Search results

1 – 10 of over 1000
Per page
102050
Citations:
Loading...
Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 24 June 2021

Zaiyang Xie, Liang Qu, Runhui Lin and Qiutong Guo

Environmental regulation is in a continuous state of intense change and modification amid the long-term tensions between environmental protection and economic growth. In this…

578

Abstract

Purpose

Environmental regulation is in a continuous state of intense change and modification amid the long-term tensions between environmental protection and economic growth. In this article, the authors creatively investigate how fluctuations of environmental regulation influence a nation's economic growth while also examining the mediating effect of technological innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using sample data of 36 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries from 2013 to 2018, environmental regulation is differentiated in two aspects of formal environmental regulation (FER) and informal environmental regulation (IER) and analyzed to assess the effects of regulatory fluctuations on investment and technological innovation.

Findings

The research results demonstrate that both FER fluctuation and IER fluctuation exert a significant negative impact on economic growth. These two fluctuations in environmental regulation increase uncertainty and unpredictable risks for corporations and investors, significantly stifling the willingness to contribute to innovation activities and leading to a diminished level of innovation. Technological innovation is revealed to have a mediating influence on the relationship of environmental regulation fluctuation to economic growth.

Originality/value

These findings enrich the research on the impact of environmental regulation from a dynamic, multinational perspective, contributing to the literature by exploring the relationships between environmental regulation fluctuation, technological innovation and economic growth at the OECD-country level.

Details

Journal of Enterprise Information Management, vol. 35 no. 4/5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1741-0398

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 13 March 2019

Tony Yan and Michael R. Hyman

The purpose of this paper is to explore the means for enhancing the image and business legitimacy of a socially discredited industry – pawnbroking in pre-1949 China – are…

223

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the means for enhancing the image and business legitimacy of a socially discredited industry – pawnbroking in pre-1949 China – are explored. Previous studies suggest companies operating within such industries cannot solely rely on hard marketing strategies “to maximize sales and profits as they do with soaps and shoes” (Davidson, 2003, p. 7). Instead, they must find soft strategies for improving company and industry image and legitimacy.

Design/methodology/approach

This research relies on qualitative analysis of historical data and documents.

Findings

Soft strategies deployed by Chinese pawnbrokers – such as interpretations, moral value advocacies and institutionalized arrangements – contributed substantially to improving pawnbroking’s image and business legitimacy.

Research limitations/implications

Interconnections among ethical values, image, business legitimacy and select marketing strategies are clarified. The efficacy of historically analyzing previously implemented business strategies and their embedding contexts is discussed.

Practical implications

Strategies Chinese pawnbrokers used to mitigate their previously negative image and boost their business legitimacy suggest strategies current socially disapproved companies can use to improve their image and business legitimacy.

Originality/value

A historical analysis of pre-1949 Chinese pawnbroking can suggest soft marketing strategies for overcoming consumers’ negative company and industry impressions.

Details

Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, vol. 31 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-5855

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 9 September 2021

Xiao Bo Liang, Xinghua Qu, YuanJun Zhang, Lianyin Xu and Fumin Zhang

Laser absolute distance measurement has the characteristics of high precision, wide range and non-contact. In laser ranging system, tracking and aiming measurement point is the…

127

Abstract

Purpose

Laser absolute distance measurement has the characteristics of high precision, wide range and non-contact. In laser ranging system, tracking and aiming measurement point is the precondition of automatic measurement. To solve this problem, this paper aims to propose a novel method.

Design/methodology/approach

For the central point of the hollow angle coupled mirror, this paper proposes a method based on correlation filtering and ellipse fitting. For non-cooperative target points, this paper proposes an extraction method based on correlation filtering and feature matching. Finally, a visual tracking and aiming system was constructed by combining the two-axis turntable, and experiments were carried out.

Findings

The target tracking algorithm has an accuracy of 91.15% and a speed of 19.5 frames per second. The algorithm can adapt to the change of target scale and short-term occlusion. The mean error and standard deviation of the center point extraction of the hollow Angle coupling mirror are 0.20 and 0.09 mm. The mean error and standard deviation of feature points matching for non-cooperative target were 0.06 mm and 0.16 mm. The visual tracking and aiming system can track a target running at a speed of 0.7 m/s, aiming error mean is 1.74 pixels and standard deviation is 0.67 pixel.

