Tao Xu, Wei Shen, Xiaoshan Lin and Yi Min Xie
Irregularly shaped architectural designs with surfaces curved in multiple directions, known as free-form designs, have gained significant public interest in recent decades…
Abstract
Purpose
Irregularly shaped architectural designs with surfaces curved in multiple directions, known as free-form designs, have gained significant public interest in recent decades. However, it is challenging to convert complex designs into real structures. This paper aims to realize free-form construction by developing a novel workflow in which additively manufactured thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) molds are used.
Design/methodology/approach
The workflow is developed through mechanical tests on additively manufactured TPU specimens, determination of TPU mold design criteria and exploration of mold preparation methods. Two concrete elements with free-form geometries are fabricated using the proposed workflow.
Findings
TPU is a thermoplastic elastomer that is strong and inexpensive, making it an ideal mold material for casting complex concrete structures. An innovative workflow is developed in which TPU molds are used, appropriate release agents are selected for different concrete casting conditions and a mold subdivision method is proposed to facilitate the demolding process. Furthermore, the integrity of TPU molds can be maintained by following the proposed workflow, enabling repetitive use of molds. The fabrication of the two free-form structures shows that complex concrete members with high dimensional accuracy and excellent surface quality can be manufactured using the proposed method.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first systematic study on using additively manufactured TPU molds for concrete casting of complex structures. The new techniques developed in this research can be applied to large-scale architectural, engineering and construction projects.
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Mingzhe Tao, Jinghua Xu, Shuyou Zhang and Jianrong Tan
This work aims to provide a rapid robust optimization design solution for parallel robots or mechanisms, thereby circumventing inefficiencies and wastage caused by empirical…
Abstract
Purpose
This work aims to provide a rapid robust optimization design solution for parallel robots or mechanisms, thereby circumventing inefficiencies and wastage caused by empirical design, as well as numerous physical verifications, which can be employed for creating high-quality prototypes of parallel robots in a variety of applications.
Design/methodology/approach
A novel subregional meta-heuristic iteration (SMI) method is proposed for the optimization of parallel robots. Multiple subregional optimization objectives are established and optimization is achieved through the utilisation of an enhanced meta-heuristic optimization algorithm, which roughly employs chaotic mapping in the initialization strategy to augment the diversity of the initial solution. The non-dominated sorting method is utilised for updating strategies, thereby achieving multi-objective optimization.
Findings
The actuator error under the same trajectory is visibly reduced after SMI, with a maximum reduction of 6.81% and an average reduction of 1.46%. Meanwhile, the response speed, maximum bearing capacity and stiffness of the mechanism are enhanced by 63.83, 43.98 and 97.51%, respectively. The optimized mechanism is more robust and the optimization process is efficient.
Originality/value
The proposed robustness multi-objective optimization via SMI is more effective in improving the performance and precision of the parallel mechanisms in various applications. Furthermore, it provides a solution for the rapid and high-quality optimization design of parallel robots.
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Rong Huang and Tao Xu
As the Chinese outbound travel market has become a paramount target for world tourism with significant growth potential, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact that…
Abstract
Purpose
As the Chinese outbound travel market has become a paramount target for world tourism with significant growth potential, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the impact that the Chinese outbound travel market has on the European tourism industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper reviews both academic and trade literature to provide an overview of the opportunities and challenges that the China outbound travel market might bring to the European tourism industry.
Findings
The paper presents the major topics relating to China outbound tourism research and the current research gaps. Chinese outbound tourists are not a homogenous group of tourists. The paper addresses opportunities and challenges from two key segments of China outbound travel (Chinese international students and Chinese senior tourists).
Practical implications
The paper calls for alternative and innovative research methods and research behaviour in tracking the impact of Chinese outbound tourists. Closer collaboration between academics and industry practitioners might provide a better understanding of this market.
Originality/value
The paper offers recent insights on the Chinese outbound tourism market based on an analysis of relevant literature by both academics and industry practitioners. This allows the relevant stakeholders to adopt proactive strategies to minimise potential negative impacts and maximise opportunities.
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Tao Xu, Hanning Shi, Yongjiang Shi and Jianxin You
The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of data assets and how companies can assetize their data. Using the literature review methodology, the paper first summarizes…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of data assets and how companies can assetize their data. Using the literature review methodology, the paper first summarizes the conceptual controversies over data assets in the existing literature. Subsequently, the paper defines the concept of data assets. Finally, keywords from the existing research literature are presented visually and a foundational framework for achieving data assetization is proposed.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a systematic literature review approach to discuss the conceptual evolution and strategic imperatives of data assets. To establish a robust research methodology, this paper takes into account two main aspects. First, it conducts a comprehensive review of the existing literature on digital technology and data assets, which enables the derivation of an evolutionary path of data assets and the development of a clear and concise definition of the concept. Second, the paper uses Citespace, a widely used software for literature review, to examine the research framework of enterprise data assetization.
