Jian Fu, Wen‐hua Chen and Qing‐xian Wu
This article proposes a chattering‐free sliding mode control scheme with unidirectional auxiliary surfaces (UAS‐SMC) for small miniature autonomous helicopters (Trex 250).
Abstract
Purpose
This article proposes a chattering‐free sliding mode control scheme with unidirectional auxiliary surfaces (UAS‐SMC) for small miniature autonomous helicopters (Trex 250).
Design/methodology/approach
The proposed UAS‐SMC scheme consists of a nested sequence of rotor dynamics, angular rate, Euler angle, velocity and position loops.
Findings
It is demonstrated that the UAS‐SMC strategy can eliminate the chattering phenomenon exhibiting in the convenient SMC method and achieve a better approaching speed.
Originality/value
The proposed control strategy is implemented on the helicopter and flight tests clearly demonstrate that a much better performance could be achieved, compared with convenient SMC schemes.
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The purpose of this paper is to simplify the Explicit Nonlinear Model Predictive Controller (ENMPC) by linearizing the trajectory with Quantum-behaved Pigeon-Inspired Optimization…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to simplify the Explicit Nonlinear Model Predictive Controller (ENMPC) by linearizing the trajectory with Quantum-behaved Pigeon-Inspired Optimization (QPIO).
Design/methodology/approach
The paper deduces the nonlinear model of the quadrotor and uses the ENMPC to track the trajectory. Since the ENMPC has high demand for the state equation, the trajectory needed to be differentiated many times. When the trajectory is complicate or discontinuous, QPIO is proposed to linearize the trajectory. Then the linearized trajectory will be used in the ENMPC.
Findings
Applying the QPIO algorithm allows the unequal distance sample points to be acquired to linearize the trajectory. Comparing with the equidistant linear interpolation, the linear interpolation error will be smaller.
Practical implications
Small-sized quadrotors were adopted in this research to simplify the model. The model is supposed to be accurate and differentiable to meet the requirements of ENMPC.
Originality/value
Traditionally, the quadrotor model was usually linearized in the research. In this paper, the quadrotor model was kept nonlinear and the trajectory will be linearized instead. Unequal distance sample points were utilized to linearize the trajectory. In this way, the authors can get a smaller interpolation error. This method can also be applied to discrete systems to construct the interpolation for trajectory tracking.
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Wen Hua, Yidong Liu, Zongdeng Zhang, Meng Li and Xiaofan Yu
To gain a deeper understanding of the determinants impacting the intention of Chinese young consumers to utilize virtual try-on apps (VTOs), this study adopts a modified version…
Abstract
Purpose
To gain a deeper understanding of the determinants impacting the intention of Chinese young consumers to utilize virtual try-on apps (VTOs), this study adopts a modified version of the electronic technology acceptance model (e-TAM). The primary objective is to investigate how consumers' characteristics influence their post-use feelings, subsequently affecting their attitude towards VTOs and their intention to use them. Additionally, this research aims to explore potential gender differences within this process.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, a sample of 243 college students from a university in China was recruited to participate in on-site software use. A total of 227 valid questionnaires were collected and used for data analysis. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to empirically evaluate the data and test the research hypotheses. Additionally, multiple group comparisons were conducted based on gender to examine potential differences in the acceptance process.
Findings
The findings of this study reveal a significant association between users' individual characteristics and post-use feelings. Moreover, there are notable differences between male and female students in terms of their perceptions of innovativeness, knowledge and understanding regarding post-use feelings. Notably, four variables within post-use feelings, except for perceived compatibility, are found to be predictive of attitude towards VTOs. Additionally, it is observed that attitude towards VTOs directly influences users' intention to utilize them.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the research on consumers' intention to use VTOs by examining the antecedents of post-use feelings, specifically four consumers’ individual characteristics. The findings of this study offer managerial insights for professionals to formulate marketing positioning and communication strategies.
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Haibo Xue, Xin Zhao, Pokachev Nikolay and Jiayi Qin
Family dinner on Lunar New Year's Eve is the most important and most ritualized feast for families in China. It is the time for the entire family to reunite. Families gather…
Abstract
Purpose
Family dinner on Lunar New Year's Eve is the most important and most ritualized feast for families in China. It is the time for the entire family to reunite. Families gather together to reflect their past and talk about the future. Through the lens of consumer culture theories, this study explores how Chinese consumers construct family identity.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on constant comparative analysis of primary data including in-depth interviews and participant observation, and secondary data including historical archives, cultural tracing, documentary reports and essays, the authors deconstruct the consumption rituals of family dinner on Chinese Lunar New Year's Eve. The authors focus on four aspects, including participants, place, time and related activities, and analyze Chinese consumers' ritual experiences.
Findings
The authors’ findings show how young consumers construct and strengthen individual self-identity, relational identity and family identity in various ways through consumption and ritual practices during Chinese Lunar New Year celebration.
Originality/value
The study of family dinner on Lunar New Year's Eve helps the authors understand contemporary consumer culture in three aspects. First, it helps the authors understand the relationship between consumption and culture. Second, the study shows the changes and continuities of consumption rituals. Third, the research highlights the experience of “home” among contemporary Chinese consumers.
