Andong Liu, Yawen Zhang, Jiayun Fu, Yuankun Yan and Wen-An Zhang
In response to the issue of traditional algorithms often falling into local minima or failing to find feasible solutions in manipulator path planning. The purpose of this paper is…
Abstract
Purpose
In response to the issue of traditional algorithms often falling into local minima or failing to find feasible solutions in manipulator path planning. The purpose of this paper is to propose a 3D artificial moment method (3D-AMM) for obstacle avoidance for the robotic arm's end-effector.
Design/methodology/approach
A new method for constructing temporary attractive points in 3D has been introduced using the vector triple product approach, which generates the attractive moments that attract the end-effector to move toward it. Second, distance weight factorization and spatial projection methods are introduced to improve the solution of repulsive moments in multiobstacle scenarios. Third, a novel motion vector-solving mechanism is proposed to provide nonzero velocity for the end-effector to solve the problem of limiting the solution of the motion vector to a fixed coordinate plane due to dimensionality constraints.
Findings
A comparative analysis was conducted between the proposed algorithm and the existing methods, the improved artificial potential field method and the rapidly-random tree method under identical simulation conditions. The results indicate that the 3D-AMM method successfully plans paths with smoother trajectories and reduces the path length by 20.03% to 36.9%. Additionally, the experimental comparison outcomes affirm the feasibility and effectiveness of this method for obstacle avoidance in industrial scenarios.
Originality/value
This paper proposes a 3D-AMM algorithm for manipulator path planning in Cartesian space with multiple obstacles. This method effectively solves the problem of the artificial potential field method easily falling into local minimum points and the low path planning success rate of the rapidly-exploring random tree method.
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Jingqiong Sun, Junren Ming, Xuezhi Wang and Yawen Zhang
This paper aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 infodemic on the public’s online information behaviour, offering insights critical for shaping effective informational…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the impact of the COVID-19 infodemic on the public’s online information behaviour, offering insights critical for shaping effective informational responses in future public health emergencies.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a structured online survey with 27 targeted questions using a five-point Likert scale to measure eight variables. Data analysis is conducted through structural equation modelling on 307 valid responses to rigorously test the research hypotheses.
Findings
This paper indicates that information quality significantly impacts the public’s capacity to select, share and use online information. Additionally, the comprehensibility of information plays a crucial role in shaping the public’s behaviours in terms of online information exchange and usage. The credibility of information sources emerges as a key determinant influencing the public’s online information selection, exchange and utilization behaviour. Moreover, social influence exerts a substantial effect on the public’s online information selection, acquisition, exchange and utilization behaviour. These findings highlight the presence of universality and sociality, mediation and guidance, as well as the purposefulness and selectivity performed by the public’s online information behaviour during an infodemic.
Originality/value
This paper introduces a novel research model for assessing the influence and identifies the patterns of the public’s online information behaviour during the COVID-19 infodemic. The findings have significant implications for developing strategies to tackle information dissemination challenges in future major public health emergencies.
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Yawen Zhang, Zhipeng Li, Jincan Yan, Tianhui Ren and Yidong Zhao
The aim of this paper is to study the tribological performance and self-repairing performance of surface-modified nanoscale serpentine powders as lubricant additives in the…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to study the tribological performance and self-repairing performance of surface-modified nanoscale serpentine powders as lubricant additives in the mineral base oil (5-CST).
Design/methodology/approach
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra and thermo-gravimetric analysis of both modified and unmodified serpentine were performed to analyse their grafting ratio and suspension after modified using a long-chain naphthene aliphatic acid. The tribological properties of surface-modified serpentine as lubricant additives in 5-CST were evaluated and the worn surfaces were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES).
Findings
The results show that the serpentine particles have high grafting ratio, improving the dispersity in 5-CST. When the serpentine concentration of 1.00 weight per cent is used as additives in 5-CST, friction coefficient reduces by 14.80 per cent under 294 N and wear scar diameter (WSD) decreases by 11.82 per cent. The results of X-ray absorption near edge structure and XANES show that the adsorption and tribochemical reactions occur to form self-repairing lubrication films.
Originality/value
The paper illustrates a tribofilm form on the rubbed surface, which is responsible for the decrease in friction and wear, mainly containing iron oxides, silicon oxides, magnesium oxides and organic compounds. The results are useful for further applications in advanced environmental friendly lubricating oils and additives.
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Shen Qiu, Xugang Zhang, Yawen Li, Ting Sun, Chenlong Wang and Chuanli Qin
The purpose of this paper is to conduct the synthesization of LiFePO4-C (LFP-C) with fine particle size and enhanced electrochemical performance as the positive electrode material…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to conduct the synthesization of LiFePO4-C (LFP-C) with fine particle size and enhanced electrochemical performance as the positive electrode material for Li-ion capacitors (LICs) with neutral aqueous electrolyte.
