Guangkai Sun, Yang Hu, Mingli Dong, Yanlin He, Mingxin Yu and Lianqing Zhu
Soft robotics is a burgeoning field owing to its high adaptability and safety in human–machine interaction and unstructured environments. However, the feedback control of soft…
Abstract
Purpose
Soft robotics is a burgeoning field owing to its high adaptability and safety in human–machine interaction and unstructured environments. However, the feedback control of soft actuators with flexible sensors is still a challenge.
Design/methodology/approach
To address this issue, this study proposes an optical fibre-based sensing membrane for the posture measurement of soft pneumatic bending actuators. The major contribution is the development of a flexible sensing membrane with a high sensitivity and repeatability for the feedback control of soft actuators. The characteristics of sensing membrane were analysed. The relationship between wavelength shift and bending curvature was derived. The curvatures of soft actuator were measured at four bending status, and the postures were reconstructed.
Findings
The results indicate that the measurement error is less than 2.1% of the actual bending curvature. The sensitivity is up to 212.8 pm/m−1, and the signal fluctuation in repeated measurements is negligible. This approach has broad application prospects in soft robotics, because it makes the optical fibre achieve more strength and compatible with soft actuators, thus improving the sensing accuracy, sensitivity and reliability of fibre sensors.
Originality/value
Different from previous approaches, an optical fibre with FBGs is embedded into a multilayered polyimide film to form a flexible sensing membrane, and the membrane is embedded into a soft pneumatic bending actuator as the smart strain limited layer which is able to measure the posture in real time. This approach makes the optical fibre stronger and compatible with the soft pneumatic bending actuator, and the sensing accuracy, sensitivity and reliability are improved. The proposed sensing configuration is effective for the feedback control of the soft pneumatic bending actuators.
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Luyi Li, Yanlin Zheng, Hiroaki Ogata and Yoneo Yano
The impact of Ubiquitous Computing on Learning is not confined within technical dimension. Besides its technical facilitation, this new computing paradigm also challenges human’s…
Abstract
The impact of Ubiquitous Computing on Learning is not confined within technical dimension. Besides its technical facilitation, this new computing paradigm also challenges human’s belief on learning, and compels us to rethink on the design of learning resources and environments. The paper explores the concept of Ubiquitous Learning, and proposes a conceptual framework for a Ubiquitous Learning Environment (ULE) design and implementation. A ULE is established on the combination between Real World and Virtual Space, Personal Space and Shared Space. Learning in a ULE is conducted in the interactions among three essential communicative elements: Social Human, Object in real world, and Artifact in virtual space. A learning process is a social transfer process between tacit and explicit knowledge. Context‐Awareness is indispensable to all kinds of interactions in a ULE. In particular, this paper gives a discussion to context‐awareness supported Interoperability and Adaptability in a ULE, and suggests a five‐dimensional (Who, What, How, When, Where) representation approach for modeling context and providing context‐awareness information. In the practical dimension, this paper presents a design framework for a ULE implementation by integrating the applications of present affordable learning devices, such as networked PCs (Personal Computer), PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant), mobile phones, sensors, and RFIDs. A basic learning system architecture in a ULE and a prototype ubiquitous language learning system are also addressed in this paper.
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Xuyun Zhu, Yun Luo, Yanlin Huang and Xuming Wen
Curves with various profiles have been demonstrated to be more attractive and decorative than the straight lines by William Hogarth. Among all kinds of curves, Hogarth proposed…
Abstract
Purpose
Curves with various profiles have been demonstrated to be more attractive and decorative than the straight lines by William Hogarth. Among all kinds of curves, Hogarth proposed seven serpentine lines as the most beautiful curves, i.e., Hogarth curves. Those seven Hogarth curves are subsequently applied in a wide range of fields, e.g., sculpture, painting, architecture and fashion design, indicating their significance to the development of the formal beauty. Recently, the beauty of Hogarth curves has been suspected to be induced by their special-designed curvature, which could have the potential relationship with the Golden Ratio. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the Hogarth curves and golden ratio by comparing the curvature of curves with the Fibonacci sequence.
Design/methodology/approach
Each of the Hogarth curves was fully restored and divided into two parts according to the turning point of the curvature; the ratios of span, curvature and angles between these two parts were compared with the Fibonacci sequence.
Findings
The experimental results disclosed that the ratio of the fourth Hogarth curve, which was considered as the most beautiful line by Hogarth, was infinitely approaching the golden ratio. Based on the relationship between the fourth Hogarth curve and the golden ratio, the ratios of each curve were employed to define and normalize these curves, providing a quantitative way to redraw the Hogarth curves.
Originality/value
This research work unlocked the information of the relationship between the Hogarth curves and golden ratio, and proposed an effective and convenient mathematic way to quantify the Hogarth curves. The experimental findings disclosed the underlying mechanisms of the beauty of the forth Hogarth curves. Such a fundamental study will promote the establishment of the normalized methods for evaluating the beauty of arts and provide novel ideas for researchers and industrial technologists to use the Hogarth curves.
