Eryong Liu, Yuan Xue, Yaping Bai, Jibin Pu, Shuangming Du and Huiling Du
The purpose of this paper is to improve the tribological properties of aluminum cylinder liner. Higher martensite contents were closely related to the higher hardness and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to improve the tribological properties of aluminum cylinder liner. Higher martensite contents were closely related to the higher hardness and excellent wear resistance of Fe-based coatings. Furthermore, the grain size of the Fe-based coating was approximately 40 nm, which provides an excellent fine grain strengthening effect.
Design/methodology/approach
To improve the tribological properties of aluminum cylinder liners, a Fe-based martensite coating was prepared by internal plasma spraying technology, whose microstructure and tribological properties were then investigated.
Findings
Sprayed Fe-based coating possessed a low contact angle and strong adhesion with lubricating oil. In a simulated engine condition, Fe-based coating exhibited a decreased friction coefficient and increased wear resistance under oil lubrication, which was dominated by a stronger adhesive force with lubricating oil, higher martensite contents on the worn surface, higher hardness and higher H/E value than those of the reference HT 200 and Al-19Si cylinder material.
Originality/value
Nanostructure Fe-based martensite coating was sprayed on an aluminum cylinder liner, which demonstrated remarkable advantages over the reference cylinder material.
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Eryong Liu, Yingxin Zhang, Xiang Wang, Zhixiang Zeng, Huiling Du and Hongmei Qin
This paper aims to improve the tribocorrosion properties of 316L, thus WC/Ni60 coated 316L was prepared by thermal spraying technique.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to improve the tribocorrosion properties of 316L, thus WC/Ni60 coated 316L was prepared by thermal spraying technique.
Design/methodology/approach
Composition and microstructure of WC/Ni60 coating was investigated, and tribological properties of 316 L and WC/Ni60 coating were studied under dry sliding, deionized water and artificial seawater.
Findings
The results showed that WC/Ni60 coating was lamellar structure, and the phase composition consisted of γ-Ni solid solution, carbides and borides. Furthermore, the hardness and corrosion resistance of 316 L in static seawater and wear resistance in dry sliding were improved by WC reinforced nickel-based coating. Furthermore, tribocorrosion results demonstrated that wear resistance of WC/Ni60 coating was also significantly better than 316 L, especially for higher load at artificial seawater. The reason can be attributed to the fact that the passive film of WC/Ni60 coating consisted of tungsten carbide, Ni(OH)2 and FeOOH for WC/Ni60 coating and only FeOOH for 316 L.
Originality/value
According to this study, it can be concluded that WC phases acted as a role in resisting the wear damages. Meanwhile, Ni-based materials performed well in corrosion resistance. Thus, the combined-effect Ni-based alloys and WC phases in WC/Ni60 coating showed better tribocorrosion performance than 316 L.
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Yizhuo Zhang, Yunfei Zhang, Huiling Yu and Shen Shi
The anomaly detection task for oil and gas pipelines based on acoustic signals faces issues such as background noise coverage, lack of effective features, and small sample sizes…
Abstract
Purpose
The anomaly detection task for oil and gas pipelines based on acoustic signals faces issues such as background noise coverage, lack of effective features, and small sample sizes, resulting in low fault identification accuracy and slow efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to study an accurate and efficient method of pipeline anomaly detection.
Design/methodology/approach
First, to address the impact of background noise on the accuracy of anomaly signals, the adaptive multi-threshold center frequency variational mode decomposition method(AMTCF-VMD) method is used to eliminate strong noise in pipeline signals. Secondly, to address the strong data dependency and loss of local features in the Swin Transformer network, a Hybrid Pyramid ConvNet network with an Agent Attention mechanism is proposed. This compensates for the limitations of CNN’s receptive field and enhances the Swin Transformer’s global contextual feature representation capabilities. Thirdly, to address the sparsity and imbalance of anomaly samples, the SpecAugment and Scaper methods are integrated to enhance the model’s generalization ability.
Findings
In the pipeline anomaly audio and environmental datasets such as ESC-50, the AMTCF-VMD method shows more significant denoising effects compared to wavelet packet decomposition and EMD methods. Additionally, the model achieved 98.7% accuracy on the preprocessed anomaly audio dataset and 99.0% on the ESC-50 dataset.
Originality/value
This paper innovatively proposes and combines the AMTCF-VMD preprocessing method with the Agent-SwinPyramidNet model, addressing noise interference and low accuracy issues in pipeline anomaly detection, and providing strong support for oil and gas pipeline anomaly recognition tasks in high-noise environments.
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Huiling Li, Wenya Yuan and Jianzhong Xu
This study aimed to identify a specific taxonomy of entry modes for international construction contractors and to develop a decision-making mechanism based on case-based reasoning…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to identify a specific taxonomy of entry modes for international construction contractors and to develop a decision-making mechanism based on case-based reasoning (CBR) to facilitate the selection of the most suitable entry modes.
