Search Results (163)

In service-intensive, compliance-driven settings such as banking, identifying how internal corporate social responsibility (ICSR) fosters employees’ vitality and learning is crucial for sustainable organisational performance. Amid growing interest in employee thriving, this study explores how perceived internal corporate social responsibility (PICSR) and moral meaningfulness (MM) shape thriving at work (TaW) through organisational embeddedness (OE). Rooted in self-determination theory, the findings reveal OE as a key mediator between PICSR and TaW, shedding light on how ICSR initiatives influence employee dynamics. The study also reveals that MM alone does not significantly predict TaW directly, but does so indirectly through OE, highlighting the importance of contextual mechanisms. Additionally, it identifies a surprising negative moderating effect of risk-taking, one dimension of intrapreneurial behaviour (IB), on the relationship between OE and TaW, while innovativeness, another dimension, shows no such effect. Theoretical and practical implications underscore the importance of aligning ICSR practices with employees’ psychological needs, supporting moral alignment, and tailoring support for intrapreneurs. Organisations must achieve a balance between autonomy and security to sustain engagement and innovation, advancing human and organisational sustainability, ultimately leading to thriving. Full article

In retail enterprises, employee well-being is recognized as a key factor influencing service quality and operational sustainability. While prior research has extensively investigated enterprise-centric approaches to improving employee well-being, little scholarly attention has been devoted to understanding the effects of customer participation and service scene innovation on employee well-being. Employing a case study methodology, this research investigates a Chinese exemplary retail enterprise “Pang Donglai”, exploring how retail enterprises can leverage service scene innovation to improve employee well-being from the perspective of scene innovation. The findings reveal that service scene innovation in retail enterprises can be categorized into three types: empowerment-oriented scene innovation, autonomy-oriented shopping scene innovation, and thematic display scene innovation. These innovations facilitate empathetic interactions between employees and customers, effectively enhancing employee well-being and creating a virtuous cycle of value co-creation among the enterprise, employees, and customers. Therefore, retail enterprises can continuously improve the working situation of employees, the display of products, and the shopping environment of customers, in order to enhance employee well-being and thus improve their voluntary behaviour and its sustainability. This study provides empirical insights into how retail enterprises can enhance employee well-being through service scene innovation, thereby contributing to the improvement of business performance. Full article

Background and Objective: The intricate connection between daily behaviours and health necessitates robust monitoring, particularly with the advent of Internet of Things (IoT) systems. This study introduces an innovative approach that exploits the synergy of information from various IoT sources to assess the alignment of behavioural routines with health guidelines. The goal is to improve the readability of behaviour models and provide actionable insights for healthcare professionals. Method: We integrate data from ambient sensors, smartphones, and wearable devices to acquire daily behavioural routines by employing process mining (PM) techniques to generate interpretable behaviour models. These routines are grouped according to compliance with health guidelines, and a clustering method is used to identify similarities in behaviours and key characteristics within each cluster. Results: Applied to an elderly care case study, our approach categorised days into three physical activity levels (Insufficient, Sufficient, Desirable) based on daily step thresholds. The integration of multi-source data revealed behavioural variations not detectable through single-source monitoring. We demonstrated that the proposed visualisations in calendar and timeline views aid health experts in understanding patient behaviours, enabling longitudinal monitoring and clearer interpretation of behavioural trends and precise interventions. Notably, the approach facilitates early detection of behaviour changes during contextual events (e.g., COVID-19 lockdown and Ramadan), which are available in our dataset. Conclusions: By enhancing interpretability and linking behaviour to health guidelines, this work signifies a promising path for behavioural analysis and discovering variations to empower smart healthcare, offering insights into patient health, personalised interventions, and healthier routines through continuous monitoring with IoT-driven data analysis. Full article

The real-time simulation of atmospheric clouds for the visualisation of outdoor scenarios has been a computer graphics research challenge since the emergence of the natural phenomena rendering field in the 1980s. In this work, we present an innovative method for real-time cumuli movement and transition based on a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN). Specifically, an LSTM, a GRU and an Elman RNN network are trained on time-series data generated by a parallel Navier–Stokes fluid solver. The training process optimizes the network to predict the velocity of cloud particles for the subsequent time step, allowing the model to act as a computationally efficient surrogate for the full physics simulation. In the experiments, we obtained natural-looking behaviour for cumuli evolution and dissipation with excellent performance by the RNN fluid algorithm compared with that of classical finite-element computational solvers. These experiments prove the suitability of our ontogenetic computational model in terms of achieving an optimum balance between natural-looking realism and performance in opposition to computationally expensive hyper-realistic fluid dynamics simulations which are usually in non-real time. Therefore, the core contributions of our research to the state of the art in cloud dynamics are the following: a progressively improved real-time step of the RNN-LSTM fluid algorithm compared to the previous literature to date by outperforming the inference times during the runtime cumuli animation in the analysed hardware, the absence of spatial grid bounds and the replacement of fluid dynamics equation solving with the RNN. As a consequence, this method is applicable in flight simulation systems, climate awareness educational tools, atmospheric simulations, nature-based video games and architectural software. Full article

