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1 – 10 of over 15000
Article
Publication date: 14 March 2024

Fangfang Hou, Boying Li, Zhengzhi Guan, Alain Yee Loong Chong and Chee Wei Phang

Despite the burgeoning popularity of virtual gifting in live streaming, research lacks an in-depth understanding of the drivers behind this behavior. Using para-social…

25

Abstract

Purpose

Despite the burgeoning popularity of virtual gifting in live streaming, research lacks an in-depth understanding of the drivers behind this behavior. Using para-social relationship (PSR), this study aims to capture viewers’ lively social feelings toward the streamer as the key factor leading to the purchase behavior of virtual gifts. It also aims to establish a theoretical link between PSR and viewers’ holistic experience in live streaming as captured by cognitive absorption and aims to investigates the role of technological features (i.e. viewer–streamer and viewer–viewer interactivity, streamer-level and viewer-level deep profiling and design aesthetics) in shaping viewers’ experience.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on 433 survey responses, this study employs a combination of structural equation modeling and neural networks to offer valuable insights into the relationships between the technological environment, viewer experience and viewer behavior.

Findings

Our results highlight the salience of PSR in promoting the purchase of virtual gifts through cognitive absorption and the importance of the technological environment in eliciting the viewer experience. This study sheds light on the development of PSR in a technological environment and its relationship with cognitive absorption.

Originality/value

By applying PSR to conceptualize viewers’ perceived connection with the streamer, this study extends the research on purchase behavior in the non-shopping context by providing an enlightened understanding of virtual gift purchase behavior in live streaming. Moreover, by theoretically linking PSR with cognitive absorption, virtual gift purchase and technological features of live streaming, it enriches the theory of PSR and bridges the gap between the design practice of supporting the IT infrastructure of live streaming and research.

Details

Internet Research, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1066-2243

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 15 February 2024

Saliq Shamim Shah, Daljeet Singh, Jaswinder Singh Saini and Naveen Garg

This paper aims to study the design and characterization of a 3D printed tetrakaidecahedron cell-based acoustic metamaterial. At present, the mitigation of low-frequency noise…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the design and characterization of a 3D printed tetrakaidecahedron cell-based acoustic metamaterial. At present, the mitigation of low-frequency noise involves the utilization of spatially demanding materials for the absorption of sound. These materials lack the ability for targeted frequency control adjustments. Hence, there is a requirement for an approach that can effectively manage low-frequency noise using lightweight and durable materials.

Design/methodology/approach

The CAD model was created in SolidWorks and was manufactured using the Digital Light Processing (DLP) 3D printing technique. Experimental study and numerical simulations examined the metamaterial’s acoustic absorption. An impedance tube with two microphones was used to determine the absorption coefficient of the metamaterial. The simulations were run in a thermoviscous module.

Findings

The testing of acoustic samples highlighted the effects of geometric parameters on acoustic performance. Increment of the strut length by 0.4 mm led to a shift in response to a lower frequency by 500 Hz. Peak absorption rose from 0.461 to 0.690 as the strut diameter was increased from 0.6 to 1.0 mm. Increasing the number of cells from 8 to 20 increased the absorption coefficient and lowered the response frequency.

Originality/value

DLP 3D printing technique was used to successfully manufacture tetrakaidecahedron-based acoustic metamaterial samples. A novel study on the effects of geometric parameters of tetrakaidecahedron cell-based acoustic metamaterial on the acoustic absorption coefficient was conducted, which seemed to be missing in the literature.

Article
Publication date: 28 August 2023

P.S. Liu, S. Song and J.X. Sun

The purpose of this paper is mainly to know: (1) the sound absorption coefficient of porous composite structures constituted by a new kind of lightweight ceramic foam and…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is mainly to know: (1) the sound absorption coefficient of porous composite structures constituted by a new kind of lightweight ceramic foam and perforated plate; (2) the availability of an equivalent porous material model, recently proposed by the present author, to these composite structures in sound absorption.