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Chenchun Shi, Aibing Yu, Jianzhao Wu, Weiyang Niu and Yanlin Wang
The study aims to compare tribological properties between laser dimple textured surface and drilled dimple textured surface, and to analyze the influence of dimple hardened edges…
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to compare tribological properties between laser dimple textured surface and drilled dimple textured surface, and to analyze the influence of dimple hardened edges and ability of trapping wear debris on wear properties of dimple textured surfaces.
Design/methodology/approach
Circular textured dimples were produced on AISI 1,045 specimen surfaces using laser surface texturing (LST) and drilled surface texturing (DST) methods. Tribological behaviors of LST, DST and non-textured specimens were studied using ball-on-disc tribo-tester. Metallographic structures, dimples and worn surface morphologies were observed using a three-dimensional digital microscope. Hardnesses of substrate and dimple edges were measured.
Findings
There was no obvious difference in wear and friction coefficients between LST and DST specimens. Hardnesses of laser dimple edges were much higher than that of drilled dimple edges and specimen substrate. The hardened materials of laser dimple edge included recast zone and heat affect zone. Laser dimple was cone-shaped and drilled dimple was cylinder-shaped. Drilled dimple had a better ability of trapping wear debris than laser dimple. Non-uniform wear phenomenon occurred on worn surfaces of LST dimple specimens.
Originality/value
The ability of textured dimples to trap wear debris is affected by single dimple volume. Hardened edges of dimples cause non-uniform wear on worn surfaces of LST specimens.
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Yanlin Sun, Siyu Liu and Shoudong Chen
This paper aims to identify the direct impact of fund style drift on the risk of stock price collapse and the intermediary mechanism of financial risk, so as to better protect the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to identify the direct impact of fund style drift on the risk of stock price collapse and the intermediary mechanism of financial risk, so as to better protect the interests of minority investors.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper takes all the non-financial companies on the Chinese Growth Enterprise Market from 2011 to 2020 as study object and selects securities investment funds of their top ten circulation stocks to study the relationship between fund style drift and stock price crash risk.
Findings
Fund style drift is likely to add stock price crash risk. Financial risk is positively correlated with stock price crash risk. Fund style drift affects stock price crash risk via the mediating effect of financial risk, and fund style drift and financial risk have a marked impact on the stock price crash risk of non-state enterprises, yet a non-significant impact on that of state-owned enterprises.
Originality/value
This paper links fund style drift with stock price crash risk in an exploratory manner and enriches the study perspectives of relationship between institutional investors’ behaviors and stock price crash risk, thus enjoying certain academic value. On the one hand, it furnishes a new approach to the academic frontier issue concerning financial risk and stock price crash risk, and proves that financial risk is positively correlated with stock price crash risk. On the other hand, it regards financial risk as a mediating variable of fund style drift for stock price crash risk and further explores different influencing mechanism of institutional investors’ behaviors.
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Yanlin Ren, Zhaomiao Liu, Yan Pang, Xiang Wang and Shanshan Gao
This paper aims to investigate the influence of droplet infiltration and sliding on the deposition size and make a uniform deposition by controlling the interaction between…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the influence of droplet infiltration and sliding on the deposition size and make a uniform deposition by controlling the interaction between droplets, using the three-dimensional lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) based on the actual working condition.
Design/methodology/approach
D3Q19 Shan-Chen LB approach is developed and optimized based on the metal droplet deposition. The Carnahan-Starling equation of state and transition layers are introduced to maintain the greater stability and low pseudo velocities. In addition, an additional collision term is adopted to implement immersed moving boundary scheme to deal with no-slip boundaries on the front of the phase change.
Findings
The numerical results show that the new¬ incoming droplet wet and slide off the solidified surface and the rejection between droplets are the reasons for the deviation of the actual deposition length. The total length of the longitudinal section negatively correlates with the deposition distance. To improve the dimensional accuracy, the deposition distance and repulsion rate need to be guaranteed. The optimal deposition distance is found to have a negative linear correlation with wettability.
Originality/value
The numerical model developed in this paper will help predict the continuous metal droplet deposition and provide guidance for the selection of deposition distance.
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Yantai Chen, Yanlin Guo and Xuhui Hu
This study proposes that the three core underpinnings of dynamic managerial capabilities (DMCs) – managerial cognition, managerial human capital and managerial social capital �…
Abstract
Purpose
This study proposes that the three core underpinnings of dynamic managerial capabilities (DMCs) – managerial cognition, managerial human capital and managerial social capital – represent individual-level micro-foundations that influence corporate social responsibility (CSR). It further explores the interaction mechanism between the three underpinnings in influencing CSR, and their influence depends on the technological turbulence caused by big-data-related technologies.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a quantitative research method and partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to test the relationship between latent factors based on a sample of 270 Chinese top managers.
Findings
The three core underpinnings of DMCs are positively related to CSR. Managerial human capital and managerial social capital mediate the relationship between managerial cognition and CSR. Technological turbulence's moderating effects are also tested. Specifically, technological turbulence amplifies the positive relationship between managerial cognition, managerial human capital and CSR but negatively moderates the relationship between managerial social capital and CSR.