Originality/value

The results show that this method can achieve fast and high precision target tracking and aiming and has great application value in laser ranging.

Details

Industrial Robot: the international journal of robotics research and application, vol. 49 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 1 March 2006

Shutian Liu and Yongcun Zhang

In this paper, a homogenization‐based multi‐scale method for predicting the effective thermal conductivity of porous materials with radiation is presented, which considers the…

657

Abstract

In this paper, a homogenization‐based multi‐scale method for predicting the effective thermal conductivity of porous materials with radiation is presented, which considers the effect of geometry and distribution of pores. Using homogenization method to solve the pure conductive problem of porous materials with periodic structure, the effective thermal conductivity without considering radiation is predicted, and a temperature field in a local domain of a unit cell is obtained. This temperature field is taken as the good approximation of the real temperature distribution, and the radiative thermal conductivity is obtained. The effect of the microstructure, the distribution and geometry of pores on heat transfer of porous materials is discussed. It is concluded that the dimension of the pores is an important influence factor on the thermal transfer property of porous materials if radiation is considered. Increasing the pore’s dimension enhances the contribution of radiation to the heat transfer property of porous materials. For porous materials with cylindrical and spherical pores, the radiative thermal conductivity is proportional to pore’s diameter.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 2 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 30 March 2020

Guang Rui Zhou, Shi Qian Liu, Yuan Jun Sang, Xu Dong Wang, Xiao Peng Jia and Er Zhuo Niu

This paper aims to focus on the variable stick force-displacement (SFD) gradience in the active side stick (ASS) servo system for the civil aircraft.

159

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on the variable stick force-displacement (SFD) gradience in the active side stick (ASS) servo system for the civil aircraft.

Design/methodology/approach

The problem of variable SFD gradience was introduced first, followed by the analysis of its impact on the ASS servo system. To solve this problem, a linear-parameter-varying (LPV) control approach was suggested to process the variable gradience of the SFD. A H robust control method was proposed to deal with the external disturbance.

Findings

To validate the algorithm performance, a linear time-variant system was calculated to be used to worst cases and the SFD gradience was set to linear and non-linear variation to test the algorithm, and some typical examples of pitch angle and side-slip angle tracking control for a large civil aircraft were also used to verify the algorithm. The results showed that the LPV control method had less settling time and less steady tracking errors than H control, even in the variable SFD case.

Practical implications

This paper presented an ASS servo system using the LPV control method to solve the problem caused by the variable SFD gradience. The motor torque command was calculated by pressure and position feedback without additional hardware support. It was more useful for the electronic hydraulic servo actuator.

Originality/value

This was the research paper that analyzed the impact of the variable SFD gradience in the ASS servo system and presented an LPV control method to solve it. It was applicable for the SFD gradience changing in the linear and non-linear cases.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 92 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Available. Open Access. Open Access
Article
Publication date: 10 October 2024

Yan Wang, Shibin Wei, Fei Yang, Jiyou Fei and Jianfeng Guo

This study aims to analyze the development direction of track geometry inspection equipment for high-speed comprehensive inspection train in China.

142

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the development direction of track geometry inspection equipment for high-speed comprehensive inspection train in China.

Design/methodology/approach

The development of track geometry inspection equipment for high-speed comprehensive inspection train in China in the past 20 years can be divided into 3 stages. Track geometry inspection equipment 1.0 is the stage of analog signal. At the stage 1.0, the first priority is to meet the China's railways basic needs of pre-operation joint debugging, safety assessment and daily dynamic inspection, maintenance and repair after operation. Track geometry inspection equipment 2.0 is the stage of digital signal. At the stage 2.0, it is important to improve stability and reliability of track geometry inspection equipment by upgrading the hardware sensors and improving software architecture. Track geometry inspection equipment 3.0 is the stage of lightweight. At the stage 3.0, miniaturization, low power consumption, self-running and green economy are co-developing on demand.

