Jingang Jiang, Yan Shuang Bai, Dian Hao Wu, Yan Xin Yu, Xue Feng Ma and Chuan Lin
The cable inspection robot is essential in maintaining bridge cables. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the maintenance methods of bridge cables. It summarizes the…
Abstract
Purpose
The cable inspection robot is essential in maintaining bridge cables. The purpose of this paper is to summarize the maintenance methods of bridge cables. It summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the critical structures of the external overall frame, intermediate adhesion device, attachment mechanism and driving method of the cable inspection robot. Finally, it discusses the challenges the cable inspection robot faces and the direction of future research.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper summarizes the research progress of the cable inspection robot and details the advantages and disadvantages of critical structures such as the external frame, intermediate adhesion device, attachment mechanism, driving method and safe return device of the robot. Finally, it points out the future direction of cable inspection robots, including lightweight design, hybrid design, multi-robot cooperative work, multi-technology integration and intelligent cable inspection digital twin model.
Findings
The cables are the main load-bearing components of a bridge, and their safety is crucial. However, subjected to varying loads and environmental influences over a long period, cables are prone to damage, threatening the bridge’s stability. Cable inspection robots can comprehensively detect and repair cable damage, significantly improving efficiency and safety.
Originality/value
This paper provides a comprehensive review of the current research on cable inspection robots, enabling readers to have a comprehensive and systematic understanding of the critical structures and key technologies of cable inspection robots and providing scientific references for researchers working on cable inspection robots.
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Yuhai Shen, Yanshuang Wang, Jianghai Lin, Pu Zhang, Xudong Gao and Zijun Wang
This paper aims to determine a suitable anti-wear and friction-reducing compounding additive for lithium greases (LG) by investigating the effects of three single additives…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to determine a suitable anti-wear and friction-reducing compounding additive for lithium greases (LG) by investigating the effects of three single additives potassium borate (PB), zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate and molybdenum dialkyl dithiophosphate (MoDDP) and two compound additives on the friction, wear and extreme pressure properties of LG.
Design/methodology/approach
The effects of the above five additives on the friction, wear and extreme pressure properties of LG were investigated using an SRV-5 friction tester. An X-ray photoelectron spectrometer was used to analyze the various elements presented on the wear surface as well as the types of compounds.
Findings
The compound additive suitable for grease consists of PB and MoDDP, which have excellent friction reduction, anti-wear and extreme pressure properties. And a boundary protection film consisting of oxide and MoS2 is formed on the friction surface, thus improving the friction reduction and anti-wear performance of the grease.
Originality/value
This study can improve the anti-wear and friction-reduction performance of greases, which is of great importance in the field of industrial lubrication. The results of this paper are expected to be useful to researchers and academics of grease.
Peer review
The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-11-2022-0350/
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In order to solve the current imbalance of academic resources within the discipline, this article builds a three-dimensional talent evaluation model based on the…
Abstract
Purpose
In order to solve the current imbalance of academic resources within the discipline, this article builds a three-dimensional talent evaluation model based on the topic–author–citation based on the z index and proposes the ZAS index to evaluate scholars on different research topics within the discipline.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on the sample data of the CSSCI journals in the discipline of physical education in the past five years, the keywords were classified into 13 categories of research topics including female sports. The ZAS index of scholars on topic of female sports and so on was calculated, and quantitative indexes such as h index p index and z index were calculated. Comparative analysis of the evaluation effect was performed.
Findings
It is found that compared with the h index and p index, the z index achieves a better balance between the quantity, quality and citation distribution of scholars' results and effectively recognizes that the citation quality is higher and the number of citations of each paper is more balanced. In addition, compared to the z index, this article is based on a ZAS index model with an improved three-dimensional topic–author–citation relationship in research fields such as female sports.
Originality/value
It can identify some outstanding scholars who are engaged in small-scale or emerging topic research such as female sports and are excellent in different research areas. Talents create an objective and fair evaluation environment. At the same time, the ranking ability of ZAS indicators in the evaluation of talents is the strongest, and it is expected to be used in practical evaluations.
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Kiyan Shafieizadeh, Salman Alotaibi and Chen-Wei (Willie) Tao
This study aims to examine how customers’ perceptions of the quality and credibility of restaurants’ food safety information influence customers’ information adoption and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine how customers’ perceptions of the quality and credibility of restaurants’ food safety information influence customers’ information adoption and, consequently, their trust in the restaurant and purchase intention. It also explores the moderating effects of customers’ food safety knowledge and health consciousness.
