Search Results (683)

Floating vertical−axis wind turbines present unique advantages for deep−water offshore deployments, but their basin model testing encounters significant challenges in aerodynamic load simulation due to Reynolds scaling effects. While Froude−scaled experiments accurately replicate hydrodynamic behaviors, the drastic reduction in Reynolds numbers at the model scale leads to substantial discrepancies in aerodynamic forces compared to full−scale conditions. This study proposed two methodologies to address these challenges. Fully physical model tests adopt a “physical wind field + rotor model + floating foundation” approach, realistically simulating aerodynamic loads during rotor rotation. Semi−physical model tests employ a “numerical wind field + rotor model + physical floating foundation” configuration, where theoretical aerodynamic loads are obtained through numerical calculations and then reproduced using controllable actuator structures. For fully physical model tests, a blade reconstruction framework integrated airfoil optimization, chord length adjustments, and twist angle modifications through Taylor expansion−based sensitivity analysis. The method achieved thrust coefficient similarity across the operational tip−speed ratio range. For semi−physical tests, a cruciform−arranged rotor system with eight dynamically controlled rotors and constrained thrust allocation algorithms enabled the simultaneous reproduction of periodic streamwise/crosswind thrusts and vertical−axis torque. Numerical case studies demonstrated that the system effectively simulates six−degree−of−freedom aerodynamic loads under turbulent conditions while maintaining thrust variation rates below 9.3% between adjacent time steps. These solutions addressed VAWTs’ distinct aerodynamic complexities, including azimuth−dependent Reynolds number fluctuations and multidirectional force coupling, which conventional methods fail to accommodate. The developed techniques enhanced the fidelity of floating VAWT basin tests, providing critical experimental validation tools for emerging offshore wind technologies. Full article

This paper explores how trauma functions not only as a mark of suffering but as a generative force of memory, agency, and resistance. Traditional trauma narratives often confine queer bodies to sites of pain, overlooking their role in reshaping history and reclaiming identity. Drawing on Ann Cvetkovich’s concept of queer trauma as an anti-pathological force, this study examines how Rainbow Milk portrays distress not as an individual affliction requiring clinical intervention but as an insidious, intergenerational experience that circulates through familial silence and socio-cultural marginalization. At the same time, the novel illustrates how trauma can open pathways to self-expression and historical reclamation. By uncovering his family’s hidden past, the protagonist embarks on an unconventional healing process that links personal memory with collective histories of exclusion. In doing so, Rainbow Milk reframes trauma not as a fixed wound but as a dynamic, lived experience that enables identity reconstruction through remembrance, connection, and resilience. Full article

Adding a fibular strut bone graft to locking plate fixation has been introduced to improve stability and prevent varus collapse. The purpose of this study was to perform finite element analysis (FEA) of the biomechanical characteristics of different insertion angles of the fibular strut graft in proximal humerus fractures. Proximal humerus fractures with metaphyseal comminution and instability were simulated by creating wedge-shaped osteotomies medially and laterally for varus and valgus models, respectively. Three-dimensional finite element models were reconstructed from computed tomography images. A locking compression plate with a length of 90 mm (three holes) was applied to the proximal humerus fracture model. Fibular allografts were inserted at 0° and 30° to the humeral shaft. Axial and traction forces of 70°, 90°, and 110° relative to the vertical axis were applied to each model to simulate stress on the plate and graft. At axial loads, stresses in both the plate and the graft were lower when the graft was inserted at 0° than at 30°. Under traction loads, plate stress was lower with 30° insertion. Graft stress was also lower with 30° in most experimental conditions in both the valgus and varus models. These findings suggest that oblique insertion may provide biomechanical advantages under traction forces in unstable proximal humerus fractures. Full article

Water is the source of life and also the lifeline of cities. The reconstruction of secondary water supply systems is a key component of urban renewal reforms, and the collaborative governance of such projects has become a focal topic through academic research. In this article, we try to discover the path to successful “bottom-up” collaborative water governance with Collins’s theory of interaction ritual chains (IRC) through a case study of a secondary water supply reconstruction program in J Estate, Jinshan District, Shanghai. The case study involved a total of 104 households, and we employed convenience sampling for all households through door-to-door inquiries, which included semi-structured interviews and non-participant observations. A total of 15 households participated in our interview. This study demonstrates that repeated social interactive rituals, such as bodily co-presence, rhythmic synchronization, and shared signs, can stimulate the accumulation of residents’ emotional energy, which becomes the initial power to promote community water governance and, in return, becomes the driving force for sustained collective action and mutual trust. Drawing on Collins’s theory of IRC, this article fills a gap by explaining the symbolic mechanism driven by emotions and personal relationships that macro-level governance ignores. We also demonstrate the spillover effects of such social rituals and propose policy recommendations that governments should apply, using these rituals to mobilize and consolidate residents’ emotions to create a virtuous circle of collaborative governance. Full article

