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1 – 10 of over 4000
Article
Publication date: 1 August 2004

H. Lin, P.M. Taylor and S.J. Bull

Several pick‐up devices have been proposed and invented for automated garment handling but a scientific understanding of picking up operation is incomplete. This paper is an…

Abstract

Several pick‐up devices have been proposed and invented for automated garment handling but a scientific understanding of picking up operation is incomplete. This paper is an extension of earlier studies into modelling the interaction of the performance of pinch gripper and the properties of flexible material (foam). Here, the relationship between the performance of pinch gripper (size and shape), external load, deformation and the properties fabric is investigated. The distributions of stress and strain within a fabric under differently shaped grippers (flat and curved) are revealed. The main factors affecting the first step of picking up action‐two pegs pushing down on the top of fabric are identified. Experiments have been carried out on single‐ and multi‐layer fabrics, and the accuracy of the models is demonstrated through comparison of the predicted results with the experimental data. This study is aimed towards optimisation of design of a gripper and providing knowledge for an intelligent grasping system of fabric handling.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 16 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2000

Colleen McKenna and Joanna Bull

This paper takes as its starting point observations and concerns of quality assurance staff in UK HEIs about the use of computer‐assisted assessment (CAA) collected in the 1999…

1277

Abstract

This paper takes as its starting point observations and concerns of quality assurance staff in UK HEIs about the use of computer‐assisted assessment (CAA) collected in the 1999 National Survey into CAA. The issues raised are grouped into three categories: pedagogical; operational; and institutional; and the quality assurance issues for each area are addressed. Emphasis is placed on the institutional management of CAA, the development of quality assurance regulations and protocols and the evaluation of CAA systems. The paper makes suggestions about the co‐ordination of CAA within an institution and speculates on the future developments in computerised assessments and the increased importance of ensuring quality.

Details

Quality Assurance in Education, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0968-4883

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 1979

MAURICE B. LINE

Most citation analyses are based on references taken from two or three source journals. There are good theoretical reasons for believing that these may not be representative of…

Abstract

Most citation analyses are based on references taken from two or three source journals. There are good theoretical reasons for believing that these may not be representative of all references. In the social science citation analyses carried out as part of the DISISS programme, references were collected from 140 journals, including forty‐seven drawn at random from a comprehensive list, and also from 148 monographs. Analyses of references drawn from high ranking and randomly selected journals showed differences in date distribution, forms of material cited and rank order of journals cited. Analyses of references drawn from journals and monographs showed differences, some of them large, in date distributions, forms of material cited, subject self‐citation and citations beyond the social sciences, and countries of publication cited. These differences may be peculiar to the social sciences, but any citation analyses that are based on only a limited number and type of sources without specific justification must be regarded with suspicion.

Details

Journal of Documentation, vol. 35 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0022-0418

Article
Publication date: 1 February 2016

Dimitrios A. Dragatogiannis, Elias P. Koumoulos, Ioannis A Kartsonakis and Costas A. Charitidis

The study of nanoindentation as a reliable method to extract creep properties as well as for fundamental understanding of deformation mechanisms at small length scales is an open…

Abstract

Purpose

The study of nanoindentation as a reliable method to extract creep properties as well as for fundamental understanding of deformation mechanisms at small length scales is an open interesting field. The observed creep behavior is attributed to time-dependent plastic deformation based on loading rates. There is a lot of work in the field of nanoindentation in order to understand the dynamic effects on nanomechanical properties. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The deformation mechanism is investigated under two experimental approaches (high and low loading rates, respectively) during nanoindentation. The effect of loading rate in the nanomechanical properties, during nanoindentation creep of zinc layer on hot dip galvanized (HDG) steel, is discussed through nanoindentation.

Findings

Analysis of this research effort is emphasized on nanoindentation stress exponent, a critical parameter for the life time and reliability of nano/micro-materials and systems. The corrosion resistance was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and localized EIS.

Originality/value

The study of nanoindentation as a reliable method to extract creep properties as well as for fundamental understanding of deformation mechanisms at small length scales is an open interesting field. The observed creep behavior is attributed to time-dependent plastic deformation based on loading rates. The deformation mechanism is investigated under two experimental approaches (high and low loading rates, respectively) during nanoindentation. The effect of loading rate in the nanomechanical properties, during nanoindentation creep of zinc layer on HDGsteel, is discussed through nanoindentation. Analysis of this research effort is emphasized on nanoindentation stress exponent, a critical parameter for the life time and reliability of nano/micro- materials and systems. The corrosion resistance was studied by EIS and localized EIS.

