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1 – 10 of 37Shao-Li Han, Meng-Lin Cai, Hui-Hong Yang, Yun-Chen Yang and Min-Chun Pan
This study aims to leverage inertial sensors via a walk test to associate kinematic variables with functional assessment results among walkable subjects with chronic stroke.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to leverage inertial sensors via a walk test to associate kinematic variables with functional assessment results among walkable subjects with chronic stroke.
Design/methodology/approach
Adults with first-ever stroke survivors were recruited for this study. First, functional assessments were obtained by using Fugl–Meyer Assessment for lower extremity and Berg balance scales. A self-assembled inertial measurement system obtained walking variables from a walk test after being deployed on subjects’ affected limbs and lower back. The average walking speeds, average range of motion in the affected limbs and a new gait symmetry index were computed and correlated with the two functional assessment scales using Spearman’s rank correlation test.
Findings
The average walking speeds were moderately correlated with both Fugl–Meyer assessment scales (γ = 0.62, p < 0.01, n = 23) and Berg balance scales (γ = 0.68, p < 0.01, n = 23). After being modified by the subjects’ height, the new gait symmetry index revealed moderate negative correlations with the Fugl–Meyer assessment scales (γ = −0.51, p < 0.05) and Berg balance scales (γ = −0.52, p < 0.05). The other kinematics failed to correlate well with the functional scales.
Practical implications
Neuromotor and functional assessment results from inertial sensors can facilitate their application in telemonitoring and telerehabilitation.
Originality/value
The average walking speeds and modified gait symmetry index are valuable parameters for inertial sensors in clinical research to deduce neuromotor and functional assessment results. In addition, the lower back is the optimal location for the inertial sensors.
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The purpose of this paper is to analyse the efficiency and benefits of supply chain (SC) scientifically and validate the usability of methods on performance evaluation index…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the efficiency and benefits of supply chain (SC) scientifically and validate the usability of methods on performance evaluation index system.
Design/methodology/approach
At the performance evaluation index, the enhanced balanced scorecards (BSC) are developed based on the BSC. Regarding society environment and future development, the construction of performance evaluation index system includes five aspects such as finance, customer service, intra‐flow process, learning and development, and society development within SC. The indexes of performance evaluation system are all quantified to achieve their practical application. Another new point is that the logarithm triangular fuzzy number‐analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method expanding from fuzzy environment and developing from traditional AHP method is creatively used to evaluate the integrative performance evaluation index system.
Findings
The enhanced BSC and the special AHP method can overcome some disadvantages that experts directly give definite numbers when the traditional method is used to value certainty and evaluate the qualitative index. It is a scientific qualitative and quantitative evaluation tool.
Research limitations/implications
Accessibility and availability of data are the main limitations affecting which model will be applied.
Practical implications
This paper is a very useful method for SC managers.
Originality/value
The new approach of performance evaluation index system is attempted due to structure and fuzzy sets. The paper is aimed at operational researchers, engineers and special managers.
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Yanmei Yang, Hongsheng Su and Kan Wang
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reliable and steady working conditions of train agent systems while connected to the internet. The train agents can provide more…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the reliable and steady working conditions of train agent systems while connected to the internet. The train agents can provide more accurate assistant navigation service and more useful “live” information service to ensure traveling crane safety. However, all these services seriously rely on reliability and stability of communication quality of the train agents. To ensure the stable and continuous work of the train agents, the stochastic model of the train agent communication is investigated in this paper.
Design/methodology/approach
According to Markov theory, the stochastic model of the train agent communication is established, the reliability of which is also investigated, the availability and mean‐link interruption times in steady state are then given out.
Findings
In the end, the steady working condition and controllability of the train agents are discussed.
Research limitations/implications
The correctness of the mathematic model in the main limitation based on which the model will be applied.
Practical implications
A very useful model for the train agent systems description.
Originality/value
From the angle of stochastic model, the steady working condition and controllability of the train agent are given out connected to the internet. It has enormous instruction significance to those special mobile agents design such as the train agents, the plane agents, the ship agents, etc.
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Min Li, Fangbin Xiao, Yang Cheng, Bi-Jun Xie, Chen-Yun Liu and Baoni Xu
This paper aims to attempt to explore the influence of network position on innovation performance, specifically for companies from a less-developed area in China.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to attempt to explore the influence of network position on innovation performance, specifically for companies from a less-developed area in China.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a social network analysis method based on the data of high and new tech companies from Jiangxi province, China. It relies on Ucinet 6.212 software for data processing.
