Yanwen Sun, Xiaojing Shi, Shixun Zhai, Kaige Zhang, Bo Pan and Yili Fu
This paper aims to investigate the problem of vision based autonomous laparoscope control, which can serve as the primary function for semi-autonomous minimally invasive surgical…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the problem of vision based autonomous laparoscope control, which can serve as the primary function for semi-autonomous minimally invasive surgical robot system. Providing the surgical gesture recognition information is a fundamental key component for enabling intelligent context-aware assistance in autonomous laparoscope control task. While significant advances have been made in recent years, how to effectively carry out the efficient integration of surgical gesture recognition and autonomous laparoscope control algorithms for robotic assisted minimally invasive surgical robot system is still an open and challenging topic.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors demonstrate a novel surgeon in-loop semi-autonomous robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery framework by integrating the surgical gesture recognition and autonomous laparoscope control tasks. Specifically, they explore using a transformer-based deep convolutional neural network to effectively recognize the current surgical gesture. Next, they propose an autonomous laparoscope control model to provide optimal field of view which is in line with surgeon intra-operation preferences.
Findings
The effectiveness of this surgical gesture recognition methodology is demonstrated on the public JIGSAWS and Cholec80 data sets, outperforming the comparable state-of-the-art methods. Furthermore, the authors have validated the effectiveness of the proposed semi-autonomous framework on the developed HUAQUE surgical robot platforms.
Originality/value
This study demonstrates the feasibility to perform cognitive assistant human–robot shared control for semi-autonomous robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery, contributing to the reference for further surgical intelligence in computer-assisted intervention systems.
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Qiwen Jiang, Xiaojing Luo, Sibo Wang and Shi-Jie (Gary) Chen
Public hospitals in China usually rely on revenues from medical services and medications to compensate for major costs given their nonprofit nature. The lack of government…
Abstract
Purpose
Public hospitals in China usually rely on revenues from medical services and medications to compensate for major costs given their nonprofit nature. The lack of government subsidies and unreasonable prices of medical services have led to high medical costs and unbalanced reimbursement system for public hospitals. There is a critical need of research on improvement of reimbursement system that will create positive effect on China’s health-care system. This paper aims to focus on four dimensions of stakeholders (government, patients, medical insurance agencies and social organization) and six major expenditures to explore reimbursement scheme for public hospitals in China with the purpose of relieving unbalanced income and expenditure of hospitals, avoiding medication markups and reducing medical expenses from patients.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the authors study reimbursement scheme for public hospitals from the perspective of four dimensions of stakeholders and how stakeholders reimburse six major expenditures of hospitals. A total of 128 effective samples were collected from financial data of 32 public hospitals through 2009-2012. This paper analyzes the econometric models of the selected revenue and expenditure. This paper analyzes the econometric models of the selected revenue and expenditure using linear regression. The linear relationship between each cost and different types of incomes (i.e. reimbursements from government, patients, insurance agencies and social organization) is analyzed before and after cancelling the medication markups.
Findings
Results from empirical research verify that government reimbursement is insufficient, and using medication markups to compensate for medical service costs has become a serious problem for China’s public hospitals. To avoid the medication markups and improve the reimbursement scheme, government should reimburse labor cost, fixed assets cost and research cost; patients and medical insurance agencies should reimburse the costs of medical service, medication and administration/operations; and social organization should supplement the fixed assets cost.
Originality/value
In this study, the authors defined and classified stakeholders of reimbursement scheme for public hospitals in China, which help understand the roles and effects that different stakeholders can play in compensation. Along with the proposed reimbursement scheme framework, this study will help make effective implementation of new health-care reform program in China.
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Xiaojing Liu, Tiru Arthanari and Yangyan Shi
This paper examines the establishment of supply chain robustness against corruption by utilizing risk interactions.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper examines the establishment of supply chain robustness against corruption by utilizing risk interactions.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on empirical results from the New Zealand dairy industry, a system dynamics model is established to explore the underlying relationships among variables.
Findings
The results show that although certain supply chain risks seem unrelated to corruption, their mitigation would help mitigate the impact of corruption due to risk interactions; and mitigation of some of the risks is more effective in mitigating the impact of corruption. Leverage risks have been defined and identified in this research, which expands the extant knowledge in reducing the impact of corruption on supply chains.
Originality/value
The research illustrates how the impact of corruption can be studied in an integrated way with dairy supply chain SD analysis. It is a pioneering study to mitigate the impact of corruption on supply chains from supply chain robustness.
