Hualing He, Yushu Wang, Jinru Liu, Ning Zhou, Yuhang Zhao and Zhicai Yu
This paper aims to investigate the dyeability of tussah silk fabric with lotus seedpod extract as the source of nontoxic and eco-friendly dyestuffs and functional agent.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the dyeability of tussah silk fabric with lotus seedpod extract as the source of nontoxic and eco-friendly dyestuffs and functional agent.
Design/methodology/approach
Mordant free dyeing method was carried out using citric acid (CA) as the cross-linking agent to link the fibre and dye molecules. First, the natural pigment of oligomeric procyanidins was extracted from the lotus seedpod and then used to dye the tussah silk fabric. After the dyeing process, the dyed samples were treated with CA solution under different concentrations to improve the colour fastness.
Findings
The tussah silk fabric was successfully coloured in reddish brown through the dyeing process and charactered by using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectrometer. Moreover, lotus seedpod extract could impart excellent UV protection ability to the dyed samples, and UPF values reached up to 2000. CA dosage influenced the colour characteristics, UV protection and anti-wrinkling performance. The optimum dosage of CA was 7% (Wt.%). In addition, dyed silk fabric showed good antibacterial activity and the calculated bacteriostatic rate against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were 83.27 and 60.2%, respectively.
Practical implications
This bio-dyeing strategy provided a simple and effective method for sustainable tussah silk fabric dyeing process.
Originality/value
This paper provides a novel dyeing strategy for mordant free dyeing and functionalization of tussah silk fabric, with lotus seedpod extract as natural pigment and CA as cross-linking agent to link the fibre and dye molecules.
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Yue Zhou, El Mehdi Abbara, Dayue Jiang, Arad Azizi, Mark D. Poliks and Fuda Ning
This study aims to uncover the multiscale relations among geometry, surface finish, microstructure and fatigue properties of curved-surface AlSi10Mg parts fabricated by powder bed…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to uncover the multiscale relations among geometry, surface finish, microstructure and fatigue properties of curved-surface AlSi10Mg parts fabricated by powder bed fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper investigated the high-cycle tensile and bending fatigue behaviors of PBF-built AlSi10Mg parts with curved surfaces. Besides, the surface finish, porosity and microstructure around various curvatures were characterized. Meanwhile, the stress distributions of the fatigue specimens with curved surfaces under the dynamic tensile/bending loading were analyzed via theoretical analysis and ANSYS simulation.
Findings
The results showed that the as-built specimens with the smallest curvature exhibited the best surface quality, smallest grain sizes and thinnest grain boundaries. In addition, the tensile fatigue fracture occurred around the largest curvature position of fatigue specimens, which was consistent with the simulated fatigue safety factor results. Moreover, the bending fatigue specimens with the largest curvature presented the shortest fatigue life due to the highest bending and shear stresses along the loading direction.
Originality/value
So far, most studies have focused on the fatigue behavior of as-built AlSi10Mg parts with planar structures only. The investigation on fatigue properties of as-built AlSi10Mg parts with curved surfaces remains unexplored. This study provides new insights into the characterization and quantification of the fatigue performance of PBF-built metal parts with complex geometries, the knowledge of which can promote their adoption in real industries.
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Nisar Gul, Haibo Chen, Javed Iqbal and Rasool Shah
This work presents a new two-step iterative technique for solving absolute value equations. The developed technique is valuable and effective for solving the absolute value…
Abstract
Purpose
This work presents a new two-step iterative technique for solving absolute value equations. The developed technique is valuable and effective for solving the absolute value equation. Various examples are given to demonstrate the accuracy and efficacy of the suggested technique.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, we present a new two-step iterative technique for solving absolute value equations. This technique is very straightforward, and due to the simplicity of this approach, it can be used to solve large systems with great effectiveness. Moreover, under certain assumptions, we examine the convergence of the proposed method using various theorems. Numerical outcomes are conducted to present the feasibility of the proposed technique.
Findings
This paper gives numerical experiments on how to solve a system of absolute value equations.
Originality/value
Nowadays, two-step approaches are very popular for solving equations (1). For solving AVEs, Liu in Shams (2021), Ning and Zhou (2015) demonstrated two-step iterative approaches. Moosaei et al. (2015) introduced a novel approach that utilizes a generalized Newton’s approach and Simpson’s rule to solve AVEs. Zainali and Lotfi (2018) presented a two-step Newton technique for AVEs that converges linearly. Feng and Liu (2016) have proposed minimization approaches for AVEs and presented their convergence under specific circumstances. Khan et al. (2023), suggested a nonlinear CSCS-like technique and a Picard-CSCS approach. Based on the benefits and drawbacks of the previously mentioned methods, we will provide a two-step iterative approach to efficiently solve equation (1). The numerical results show that our proposed technique converges rapidly and provides a more accurate solution.