Design/methodology/approach

A kind of lightweight ceramic foam with bulk density of 0.38–0.56 g·cm-3 was produced by means of molding, drying and sintering. The effect of stainless steel perforated plate on sound absorption performance of the ceramic foam was investigated by means of JTZB absorption tester.

Findings

The results indicate that the sound absorption performance could be obviously changed by adding the stainless steel perforated plate in front of the porous samples and the air gap in back of the porous samples. Adding the perforated plate to the porous sample with a relatively large pore size, the sound absorption performance could be evidently improved for the composite structure. When the air gap is added to the composite structure, the first absorption peak shifts to the lower frequency, and the sound absorption coefficient could increase in the low frequency range.

Originality/value

Based on the equivalent porous material model and the “perforated plate with air gap” model, the sound absorption performance of the composite structures can be simulated conveniently to a great extent by using Johnson-Champoux-Allard model.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 19 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 February 2023

Josué Costa-Baptista, Edith Roland Fotsing, Jacky Mardjono, Daniel Therriault and Annie Ross

The purpose of this paper is the design and experimental investigation of compact hybrid sound-absorbing materials presenting low-frequency and broadband sound absorption.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the design and experimental investigation of compact hybrid sound-absorbing materials presenting low-frequency and broadband sound absorption.

Design/methodology/approach

The hybrid materials combine microchannels and helical tubes. Microchannels provide broadband sound absorption in the middle frequency range. Helical tubes provide low-frequency absorption. Optimal configurations of microchannels are used and analytical equations are developed to guide the design of the helical tubes. Nine hybrid materials with 30 mm thickness are produced via additive manufacturing. They are combinations of one-, two- and four-layer microchannels and helical tubes with 110, 151 and 250 mm length. The sound absorption coefficient of the hybrid materials is measured using an impedance tube.

Findings

The type of microchannels (i.e. one, two or four layers), the number of rotations and the number of tubes are key parameters affecting the acoustic performance. For instance, in the 500 Hz octave band (α500), sound absorption of a 30 mm thick hybrid material can reach 0.52 which is 5.7 times higher than the α500 of a typical periodic porous material with the same thickness. Moreover, the broadband sound absorption for mid-frequencies is reasonably high with and α1000 > 0.7. The ratio of first absorption peak wavelength to structure thickness λ/T can reach 17, which is characteristic of deep-subwavelength behaviour.

Originality/value

The concept and experimental validation of a compact hybrid material combining a periodic porous structure such as microchannels and long helical tubes are original. The ability to increase low-frequency sound absorption at constant depth is an asset for applications where volume and weight are constraints.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 29 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 July 2015

Alamedin Bannaga

The paper aims to investigate the relationship between trade liberalization and technology absorption in a less developing country context. The objective is to empirically test…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the relationship between trade liberalization and technology absorption in a less developing country context. The objective is to empirically test the relationship between these two variables. This analysis was conducted in Sub-Saharan African economies.

Design/methodology/approach

A panel regression of 20 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa was estimated based on a model that takes into account both trade policy and non-policy factors affecting technology absorption.

Findings

A positive and significant relationship was found between trade liberalization and technology absorption. This relationship is valid across a variety of model specifications, technology absorption proxies and estimation techniques. Moreover, non-policy factors such as geographical spillover play significant role in technology absorption.

Originality/value

The paper examines the link between the trade liberalization and the technology absorption in Sub-Saharan Africa. The analysis is empirical in nature and builds on panel estimations. The novelty of the paper comes from the topic investigated and the focus on a region which has not attracted much attention in the literature.

Details

International Journal of Development Issues, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1446-8956

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2021

J.X. Sun and P.S. Liu

The purpose of this paper is to provide an optimization schedule of structural parameters for the sound absorption performance of a cellular ceramic foam in the sound frequency…

90

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an optimization schedule of structural parameters for the sound absorption performance of a cellular ceramic foam in the sound frequency range of 200–4,000 Hz.

