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This paper aims to develop a Mini-Tribometer for in-situ observation of subsurface.

To observe the change of the microstructure during wear in real time, an in-situ observation mini-tribometer was developed according to the requirements of the basic frictional experiments and carried out the verification experiments.

The subsurface images and the tribological data obtained from the mini-tribometer clearly show that the graphite in the matrix moves to the surface and takes part in lubrication mainly in the form of extrusion and peeling off, and the migration of graphite in the copper-based composite to the frictional interface to act as lubricant and to result in the decrease of the friction coefficient. The experimental results of the developed tribometer are accurate, which can provide important references for further research on the wear mechanism of materials.

The developed in-situ observation mini-tribometer can be used to observe the dynamic wear mechanism of the frictional pairs, which is very important for optimization of material design and tribological performances.

The purpose of this paper is to address two major challenges faced by robotic fish when operating in underwater environments: insufficient path planning capabilities and difficulties in avoiding dynamic obstacles. To achieve this, a method is proposed that combines the Improved Rapid Randomized Tree Star (IRRT*) with the dynamic window approach (DWA).

The RRT-connect algorithm is used to determine an initial feasible path quickly. The quality of sampling points is then improved by dividing the regions and selecting each region’s probability based on its fitness value. The fitness function and roulette wheel method are introduced for region selection. Subtarget points of the DWA algorithm are extracted from the IRRT* algorithm to achieve real-time dynamic path planning.

In various maps, the iteration count for the IRRT* algorithm decreased by 61%, 35% and 51% respectively, compared to the RRT* algorithm, whereas the iteration time was reduced by 75%, 34% and 57%, respectively. In addition, the IRRT*-DWA algorithm can successfully navigate through multiple dynamic obstacles, and the average time, path length, etc. do not change much when parameters change, and the stability is high.

A novel IRRT*-DWA algorithm is proposed, which, by refining the sampling strategy and updating sub-target points in real time, not only addresses the limitations of existing algorithms in terms of path planning efficiency in complex environments but also enhances their capability to avoid dynamic obstacles. Ultimately, experimental results indicate a high level of similarity between the actual and ideal paths.

The purpose of this paper is to explain how individuals form microblogging habits and why they continue to use microblogs from the perspective of direction social networks.

Drawing on the social network theory and the social presence theory, the authors develop a theoretical framework to explain how individuals form microblogging habits and why they continue to use microblogs. To test the proposed model and examine its external validity, the authors collected data from two microblogs: Twitter and Sina Weibo.

Satisfaction and habit have a significant influence on microblogging continuance intention. Whereas, users’ microblogging habits are developed by two key factors – satisfaction and frequency of past behavior – that are further determined by social presence and social network centrality.

Larger sample size with diverse populations is highly recommended for future studies. In addition, exploring the distinct technical functionalities of microblogs when conceptualizing habit formation would be of benefit in future studies.

In this study, it was found that social presence increases both the satisfaction of users and the frequency of past use behavior. Hence, microblog designers should provide users with greater freedom to modify the form and content of their interface, and enable these modifications to be visible in real time to increase the interactivity of microblogs.

In contrast to past studies that have largely neglected the impacts of the directed social network structure, this study aims to focus on microblogging continuance intention from the directed social network perspective. The results from two independent data sets converge on the conclusion that users’ continuance intention to use is affected by both their conscious evaluations (i.e. satisfaction) and unconscious reactions (i.e. habit).

The purpose of this study is to increase the thermal and mechanical properties of the photopolymer by filling with the copper powder for the application of rapid tooling.

In this study, the photopolymer is filled with the different loading of copper powder for investigating the thermal and mechanical properties of the copper/photopolymer composite. The thermal properties of the copper/photopolymer composite are characterized with the degradation temperature and with the thermal conductivity. The mechanical properties of copper/photopolymer composite are performed with the tensile strength and hardness testing. Moreover, the copper/photopolymer composite is imaged by using a scanning electron microscopic with energy dispersive spectroscopy.

The tensile strength of the copper/photopolymer composite is increased over 45 per cent at 20 phr copper loading. The hardness of the photopolymer has a negative correlation with the increasing copper loading and is decreased about 28.5 per cent at 100 phr copper loading. The degradation temperature of the copper/photopolymer composite is increased about 7.2 per cent at 70 phr copper loading. The thermal conductivity of the copper/photopolymer composite is increased over 65 per cent at 100 phr copper loading.

The photopolymer used in rapid prototyping system is generally fragile and has poor thermal properties. This study improves the thermal and mechanical properties of the photopolymer with the copper filling which has been never investigated in the field of rapid prototyping applications.

The purpose of this study is to explore ways to establish an effective coordinative mechanism to ensure the effective practice of career coaching in innovativeness and creativity training programs in higher education.

This study aims to explore a successful case – that of Wenzhou University College – to elucidate how to establish an effective coordinative mechanism. The Delphi method is an interview approach for obtaining and analyzing case data.

According to research results, first, the causes of conflict were found and an attempt was made to solve these by using a personal system and training program structure revision; the main reasons for the conflicts are an overemphasis on “experts’ experience leading” and a “cognitive gap” between experts as coaches and teaching faculties; second, to decrease conflict, a revision of the training program structure will aid the improvement in the specialization for experts and teaching faculties; and third, revision of one’s personal system requires the teaching faculties to be from within the industries or companies facilitating the process of these faculties gaining practical experience; moreover, it will be easier if experts are the ones who are communicating how to re-design training programs and cooperative modes.

