Circular economy and digital capabilities of SMEs for providing value to customers: Combined Resource-Based View and ambidexterity perspective

Some small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are involved in recycling plastic waste to produce innovative products. These SMEs have adopted digital technologies, such as 3D printing and blockchain, to gain competitive advantage from their circular economy (CE)-based business models. However, the specific capabilities needed to create value for customers and to generate a competitive advantage for such SMEs are not known. In this study, we conducted in-depth interviews with four SMEs engaged in the CE to identify the specific resources and capabilities needed to provide value to customers. Our findings reveal that SMEs focusing on circular economy initiatives demonstrate exploitation and adaptive capabilities in utilising their CE resources followed by exploration and adaptive capabilities while implementing digital technologies. Our study extends the resource-based view by combining it with ambidexterity to explain the role of specific circular and digital resources and capabilities that SMEs need to provide value to their customers

AN ASSESSMENT OF THE COORDINATION AND COORDINATION VARIABILITY BETWEEN THE THORAX AND PELVIS DURING A MAXIMAL INSTEP KICK

The purpose of study was to assess coordination and coordination variability between the pelvis and thorax during a maximal instep kick (MIK) with the use of a modified vector coding technique. Nine university football players participated in this study. An optoelectronic motion capture system collected kinematic data on the dominant (DOM) and non-dominant (ND) side. The output from the vector coding technique was assigned to a coordination pattern classification that details the phase relationship between two segments, quantifies segmental dominancy, and provides information on segmental angle rotations. The results of this study and the reported coordination patterns of a MIK expands on current understanding of the tension arc (TA). Coordination variability was greater for the ND trials compared to the DOM trials. Overall, pelvis-thorax coordination and trunk angle kinematics are extremely influential when producing a high quality MIK

QUANTIFYING SEGMENTAL COORDINATION DURING A SPORT SPECIFIC MOVEMENT USING A MODIFIED VECTOR CODING TECHNIQUE: A COMPARISON BETWEEN TWO COORDINATION PATTERN CLASSIFICATIONS

The purpose of this study was to compare two coordination pattern classifications associated with a modified vector coding technique, with a view to examine how differences between these classification systems affect the interpretation of movement patterns during the maximal instep kick in association football. This study strongly recommends the use of a coordination pattern classification that details the phase relationship between two segments (i.e. in-phase or anti-phase), provides an understanding of the direction of segmental rotations, and is able to quantify segmental dominancy at each point in time

Implementation of lean manufacturing and lean audit system in an auto parts manufacturing industry – an industrial case study

Lean manufacturing is one of the innovative manufacturing concepts being applied in many industries to avoid the wastages of resources and improving the quality of products and help the company to become more effective and productive. It also focuses on continuous improvements with the total involvement of all employees with optimum utilization of man power and machine by reducing idle time and reducing lead time with help of lean tools like value stream mapping and kaizen. This paper presents a case study carried out in a foundry division of an auto parts manufacturing industry, where lean tools are implemented for the defect reduction and productivity improvement. In this paper, a conceptualized implementation of total productive maintenance practices of lean tools: Kaizen or continuous improvement and value stream map in an auto parts industry are presented. The result shows improved performance in terms of average core rejections, sand leakage and air lock problem

Toxicity characterization and long-term stability studies on copper slag from the ISASMELT process

Detailed studies on the toxicity and long-term stability of copper slag of varying heavy metal concentration generated over a 14-week period in an Indian copper plant through the ISASMELT process was carried out using USEPA's toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP), multiple extraction procedure and sulfuric acid leaching of granulated and mechanically activated slag as a function of pH at two different temperatures. The TCLP, acid leaching and multiple extraction test results carried out on a large number of slag samples of varying compositions derived from the use of several copper concentrates indicate poor leachability of the heavy metals and assures long-term stability even in extreme atmospheres. Leaching tests on mechanically activated samples gives an idea of the resistance to leaching of the heavy metals even upon weathering. The multiple extraction leaching tests indicate that the heavy metals present in the slag are stable and are not likely to dissolve significantly even through repetitive leaching under acid rain in a natural environment. The highest concentration of all the elements is far below the prescribed limits in USEPA 40CFR Part 261

The effects of shoe temperature on the kinetics and kinematics of running

The aim of the current investigation was to examine the effects of cooled footwear on the kinetics and kinematics of running in comparison to footwear at normal temperature. Twelve participants ran at 4.0 m/s ± 5% in both cooled and normal temperature footwear conditions over a force platform. Two identical footwear were worn, one of which was cooled for 30 min. Lower extremity kinematics were obtained using a motion capture system and tibial accelerations were measured using a triaxial accelerometer. Differences between cooled and normal footwear temperatures were contrasted using paired samples t-tests. The results showed that midsole temperature (cooled = 4.21 °C and normal = 23.25 °C) and maximal midsole deformation during stance (cooled = 12.85 mm and normal = 14.52 mm) were significantly reduced in the cooled footwear. In addition, instantaneous loading rate (cooled = 186.21 B.W/s and normal = 167.08 B W/s), peak tibial acceleration (cooled = 12.75 g and normal = 10.70 g) and tibial acceleration slope (cooled = 478.69 g/s and normal = 327.48 g/s) were significantly greater in the cooled footwear. Finally, peak eversion (cooled = −10.57 ° and normal = −7.83°) and tibial internal rotation (cooled = 10.67 ° and normal = 7.77°) were also shown to be significantly larger in the cooled footwear condition. This study indicates that running in cooled footwear may place runners at increased risk from the biomechanical parameters linked to the aetiology of injuries

