bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rejection of the Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill in Nigeria
Authors: Makinde Olusesan Ayodeji , Onyemelukwe Cheluchi , Onigbanjo-Williams Abimbola , Oyediran Kolawole Azeez , Odimegwu Clifford Obby
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls is the fifth Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). This continues the effort of the third Millennium Development Goal (MDG), which was “to promote gender equality and empower all women”. In Nigeria, a Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill had been under consideration in the Nigerian Senate since 2010 to be enacted as a Nigerian law as part of effort toward MDG 3. After six years, the Bill was voted out for “lack of merit”. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical analysis of the outcome.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of this Bill and the authors’ perceptions of reasons for the decline are subsequently presented.

Findings

There were concerns based on the content of the Bill. It was agreed by members of the Nigerian Senate that the content of the Bill was not in line with the religious and cultural beliefs of most of the Nigerian population and thus, unworthy to be enacted as a Nigerian law.

Social implications

The review herein provides important analysis of the content of the declined Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill. It reflects the continued patriarchal norms and perception of the superiority of men over women in Nigeria.

Originality/value

The paper provides a bird-view analysis of an unsuccessful Gender and Equal Opportunities Bill in Nigeria. This information is needed for a review of the Bill ahead of possible re-presentation following modifications for discussion.
Outsourcing under incomplete information
Authors: Kabiraj Tarun , Sinha Uday Bhanu
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to show that outsourcing can occur as outcome of a separating or pooling perfect Bayesian equilibrium although it is not profitable under complete information. Therefore, asymmetric information can itself be a reason for outsourcing.

Design/methodology/approach

The present paper constructs a model of two firms interacting in the product market under asymmetric information where one firm has private information about its technological capability, and it has the option to produce inputs in-house or buy inputs from an input market. However, using outsourced inputs involves a fixed cost at the plant level. The model solves for perfect Bayesian equilibrium.

Findings

There are situations when under complete information, outsourcing of the input will not occur, but, under incomplete information, either only the low-cost type or both high and low-cost types will go for outsourcing, and there always exist reasonable beliefs supporting these equilibria. In particular, when the fixed cost is neither too small not too large, a separating equilibrium occurs in which the low-cost type outsources inputs from the input market but the high-cost type produces in-house; hence, outsourcing signals the firm’s type. Outsourcing by only the high-cost type firm will never occur in equilibrium.

Originality/value

That incomplete or asymmetric information can itself be a reason for strategic outsourcing is never identified in the literature. The present paper is an attempt to fill this gap and raise the issue of outsourcing in an incomplete information environment.
Polarized words: discourse on the boycott of Israel, social justice and conflict resolution
Authors: Chaitin Julia , Steinberg Shoshana , Steinberg Sharon
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The study aimed to investigate how Israelis and Palestinians, Jews and others from around the world present their views on boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) and the Palestinian Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI). The quality of discourse was examined along with the implications of the rhetoric for social-justice and conflict resolution frameworks.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study analyzed 257 texts (newspaper articles, opinion pieces, YouTube videos, emails. Facebook posts, Twitter tweets, campaigns and websites) for content and quality of discourse and for their implications for social-justice and conflict resolution work.

Findings

Most texts divided into those in favor of the boycott and those opposed. The content was also polarized − most pro-BDS texts saw Israel as a settler-colonial enterprise, and emphasized issues of social-justice, whereas opponents perceived Israel as a legitimate nation and were skeptical of the human rights angle. The main types of discourse discerned included: ethnocentric talk, attack and intellectual discussion, regardless of national/ethnic origin of the writer or stance toward the boycott.

Research limitations/implications

Different types of texts were analyzed, which did not always fit easily into the discourse categories. Because this was the first study of its kind and looked at limited years, results should be approached with this in mind.

Practical implications

The rhetoric leaves little place for dialogue between those in favor and those opposed. Specific suggestions for combining social-justice work and conflict resolution work are offered.

Social implications

BDS discourse in its present form hampers finding a solution to the conflict and abuse of Palestinian rights. A new approach is needed to try to resolve these issues.

Originality/value

Because there are few systematic studies on BDS, this article provides insight into how people discuss the strategy and how it connects to frameworks for resolving conflicts.
Innovation for elderly with dementia – localization technology transfer
Authors: Ebbing Tobias , Cichosz Marzenna
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the discussion of transferring modern technology from industries such as logistics to the life of elderly in a way that they can understand, accept and make use of it.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a conceptual discussion based on findings from a series of projects in healthcare, IT development and consultancy. The key methodologies considered include technology assessment, scenario development, listening to people with dementia and their caregivers and non-participant observation, as well as reviews of good practice, policy and literature.

