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The purpose of this paper is to understand the applications of metaverse-related technologies in US urban libraries, explore excellent cases of US urban libraries' practices in using metaverse-related technologies to serve patrons and try to find the factor that may affect the application of metaverse-related technologies in libraries at this stage.

To gather information about how and whether libraries use metaverse-related technologies such as three-dimensional (3D) technology, radio frequency identification (RFID), virtual reality augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI) in their services. Firstly, the authors visit 150 US urban library websites that are members of the Urban Libraries Council. Secondly, the authors calculate the proportion of services provided by urban libraries that use metaverse-related technologies and introduce outstanding cases. Lastly, the authors discuss the factors that influence the application of metaverse-related technologies in urban libraries in the United States based on data published by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Metaverse-related technologies have been widely used in US urban libraries, but there are differences in the popularity of the applications of different technologies. In all, 84% of libraries use 3D technology, mainly in 3D printing services and 3D model building services; 76% of libraries use virtual and augmented reality technologies in their services, mainly concentrated in head-mounted VR device experiences, AR device experiences, virtual tours and virtual exhibitions; 62% of libraries use Internet of things (IoT) technology, mainly in self-checkout machines and book location services. However, AI technologies are less used in libraries, with 28% of libraries mentioning the applications of AI in their services, mainly focusing on intelligent search, virtual assistants and robot librarians. In addition, this study finds that library operating expenditures and population served do not affect the application of metaverse-related technologies in libraries.

This paper provides updated statistical data on the use of metaverse-related technologies in US urban libraries and aims to help library managers understand the overall applications and best practices. With this as an inspiration, they could formulate corresponding development plans to better serve their communities with metaverse-related technologies.

This work aims to explore the combined effects of boundary slip and texturing on hydrodynamic journal bearings and identifies optimized slip and texture patterns to improve the performance of journal bearings.

The quadratic programming technique is used to study the influence of boundary slip on the lubrication performance of a two-dimensional journal bearing. A numerical model is used to analyze the effect of the cylindrical texture shape on the characteristics of journal bearings. It is concluded that the combination of slip and texture can be an effective approach to improve the performance of hydrodynamic journal bearings.

The results show that there is an interfacial shear stress (perfect slip surface) and that the role of the slip regime is to reduce friction. Numerical analyses indicate that the location and size of the slip and texture zone have a large effect on journal bearings. A comparison of the distribution forms of various texture–slip combinations indicates that the full texture–slip combination can prominently reduce the load-carrying capacity and that the “forward-slip backward-texture” configuration can considerably improve the performance of journal bearings.

The combined effects of boundary slip and texture on hydrodynamic journal bearings are meticulously examined. The patterns of the slip and texture are optimized, which can substantially improve the journal bearing performance.

This paper aims to demonstrate the effect of varying chromium content on the wear behavior of white cast iron, to study the interaction relationship between cementite and pearlite in white cast iron, while estimating their contribution rate in abrasive wear.

To study interaction of cementite-pearlite of white cast irons with different chromium content in three-body abrasive wear, three kinds of chromium white cast iron, bulk single-phase cementite, pure pearlite samples and the white cast iron (WCI), were prepared using the melting and casting technique. The so-called pure pearlite samples have the same chemical composition, microstructure and properties as the pearlite matrix in white cast iron.

Results indicated that the interaction has a negative value. Its absolute value decreased with increasing chromium addition. Meanwhile, a high load resulted in an increased interaction value. The contribution rate of cementite to interaction, which was higher than that of pearlite, increased with increasing chromium addition. This indicated cementite was a main phase. Besides, the reductive size of abrasive has a significant effect on the contribution rate at the high load. These prominent cementite occurred fracture, when small size abrasive indented the matrix. These result in the absence of a protective effect of cementite during wear process. Eventually, the contribution rate of cementite decreased significantly.

This paper demonstrates the effect of varying chromium content on wear behavior of white cast iron, to study the interaction relationship between cementite and pearlite in white cast iron while estimating their contribution rate in abrasive wear.

Although a laser profile sensor (LPS) can be used to measure dimensions, the “shadow region” generally degrades the accuracy and precision of width measurements. The accuracy and precision of such measurements should be improved.

In this paper, the authors propose herein a technique that combines high dynamic range (HDR) imaging with logistic fitting. First, a HDR image is composed of several images acquired with different exposure times, which augments the grayscale of the object profile and significantly reduces overexposure. Next, the profile is fit to a logistic function, which provides accurate and precise edge coordinates. Finally, given the edge coordinates, the object width is calculated.