Design/methodology/approach

The cellular ceramic foam with porosity of about 60–75% and the pore size of about 1–7 mm was successfully prepared by using natural zeolite powder as the main raw material. For this ceramic foam, the sound absorption performance was measured, and the absorption structure was optimized by some important structural parameters. With orthogonal experiment, optimization of structural parameters was found for absorption performance. By means of the range analysis method, the main factor is known to influence the performance of ceramic foam.

Findings

The present ceramic foam may have good absorption performance although at relatively low frequencies of 400–4,000 Hz while structural parameters of sample are appropriately combined. With orthogonal experiment, optimization of structural parameters for the absorption performance was found to be as follows: sample thickness, 25 mm; porosity, 73.5%; pore size, 4–5 mm and air gap depth, 20 mm. To influence the performance, sample thickness is the main factor, air gap depth is the second and both of pore size and porosity would have a relatively slight effect.

Originality/value

This paper presents a method to optimize the structural parameters of a cellular ceramic foam for sound absorption performance by means of orthogonal experiment.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 17 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 January 2021

Mueen Ahmed and Sankalp Pratap

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the motivation for firms in emerging economies to engage in constraint absorption. It illustrates the mechanisms that enable business…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the motivation for firms in emerging economies to engage in constraint absorption. It illustrates the mechanisms that enable business group (BG) affiliated firms to manage interdependencies vis-à-vis standalone firms in emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

The propositions outlined in this study are rooted in the theoretical lens of resource dependence theory (RDT). The authors integrate RDT with the resource-based view and institutional theory to explain the effect of BG affiliation on the relationship between the two types of interdependence (i.e. mutual dependence and power imbalance) and the likelihood of constraint absorption.

Findings

This paper theorizes that BG affiliation influences the relationship between mutual dependence/power imbalance and the likelihood of constraint absorption. However, if both the firms in a dyad are affiliated to a BG, the likelihood of constraint absorption is likely to be low owing to a process called “co-optation” even if mutual dependence or power imbalance between the firms is high.

Originality/value

This paper highlights how BG affiliated firms are better at managing contingencies in the external environment vis-à-vis standalone firms. This paper also advises managers that the type of organizational form is an important factor to be considered while engaging in constraint absorption in an emerging economy.

Details

International Journal of Organizational Analysis, vol. 30 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1934-8835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 February 2020

Tanmay Basak

This paper aims to investigate the thermal performance involving larger heating rate, targeted heating, heating with least non-uniformity of the spatial distribution of…

177

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the thermal performance involving larger heating rate, targeted heating, heating with least non-uniformity of the spatial distribution of temperature and larger penetration of heating within samples vs shapes of samples (circle, square and triangular).

Design/methodology/approach

Galerkin finite element method (GFEM) with adaptive meshing in a composite domain (free space and sample) is used in an in-house computer code. The finite element meshing is done in a composite domain involving triangle embedded within a semicircular hypothetical domain. The comparison of heating pattern is done for various shapes of samples involving identical cross-sectional area. Test cases reveal that triangular samples can induce larger penetration of heat and multiple heating fronts. A representative material (beef) with high dielectric loss corresponding to larger microwave power or heat absorption in contrast to low lossy samples is considered for the current study. The average power absorption within lossy samples has been computed using the spatial distribution and finite element basis sets. Four regimes have been selected based on various local maxima of the average power for detailed investigation. These regimes are selected based on thin, thick and intermediate limits of the sample size corresponding to the constant area of cross section, Ac involving circle or square or triangle.

Findings

The thin sample limit (Regime 1) corresponds to samples with spatially invariant power absorption, whereas power absorption attenuates from exposed to unexposed faces for thick samples (Regime 4). In Regimes 2 and 3, the average power absorption non-monotonically varies with sample size or area of cross section (Ac) and a few maxima of average power occur for fixed values of Ac involving various shapes. The spatial characteristics of power and temperature have been critically analyzed for all cross sections at each regime for lossy samples. Triangular samples are found to exhibit occurrence of multiple heating fronts for large samples (Regimes 3 and 4).