Design/methodology/approach
LFP-C was prepared by using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a grain growth inhibitor, and the effects of the calcination temperature and PEG content on the structure and morphology of LFP-C were investigated. LICs using environment-friendly, safe and low-cost LiNO3 aqueous electrolyte were assembled with LFP-C as the positive electrode and active carbon as the negative electrode. The electrochemical performances of LFP-C and LICs were studied.
Findings
The results show that the particle size of LFP-C decreases significantly through the introduction of PEG. Cyclic voltammetry results show that the LFP-C prepared at 550°C with 1.0 g PEG exhibits the highest Cpe of 725 F/g at the scanning rate of 5 mA/s. Compared to LFP prepared without PEG, the electrochemical performance of optimized LFP-C dramatically increases due to the decrease of the particle size. Moreover, the LIC assembled with the optimized LFP-C exhibits excellent electrochemical performances. The LIC maintains about 91.3 per cent of its initial Cps after 200 cycles which shows a good cycling performance.
Research limitations/implications
The LFP-C is the suitable positive electrode material for LICs with neutral aqueous electrolyte. LICs can be used in the field of automobiles and can solve the problems of energy shortage and environmental pollution.
Originality/value
Both the LFP-C with fine particle size and its optimal LIC using environment-friendly, safe and low-cost LiNO3 aqueous electrolyte own good electrochemical performances.
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Lolita Alfred, Mark Limmer and Susan Cartwright
Alcohol workplace policies (AWPs) can help organizations to manage and support employees with alcohol-related problems. Over the last two decades, there has been a slow but steady…
Abstract
Purpose
Alcohol workplace policies (AWPs) can help organizations to manage and support employees with alcohol-related problems. Over the last two decades, there has been a slow but steady rise of research on AWPs with some indication that these can contribute to reducing employee excessive consumption. However, there does not appear to be any empirical literature reviews to consolidate and evaluate what this body of evidence says regarding the impact of these policies. The following review seeks to address this gap.
Design/methodology/approach
Five electronic databases were searched for papers published between January 1996 and January 2020. To capture additional relevant papers (including those from non-peer reviewed sources), the search was extended to Google Scholar, professional and human resource management websites, trade publications and the website of one United Kingdom (UK)-based alcohol charity. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to systematically screen the paper titles, abstracts and full-text records. 14 papers were deemed eligible and therefore included in the integrative review. After extracting data, all 14 papers were appraised for quality and then analysed using the narrative synthesis guide by Popay et al. (2006).
Findings
Five themes were identified, namely, Associations between Policy and Consumption Levels/Patterns, Deterrence, Policy and Programme Type, Knowledge and Understanding and Enforcement and Discipline. These themes encapsulated what the included papers concluded about the impact and associated benefits or challenges of AWPs.
Research limitations/implications
This review identifies that despite the benefits of AWPs, up to 40% of workplaces do not have these policies in place. Future research needs to explicitly explore the reasons for this.
Practical implications
This review highlights that AWPs can benefit employees and workplaces. Therefore, organizations are encouraged to develop and implement AWPs to support health improvement and prevention of alcohol problems in the workplace.
Originality/value
This review provides a current synthesis of literature published over the last two decades regarding the impact of AWPs on employees and workplaces.
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Jianzhong Cui, Hu Li, Dong Zhang, Yawen Xu and Fangwei Xie
The purpose of this study is to investigate the flexible dynamic characteristics about hydro-viscous drive providing meaningful insights into the credible speed-regulating…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to investigate the flexible dynamic characteristics about hydro-viscous drive providing meaningful insights into the credible speed-regulating behavior during the soft-start.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive dynamic transmission model is proposed to investigate the effects of key parameters on the dynamic characteristics. To achieve a trade-off between the transmission efficiency and time proportion of hydrodynamic and mixed lubrication, a multi-objective optimization of friction pair system by genetic algorithm is presented to obtain the optimal combination of design parameters.
Findings
Decreasing the engagement pressure or the ratio of inner and outer radius, increasing the lubricating oil viscosity or the outer radius will result in the increase of time proportion of hydrodynamic and mixed lubrication, as well as the transmission efficiency and its maximum value. After optimization, main dynamic parameters including the oil film thickness, angular velocity of the driven disk, viscous torque and total torque show remarkable flexible transmission characteristics.
Originality/value
Both the dynamic transmission model and multi-objective optimization model are established to analyze the effects of main design parameters on the dynamic characteristics of hydro-viscous flexible drive.
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In the 69 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, especially the 40 years since the reform and opening-up, the relationship between urban and rural areas has…
Abstract
Purpose
In the 69 years since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, especially the 40 years since the reform and opening-up, the relationship between urban and rural areas has undergone profound change. When the deepening reform of the urban-rural relationship is entering a critical period, it is necessary to reassess the evolution of the urban-rural relationship in China and draw a picture for that relationship in the future. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper combs the policies on the urban and rural development since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and analyzes macro data on the industries, population, personal income, and other aspects.