Findings

The transfer considerations showed unreasonable price differences of similar hardware used for localization between the logistics and the elderly market. Bluetooth low energy (BLE) was identified as a promising localization technique. A gap in the marketing of technology for the elderly was identified, virtually fencing the elderly market.

Practical implications

A lack of transparency fosters market skimming, resulting in deadweight loss for society and technology being restrained from less-solvent consumers. Corrective actions like entrepreneurship facilitation and consumer education should be considered to overcome this market failure. To persevere in a consequently more competitive market, changes in marketing should be considered.

Originality/value

The work assesses the presence of the innovativeness–needs paradox of Everett Rogers in the field of innovation for the elderly on the basis of an example and identifies the resulting market failure. It suggests a market-entry mode and briefly lays out the marketing modes for market penetration.
A principal component analysis of the determinants of spatial disparity between rural and urban localities of Ghana
Authors: Drafor Ivy
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the spatial disparity between rural and urban areas in Ghana using the Ghana Living Standards Survey’s (GLSS) rounds 5 and 6 data to advance the assertion that an endowed rural sector is necessary to promote agricultural development in Ghana. This analysis helps us to know the factors that contribute to the depravity of the rural sectors to inform policy towards development targeting.

Design/methodology/approach

A multivariate principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis were applied to data from the GLSS-5 and GLSS-6 to determine the characteristics of the rural-urban divide in Ghana.

Findings

The findings reveal that the rural poor also spend 60.3 per cent of their income on food, while the urban dwellers spend 49 per cent, which is an indication of food production capacity. They have low access to information technology facilities, have larger household sizes and lower levels of education. Rural areas depend a lot on firewood for cooking and use solar/dry cell energies and kerosene for lighting which have implications for conserving the environment.

Practical implications

Developing the rural areas to strengthen agricultural growth and productivity is a necessary condition for eliminating spatial disparities and promoting overall economic development in Ghana. Addressing rural deprivation is important for conserving the environment due to its increased use of fuelwood for cooking. Absence of alternatives to the use of fuelwood weakens the efforts to reduce deforestation.

Originality/value

The application of PCA to show the factors that contribute to spatial inequality in Ghana using the GLSS-5 and GLSS-6 data is unique. The study provides insights into redefining the framework for national poverty reduction efforts.
Mechanical and laser impact effects on woven composites with hemp or glass fibres
Authors: Touchard Fabienne , Boustie Michel , Chocinski-Arnault Laurence , Pascual González Pedro , Berthe Laurent , de Vasconcellos Davi , Sorrentino Luigi , Malinowski Pawel , Ostachowicz Wieslaw
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study the damage induced in “green” and synthetic composites under impact loading.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was focussed on epoxy-based composites reinforced with woven hemp or glass fibres. Six assessment techniques were employed in order to analyse and compare impact damages: eye observation, back face relief, terahertz spectroscopy, laser vibrometry, x-ray micro-tomography and microscopic observations.

Findings

Different damage detection thresholds for each material and technique were obtained. Damage induced by mechanical and laser impacts showed relevant differences, but the damage mechanisms are similar in both types of impact: matrix cracks, fibre failure, debonding at the fibres/matrix interface and delamination. Damage shape on back surfaces is similar after mechanical or laser impacts, but differences were detected inside samples.

Originality/value

The combination of these six diagnoses provides complementary information on the damage induced by mechanical or laser impacts in the studied green and synthetic composites.
Dynamic modeling and finite element structural optimization of glass handling robot
Authors: Zhang Chuanping , Yu Fei , Duan Honggang , Chen Yuan
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to design a glass handling robot and conduct a finite element analysis and structural optimization to solve the automation handling problem of large-scale glass production line and aiming at the phenomenon that the vibration of robot manipulator may result in breakage of glass products, especially the fragile chemical or medical glassware. Making modal analysis for the robot is to determine its natural frequencies and vibration modes and lay a foundation for the transient analysis to study the vibration shock response of the robot during its start-up and emergency stop operation.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a 3D model of the robot is established according to the requirements of the production field and a finite element model is built on the basis of the 3D model. Then the modal and transient analyses of the robot are carried out according to the fact that the maximum vibration impact of the robot usually appears at the start and emergency stop.