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The purpose of this paper is to conduct a critical analysis to address cultural metaphors – a much overlooked aspect of cross-cultural studies. Mainstream cultural metaphors (e.g…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conduct a critical analysis to address cultural metaphors – a much overlooked aspect of cross-cultural studies. Mainstream cultural metaphors (e.g. the iceberg, the software of the mind, the onion, and the distance) are not only limited in number, but are also overwhelmingly based on the static paradigm – as opposed to the dynamic paradigm that is often sidelined in academic discourse.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper introduces the Diagram of Diversity Pathways – an interdisciplinary framework that sheds some light on how the inherent meaning and heuristic orientation of static cultural metaphors may stand at odds with evidence from the newly emerged field of neurobiology.
Findings
The implications of these metaphors are called into question, namely, culture is all about differences; values are stable; values guide behaviors; and values are seen as binaries.
Research limitations/implications
The paper suggests that theorists and practitioners should pay more attention to the contribution and scholarly work of the dynamic paradigm since there appears to be substantial compatibility between them.
Originality/value
The matching of neurobiology and dynamic paradigm brings into focus alternative metaphors which not only offer insightful perspectives but also may open doors to perceive culture in a new way. Furthermore, cultural metaphors deserve more academic scrutiny because metaphors and theory development can have a symbiotic existence.
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In today’s Taiwan, sha-cha sauce is an indispensable ingredient for beef hot pot and stir-fried dishes. The purpose of this paper contextualizes the history of sha-cha sauce in…
Abstract
Purpose
In today’s Taiwan, sha-cha sauce is an indispensable ingredient for beef hot pot and stir-fried dishes. The purpose of this paper contextualizes the history of sha-cha sauce in Tainan, the oldest city in Taiwan, and argues that sha-cha sauce, introduced by Chaoshan immigrants, has contributed to new styles and habits of beef consumption tastes and habits in the post-1949 Tainan and beyond.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses documentary materials, oral interviews and diaries to explore the relationship between beef consumption and sha-cha sauce. It begins with an historical overview of Taiwan’s beef consumption during the Japanese colonial era (1895-1945). Then, it focuses on two Chaoshan business enterprises: the Bull-Head, which makes the world’s largest “canned sha-cha sauce,” and the Xiao Haozhou, a Tainan restaurant specializing in sha-cha beef hot pot. Finally, this study analyzes Xinrong Wu, a Tainan gentry whose diary entries from 1933 to 1967 documented the changing dietary habits of beef consumption among Taiwanese.
Findings
The Chaoshan migrants played an important role in introducing the sha-cha sauce to postcolonial Tainan, and this input bolstered the beef consumption among Taiwanese. The production of sha-cha provided a reliable source of income for these migrants in Tainan, and major businesses like the Bull-Head became the international brands of Taiwanese food products.
Research limitations/implications
The study, though limited to Tainan, reveals the symbiosis between popularization of sha-cha sauce and widespread beef consumption in Taiwan.
Practical implications
This study helps researchers examine the connection between Chinese migrations and food culture.
Originality/value
This paper is an original scholarly investigation of the relationship between food diet and Chaoshan migration in postcolonial Tainan.
This paper seeks to discuss the genealogical sources for Chinese immigrants as well as the settlement of Chinese in the USA and the historical evolution of Chinese names, their…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to discuss the genealogical sources for Chinese immigrants as well as the settlement of Chinese in the USA and the historical evolution of Chinese names, their origins, arrangement and development. It aims to cover the origins of various classes of Chinese surnames, followed by the content description of a traditional genealogical book for jiapu.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper researches the various ways that a Chinese person can find out about their ancestry.
Findings
The paper reveals the roles of libraries, including serving the needs of patrons interested in genealogical research, preserving and interpreting information through oral and family history projects and collaborating with other libraries through interlibrary loan, document delivery, library consortia, collection management and international resource‐sharing.
Research limitations/implications
The study provides information on where and how to locate the genealogical resources for researching the genealogy of a Chinese family.
Originality/value
The paper analyzes the value of genealogical research as a documentary source for population history, life expectancy in a clan, marriages and family connections, as well as lineage organizations and inter‐lineage relations.
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Shu‐Chuan Liao, Kuo‐Fong Kao, I‐En Liao, Hui‐Lin Chen and Shu‐O Huang
As library collections increase rapidly, personalized recommender systems have become a very important service for library patrons. The purpose of this paper is to design and…
Abstract
Purpose
As library collections increase rapidly, personalized recommender systems have become a very important service for library patrons. The purpose of this paper is to design and implement a personal ontology recommender (PORE) system by building personal ontologies based on patrons' borrowing records.
Design/methodology/approach
In the PORE system, the traditional cataloging scheme, classification for Chinese libraries, is used as the reference ontology. This reference ontology is transformed to a unique personal ontology for each user based on the mining results from library borrowing records of that user.
Findings
A personal ontology represents a unique user interest on specific subjects. The personal ontology can be used to filter out unsuitable recommendations based only on a keyword matching method. Besides, the recommended books can be organized into the personal ontology, and provide the patron with a user‐friendly interface to access library collections.
Research limitations/implications
The PORE system is currently implemented for Chinese collections. From this paper builds a new version to support English collections by adopting the Library of Congress Classification as the reference ontology.
Originality/value
This paper represents a practical method of building a user's personal ontology and explains the functional use of ontology knowledge.