To verify the stability of this logistic algorithm, the authors simulate different noise conditions and different degrees of incomplete edge data. In addition, the progressiveness of the algorithm is demonstrated by comparing the results with those of other algorithms and with the height measurement. Furthermore, the suitability of the system is verified experimentally.

Because of the limitation of the condition of laboratory, in the experimental section, this paper cannot represent perfectly the industrial situation. It makes this section limited in demonstration.

In this paper, the results show that the measurement accuracy and precision of the width is improved and exceeds that of the height measurement. The proposed HDR imaging method with logistic fitting may be applied to LPS width measurements, which should significantly aid the development of LPSs.

A little-known “lottery fever” has spread to many parts of rural China over the past 10 years. This is driven by participation in underground lotteries with local bookies. It is called liuhecai, which is the name of the Hong Kong lottery, and is based on guessing the bonus number of the Hong Kong Mark Six lottery. Such lotteries are illegal, but are an open secret. This chapter seeks to understand the meaning of this apparently irrational lottery fever: why people participate in it, why they believe the conspiracy theory that it is rigged (and yet still participate), and why similar lotteries have emerged in both capitalist Taiwan and post-socialist China at this particular time.

Based on a review of the Chinese ethic of bao (reciprocity), this paper aims to study the issue of reciprocity of trust at firm level by analyzing multiple-source data while controlling for the effects of several contextual variables.

The authors collected data from the supplier–buyer partnerships in China’s automotive industry. Hierarchical linear regression approach is adopted to test the hypotheses.

The data show that reciprocity of trust between parties involved has a significantly positive effect on the stability of the supplier–buyer partnership, and that this reciprocity also moderates the relationship between trust itself and stability. In addition, several contextual variables, i.e. the suppliers’ sensitiveness to their buyer’s need, personal contact of top managers, motivation to develop symbiotic partnership and firm location, can also have significant and positive effects on the stability of the supplier–buyer partnership.

This study presents empirical evidence on how the Chinese ethic of bao may influence the stability of the supplier–buyer partnerships, suggesting that examining this Chinese cultural element is a useful exercise. Related to this issue, the data show that the level of trust between the parties in business transactions differs, and that this difference influences the stability of the partnership. In addition, the study suggests that several other factors have significant and positive effects on the stability of the partnership. Interestingly, the data suggest that these effects are more likely to be observed when the reciprocity of trust or bao between the partners is taken into account. By demonstrating empirically the significant direct and moderating effect of bao or reciprocal trust, this study makes an important contribution to the literature on trust and the stability of the supplier–buyer partnership.

This study aims to investigate the structural characteristics, spatial evolution paths and internal driving mechanisms of the knowledge transfer (KT) network in China’s patent-intensive industries (PIIs). The authors' goal is to provide valuable insights to inform policy-making that fosters the development of relevant industries. The authors also aim to offer a fresh perspective for future spatiotemporal studies on industrial KT and innovation networks.

In this study, the authors analyze the patent transfer (PT) data of listed companies in China’s information and communication technology (ICT) industry, spanning from 2010 to 2021. The authors use social network analysis and the quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) method to explore the problem of China’s PIIs KT from the perspectives of technical characteristics evolution, network and spatial evolution and internal driving mechanisms.

The results indicate that the knowledge fields involved in the PT of China’s ICT industry primarily focus on digital information transmission technology. From 2010 to 2021, the scale of the ICT industry’s KT network expanded rapidly. However, the polarization of industrial knowledge distribution is becoming more serious. QAP regression analysis shows that economic proximity and geographical proximity do not affect KT activities. The similarity of knowledge application capacity, innovation capacity and technology demand categories in various regions has a certain degree of impact on KT in the ICT industry.

The current research on PIIs mainly focuses on measuring economic contributions and innovation efficiency, but less on KT in PIIs. This study explores KT in PIIs from the perspectives of technological characteristics, network and spatial evolution. The authors propose a theoretical framework to understand the internal driving mechanisms of industrial KT networks.

Jumping robots with coordinated multiple legs have been a hot research subject during the past years because of their excellent abilities in fast moving and obstacle-climbing. However, dynamics of jumping process of these coordinated legged robots are complex because of collisions between coordinated legs and the ground. This paper aims to analyze features of jumping process and to present the kinematic and dynamic models of a novel sole-type quadruped jumping robot with variable coordinated joints.

A complete jumping period of is divided into several subphases according to contact status of different coordinated legs to the ground. Continuous dynamics and discrete dynamics are established in different subphases. Simulations are performed in MATLAB software and ADAMS environment.

Comparison between two-set simulated results acquired from ADAMS and MATLAB demonstrates the validity of kinematic and dynamic equations.

The established dynamics establish the foundation of further research in motion planning and controller design of coordinated multiple legs.