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The assembly quality of complex products is pivotal to their lifecycle performance. Assembly precision analysis (APA) is an effective method used to check the feasibility and quality of assembly. However, there is still a need for a systematic approach to be developed for APA of kinematic mechanisms. To achieve more accurate analysis of kinematic assembly, this paper aims to propose a precision analysis method based on equivalence of the deviation source.

A unified deviation vector representation model is adopted by considering dimension deviation, geometric deviation, joint clearance and assembly deformation. Then, vector loops and vector equations are constructed, according to joint type and deviation propagation path. A combined method, using deviation accumulation and sensitivity modeling, is applied to solve the kinematic APA of complex products.

When using the presented method, geometric form deviation, joint clearance and assembly deformation are considered selectively during tolerance modeling. In particular, the proposed virtual link model and its orientation angle are developed to determine joint deviation. Finally, vector loops and vector equations are modeled to express deviation accumulation.

The proposed method provides a new means for the APA of complex products, considering joint clearance and assembly deformation while improving the accuracy of APA, as much as possible.

Decision theory holds that the ambiguity of decision information affects the choices of decision makers, who have the emotion of “ambiguity aversion” when making fuzzy decisions. The purpose of this paper is to explore the neural mechanism how the information ambiguity of different sales promotion strategies influences consumers’ purchasing decision.

The paper uses the event-related potential (ERP) technique and experiment.

Results indicate that the information ambiguity of sales promotion strategies did influence the purchasing decision of consumers, and there were significant differences in the amplitudes of brain wave P2, N2 and P3 when consumers encountered the sales promotions of different types (discounts and gift-giving). This reflects the difference in perceived risk, decision-making conflict and decision-making attitude. It means that compared with discounts, the perceived risk and difficulty increased while the decision-making confidence plunged when consumers were faced with gift-giving promotions. This finding gives an explanation on the neural level why consumers prefer discounts, rather gift-giving sales promotions.

For the merchants to promote commodities online, it is suggested that the actual benefit from the sales promotion should be specified to reduce the ambiguity of sales promotion information. As the neuromarketing develops, merchants have obtained more effective approaches to study marketing strategies.

One of the theoretical contributions this paper made is that the authors innovatively explored the consumer’s preference to online sales promotion strategies from the perspective of fuzzy decision. Second, the authors adopted the ERP technique to study the influence of the ambiguity of sales promotion information on the consumer’s purchasing behaviors. Third, this study provides an explanation for why consumers prefer the sales promotion type of discounts according to the neural mechanism of decision making.

This study aims to present a highly efficient operator-splitting finite element method for the nonlinear two-dimensional/three-dimensional (2D/3D) Allen–Cahn (AC) equation which describes the anti-phase domain coarsening in a binary alloy. This method is presented to overcome the higher storage requirements, computational complexity and the nonlinear term in numerical computation for the 2D/3D AC equation.

In each time interval, the authors first split the original equation into a heat equation and a nonlinear equation. Then, they split the high-dimensional heat equation into a series of one-dimensional (1D) heat equations. By solving each 1D subproblem, the authors obtain a numerical solution for heat equation and take it as an initial for the nonlinear equation, which is solved analytically.

The authors show that the proposed method is unconditionally stable. Finally, various numerical experiments are presented to confirm the high accuracy and efficiency of this method.

A new operator-splitting method is presented for solving the 2D/3D parabolic equation. The 2D/3D parabolic equation is split into a sequence of 1D parabolic equations. In comparison with standard finite element method, the present method can save much central processing unit time. Stability analysis and error estimates are derived and numerical results are presented to support the theoretical analysis.

Determining the suitable material and accurate thickness of the thermal insulation layer used in exterior walls during the design phase of a building can be challenging. This study aims to determine suitable material and optimum thickness for the insulation layer considering both operational and embodied factors by a comprehensive assessment of the energy, economic and environmental (3E) parameters.

First, the energy model of an existing building was created by using Autodesk Revit software according to the as-built floor layout to evaluate the impact of five alternative insulating materials in varying thickness values. Second, using the results derived from the model, a thorough evaluation was conducted to ascertain the optimal insulation material and thickness through individual analysis of 3E factors, followed by a comprehensive analysis considering the three aforementioned factors simultaneously.

The findings indicated that polyurethane with 13 cm thickness, rockwool with 10 cm thickness and EPS with 20 cm thickness were the best states based on energy consumption, cost and environmental footprint, respectively. After completing the 3E investigation, the 15-cm-thick mineral wool insulation was presented as the ideal state.

This study explores how suitable material and thickness of insulating material can be determined in advance during the design phase of a building, which is a lot more accurate and cost-effective than applying insulating materials by assumed thickness in the construction phase.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is unique in investigating the advantages of using thermally insulating materials in the context of a mosque structure, taking into account its distinctive attributes that deviate from those of typical buildings. Furthermore, there has been no prior analysis of the cost and sustainability implications of these materials concerning the characteristics of subtropical monsoon climate.

Through a lot of investigation, many times of demonstrating scheme, the in-depth theoretic analysis, a large scale numeric simulation tests and the field tests, the operating line of the rapid excavation is equipped which are consisting of the way of the drilling and blasting, the bolt-mesh-spurting supporting and the trackless transportation. The key technology which includes the stable technology of controling the surrounding rock, the optimization technology of transportation system, the excavating technology of layered drilling and the technology of parallel and cross operation develops the integral management framework and the advanced technology framework with the operating line, which realizes the safe and efficient construction and provides rich experience for the similar mines.