Findings
The present work, on the one hand, reveals that a high and new tech company from Jiangxi province tends to achieve better innovation performances if it is in the central position of its social network. On the other hand, it indicates that the same type of company from the same area does not always accomplish better innovation performance, even it possesses more structural holes.
Originality/value
The conclusions of this paper suggest that a high and new tech company from a less-developed area in China should build up its position closer to the center when constructing a social network. Meanwhile, the company should also exert more effort into managing its networks, as only building structural holes offers little help with operations besides showing that it has a broad social network.
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Xu‐Xun Liu, Yang Cao and Xiao‐Wei Chen
The purpose of this paper is to search an energy balance routing in the wireless sensor networks (WSN) and lengthen the life of the networks.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to search an energy balance routing in the wireless sensor networks (WSN) and lengthen the life of the networks.
Design/methodology/approach
To save energy in the WSN, some routing protocols search routing with the minimum total energy consumption of the network, and others reduce data redundancy by data aggregation. But if the distribution of energy consumption was not even, the energy of some nodes would be exhausted rapidly and thus the whole network would break down. Thus, an energy balance routing notion, including communication energy cost of the routing, remaining energy of communication sensors and sensor load have been involved. Then a new algorithm, mouse colony optimization and simulated annealing (SA), is advanced to solve the problem of energy balance routing in the network.
Findings
The energy balance routing, based on mouse colony optimization and SA, performs well and yields better performance than other congener algorithms.
Research limitations/implications
The appointed times of the algorithm is the main limitation which increase the complexity of the algorithm.
Practical implications
A very useful routing in wireless sensor networks.
Originality/value
The new approach of energy balance routing notion, including communication energy cost of the routing, remaining energy of communication sensors and sensor load. The new algorithm, mouse colony optimization algorithm, simulated mice action, was proposed to solve the energy balance routing of the network.
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Fang Shuqiong, Yang Baoan and Yu Yin
The purpose of this paper is to provide a new mentality of constructing the evaluation index system on national energy security, in favor of analyzing its influencing factors and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a new mentality of constructing the evaluation index system on national energy security, in favor of analyzing its influencing factors and coupling relations thoroughly.
Design/methodology/approach
The complex adaptive system (CAS) theory has provided one kind analysis method on modeling and simulation for question of the social economic system, which based on the adaptive agent and mutual interaction. In view of this, the authors' expect to use this kind of new research paradigm for reference, and construct the evaluation index systems on national energy security using the integration of CAS theory and pressure‐state‐response (PSR) conceptual model.
Findings
Constructs a set of compound index system of “six parallel layers, gradually converge, six layers three dimensions three degrees.”
Research limitations/implications
The evaluation index system on national energy security is in the discussion stage at present, and the comparatively systematic or accepted index system has not been established. So the further study on influencing factors and measurement indicator system based on multi‐dimension of national energy security, is the emphasis of the continued further research.
Practical implications
Constructing the evaluation index system on national energy security integrating PSR conceptual model from the perspective CAS.
Originality/value
Divides the carrier of energy security problem's happening into three energy domains (non‐renewable energy), and introduces the theory and method of CAS to construct the agent layer to carry on the multi‐agent gambling analysis. Simultaneously separately analyses the coal security, the petroleum security as well as the natural gas security using the concept framework of PSR.
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Lillian Fok, Yun-Chen Morgan, Susan Zee and Valerie E. Mock
This study aims to examine the direct and indirect effects of organizational culture (OC) and total quality management practices (TQMPs) on the relationship between green…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the direct and indirect effects of organizational culture (OC) and total quality management practices (TQMPs) on the relationship between green practices (GPs) and sustainability performance (SP) by using structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis.
Design/methodology/approach
This study proposed a conceptual research model of the relationships and formulated six hypotheses. This study used a structured questionnaire based on previous studies to collect relationship data to test these hypotheses, and 441 full-time managers from various US businesses responded. The complete and valid survey responses were then tested against the hypotheses using IBM SPSS Statistics and SEM-AMOS.
Findings
Results supported the relationships proposed in the research model. They indicated that a strong supporting OC and TQMPs might improve positive SP and GPs. Additionally, the more managers are aware of their companies' GPs, the more likely they will feel positive about the organization's SP.
Research limitations/implications
A larger sample size to ensure statistically minimum representation in several major industries would better validate the findings and help identify significant differences in industry-specific OCs, TQMPs, GPs and SPs. Similarly, ensuring a varied geographical representation (both within the USA and internationally) would help determine if the findings vary according to the respondent's location. Furthermore, collecting the data during Year 1 of the COVID-19 pandemic may have skewed the results. Thus, once the working environment has been normalized, the survey should be repeated to determine if the findings are valid post-pandemic.
