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The paper aims to estimate the instantaneous breakdown voltage of the lightning discharge from simulated figures in an energized rod-plane configuration protected by a lightning rod. The same configuration of electrodes has been the subject of experimental investigations for the measurement of the instantaneous breakdown voltage using oscillographic monitoring. This study validates the simulation model by making a comparison with experimentation and involves the role of the inception field of the upward discharge in the propagation of this last one.

The research methodology is based on the development of a fractal lightning protection model based on real physical conditions of the discharge propagation, such as the downward discharge and the upward one emanating from protection. The voltage drop and the randomness character of the lightning discharge are also taken into account. The electrical field is an important parameter in discharge development; it is considered in this work at each step of the discharge propagation by the finite element method. The instantaneous breakdown voltage is measured and estimated by both empirical equations and simulated figures of lightning discharge

The established model that allows estimating the instantaneous breakdown voltage from simulated discharges and empirical equations gives results in a good agreement with experimentation. The involvement of the upward discharge inception field emanating from the lightning rod in the evolution of electrical discharge is illustrated.

The work presented in this paper aims to develop a new fractal lightning protection model taking into consideration physical phenomena intervening in the development of the lightning discharge.

The originality of this work consists of the combination between fractals modelling of the electrical discharge and the protection against lightning, in addition, to use one of the characteristics of the electrical discharge, which is the instantaneous breakdown voltage, to prove the importance of the inception field emanating from the upward discharge in the propagation criterion of this last one.

Imagination is a complex mental process where consciousness departs from reality to create new content not currently found in existence. Imagination is key to marketing persuasion, but studies that examine consumer imagination in response to marketing messages illustrate confusing and sometimes contradictory perspectives about consumers’ mental processing. This paper aims to provide a review of the existing literature on consumer imagination relevant to marketing scholarship, and builds a new theoretical framework to organize and explain these papers.

A systematic review of the marketing literature was undertaken to identify all papers related to consumer imagination and its role in marketing persuasion. A focus was placed on empirical papers, review papers and meta-analyses.

A new conceptual framework was created to classify the consumer imagination literature based on both the characteristics and the content of imagination. The existing marketing literature was then organized into the framework. The framework helps to explain seeming contradictions between different studies as well as helps to collect similar studies together to summarize schools of thought.

The imagination framework presents an entirely new way of conceptualizing imagination research in marketing. This new categorization structure not only clarifies consumers’ use of imagination in response to marketing messages but also identifies questions for future research in this area of marketing theory.

Steel subjected to ECAP has very high mechanical characteristics. The goal of the present work is to investigate the influence of thermal treatment on steel cold brittle resistance after ECAP. The influence of equal-channel angular pressing and heat treatment on structure-phase state and mechanical characteristics of Fe360 is investigated. Also, the investigations of deformation in metals and steels are carried out with the use of infrared imaging cameras. The results concerned with the evaluation of storage energy in the process of plastic deformation of the structural low carbon steel are presented.

The luxury brands sales in emerging markets will see rapid growth. When entering the emerging markets, luxury fashion brands always find it challenging to balance adaption with local consumer culture and standardization to maintain their global brand image. The present study attempts to examine this intriguing issue of adaptation and standardization and many other challenges for luxury brands in the emerging market by focusing on China’s luxury market. A case study on China is conducted, which consisted of reviewing academic literature and consulting trade reports, examining over 50 luxury brands’ Chinese websites, reading newspaper articles, conducting field trips to luxury retail outlets, and studying luxury brands’ advertisements in major Chinese fashion magazines. We identified five intriguing market characteristics that must be taken into account in order to succeed in this market. Specifically, we found that to perform well in China’s luxury market, luxury brands should have a good understanding of the conflicting Chinese social cultural sentiments toward luxury consumption. Luxury brands should seek a balance between standardization and adaptation and appeal to both consumers’ converging needs and their desire for products that embrace local elements. Further, given the unique consumer characteristics, luxury brands should better serve the young and economically diverse consumer base in China.

To give information about the study of environmental pollution as the result of mining activity from minor toxic elements (Hg, Sb, As, Cd, Tl) which are typical for ores from base metal, gold‐base metal and gold deposits.

In order to determine the intensity and extent of pollution as well as the possible threat to the population, ecogeochemical sampling (and consequent laboratory analysis of samples) of dumps, soil, and both surface and ground waters was completed. Analytical study of samples was completed, data were interpreted and maps constructed. To estimate the degree of soil and water contamination with toxic elements, the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) and background content (BC) were chosen as the main criteria of the hazard caused by toxic elements.