Details

International Journal of Structural Integrity, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9864

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 August 2019

Meritxell Mondejar-Pont, Anna Ramon-Aribau and Xavier Gómez-Batiste

The purpose of this paper is to propose a unified definition of integrated palliative care (IPC), and to identify the elements that facilitate or hinder implementation of an…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a unified definition of integrated palliative care (IPC), and to identify the elements that facilitate or hinder implementation of an integrated palliative care system (IPCS).

Design/methodology/approach

A scoping review of the conceptualization and essential elements of IPC was undertaken, based on a search of the PubMed, Scopus and ISI Web of Science databases. The search identified 79 unduplicated articles; 43 articles were selected for content analysis.

Findings

IPC is coordinated and collaborative across different health organizations, levels of care and types of providers. Eight key elements facilitate implementation of an IPCS: coordination, early patient identification, patient-centered services, care continuity, provider education and training, a standard implementation model and screening tool, shared information technology system, and supportive policies and funding. These elements were plotted as a “Circle of Integrated Palliative Care System Elements.”

Practical implications

This paper offers researchers an inclusive definition of IPC and describes the essential elements of its successful implementation.

Originality/value

This study provides evidence from researchers on five continents, offering insights from multiple countries and cultures on the topic of IPC. The findings of this thematic analysis could assist international researchers aiming to develop a standard evaluative model or assess the level of integration in a health care system’s delivery of palliative care.

Details

Journal of Integrated Care, vol. 27 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1476-9018

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 November 2023

Ruizhen Song, Xin Gao, Haonan Nan, Saixing Zeng and Vivian W.Y. Tam

This research aims to propose a model for the complex decision-making involved in the ecological restoration of mega-infrastructure (e.g. railway engineering). This model is based…

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to propose a model for the complex decision-making involved in the ecological restoration of mega-infrastructure (e.g. railway engineering). This model is based on multi-source heterogeneous data and will enable stakeholders to solve practical problems in decision-making processes and prevent delayed responses to the demand for ecological restoration.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the principle of complexity degradation, this research collects and brings together multi-source heterogeneous data, including meteorological station data, remote sensing image data, railway engineering ecological risk text data and ecological restoration text data. Further, this research establishes an ecological restoration plan library to form input feature vectors. Random forest is used for classification decisions. The ecological restoration technologies and restoration plant species suitable for different regions are generated.

Findings

This research can effectively assist managers of mega-infrastructure projects in making ecological restoration decisions. The accuracy of the model reaches 0.83. Based on the natural environment and construction disturbances in different regions, this model can determine suitable types of trees, shrubs and herbs for planting, as well as the corresponding ecological restoration technologies needed.

Practical implications

Managers should pay attention to the multiple types of data generated in different stages of megaproject and identify the internal relationships between these multi-source heterogeneous data, which provides a decision-making basis for complex management decisions. The coupling between ecological restoration technologies and restoration plant species is also an important factor in improving the efficiency of ecological compensation.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies, which have selected a typical section of a railway for specialized analysis, the complex decision-making model for ecological restoration proposed in this research has wider geographical applicability and can better meet the diverse ecological restoration needs of railway projects that span large regions.

Details

Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, vol. 31 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0969-9988

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 2005

H. Lin, P.M. Taylor and S.J. Bull

This paper presents an experimental study of the influence of variables such as strain rate, the number of fabric plies, the type of fabric, the kinds of fibre and the shape of…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper presents an experimental study of the influence of variables such as strain rate, the number of fabric plies, the type of fabric, the kinds of fibre and the shape of indenter on the indentation of fabric under differently shaped pinch gripper.

Design/methodology/approach

This experimental study will be approached from three different angles. It will look into an indenter pressing a sample with a much larger size, which is important in practice in the world of grasping by a pinch gripper. It will research a flat indenter, but also an indenter with a curved surface and will investigate fabric compression particularly with regard to the differences between single‐layer and multi‐layer stacks.

Findings

The type of fabric architecture and the kind of fibre have been proven to be important for the indentation. Even more important is the indenter geometry. Evidence collected to date suggests that the grasping action is more sensitive to indenter geometry. This leads to three possible approaches: close regulation of the materials and processes, handling processes to change in the material properties, and thirdly, intelligent systems which can learn from and adapt to each situation.