Design/methodology/approach
According to the experience orientation of the construction industry, a CBR entry mode decision model was established, and based on successful historical cases, a two-step refinement process was carried out to identify similar situations. Then the validity of the model is proved by case analysis.
Findings
This study identified an entry mode taxonomy for international construction contractors (ICCs) and explored their decision-making mechanisms. First, a two-dimension model of entry mode for ICCs was constructed from ownership and value chain dimensions; seven common ICC entry modes were identified and ranked according to market commitment. Secondly, this study reveals the impact mechanism of the ICC entry mode from two aspects: the external environment and enterprise characteristics. Accordingly, an entry mode decision model is established.
Practical implications
Firstly, sorting out the categories of entry mode in the construction field, which provide an entry mode list for ICCs to select. Secondly, revealing the impact mechanism of ICC entry mode, which proposes a systematic decision-making system for the selection of ICC entry mode. Thirdly, constructing a CBR entry mode decision-making model from an empirical perspective, which offers tool support and reduces transaction costs in the decision-making process.
Originality/value
The study on entry modes for ICCs is still in the preliminary exploratory stage. The authors investigate the entry mode categories and decision-making mechanisms for ICCs based on Uppsala internationalization process theory. It widens the applied scope of Uppsala and promotes cross-disciplinary integration. In addition, the authors creatively propose a two-stage retrieval mechanism in the CBR model, which considers the order of decision variables. It refines the influence path of the decision variables on ICCs' entry mode.
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Huiling Huang and Stephanie Q. Liu
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) marketing has become ubiquitous in the hospitality industry. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of donation appeals…
Abstract
Purpose
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) marketing has become ubiquitous in the hospitality industry. The purpose of this paper is to examine the effectiveness of donation appeals containing warmth-focused versus competence-focused messages in hospitality CSR marketing. Moreover, we offer an innovative visual design strategy focusing on the typeface (handwritten vs machine-written) in donation appeals to encourage consumers’ donations and boost their brand loyalty.
Design/methodology/approach
This research used a 2 (message framing: warmth-focused vs competence-focused) × 2 (typeface: handwritten vs machine-written) between-subjects experimental design.
Findings
The findings suggest that donation appeals featuring warmth-focused messages combined with handwritten typeface and competence-focused messages combined with machine-written typeface can maximize donation intention and brand loyalty. Furthermore, results from the moderated mediation analyses indicate that brand trust is the psychological mechanism underlying these effects.
Practical implications
Hospitality managers should use typeface design, which is easy and inexpensive to manipulate, to enhance the effectiveness of CSR marketing. Specifically, for donation appeals featuring warmth-focused (competence-focused) messages, the handwritten (machine-written) typeface can boost consumers’ donation intention and brand loyalty.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is the first to reveal the competitive advantage of typeface design in hospitality CSR marketing. This research sheds light on the congruency effects of message framing and typeface design in donation appeals on consumers’ donation intention and brand loyalty while using the contemporary context of The Coronavirus Disease 2019 to test the theory.
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Gopalakrishnan Palaniappan, Anita Rachel D., Sentilkumar C.B., Selvaraj Senthil Kumar, Senthil Kumar B. and Devaki E.
Eri is a short-stapled fibre that possesses an excellent soft feel and warmness to the wearer. Investigation of thermal comfort and moisture properties of Eri silk fabric provides…
Abstract
Purpose
Eri is a short-stapled fibre that possesses an excellent soft feel and warmness to the wearer. Investigation of thermal comfort and moisture properties of Eri silk fabric provides the enhanced commercial scope for Eri silk-based clothing.
Design/methodology/approach
To examine the impact of process factors on thermal and moisture properties, three different single knit Eri silk structures were made, each with a different loop length and yarn count. Three different linear densities of Eri silk spun yarn (15, 20 and 25 tex) were selected. Three distinct knitted constructions, including plain jersey, popcorn and cellular blister, were created, along with two different loop lengths.
Findings
The novel cellular blister structure has shown appreciable thermal comfort properties than the other two structures. Yarn fineness and loop length were significant with most of the thermal comfort properties.
Research limitations/implications
In recent times the Eri silk production is completely domesticated, so the new demand can easily be met by the producers. This research will create a new scope for Eri silk fibres in sportswear and leisure wear.
Originality/value
This study was conducted to explore the influence of knit structure, loop length and yarn count on the thermal comfort properties of the clothing.
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Jie Gong, Zhifeng Zhang, Zhaoyang Zhu, Jun Wan, Niannian Yang, Fang Li, Huiling Sun, Weiping Li, Jiang Xia, Dunjin Zhou and Xinguang Chen
The paper seeks to report data on cigarette smoking, anti‐smoking practices, physicians' receipt of anti‐smoking training, and the association between receipt of the training and…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper seeks to report data on cigarette smoking, anti‐smoking practices, physicians' receipt of anti‐smoking training, and the association between receipt of the training and anti‐smoking practice among physicians in Wuhan, China.