The common iliac artery supplies blood to the lower extremities, and stenosis in this region severely impacts hemodynamics. This study investigates the effects of 25%, 50%, and 75% iliac artery stenosis on key hemodynamic parameters using a fluid–structure interaction (FSI) approach. Semi-idealized geometries reconstructed from patient-specific data modeled realistic arterial behavior. Parameters such as wall displacement, time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI), high oscillatory low shear magnitude (HOLMES) index, and endothelial cell activation potential (ECAP) were evaluated. Results showed peak wall displacement of 2.85 mm in the bifurcation zone under 75% stenosis. TAWSS increased with stenosis severity, peaking in stenotic regions and decreasing significantly downstream. OSI was highest in non-stenosed right branches and bifurcation areas, indicating multidirectional shear forces. HOLMES values were lowest downstream of stenoses, indicating disturbed flow. ECAP exceeded the thrombosis risk threshold (1.4 Pa⁻¹) in post-stenotic zones under 75% stenosis, suggesting a higher risk of clot formation. These results demonstrate that stenosis disrupts local flow and causes hemodynamic changes downstream, emphasizing the need for comprehensive clinical assessment beyond the stenotic site. Regions with elevated ECAP and low HOLMES downstream may be prone to thrombosis, highlighting the importance of careful hemodynamic monitoring for treatment strategies. Full article

Tele-ultrasound systems enable remote diagnostic imaging by transmitting both motion commands and haptic feedback between a sonographer and a robotic probe. While these systems aim to replicate conventional ultrasound procedures, they rarely address the physical strain typically experienced by sonographers. In this study, the effect of applying a force scaling strategy to haptic feedback on reducing muscular fatigue and task-induced stress during a realistic tele-ultrasound task is studied. First, a thorough operational and biomechanical analysis of the abdominal US procedure was performed to reconstruct a representative task in the laboratory. Then, a bilateral position–force tele-ultrasound architecture was implemented, and a total of 11 subjects performed the reconstructed remote ultrasound task under two randomized conditions: with and without force scaling. Surface electromyography (sEMG) signals were acquired from seven upper-limb muscles (posterior deltoid, trapezius, anterior deltoid, biceps, triceps, wrist flexors, and wrist extensors). Teleoperation-related stress was also assessed using a seven-item Likert-scale self-report questionnaire administered after each trial. Statistical significance was tested using Repeated Measures ANOVA for EMG data and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test for stress scores. The results showed a statistically significant reduction in muscle activation in 5 out of 7 muscles, and a clear mitigation of fatigue progression over time in the scaled condition. Additionally, perceived stress levels were significantly lower in the presence of force scaling in overall stress scores. These findings support the effectiveness of force scaling as a tool to enhance ergonomics in tele-ultrasound procedures without compromising the operator’s ability to perform the task. The proposed methodology proved robust and generalizable, offering valuable insight into the integration of human-centered design in tele-operated diagnostic systems. Full article

In the context of global modernization, both the United States and China faced major challenges in rural social development. In the early twentieth century, the American federal government launched the Country Life Movement, during which Christianity addressed the rural crisis through rural church reforms. Meanwhile, influenced by the American-led World Agricultural Mission Movement, the Christian churches applied the experiences and insights gained from the U.S. rural church reforms to China’s rural reconstruction movement. During the first half of the twentieth century, the Christian rural reconstruction models in China evolved to become increasingly comprehensive and targeted. In the early decades, Christian missions promoted the establishment of an agricultural education system to cultivate rural talents. By the 1920s, churches in China had developed a comprehensive rural social reform program. After the 1928 Jerusalem Meeting of the International Missionary Council (IMC), the concept of “Rural Community Parish” emerged as the guiding principle for the comprehensive rural reconstruction program in China. The Christian church further clarified its ultimate goal: to build a “Christian rural civilization in China.” Based on this, Christian rural work in China developed steadily until 1950, when the withdrawal of Christian forces brought an end to their rural influence in China. Full article

