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Article
Publication date: 21 June 2011

Minghui Wu, Xiaofei Gao, W.X. Yan, Z. Fu, Yanzheng Zhao and Shanben Chen

The purpose of this paper is to describe a new solution for wheel‐robot's adhesion and passing‐obstacles mechanism and the optimal design of magnetic adhesion unit with finite…

653

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe a new solution for wheel‐robot's adhesion and passing‐obstacles mechanism and the optimal design of magnetic adhesion unit with finite element methods. The new mechanism makes the robot have a simpler structure, finer passing obstacles and larger payload capabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

After researching literature and analyzing in detail the disadvantages and advantages of magnetic wheel and structure magnet mounted under the chassis of a robot, the structure magnet is selected as the robot's adhesion style. Then the paper introduces the robot's structure and locomotion mechanism, the design of the new mechanism and the optimization of structure parameters for magnetic adhesion unit are described in detail in this paper. The new design can lift the robot's wheel unit and change adhesion force using only a motor.

Findings

A prototype of robot has been developed and successful test results prove that the proposed technology is feasible. The climbing robot can overcome 70‐mm high obstacles and has a large enough payload capability while climbing on vertical surfaces.

Research limitations/implications

The new design reduces the number of actuators used in the robot and increases the magnetic adhesion force.

Practical implications

Thanks to the excellent passing‐obstacles and payload capabilities, the climbing robot with the new mechanism has a widely applying prospect in the field of welding and inspecting large equipment.

Originality/value

The lifting mechanism can lift the wheel unit and change magnetic adhesion force using only one motor. This makes the robot have a simple structure as well as the large payload capability.

Details

Industrial Robot: An International Journal, vol. 38 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-991X

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Article
Publication date: 4 July 2018

Zhe Gao, Jun Huang, Xiaofei Yang and Ping An

This paper aims to calibrate the mounted parameters between the LIDAR and the motor in a low-cost 3D LIDAR device. It proposes the model of the aimed 3D LIDAR device and analyzes…

359

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to calibrate the mounted parameters between the LIDAR and the motor in a low-cost 3D LIDAR device. It proposes the model of the aimed 3D LIDAR device and analyzes the influence of all mounted parameters. The study aims to find a way more accurate and simple to calibrate those mounted parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

This method minimizes the coplanarity and area of the plane scanned to estimate the mounted parameters. Within the method, the authors build different cost function for rotation parameters and translation parameters; thus, the parameter estimation problem of 4-degree-of-freedom (DOF) is decoupled into 2-DOF estimation problem, achieving the calibration of these two types of parameters.

Findings

This paper proposes a calibration method for accurately estimating the mounted parameters between a 2D LIDAR and rotating platform, which realizes the estimation of 2-DOF rotation parameters and 2-DOF translation parameters without additional hardware.

Originality/value

Unlike previous plane-based calibration techniques, the main advantage of the proposed method is that the algorithm can estimate the most and more accurate parameters with no more hardware.

Details

Sensor Review, vol. 39 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0260-2288

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Article
Publication date: 16 April 2018

Zhihong Gao

This paper aims to examine how the official discourse of frugality evolved in China between 1979 and 2015.

376

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how the official discourse of frugality evolved in China between 1979 and 2015.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses historical and textual analysis. It divides the Chinese official discourse on frugality between 1979 and 2015 into four periods: 1979-1992, 1993-2002, 2003-2012 and 2013-2015.

Findings

A Chinese official discourse on frugality persisted between 1979 and 2015, even though during the same period, China transformed from a socialist economy of central planning and insufficient supply to a market economy of excessive supply and weak consumer demand. The intensity of this official discourse frequently vacillated, adjusting to both economic and political conditions of the time as part of the larger political-economic contestation between competing ideas and policies.

Originality/value

There have been calls for more studies on how frugality discourses have evolved in international markets, especially in terms of how they are shaped by local historical antecedents and long-standing tensions. Through the Chinese case, this article illuminates why some traditional values persist and obtain a paradoxical co-existence with consumerist ethos in our modern society.

Details

Journal of Historical Research in Marketing, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-750X

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Article
Publication date: 11 July 2024

Xiaofei Li, Weian Li, Jian Xu and Lixiang Wang

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of retail investors’ green attention in promoting corporate environmental investments (EIs) using a communication sample on…

243

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of retail investors’ green attention in promoting corporate environmental investments (EIs) using a communication sample on “Hudongyi” from 2011 to 2022.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, Python is used to capture data and text analysis techniques to obtain green attention information. In the word-matching process, words are matched in the target document one by one based on the preset dictionary and vocabulary rules. In addition to employing fixed effects, this study also incorporates instrumental variables using two-stage least squares (2SLS) estimation and applies the Heckman two-step method to verify the regression results.

Findings

First, this paper empirically examines the positive influence of retail investors’ green attention on EIs. Second, the findings show that retail investors’ green attention promotes EIs through decreasing principal-agent costs and principal-principal costs. Third, the results show that retail investor’s supervision effect is strengthened under the following three circumstances: executives with stronger green conception, corporations with less information asymmetry and areas with higher level of investor protection.