Design/methodology/approach
Participants were asked to read a food safety message from a chain restaurant’s website before taking a self-administered online survey. Using a cross-sectional design, a total of 526 valid responses were collected in the USA through Amazon Mechanical Turk. A two-step approach consisting of a measurement model and a structural equation model was applied to test the direct and indirect effects. Additionally, hierarchical regression models were developed to test the moderating effects.
Findings
Results show that perceived information quality significantly affects perceived information credibility and has a significant direct and indirect influence on information adoption. Furthermore, information adoption has a direct positive influence on customers’ trust in the restaurant and an indirect effect on purchase intention (full mediation effect of trust). Finally, the moderation effects of health consciousness and food safety knowledge were supported.
Practical implications
Restaurateurs can apply research findings to increase the likelihood that customers adopt their food safety information and to enhance customers’ trust and, consequently, purchase intention in restaurants.
Originality/value
Reflecting on framing theory and information processing theory, this study examines the ways that customers process restaurants’ food safety information by developing an original conceptual framework with strong empirical data support.
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This chapter critically evaluates whether football can attain recognition as a national sport in China. Article No. 11, released by the Chinese government in 2015, aimed to…
Abstract
This chapter critically evaluates whether football can attain recognition as a national sport in China. Article No. 11, released by the Chinese government in 2015, aimed to develop a new national strategy centralised on the sport of football to foster consumption and enhance national soft power. Consequently, this also means encouraging Chinese football fans to support the national football team. Comparing the significance of local football clubs and the national football team to Chinese football fans is deemed meaningless and unable to generate useful information to comprehend Chinese people's attitudes towards local and national communities. Through literature comparisons with established Chinese national sports such as Chinese martial arts, badminton and table tennis, the discussion reveals that football currently falls short of meeting the general criteria of invention and popularity to be considered a Chinese national sport. In the specific Chinese context, it also proves that football fails to meet the criterion of politics, hindering its identification as a national sport. Consequently, the chapter rebuts the assumption and advocates for the validity of comparing how fans assess their fandom for local and national football teams.
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Shuang Wu, Bo Li, Weichun Chen and Minxue Wang
This paper analyzes the advance selling and pricing strategies of fresh products supply chain where the e-retailer provides wholesale contract or agency contract to the fresh…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper analyzes the advance selling and pricing strategies of fresh products supply chain where the e-retailer provides wholesale contract or agency contract to the fresh products supplier.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper constructed a two-period sequential-move game of fresh products supply chain members.
Findings
This analysis showed that the supply chain members had different preferences for contracts under different market conditions. The advance selling of fresh products was not a decision of the seller, but also required the support of other supply chain members. And the advance selling strategy was not always beneficial to all supply chain parties. Under the two contracts, there were market conditions in which the profits of supply chain members were Pareto-improved through the implementation of advance selling.
Research limitations/implications
The model presented in this study focuses solely on the context of monopoly, overlooking the competition from alternative suppliers or retailers. Consequently, exploring the competitive landscape within the fresh products supply chain, particularly in relation to pre-sale pricing, emerges as a crucial avenue for further investigation. By employing empirical research methods, valuable insights are gleaned, thereby significantly augmenting the existing body of relevant theories.
Practical implications
The decision to pre-sell fresh products should be based on market conditions. Supply chain members can control production costs and fresh products circulation losses to maximize profits.
Originality/value
From the perspective of game theory, this study analyzed the optimal advance selling and pricing strategies of fresh products supply chain members under two kinds of contracts. These results can provide practical implications for fresh products suppliers and e-retailers.
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Kesheng Lin, Jie Liu, Jia-Min Wu, Yunlong Sun, Feng Li, Yan Zhou and Yusheng Shi
The main cause of aseptic inflammation after an in vivo implantation is that Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and Poly(D-lactide) have a slower degradation and absorption rate, while…
Abstract
Purpose
The main cause of aseptic inflammation after an in vivo implantation is that Poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and Poly(D-lactide) have a slower degradation and absorption rate, while Poly(D, L-lactide) (PDLLA) has a much faster degradation rate than PLLA because of its amorphous structure. Also, the hydrolyzate of Hydroxyapatite (HA) is alkaline, which can neutralize local tissue peracid caused by hydrolysis of Polylactic acid.
Design/methodology/approach
In this study, the selective laser sintering (SLS) technique was chosen to prepare bone scaffolds using nano-HA/PDLLA composite microspheres, which were prepared by the solid-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) method. First, the SLS parameters range of bulk was determined by the result of a single-layer experiment and the optimized parameters were then obtained by the orthogonal experiment. The tensile property, hydrophobicity, biocompatibility, biological toxicity and in vitro degradation of the samples with optimized SLS parameters were characterized.