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and reconstruction (ACLR) are associated with biomechanical deficits and reinjury risk. Wearable devices offer promising tools for objective assessment of knee joint function. This scoping review aimed to map the use of wearable devices in quantifying knee outcomes following ACL injury or reconstruction, and to evaluate their clinical readiness and methodological quality. Eligible studies were human, English-language studies in ACL/ACLR populations or healthy cohorts assessing ACL-relevant knee outcomes with wearable devices. MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), APA PsycInfo (Ovid), PubMed, and Scopus were searched up to 27 August 2025. Data on devices, tasks, participants, outcomes, and validation were extracted, and an adapted technology readiness level (TRL) mapping was applied. Thirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) were used most often for kinematics. Standalone accelerometers quantified pivot-shift features, while force-sensing insoles captured bilateral loading. Electromagnetic trackers and electrogoniometers served as higher-precision comparators but were workflow-limited. Reporting of calibration and criterion validation was inconsistent. TRL bands clustered at 3–6, and none reached clinical integration. We propose task-matched sampling, transparent calibration, criterion validation, pairing with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), and multi-site workflow trials to progress towards routine care. Full article

Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction technology is not only a core and key technology in computer vision and graphics, but also a key force driving the flourishing development of many cutting-edge applications such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), autonomous driving, and digital earth. With the rise in novel view synthesis technologies such as Neural Radiation Field (NeRF) and 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS), 3D reconstruction is facing unprecedented development opportunities. This article introduces the basic principles of traditional 3D reconstruction methods, including Structure from Motion (SfM) and Multi View Stereo (MVS) techniques, and analyzes the limitations of these methods in dealing with complex scenes and dynamic environments. Focusing on implicit 3D scene reconstruction techniques related to NeRF, this paper explores the advantages and challenges of using deep neural networks to learn and generate high-quality 3D scene rendering from limited perspectives. Based on the principles and characteristics of 3DGS-related technologies that have emerged in recent years, the latest progress and innovations in rendering quality, rendering efficiency, sparse view input support, and dynamic 3D reconstruction are analyzed. Finally, the main challenges and opportunities faced by current 3D reconstruction technology and novel view synthesis technology were discussed in depth, and possible technological breakthroughs and development directions in the future were discussed. This article aims to provide a comprehensive perspective for researchers in 3D reconstruction technology in fields such as digital twins and smart cities, while opening up new ideas and paths for future technological innovation and widespread application. Full article

Civil infrastructure, such as bridges and buildings, is susceptible to damage from unforeseen low-speed impacts during service. Impact force identification from dynamic response measurements is essential for structural health monitoring and structural design. Force identification is an ill-posed inverse problem, and the regularization technique is widely used to solve this problem using a full transfer matrix. However, existing regularization techniques are not suitable for large-scale practical structures due to the high computational cost for the inverse calculation of a high-dimensional transfer matrix, and impact excitation locations are often unknown in practice. To address these challenges, a novel two-step truncated transfer matrix-based impact force identification method is proposed in this study. In the first step, a sparse regularization-based technique is developed to determine unknown force locations using modal superposition. In the second step, the full transfer matrix is truncated by time windows corresponding to short durations of impact excitations, and a Tikhonov regularization-based technique is adopted to reconstruct the time history of impact forces. The proposed method is verified numerically on a simply supported beam and experimentally on a 10 m steel–concrete composite bridge deck. The results show that the proposed method could determine the impact locations and reconstruct the time history of impact forces accurately. Compared with existing Tikhonov and sparse regularization methods, the proposed method demonstrates superior accuracy and computational efficiency for impact force identification. The robustness of the proposed method to noise level and the number of modes and sensors is investigated. Experimental studies for both single-force and multiple-force localization and identification are conducted. The results indicate that the proposed method is efficient and accurate in identifying impact forces. Full article

The body–soul relationship serves as a crucial entry point for exploring the intersection of Plato’s dialogues with ancient Greek religious thought, particular Orphic doctrines. In critically inheriting and reconstructing core elements of Orphism, Plato initiates a paradigm shift from mythos to logos—transitioning from mythic narrative to philosophical reasoning. In the context of Greek religious history, Orphism was the first to articulate a dualism between soul and body, depicting the body as a “prison” that confines the divine soul. While Plato frequently references this framework in his dialogues, he simultaneously exposes its inherent contradictions. By distinguishing between the soul’s pure and embodied states, Plato rejects the Orphic notion of bodily impurity. Instead, he reinterprets the body’s negativity not as religious “original sin,” but as the interference of sensory experience and desire in rational life. He affirms that the soul maintains its rational autonomy even in embodiment, with desire and thymos (spirit) emerging naturally from this process, thereby disclosing the soul’s intrinsic structure. In place of a strict dualism, Plato introduces a tripartite model of the soul, positioning thymos as the mediating force between reason and desire. The ambiguity of thymos functions as a self-regulating mechanism that enables the soul to maintain dynamic balance. In this moral psychology, virtue is no longer defined as the soul’s rejection of the body, but as the soul’s harmonious order and natural growth within it. Plato thus adopts a complex and cautious stance toward Orphism, ultimately transcending its passive ethical outlook and transforming a mythical doctrine into a rational philosophical system. Full article

