Zhirui Wang, Yezhuo Li, Bo Su, Lei Jiang, Ziming Zhao and Yan-An Yao
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a tetrahedral mobile robot with only revolute joints (TMRR). By using rotation actuators, the mechanism of the robot gains favorable…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce a tetrahedral mobile robot with only revolute joints (TMRR). By using rotation actuators, the mechanism of the robot gains favorable working space and eliminates the engineering difficulties caused by the multilevel extension compared with liner actuators. Furthermore, the rolling locomotion is improved to reduce displacement error based on dynamics analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
The main body of deforming mechanism with a tetrahedral exterior shape is composed of four vertexes and six RRR chains. The mobile robot can achieve the rolling locomotion and reach any position on the ground by orderly driving the rotation actuators. The global kinematics of the mobile modes are analyzed. Dynamics analysis of the robot falling process is carried out during the rolling locomotion, and the rolling locomotion is improved by reducing the collision impulse along with the moving direction.
Findings
Based on global kinematics analysis of TMRR, the robot can realize the continuous mobility based on rolling gait planning. The main cause of robot displacement error and the corresponding improvement locomotion are gained through dynamic analysis. The results of the theoretical analysis are verified by experiments on a physical prototype.
Originality/value
The work introduced in this paper is a novel exploration of applying the mechanism with only revolute joints to the field of tetrahedral rolling robots. It is also an attempt to use the improved rolling locomotion making this kind of mobile robot more practical. Meanwhile, the reasonable engineering structure of the robot provides feasibility for load carrying.
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Xuelong Li, Lei Jiang, Xinxin Liu, Ruina Dang, Fusheng Liu, Wang Wei, Tong Zhang and Guoshun Wang
The purpose of this paper is to introduce the modeling and implementation of a novel multimode amphibious robot, which is used for patrol and beach garbage cleaning in the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to introduce the modeling and implementation of a novel multimode amphibious robot, which is used for patrol and beach garbage cleaning in the land–water transition zone.
Design/methodology/approach
Starting from the design idea of multimode motion, the robot innovatively integrates the guiding fin and wheel together, is driven by the same motor and can achieve multimodal motion such as land, water surface and underwater with only six actuated degrees of freedom. The robot dispenses with the transmission mechanism by directly connecting the servo motor with a reducer to the actuator, so it has the characteristics of simplifying the structure and reducing the quality. And to the best of the authors' knowledge, the design of the robot can be considered the minimal configuration of amphibious robots with the same locomotion capabilities.
Findings
Based on the classical assumptions of underwater dynamics analysis, this paper uses basic airfoil theory to analyze the dynamics of the robot’s horizontal and vertical motions and establishes its simplified dynamics model. Also, the underwater motion of the robot is simulated, and the results are in good agreement with the existing research results. Finally, to verify the feasibility of the robot, a prototype is implemented and fully evaluated by experiments. Experimental results show that the robot can reach the maximum speed of 2.5 m/s and 0.3 m/s on land and underwater, respectively, proving the effectiveness of the robot.
Originality/value
The robot has higher work efficiency with the powerful multimode motion, and its simplified structure makes it more stable while costing less.
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Zhiyong Yang, Ying Wang and Jiyoung Hwang
Generation Z makes up 20% of China’s population, and accounts for the highest share of household spend at 13% (vs. 3% for the United Kingdom and 4% for the United States). To…
Abstract
Generation Z makes up 20% of China’s population, and accounts for the highest share of household spend at 13% (vs. 3% for the United Kingdom and 4% for the United States). To advance marketers’ understanding about this group of consumers and capitalise on China’s booming market, this chapter uses rich statistics and information to show that China’s Generation Z has distinct behaviour patterns, which can be attributed to the unique background in which they grew up: (1) rigidity of social stratification, (2) abundance of materialism, (3) digital era, (4) limited (vs. extended) family, and (5) heavy schoolwork. Growing up in such a background, Generation Z’s lifestyle and consumption-related attitudes and behaviour are distinct from their predecessors. The chapter presents specific actions that marketers can take when targeting this distinct group of consumers in China, along with useful guidelines to HR managers for hiring them.
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Jiabo Chen, Xiaokai Guo, Hao Liu, Xuantong Lv, Shichuan Fan, Liankui Wu, Fahe Cao and Qingqing Sun
This study aims to discuss the influences of surface severe plastic deformation (S2PD) on the electrochemical corrosion, pitting corrosion, intergranular corrosion, stress…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to discuss the influences of surface severe plastic deformation (S2PD) on the electrochemical corrosion, pitting corrosion, intergranular corrosion, stress corrosion cracking of aluminum (Al) alloys and attempt to correlate the microstructural/compositional changes with the performances.