Practical implications

Length scales of samples of various shapes (circle, square and triangle) can be represented via Regimes 1-4. Regime 1 exhibits the identical heating rate for lateral and radial irradiations for any shapes of lossy samples. Regime 2 depicts that a larger heating rate with larger temperature non-uniformity can occur for square and triangular-Type 1 lossy sample during lateral irradiation. Regime 3 depicts that the penetration of heat at the core is larger for triangular samples compared to circle or square samples for lateral or radial irradiation. Regime 4 depicts that the penetration of heat is still larger for triangular samples compared to circular or square samples. Regimes 3 and 4 depict the occurrence of multiple heating fronts in triangular samples. In general, current analysis recommends the triangular samples which is also associated with larger values of temperature variation within samples.

Originality/value

GFEM with generalized mesh generation for all geometries has been implemented. The dielectric samples of any shape are surrounded by the circular shaped air medium. The unified mesh generation within the sample connected with circular air medium has been demonstrated. The algorithm also demonstrates the implementation of various complex boundary conditions in residuals. The numerical results compare the heating patterns for all geometries involving identical areas. The thermal characteristics are shown with a few generalized trends on enhanced heating or targeted heating. The circle or square or triangle (Type 1 or Type 2) can be selected based on specific heating objectives for length scales within various regimes.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 30 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 February 2021

Hemalata Jena and Abinash Panigrahi

Here, attempts have been made to explore the possible use of Marine waste as filler materials into the bio-fibre composites. Clam shell is a type of marine waste which belongs to…

157

Abstract

Purpose

Here, attempts have been made to explore the possible use of Marine waste as filler materials into the bio-fibre composites. Clam shell is a type of marine waste which belongs to the class of Bivalvia. It is mainly made of aragonite crystalline polymorphs. This paper aims to develop a new class of natural fibre composite in which jute fibre as reinforcement, epoxy as matrix and clam shell, as particulate microsphere filler. The study investigates the effects of different amounts of clam shell powder on the kinetics of water absorption of jute fibre-reinforced epoxy composite. Two different environmental conditions at room temperature, i.e. distilled water and seawater, are collected for this purpose. Moisture absorption reduces when clam shell is added to the jute-epoxy composite. The curve of water absorption of jute-epoxy composites with filler loading at both environmental conditions follows as Fickian behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

Hand lay-up technique to fabricate the composite – Experimental observation

Findings

The incorporation of Clam shell filler in jute epoxy composite modified the water absorption property of the composite. Hence the present marine waste is an potential filler in jute fibre reinforced polymer composite.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates a new class hybrid composite material which uses a marine waste as important phase in the bio-fibre-reinforced composite. It is a new work submitted for original research paper.

Details

World Journal of Engineering, vol. 18 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1708-5284

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2005

K.W. Yap, S. Mohamed, A.M. Yazid, I. Maznah and D.M. Meyer

The objective of this study is to examine the dose‐response effect of inulin on mineral absorption and faecal short‐chain fatty acids concentration in formula‐fed infants.

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this study is to examine the dose‐response effect of inulin on mineral absorption and faecal short‐chain fatty acids concentration in formula‐fed infants.

Design/methodology/approach

The effects of inulin on faecal short‐chain fatty acids and minerals absorption in 36 healthy, formula‐fed infants given three different doses of inulin (0.75g/d, 1.00g/d, and 1.25g/d) were studied using complete randomized design. Acetic, butyric, propionic and lactic acids were analysed using gas chromatography.

Findings

No significant (p<0.05) difference was observed in the infant faecal short‐chain fatty acids contents during the basal period, the intake period and the washout period. A significant (p<0.05) increase in per cent apparent absorption, per cent apparent retention and net retention of iron were seen in infants supplemented with 1g/day inulin. A significant (p<0.05) increase in per cent apparent retention and net retention of Magnesium was also seen in infants supplemented with 0.75, 1 and 1.25g/day inulin. A significant (p<0.05) increase in per cent apparent absorption and net retention of Zinc was seen in infants supplemented with only 0.75g/day inulin. No significant improvement in calcium, or copper absorption or retention was observed in all the doses of inulin studied.

Originality/value

Most previous studies were conducted on adults and adolescents.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

1 – 10 of over 15000