Findings

The structure of the robot is improved according to the results of finite element analysis. The dynamic analysis results show that the improved robot’s ability to resist deformation under the impact of vibration shock is enhanced, and the robot can operate smoothly and meet the requirements of design in industrial environments.

Originality/value

The research results avoided the damage caused by the vibration and improved the service life of the robot, providing a foundation for the structural design and mass production of the glass handling robot.
Tribological characteristics of piston rings in a single-piston hydraulic free-piston engine
Authors: Qin Zhaoju , Yuan Chenheng , Yuan Yanpeng , Huang Yuanyuan
Published: May 2017

Purpose

A free-piston engine (FPE) is an unconventional engine that abandons the crank system. This paper aims to focus on a numerical simulation for the lubricating characteristics of piston rings in a single-piston hydraulic free-piston engine (HFPE).

Design/methodology/approach

A time-based numerical simulation program was built using Matlab to define the piston motion of the new engine. And a lubrication mode of piston rings was built which is based on the gas flow equation, hydrodynamic lubrication equation and the asperity contact equation. The piston motion and the lubrication model are coupled, and then the finite difference method is used to obtain the piston rings lubrication performances of the FPE. Meanwhile, the lubrication characteristics of the new engine were compared with those of a corresponding conventional crankshaft-driven engine.

Findings

The study results indicate that compared with the traditional engine, the expansion stroke of the HFPE is longer, and the compression stroke is shorter. Lubrication oil film of the new engine is thicker than the traditional engine during the initial stage of compression stroke and the final stage of the power stroke. The average friction force and power of the hydraulic free piston engine are slightly lower than those of the traditional engine, but the peak friction power of the FPE is significantly greater than that of the traditional engine. With an increase in load, the friction loss power and friction loss efficiency decrease, and with a decrease in equivalence ratio, the friction power loss reduces, but the friction loss efficiency decreases first and then increases.

Research limitations/implications

In this paper, only qualitative analysis was performed on the tribological difference between conventional crankshaft engine and HFPE, instead of a quantitative one.

Practical implications

This paper contributes to the tribological design method of HFPE.

Social implications

No social implications are available now, as the HFPE is under the development phase. However, the authors are positive that their work will be commercialized in the near future.

Originality/value

The main originality of the paper can be introduced as follows: the lubrication and friction characteristics of the new engine (HFPE) were investigated and revealed, which have not been studied before; the effect of the HFPE’s special piston motion on the tribological characteristics was considered in the lubrication simulation. The results show that compared with the traditional crankshaft engine, the new engine shows a different lubrication performance because of its free piston motion.
The study of friction layer and tribological property of PI–matrix composites
Authors: Xu Xiulin , Lu Xing , Qin Zuoxiang , Yang Dalong
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to study the friction layer and tribological property of polyimide (PI)–matrix composites under different friction speeds.

Design/methodology/approach

Friction tests were conducted under friction speeds ranging from 20-120 km/h and pressure of 0.57 MPa by a pin-on-disk tribometer.

Findings

The results indicate that the friction coefficient decreases with the increasing of the friction speed. Under different friction speeds, the structure of the friction layer and debris are different, which affects the actual tribological performance of the composites. At low friction speed, the morphology of the friction layer is mainly particulate. The higher level of clenching action between the friction pair leads to a high friction coefficient, and the morphology of the particles in the particulate zone and the wear debris are mostly equiaxial particles. At high friction speed, the morphology of the friction layer is mainly a compact zone. The reduction of the surface roughness leads to a low friction coefficient. The debris collected on the counter surface at high friction speeds are mostly big sheets, and the morphology of the particles in the particulate zone is mostly rod-like. Controlling the conditions of the disk and the pin can reveal the influence of friction speed on the friction layer. The wear mechanisms at different friction speeds are also discussed.

Originality/value

By controlling the conditions of the disk and the pin to reveal the influence of friction speed on the friction layer, and the evolutions of the friction layer, wear debris were carefully inspected with the aim of demonstrating the relationship between friction speed and wear mechanism of PI–matrix composites.
Study on the friction characteristics of 304 steel with composite surface modification
Authors: Chen Wengang , Liu Xueyuan , Zheng Lili
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to clarify the friction properties of 304 steel surface modification. The surface modification includes laser texturing processing and nitriding treatment on 304 steel surface, and then the friction properties’ test was conducted on different friction directions and different upper test samples by using microfriction and wear testing machine.