Design/methodology/approach
This study provides a novel gradient design of structure/composition caused by S2PD for the purpose of enhancing Al alloys’ corrosion resistance.
Findings
S2PD has a significant effect on corrosion behavior of Al alloys through tuning the grain size, residual stress, composition, grain boundary phase and second phase particle distribution.
Originality/value
Although Al alloys are known to form a protective Al2O3 film, corrosion is a major challenge for the longevity of Al structures across numerous industries, especially for the infrastructures made of high-strength Al alloys. Traditional strategies of improving corrosion resistance of Al alloys heavily relied on alloying and coatings. In this review, gradient design of structure/composition caused by S2PD provides a novel strategy for corrosion protection of Al alloys, especially in the enhancement of localized corrosion resistance.
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Tue Ngoc Hoang and Phong Ba Le
The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of transformational leadership (TL) on tacit and explicit knowledge sharing (KS) of teachers through the mediating role of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of transformational leadership (TL) on tacit and explicit knowledge sharing (KS) of teachers through the mediating role of knowledge-centered school culture (KSC). This study also attempts to bring a deeper insight into the correlation between KSC and KS behaviors by exploring the moderating effect of perceived organizational support (POS).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper used a quantitative approach and structural equation modeling to examine the relationship among the latent factors in the research model using data collected from 293 teachers in Vietnamese universities.
Findings
The findings indicated that TL positively influences tacit and explicit KS behaviors of teachers directly or indirectly through its positive effect on KSC. In addition, the paper highlights the moderating role of POS in strengthening the impact of TL on tacit and explicit KS behaviors of teachers.
Research limitations/implications
This paper emphasizes the need to practice TL as an effective pathway to foster tacit and explicit KS behaviors of teachers in higher education.
Originality/value
The paper significantly contributes to enhancing understanding of the antecedent role of TL in fostering knowledge-centered culture and KS behaviors of teachers under the moderating effects of POS in higher education.
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Yuanjin Lei, Zhufeng Jiang, Yuemei Tao and Zhinhong Wu
Describes a new catalytic gas sensor which claims high stability andlow‐consumed power by using extra fine wires of precious metals and theaddition of a support stabilizer and…
Abstract
Describes a new catalytic gas sensor which claims high stability and low‐consumed power by using extra fine wires of precious metals and the addition of a support stabilizer and pore‐making agents. Outlines the experiment methods and materials used, the principles of detection and the performance of the catalytic elements. Concludes that with the addition of a support stabilizer which makes the specific surface of the support decrease slowly during use, and a pore‐making agent which can eliminate the effect of the internal diffusion on the sensor, the novel catalytic sensor can be widely applied to the detection of damp gas in coal mines and various combustible gases on the earth’s surfaces.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a theoretical framework to explore the influence of green packaging on green purchase intention in the context of online-to-offline (O2O) commerce and to discuss the indirect effects of perceived value, perceived risk and green satisfaction.
Design/methodology/approach
To cast light on the factors affecting consumers’ intention to purchase in the context of O2O commerce, 295 valid questionnaire responses of O2O consumers in China were collected via an online survey. Data analysis was performed based on structural equation modeling.
Findings
The empirical results indicated that green packaging significantly affects consumers’ green purchase intention in the O2O commerce context indirectly through perceived value, perceived risk and green satisfaction. Moreover, green loyalty positively and significantly moderates the effects of perceived value, perceived risk and green satisfaction on green purchase intention.
Originality/value
Research on product packaging has mainly focused on investigating packaging materials, designs, functions and applications but has rarely examined how product packaging affects consumers’ purchase intention in the context of O2O commerce. Moreover, although previous studies have explored the roles of perceived value and perceived risk on purchase intention, they have not investigated the effects of environmental concerns and commerce context. This study attempts to fill these research gaps.
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Lei Jiang, Chongyang Li and Yan Chen
Land use changes significantly impacts ecosystem services and functions. The estimation of ecosystem services value is conducive to clarifying the ecological changes in response…
Abstract
Land use changes significantly impacts ecosystem services and functions. The estimation of ecosystem services value is conducive to clarifying the ecological changes in response to LULC changes due to urbanization. Chengde was the upper water source of Beijing and Tianjin, the ecosystem is very fragile. After a series of ecology conservation projects like "returning cropland to forestry", the ecosystem service value increased from 5100.17 x 107 Yuan in 1990 to 5104.08 x 107 Yuan in 2008 respectively, with the average increase of 2.3 x 106 Yuan per year. It is indicated that ecosystem service value has the potential to inform policy decisions by emphasizing the benefits of sustainable ecosystem management. So plans on land use management should be made to maintain a balance between urbanization and ecosystem health.