Findings

The ability of track geometry inspection equipment for high-speed comprehensive inspection train will be expanded. The dynamic inspection of track stiffness changes will be studied under loaded and unloaded conditions in response to the track local settlement, track plate detachment and cushion plate failure. The dynamic measurement method of rail surface slope and vertical curve radius will be proposed, to reveal the changes in railway profile parameters of high-speed railways and the relationship between railway profile, track irregularity and subsidence of subgrade and bridges. The 200 m cut-off wavelength of track regularity will be researched to adapt to the operating speed of 400 km/h.

Originality/value

The research can provide new connotations and requirements of track geometry inspection equipment for high-speed comprehensive inspection train in the new railway stage.

Access Restricted. View access options
Book part
Publication date: 11 September 2012

Yue-Juan Pan and Xia Li

The kindergarten curriculum in mainland China has evolved through four periods and the current reform began in the end of 1980s. The reform aimed to transform kindergarten…

Abstract

The kindergarten curriculum in mainland China has evolved through four periods and the current reform began in the end of 1980s. The reform aimed to transform kindergarten practice by shaping ideologies including respect for individual child, active learning, and play-based integrated curriculum. This review of research literatures shows that compared with the practice before the reform, many kindergarten teachers organize classrooms in learning centers, provide more play materials, pay time, and freedom for free play, and pay more attention to individuals. But indoor space organized in rice-seedling-bed model, teacher-led group instruction and teacher-controlled interactions are still often observed after three decades of reform efforts; there still exist great variations among kindergartens of different sponsoring bodies and in different regions. The problems resulted from the innate deficiencies of the top-down and value-priority reform, the conflicts between the advocated value and the traditional Chinese culture with emphasis on Ming-Fen, testing, and the value of children for the whole family and nation, and the unequal distribution of public resources decided by the educational institutions. Therefore, the curriculum reform is not a separate endeavor from other social changes, but a comprehensive and systematic change. To guarantee the success of the curriculum reform, the Chinese society needs cultural transformation and institutional reconstruction.

Details

Early Education in a Global Context
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78190-074-1

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 23 September 2022

Hamed Al-sorory, Mohammed S. Gumaan and Rizk Mostafa Shalaby

This paper aims to summarise the effects of ZnO nanoparticles (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 Wt.%) on the structure, mechanical, electrical and thermal stability of Sn–3.5Ag–0.5Cu…

126

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to summarise the effects of ZnO nanoparticles (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 Wt.%) on the structure, mechanical, electrical and thermal stability of Sn–3.5Ag–0.5Cu (SAC355) solder alloys for high-performance applications.

Design/methodology/approach

The phase identification and morphology of the solders were studied using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Thermal parameters were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry. The elastic parameters such as Young's modulus (E) and internal friction (Q−1) were investigated using the dynamic resonance technique, whereas the Vickers hardness (Hv) and creep indentation (n) were examined using a Vickers microhardness tester.

Findings

Microstructural analysis revealed that ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were distributed uniformly throughout the Sn matrix. Furthermore, addition of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.7 Wt.% of ZnO NPs to the eutectic (SAC355) prevented crystallite size reduction, which increased the strength of the solder alloy. Mechanical parameters such as Young's modulus improved significantly at 0.1, 0.3 and 0.7 Wt.% ZnO NP contents compared to the ZnO-free alloy. This variation can be understood by considering the plastic deformation. The Vickers hardness value (Hv) increased to its maximum as the ZnO NP content increased to 0.5. A stress exponent value (n) of approximately two in most composite solder alloys suggested that grain boundary sliding was the dominant mechanism in this system. The electrical resistance (ρ) increased its maximum value at 0.5 Wt.% ZnO NPs content. The addition of ZnO NPs to plain (SAC355) solder alloys increased the melting temperature (Tm) by a few degrees.

Originality/value

Development of eutectic (SAC355) lead-free solder doped with ZnO NPs use for electronic packaging.

Details

Soldering & Surface Mount Technology, vol. 35 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0954-0911

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 6 March 2019

Achala Jain and Anupama P. Huddar

The purpose of this paper is to solve economic emission dispatch problem in connection of wind with hydro-thermal units.

137

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to solve economic emission dispatch problem in connection of wind with hydro-thermal units.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed hybrid methodology is the joined execution of both the modified salp swarm optimization algorithm (MSSA) with artificial intelligence technique aided with particle swarm optimization (PSO) technique.

