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result(s) for
"PEBs"
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Adaptive control of time delay teleoperation system with uncertain dynamics
2022
A bilateral adaptive control method based on PEB control structure is designed for a class of time-delay force feedback teleoperation system without external interference and internal friction to study the uncertainty of dynamic parameters and time delay. The stability and tracking performances of the closed-loop constant time delay teleoperation system are analyzed by Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, the controller designed in this paper is successfully applied to the teleoperation system composed of a two-degree of freedom rotating manipulator as the master robot and the slave robot. The simulation is carried out in no operator and environment force or with operator and environment force. The adaptive bilateral control method's control performance is compared with that of the traditional time-delay teleoperation system. Finally, it is verified that the method has good control performance.
Journal Article
A systematic review of empirical studies of pro-environmental behavior in hospitality and tourism contexts
2022
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to gain a holistic view of pro-environmental behavior (PEB) among hospitality and tourism consumers through a systematic review of empirical studies. Based on this comprehensive review, this study demonstrates how the literature has been created and has evolved over time, thereby providing proposals for future research agendas.
Design/methodology/approach
The preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses method was used as a rigorous searching method to provide an updated picture of the research on the PEBs of consumers in hospitality and tourism contexts. A total of 234 empirical studies from both hospitality and nonhospitality publications were selected for the review.
Findings
The results reveal a growing interest in PEB in the hospitality and tourism context. Focal points, theories and research designs used to explain PEB among hospitality and tourism consumers were identified. In addition, the findings from the cross-tabulation analyses have provided valuable insights for tourism and hospitality research in this area.
Research limitations/implications
Based on the research findings, this study makes significant contributions to the literature by providing theoretical and practical implications with detailed directions for future researchers and practitioners.
Originality/value
This study offers one of the first reviews to comprehensively and systematically analyze the empirical research into PEBs among hospitality and tourism consumers. PEB has received significant attention from researchers, practitioners and those policymakers concerned with the sustainability of environments. The findings of this research provide a comprehensive overview of the literature relating to hospitality and tourism through the identification of gaps that require further investigation. Future suggestions to assist practitioners and policymakers in eliciting PEBs are also discussed.
Journal Article
Switchable Polyacrylic Acid Polyelectrolyte Brushes for Surface Plasmon Resonance Applications
by
Shpacovitch, Victoria
,
Tavares, Carlos J.
,
Hergenröder, Roland
in
Caustic soda
,
Contact angle
,
Glass substrates
2023
Imaging wide-field surface plasmon resonance (SPR) microscopy sensors based on polyacrylic acid polyelectrolyte brushes (PAA PEBs) were designed to enhance the sensitivity of nano-object detection. The switching behavior of the PAA PEBs against changes in the pH values was investigated by analyzing the chemical, morphological, optical, and electrical properties. At pH ~1, the brushes collapse on the surface with the dominance of carboxylic groups (COOH). Upon the increase in the pH to nine, the switching process completes, and the brushes swell from dissociating most of the COOH groups and converting them into COO− groups. The domination of the negatively charged COO− groups increases the electrostatic repulsion in the polymer chains and stretches the brushes. The sensitivity of the SPR sensing device was investigated using a theoretical approach, as well as experimental measurements. The signal-to-noise ratio for a Au layer increases from six to eighteen after coating with PAA PEBs. In addition, the linewidth of the recorded image decreases from six pixels to five pixels by using the Au-PAA layers, which results from the enhanced spatial resolution of the recorded images. Coating a Au-layer with PAA PEBs enhances the sensitivity of the SPR sensing device, and improves the spatial resolution of the recorded image.
Journal Article
Abnormal resting-state effective connectivity in large-scale networks among obsessive-compulsive disorder
2024
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic mental illness characterized by abnormal functional connectivity among distributed brain regions. Previous studies have primarily focused on undirected functional connectivity and rarely reported from network perspective.
To better understand between or within-network connectivities of OCD, effective connectivity (EC) of a large-scale network is assessed by spectral dynamic causal modeling with eight key regions of interests from default mode (DMN), salience (SN), frontoparietal (FPN) and cerebellum networks, based on large sample size including 100 OCD patients and 120 healthy controls (HCs). Parametric empirical Bayes (PEB) framework was used to identify the difference between the two groups. We further analyzed the relationship between connections and Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS).