Practical implications
The findings of this study provide important strategic guidance for managers who work to balance the implementation of corporate GPs and the triple bottom line dimensions of SP. For practitioners, the results showed that companies could accomplish both profitability and sustainability if they are willing to continuously pay attention to environmental issues and strategically invest in cost-efficient and eco-friendly initiatives.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is one of the first to explore how OC and TQMPs, directly and indirectly, affect the relationship between GPs and the triple bottom line dimensions of SP. These results imply that OC and TQMPs have a significant indirect impact on the relationship between GPs and the SP dimensions.
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Qiang Luo, Dongyun Yi and Wenqiang Yang
The purpose of this paper is to answer the question that what the best shape of fuzzy sets is in fuzzy systems for function approximation which is essential in many applications…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to answer the question that what the best shape of fuzzy sets is in fuzzy systems for function approximation which is essential in many applications of fuzzy systems.
Design/methodology/approach
The uniform approximation rates indicate the approximating capabilities of fuzzy systems for function approximation. By Fourier analysis, the uniform approximation rates are estimated for the fuzzy systems with various shapes of if‐part fuzzy sets in the case of single‐input and single‐output. Based on the approximation rates, the relationships between the approximating capabilities and the shapes of fuzzy sets are developed and compared.
Findings
The since functions as the input membership functions in fuzzy systems are proved to have the almost best approximation property in a particular class of membership functions.
Research limitations/implications
From the viewpoint of function approximation, the input membership functions are not necessarily positive in fuzzy systems.
Practical implications
For engineers, the sinc‐shaped membership function is a good choice to improve their fuzzy systems in real applications.
Originality/value
The uniform approximation rates of fuzzy systems for function approximation are estimated. Mathematically, the relationships between the approximating capabilities and the shapes of fuzzy sets are analyzed for fuzzy systems.
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Keywords
Junguo Wang, Jianzhong Zhou and Bing Peng
The purpose of this paper is to detect the periodic signal under strong noise background, and estimate its amplitude/phase.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to detect the periodic signal under strong noise background, and estimate its amplitude/phase.
Design/methodology/approach
Melnikov method is adopted as calculating the threshold value when chaos occurs, and the detected signal is taken as a system parameter. The system's output state is changed if the parameter has a slight change near the threshold. Meantime, the phase of system's output is recognized to judge whether the output state changes, and the signal parameter is estimated according to the necessary condition.
Findings
A small periodic signal in noise can be detected by Duffing oscillator via a transition from chaotic motion to periodic motion.
Research limitations/implications
The paper shows how to calculate the amplitude/phase in low signal‐to‐noise ratios.
Practical implications
The Duffing system is sensitive to the weak periodic signal and has definite immunity to noise, so it is easy to construct a system composed of many oscillators that could process complex signals, even though the environmental noise is intense.
Originality/value
This paper presents a nonlinear method for detecting and extracting the weak signal.
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Yong‐Ming Tang, Yun Chen, Wen‐Zhong Yang, Xiao‐Shuang Yin, Ying Liu and Jin‐Tang Wang
The aim of this paper is to investigate inhibition of copper corrosion by 3,5‐bis(2‐thienyl)‐4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (2‐TAT) in 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H2SO4.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to investigate inhibition of copper corrosion by 3,5‐bis(2‐thienyl)‐4‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole (2‐TAT) in 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H2SO4.
Design/methodology/approach
Potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance measurements were carried out on copper in 1 M HCl and 0.5 M H2SO4 containing various concentrations of 2‐TAT, and the effects of temperature were also investigated.
Findings
As an efficient inhibitor, 2‐TAT behaves better in 1 M HCl than in 0.5 M H2SO4. 2‐TAT can be classified as cathodic‐type corrosion inhibitor in 1 M HCl and acts as relatively mixed type in 0.5 M H2SO4. Activation energies in the presence and absence of 2‐TAT were obtained by measuring the temperature independence of corrosion current. Adsorption of the inhibitor on the copper surface was found to obey the Langmuir adsorption isotherm.
Practical implications
This inhibitor could have application in industries where hydrochloric acid solutions are used to remove scale and salts from copper surfaces and may render dismantling unnecessary.
Originality/value
The results from this paper showed that 2‐TAT could be considered as a suitable inhibitor for copper in acidic media.
Details