The transition to a decarbonised energy system in Ireland presents significant socio-technical challenges. This paper, focused on the work of the SMARTLAB project at the Citizen Innovation Lab in Limerick city, investigated the potential of a localised living lab approach to address these challenges. Engaging across 70 buildings and their inhabitants, the project captured the evolution of attitudes and intentions towards the clean energy transition in ways directly relevant to future policy implementation across grid redevelopment, smart service design, and national retrofit. Project methodology was framed by a living lab approach, with wireless energy and indoor environment sensors installed in participant buildings and participant journeys developed by harnessing the Citizen Innovation Lab ecosystem. The results indicate behaviour changes among participants, particularly focusing on indoor environmental conditions. The study concludes that embedded, localised living labs offer a methodological framework which can capture diverse datasets and encompass complex contemporary contexts towards transition goals. Full article

Three-dimensional food printing (3DFP), a specialized application of additive manufacturing (AM), employs a layer-by-layer deposition process guided by digital image files to fabricate edible structures. Utilizing heavily modified 3D printers and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software technology allows for the precise creation of customized food items tailored to individual aesthetic preferences and nutritional requirements. Three-dimensional food printing holds significant potential in revolutionizing the food industry by enabling the production of personalized meals, enhancing the sensory dining experience, and addressing specific dietary constraints. Despite these promising applications, 3DFP remains one of the most intricate and technically demanding areas within AM, particularly in the context of modern gastronomy. Challenges such as the rheological behaviour of food materials, print stability, and the integration of cooking functions must be addressed to fully realize its capabilities. This article explores the possibilities of applying classical modified 3D printers in the food industry. The behaviour of certain recipes is also tested. Two test case scenarios are covered. The first scenario is the work and formation of a homogenized meat mass. The second scenario involves finding a chocolate recipe that is suitable for printing relatively detailed chocolate decorative elements. The current advancements, technical challenges, and future opportunities of 3DFP in the field of engineering, culinary innovation and nutritional science are also explored. Full article

The curing reaction of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) solid propellant slurry alters its internal molecular structure, leading to variations in rheological properties. This study investigates the evolution of the rheological behaviour of HTPB propellant slurry during the curing process. Rheological parameters of the slurry at different curing stages were measured using a rotational rheometer, and its time-dependent rheological characteristics were systematically analysed. Building upon the Herschel–Bulkley–Papanastasiou (HBP) viscosity model, a temporal variable was innovatively incorporated to extend the model into the time domain, resulting in the development of the Herschel–Bulkley–Papanastasiou–Wang (HBPW) constitutive viscosity model. Model parameters were determined through experimental data, and the accuracy of the HBPW model was rigorously validated by comparing numerical simulations with experimental results. The findings demonstrate that the HBPW model effectively captures the viscosity variation patterns of HTPB propellant slurry with respect to both shear rate and curing time, exhibiting a minimal discrepancy of 1.7525% between simulations and experimental data. This work establishes a novel theoretical framework for analysing the rheological properties of HTPB propellant slurry, providing a scientific foundation for optimised propellant formulation design and processing techniques. Full article

