Steve W. Heim, Mostafa Ajallooeian, Peter Eckert, Massimo Vespignani and Auke Jan Ijspeert
The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible roles of active tails for steady-state legged locomotion, focusing on a design principle which simplifies control by…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible roles of active tails for steady-state legged locomotion, focusing on a design principle which simplifies control by decoupling different control objectives.
Design/methodology/approach
A series of simple models are proposed which capture the dynamics of an idealized running system with an active tail. These models suggest that the overall control problem can be simplified and effectively decoupled via a proper tail design. This design principle is further explored in simulation using trajectory optimization. The results are then validated in hardware using a one degree-of-freedom active tail mounted on the quadruped robot Cheetah-Cub.
Findings
The results of this paper show that an active tail can greatly improve both forward velocity and reduce body-pitch per stride while adding minimal complexity. Further, the results validate the design principle of using long, light tails compared to shorter heavier ones.
Originality/value
This paper builds on previous results, with a new focus on steady-state locomotion and in particular deals directly with stance phase dynamics. A novel design principle for tails is proposed and validated.
Details
Keywords
This chapter explores the fascinating relationship between the way we speak (our accents) and who we are (our identities) by investigating the ways in which accent is used in The…
Abstract
This chapter explores the fascinating relationship between the way we speak (our accents) and who we are (our identities) by investigating the ways in which accent is used in The Archers in the process of characterisation. It begins by describing the link between accent and identity in everyday life, arguing for a perspective in which the way we speak is seen as contributing to the active performance of our identities rather than something through which our identities are passively reflected. The main part of the chapter describes two small studies into the ways in which The Archers both uses and reinforces existing language-based stereotypes in order to help in its presentation of clear and recognisable characters.
Details
Keywords
Fazle Mabood, Anum Shafiq, Waqar Ahmed Khan and Irfan Anjum Badruddin
This study aims to investigate the irreversibility associated with the Fe3O4–Co/kerosene hybrid-nanofluid past a wedge with nonlinear radiation and heat source.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to investigate the irreversibility associated with the Fe3O4–Co/kerosene hybrid-nanofluid past a wedge with nonlinear radiation and heat source.
Design/methodology/approach
This study reports the numerical analysis of the hybrid nanofluid model under the implications of the heat source and magnetic field over a static and moving wedge with slips. The second law of thermodynamics is applied with nonlinear thermal radiation. The system that comprises differential equations of partial derivatives is remodeled into the system of differential equations via similarity transformations and then solved through the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg with shooting technique. The physical parameters, which emerges from the derived system, are discussed in graphical formats. Excellent proficiency in the numerical process is analyzed by comparing the results with available literature in limiting scenarios.
Findings
The significant outcomes of the current investigation are that the velocity field uplifts for higher velocity slip and magnetic strength. Further, the heat transfer rate is reduced with the incremental values of the Eckert number, while it uplifts with thermal slip and radiation parameters. An increase in Brinkmann’s number uplifts the entropy generation rate, while that peters out the Bejan number. The results of this study are of importance involving in the assessment of the effect of some important design parameters on heat transfer and, consequently, on the optimization of industrial processes.
Originality/value
This study is original work that reports the hybrid nanofluid model of Fe3O4–Co/kerosene.
Details
Keywords
Peter Sjögren, Björn Fagerström, Martin Kurdve and Magnus Callavik
The purpose of this paper is to explore how emergent changes are handled in research and development (R&D) projects. R&D projects’ business potential lies in their exploration of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore how emergent changes are handled in research and development (R&D) projects. R&D projects’ business potential lies in their exploration of the unknown; conversely, this makes them uncertain endeavours, prone to emergent changes.
Design/methodology/approach
Uses a single-case-study design, based on a projects-as-practice perspective and a soft systems methodology (SSM) analysis, to map how ad hoc R&D teams handle emergent changes, specifically the solution identification and assessment phase and the implementation plan. An R&D project in the power industry, involving over 250 engineers, was analysed.
Findings
This paper shows how emergent changes are handled differently from initiated changes during the decision-making phase. The system analysis shows that the most critical factors for managing these changes are: collective reflection between project parties; and including experienced engineers in implementation-plan reviews.
Practical implications
The results are of relevance both to R&D managers aiming to improve team performance and to general project management. Informal notions of emergent changes can be formalised in the change request process. Weaknesses in the project team’s organisation are highlighted, and details of how of how to mitigate these are provided.
Originality/value
Combines engineering-design and project-management research on emergent changes, adding to the former regarding people–organisational and strategic issues. Furthers understanding of the projects-as-practice approach and emergent change (deviations) handling by ad hoc teams in a project environment. SSM has not previously been used to explore aspects of projects-as-practice, and this is a novel way of adding to the body of knowledge on project praxis and practise.
