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1 – 10 of over 2000Wei Meng, Quan Liu, Zude Zhou and Qingsong Ai
The purpose of this paper is to propose a seamless active interaction control method integrating electromyography (EMG)-triggered assistance and the adaptive impedance control…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to propose a seamless active interaction control method integrating electromyography (EMG)-triggered assistance and the adaptive impedance control scheme for parallel robot-assisted lower limb rehabilitation and training.
Design/methodology/approach
An active interaction control strategy based on EMG motion recognition and adaptive impedance model is implemented on a six-degrees of freedom parallel robot for lower limb rehabilitation. The autoregressive coefficients of EMG signals integrating with a support vector machine classifier are utilized to predict the movement intention and trigger the robot assistance. An adaptive impedance controller is adopted to influence the robot velocity during the exercise, and in the meantime, the user’s muscle activity level is evaluated online and the robot impedance is adapted in accordance with the recovery conditions.
Findings
Experiments on healthy subjects demonstrated that the proposed method was able to drive the robot according to the user’s intention, and the robot impedance can be updated with the muscle conditions. Within the movement sessions, there was a distinct increase in the muscle activity levels for all subjects with the active mode in comparison to the EMG-triggered mode.
Originality/value
Both users’ movement intention and voluntary participation are considered, not only triggering the robot when people attempt to move but also changing the robot movement in accordance with user’s efforts. The impedance model here responds directly to velocity changes, and thus allows the exercise along a physiological trajectory. Moreover, the muscle activity level depends on both the normalized EMG signals and the weight coefficients of involved muscles.
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Abstract
Purpose
The Internet of Things (IoT) has attracted a lot of attention in both industrial and academic fields for recent years. Artificial intelligence (AI) has developed rapidly in recent years as well. AI naturally combines with the Internet of Things in various ways, enabling big data applications, machine learning algorithms, deep learning, knowledge discovery, neural networks and other technologies. The purpose of this paper is to provide state of the art in AI powered IoT and study smart public services in China.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper reviewed the articles published on AI powered IoT from 2009 to 2018. Case study as a research method has been chosen.
Findings
The AI powered IoT has been found in the areas of smart cities, healthcare, intelligent manufacturing and so on. First, this study summarizes recent research on AI powered IoT systematically; and second, this study identifies key research topics related to the field and real-world applications.
Originality/value
This research is of importance and significance to both industrial and academic fields researchers who need to understand the current and future development of intelligence in IoT. To the best of authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to review the literature on AI powered IoT from 2009 to 2018. This is also the first literature review on AI powered IoT with a case study of smart public service in China.
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J. Yin, R. Hales, P. Pilidis, B. Curnock and R. Meads
A two‐dimensional high‐bypass ratio turbofan performance model was developed in order to predict accurately gas turbine transient performance. In the present model, the fan of…
Abstract
A two‐dimensional high‐bypass ratio turbofan performance model was developed in order to predict accurately gas turbine transient performance. In the present model, the fan of high bypass engines has strong radial profiles of all thermodynamic variables. It is common to average these profiles so that the fan can be represented by one or two one‐dimensional characteristics. The present paper describes how the radial profiles can be used to make an estimation of turbofan transient performance. The results are somewhat different to those produced using two one‐dimensional compressor performance maps.
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The purpose of this paper is to study the lubrication characteristics of double involute gear (DIG), compare its lubrication differences under quasi-static and tribo-dynamic…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the lubrication characteristics of double involute gear (DIG), compare its lubrication differences under quasi-static and tribo-dynamic conditions and study the influence of different factors on its lubrication characteristics under the tribo-dynamic condition.
Design/methodology/approach
According to the meshing characteristics of DIG and elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) theory, a tribo-dynamic model of DIG is established based on the “subsection method.” The Runge-Kutta method and the multigrid method are integrated to solve the model, and the dynamic analytical model of lubricating oil is established in the iterative solution.
Findings
The load and the transmission error fluctuate obviously under the tribo-dynamic condition, which is not conducive to the lubrication of DIG. The influence of rotational speeds and torque on the lubrication properties of DIG has obvious differences under tribo-dynamic and quasi-static conditions.
Originality/value
This research can provide a theoretical basis for improving the lubrication performance, reducing the loss of mechanical efficiency and improving the bearing capacity and service life of DIG.
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Shuguang Zhao and Xuan Wu
“Fostered idols” refer to entertainment idols and young stars-in-the-making who begin their careers as amateurs. Today, the fostered idol model has become increasingly popular in…
Abstract
Purpose
“Fostered idols” refer to entertainment idols and young stars-in-the-making who begin their careers as amateurs. Today, the fostered idol model has become increasingly popular in China, and fans demonstrate incredible consumption power. Despite the booming market, little is known about this phenomenon. Therefore, this study aims to explore fans’ motivations and consumption practices from the consumer’s perspective within the framework of self-determination theory.
Design/methodology/approach
In all 20 in-depth interviews with fostered idol fans were conducted through online phone calls. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and subsequently analysed using a grounded approach.
Findings
The results indicate that fans’ consumption practices are motivated both intrinsically and extrinsically. Intrinsic motivation includes sensory pleasure while extrinsic motivations are composed of a sense of being needed and a sense of success. Extrinsic motivations play a dominant role and reflect the needs of relatedness and competence. Additionally, consumption practices are found to be consistent with motivations.
Research limitations/implications
The results show the crucial role of psychological satisfaction experienced by fans in the consumption of the fostered idol and highlight the importance of a relatedness- and competence-supportive environment to secure fans’ persistent consumption and loyalty.
Originality/value
This study focuses on fans of fostered idols that has not been explored in existing studies and offers valuable insights regarding the similarities and differences between fan consumption in China and other Asian countries. The results will inform marketing practitioners for the development of effective strategies and business decisions.