Findings
The paper offers pivotal insights into the realm of data assets. It highlights the changing perceptions of data assets with digital progression and addresses debates on data asset categorization, value attributes and ownership. The study introduces a definitive concept of data assets as electronically recorded data resources with real or potential value under legal parameters. Moreover, it delineates strategic imperatives for harnessing data assets, presenting a practical framework that charts the stages of “resource readiness, capacity building, and data application”, guiding businesses in optimizing their data throughout its lifecycle.
Originality/value
This paper comprehensively explores the issue of data assets, clarifying controversial concepts and categorizations and bridging gaps in the existing literature. The paper introduces a clear conceptualization of data assets, bridging the gap between academia and practice. In addition, the study proposes a strategic framework for data assetization. This study not only helps to promote a unified understanding among academics and professionals but also helps businesses to understand the process of data assetization.
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Minjuan Zhao, Runsheng Yin, Liuyang Yao and Tao Xu
– The purpose of this paper is to assess how spatial heterogeneity and production diversification have affected the efficiency of households participating in the SLCP.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess how spatial heterogeneity and production diversification have affected the efficiency of households participating in the SLCP.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on household survey data collected from three sample counties in the Loess Plateau region, the paper analyzes how spatial heterogeneity and business diversification have affected the production efficiency of households participating in the SLCP. Using four-step bootstrap, input stochastic distance frontiers of multi-inputs and multi-outputs are developed simultaneously with a technical efficiency effects model in which participating in the SLCP is treated as an exogenous variable.
Findings
The household production in the three counties is constrained by land, labor, capital, and fixed inputs; thus, it is germane to using a multi-input and multi-output household production technology to evaluate the SLCP. However, the relative importance of each input and output, the productive diversification, and the technological structure are differentiated in the three counties; estimating the regression with pooled data appears to conceal the influences of local factors and blur the specific divergence, compared to running county-based, separate regressions.
Research limitations/implications
The effects of the SLCP on farm household production are location dependent. It is necessary to include spatial heterogeneity within public policy evaluation. In addition to suggesting localized and differentiated schemes of subsidy, this implies that the government may provide means to facilitate different regions to make the economic transition.
Originality/value
This paper intends to make two contributions. First, the analysis will capture and explain the adjustments induced by the SLCP in off-farm and other activities for entire household production, and special attention is given to the diversification of household production outputs. Second, this analysis sheds new light to the significance of spatial differentiation in mediating the effectiveness of a public policy or program.
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Yong Li, Yingchun Zhang, Gongnan Xie and Bengt Ake Sunden
This paper aims to comprehensively clarify the research status of thermal transport of supercritical aviation kerosene, with particular interests in the effect of cracking on heat…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to comprehensively clarify the research status of thermal transport of supercritical aviation kerosene, with particular interests in the effect of cracking on heat transfer.
Design/methodology/approach
A brief review of current research on supercritical aviation kerosene is presented in views of the surrogate model of hydrocarbon fuels, chemical cracking mechanism of hydrocarbon fuels, thermo-physical properties of hydrocarbon fuels, turbulence models, flow characteristics and thermal performances, which indicates that more efforts need to be directed into these topics. Therefore, supercritical thermal transport of n-decane is then computationally investigated in the condition of thermal pyrolysis, while the ASPEN HYSYS gives the properties of n-decane and pyrolysis products. In addition, the one-step chemical cracking mechanism and SST k-ω turbulence model are applied with relatively high precision.
Findings
The existing surrogate models of aviation kerosene are limited to a specific scope of application and their thermo-physical properties deviate from the experimental data. The turbulence models used to implement numerical simulation should be studied to further improve the prediction accuracy. The thermal-induced acceleration is driven by the drastic density change, which is caused by the production of small molecules. The wall temperature of the combustion chamber can be effectively reduced by this behavior, i.e. the phenomenon of heat transfer deterioration can be attenuated or suppressed by thermal pyrolysis.
Originality/value
The issues in numerical studies of supercritical aviation kerosene are clearly revealed, and the conjugation mechanism between thermal pyrolysis and convective heat transfer is initially presented.
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Li Li, Atsushi Tsunekawa, Ian MacLachlan, Guicai Li, Atsushi Koike and Yuanyuan Guo
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors (including conservation payments) that influence household decisions to participate in off-farm work and estimate the impact of…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors (including conservation payments) that influence household decisions to participate in off-farm work and estimate the impact of participation on household welfare under the auspices of the Grain for Green (GfG) program.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors used survey data from 225 farm households on the Loess Plateau and addressed the possible sample selection and endogeneity problems by employing a jointly estimated endogenous switching regression (ESR) model.
Findings
The findings of this paper are as follows: off-farm participation is positively related to households’ educational attainment and negatively related to their land resource endowment and the presence of children; participation in off-farm work exerts positive effects on household income and per capita household income, but negative effects on farm productivity; and conservation payments show no significant impact on off-farm participation, no significant impact on any of the three household welfare indicators for off-farm non-participant households, but a significantly negative impact for off-farm participant households.