This study provides a coordinative mechanism for the effective practice of innovativeness and creativity training in higher education institutions. On the basis of research results, higher education institutions can effectively develop a training program of innovativeness and creativity based on the concept of career coaching.

Stereolithography is a well-established technique for producing complex part for rapid prototyping purpose by using UV or laser as a source for curing process. This technique has been implemented in a lot of industrial sectors. However, the parts fabricated by this technique exhibit low mechanical and thermal properties hindering a fast-growing application. The purpose of this paper is to propose a new method of digital light rapid prototyping (DLRP) system and investigate the effect of the addition of bamboo fiber with surface modification on improvement of mechanical properties of urethane diacrylate/bamboo composite.

Test specimens were fabricated using aliphatic urethane diacrylate photopolymer as matrix material and bamboo fiber as reinforce material. Adhesion between matrix and reinforce materials is a big issue in compositing, especially when handling bamboo as hydrophilic material and urethane diacrylate as hydrophobic material. To overcome this problem, two surface modifications of bamboo fiber, alkali treatment and silane treatment, were implemented.

As a result, bamboo fiber can increase mechanical properties of urethane diacrylate photopolymer fabricated by rapid prototyping system.

In this paper, the authors investigate the effect of the addition of bamboo powder with surface modification on mechanical properties. Test specimens were fabricated using aliphatic urethane diacrylate photopolymer as matrix material and bamboo powder as reinforce material.

Although big data analytics has reaped great business rewards, big data system design and integration still face challenges resulting from the demanding environment, including challenges involving variety, uncertainty, and complexity. These characteristics in big data systems demand flexible and agile integration architectures. Furthermore, a formal model is needed to support design and verification. The purpose of this paper is to resolve the two problems with a collective intelligence (CI) model.

In the conceptual CI framework as proposed by Schut (2010), a CI design should be comprised of a general model, which has formal form for verification and validation, and also a specific model, which is an implementable system architecture. After analyzing the requirements of system integration in big data environments, the authors apply the CI framework to resolve the integration problem. In the model instantiation, the authors use multi-agent paradigm as the specific model, and the hierarchical colored Petri Net (PN) as the general model.

First, multi-agent paradigm is a good implementation for reuse and integration of big data analytics modules in an agile and loosely coupled method. Second, the PN models provide effective simulation results in the system design period. It gives advice on business process design and workload balance control. Third, the CI framework provides an incrementally build and deployed method for system integration. It is especially suitable to the dynamic data analytics environment. These findings have both theoretical and managerial implications.

In this paper, the authors propose a CI framework, which includes both practical architectures and theoretical foundations, to solve the system integration problem in big data environment. It provides a new point of view to dynamically integrate large-scale modules in an organization. This paper also has practical suggestions for Chief Technical Officers, who want to employ big data technologies in their companies.

This study explores the influence of parasocial interaction (PSI), brand credibility and product involvement on celebrity endorsement, and how PSI interacts with brand and product factors and affects celebrity endorsement synthetically.

This study employs a 2 (high/low product involvement) by 2 (high/low brand credibility) between-subjects factorial design experiment to test the hypotheses.

Brand credibility has a positive effect on followers' attitudes toward advertising and products, and product involvement influences its moderation. PSI has salient positive effects on followers' attitudes and behavioral intention, regardless of high/low product involvement. Brand credibility mediates PSI's influence on celebrity endorsement.

The results reinforce the significant effect of PSI on endorsement effectiveness and brand credibility, show the influence of brand credibility and product involvement and show how their influence conditionally interacts with others.

The corporate advertiser should prefer a high PSI celebrity as their endorser. The advertising message design on the microblog also deserves the attention of advertisers.

This study is the primary attempt to construct an integral model to demonstrate the synthetic effect and interaction process of consumers' perception of the endorser, brand and product category factors on celebrity endorsement within the social media context.

This study aims to investigate the influence of ethical sales behaviour on relationship quality and its consequences in the context of telemarketing to identify the complex nature of relationship marketing.

A survey with 312 qualified observations from financial institutions’ customers in Taiwan was conducted. A structural equation modelling approach was used.

Ethical sales behaviour components, that is, avoiding overharvest, security, honesty, privacy and non-harassment, have significant effects on relationship quality. Satisfactory relationship quality has positive effects on relationship commitment and customer loyalty.

This paper identifies ethical sales behaviour components, namely, avoiding overharvest, security, honesty, privacy and non-harassment, in the context of telemarketing and proposes that ethical sales behaviour is an important factor of maintaining high level of relationship quality.

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the mechanical properties of photopolymer/CB (carbon black) nanocomposite when applied in a visible-light rapid prototyping (RP) machine.

The mechanical properties of the samples such as hardness and tensile strength along with thermal stability were analyzed. The curing time behavior of the photopolymer/CB nanocomposites was tested by using a rigid-body pendulum rheometer. The shrinkage property and dimensional stability were also analyzed using the technique according to ASTM D2566 and ASTM D1204, respectively.

The results showed that the prototype fabricated from pristine photopolymer tended to exhibit poor mechanical properties and low thermal stability. However, after adding the photopolymer with various concentrations of nano-CB and dispersant in appropriate composition, the photopolymer/CB nanocomposite prototype not only reduced its curing time but also enhanced its mechanical properties, thermal stability and dimensional stability.

The presented results can be used in a visible-light RP machine.

The mechanical and thermal properties of photopolymer are improved with nano-CB additives for a RP system.