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Guowei Zhu, George Chryssochoidis and Li Zhou
This paper aims to address how adding food ingredients to a packaged base food affects consumers’ calorie estimation of the new augmented product.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to address how adding food ingredients to a packaged base food affects consumers’ calorie estimation of the new augmented product.
Design/methodology/approach
The four performed experiments and analyses of variance demonstrate an underlying psychological mechanism, explained below.
Findings
Results show that the healthiness of the added food ingredient (AFI) does not matter if the base food is healthy, and consumers’ calorie estimates of the augmented packaged food product are accurate. When, however, the food base is unhealthy, and the AFI is healthy, consumers underestimate the new product calories. This underestimation effect increases further when the healthy ingredients multiply. This underestimation effect endures when these ingredients are presented in a visual form, but it becomes smaller when these ingredients are presented in a verbal form. A justification mechanism is relevant.
Research limitations/implications
Further research should test across the broader range of the food product matrix. There is a great diversity of AFI presentations, and further research may deal with the impact of AFIs of these different forms on consumers’ calorie estimation and healthiness perceptions. Research may also test sensory-arousing mechanisms that can help understand how consumers perceive the calories of the augmented food.
Practical implications
The findings suggest that consumers should be cautious of the judgment bias caused by the presence of an AFI on food packages and raise their awareness regarding nutrition implications and dietary effects. From the perspective of food manufacturers, although adding healthy AFIs to unhealthy base foods may increase consumers’ purchase intention and bring higher profits, it may not be sustainable as a marketing strategy in the long term and has immediate ethical implications.
Social implications
Policymakers should introduce voluntary schemes to monitor and restrict the improper presentation of AFIs, aiming to rule out the abuse of healthy AFIs on unhealthy packaged food.
Originality/value
This work offers three major original and valuable contributions. It explains the effects of AFIs on calorie estimation and consumer healthiness perceptions in a context not studied before, namely, packaged food products. Next, it advances the literature on consumer judgment error and heuristics concerning product package attributes. As adding ingredients is integral to product line extension decisions, the results also clarify how marketing can safeguard firm social responsibility in combating obesity.
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Hongping Xing, Yu Liu and Xiaodan Sun
The smoothness of the high-speed railway (HSR) on the bridge may exceed the allowable standard when an earthquake causes vibrations for HSR bridges, which may threaten the safety…
Abstract
Purpose
The smoothness of the high-speed railway (HSR) on the bridge may exceed the allowable standard when an earthquake causes vibrations for HSR bridges, which may threaten the safety of running trains. Indeed, few studies have evaluated the exceeding probability of rail displacement exceeding the allowable standard. The purposes of this article are to provide a method for investigating the exceeding probability of the rail displacement of HSRs under seismic excitation and to calculate the exceeding probability.
Design/methodology/approach
In order to investigate the exceeding probability of the rail displacement under different seismic excitations, the workflow of analyzing the smoothness of the rail based on incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) is proposed, and the intensity measure and limit state for the exceeding probability analysis of HSRs are defined. Then a finite element model (FEM) of an assumed HSR track-bridge system is constructed, which comprises a five-span simply-supported girder bridge supporting a finite length CRTS II ballastless track. Under different seismic excitations, the seismic displacement response of the rail is calculated; the character of the rail displacement is analyzed; and the exceeding probability of the rail vertical displacement exceeding the allowable standard (2mm) is investigated.
Findings
The results show that: (1) The bridge-abutment joint position may form a step-like under seismic excitation, threatening the running safety of high-speed trains under seismic excitations, and the rail displacements at mid-span positions are bigger than that at other positions on the bridge. (2) The exceeding probability of rail displacement is up to about 44% when PGA = 0.01g, which is the level-five risk probability and can be described as 'very likely to happen'. (3) The exceeding probability of the rail at the mid-span positions is bigger than that above other positions of the bridge, and the mid-span positions of the track-bridge system above the bridge may be the most hazardous area for the running safety of trains under seismic excitation when high-speed trains run on bridges.
Originality/value
The work extends the seismic hazardous analysis of HSRs and would lead to a better understanding of the exceeding probability for the rail of HSRs under seismic excitations and better references for the alert of the HSR operation.