Practical implications

Our findings broaden the scope of prior research by exploring the impact of retail investor activism on nonfinancial outcomes, contributing to understanding the “black box” of how investor attention fosters EIs. Moreover, by leveraging the power of technology, retail investors have evolved from being the “silent majority” to being actively engaged. The internet has empowered retail investors by providing them with access to information and enabling them to exercise “voice” rights by appealing companies to engage in pro-environmental activities. Our study can provide useful suggestions for the green development of listed companies in China, as well as in other emerging countries.

Originality/value

Unlike other studies that focus on the deterrent effect and corporate financial outcomes of retail investors, we focus on the supervisory effect of retail investors and verify its role in driving EIs. This fills the knowledge gap in prior studies and contributes new insights to explain EIs and extends the understanding of retail investor activism.

Details

International Journal of Emerging Markets, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1746-8809

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Article
Publication date: 3 July 2023

Fanbo Meng, Yixuan Liu, Xiaofei Zhang and Libo Liu

Effectively engaging patients is critical for the sustainable development of online health communities (OHCs). Although physicians’ general knowledge-sharing, which is free to the…

893

Abstract

Purpose

Effectively engaging patients is critical for the sustainable development of online health communities (OHCs). Although physicians’ general knowledge-sharing, which is free to the public, represents essential resources of OHCs that have been shown to promote patient engagement, little is known about whether such knowledge-sharing can backfire when superfluous knowledge-sharing is perceived as overwhelming and anxiety-provoking. Thus, this study aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of general knowledge-sharing in OHCs by exploring the spillover effects of the depth and breadth of general knowledge-sharing on patient engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

The research model is established based on a knowledge-based view and the literature on knowledge-sharing in OHCs. Then the authors test the research model and associated hypotheses with objective data from a leading OHC.

Findings

Although counterintuitive, the findings revealed an inverted U-shape relationship between general knowledge-sharing (depth and breadth of knowledge-sharing) and patient engagement that is positively associated with physicians’ number of patients. Specifically, the positive effects of depth and breadth of general knowledge-sharing increase and then decrease as the quantity of general knowledge-sharing grows. In addition, physicians’ offline and online professional status negatively moderated these curvilinear relationships.

Originality/value

This study further enriches the literature on knowledge-sharing and the operations of OHCs from a novel perspective while also offering significant specific implications for OHCs practitioners.

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Article
Publication date: 10 April 2017

Xiaofei Wang and Jiehua Lu

Women’s health is considered a big public health issue, impacting personal well-being, family reproduction, and society’s development. Since the foundation of the People’s…

267

Abstract

Purpose

Women’s health is considered a big public health issue, impacting personal well-being, family reproduction, and society’s development. Since the foundation of the People’s Republic of China, major improvements in women’s social status and health have been made. However, far less has been achieved with respect to gender equality and women still face health disparities. The purpose of this paper is to provide a better understanding of health and health care disparities among women and their determinants in China today.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper used the Statistical Yearbook of Health and Family Planning 2014, the 2010 Women’s Social Status Survey and 2010 census data from the National Bureau of Statistics to give an overall description of disparity in health care and health outcome facing women.

Findings

Progress in health is not equally shared by the female population, and the differences in women’s health by region and in urban and rural areas are considerable. The existing health disparities are still faced by women in terms of life expectancy, hazardous working environment, and health care services. As to gender differences among the elderly aged 60+, men have better health status compared to women. In addition, women are more financially dependent on other family members for the main source of daily living, reflecting their economic disadvantages.

Originality/value

This study gives a comprehensive and the latest overview of trends of women’s health progress, disparities in health care, and health outcomes both in female population and between genders by using three data sources.

Details

Asian Education and Development Studies, vol. 6 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-3162

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Article
Publication date: 15 November 2024

Wei Zhou, Xiaofei Pan and Yiping Wu

We examine the effectiveness of signaling by disclosing innovation in annual reports in terms of securing R&D subsidies, using a novel text-based measure of firm-level innovation…

33

Abstract

Purpose

We examine the effectiveness of signaling by disclosing innovation in annual reports in terms of securing R&D subsidies, using a novel text-based measure of firm-level innovation intensity.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical analysis includes regressions with firm and year-fixed effects and an instrumental variable approach. Both mediation and moderation analysis are conducted to identify the plausible channels.

Findings

We find that firms are likely to receive research and development (R&D) subsidies if their annual reports contain intensive disclosure of information about innovation. We also identify the site visits by government officials as a plausible channel through which innovation disclosure in annual reports can help firms receive R&D subsidies. Additional analysis shows the main effect of innovation disclosure is especially pronounced in firms with severe information asymmetry and those facing a low-trust environment.