Professional experiences are vital in teacher education programmes, especially in early childhood teacher education programmes, as this allows pre-service teachers (PSTs) to apply their theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. Hence, PSTs’ preparation for their placement experience is crucial. Recently, the innovative use of virtual reality (VR) in teacher training has begun to support the professional development of PSTs, although this approach is studied less extensively compared to fields like medicine and aviation. This paper draws upon the cultural–historical concept of social situation of development (SSD) to explore how VR experiences enhance PSTs’ preparation before they enter their first professional experiences. This study involved 66 diverse post-graduate PSTs within an Australian post-graduate Initial Teacher Education programme in early childhood (EC) education. The VR experiences allowed them to engage with avatar children aged 3–5 within a realistic environment, fostering valuable insights regarding their practice in future professional experiences. By studying the PSTs’ reflections, this study identified the dramatic events that arose from PSTs’ interactions in VR. These moments highlighted instances of SSD, where PSTs advanced both mentally and practically in their placement preparation. Within SSD, PSTs developed a deeper understanding of child development, classroom dynamics, and the effectiveness of various teaching strategies. They also practised strategies, including teaching techniques, classroom management, behavioural guidance, and adapting to the diverse needs of avatar children. The mental and practical development significantly contributed to PSTs’ preparation for professional experiences. The subjective nature of their reflections provided valuable insights into their development from their own perspectives. However, it is important to note that this paper is based on data collected from a single post-graduate course. Future research will aim to gather perspectives from PSTs at multiple institutions, as well as from placement mentors, regarding PSTs’ understanding of working in early childhood contexts in Australia. Full article

Forming hybrid structures into complex shapes is key to address lightweighting of automotive parts. Recently, an innovative joining technique between aluminium and Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) based on mechanical interlocking through sheet punching has been developed. However, scaling up the solution requires the assessment of challenges, such as multi-material forming and joint integrity, after forming operations. Therefore, this work proves the feasibility of forming aluminium–CFRP prepreg panels into complex omega-shaped profiles following a conventional cold-stamping process. Forming without defects was possible even in specimens featuring mechanical joints generated through punching. The effect of the CFRP position (in the inner or the outer side of the formed profile), the number of mechanical joints, the addition of a Glass Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) intermediate layer to prevent galvanic corrosion and adequate lubrication on necking, cracking, springback behaviour and the final geometry after curing were studied. Compression tests were performed to assess the mechanical response of the hybrid profile, and the results showed that the addition of CFRP in the aluminium omega profile changed the buckling behaviour from global bending to axial folding, increasing the maximum compression load. Additionally, the presence of mechanical interlocking joints further improved the mechanical performance and led to a more controlled failure due to buckling localization in the geometric discontinuity. Full article

This article proposes a novel tube foundation intended for use under transmission line poles. The glass fibre reinforcement polymer (GFRP) piles were driven into sand. A steel tube pole, approximately 6 m high, was mounted on the foundation. The analysed foundations were designed as a monopile to be implemented in the construction of low- and medium-voltage overhead transmission lines. Experimental field tests of innovative piles made of the composite material were carried out on a 1:1 scale. The aim of this work was to develop an isotropic material model treating the GFRP composite as homogeneous. This approach does not fully reproduce the anisotropic behaviour of the composite, but it allows for the engineering design of structures made of the composite material. Laboratory tests in the form of a static tensile test on the samples and a tensile test on the rings cut from a hollow section were performed. The results of the experimental tests and FEM models of the GFRP rings and monopile embedded in sand were compared. The ultimate limit state (ULS) and serviceability limit state (SLS) of the analysed pile were assessed as 14.4 and 9.6 kNm, respectively. The developed numerical model, based on FEM, allows for the load-bearing capacity of the monopile made of GFRP to be reliably determined. From an engineering point of view, the developed numerical model of the GFRP material can be used to calculate the pile load-bearing capacity using engineering software that has limited capabilities in defining material models. Full article

This study conducts a Critical Discourse Analysis of the masculinities of male characters in Doraemon, a famous Japanese manga series. It explores the masculinities in Doraemon from three perspectives by utilising the following Critical Discourse Analysis framework: text, process and society. Five male characters in Doraemon were selected as the main research objects. Firstly, the text analysis of the male characters in terms of their appearances, characteristics, behaviours and values reveals major masculine traits such as the maintenance of patriarchy, the pursuit and yearning for fame and fortune, competition and aggression. Analysing these masculinities can help remind audiences and consumers to be cautious about works that seemingly do not convey gender stereotypes to viewers. The process analysis identifies corresponding masculinities of the creator of Doraemon through his life experiences. Innovative spirit led him to create characters and manga that could both reflect and confront social reality and promote new gender concepts and ideas that were different from the mainstream at the time. The social analysis of Doraemon attributes the masculinities in the manga to Japanese culture, which has been deeply influenced by the culture of the salaryman, Confucianism, androcentrism and Bushido. For audiences in Japan, anime is a way of spreading and consolidating traditional Japanese cultural ideas, at the same time provoking reflection on whether these inherent gender roles are reasonable and should be perpetuated in the contemporary era. For audiences outside of Japan, this manga and cartoon is equivalent to a typical case of the export and recreation of Japanese culture to the world. This study conveys gender equality values, especially in children’s TV programmes. Full article