Originality/value
This paper makes two contributions. First, the authors address the selection bias and endogeneity problem of GfG participating households by employing the ESR method and explicitly estimating the treatment effects of off-farm participation on their household welfare. Neglecting these problems leads to biased estimates and misleading policy implications. Second, this analysis stresses the important role of government in reducing market or institutional failure and other barriers that impede farmers’ efficient allocation choices instead of compensating households for conserving sloping land, shedding new light on the most effective policy options to achieve the program’s goals.
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Jinghua Xu, Mingzhe Tao, Mingyu Gao, Shuyou Zhang, Jianrong Tan, Jingxuan Xu and Kang Wang
The coupling impact of hybrid uncertain errors on the machine precision is complex, as a result of which the designing method with multiple independent error sources under…
Abstract
Purpose
The coupling impact of hybrid uncertain errors on the machine precision is complex, as a result of which the designing method with multiple independent error sources under uncertainties remains a challenge. For the purpose of precision improvement, this paper focuses on the robot design and aims to present an assembly precision design method based on uncertain hybrid tolerance allocation (UHTA), to improve the positioning precision of the mechanized robot, as well as realize high precision positioning within the workspace.
Design/methodology/approach
The fundamentals of the parallel mechanism are introduced first to implement concept design of a 3-R(4S) &3-SS parallel robot. The kinematic modeling of the robot is carried out, and the performance indexes of the robot are calculated via Jacobian matrix, on the basis of which, the 3D spatial overall workspace can be quantified and visualized, under the constraints of limited rod, to avoid the singular position. The error of the robot is described, and a probabilistic error model is hereby developed to classify the hybrid error sensitivity of each independent uncertain error source by Monte Carlo stochastic method. Most innovatively, a methodology called UHTA is proposed to optimize the robot precision, and the tolerance allocation approach is conducted to reduce the overall error amplitude and improve the robotized positioning precision, on the premise of not increasing assembly cost.
Findings
The proposed approach is validated by digital simulation of medical puncture robot. The experiment highlights the mathematical findings that the horizontal plane positioning error of the parallel robotic mechanism can be effectively reduced after using UHTA, and the average precision can be improved by up to 39.54%.
Originality/value
The originality lies in UHTA-based precision design method for parallel robots. The proposed method has widely expanding application scenarios in industrial robots, biomedical robots and other assembly automation fields.
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Mon Thu Myin, Jin Su, Huicheng (Jeff) Wu and Haina Shen
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of Chinese young consumers’ traits (fashion leadership, quality consciousness, price consciousness, environmental…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of Chinese young consumers’ traits (fashion leadership, quality consciousness, price consciousness, environmental consciousness and social media usage) as the external factors on their behavioral intention toward using clothing subscription rental services.
Design/methodology/approach
Quantitative research was conducted, and empirical data were collected from 255 Chinese college students. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test the proposed hypotheses.
Findings
The study offered convincing evidence that fashion leadership, price consciousness and social media usage are the three main drivers of Chinese young consumers’ favorable attitudes toward clothing subscription rental services, which together with social norms further lead to their intention to use clothing subscription rental services. Contrary to expectations, the study showed that consumers’ quality consciousness and environmental consciousness have no significant impact on consumer attitudes toward clothing subscription rental services. Moreover, the findings of the study demonstrated the impact of attitude and subjective norms on Chinese young consumers’ intention to use clothing subscription rental services.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the literature by integrating additional factors (fashion leadership, quality consciousness, price consciousness, consumer environmental knowledge, social media usage) into the traditional theory of reasoned action model to investigate how Chinese young consumers’ characteristics impact their attitudes and how their attitudes and subjective norms impact their intention toward using clothing subscription rental services.
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Qingkai Zhao, Hang Xu and Longbin Tao
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the immiscible two-layer heat fluid flows in the presence of the electric double layer (EDL) and magnetic field. The effects of EDL…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the immiscible two-layer heat fluid flows in the presence of the electric double layer (EDL) and magnetic field. The effects of EDL, magnetic field and the viscous dissipative term on fluid velocity and temperature, as well as the important physical quantities, are examined and discussed.
Design/methodology/approach
The upper and lower regions in a horizontal microchannel with one layer being filled with a nanofluid and the other with a viscous Newtonian fluid. The nanofluid flow in the lower layer is described by the Buongiorno’s nanofluid model with passively controlled model at the boundaries. An appropriate set of non-dimensional quantities are used to simplify the nonlinear systems. The resulting coupled nonlinear equations are solved by using homotopy analysis method.
Findings
The present work demonstrates that increasing the EDL thickness and Hartmann number can restrain the fluid flow. The Brinkmann number has a significant role in the enhancement of heat transfer. It is also identified that the influence of EDL effects on microflow cannot be ignored.
Originality/value
The effects of viscous dissipation involved in the heat transfer process and the body force because of the EDL and the magnetic field are considered in the thermal energy and momentum equations for both regions. The detailed derivation procedure of the analytical solution for electrostatic potential is provided. The analytical solutions can lead to improved understanding of the complex microfluidic systems.