OCD and HCs shared some similarities of inter- and intra-network patterns in the resting state. Relative to HCs, patients showed increased ECs from left anterior insula (LAI) to medial prefrontal cortex, right anterior insula (RAI) to left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC), right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (R-DLPFC) to cerebellum anterior lobe (CA), CA to posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and to anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Moreover, weaker from LAI to L-DLPFC, RAI to ACC, and the self-connection of R-DLPFC. Connections from ACC to CA and from L-DLPFC to PCC were positively correlated with compulsion and obsession scores (
= 0.209,
= 0.037;
= 0.199,
= 0.047, uncorrected).
Our study revealed dysregulation among DMN, SN, FPN, and cerebellum in OCD, emphasizing the role of these four networks in achieving top-down control for goal-directed behavior. There existed a top-down disruption among these networks, constituting the pathophysiological and clinical basis.
Journal Article
Development and Validation of the Readiness to Change Scale (RtC) for Sustainability
by
Duradoni, Mirko
,
Puddu, Luisa
,
Guazzini, Andrea
in
Analysis
,
Climate change
,
Climatic changes
2024
The climate emergency is increasingly looming, and its consequences on nature and human systems are increasingly severe and pervasive, as reported by the world’s leading conferences and organizations on the subject. There appears to be an immediate need to adopt more sustainable behaviors in order to stem consequences that are becoming increasingly dramatic. In this regard, environmental psychology and other related disciplines have sought and still seek to understand how to translate the environmental concerns of individuals and communities into effective and efficient conservation and protection actions to contain the emergency and avoid further consequences. The contribution of psychological theories, particularly the transtheoretical model of change and the planned behavior model, appears very promising for assessing and promoting the potential for activation toward sustainability. The aim of this study was to develop a new conceptualization of the psychological construct of readiness to change (RtC) applied to sustainability issues and validated internally and externally through two separate studies (N1 = 228, N2 = 713). The sample for the two studies was recruited by distributing an anonymous online survey. For Study 1, we administered an online survey investigating basic sociodemographic characteristics and the preliminary set of 42 items of the readiness to change scale. For Study 2, the survey was composed of the following tools: a sociodemographic form, the readiness to change scale, a connectedness to nature scale, a climate change attitude survey, consumers’ perceived readiness toward green products, and a pro-environmental behaviors scale. Through exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, 29 items were selected from an initial set of 42. The 29 items were divided and organized into seven factors (namely: perceived importance of the problem/change, motivation, self-efficacy, effectiveness of the proposed solution, social support, action and involvement, and perceived readiness). Each factor showed adequate reliability (McDonald’s ω range: 0.74–0.87). Regarding external validity, the scale showed correlations—with typical to large effect sizes—with pro-environmental identity, green attitudes, sustainable intentions, and pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) (i.e., conservation, environmental citizenship, food, transportation). Given the results obtained, we can say that the scale we constructed can infer the individual’s propensity to enact PEBs, and consequently it can give input to the implementation of interventions aimed at stimulating RtC and, therefore, sustainable behaviors. In conclusion, the scale appears valid and usable for assessing the activation potential of both individuals but also at the group and community levels—the latter factor being an important contribution to scientific research, since most of the instruments used to date fail to estimate this aspect.
Journal Article
Linking interacting/engaging environmental CSR communication strategy and employees' pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs): mediating roles of communal relationship and employee empowerment
by
Dong, Enzhu
,
Sun, Ruoyu
,
Lee, Yeunjae
in
Business communications
,
Communication
,
Communication strategies
2024
PurposeWith the growing concern for environmental and sustainability issues, especially in the aftermath of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, organizations feel compelled to pursue green sustainability in their operations. In this regard, the active involvement of employees in pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) is crucial for achieving organizational environmental sustainability goals (Saeed et al., 2019). To shed light on this important issue, this study aims to investigate the impact of interacting/engaging environmental corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication strategy on employees' PEBs through the mediating effects of communal relationship and employee empowerment.Design/methodology/approachA total of 443 full-time USA employees working across various industries participated in an online survey.FindingsThe interacting/engaging environmental CSR communication strategy fosters employees' perceived communal relationship with their organizations and empowers them to support their organization's environmental initiatives, which, in turn, positively influences employees' PEBs at work.Originality/valueThis study advances CSR and internal communication literature through the lens of relationship management and self-determination theories. The findings theoretically suggest the effectiveness of the interacting/engaging environmental CSR communication strategy in nurturing favorable employee–organization relationships (EORs), employee empowerment and PEBs at work. The practical implications of CSR communication are also elaborated.
