Purpose
Off-premise restaurant service has a new addition – food delivery robots. This new technology and off-premise service, in general, has received little research attention, despite continued ...year-over-year sales growth for both carry-out and delivery. Therefore, this study aims to analyze off-premise service modes, including food delivery robots, for service quality gaps between consumer expectations and actual performance and among the various modes.
Design/methodology/approach
Performance of three off-premise restaurant service modes (robot-delivery, human-delivery and carry-out) were evaluated using a mixed-methods approach. Consumer expectations were ascertained about food- and service-related performance factors using a survey, and a field observation study was conducted to obtain actual performance data for these factors. Findings from both approaches were compared to identify gaps and differences.
Findings
For food-related performance, consumers reported lower expectations for food safety and food quality from robot- and human-delivered food; however, no differences were observed among the three modes in the field study. Consumers also expected lower service-related performance from robot-delivery for service efficiency and ease of use (than human-delivery and carry-out) and monetary value (than carry-out). Consumers deemed robots the most sustainable and human-delivery the most convenient compared to other modes – however, not all service-related expectations aligned with actual performances.
Originality/value
This study was the first to comparatively examine off-premise restaurant service. Identification of a missing link in service gap analysis was among the theoretical contributions of this study. Managerially, this study provides previously unavailable insights into opportunities for improvement for off-premise service and use of delivery robots.
The aim of this work is to assess the influence of different degrees of adaptability of the power take-off (PTO) system on the power absorption of dense wave energy converter (WEC) arrays. The ...adaptability is included in simulations through a transmission ratio that scales the force actuating the PTO relative to the force generated by the motion of a floater. A numerical model is used in which hydrodynamic interactions between floaters and nonlinearities in the PTO are considered. The lower computational cost of this numerical model makes it possible to study the power extraction of a dense WEC array in irregular waves to easily create power matrices and other performance metrics. The methodology is applied to the case study of the Ocean Grazer WEC to showcase the potential performance improvements achieved through the inclusion of a transmission ratio. The analysis shows that including a high degree of adaptability and choosing WEC array configurations and PTO designs specific to potential deployment locations early in the design process can lead to an increase in extracted power.
•The adaptability of a wave energy converter array needs to be defined at the design stage.•The range of adaptability of a design depends on the deployment location.•Increased adaptability results in increased power extraction.
In this paper, the take-up judder phenomenon caused by the accumulated geometric deviation of clutch plates is simulated and verified by experiments. Firstly, the vibration test and data analysis are ...carried out for the sample vehicle and related benchmark vehicles, and the vibration target is determined. Then, a simulation analysis and optimization model of the clutch engagement process in the vehicle take-up process was established, and the optimal control target was determined by multi-condition analysis of the accumulation geometric deviation factors of the clutch. Finally, several clutch deviation samples are verified, and total deviation of clutch control strategy is given. This paper provides a quantitative analysis method of the clutch cumulative geometric deviation in the take-up process, which provides a reference for the clutch parameter setting and the vibration control of the vehicle in the take-up process.
This paper investigates the effects of non-driving related tasks, take-over request time, and take-over mode interactions on take-over performance in human–machine cooperative driving in a highway ...environment. Based on the driving simulation platform, a human–machine collaborative driving simulation experiment was designed with various take-over quality influencing factors. The non-driving related tasks included no task, listening to the radio, watching videos, playing games, and listening to the radio and playing games; the take-over request time was set to 6, 5, 4, and 3 s, and the take-over methods include passive and active take-over. Take-over test data were collected from 65 drivers. The results showed that different take-over request times had significant effects on driver take-over performance and vehicle take-over steady state (p < 0.05). Driver reaction time and minimum TTC decreased with decreasing take-over request time, maximum synthetic acceleration increased with decreasing take-over request time, accident rate increased significantly at 3 s take-over request time, and take-over safety was basically ensured at 4 s request time. Different non-driving related tasks have a significant effect on driver take-over performance (p < 0.05). Compared with no task, non-driving related tasks significantly increase driver reaction time, but they only have a small effect on vehicle take-over steady state. Vehicle take-over mode has a significant effect on human–machine cooperative driving take-over quality; compared with passive take-over mode, the take-over quality under active take-over mode is significantly lower.