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Xiaojing Liu, Tiru Arthanari and Yangyan Shi
To improve robustness of a dairy supply chain (SC) against corruption, the purpose of this paper is to propose a systemic model of a corruption impacted dairy SC, exposing…
Abstract
Purpose
To improve robustness of a dairy supply chain (SC) against corruption, the purpose of this paper is to propose a systemic model of a corruption impacted dairy SC, exposing relationships among SC operations, risks and the impact of corruption.
Design/methodology/approach
Cases from the dairy industry in New Zealand (NZ) are used for thematic analysis of interview data collected from participants at senior levels of NZ dairy firms. Based on these and other inputs from literature, a systemic model is built subsequently.
Findings
Mitigating certain risks can significantly alleviate the impact of corruption, an external factor, on supply chain performance (SCP). The causal loop diagram (CLD) developed here brings out the modifying effect of corruption on dairy risks and SCP.
Practical implications
The illustration of the CLD helps business managers better understand the interactions among risk variables and explains the systemic reasons for SC vulnerability.
Originality/value
This is the first paper to construct a holistic system to comprehensively reveal the interactions of supply chain risks (SCRs) and the impact of corruption. Also, by utilizing SCR interactions, this study indicates a pathway to mitigate the negative effects of corruption through improving dairy SC robustness.
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Xiaojing Wei, Jue Wang, Xin Shi, Feng Zhou, Duolong Gao, Xiaohu Wen and Xiankang Zhong
This paper aims to discover a highly efficient corrosion inhibitor for 45# steel in hydrochloric acid solution and reveal the mechanism of inhibitors.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to discover a highly efficient corrosion inhibitor for 45# steel in hydrochloric acid solution and reveal the mechanism of inhibitors.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, electrochemical measurements, weight loss measurements, surface characterization and theoretical calculation are used to evaluate the inhibition performance and reveal the mechanism of inhibitors.
Findings
Results show that didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC), especially in combination with dodecane phenol plyoxyethylene, could provide a good protection performance for the carbon steel in hydrochloric acid. The N atoms and long alkyl chains in DDAC molecular structure play the vital role.
Originality/value
Usually, DDAC is used as the compound chemical disinfectant in oilfield sterilization, medicine and health. However, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study has shown that it can mitigate the corrosion of carbon steels in HCl solution.
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Xiaojing Feng, Bin Cui, Yaxiong Liu, Lianggang Li, Xiaojun Shi and Xiaodong Zhang
The purpose of this paper is to solve the problems of poor mechanical properties, high surface roughness and waste support materials of thin-walled parts fabricated by…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to solve the problems of poor mechanical properties, high surface roughness and waste support materials of thin-walled parts fabricated by flat-layered additive manufacturing process.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper proposes a curved-layered material extrusion modeling process with a five-axis motion mechanism. This process has advantages of the platform rotating, non-support printing and three-dimensional printing path. First, the authors present a curved-layered algorithm by offsetting the bottom surface into a series of conformal surfaces and a toolpath generation algorithm based on the geodesic distance field in each conformal surface. Second, they introduce a parallel five-axis printing machine consisting of a printing head fixed on a delta-type manipulator and a rotary platform on a spherical parallel machine.
Findings
Mechanical experiments show the failure force of the five-axis printed samples is 153% higher than that of the three-axis printed samples. Forming experiments show that the surface roughness significantly decreases from 42.09 to 18.31 µm, and in addition, the material consumption reduces by 42.90%. These data indicate the curved-layered algorithm and five-axis motion mechanism in this paper could effectively improve mechanical properties and the surface roughness of thin-walled parts, and realize non-support printing. These methods also have reference value for other additive manufacturing processes.
Originality/value
Previous researchers mostly focus on printing simple shapes such as arch or “T”-like shape. In contrast, this study sets out to explore the algorithm and benefits of modeling thin-walled parts by a five-axis machine. Several validated models would allow comparability in five-axis printing.
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Vitus Mwinteribo Tabie, Chong Li, Wang Saifu, Jianwei Li and Xiaojing Xu
This paper aims to present a broad review of near-a titanium alloys for high-temperature applications.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a broad review of near-a titanium alloys for high-temperature applications.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a brief introduction of titanium (Ti) alloys, this paper considers the near-α group of Ti alloys, which are the most popular high-temperature Ti alloys developed for a high-temperature application, particularly in compressor disc and blades in aero-engines. The paper is relied on literature within the past decade to discuss phase stability and microstructural effect of alloying elements, plastic deformation and reinforcements used in the development of these alloys.
Findings
The near-a Ti alloys show high potential for high-temperature applications, and many researchers have explored the incorporation of TiC, TiB SiC, Y2O3, La2O3 and Al2O3 reinforcements for improved mechanical properties. Rolling, extrusion, forging and some severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques, as well as heat treatment methods, have also been explored extensively. There is, however, a paucity of information on SiC, Y2O3 and carbon nanotube reinforcements and their combinations for improved mechanical properties. Information on some SPD techniques such as cyclic extrusion compression, multiaxial compression/forging and repeated corrugation and straightening for this class of alloys is also limited.