ANALYSING PATTERNS OF COORDINATION AND PATTERNS OF CONTROL DURING A MAXIMAL INSTEP KICK IN ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL USING NOVEL DATA VISUALISATION TECHNIQUES IN VECTOR CODING

The purpose of this study was to use novel data visualisations for profiling the coordination pattern, segmental dominancy and inter-data point range of motion (IDP-ROM) when utilising a modified vector coding technique. On group data, coupling angle mapping and segmental dominancy profiling noted similar coordination patterns between the thorax and pelvis during the maximal instep kick on the dominant (D) and non-dominant limbs (ND). However, time-series profiling of IDP-ROM of the dominant segment visually highlighted greater pelvis range of motion during the forward swing phase of the kicking leg for the D limb in comparison to the ND limb

Single Phase Quasi-Z-Source Based Modified Cascaded Multilevel Inverter with Half-Bridge Cell

A new Quasi-Z-Source Modified Cascaded Multilevel Inverter (qZS-MCMLI) with Half-Bridge Cell presents attractive advantages over conventional cascaded MLI with voltage boost ability and reduced switches. The new proposed topology is comprised of cascaded auxiliary units and a full H-bridge inverter, where the auxiliary unit includes half bridge cell with qZS network. With qZS network shoot-through state control, the output voltage amplitude can be boosted, which is not limited to DC source voltage summation similar to conventional cascaded MLI. The performance parameters of qZS-MCMLI with various multicarrier PWM control methods are analysed with simulation results and portrayed here

A stakeholder informed, low-cost, personalised 3D-printed insole for diabetic foot ulcer prevention

Background: Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) incidence will rise in line with the increasing global prevalence of diabetes. Healthcare providers must develop effective interventions that address the needs of patients and clinicians if DFUs are to be prevented. Aim: Engage with stakeholders (patients and clinicians) to inform the development and evaluation criteria of a novel low-cost 3D-printed insole to reduce DFU risk in patients with neuropathy. Method: Data from the transcripts of 15 semi-structured patient interviews and the views of 7 podiatrists were used to develop a consensus statement of insole design specifications. A prototype insole was developed and evaluated against these specifications. Clinical effectiveness was established by comparing reduction in peak plantar pressures and patient perceived comfort of 4 people with diabetic neuropathy whist wearing 1) no insole 2) standard custom insole and 3) 3D-printed insole conditions. The F-scan in-shoe pressure measurement system was used to collect kinetic data. Insoles were presented in a random order with participants blinded to the condition. Results: The 3D-printed insole fulfilled most of the design specifications including being lightweight, easy to clean and walk in. It was more effective at reducing forefoot plantar loads when compared to the standard insole condition, reducing mean peak plantar pressure by 31%, a 4% greater reduction over the standard insole condition. Conclusion: This study provided valuable pilot data for the efficacy, acceptability and future direction of this intervention. The impact of stakeholder involvement on insole design, adherence and ulceration rate need to be evaluated through a clinical trial

The Effects of Running Kinematics on Peak Upper Trunk GPS-Measured Accelerations during Foot Contact at Different Running Speeds

The overall aim of this study was to determine the effects of running kinematics on the peak upper trunk segmental accelerations captured with an accelerometer embedded in a commonly used GPS device. Thirteen male participants (age: 27 ± 3.7 years, height: 1.81 ± 0.06 m, mass: 82.7 ± 6.2 kg) with extensive running experience completed a single trial of treadmill running (1 degree inclination) for 40 s at nine different speeds ranging from 10 to 18 km/h at 1 km/h increments. Three-dimensional peak upper trunk acceleration values were captured via a GPS device containing a tri-axial accelerometer. Participants’ running kinematics were calculated from the coordinate data captured by an 18-camera motion capture system. A series of generalized linear mixed models were employed to determine the effects of the kinematic variables on the accelerometer acceleration peaks across the key gait phases of foot contact. Results showed that running kinematics had significant effects on peak accelerometer-measured accelerations in all axes (p < 0.05). Overall, peak segment velocities had a larger effect than joint/segment kinematics on resultant (F values = 720.9/54.2), vertical (F values = 149.8/48.1) and medial–lateral (F values = 55.4/33.4) peak accelerometer accelerations. The largest effect on peak accelerometer accelerations were observed during the impact subphase of foot contact at the adduction/abduction velocity of the shank (F value = 129.2, coefficient = −0.03) and anterior/posterior velocity of the pelvis (F value = 58.9, coefficient = 0.01). Axis-dependent effects of running kinematics were also observed, specifically at the trunk segment in the vertical and anterior–posterior peak accelerometer accelerations. This study showed the intersegmental relationship between joint/segment kinematics, segment velocities and the resulting peak accelerations of the upper trunk during running over several speeds. These findings provide insights into the lower body’s GRF attenuation capacity and its contribution to trunk stability whilst running