Research limitations/implications

This study suggests that a picking up operation should change in the material properties, that is, the operation should be controlled by using fabric characteristics as the control information in an intelligent environment.

Originality/value

Previous work on compression has been concentrated on an indenter with a size identical to a specimen, this study will look into an indenter pressing a sample with a much larger size. On compression, previous work has focused on single‐layer fabric compression by a flat indenter, but this research will not only research a flat indenter and single layers, but also an indenter with a curved surface, and multi‐layer stacks.

Details

International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, vol. 17 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-6222

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2006

S.S.S. Imihezri, S.M. Sapuan, S. Sulaiman, M.M. Hamdan and E.S. Zainudin

This paper presents the simulation results of a glass fiber reinforced PA 6,6 composite automotive clutch pedal. The analysis is carried out using Moldflow Plastics Insight (MPI…

Abstract

This paper presents the simulation results of a glass fiber reinforced PA 6,6 composite automotive clutch pedal. The analysis is carried out using Moldflow Plastics Insight (MPI) software to investigate the effects of increasing gate number from 1 to 2 on temperature and pressure. The results of temperature show that for single gate, the temperature was 291.3 °C and for double gate was 292.3 °C. Double gates mold induce higher temperature due to longer runner length. Both designs revealed different hot spots locations indicating probable areas of excess shear heating. The results of pressure (end of fill), for the single gate it was 61.31 MPa and for double gate was 60.73 MPa. Double gates mold reduce the required injection pressure as well as pressure variation, hence a lower volumetric shrinkage. Lower injection pressure produces lower shear rate and shear stress level.

Details

Multidiscipline Modeling in Materials and Structures, vol. 2 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1573-6105

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 November 2015

Q.M Mehran, A.R Bushroa, M.A Fazal and M.M. Quazi

– The purpose of this study is to design and develop a new functional coating system for aerospace AL7075-T6 alloy that would evaluate the mechanical properties of the coating.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to design and develop a new functional coating system for aerospace AL7075-T6 alloy that would evaluate the mechanical properties of the coating.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper outlines the scratch adhesion characterisation of Cr/CrAlN coating using a combination of radio frequency (RF) and direct current (DC) physical vapour deposition (PVD) magnetron sputtering. The surface morphology, microstructure and chemical composition of the Cr/CrAlN film were evaluated by optical microscopy (OM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) integrated with energy-dispersive X-Ray spectroscopy (EDX) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The film-to-substrate adhesion was measured by a scratch test machine manufactured with a detection system, motorized stages, penetration depth sensors, optical microscope and tangential frictional load sensors.

Findings

The AFM and ultra-micro hardness results showed an increase in surface roughness to about 20 per cent and hardness to about 74 per cent. Moreover, the film-to-substrate adhesion strength of 1,814 mN was obtained with PVD deposition process.

Research limitations/implications

The main limitation of this work is caused by PVD deposition process. Besides, surface defects such as pinholes contribute to a decrease in adhesion strength.

Practical implications

The higher hardness of CrAlN coating is used to improve the properties of softer aluminium substrates. This hardness prevents ploughing-induced wear and provides greater adhesion strength by preventing coating delamination.

Originality/value

Until now, CrAlN is coated only on ferrous alloys. It has not yet been tried on aluminium alloys. Moreover, coating functionality depends on higher adhesion and failure mechanisms involved in the film-to-substrate system, which is significant in aerospace applications.

Details

Pigment & Resin Technology, vol. 44 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0369-9420

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1975

M.T. Cunningham and C.J. Clarke

Reports an investigation of some of the factors that influence product management decisions in consumer goods companies. Looks at a product manager's role in the whole…

Abstract

Reports an investigation of some of the factors that influence product management decisions in consumer goods companies. Looks at a product manager's role in the whole organization, particularly the decision‐taking and participatory activity as a response to pressures from the working environment, which depends on perceptions of risk and the company's allocation of rewards. Further develops behavioural hypotheses from theoretical and pragmatic areas – testing them among 34 product managers operating within four large fast‐moving consumer goods firms. Concludes that identification of the product manager with his brand is the most crucial factor in favour of the product management system.

Details

European Journal of Marketing, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0309-0566

Keywords

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