence the doctor’s social and economic benefits from the perspective of social capital.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper mainly investigates the factors and mechanism influencing the doctor's social and economic benefits from the perspective of social capital and then constructs a doctor's social capital model and discusses the effects of doctor's social capital on their economic and social benefits; what is more, this paper also considers the moderating effect of patients’ group behavior.
Findings
The results show that the doctor's social capital has a positive and significant effect on doctor's economic benefits, while it has a negative and significant effect on doctors' social benefits. Patients’ group behavior plays an important moderating role; in particular, the number of online patients of doctors can effectively strengthen follow-up patients’ positive perception of the doctor capital, while the number of offline patients has a negative effect on doctors’ economic benefits, but it can reduce its negative impact on doctors’ social benefits by establishing trust between patient and physician.
Originality/value
This paper enriches the relevant research of social capital theory in the medical field and broadens the research about online health care. For platforms, they should give more attention to doctors and their income issues, which is of great significance for their healthy and sustainable development.