This purpose of this paper is to design a peg-in-hole controller for a cable-driven serial robot with compliant wrist (CDSR-CW) using cable tensions and joint positions. The peg is connected to the robot link through a CW. It is required that the controller does not rely on any external sensors such as 6-axis wrist force/torque (F/T) sensor, and only the compliance matrix’s estimated value of the CW is known.

First, the peg-in-hole assembly system based on a CDSR-CW is analyzed. Second, a characterization algorithm using micro cable tensions and joint positions to express the elastic F/T at the CW is established. Next, under the premise of only knowing the compliance matrix’s estimate, a peg-in-hole controller based on force/position hybrid control is proposed.

The experiment results show that the plug contact F/T can be tracked well. This verifies the validity and correctness of the characterization algorithm and peg-in-hole controller for CDSR-CWs in this paper.

First, to the authors’ knowledge, there is no relevant work about the peg-in-hole assembly task using a CDSR-CW. Besides, the proposed characterization algorithm for the elastic F/T makes the peg-in-hole controller get rid of the dependence on the F/T sensor, which expands the application scenarios of the peg-in-hole controller. Finally, the controller does not require an accurate compliance matrix, which also increases its applicability.

This paper aims to present the vertical integration state-of-the-art and propose an expansion of the operations and supply chain management (OSCM) field by identifying gaps and bottlenecks.

This paper uses a systematic literature review based on a sample of 173 OSCM field articles, collected from Scopus and Web of Science databases.

There are no single factors, such as future costs, structures or skills development, in the decision to vertically integrate operations. It is necessary to combine the vision of production costs with the perspective of governance and transaction costs. In addition, it is essential to consider the competency perspective and its impact on capability building.

Few studies have attempted to understand how vertical integration is used in terms of OSCM research themes and theories. Vertical integration can help companies face challenges and serve as a potential solution for achieving better prices, demand control and quality management.

The significant role of vertical integration mechanisms in supply chains is crucial for managers evaluating a firm's reconfiguration with more vertical operations. Policymakers interested in supporting the smoothness of vertical integration decisions in regulatory agencies play a key role as contingencies.

In times of global challenges, vertical integration is a strategy known to be more effective for firms to obtain a competitive advantage, making them more resilient.

This paper addresses gaps in the vertical integration theme and provides insights for future research development.

The development of financial markets as well as a country’s overall financial system plays a crucial role in the evolution of the world’s real economy. In developed countries like the USA, UK, Japan, and European nations, the world’s financial centers are located for exchanging huge capital flows with well-established functioning. However, laying the foundation for a financial center can be a big challenge to developing markets whose financial systems are still in the early stages, since the formation of financial centers is determined by multiple factors. Motivated by that reason, this book chapter provides a comprehensive review of critical determinants in the formation of international financial centers, including (i) economic growth; (ii) governance and business environment; (iii) financial development; (iv) labor force; (v) infrastructure accessibility; and (vi) the country’s reputation and stability. In line with the reviewed literature, the study particularly highlights the recent political and technological developments in the world and their impacts on the future of different financial centers worldwide.

To fabricate a selective laser melting (SLM)-processed AlSi10Mg part with almost full density and free of any apparent pores, this study aims to investigate the effect of ambient argon pressure and laser scanning speed on the particles splash during the AlSi10Mg powder bed laser melting.

Based on the discrete element method (DEM), a 3D model of random distribution of powder particles was established, and the 3D free surface of SLM forming process was dynamically tracked by the volume of fluid, where a Gaussian laser beam acts as the energy source melting the powder bed. Through the numerical simulation and process experimental research, the effect of the applied laser power and scanning speed on the operating laser melting temperature was studied.

The process stability has a fundamental role in the porosity formation, which is process-dependent. The effect of the processing conditions on the process stability and the resultant forming defects were clarified.

The results shows that the pores were the main defects present in the SLM-processed AlSi10Mg sample, which decreases the densification level of the sample.

The optimal processing parameters (argon pressure of 1,000 Pa, laser power of 180 W, scan speed of 1,000 mm/s, powder layer thickness of 35 µm and hatch spacing of 50 µm ) applied during laser melting can improve the quality of selective laser melting of AlSi10Mg,

It can provide a technological support for 3D printing.

Based on the analysis of the pore and balling formation mechanisms, the optimal processing parameters have been obtained, which were argon pressure of 1,000 Pa, laser power of 180 W, scan speed of 1,000 mm/s, powder layer thickness of 35 µm and hatch spacing of 50 µm. Then, a near-fully dense sample free of any apparent pores on the cross-sectional microstructure was produced by SLM, wherein the relative density of the as-built samples is larger than 97.5%.

Climate engineering management (CEM) as an emerging and cross-disciplinary subject gradually draws the attention to researchers. This paper aims to focus on economic and social impacts on the technologies of climate engineering themselves. However, very few research concentrates on the management of climate engineering. Furthermore, scientific knowledge and a unified system of CEM are limited.

In this paper, the concept of CEM and its characteristics are proposed and elaborated. In addition, the framework of CEM is established based on management objectives, management processes and supporting theory and technology of management. Moreover, a multi-agent synergistic theory of CEM is put forward to guide efficient management of climate engineering, which is composed of time synergy, space synergy, and factor synergy. This theory is suitable for solving all problems encountered in the management of various climate engineering rather than a specific climate engineering. Specifically, the proposed CEM system aims to mitigate the impact of climate change via refining and summarizing the interrelationship of each component.

Overall, the six research frontiers and hotspots in the field of CEM are explored based on the current status of research.

In terms of the objectives listed above, this paper seeks to provide a reference for formulating the standards and norms in the management of various climate engineering, as well as contribute to policy implementation and efficient management.