Design/methodology/approach

The diameter and spacing of 100-, 150-, 200-, 300-μm pit array on the surface of 304 steel were calculated using a M-DPSS-50 semiconductor laser device. Then, the textured surface was nitriding-treated using a nitriding salt bath device. The chemical composition, surface morphology and surface microhardness of the composite-modified surface were measured by X-ray diffraction and by using an optical microscope and a microhardness tester. The tribological characteristics of the composite-modified surface were tested by MRTR microcomputer-controlled multifunctional friction and wear testing machine.

Findings

The result showed that a rule pit texture surface was obtained by the texture processing. The microhardness of nitriding treatment surface reached 574.27HV0.1, which significantly higher than 222.58HV0.1 of 304 steel. The composite-modified surface has excellent anti-friction and wear resistance properties when the upper specimen was GCr15 steel and ZrO2, respectively. The composite-modified surface has excellent anti-friction and anti-wear properties after long time friction under different angles. However, the friction coefficient and wear morphology of the friction pairs are not affected by the friction angle.

Research limitations/implications

Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further.

Practical implications

The paper conducted a systematic study of the tribological characteristics of 304 steel composite modification surface and provided a good basis for the extensive application of 304 steel.

Social implications

The study provides a good basis for the extensive application of 304 steel.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study the extensive application of 304 steel.
Corrosion-wear behavior of 316L stainless steel under different applied potentials
Authors: Han Gaofeng , Jiang Pengfei , Wang Jianzhang , Yan Fengyuan
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This report aims to study the influence of applied potentials on the corrosion-wear behavior of 316L stainless steel (SS) in artificial seawater.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, wear-corrosion behavior of 316L SS had been studied under different applied potentials in artificial seawater by using a reformed pin-on-disc test rig. The applied potentials were selected ranging from –1.2 to 0.3 V (vs Ag/AgCl). The friction coefficient, mass loss rate and current density were determined.

Findings

It was indicated that mass loss was determined by the combined effect of mechanical wear and chemical corrosion. The wear-corrosion process was synergistic effects dominate while mechanical wear contributed the major material mass loss.

Practical implications

The results helped us to choose the appropriate metals for application under the specified environment.

Originality/value

The main originality of this research is to reveal the corrosion-wear behavior of 316L SS under different potentials, which would help us to understand different states of 316L SS under different corrosion environments.
Technique developed to study camshaft and tappet wear on real production engine
Authors: Arshad Waseem , Hanif Muhammad Adnan , Bhutta Muhammad Usman , Mufti Riaz Ahmad , Shah Samiur Rahman , Abdullah Muhammad Usman , Najeeb Muhammad Huzaifa
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to present a technique that has been developed to study the wear in the camshaft and tappet. The engine manufacturers use the most suitable materials, lubrication additives and surface coatings to minimize friction in all the components of the engine. Reduced friction results in less wear of critical engine components. The researchers are constantly trying to find an improved lubrication formula which reduces the wear and friction coefficient at a considerably low price. In this regard, the cam follower interface is of much importance because most of the wear occurs in this interface.

Design/methodology/approach

The tappets and the cam lobes are analyzed to determine wear. A two-dimensional optical surface profilometer is used to measure the tappet wear, and a high-resolution linear variable differential transformer is used for the measurement of cam lobes. Tests are conducted on Mercedes Benz engine OM 646 under constant camshaft speed, constant inlet lubricant temperature and constant lubricant pressure to study the oil rheology on cam tappet wear.

Findings

The results show that the wear occurs on the cam tappet interface, which is almost a linear phenomenon, and it increases with use.

Originality/value

Customized jigs were made to measure wear of camshaft and tappet.
Analysis of dynamic characteristics and stability prediction of gas bearings
Authors: Jia Chenhui , Pang Huanji , Ma Wensuo , Qiu Ming
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The prediction model to estimate the stability of a rotor-bearing system is established, which can predict the stability of gas bearings by applying Routh–Hurwitz stability criterion. This paper aims to provide the theoretical foundation for controlling actively the bearing running stiffness and damping and stemming the instability of a gas film.

Design/methodology/approach

The nonlinear dynamic lubrication analysis mathematical model of spherical hybrid gas bearings is established. Perturbation control equation is derived by the partial derivative method. The finite difference method is used to discrete the perturbation control equation in generalized coordinate system, and the difference expression of perturbation pressure is derived. The relational expression which involves the relationship between the dynamic characteristic coefficients of HSGHGB systems and perturbation pressure is deduced. So, the transient perturbation pressure distribution of a three-dimensional micro gas film, nonlinear gas film force, dynamic stiffness and dynamic damping coefficients of bearings are numerically computed using VC++6.0 programs.