Originality/value

Current studies have shown the effectiveness of signaling in capital markets in terms of securing bank loans and venture capital (Cassar et al., 2015; Hoenig and Henkel, 2015; Connelly et al., 2016; Plummer et al., 2016). It is unclear if such a signaling can attract the attention of government officials. Our results suggest that government officials view annual reports as an important means of mitigating information asymmetry, which in turn helps firms to receive external R&D funding.

Details

Journal of Accounting Literature, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-4607

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Article
Publication date: 3 July 2023

Haozhe Jin, Ruoshuang Wen, Chao Wang and Xiaofei Liu

The purpose of this study is to determine the cavitation flow characteristics of the high-pressure differential control valve. The relationship between cavitation, flow…

215

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the cavitation flow characteristics of the high-pressure differential control valve. The relationship between cavitation, flow coefficient and spool angle is obtained. By analyzing the relationship between different spool angles and energy loss, the energy loss at different spool angles is predicted.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of numerical simulations were performed to study the cavitation problem of a high-pressure differential control valve using the RNG k–e turbulence model and the Zwart cavitation model. The flow states and energy distribution at different spool angles were analyzed under specific working conditions.

Findings

The cavitation was the weakest when the spool angle was 120° or the outlet pressure was 8 MPa. The pressure and speed fluctuations of the valve in the throttle section were greater than those at other locations. By calculating the entropy production rate, the reason and location of valve energy loss are analyzed. The energy loss near the throttling section accounts for about 92.7% of the total energy loss. According to the calculated energy loss relationship between different regions of the spool angle, the relationship between any spool angle and energy loss in the [80,120] interval is proposed.

Originality/value

This study analyzes the cavitation flow characteristics of the high-pressure differential control valve and provides the law of energy loss in the valve through the analysis method of entropy. The relationship between spool angle and energy loss under cavitation is finally proposed. The research results are expected to provide a theoretical basis for the optimal design of valves.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 33 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

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Article
Publication date: 23 May 2023

Peng Ouyang, Jiaming Liu and Xiaofei Zhang

Free knowledge sharing in the online health community has been widely documented. However, whether free knowledge sharing can help physicians accumulate popularity and further the…

618

Abstract

Purpose

Free knowledge sharing in the online health community has been widely documented. However, whether free knowledge sharing can help physicians accumulate popularity and further the accumulated popularity can help physicians attract patients remain unclear. To unveil these gaps, this study aims to examine how physicians' popularity are affected by their free knowledge sharing, how the relationship between free knowledge sharing and popularity is moderated by professional capital, and how the popularity finally impacts patients' attraction.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collect a panel dataset from Hepatitis B within an online health community platform with 10,888 observations from April 2020 to August 2020. The authors develop a model that integrates free knowledge sharing, popularity, professional capital, and patients' attraction. The hierarchical regression model is used to for examining the impact of free knowledge sharing on physicians' popularity and further investigating the impact of popularity on patients' attraction.

Findings

The authors find that the quantity of articles acted as the heuristic cue and the quality of articles acted as the systematic cue have positive effect on physicians' popularity, and this effect is strengthened by physicians' professional capital. Furthermore, physicians' popularity positively influences their patients' attraction.

Originality/value

This study reveals the aggregation of physicians' popularity and patients' attraction within online health communities and provides practical implications for managers in online health communities.

Details

Aslib Journal of Information Management, vol. 76 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-3806

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Article
Publication date: 11 January 2024

Dingyu Shi, Xiaofei Zhang, Libo Liu, Preben Hansen and Xuguang Li

Online health question-and-answer (Q&A) forums have developed a new business model whereby listeners (peer patients) can pay to read health information derived from consultations…

202

Abstract

Purpose

Online health question-and-answer (Q&A) forums have developed a new business model whereby listeners (peer patients) can pay to read health information derived from consultations between askers (focal patients) and answerers (physicians). However, research exploring the mechanism behind peer patients' purchase decisions and the specific nature of the information driving these decisions has remained limited. This study aims to develop a theoretical model for understanding how peer patients make such decisions based on limited information, i.e. the first question displayed in each focal patient-physician interaction record, considering argument quality (interrogative form and information details) and source credibility (patient experience of focal patients), including the contingent role of urgency.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was tested by text mining 1,960 consultation records from a popular Chinese online health Q&A forum on the Yilu App. These records involved interactions between focal patients and physicians and were purchased by 447,718 peer patients seeking health-related information until this research.

Findings

Patient experience embedded in focal patients' questions plays a significant role in inducing peer patients to purchase previous consultation records featuring exchanges between focal patients and physicians; in particular, increasingly detailed information is associated with a reduced probability of making a purchase. When focal patients demonstrate a high level of urgency, the effect of information details is weakened, while the interrogative form is strengthened.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in its exploration of the monetization mechanism forming the trilateral relationship between askers (focal patients), answerers (physicians) and listeners (peer patients) in the business model “paying to view others' answers” in the online health Q&A forum and the moderating role of urgency in explaining the mechanism of how first questions influence peer patients' purchasing behavior.

Details

Aslib Journal of Information Management, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2050-3806

Keywords

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