Digital tools exhibit the potential to support the sustainability of traditional crafts through training and presentation applications. This work presents an integrated approach, combining state-of-the-art simulation and visualisation techniques to model mechanical actions characteristic of traditional crafts. This integration promotes a deeper understanding of the material behaviours and processes that are fundamental to traditional crafts, providing a valuable resource for researchers, educators, and conservators. Developed from an analysis of crafting activities regarding elementary actions, these tools support the safeguarding and education of craft techniques. The ability to realistically simulate and visualise crafting actions enhances applications in training and offers new avenues for the commercial presentation of craft products. The results demonstrate that this integrated approach yields detailed and realistic representations, providing a robust foundation for validating the traditional methods, comparing diverse techniques, and exploring innovative applications. Full article

Polysiloxanes with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) have garnered attention for their distinctive physicochemical properties, which make them promising candidates for advanced material applications. This study presents a systematic investigation into the thermal properties and degradation mechanisms of polysiloxane/Ag nanocomposites, emphasising the innovative incorporation of Ag NPs directly into polysiloxane networks via in situ reduction of Ag⁺ ions by Si-H groups. Six polysiloxane matrices were synthesised by hydrosilylation of poly(methylhydrosiloxane) (PMHS) or poly(vinylsiloxane) (polymer V₃) with three cross-linking agents of varying molecular structures and functionality. Thermogravimetric analysis combined with mass spectrometry revealed that the introduction of Ag NPs alters the thermal properties of polysiloxane networks, primarily affecting the redistribution of Si bonds that occurs during the pyrolysis of these systems. Monitoring the pyrolysis process using FTIR spectroscopy allowed us to investigate the effect of the presence of Ag NPs on the degradation mechanism of the studied nanocomposites. The presence of the free-carbon phase and metallic silver phase in the Ag-containing silicon oxycarbide materials obtained was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and XRD analyses, respectively. These findings demonstrate the possibility of fabricating Ag/SiOC materials with ceramic residues in the range of 43 to 84%. This work provides new insights into the thermal behaviour of polysiloxane/Ag nanocomposites and underscores their potential for high-performance applications in thermally demanding environments. Full article

The Empatica EmbracePlus is a recent innovation in medical-grade wristband wearable sensors that enable unobtrusive continuous measurement of pulse rate, electrodermal activity, skin temperature, and various accelerometry-based actigraphy measures using a minimalistic smartwatch design. The advantage of this lightweight wearable is the potential for holistic longitudinal recording and monitoring of physiological processes that index a suite of autonomic functions, as well as to provide ecologically valid insights into human behaviour, health, physical activity, and psychophysiological processes. Given the longitudinal nature of wearable recordings, EmbracePlus data collection is managed by storing raw timeseries in short ‘chunks’ in avro file format organised by universal standard time. This is memory-efficient but requires programming expertise to compile the raw data into continuous file formats that can be processed using standard techniques. Currently, there are no accessible tools available to compile and analyse raw EmbracePlus data over user-defined time periods. To address that, we introduce the LOTUS toolkit, an open-source graphical user interface that allows users to reconstitute and process EmbracePlus datasets over select time intervals. LOTUS is available on GitHub, and currently allows users to compile raw EmbracePlus data into unified timeseries stored in more familiar Excel or Matlab file formats to facilitate signal processing and analysis. Future work will expand the toolkit to process Empatica E4 and other wearable signal data, while also integrating more sophisticated functions for feature extraction and analysis. Full article

This study aims to develop a Secured Fiscal Credits Model to address the challenges of managing Italy’s “Superbonus 110%” tax credit. Using a decentralised governance approach, our research objective is to provide a feasible system to track and control the entire tax credit process, from generation to redemption. The method integrates Artificial Intelligence and blockchain technology within a Decentralised Autonomous Organisation architecture, combined with a Multi-agent System to establish a tokenomics model. The system is structured to prevent accidental errors, such as double spending or overspending, and detect fraudulent behaviours, like false claims of completed work. Our main findings indicate that deploying two Decentralised Autonomous Organisations on the Algorand blockchain significantly enhances trust and security, supporting effective oversight of the Superbonus process and facilitating transparent value exchange among stakeholders. This decentralised governance model introduces substantial automation, reduces biases, and offers a viable solution to strengthen tax credit management. This work proposes an innovative, technology-driven framework that can be generalised to similar fiscal and governance contexts, enhancing transparency and control. Full article