Findings

The results show that the influence of supply pressure, speed and eccentricity on the dynamic characteristics of bearings is significant.

Originality/value

The influence law of supply pressure, speed and eccentricity ratio on the dynamic stiffness and damping coefficients of HSGHGB systems is researched. The prediction model to estimate the stability of rotor-bearing system is established, which can predict the stability of gas bearings by applying the Routh–Hurwitz stability criterion.
On the performance of foil thrust bearing with misaligned bearing runner
Authors: Gad Abdelrasoul M.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Compliant foil thrust bearings are promising bearings for high-speed oil-free turbomachinery. However, most previous experimental and numerical approaches to investigate the performance of these bearings have ignored the effect of bearing runner misalignment. Therefore, this paper aims to evaluate the effects of static and dynamic angular misalignments of the bearing runner on the performance of a gas-lubricated foil thrust bearing.

Design/methodology/approach

The bearing runner is allowed a maximum angular misalignment that produces a minimum gas film thickness as low as 20 per cent of the nominal clearance. Then, the variations of bearing load carrying capacity, viscous power loss and stiffness and damping coefficients of the gas film with runner misalignment are thoroughly analyzed. The flow in the gas film is modeled with compressible Reynolds equation along with the Couette approximation technique, and the deformation of the compliant bearing is calculated with a robust analytical model. Small perturbations method is used to calculate the force and moment dynamic coefficients of the gas film.

Findings

The results show that misaligned foil thrust bearings are capable of developing a restoring moment sufficient enough to withstand the imposed misalignments. Furthermore, the enhanced hydrodynamic effect ensures a stable operation of the misaligned bearing, and the results highlighted the role of the compliant bearing structure to maintain foil bearing prominent features even at misaligned conditions.

Originality/value

The value of this study is the evaluation of the effects of runner angular misalignments on the static and dynamic characteristics of Generation II bump-type foil thrust bearing.
Dynamic meshing incentive analysis for wind turbine planetary gear system
Authors: Chen Yuxiang , Ahmat Mutellip , Huo Zhong-tang
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Irregular windy loads are loaded for a wind turbine. This paper aims to determine the form of gear failure and the working life of the gear system by assessing the dynamic strength of gears and dynamic stress distribution.

Design/methodology/approach

The helical planetary gear system of the wind turbine growth rate gearbox was investigated, and while a variety of clearance and friction gear meshing processes were considered in the planetary gear system, a finite element model was built based on the contact–impact dynamics theory, solved using the explicit algorithm. The impact stress of the sun gear of the planetary gear system was calculated under different loads. An integrated planetary gear meshing stiffness, and the error of system dynamic transmission error were investigated when the planetary gear meshes with the sun or ring gears.

Findings

The load has little effect on the sun gear of the impact stress which was known. The varying stiffness is different while the planetary gear meshes with the sun and ring gears. There were differences between the planetary gear system and the planetary gear, and with load, the planetary gear transmission error decreases.

Originality/value

This study will provide basis knowledge for the planetary gear system.
Investigation of the precision loss for ball screw raceway based on the modified Archard theory
Authors: Zhou Chang-Guang , Ou Yi , Feng Hu-Tian , Chen Zeng-Tao
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the precision loss of ball screw raceway under different operating conditions and geometry parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a new coefficient K’ introduced especially for ball screws to reflect the actual contact condition, the modified Archard theory is applied to ball screws to obtain wear volume of the ball-screw contacts. Thus, the axial precision loss can be defined as the ratio of the wear volume to the contact area. Meanwhile, a novel running bench and a precision-measuring system of ball screws are conducted. Precision variation is obtained and analyzed during the whole life running test, which agrees well with the theoretical values calculated in this paper.

Findings

For a given rotational speed, the increasing rate of the precision loss rate is high at low axial load and then becomes small with the increasing axial load, whereas for a given axial load, the precision loss rate is proportional to the rotational speed. Besides, the precision loss rate is reduced with the increasing contact angle between a ball and the screw raceway, and is proportional to the helix angle when the angle changes from 1 to 10 degrees.

Research limitations/implications

The rotational speed used in this experiment is low and the ball screw is of no-load type, although results calculated by the model and Wei’s model seem close when the axial load is high, whether the model built in the paper is applicable to the condition of high rotational speed and preload still needs to be verified in the future work.

