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Effective and robust motion estimation with sub-pixel accuracy is essential in many image processing and computer vision applications. Due to its computational efficiency and robustness in the presence of intensity changes as well as geometric distortions, phase correlation in the Fourier domain provides an attractive solution for global motion estimation and image registration. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

In this paper, relevant sub-pixel strategies are categorized into three classes, namely, single-side peak interpolation, dual-side peak interpolation and curve fitting. The well-known images “Barbara” and “Pentagon” were used to evaluate the performance of eight typical methods, in which Gaussian noise was attached in the synthetic data.

For eight such typical methods, the tests using synthetic data have suggested that considering dual-side peaks in interpolation or fitting helps to produce better results. In addition, dual-side interpolation outperforms curve fitting methods in dealing with noisy samples. Overall, Gaussian-based dual-side interpolation seems the best in the experiments.

Based on the comparisons of eight typical methods, the authors can have a better understanding of the phase correlation for motion estimation. The evaluation can provide useful guidance in this context.

This paper aims to present a simplified solution method for the elasto-plastic consolidation problem under different stress paths.

First, a double-yield-surface model is introduced as the constitutive model framework, and a partial derivative coefficient sequence is obtained by using numerical approximation using Gauss nuclear function to construct a discretization constitutive model which can reflect the influence of different stress paths. Then, the model is introduced to Biot’s consolidation theory. Volumetric strain of each step as the right-hand term, the continuity equation is simplified as a Poisson equation and the fundamental solution is derived by the variable separation method. Based on it, a semi-analytical and semi-numerical method is presented and implemented in a finite element program.

The method is a simplified solution that is more convenient than traditional coupling stiffness matrix method. Moreover, the consolidation of the semi-infinite foundation model is analyzed. It is shown that the numerical method is sufficiently stable and can reflect the influence of stress path, loading distribution width and some other factors on the deformation of soil skeleton and pore water pressure.

Original features of this research include semi-numerical semi-analytical consolidation method; pore water pressure and settlements of different stress paths are different; maximum surface uplift at 3.5a; and stress path is the main influence factor for settlement when loading width a > 10 m.

Information opacity in donation crowdfunding activities has constrained the healthy development of China’s public welfare activities. Addressing the trust crisis and enhancing public engagement warrants further investigation. This study aims to uncover the moderating effect of activity transparency by utilizing data from 1,029 donation crowdfunding projects on the Sina Weibo Public Welfare Social Platform. In this way, we seek to elucidate the impact of donation crowdfunding events on fundraising ability.

This study selects text complexity, number of supporters, creator experience, and social capital as explanatory variables; innovatively selects the number of updates of online crowdfunding activities and total reading volume as moderating variables; selects the number of shares of crowdfunding activities as a mediating variable; and constructs a moderated mediation multiple regression model for fundraising ability.

Our findings indicate that independent variables, such as text complexity, number of supporters, and social capital, can significantly affect the dependent variable, fundraising ability. However, creator experience does not influence fundraising ability. Furthermore, social interaction has a mediating effect, whereas activity transparency has a reverse moderating effect. These results indicate that social interaction can enhance the fundraising ability of donation crowdfunding events. However, with an increase in information transparency, the fundraising ability of social media decreases.

The originality of this research is in clarifying the internal factors affecting fundraising ability through induction, making bold assumptions, and focusing on how social media’s effective interaction and activity transparency will affect public welfare crowdfunding fundraising ability.

This study aims to investigate the effect of vapor phase corrosion inhibitor (VCI) imidazoline, quinoline and urea on E36 ship steel in simulated marine atmospheric environment.

The inhibitive effect was investigated by weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance and Raman spectroscopy.

The corrosion process was inhibited by adsorption of the three VCIs on the surface of ship steel. The corrosion inhibition mechanism is the adsorption film type. The corrosion inhibitor adsorbs on the metal surface to prevent Cl^- from reaching the surface of the substrate, so as to achieve the corrosion inhibition effect.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the work described was original research that has not been published previously and not under consideration for publication elsewhere, in whole or in part.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of various parameters on rapid prototyping parts for processes of sintering metallic powder by using Nd:YAG laser via the design of experiments (DOE) method.

Experiments based on the DOE method were utilized to determine an optimal parameter setting for achieving a minimum amount of porosities in specimens during the selective laser sintering (SLS) process. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was further conducted to identify significant factors.

A regression model predicting percentages of porosities under various conditions was developed when the traditional Taguchi's approach failed to identify a feasible model due to strong interactions of controlled factors. The significant factors to the process were identified by ANOVA.