Findings

The proposed approach is introduced to figure out the optimal power generated power from the thermal, wind farms and hydro units by minimizing the emission level and cost of generation simultaneously. The best compromise solution of the generation power outputs and related gas emission are subject to the equality and inequality constraints of the system. Here, MSSA is used to generate the optimal combination of thermal generator with the objective of minimum fuel and emission objective function. The proposed method also considers wind speed probability factor via PSO-artificial neural network (ANN) technique and hydro power generation at peak load demand condition to ensure economic utilization.

Originality/value

To validate the advantage of the proposed approach, six- and ten-units thermal systems are studied with fuel and emission cost. For minimizing the fuel and emission cost of the thermal system with the predicted wind speed factor, the proposed approach is used. The proposed approach is actualized in MATLAB/Simulink, and the results are examined with considering generation units and compared with various solution techniques. The comparison reveals the closeness of the proposed approach and proclaims its capability for handling multi-objective optimization problems of power systems.

Details

International Journal of Energy Sector Management, vol. 13 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-6220

Keywords

Access Restricted. View access options
Article
Publication date: 16 July 2019

Areej Ahmad Alsaadi, Wadee Alhalabi and Elena-Niculina Dragoi

Differential search algorithm (DSA) is a new optimization, meta-heuristic algorithm. It simulates the Brownian-like, random-walk movement of an organism by migrating to a better…

465

Abstract

Purpose

Differential search algorithm (DSA) is a new optimization, meta-heuristic algorithm. It simulates the Brownian-like, random-walk movement of an organism by migrating to a better position. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the performance analysis of DSA into two key parts: six random number generators (RNGs) and Benchmark functions (BMF) from IEEE World Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC, 2015). Noting that this study took problem dimensionality and maximum function evaluation (MFE) into account, various configurations were executed to check the parameters’ influence. Shifted rotated Rastrigin’s functions provided the best outcomes for the majority of RNGs, and minimum dimensionality offered the best average. Among almost all BMFs studied, Weibull and Beta RNGs concluded with the best and worst averages, respectively. In sum, 50,000 MFE provided the best results with almost RNGs and BMFs.

Design/methodology/approach

DSA was tested under six randomizers (Bernoulli, Beta, Binomial, Chisquare, Rayleigh, Weibull), two unimodal functions (rotated high conditioned elliptic function, rotated cigar function), three simple multi-modal functions (shifted rotated Ackley’s, shifted rotated Rastrigin’s, shifted rotated Schwefel’s functions) and three hybrid Functions (Hybrid Function 1 (n=3), Hybrid Function 2 (n=4,and Hybrid Function 3 (n=5)) at four problem dimensionalities (10D, 30D, 50D and 100D). According to the protocol of the CEC (2015) testbed, the stopping criteria are the MFEs, which are set to 10,000, 50,000 and 100,000. All algorithms mentioned were implemented on PC running Windows 8.1, i5 CPU at 1.60 GHz, 2.29 GHz and a 64-bit operating system.

Findings

The authors concluded the results based on RNGs as follows: F3 gave the best average results with Bernoulli, whereas F4 resulted in the best outcomes with all other RNGs; minimum and maximum dimensionality offered the best and worst averages, respectively; and Bernoulli and Binomial RNGs retained the best and worst averages, respectively, when all other parameters were fixed. In addition, the authors’ results concluded, based on BMFs: Weibull and Beta RNGs produced the best and worst averages with most BMFs; shifted and rotated Rastrigin’s function and Hybrid Function 2 gave rise to the best and worst averages. In both parts, 50,000 MFEs offered the best average results with most RNGs and BMFs.

Originality/value

Being aware of the advantages and drawbacks of DS enlarges knowledge about the class in which differential evolution belongs. Application of that knowledge, to specific problems, ensures that the possible improvements are not randomly applied. Strengths and weaknesses influenced by the characteristics of the problem being solved (e.g. linearity, dimensionality) and by the internal approaches being used (e.g. stop criteria, parameter control settings, initialization procedure) are not studied in detail. In-depth study of performance under various conditions is a “must” if one desires to efficiently apply DS algorithms to help solve specific problems. In this work, all the functions were chosen from the 2015 IEEE World Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC, 2015).

Details

Data Technologies and Applications, vol. 55 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9288

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 1000
Per page
102050