Practical implications

This study provides an accurate model to predict the precision loss of the screw raceway and estimate the remaining life of ball screws, which is significant for better performance of ball screws as well as the computer numerical control machine tools.

Originality/value

Previous studies on the wear of ball screws mainly focused on the drag torque analysis and mechanical efficiency estimation, and the experiment to verify their theoretical analysis was almost all limited to the test of drag torque or axial rigidity, which is neither sufficient nor persuasive. However, in this paper, the authors proposed a comprehensive wear prediction model which combines the modified Archard wear theory, Hertz contact theory and kinematic theory of ball screws. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this kind of study has never been reported in the literature. In addition, for the lack of the test bench and high cost of the experiment, the whole life operation test, which is designed and conducted to confirm the model in this paper, has never been reported in literature either.
An improved binocular visual odometry algorithm based on the Random Sample Consensus in visual navigation systems
Authors: Sun Qian , Diao Ming , Li Yibing , Zhang Ya
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a binocular visual odometry algorithm based on the Random Sample Consensus (RANSAC) in visual navigation systems.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a novel binocular visual odometry algorithm based on features from accelerated segment test (FAST) extractor and an improved matching method based on the RANSAC. Firstly, features are detected by utilizing the FAST extractor. Secondly, the detected features are roughly matched by utilizing the distance ration of the nearest neighbor and the second nearest neighbor. Finally, wrong matched feature pairs are removed by using the RANSAC method to reduce the interference of error matchings.

Findings

The performance of this new algorithm has been examined by an actual experiment data. The results shown that not only the robustness of feature detection and matching can be enhanced but also the positioning error can be significantly reduced by utilizing this novel binocular visual odometry algorithm. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed matching method and the improved binocular visual odometry algorithm were also verified in this paper.

Practical implications

This paper presents an improved binocular visual odometry algorithm which has been tested by real data. This algorithm can be used for outdoor vehicle navigation.

Originality/value

A binocular visual odometer algorithm based on FAST extractor and RANSAC methods is proposed to improve the positioning accuracy and robustness. Experiment results have verified the effectiveness of the present visual odometer algorithm.
An experimental study on feature-based SLAM for multi-legged robots with RGB-D sensors
Authors: Nowicki Michał R. , Belter Dominik , Kostusiak Aleksander , Cížek Petr , Faigl Jan , Skrzypczyński Piotr
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate four different simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) systems in the context of localization of multi-legged walking robots equipped with compact RGB-D sensors. This paper identifies problems related to in-motion data acquisition in a legged robot and evaluates the particular building blocks and concepts applied in contemporary SLAM systems against these problems. The SLAM systems are evaluated on two independent experimental set-ups, applying a well-established methodology and performance metrics.

Design/methodology/approach

Four feature-based SLAM architectures are evaluated with respect to their suitability for localization of multi-legged walking robots. The evaluation methodology is based on the computation of the absolute trajectory error (ATE) and relative pose error (RPE), which are performance metrics well-established in the robotics community. Four sequences of RGB-D frames acquired in two independent experiments using two different six-legged walking robots are used in the evaluation process.

Findings

The experiments revealed that the predominant problem characteristics of the legged robots as platforms for SLAM are the abrupt and unpredictable sensor motions, as well as oscillations and vibrations, which corrupt the images captured in-motion. The tested adaptive gait allowed the evaluated SLAM systems to reconstruct proper trajectories. The bundle adjustment-based SLAM systems produced best results, thanks to the use of a map, which enables to establish a large number of constraints for the estimated trajectory.

Research limitations/implications

The evaluation was performed using indoor mockups of terrain. Experiments in more natural and challenging environments are envisioned as part of future research.

Practical implications

The lack of accurate self-localization methods is considered as one of the most important limitations of walking robots. Thus, the evaluation of the state-of-the-art SLAM methods on legged platforms may be useful for all researchers working on walking robots’ autonomy and their use in various applications, such as search, security, agriculture and mining.

Originality/value

The main contribution lies in the integration of the state-of-the-art SLAM methods on walking robots and their thorough experimental evaluation using a well-established methodology. Moreover, a SLAM system designed especially for RGB-D sensors and real-world applications is presented in details.
Where do you find loyalty in the contemporary university scene?
Authors: Subrahmanyam Annamdevula , Raja Shekhar Bellamkonda
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to ascertain the antecedents of student satisfaction and tests the interrelationships between student satisfaction, motivation and loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used survey research design and collected valid sample 738 from the three oldest public universities in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India.