Findings
As a result, the samples showed a lower tensile strength because of the many holes in their interior, which was conducive to better cell adhesion and nutrient transport. In addition, the samples retained their inherent properties after SLS and the hydrophobicity was improved after adding nano-HA because of the OH group. Furthermore, the samples showed good biocompatibility with the large number of cells adhering to the material through pseudopods and there was no significant difference between the pure PDLLA and 10% HA/PDLLA in terms of biological toxicity. Finally, the degradation rate of the composites could be tailored by the amount of nano-HA.
Originality/value
This study combined the S/O/W and SLS technique and provides a theoretical future basis for the preparation of drug-loaded microsphere scaffolds through SLS using HA/PDLLA composites.
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Xiaobing Fan, Bingli Pan, Hongyu Liu, Shuang Zhao, Xiaofan Ding, Haoyu Gao, Bing Han and Hongbin Liu
This paper aims to prepare an oil-impregnated porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composite with advanced tribological properties using citric acid as a novel pore-forming agent.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to prepare an oil-impregnated porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) composite with advanced tribological properties using citric acid as a novel pore-forming agent.
Design/methodology/approach
Citric acid (CA) was used to form pores in PTFE, and then oil-impregnated PTFE composites were prepared. The pore-forming efficiency of CA was evaluated. The possible mechanism of lubrication was proposed according to the tribological properties.
Findings
The results show CA is an efficient pore-forming agent and completely removed, and the porosity of the PTFE increases with the increase of the CA content. The oil-impregnated porous PTFE exhibits an excellent tribological performance, an increased wear resistance of 77.29% was realized in comparison with neat PTFE.
Originality/value
This study enhances understanding of the lubrication mechanism of oil-impregnated porous polymers and guides for their tribological applications.
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Zhijie Guan, Yan Xu, Hong Jiang and Guogang Jiang
The purpose of this paper is to analyze raw materials, labor, capital, demand, related industries, strategies and policies influencing international competitiveness of Chinese…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyze raw materials, labor, capital, demand, related industries, strategies and policies influencing international competitiveness of Chinese textile and clothing industry.
Design/methodology/approach
The analysis is conducted using “Diamond Model”, in which raw materials, labor, capital, demand, related industries, strategies and policies are included as explanatory variables, and the impacts of international competitiveness on market share (MS), trade competitiveness(TC) and revealed comparative advantage(RCA) are examined based on the estimated coefficients of these variables.
Findings
These factors have different effects on TC, MS and RCA. While their effects on TC and MS are similar in sign even though their degree of significance differs, their effects on RCA are opposite to TC and MS except for capital. Raw materials and capital have negative effects on TC and MS, while the other factors have positive ones. Raw materials have positive effects on RCA, but all other factors have negative ones.
Practical/implications
The results from this study imply that it is necessary to increase investment in fixed assets of Chinese textile and clothing industry, speed up the pace of upgrading equipment, improve the level of industrialization, while strengthening the supply of textile raw materials, and lowering raw material prices, thereby reducing the cost of textile and clothing enterprises.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first empirical research made using econometric model about the impact of the main factors of trade competitiveness in Chinese textile and clothing industry based on the “Diamond Model”.
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The purpose of this paper is to understand the boundary-spanning behaviors of Party organizations, and the processes and constraints of these behaviors in controlling worker…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to understand the boundary-spanning behaviors of Party organizations, and the processes and constraints of these behaviors in controlling worker unrest in Chinese resource-based state-owned enterprises in the “new work-unit system” using boundary-spanning theory.
Design/methodology/approach
This case study was carried out in a resource-based state-owned enterprise in the “new work-unit system” in China. The research utilized interviews and archival documents, and then coded and analyzed the data using NVivo.
Findings
In China, Party organizations’ boundary-spanning behaviors (PBSBs) in labor relations management are identified, and classified into the behaviors of the ambassador, task coordinator, and scout. Worker unrest can be controlled by these behaviors through the mediation effect of the behaviors of agents in the “new work-unit system” but can also be provoked in the transformation of the “new work-unit system.”
Originality/value
The Communist Party plays a key role in labor relations management in China’s SOEs; however, this role has not been explored in any depth. This study builds a model to reveal the “black box” in which the PBSBs influence the agents’ behaviors and how the agents’ behaviors then influence the workers, and in this way control worker unrest.