Originality/value
This paper provides a topical, technical insight into developments in near-a Ti alloys using literature from within the past decade. It also outlines the future developments of this class of Ti alloys.
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Xiaojing Zhang and Yulin Zhang
This study highlights the effect of an inductee's altruism on referral reward programs (RRPs) on an online shopping guide platform to determine the optimal RRP and referral reward…
Abstract
Purpose
This study highlights the effect of an inductee's altruism on referral reward programs (RRPs) on an online shopping guide platform to determine the optimal RRP and referral reward allocation under a Cashback and Referral RRP.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors consider a Stackelberg game with a platform, seller, inductor and inductee, where the inductee's altruism plays a vital role in determining the optimal RRP in equilibrium.
Findings
The authors show that the conditions under which it is optimal to reward the inductor only or reward both inductor and inductee are equal or unequal depending on the degree of the inductee's altruism. Suppose the platform is unable to dynamically decide the commission fee. In that case, the platform may not always be involved in RRPs and will gradually reduce the rewards for inductees as the altruism increases.
Research limitations/implications
This study focuses on a free-to-consumers model where sellers pay membership fees. Thus, this study has limitations regarding other pricing schemes such as a model in which consumers pay a fee while sellers do not or a model in which both types of users pay fees.
Practical implications
This analytical work can help platforms optimize referral reward strategies and referral reward allocation considering the influence of an inductee's altruism.
Originality/value
In a Cashback and Referral RRP on a shopping guide platform, the authors provide applicable conditions for the platform to involve in the RRPs when rewarding an equal bonus for the inductor and inductee first. Further, the authors show the optimal referral reward strategy and referral reward allocation when giving the different bonuses to the inductor and inductee.
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Based on the theoretical definition of the quality of economic growth as well as the availability and reliability of the given data, the purpose of this paper is to build an…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on the theoretical definition of the quality of economic growth as well as the availability and reliability of the given data, the purpose of this paper is to build an evaluation system of a regional economic growth quality on three levels: conditions, processes and results.
Design/methodology/approach
From the perspective of economic quality, this paper offers a theoretical interpretation on how the urban–rural income gap affects the quality of economic growth and takes an empirical test on the sample panel data from 30 provinces and regions through difference GMM and system GMM models.
Findings
The results show that the excessively large income gap will influence economic growth in terms of the foundation, operation and the outcome, thereby, restricting the quality of economic growth. In addition, investments in human and physical capital and improvements in terms of transport infrastructure, industrial structure and economic openness play an active role in economic growth quality, whereas government expenditure scale, financial development and the deviation of industrial structure have a negative effect.
Originality/value
There has been a substantial amount of experience and evidence on the research about the issue of China’s income distribution and the quantity of economic growth, whereas there are relatively fewer discussions about the income distribution and the quality of economic growth. This paper, based on what has been mentioned above, tries to give a theoretical interpretation and an empirical test to describe the relationship between urban–rural income gap and the quality of economic growth from the quality point of view.
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Bon-Gang Hwang, Xiaojing Zhao and Jane Lim
Green building is a promising approach to improve resource efficiency and achieving sustainable development. The success of green construction projects is closely associated with…
Abstract
Purpose
Green building is a promising approach to improve resource efficiency and achieving sustainable development. The success of green construction projects is closely associated with the performance of project managers (PMs), while job satisfaction plays a major role in the performance of PMs. However, the emphasis placed on the job satisfaction of PMs in green construction projects remains minimal. The purpose of this paper is to identify the relationships between the job satisfaction of PMs and its key influencing factors in green construction projects, and to propose feasible strategies to improve the job satisfaction of PMs.
Design/methodology/approach
A questionnaire survey is conducted, data collected from 105 construction PMs are analysed using structural equation modelling. Interviews with five industry experts are further conducted to substantiate the results.
Findings
The results identified four major components of job satisfaction, namely, “job content”, “resource adequacy”, “work context” and “the personality and competence of jobholders”. The analysis also found that “technical requirement” and “split incentive” condition of green construction projects, “the expertise and awareness of PMs” and “demand and support from stakeholders” has significant impacts on PMs’ job satisfaction. Furthermore, this study developed eight strategies to improve PMs’ job satisfaction, including “increase recognition opportunities for PMs”, “government incentives and financial support” and “introductory and training courses on green construction legislation and processes”.
Originality/value
The findings assist construction companies in formulating measures to improve the job satisfaction and performance of PMs in green construction projects.