Findings

The study extracted four antecedents: academic facilities, administration services, support services and campus infrastructure. The results established that student motivation serves as a mediation role between satisfaction and loyalty and also proved a direct effect of student satisfaction on student loyalty.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses on student satisfaction and motivation, as these two constructs are the most important inputs in the creation of student loyalty. Student satisfaction and motivation have been found to be critical inputs for the development of student loyalty.

Practical implications

This research helps the management in acquiring a better understanding of the relationship between student satisfaction, motivation and loyalty, to exercise better strategies to improve its own performance and ultimately to well understand student priorities.

Social implications

The Indian higher education institutions are facing enormous issues related to quality in education. Changes in the requirements of higher education and related services as well as intense competition have necessitated higher performance levels in the realm of Indian higher education (universities). The key issues examined in the course of the authors research along with the findings can help in achieving such levels.

Originality/value

The present research contribute to the existing field of knowledge by providing support for the contention that student satisfaction is a key influencing factor in the creation of student loyalty and in the development of the mediation role of motivation between student satisfaction and loyalty.
Postgraduate students’ factors on program choice and expectation
Authors: Saiti Anna , Papa Rosemary , Brown Ric
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify, through empirical analysis, the factors affecting, and expectations of, postgraduate students in their choice of postgraduate programme in Greece.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 523 postgraduate students from various university departments in the Athens area completed the questionnaire (response rate: 70.2 per cent), which contained 14 questions designed to identify the reasons why postgraduate students had chosen their particular postgraduate programme and what their expectations were as to the outcome of their studies, on a self-reporting basis.

Findings

Two fields of postgraduate programmes were popular: business administration and educational studies. Quality and preference appears to influence business administration students, their choice was intrinsically motivated and self-determined, without any external pressures. By contrast, students’ choice in educational studies was influenced by the particular characteristics of the programme, their choice was influenced by institutional motivation whereas their options and autonomy support seemed to be less.

Research limitations/implications

This study has some limitations, so data gathered from other Greek regions may be needed for a more thorough investigation and analysis as well as for the confirmation of the results.

Originality/value

There is only a very limited amount of empirical research concerning the identification of the factors affecting, and the expectations of, postgraduate students in their choice of postgraduate programme while the existing literature on the subject does not discuss the matter in substantial detail. Indeed, the present study moves the analysis forward as it considers both economic and psychological perspective in the choice of postgraduate programmes.
Active learning interventions and student perceptions
Authors: Joseph Lobo Gregory
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Engaging students through active learning is the gold standard of teaching especially in higher education; however, it is not clear whether students appreciate being so engaged. The purpose of this paper is to recount an attempt to redesign a lecture-based course, applying research-supported active learning strategies, and to report on student perceptions of the attempt.

Design/methodology/approach

The author attempted to innovate a standard lecture-based introductory social science class to engage students and facilitate authentic learning. The active learning innovations were learning by doing, collaboration, reading with a method, and increased autonomy. Student perceptions were measured over two iterations of the course (each one lasting one semester) using electronically distributed surveys.

Findings

The results have shown that most students strongly agreed that the innovations facilitated their learning; however, overall, the course received a lower student evaluation than versions given in the traditional lecture-based format.

Originality/value

The results suggest that students appreciate active learning strategies and that such strategies do indeed promote authentic learning; nonetheless, further research needs to be done to explain the paradox of specific student appreciation of active learning strategies combined with an overall less favorable evaluation of the class rooted in such strategies as compared to evaluations of the traditional lecture-based class.
Instructors’ professional vision for collaborative learning groups
Authors: Modell Micah Gideon
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate how instructors approach the task of diagnosing collaborative learning group dysfunction when presented with an opportunity and a request to do so.

Design/methodology/approach

This mixed methods study asked instructors experienced in using group work to sequentially respond to weekly instalments of reflective journal entries representing a fictional member of a collaborative learning group working through a group project. A web-based instrument captured quantitative and qualitative data during the first phase where instructors worked on their own and in the second phase where participants used a think-aloud protocol while engaging in the same task. The data were analysed to understand their professional vision (what they notice and how they make sense of it as well as consistency across instructors) for collaborative group projects.

Findings

This study found that instructors were consistent neither in what they noticed nor in how they made sense of what they perceived. This resulted in a tendency not to label dysfunctional groups as such.

Social implications

If the instructors lack professional vision for group projects, the students are unlikely to learn to work in groups and the instructors will find it difficult to seek help and learn from one another.