In present-day highly-automated vehicles, there are occasions when the driving system disengages and the human driver is required to take-over. This is of great importance to a vehicle ʼ s ...safety and ride comfort. In the U.S state of California, the Autonomous Vehicle Testing Regulations require every manufacturer testing autonomous vehicles on public roads to submit an annual report summarizing the disengagements of the technology experienced during testing. On 1 January 2016, seven manufacturers submitted their first disengagement reports: Bosch, Delphi, Google, Nissan, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and Tesla Motors. This work analyses the data from these disengagement reports with the aim of gaining abetter understanding of the situations in which a driver is required to takeover, as this is potentially useful in improving the Society of Automotive Engineers ( SAE ) Level 2 and Level 3 automation technologies. Disengagement events from testing are classified into different groups based on attributes and the causes of disengagement are investigated and compared in detail. The mechanisms and time taken for take-over transition occurred in disengagements are studied. Finally, recommendations for OEMs, manufacturers, and government organizations are also discussed.
Background: Silymarin is the extract from seeds of Silybum marianum L. Gaertn. and it has been used for decades as hepatoprotectant. Recently, it has been proposed to be beneficial in type 2 diabetes ...patients. However, silymarin is a poorly water soluble drug with limited oral bioavailability. In this study, nanostructured lipid carriers were proposed to enhance its solubility and intestinal absorption. Methods: Nanostructured lipid carriers were made of Stearic acid:Capryol 90 as lipid mixtures and Brij S20 as surfactant. Formulations were physically and chemically characterized. Stability and in vitro release studies were also assessed. In vitro permeability and Caco-2 cellular uptake mechanism were investigated. Results: Obtained results were based on size, homogeneity, ζ-potential and EE%. Nanostructured lipid carriers could be orally administered. No degradation phenomena were observed in simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Storage stability of suspensions and lyophilized products was also tested. Glucose was selected as best cryoprotectant agent. About 60% of silymarin was released in 24 h in phosphate buffered saline. In vitro parallel artificial membrane permeability assay experiments revealed that the nanocarrier enhanced the permeation of Silymarin. Caco-2 study performed with fluorescent nanoparticles revealed the ability of carrier to enhance the permeation of a lipophilic probe. Cellular uptake studies indicated that active process is involved in the internalization of the formulation. Conclusions: The optimized nanostructured lipid carriers showed excellent chemical and physical stability and enhanced the absorption of silymarin.
Global patterns of illegal marine turtle exploitation Senko, Jesse F.; Burgher, Kayla M.; Mar Mancha‐Cisneros, Maria ...
Global change biology,
November 2022, 2022-11-00, 20221101, Volume:
28, Issue:
22
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
Human exploitation of wildlife for food, medicine, curios, aphrodisiacs, and spiritual artifacts represents a mounting 21st‐century conservation challenge. Here, we provide the first global ...assessment of illegal marine turtle exploitation across multiple spatial scales (i.e., Regional Management Units RMUs and countries) by collating data from peer‐reviewed studies, grey literature, archived media reports, and online questionnaires of in‐country experts spanning the past three decades. Based on available information, we estimate that over 1.1 million marine turtles were exploited between 1990 and 2020 against existing laws prohibiting their use in 65 countries or territories and in 44 of the world's 58 marine turtle RMUs, with over 44,000 turtles exploited annually over the past decade. Exploitation across the 30‐year period primarily consisted of green (56%) and hawksbill (39%) turtles when identified by species, with hawksbills (67%) and greens (81%) comprising the majority of turtles exploited in the 1990s and 2000s, respectively, and both species accounting for similar levels of exploitation in the 2010s. Although there were no clear overarching trends in the magnitude or spatial patterns of exploitation across the three decades, there was a 28% decrease in reported exploitation from the 2000s to the 2010s. The 10 RMUs with the highest exploitation in the 2010s included seven green and three hawksbill turtle RMUs, with most reported exploitation occurring in RMUs that typically exhibit a low risk of population decline or loss of genetic diversity. Over the past decade, the number of RMUs with “moderate” or “high” exploitation impact scores decreased. Our assessment suggests that illegal exploitation appears to have declined over the past decade and, with some exceptions, is primarily occurring in large, stable, and genetically diverse marine turtle populations.
