Search Results (5,523)

The implementation of the new national electric bike (e-bike) standard has imposed stringent compliance requirements on equipment and e-bikes in the instant delivery sector, which directly affects the delivery efficiency and the work adaptability of food delivery riders. This study aims to investigate food delivery riders’ continued usage intention of e-bikes under China’s new e-bike regulation. Based on valid data collected from food delivery riders in Nanjing, this study employs ordered logit regression to examine the primary factors influencing their continued usage intention of e-bikes. The findings reveal that: (1) Male riders’ willingness to continue using e-bikes is comparatively lower, whereas older riders show a stronger intention. (2) Food delivery riders with higher incomes and those who need to replace their e-bikes show a stronger inclination to continue using them. (3) Limited e-bike options have a significant negative effect on riders’ continued usage intention, while speed limits exert no significant influence. Based on these empirical findings, corresponding policy recommendations are proposed to promote riders’ continued use of e-bikes, such as developing age-friendly delivery models, establishing an income guarantee mechanism for riders, and optimizing platform delivery time allocation. The findings could provide a theoretical basis and practical insights for policymakers and food delivery platforms to improve e-bike management policies. Full article

Accurate prediction of landslide run-out distance is fundamental to hazard mapping, emergency planning, and risk-informed engineering design. However, many data-driven studies implicitly treat landslides as a homogeneous population and provide limited, physically interpretable insights into how geomorphic factors govern run-out behavior. To address these limitations, we propose a cluster-aware and explainable modeling framework to predict run-out distance L using four source-region and slope descriptors: crown–toe relief H, source area A, source volume V, and mean source-slope inclination $\theta$. The dataset consists of 10,159 rainfall-induced landslides compiled from official inventories and peer-reviewed literature. After standardizing predictors, the optimal number of clusters is determined using information criteria (AIC/BIC), followed by k-means clustering to identify distinct landslide regimes. We first benchmark Random Forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting, CatBoost, and LightGBM on identical data splits without hyperparameter tuning, using $R^2$, RMSE, and MAE as performance metrics. LightGBM consistently outperforms the alternatives and is therefore selected as the base learner. Within each cluster, LightGBM is further optimized using the Alpha Evolution (AE) algorithm, with Particle Swarm Optimization and Bayesian Optimization serving as benchmarks. The resulting AE-LightGBM model achieves the highest predictive accuracy across clusters. Model interpretability is achieved using TreeSHAP, which decomposes predictions into cluster-specific baselines and additive contributions from H, A, V, and $\theta$. By integrating regime-sensitive learning with robust explainability, the proposed framework improves run-out distance prediction while providing transparent, physically meaningful insights to support scenario analysis and engineering decision-making. Full article

Objective: To evaluate the biomechanical effects of varying posterior implant inclinations and loading protocols on peri-implant stress distribution in full-arch maxillary rehabilitations using the All-on-Four concept. Methodology: A three-dimensional finite element model of an edentulous atrophic maxilla was developed from a digital point cloud. Four implants were placed according to the All-on-Four protocol: two anterior vertical implants and two posterior implants with inclinations of 0°, 15°, 30°, or 45°. Mini-abutments and a titanium bar prosthesis were included. Material properties were assumed as homogeneous, isotropic, and linearly elastic. Immediate loading was simulated using frictional contacts (µ = 0.3), whereas delayed loading assumed complete osseointegration (bonded contacts). The models were meshed using 10-node quadratic tetrahedral elements (SOLID187) in ANSYS^®. Maximum von Mises stress in cortical bone, cancellous bone, implants, abutments, and the prosthetic bar was assessed. Results: Posterior implant tilt significantly reduced peri-implant stress. Under immediate loading, the highest stress occurred at 0° inclination in the posterior left implant (82.36 MPa) and decreased progressively with increasing tilt, reaching 33.63 MPa at 45° (≈59% reduction). Delayed loading generally produces lower stress magnitudes, particularly at extreme tilts. Anterior implants experienced lower stress levels across all configurations. Comparative analysis demonstrated that immediate loading increased stress at lower angulations, while differences between loading protocols were minimal at higher inclinations. Conclusions: Posterior implant angulation and loading protocol critically influence peri-implant stress distribution. Increased posterior tilt combined with appropriate loading reduces peak cortical bone stresses, supporting biomechanical optimization in All-on-Four maxillary rehabilitations. Full article