Journal Article
Positive Energy Building Definition with the Framework, Elements and Challenges of the Concept
by
Ala-Juusela, Mia
,
Reda, Francesco
,
Rehman, Hassam ur
in
Alternative energy
,
Climate change
,
Emissions
2021
Buildings account for 36% of the final energy demand and 39% of CO2 emissions worldwide. Targets for increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and reducing building related emissions is an important part of the energy policy to reach the Paris agreement within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. While nearly zero energy buildings are the new norm in the EU, the research is advancing towards positive energy buildings, which contribute to the surrounding community by providing emission-free energy. This paper suggests a definition for positive energy building and presents the framework, elements, and challenges of the concept. In a positive energy building, the annual renewable energy production in the building site exceeds the energy demand of the building. This increases two-way interactions with energy grids, requiring a broader approach compared to zero energy buildings. The role of energy flexibility grows when the share of fluctuating renewable energy increases. The presented framework is designed with balancing two important perspectives: technical and user-centric approaches. It can be accommodated to different operational conditions, regulations, and climates. Potential challenges and opportunities are also discussed, such as the present issues in the building’s balancing boundary, electric vehicle integration, and smart readiness indicators.
Journal Article
Higher Status, More Actions but Less Sacrifice: The SES Paradox in Pro-Environmental Behaviors
2025
Identifying predictors of pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) can not only figure out who concerns about the environment most but also inform possible pathways that advance or inhabit such prosocial actions. Most past studies and theories focus on factors that reside within personal characteristics or sociopsychological mechanisms rather than taking a holistic view that integrates these two elements into a framework. This study investigates how socioeconomic status (SES) correlates with PEBs, integrating both structural and psychological mechanisms. Drawing on the Stimulus–Organism–Response (SOR) theoretical framework, this paper examines the paradox whereby individuals with higher SES exhibit more frequent environmental actions yet demonstrate lower willingness to pay (WTP)—a form of economic sacrifice. Using nationally representative data from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), our structural equation modeling reveals that adulthood SES positively correlates with environmental values and behaviors but negatively correlates with WTP. This challenges the traditional linear assumption that greater willingness necessarily leads to greater action. Additionally, while childhood SES predicts adult SES, it shows no direct effect on environmental engagement. These findings highlight multidimensional pathways by which SES shape environmental actions, necessitating differentiated policy approaches to build a sustainable world.
Journal Article
Driving factors of pro-environmental behavior among rural tourism destination residents-considering the moderating effect of environmental policies
Residents of rural tourism destinations are the core participants in organizing and carrying out rural tourism activities. Therefore, guiding them to implement pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) in the daily lives is crucial for promoting the rural ecological civilization construction and achieving sustainable rural tourism. Combining the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Normative Activation Model (NAM), this study develops a theoretical model of the driving factors of PEB among rural tourism destination residents by considering the moderating effect of environmental policies. Empirical analysis is conducted using survey data from rural tourism destination residents in Sichuan Province, China, to explain the occurrence path of PEBs from the aspects of egoistic and altruistic attributes, and environmental policy factors. The research results indicate that perceived behavioral control and environmental attitudes directly affect the pro-environmental intention (PEI) of rural tourism destination residents, and indirectly affect their PEBs, while subjective norms have no significant impact on the PEI. The personal norms of rural tourism destination residents are activated through the pathways of “consequence awareness → personal norms” and “consequence awareness → responsibility attribution → personal norms”, which in turn affect their PEIs, confirming the altruistic attributes of local residents. In addition, environmental policies have significant positive moderating effect on the conversion of PEI into PEB, but the intervention effects vary across different dimensions.
Journal Article
Multifunctional Smart Ball Sensor for Wireless Structural Health Monitoring in a Fire Situation
2020
A variety of sensor systems have been developed to monitor the structural health status of buildings and infrastructures. However, most sensor systems for structural health monitoring (SHM) are difficult to use in extreme conditions, such as a fire situation, because of their vulnerability to high temperature and physical shocks, as well as time-consuming installation process. Here, we present a smart ball sensor (SBS) that can be immediately installed on surfaces of structures, stably measure vital SHM data in real time and wirelessly transmit the data in a high-temperature fire situation. The smart ball sensor mainly consists of sensor and data transmission module, heat insulator and adhesive module. With the integrated device configuration, the SBS can be strongly attached to the target surface with maximum adhesion force of 233.7-N and stably detect acceleration and temperature of the structure without damaging the key modules of the systems even at high temperatures of up to 500 °C while ensuring wireless transmission of the data. Field tests for a model pre-engineered building (PEB) structure demonstrate the validity of the smart ball sensor as an instantly deployable, high-temperature SHM system. This SBS can be used for SHM of a wider variety of structures and buildings beyond PEB structures.
Journal Article