Four controlled factors including pulse frequencies and pulse durations of laser beams, times of strikes of a pulse applying on a single laser spot and particle sizes of the powder base material had significant influence on the sintering process. Future investigation planned to be carried out for achieving multiple quality targets such as the hardness and the density for 3D parts.

The implementation of the DOE method provided a systematic approach to identify an optimal parameter setting of the SLS process; thus, the efficiency of designing optimal parameters was greatly improved. This approach could be easily extended to 3D cases by just including additional parameters into the design. Additionally, utilization of the normality analysis on the residual data ensured that the selected model was adequate and extracted all applicable information from the experimental data.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of key research contributions on the topic of service strategies in manufacturing by focusing on descriptions of the phenomenon and theoretical explanations of its evolution and financial consequences.

A summary analysis of the extant literature is provided. Valuable contributions and fundamental methodological issues are identified and discussed. Challenges, limitations and directions for future research avenues are also highlighted.

As a result of the analysis and discussion presented, the concept of service‐driven manufacturing is integrated through the provision, evolution and impact of services in industrial settings.

The paper contains guidelines for manufacturing managers interested in the evolution from products to services in different industries.

The paper is expected to be used as a relevant source of ideas and guidance for all those interested in doing research in services strategies in manufacturing.

This investigation applied a hybrid method combining a trained artificial neural network (ANN) and the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) method to determine an optimal parameter setting for a reflow soldering process of ball grid array packages in printed circuit boards.

Nine experiments based on an orthogonal array table with three‐controlled inputs and average shear forces of solder spheres as a quality target were utilized to train the ANN and then the SQP method was implemented to search for an optimal setting of parameters.

The ANN can be utilized successfully to predict the shear force under different reflow soldering conditions after being properly trained and the identified optimal parameter setting are capable of striking the balance between the average shear forces and the manufacturing cycle time.

The reflow time and the peak temperature were found to be the most significant factors for the reflow process via analysis of variance.

This study provided an algorithm integrating a black‐box modeling approach (i.e. the ANN predictive model) with the SQP method to resolve an optimization problem. This algorithm offered an effective and systematic way to identify an optimal setting of the reflow soldering process. Hence, the efficiency of designing the optimal parameters was greatly improved.

To examine the nature of Chinese business negotiating style in Sino‐Western business negotiations in business‐to‐business markets involving large industrial projects from a social cultural point of view.

A conceptual approach developed from personal interviews.

This study reveals that the Chinese negotiator does not possess an absolute negotiating style but rather embraces a mixture of different roles together: “Maoist bureaucrat in learning”, “Confucian gentleman”, and “Sun Tzu‐like strategist”. The Chinese negotiating strategy is essentially a combination of cooperation and competition (termed as the “coop‐comp” negotiation strategy in this study). Trust is the ultimate indicator of Chinese negotiating propensities and role choices.

The focus of this study is on Chinese negotiating style shown in large B2B negotiations with Chinese SOEs.

Differing from most other studies on Chinese negotiating style which tend to depict the Chinese negotiator as either sincere or deceptive, this study points out that there exists an intrinsic paradox in Chinese negotiating style which reflects the Yin Yang thinking. The Chinese negotiator has a cultural capacity to negotiate both sincerely and deceptively and he/she changes coping strategies according to situation and context, all depending on the level of trust between negotiating partners.

The objectives of this study are to investigate the role of wages, skills development and R&D on the productivity of Thai manufacturing firms, using data from the 2017 Industrial Census of Thailand.

The paper uses two-stage least squares (2SLS) to examine the role of wages, skills development and R&D, as well as other vital factors, impacting productivity as measured by labour productivity and total factor productivity.

Thai manufacturing firms' technology in aggregate exhibits decreasing returns to scale. Increasing wages and skills development promote the labour productivity and total factor productivity (TFP) of Thai manufacturers. R&D is also shown to be vital in promoting the labour productivity and TFP of large firms, but not small firms. Foreign direct investment (FDI) and government support can significantly increase large and medium-sized firms' labour productivity and TFP. Financially constrained firms tend to perform more productively. However, older firms, larger firms, labour supply shortages and political instability adversely affect labour productivity and TFP.

Upskilling and improving HRD policies could move Thailand towards a knowledge-based and high-income country in the future. Intellectual property protection should be strengthened to boost the country's R&D. The government should consider lifting restrictions on FDI to encourage international openness. The Thai Board of Investment’s promotion should target Thai manufacturing firms and FDI.

This study is the first to examine in detail the role of wages, skills development and R&D on the productivity of Thai firms based on the 2017 Thailand Industrial Census.