Details
Keywords
We examine the mode of international expansion as an equilibrium governance contract between home country and host country factor owner. The focus is on agency costs, a form of…
Abstract
We examine the mode of international expansion as an equilibrium governance contract between home country and host country factor owner. The focus is on agency costs, a form of transactions costs. Two phenomena are shown to be related to the agency costs imposed by factor owners: (i) the choice of different modes of international expansion by one firm in different locations, and (ii) the simultaneous occurrence of several forms of foreign involvement in the same location. We attempt to characterize the dynamic relationship between the mode of an offshore operation and changes in factor market conditions that affect agency costs.
Details
Keywords
Kai Eckert, Christian Hänger and Christof Niemann
The purpose of this paper is to compare and examine the quality of the results of tagging, and intellectual and automated indexing processes.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to compare and examine the quality of the results of tagging, and intellectual and automated indexing processes.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach takes the form of analysis and graphical representation of annotation sets using the software “Semtinel”.
Findings
A combination of tagging, intellectual and automatic indexing is probably best suited to shape the annotation of literature more efficiently without compromising quality.
Originality/value
The paper presents the open source software Semtinel, offering a highly optimized toolbox for analysing thesauri and classifications.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this chapter is to present a model to support a humanizing approach to international education that is sustainable and facilitates respectful service, scholarship…
Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to present a model to support a humanizing approach to international education that is sustainable and facilitates respectful service, scholarship and teaching. University faculty engage internationally through teaching, service and scholarship. All three require faculty to possess strong trusting connections to the international community in which they operate. Literature suggests that the impulse to initiate service learning and scholarship with communities foreign to the faculty too early can be detrimental. A deep relationship between the faculty and community built upon trust and mutual respect is the key to successful internationally situated service, teaching and scholarship. However, such relationships require time to develop and many universities cannot support faculty toward developing international relationships. The Deep Field School presents a way of blending teaching, service and scholarship in a way that supports the nurturing of long-term relationships. The Deep Field School is an internationally situated short-term faculty led study abroad that operates with a commitment toward the long term and closely adheres to the humanizing principle that learning is a process not an outcome. A deep field school operating in Peru is presented as a case study along with guidelines for development.
Details
Keywords
The modern family constitution is a written declaration summarizing a process of agreement and decision-making within an entrepreneurial family regarding the motives, guidelines…
Abstract
The modern family constitution is a written declaration summarizing a process of agreement and decision-making within an entrepreneurial family regarding the motives, guidelines, and regulations for the family members’ cooperation within the family and the family business association. This chapter exposes facets of family constitutions from a historical and a practical point of view. In order to do so, it begins with a review of the predecessors and origins of family constitutions. Subsequently, focusing especially on the interplay between a family constitution and the family business’ binding legal agreements, it describes four forms of family constitutions that have evolved from different consulting approaches in practice. The chapter concludes with some legal implications.
Details
Keywords
Harald Pechlaner, Daniel Zacher, Christian Eckert and Lukas Petersik
The purpose of this paper is to discuss responsibility in tourism destinations. On the basis of a resilience approach, central aspects of leadership and of responsibility in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to discuss responsibility in tourism destinations. On the basis of a resilience approach, central aspects of leadership and of responsibility in destination networks are introduced and, a contribution to a conceptual analysis of the future viability of tourism destinations is made. This contributes to a better understanding of resilience from a destination management organization (DMO) perspective in the context of shared responsibility.
Design/methodology/approach
To achieve this goal, a qualitative interview series was conducted with destination managers in urban and rural areas. The interviews were evaluated using the method of GABEK®, in order to reveal and visualize semantic relationships between the specific statements. This method allows the representation of linkages and relationships of keywords from interview transcripts in the form of network graphs.
Findings
A major result is the existence of a network of leaders who take responsibility for tourism development within a tourism destination. Within this network, the destination manager once again plays a key role by developing and formulating visions, goals and strategies. In this context, the relevant employees of the DMO have an important role to play, since they are an important resource of tourism development due to their experience and competences.
Originality/value
The paper contributes to a practical view on the development of visions and strategies. It analyzes challenges and possible ways to communicate with the required political and public actors of the destination as well as with the service providers to regard destination development as a collaborative task.
Details
Keywords
Robert Petrone and Sophia Tatiana Sarigianides
Grounded in Critical Youth Studies and English education scholarship that examines the consequences of conceptions of adolescence on English teachers’ thinking about pedagogy…
Abstract
Grounded in Critical Youth Studies and English education scholarship that examines the consequences of conceptions of adolescence on English teachers’ thinking about pedagogy, this chapter highlights two ways English teacher educators can facilitate pre-service English teachers’ interrogation of dominant discourses of adolescence/ts so they might be better positioned to create pedagogical practices aligned with more comprehensive understandings of secondary students. The first focuses on teaching a Youth Lens in the context of a Young Adult Literature course, an approach that helps future teachers learn about adolescence as a construct and the linkages between this idea and English pedagogy. The second focuses on integrating youth into English teacher education coursework as guest speakers on a range of English and schooling practices whereby they are “re-positioned” as experts and contributors to English teacher education. Together, these points of intervention provide ways to re-position youth systemically throughout English teacher education programs.