Equivalent Homogeneous Variable Depth Beams for Cracked FGM Beams; Compliance Approach

We explore the compliance approach for K _I evaluation of a cracked three point beam (TPB) of functionally graded material (FGM). We suggest an equivalent beam of variable height for cracked FGM beams which includes the homogeneous beam for the linear, quadratic and cubic variations in elastic modulus along the beam span. The efficacy of equivalent beams is demonstrated numerically on a 250 × 41 × 6 mm FGM beam with modulus varying from 210 – 315 GPa under 5000 N load.     

Effect of particle size on the electrochemical corrosion behavior of X70 pipeline steel

In this study, by using a standard quartz replace of sandy soil particles, the effect of soil particle size (0.1–0.25 mm, 0.6–1.0 mm) on the electrochemical corrosion behavior of X70 pipeline steel in sandy soil corrosive environment simulated by 3.5 wt% sodium chloride (NaCl) was investigated through polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technology. The results indicated that the polarization resistance of X70 steel decreased with decreasing particle size. For all polarization curves, the right shift of cathodic branch with decreasing particle size, suggesting that the cathode oxygen reduction process is accelerated. The corrosion of X70 steel is controlled by the process of cathode diffusion and oxygen reduction. This can be attributed to the effect of gas/liquid/solid three‐phase boundary (TPB) zone on cathodic process of X70 steel, and the corrosion rate is mainly determined by the cathodic reaction. EIS of X70 steel consisted of two capacitive loops with 7, 60 and 90 days buried corrosion, and the charge transfer resistance of X70 steel increased with increasing particle size.     

Cross-cultural differences in drivers’ speed choice

The aim of the present study was to examine if there are any cross-cultural differences between Swedish and Turkish drivers’ rating of the variables in the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) with regard to complying with the speed limit. A sample of 219 Swedish and 252 Turkish drivers completed a questionnaire including questions based on the theory of planned behaviour (i.e. regarding attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, intention and behaviour). The results show that country differences in drivers’ intention to comply with the speed limit as well as their self-reported compliance could be explained by differences found in their attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioural control. Furthermore, drivers who live in a country with fewer road traffic fatalities (i.e. Sweden), compared with drivers who live in a country with more road traffic fatalities (i.e. Turkey), reported a more positive attitude towards complying with the speed limit, a more positive subjective norm, a higher perceived behavioural control, a higher intention and a larger proportion of the time spent complying.     

Smart TV: are they really smart in interacting with people? Understanding the interactivity of Korean Smart TV

Smart TV (STV), a new digital television service, has been rapidly developing, particularly in Korea. With the conceptual model of interactivity, this study empirically investigates the effects of perceived interactivity on the motivations and attitudes towards STV in Korea. The model is created to validate the relationship of perceived interactivity to performance, attitude and intention. Further, the model examines the mediating roles of perceived interactivity in the effect of performance on attitude towards STV. Empirical evidence supports the mediating role of perceived interactivity. Implications of the findings are discussed in terms of building a theory of interactivity and providing practical insights into developing a user-centred STV interface.     

Effect of length of gas/liquid/solid three-phase boundary zone on cathodic and corrosion behavior of metals

Liquid dispersion, depending on the length of gas/liquid/solid three-phase boundary (TPB) zone of dispersed liquid on a metal surface, is an important property of liquid state influencing corrosion behavior of metals in gas/liquid/solid multiphase corrosion systems. The effect of TPB length on the cathode and corrosion process was studied using steady state polarization technique, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and linear polarization resistance (LPR) technique. It was found that both the cathodic limiting current density and corrosion current density linearly increased with increasing the TPB length, indicating that the cathodic and corrosion process in gas/liquid/solid multiphase corrosion systems not only depended on the thickness of liquid layer but also strongly depended on the dispersed liquid state on a metal surface. In addition, a model is developed to establish the relationship between the cathodic limiting current density and the TPB length. The simulation result is in good agreement with the experimental findings. The model is also useful for evaluating the effect of liquid dispersion on atmospheric corrosion rates.     

The effect of conformity tendency on pedestrians’ road-crossing intentions in China: An application of the theory of planned behavior

This paper presents a survey investigating the effects of age, gender and conformity tendency on Chinese pedestrians’ intention to cross the road in potentially dangerous situations. A sample of 426 respondents completed a demographic questionnaire, a scale measuring their tendency towards social conformity, and a questionnaire based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). This questionnaire measured people's intentions to cross the road in two different road crossing situations, their attitude towards the behavior, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, anticipated affect, moral norms, and perceived risk. The two scenarios depicted (i) a situation where the crossing was consistent with other pedestrians’ behavior (Conformity scenario) and (ii) a situation where the road crossing was inconsistent with other pedestrians (Non-Conformity scenario). Pedestrians reported greater likelihood in crossing the road when other pedestrians were crossing the road. People who showed greater tendencies towards social conformity also had stronger road crossing intentions than low conformity people for both scenarios. The predictive model explained 36% and 48% of the variance in the Non-Conformity and Conformity scenarios, respectively. Attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and perceived risk emerged as the common predictors for both situations. The results have a number of theoretical and practical implications. In particular, interventions should focus on perceptions of risk that inform road users that crossing with other pedestrians against the signal is also unsafe and prohibited, and may lead to negative outcomes.     

基于结构方程模型的绿色服装购买行为研究

以消费者的绿色服装购买行为作为研究内容,旨在从心理学角度发现绿色服装购买意愿的影响因素,并探讨行为意愿和影响因素之间的关系.以计划行为理论为依据建立理论模型并设计调查问卷,选取北京、上海、大连3所城市的在校大学生作为调研对象,运用结构方程模型方法,借助SPSS17.0和AMOS7.0软件进行数据分析,得出研究结果.研究结果有助于国内外绿色服装的生产经营商了解国内的市场,也在一定程度上丰富了我国在绿色服装消费领域的学术研究.