This study presents a finite element-based numerical simulation of a shipwreck scenario at the 4th-century BC underwater archaeological site near the island of Žirje, integrating engineering analysis with archaeological interpretation. The site is notable for the wide scattering of amphorae across the seafloor. A scaled model, based on the well-documented Kyrenia shipwreck, found off the coast of Cyprus, was developed to approximate the estimated parameters of the Žirje vessel, incorporating reduced dimensions, an adjusted freeboard, and a total deadweight of approximately six tons. The finite element model of the ship, its cargo, and the seabed was developed using LS-DYNA R11.1. software. Instead of fluid modelling, the study employed explicit dynamic analysis with a rigid seabed, gravitational loading, and automatic contact to reduce computational cost. A series of parametric simulations explored the effects of roll, yaw, and varying gravitational forces on the sinking behaviour and cargo dispersion. Results indicate that only certain non-uniform sinking conditions, combined with seabed currents, accurately replicate the archaeological distribution of the amphorae. This approach underscores the value of integrating finite element analysis (FEA) with archaeological data to generate digitally supported hypotheses, demonstrating how numerical reconstruction can enhance the interpretation of complex underwater archaeological sites. Full article

The current study focuses on the interconnection between wildfires and the atmosphere and more precisely on the radiative effect of wildfire emissions on a global scale. Specifically, the effective radiative forcing (ERF) of present-day wildfire emissions relative to pre-industrial conditions is determined. Atmosphere-only simulations were performed using EC-Earth3, and three wildfire-emission datasets were introduced: BB4CMIP6 and two reconstructed alternatives, one derived from the BB4CMIP6 dataset and one derived from the fire model LPJ-LMfire. Our simulations indicate that the main drivers of ERF are the changes in cloud cover and surface albedo caused by the present-day wildfire emissions. Full article

Contact-force perception is a critical component of safe robotic grasping. With the rapid advances in embodied intelligence technology, humanoid robots have enhanced their multimodal perception capabilities. Conventional force sensors face limitations, such as complex spatial arrangements, installation challenges at multiple nodes, and potential interference with robotic flexibility. Consequently, these conventional sensors are unsuitable for biomimetic robot requirements in object perception, natural interaction, and agile movement. Therefore, this study proposes a sensorless external force detection method that integrates SuperPoint-Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) feature extraction with finite element analysis to address force perception challenges. A visual analysis method based on the SuperPoint-SIFT feature fusion algorithm was implemented to reconstruct a three-dimensional displacement field of the target object. Subsequently, the displacement field was mapped to the contact force distribution using finite element modeling. Experimental results demonstrate a mean force estimation error of 7.60% (isotropic) and 8.15% (anisotropic), with RMSE < 8%, validated by flexible pressure sensors. To enhance the model’s reliability, a dual-channel video comparison framework was developed. By analyzing the consistency of the deformation patterns and mechanical responses between the actual compression and finite element simulation video keyframes, the proposed approach provides a novel solution for real-time force perception in robotic interactions. The proposed solution is suitable for applications such as precision assembly and medical robotics, where sensorless force feedback is crucial. Full article

The landscape of Mlynky Village, situated in the north–northwest part of Pest County, is characterized by preserved areas of historical cultural landscape and monuments, which were created or rebuilt mainly by Slovak colonists’ activities. The aim of this study was the cultural–ecological characterization of the Slovak enclave Mlynky territory and the reconstruction of the land use (historical land use), with an emphasis on the period from the mid-18th century (from the founding of the village on the land of the Pauline monastery) to 2022. We used the findings on land use changes to develop an integrated landscape management approach, which we present as two framework proposals. They aim to coordinate the development of anthropogenic activities in the present while preserving the cultural–historical potential of the studied area (rescue, revitalization, and protection of selected landscape archetypes) since the natural beauty and historical values of the landscape of the studied area have been protected since 1997 by the legislation of the Danube–Ipoly National Park. The research results also confirm the importance of natural driving forces that played a fundamental role in cultivating the local landscape during the period under study. This fact is reflected in the relatively small areas with high anthropogenic use (arable land and permanent grasslands). Full article