Design/methodology/approach
Participants were selected through the stratified random sampling method. The questionnaires were completed by the sampled physicians and the response rate of the survey was 98.1 percent.
Findings
Among the total sample, 11 percent were current smokers. Significantly more male physicians than female physicians were current smokers (31.6 vs 0.9 percent, p<0.001). In total, 41 percent of physicians always or often asked patients about smoking habits, and 61 percent of them often advised patients to quit. Receiving anti‐tobacco training significantly increased the likelihood for physicians to ask patients about smoking (odd ratio=2.55, p<0.001) and to advise patients against smoking (odd ratio=4.05, p<0.001) with and without controlling gender, age, education, type of hospital and medical services specialty.
Practical implications
More effort should be devoted to training for physicians with focus on anti‐smoking practice and smoking cessation counseling in addition to assist physicians themselves to quit smoking.
Originality/value
The findings of this study update the data regarding cigarette smoking among physicians in Wuhan, China, and their practice of anti‐tobacco counseling. It indicates that it is very important to provide the training regarding anti‐smoking counseling among physicians.
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Focuses on two key aspects of the rule of law – equality before the law and the universal application of the same system of law to all people – and examines these requirements in…
Abstract
Focuses on two key aspects of the rule of law – equality before the law and the universal application of the same system of law to all people – and examines these requirements in the context of the European Works Council (EWC) Directive, aimed at establishing a European‐wide legal framework for transnational information and consultation. Looks at the philosophy behind the EWC concept, discussing its historical context, the rationale for its adoption, its provisions and certain implementation problems, and considers the implications and consequences of the Directive for the UK, which is in the process of adopting it. Spotlights three problematic areas relating to recognition and employee representation, the potential consequences of late implementation and uniting different employee representative arrangements, and identifies three aspects of inequality relating to both employers and employees that appear to breach the rule of law. Concludes that the Directive represents a first step towards achieving true employee participation and a transnational industrial relations system.
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Qi Yao, Chao Hu and Jianjian Du
To provide theoretical guidance on improving luxury brands’ marketing performance, this study aims to examine the impact mechanism and boundary conditions of luxury brand buyers’…
Abstract
Purpose
To provide theoretical guidance on improving luxury brands’ marketing performance, this study aims to examine the impact mechanism and boundary conditions of luxury brand buyers’ consumption resources on observers’ brand attitudes from the perspective of consumers’ power distance beliefs (PDBs).
Design/methodology/approach
Four experimental studies were conducted. Study 1 examined the influence of the interaction of consumption resources and PDBs on luxury brand attitudes; Study 2 examined the mediating role of prestige perception. Study 3 excluded alternative explanations of (dis)association motivation and envy. Finally, Study 4 examined the moderating effect of brand relationship norms.
Findings
Consumers with low PDBs had lower attitudes towards luxury brands when consumption resources were acquired through luck (rather than effort). However, no significant difference in luxury brand attitudes was found between these two consumer groups when PDBs were high. Consumers’ perceptions of prestige played a mediating role in the main effect, whereas brand relationship norms moderated the main effect.
Originality/value
First, this study reveals the unique role of PDBs in shaping consumer attitudes towards luxury brands. Second, it uses consumption resources as a signal for luxury consumption and identifies a way to influence consumers’ attitudes towards luxury brands, namely, their perceptions of prestige. Third, it uncovers the influence of consumers’ brand relationship norms on the formation of luxury brand attitudes.
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Nopporn Ruangwanit and Mathupayas Thongmak
This study investigates the influences of brands, sources and congruence on perceived product quality, as well as the role of content creator types in Instagram influencer…
Abstract
Purpose
This study investigates the influences of brands, sources and congruence on perceived product quality, as well as the role of content creator types in Instagram influencer marketing for luxury brands.
Design/methodology/approach
The samples consisted of Instagram users who follow content creators who posted about luxury brands. A survey instrument was used to collect data from 916 respondents who were of working age (22–55 years old).
Findings
The analysis showed acceptable fits for both measurement and structural models. The results reveal the positive effect of luxury brand identity on content attributes, which influence both content creator-product fit and perceived product quality and the direct influence of fit on perceived quality. Perceived uniqueness acts as a negative driver.
Practical implications
The findings of this study guide luxury brand marketers in choosing peers and influencers, selecting appropriate content creators and emphasizing effective content attributes.
Originality/value
This study identifies novel antecedents for perceived quality, a part of brand equity, including drivers and obstacles. It also explores the impact of content creator types, such as friends and/or acquaintances, compared to influencers and/or celebrities, offering insights beyond previous research.