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– To describe how Town Star Ltd – a leading company in the coal industry in Shanxi Province in China - combines traditional culture with modern management methods.
Abstract
Purpose
To describe how Town Star Ltd – a leading company in the coal industry in Shanxi Province in China - combines traditional culture with modern management methods.
Design/methodology/approach
Outlines the main strands of traditional Chinese thinking and explains the relevance of Confucianism and Taoist philosophy to organizational performance and culture. Illustrates this with a case study that provides examples of a culture-driven management model.
Findings
Chinese civilization stretches back 5,000 years. But when the planned economy gave way to an “open door” policy in 1978, there was a drive for wholesale Westernization. Local enterprises adopted Western management ideas, focusing on profit maximization and quantitative management. Three decades of unprecedented change and rapid economic growth followed, until the world economy suffered a major setback in 2008. China recovered comparatively quickly from the global financial crisis, but the experience raised questions about dependence on Western management practices. Instead of regarding Chinese traditions as backward and antiquated, many people have started to ask what traditional culture can contribute to economic development.
Practical implications
Illustrates the ways that a “Yin Yang” approach to human resource management can enhance core competitiveness.
Originality/value
Draws attention to opportunities for future research into the ways that indigenous firms are developing in China following the global financial crisis in 2008.
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Jon‐Chao Hong, Sung‐De Yang, Li‐Jung Wang, En‐Fu Chiou, Fan‐Yin Su and sui‐Lan Huang
Everyone works in expectation of some rewards, and welfare is oneof them. In order to understand the impact of employee benefits onemployees′ work‐motivation and productivity…
Abstract
Everyone works in expectation of some rewards, and welfare is one of them. In order to understand the impact of employee benefits on employees′ work‐motivation and productivity, questionnaires were sent to corporations which had undertaken employee benefit programmes. Some of the significant results of this study are: employee benefit programmes have greater impact on work‐motivation than on productivity; monetary benefit programmes are most highly valued by both executives and workers; there is a cognitive gap between management and worker on the importance of employee benefit programmes; different genders have different benefit demands; unmarried employees, more than married employees, perceive that employee benefits have a greater impact on job performance. Employees with different education levels and positions perceive different employee benefit impacts; and employee benefit programmes have greater influence on younger employees′ job performance.
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Ersin Firat Akgul and Ismail Bilge Cetin
This study aims to explain the facts about behavioral biases that cannot be explained by rational patterns in ship investments of small-size shipping companies.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explain the facts about behavioral biases that cannot be explained by rational patterns in ship investments of small-size shipping companies.
Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative approach was adopted in this study. The systematic approach of Wolcott (1994) and the action flows proposed by Miles and Huberman (1994) were taken into consideration.
Findings
Factors affecting ship investments are classified as ship finance, market timing, ship specifications and profile and business models of ship investors. In addition, behavioral biases that stand out under each theme are explained in the light of behavioral finance literature.
Originality/value
The originality of this study rests on the lack of studies on behavioral aspects of ship investments.
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Fang Wang, Yaoyao Peng, Hsiao Chieh Wang and Fan Yin
Ancient city walls are typical linear space elements of Beijing that represent the transformation of urban form over the past 800 years and have greatly influenced the memory of…
Abstract
Purpose
Ancient city walls are typical linear space elements of Beijing that represent the transformation of urban form over the past 800 years and have greatly influenced the memory of the entire city. However, recently, most of the walls have been torn down in the process of fast urbanization and old city renewal. The purpose of this paper is to focus on people’s cognition and evaluation of urban memory during this pull-down-and-preserve process.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of 380 participants was investigated on a number of issues using questionnaires, including memory case reminders (stability, variability, temporality), emotional bonding with memory case (identity, dependence, authenticity), and socio-demographic variables (age, education, life experience, length of residence). The urban memory cognition model and attitude evaluation value model which were based on Likert scale were used to process the collected data.
Findings
In the three aspects of memory case reminders, stability and temporary elements can be most cognized, whereas variability elements are more difficult due to their change over time. As for emotional bonding with memory case, people show a high level of identification with the walls; the walls’ memory being passed down could enhance people’s memory when mentioning Beijing. Further, higher education groups consider the walls’ authenticity to be most important and are unwilling to accept the outcome of walls-ruins parks; older adults have tolerant attitudes to the ruins parks.
Originality/value
This study could not only contribute to the excavation of urban memory, but also strengthen citizens’ sense of identity and cohesiveness, thus shaping the spirit and culture of the city. Some findings could provide applicable guidelines for urban heritage protection and contribute a new perspective on the interrelationship between people and their physical surroundings.
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Jin-yuan Qian, Zan Wu, Qian-Kun Zhang, Zhi-Jiang Jin and Bengt Ake Sunden
The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of dimple geometries and arrangements on the heat transfer enhancement in a dimple jacketed heat exchanger.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of dimple geometries and arrangements on the heat transfer enhancement in a dimple jacketed heat exchanger.
Design/methodology/approach
For the purpose of this paper, with the experimental validated numerical model, this paper carries out numerical simulations of both single dimples with different geometries and the whole dimple jacketed heat exchanger with different dimple arrangements. For a single dimple, its secondary vortex flow, temperature differences and the pressure drop performance for different geometries are analyzed. For the whole dimple jacketed heat exchanger, the heat transfer and pressure drop performances are investigated by comparing the no dimple, triangular and rectangular dimple arrangements.
Findings
Results show that dimples can improve the heat transfer efficiency compared with conventional jacketed heat exchanger, and specific geometries and arrangement of dimples for better heat transfer performance are figured out.
Originality/value
This paper considers both dimple geometries and arrangements, which can be useful for further applications in specific integrated devices or similar applications.
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