The paper shows the distribution of As, Hg, Sb, Tl, Cd and some “heavy” element (Pb, Zn, Mn, Ni) concentrations in the environment (soil, water) around the Muzhievo gold‐base metal deposit, and indicates the major role of the waste dumps near the deposit as a source of pollution by toxic elements.

The study gives an example of environmental pollution by toxic elements caused by mining activity around one gold‐base metal deposit in the Transcarpathians. The study could be a guide for mine officials in the development of preventive measures against pollution by toxic elements in soil and water around Muzhievo village.

This paper presents useful information and offers practical help (approach, data interpretation) to researchers and ecologists studying the distribution of minor toxic elements in the environment around active and closed mines in the mercury‐base metal, base metal, gold‐base metal and gold deposits.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the newest technology that is quickly advancing and can be utilised to improve human resource competence in the age of rapid digital transformation. The present competitive scenario demands accurate data that need to be collected and analysed for organisational growth.

Purpose: The research examines the applications and usage of AI in performance management and further analyses the future of PM from the perspectives of AI.

Methodology: The study is conceptual and relies on secondary data from research papers, publications, HR blogs, survey reports and other sources. Employee performance and attitudes were monitored using digital technologies, big data analytics and AI. The quality of employee performance continues to increase with the integration of AI, enabling predictive analytics to increase employee performance.

Research Implication: In employee performance appraisal, a digital performance management system leads to openness and honesty with time, effort and sincerity. It is based on the performance management system’s practical usefulness.

Theoretical Implication: The study’s findings provide HR managers, academics, IT professionals and practitioners with an understanding of how AI may be used for performance management and its consequences on their operations. In addition, the connection between the HR devolution theory on performance management and AI is discussed.

Need of the Study: Digitalisation, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) is changing at a swift pace, significantly uplifting the role of information technology. The present human resource (HR) aspect transpires AI-based resolution, are gradually more effective with HR process, time-consumption and a complex tasks surrounded by the HRM functionalities.

Purpose: This study attempts to investigate the adoption and diffusion of human resource management (HRM) with the phenomenon of AI-based applications. Hence, this study has emphasised the predictors of AI adoption like competitive pressure, performance expectancy, top management support, strategic partner, employee champion, etc. Moreover, how the AI predictors are connected with HR practices. The research sample focused on 207 HR managers and senior managers from various industries.

Methodology: This study is based on a quantitative research technique encompassing mean, standard deviation, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), Average Variance Extracted (AVE), and Dependent Variable (DV).

Findings: The study’s empirical findings show that higher performance expectations and higher management support are both major predictors of AI adoption. In contrast, competitive pressure did not show a significant relationship with such an intention, and the ‘employee champion’ role has a negative impact on AI adoption.

Implications: AI diffusion and implementation show a significant research gap. In previous studies, adoption in HRM was overlooked. The study’s results provide a comprehensive picture of the situation. The framework and a major contribution to the study of the phenomenon in relation to its possible role in AI’s effectiveness and quality in HRM. The research inspires a debate among service providers, policy-makers, and stakeholders, and builds an efficient workplace.

Entrepreneurial profits flow from differences in expectations between buyers and sellers regarding the future value of resources. This article investigates whether differences in expectations can be influenced by an entrepreneur to produce greater profits. It is argued that there are several points in the entrepreneurial process where such interventions can occur and that the use of these techniques should be associated with superior wealth creation. The article also explores the ethical implications of influencing stakeholders in this way.

This study aims to empirically investigate how the interaction effect of occasion-setting cues and consumers’ cognitive styles (e.g. field dependence levels) influences their food intake intention.

In this research, several scenario simulation studies were conducted to verify the hypotheses. A total of 646 participants were recruited for the experiments, and samples were obtained through well-established online research platforms.

In the occasion-setting cue advertisement condition, field-dependent (vs field-independent) consumers displayed increased cravings for food and purchase intention, with mental simulation playing a mediating role and cognitive load playing a moderating role.

The influence of others (e.g. servers and other consumers) was not taken into consideration in this study. Future research can extend this study by conducting field experiments.

The research conclusions can help various organisations reduce consumers’ food overconsumption intention and encourage healthier food choices by adjusting occasion-setting cues in marketing stimuli and identifying the target consumers’ cognitive styles.

Based on embodied cognition theory, this study reveals the influence and internal mechanism of the interaction effect between occasion-setting cues and individual cognitive style on eating desire.