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Bai Yun, Zhao Yue and Zhou Yaolin
This study aims to identify the prominent topics, the distribution and association characteristics of topics and the topic evolutionary trends of Documentary Heritage Preservation…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify the prominent topics, the distribution and association characteristics of topics and the topic evolutionary trends of Documentary Heritage Preservation and Conservation (DHPAC) research in China.
Design/methodology/approach
Keywords of relevant papers in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were extracted as the data source in this study. First, frequency and co-occurrence of keywords of the selected papers were obtained by using SATI. Second, co-word network indicators were calculated with the Pajek software. Then, VOSviewer was applied to optimize the visualization of the sub-communities. Finally, a topics evolution map of this research field was implemented by CorTexT.
Findings
The research topics of DHPAC research in China were unbalanced but distinct. Topics of DHPAC research in China possessed inconspicuous orientation and consistency. The core topics had less influence on the overall network. A research system had formed with archival conservation and ancient books conservation as the core research directions. Research in this field had formed four continuous evolutionary paths about ancient books conservation, salvage conservation, archival conservation and archives conservation technology science with topics fusion and differentiation coexisting. Attentions on “ancient books conservation”, “paper relics conservation”, “electronic record”, “digitization”, “minority”, “documents in the republic of China” had increased during the past two decades and new hot topics of DHPAC research kept appearing in China.
Originality/value
This study synthesized and analyzed the research results of DHPAC research in China from a more comprehensive perspective and revealed the topic structure and longitudinal evolution process intuitively with co-word analysis and social network analysis, which can assist researchers to improve research systematization, discover new research directions and seek cooperative research path.
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Within education, the online forum is becoming a preferred mode of study across the globe and the COVID-19 era highlights its importance. Research around online education has…
Abstract
Within education, the online forum is becoming a preferred mode of study across the globe and the COVID-19 era highlights its importance. Research around online education has concentrated on the USA and Europe, and this study sought to redress the Western bias by exploring and comparing the perceptions of six post-graduate East-African students and lecturers at Pan Africa Christian University in Kenya on learning leadership online versus on-campus. It is debatable whether leaders are born or made; however, post-industrial theories embrace the concept that leadership is teachable. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, recorded, transcribed and thematically analysed, using a top-down approach, from a critical realist perspective. The results show that participants’ leadership ideals synthesised Afrocentric perspectives of communality, with Western ideals of transformational and servant leadership. Furthermore, there are differences between perceptions of East- African students and lecturers on online leadership learning. Students preferred the online avatar experience, whilst lecturers preferred on-campus or blended methods of leadership studies. Face-to-face connection was deemed important by students and lecturers but impeded by the inability to see facial reactions using the current online platform. This exploratory study gives insight into an East-African experience and sends a clear message to Kenyan institutions to invest further in video technology. Future research could include a longitudinal study of destinations and successes of Kenyan University online leadership alumni. The impact of the global coronavirus pandemic, with lockdowns and social distancing, further underlines the importance of ongoing online leadership research and education across the world.
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Rongsheng Wang, Tao Zhang, Zhiming Yuan, Shuxin Ding and Qi Zhang
This paper aims to propose a train timetable rescheduling (TTR) approach from the perspective of multi-train tracking optimization based on the mutual spatiotemporal information…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to propose a train timetable rescheduling (TTR) approach from the perspective of multi-train tracking optimization based on the mutual spatiotemporal information in the high-speed railway signaling system.
Design/methodology/approach
Firstly, a single-train trajectory optimization (STTO) model is constructed based on train dynamics and operating conditions. The train kinematics parameters, including acceleration, speed and time at each position, are calculated to predict the arrival times in the train timetable. A STTO algorithm is developed to optimize a single-train time-efficient driving strategy. Then, a TTR approach based on multi-train tracking optimization (TTR-MTTO) is proposed with mutual information. The constraints of temporary speed restriction (TSR) and end of authority are decoupled to calculate the tracking trajectory of the backward tracking train. The multi-train trajectories at each position are optimized to generate a time-efficient train timetable.