Originality/value
Why are some firms more willing to participate in CSR than others mainly depend on the fact that the actual participants of CSR are the top managers who formulate strategies and implement CSR plans. This study, grounded in the DMCs framework and the upper echelons perspective, is arguably the first to link DMCs' three core underpinnings and CSR, and further explore the multiple drivers' mechanisms and boundary conditions. This study contributes to individual micro-foundation of CSR literature, and advances the understanding of whether and how top managers influence CSR engagement.
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Wenwei Huang, Deyu Zhong and Yanlin Chen
Construction enterprises are achieving the goal of production safety by increasingly focusing on the critical factor of “human” and the impact of individual characteristics on…
Abstract
Purpose
Construction enterprises are achieving the goal of production safety by increasingly focusing on the critical factor of “human” and the impact of individual characteristics on safety performance. Emotional intelligence is categorized into three models: skill-based, trait-based and emotional learning systems. However, the mechanism of action and the internal relationship between emotional intelligence and safety performance must be further studied. This study intends to examine the internal mechanism of emotional intelligence on safety performance in construction projects, which would contribute to the safety management of construction enterprises.
Design/methodology/approach
A structural equation model exploring the relationship between emotional intelligence and safety performance is developed, with political skill introduced as an independent dimension, situational awareness presented as a mediator, and management safety commitment introduced as a moderator. Data were collected by a random questionnaire and analyzed by SPSS 24.0 and AMOS 26.0. The structural equation model tested the mediation hypothesis, and the PROCESS macro program tested the moderated mediation hypothesis.
Findings
The results showed that construction workers' emotional intelligence directly correlates with safety performance, and situational awareness plays a mediating role in the relationship between emotional intelligence and the safety performance of construction workers. Management safety commitment weakens the positive predictive relationships between emotional intelligence and situational awareness and between emotional intelligence and safety performance.
Originality/value
This research reveals a possible impact of emotional intelligence on safety performance. Adding political skills to the skill-based model of emotional intelligence received a test pass. Political skill measures the sincere and cooperative skills of construction workers. Using people as a critical element plays a role in the benign mechanism of “Emotional Intelligence – Situational Awareness – Safety Performance.” Improving emotional intelligence skills through training, enhancing situational awareness, understanding, anticipation and coordination and activating management environment factors can improve safety performance. Construction enterprises should evaluate and train workers' emotional intelligence to improve workers' situational awareness and safety performance.
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Hongyang Li, Yanlin Chen, Junwei Zheng, Yuan Fang, Yifan Yang, Martin Skitmore, Rosemarie Rusch and Tingting Jiang
In the absence of previous work, this study investigates how the psychological contract (PC) influences the safety performance of construction workers in China.
Abstract
Purpose
In the absence of previous work, this study investigates how the psychological contract (PC) influences the safety performance of construction workers in China.
Design/methodology/approach
The literature is first consulted to obtain a set of PC and safety performance measures that fits the specific situation of construction workers, which is then moderated by five construction experts. A questionnaire survey of 206 workers from 4 different construction sites is followed by a descriptive statistical analysis of the nature of the PC and level of the safety performance of the respondents. Finally, a regression analysis is used to ascertain the level of influence of the PS, and an analysis is made of the influence of PC on safety performance.
Findings
A set of PC and safety performance measures is identified that fits in the construction workers' specific situation. The PC of the respondents is found to be intact and well-performed, and their safety performance is maintained at a high level. Safety performance is highly influenced by the state of the PC, with the three dimensions of safety performance (safety result, safety compliance and safety participation) positively correlated with the three dimensions of the PC (normative, interpersonal and developmental).
Originality/value
Suggestions are made to improve safety production management and safety performance by providing adequate material and economic conditions, helping the workers establish good interpersonal relationships and realize their personal values.
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Tuotuo Qi, Tianmei Wang, Yanlin Ma and Xinxue Zhou
Knowledge sharing has entered the stage of knowledge payment with the typical models of paid Q&A, live session, paid subscription, course column and community service. Numerous…
Abstract
Purpose
Knowledge sharing has entered the stage of knowledge payment with the typical models of paid Q&A, live session, paid subscription, course column and community service. Numerous knowledge suppliers have begun to pour into the knowledge payment market, and users' willingness to pay for premium content has increased. However, the academic research on knowledge payment has just begun.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper, the authors searched several bibliographic databases using keywords such as “knowledge payment”, “paid Q&A”, “pay for answer”, “social Q&A”, “paywall” and “online health consultation” and selected papers from aspects of research scenes, research topics, etc. Finally, a total of 116 articles were identified for combing studies.
Findings
This study found that in the early research, scholars paid attention to the definition of knowledge payment concept and the discrimination of typical models. With the continuous enrichment of research literature, the research direction has gradually been refined into three main branches from the perspective of research objects, i.e. knowledge provider, knowledge demander and knowledge payment platform.
Originality/value
This paper focuses on discussing and sorting out the key research issues from these three research genres. Finally, the authors found out conflicting and contradictory research results and research gaps in the existing research and then put forward the urgent research topics.