Based on available information from peer‐reviewed studies, grey literature, archived media reports, and online questionnaires of in‐country experts, we estimate that over 1.1 million marine turtles were exploited between 1990 and 2020 against existing laws prohibiting their use in 65 countries or territories and in 44 of the world's 58 marine turtle Regional Management Units (RMUs), with over 44,000 turtles exploited annually over the past decade. Exploitation across the 30‐year period primarily consisted of green (56%) and hawksbill (39%) turtles. Most reported exploitation occurred in RMUs that are genetically diverse and typically exhibit large, stable, or increasing abundances.
Angle analysis, especially when athletes take of or focus on the long jump, is important to know as a study material by athletes and coaches in determining the ideal angle. This allows athletes to ...produce optimal jumps in a championship. The purpose of the study was to analyze the magnitude of the angle in the angel of take off phase in the long jump squat style of central java athletes. This research is a quantitative descriptive study. The time and location of the study in January 2022 was carried out at GOR Soesilo Soedarman. The sampling technique using purposive sampling obtained 15 athletes who met the inclusion and exclusion requirements.The analysis uses the kinovea application to determine the size of the body angle when focusing on the fulcrum board using the help of a camera. The results showed that athletes who produced the highest angle of take-off of 22.7° showed less than optimal results compared to athletes who produced an angle of take-off of 20°-21.8°atthe angle of take-off influenced by the phases in the take-off, namely touchdown, amortization and extension. Athletes who used the lowest angle of take-off (9.6°) also recorded the lowest achievement record of 5.00 meters-5.05 meters. Athletes who used an angle of take-off of 11o produced varying achievements, ranging from 5.09 meters–5.44 meters. The highest achievement was obtained by the sample using an angle of take-off between 20°-21.8° resulting in an achievement of between 6.06 meters –6.22 meters. Meanwhile, athletes who use an angle of take-off of 22.7° produce an achievement of 5.32 meters.
An optimized concept of axisymmetric concentric two-body wave energy converter is proposed, consisting of a torus and a floater, which are outer and inner bodies, respectively. The energy extraction ...is based on the relative motion of the bodies, which is the heave motion. The hydrodynamic characteristics of the two-body system are analyzed in the frequency-domain to evaluate the efficiency in sub-optimal conditions and an extended coupled hydrodynamic model is developed in the frequency and time-domain. To obtain the hydrodynamic coefficients of the two bodies, an open-source boundary element method code is used. The code is validated with the results of a similar concept. The time-domain model and simulator are developed based on the hydrodynamic coefficients calculated in the frequency-domain. A simplified power take-off system including a realistic hydraulic cylinder is modeled in the time domain and used for the optimization process. The optimization considers the hydrodynamic efficiency of different torus shapes and maximizing the pressure and power in the hydraulic power take-off system. The results show that the cone shape torus presents higher efficiency while the max-mean power ratio of the wave energy converter is compared in different cylinder sizes with optimal power take-off parameters.
•An optimized concept of axisymmetric concentric two body wave energy converter is proposed with a torus and a floater.•The energy extraction is based on the relative motion of the bodies, which in this case is the heave motion.•The hydrodynamic characteristics of the two-body system are analyzed in the frequency-domain.•A simplified power take-off system including a realistic hydraulic cylinder is modeled in the time domain.•Optimization is performed on the hydrodynamic efficiency of different torus shapes and on the pressure and power in the PTO.
Introduction
Many studies have shown that multifetal reduction of high‐order multiple pregnancies results in improved pregnancy outcomes. However, whether conducting elective fetal reduction from ...dichorionic twins after in vitro fertilization (IVF) is worthwhile remains controversial. This study aimed to determine whether elective fetal reduction of dichorionic twins after IVF and embryo transfer (IVF‐ET) is associated with increased take‐home baby rate.
Material and methods
This was a retrospective cohort study of 3600 dichorionic twin pregnancies after IVF‐ET. The reduced group included 71 women with transvaginal elective fetal reduction between 7 and 8 weeks of gestation. The control group (n = 3529) comprised women who were managed expectantly. Propensity score matching was conducted before pregnancy outcomes were compared.
Results
The take‐home baby rate was significantly lower in the reduced group (83.1% vs 92.8%, P = 0.004). The total miscarriage rate was significantly higher in the reduced group (12.7% vs 6.2%, P = 0.04). Although preterm delivery rate was lower in the reduced group (P < 0.001), over 90% were over 32 weeks, whereas the proportions were equal in the reduced group.
Conclusions
In dichorionic twin pregnancies after IVF‐ET, elective fetal reduction to singleton significantly decreased the chance of taking home live babies.
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