Findings
The study found that this urbanism affects individuals’ lives and the choices of society through the will of the state, and then provides feedback at the whole level of social values.
Originality/value
This paper divides the evolution of China’s urban-rural relationship into two major stages – nurturing cities with rural areas and leading rural areas with cities, which are then subdivided into five periods. The features of the relationship between the urban and rural areas in different periods are analyzed, and the future development of urban-rural relations is also considered.
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Yang Zhao, Yawen Chen, Ruoxin Zhou and Yinping Ci
The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors influencing customers’ willingness to participate in virtual brand community’s value co-creation and help companies better…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the factors influencing customers’ willingness to participate in virtual brand community’s value co-creation and help companies better operating the virtual brand community.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on social cognitive theory and the features of the virtual brand community, this paper constructed a model of factors influencing customers’ willingness to participate in virtual brand community’s value co-creation. Then this paper quantitatively analyzed the mediating effect and the moderating effect.
Findings
The empirical analysis came to the following conclusions: first, in virtual brand communities, customers’ willingness to participate in value co-creation would be influenced by subject factors, environment factors, brand factors and perceived value factor. Second, customer involvement is an important moderator. The more involved the customer is, the more he/she will rely on the virtual brand community. Particularly, customer involvement has a positive moderating effect on the influence of subject factors, while it has a negative moderating effect on the influence of community experience and community trust. Third, perceived value plays a significant mediating role between subject factors and customers’ willingness to participate in value co-creation.
Practical implications
The results of this study can help companies better understand the influence of external factors like environment and brand so that they can better operate the virtual brand community and encourage customers to contribute to the development of the community and the brand.
Originality/value
Most of the existing studies focused on the formation of virtual brand communities and customers’ participation behaviors, but there is limited research focusing on what contributes to customers’ participation in value co-creation of virtual brand communities. This study, therefore, attempts to bridge the research gap.
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The purpose is to analyze and discuss the sustainable development (SD) and financing risk assessment (FRA) of resource-based industrial clusters under the Internet of Things (IoT…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose is to analyze and discuss the sustainable development (SD) and financing risk assessment (FRA) of resource-based industrial clusters under the Internet of Things (IoT) economy and promote the application of Machine Learning methods and intelligent optimization algorithms in FRA.
Design/methodology/approach
This study used the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm that is analyzed together with the Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithm. First, Yulin City in Shaanxi Province is selected for case analysis. Then, resource-based industrial clusters are studied, and an SD early-warning model is implemented. Then, the financing Risk Assessment Index System is established from the perspective of construction-operation-transfer. Finally, the risk assessment results of Support Vector Regression (SVR) and ACO-based SVR (ACO-SVR) are analyzed.
Findings
The results show that the overall sustainability of resource-based industrial clusters and IoT industrial clusters is good in the Yulin City of Shaanxi Province, and the early warning model of GA-based SVR (GA-SVR) has been achieved good results. Yulin City shows an excellent SD momentum in the resource-based industrial cluster, but there are still some risks. Therefore, it is necessary to promote the industrial structure of SD and improve the stability of the resource-based industrial cluster for Yulin City.
Originality/value
The results can provide a direction for the research on the early warning and evaluation of the SD-oriented resource-based industrial clusters and the IoT industrial clusters, promoting the application of SVM technology in the engineering field.
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Faiza Bashir and Nosheen Fatima Warraich
The purpose of this study is to look into the concept of blockchain technology which stores data in a distributed, tamper-resistant setting and how this technology may affect the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to look into the concept of blockchain technology which stores data in a distributed, tamper-resistant setting and how this technology may affect the future library and information (LI) centers’ operations and policy. It explores the potential benefits and limitations of this technology, for LI centers are the core objectives of this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review of both academic and practitioner literature was conducted. It followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (2020) standards.
Findings
The review shows that the decentralized nature of blockchain will transform the work in libraries and improve the inter-communication among communities. It can provide better privacy of user data thus increasing collaboration. However, there might be technological, financial, legal and social challenges that may act as hurdles to the realization of these goals in the true sense. The overall result shows that by keeping data updated, libraries can evaluate blockchain opportunities and make the best use of this technology.
Practical implications
Given the huge investments by industry, academic research that explores potential ramifications and supports libraries is required. The adoption of blockchain was investigated in this study from a variety of perspectives for LI center’s while also providing directions for future research.
Originality/value
It is evident that globally there is progress in blockchain technology development in terms of research and adoption in many industries, but the intention to adopt blockchain by libraries is still a fantasy. The lack of empirical evidence in the existing literature justifies the gap that needs to be filled. This systematic review attempts to fill the gaps in the existing knowledge which may serve as a reference for future initiatives in this field.