Findings
The numerical experiment is performed on the Beijing-Tianjin high-speed railway line and CR400AF. The STTO algorithm predicts the train’s planned arrival time to calculate the total train delay (TTD). As for the TSR scenario, the proposed TTR-MTTO can reduce TTD by 60.60% compared with the traditional TTR approach with dispatchers’ experience. Moreover, TTR-MTTO can optimize a time-efficient train timetable to help dispatchers reschedule trains more reasonably.
Originality/value
With the cooperative relationship and mutual information between train rescheduling and control, the proposed TTR-MTTO approach can automatically generate a time-efficient train timetable to reduce the total train delay and the work intensity of dispatchers.
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Peng Ning, Lixiao Geng and Liangding Jia
Drawing on bargaining power and the inequality aversion perspective, this study aims to probe employees’ influence on addressing income inequality between top executives and…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing on bargaining power and the inequality aversion perspective, this study aims to probe employees’ influence on addressing income inequality between top executives and nonexecutive employees. Meanwhile, it examines the moderating role of employee-related factors and plan attributes.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a staggered difference-in-differences design with a propensity scoring match approach and verification of the parallel trend assumption to test the hypotheses.
Findings
The results support the hypothesis that employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) significantly reduce within-firm income inequality. The negative effect is amplified by both the presence of trade unions and the unemployment rate at the regional level, as well as the duration of the lock-in period and the scale of participants within the stock ownership plan.
Practical implications
This study has implications for income inequality research and ESOP design and provides theoretical support for policymakers and corporate governance.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature on income inequality by examining the implementation of ESOPs from the employee perspective. Furthermore, it extends the current literature by investigating the strengthening effects of regional factors and ESOP attributes on the relationship between ESOPs and income inequality. The conclusions provide new empirical evidence to promote the effective implementation of ESOPs by combining internal and external factors.
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Feifei Wang, Tina J. Jayroe, Junping Qiu and Houqiang Yu
The purpose of this paper is to further explore the co-citation and bibliographic-coupling relationship among the core authors in the field of Chinese information science (IS), to…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to further explore the co-citation and bibliographic-coupling relationship among the core authors in the field of Chinese information science (IS), to expose research activity and author impact, and to make induction analyses about Chinese IS research patterns and theme evolution.
Design/methodology/approach
The research data include 8,567 papers and 70,947 cited articles in the IS field indexed by Chinese Social Sciences Citation Index from 2000 to 2009. Author co-citation analysis, author bibliographic-coupling analysis, social network analysis, and factor analysis were combined to explore co-citation and bibliographic-coupling relationships and to identify research groups and subjects.
Findings
Scholars with greatest impact are different from the most active scholars of Chinese IS; there is no uniform impact pattern forming since authors’ impact subjects are scattered and not steady; while authors’ research activities present higher independence and concentration, there is still no steady research pattern due to no deep research existing. Furthermore, Chinese IS studies can be delineated by: foundation or extension. The research subjects of these two parts, as well as their corresponding/contributing authors, are different under different views. The general research status of core authors is concentrated, while their impact is broad.
Originality/value
The combined use of some related methods could enrich the development and methodology research of the discipline, and the results establish a reference point on the development of IS research.
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Leadership is crucial for promoting employees’ environmental behaviour, essential for implementing sustainability initiatives. Academics and practitioners emphasize the need for…
Abstract
Purpose
Leadership is crucial for promoting employees’ environmental behaviour, essential for implementing sustainability initiatives. Academics and practitioners emphasize the need for integrated top-to-bottom actions to address environmental issues effectively. Thus, the purpose of this study is to investigate how Environment-Specific Servant Leadership (ESSL), via Employee Green Value (EGV), promotes Green Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (GOCB).
Design/methodology/approach
The present study adopted a quantitative cross-sectional approach. Additionally, a total of 333 data points were collected from employees working in various hospitals in Ranchi, India. The data and hypothesized relationships were analysed using PLS-SEM with SmartPLS 4.0 software.
Findings
The present results indicate that ESSL has a notable direct effect on employees’ GOCB. Moreover, EGV was identified as a partial mediator in the relationship between ESSL and GOCB.
Practical implications
The findings imply that leaders who prioritize sustainability and exhibit environmentally responsible behaviour, along with employees who value and prioritize green initiatives, can create a workplace that value pro-environmental practices. In this workplace employees are also likely to demonstrate green organizational citizenship behaviour, therefore promoting sustainable practices and outcomes.
Originality/value
This study provides valuable insight into the individual psychological mechanisms that drive voluntary participation in environmental protection and conservation efforts. Furthermore, the study also highlighted the relationship between ESSL, EGV and GOCB in terms of their work environment as well as highlighting the potential for organizations to create a more sustainable and socially responsible workplace.