Originality/value

This is an exploratory study because there was minimal extant research on the topic. Methods included the use of narrative fiction and a remote think-aloud protocol.
Evaluate development! Develop evaluation! Answering the call for a reflexive turn in social marketing
Authors: McHugh Patricia , Domegan Christine
Published: May 2017

Purpose

For social marketers to become effective change agents, evaluation is important. This paper aims to expand existing evaluation work to empirically respond to Gordon and Gurrieri’s request for a reflexive turn in social marketing using reflexive process evaluations: measuring more than “what” worked well, but also evaluating “how” and “why” success or indeed failure happened.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey, adapting Dillman’s tailored design method empirically assesses 13 reflexive process hypotheses. With a response rate of 74 per cent, regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the proposed hypotheses and to identify the significant predictors of each of the reflexive process relationships under investigation.

Findings

The study empirically examines and shows support for three reflexive process evaluation constructs – relationships, knowledge and networking. Network involvement and reciprocity; two process dimension constructs do not exert any impact or predict any relationship in the conceptual framework.

Originality/value

This paper expands evaluation theory and practice by offering a conceptual framework for reflexive process evaluation that supports the logic to be reflexive. It shows support for three reflective process evaluation constructs – relationships, knowledge and networks. Another unique element featured in this study is the empirical assessment of Gordon and Gurrieri’s “other stakeholders”, extending evaluations beyond a traditional client focus to an interconnected assessment of researchers, clients and other stakeholders.
Gender in accounting research: a review
Authors: Khlif Hichem , Achek Imen
Published: May 2017

Purpose

This paper aims to review studies dealing with gender issues in accounting literature over the period of 1994-2016.

Design/methodology/approach

This study combines electronic and manual searches to identify relevant studies using keywords such as “gender” or “female” and “earnings quality” or “social and environmental disclosure” or “auditing” or “tax aggressiveness”. In total, 64 published studies were identified.

Findings

Three main streams of gender accounting literature related to financial reporting (earnings quality, accounting conservatism, voluntary disclosure), auditing (audit fees, audit opinion, audit report lag) and other miscellaneous topics were identified. Gender accounting literature uses empirical analysis, experimental approaches and interviews. Reviewed studies deal with top management gender (CEO, CFO), board of directors, audit committee and auditor gender. A synthesis of empirical findings shows that female representation on the board, audit committee, CFO or CEO leads to more conservative reporting, higher level of social and environmental disclosure, less tax aggressiveness and higher audit fees. Furthermore, auditor gender influences audit quality through lower abnormal accruals and shorter audit report lag, higher likelihood of issuing an adverse audit opinion and higher audit fees. Qualitative studies dealing with miscellaneous topics in gender accounting literature generally focus on the status of women in accounting and auditing professions, gender issues in accounting academic setting and disclosure about women in annual reports.

Practical implications

This review informs policymakers about the effect of female representation on accounting and auditing practices given the political debate largely shaped by anti-discriminatory arguments concerning the under-representation of women in management and audit professions.

Originality/value

This study goes beyond a classic narrative review by presenting criticisms to gender accounting literature and suggesting future research avenues.
Multi-objective optimization in end milling of GFRP composites using Taguchi techniques with principal component analysis
Authors: Jenarthanan M.P. , Gokulakrishnan R. , Jagannaath B. , Ganesh Raj P.
Published: May 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to find out the optimum machining parameters using Taguchi technique with principal component analysis (PCA) during end milling of GFRP composites.

Design/methodology/approach

In multi-objective optimization, weight criteria of each objective are important for producing better and accurate solutions. This method has been employed for simultaneous minimization of surface roughness, cutting force and delamination factor. Experiments were planned using Taguchi’s orthogonal array with the machining parameters, namely, helix angle of the end mill cutter, spindle speed, feed rate and depth of cut were optimized with considerations of multiple response characteristics, including machining force, surface roughness and delamination as the responses. PCA is adopted to find the weight factors involved for all objectives. Finally analysis of variance concept is employed on multi-SN ratio to find out the relative significance of machining parameter in terms of their percentage contribution.

Findings

The multi-SN ratio is achieved by the product of weight factor and SN ratio to the performance characteristics in the utility concept. The results show that a combination of machining parameters for the optimized results has helix angle of 35°, machining speed of 4,000 m/min, feed rate of 750 mm/rev and depth of cut of 2.0 mm.

Originality/value

Effect of milling of GFRP composites on delamination factor, surface roughness and machining force with various helix angle solid carbide end mill has not been analysed yet using PCA techniques.