In the marine environment, the suction caisson foundation (SCF) is often subjected to combined inclined and cyclic loading from wind and waves, which may significantly affect its ultimate bearing capacity. Under combined loading conditions, the evolution of ultimate bearing capacity is influenced by multiple factors, and the corresponding bearing capacity envelopes have become key issues that urgently need to be addressed. In this study, a series of model tests and numerical simulations were conducted considering the effects of load inclination angle, loading position, aspect ratio, soil undrained shear strength, and interface friction coefficient. The results show that under static loading conditions, as the loading depth increases, the load inclination angle corresponding to the maximum bearing capacity decreases from 45° to 0°. As the cyclic load ratio and static load ratio increase, cyclic loading significantly intensifies displacement accumulation and the degradation of ultimate bearing capacity. As the loading depth increases, the failure mechanism transitions from rotation-dominated to translation-dominated behavior. In addition, the ultimate bearing capacity increases monotonically with increasing aspect ratio, interface friction coefficient, and soil undrained shear strength. A normalized V–H bearing capacity envelope was established, which shows good agreement with the experimental and numerical results. By introducing a cyclic bearing capacity degradation coefficient, a modified envelope was proposed to describe the evolution of ultimate bearing capacity under cyclic loading conditions. The bearing capacity evolution patterns and envelope method proposed in this study provide a useful reference for the engineering design of SCF. Full article

In the drift mining of sharp, inclined, narrow veins, the efficacy of cutting blasting directly governs the efficiency of blasting operations. However, the mechanisms of rock mass damage and fracturing induced by cutting blasting in sharp inclined narrow vein mines remain inadequately understood. This study employs a 3D numerical model of cutting blasting calibrated with field test data to analyze the damage and fracture processes of rock mass under cutting blasting in sharp inclined narrow vein mines. A parametric study further examines the effects of vein thickness and in situ stress on blast-induced damage and fracturing of a rock mass. The results show that cutting blasting produces a significantly asymmetric damage distribution in sharp, inclined, narrow vein mines. Under conditions of small vein thickness, the propagation of damage along the vein–rock interface increases, and the clamping effect on the rock in the cutting blasting zone intensifies. Additionally, high bidirectional equal in situ stress substantially suppresses blast-induced damage development, with the suppression intensity showing a positive correlation to in situ stress magnitude. The findings provide a theoretical basis for cutting blasting design in the drift mining of sharp inclined narrow veins. Full article

This paper investigates the stability of telehandlers operating on inclined terrain through a sequential methodological approach. In a first stage, stability is assessed using quasi-static methods based on force and moment equilibrium, including the load transfer matrix and the stability pyramid. These approaches account for gravitational and inertial effects through equivalent external forces and moments applied at the global centre of gravity, enabling efficient evaluation of load redistribution and proximity to rollover thresholds under generalized quasi-static conditions. The application of these methods highlights intrinsic limitations when addressing structurally complex machines such as telehandlers equipped with a pivoting rear axle and evolving mass distribution due to boom motion. In particular, quasi-static approaches require a priori assumptions regarding the effective rollover axis and cannot fully capture the coupled geometric and contact interactions between rear axle articulation limits, centre of gravity migration, tyre–ground interface behaviour, and support polygon evolution. To overcome these limitations, a nonlinear dynamic multibody model based on the three-dimensional Bond Graph (3D Bond Graph) methodology is introduced. The model is implemented within a virtual tilt–rotation test platform and validated against experimental results obtained from ISO 22915-14 stability tests. The comparison confirms compliance with normative requirements and demonstrates that the dynamic framework captures condition-dependent rollover mechanisms and transitions between distinct virtual rollover axes that cannot be fully explained by quasi-static formulations. Unlike most previous studies, which focus on fixed configurations or forward-driving scenarios, the proposed framework analyzes stability evolution under spatial inclination while accounting for structural articulation constraints. The explicit identification of rollover axis transitions induced by rear axle articulation provides a deeper mechanistic interpretation of telehandler stability and supports the use of high-fidelity dynamic simulation as a complementary tool for test interpretation, experimental planning, and the development of predictive stability and operator assistance systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to clinically investigate how variations in foot morphology influence spinal and lower limb alignment, based on the concept of an ascending kinetic chain. Methods: We analyzed the medical records of 100 patients who met the inclusion criteria. The X-ray image data used in the analysis included weight-bearing lateral views of both feet, whole-spine anteroposterior (AP) and lateral views, and full-length standing AP scanograms of the lower legs. In the obtained X-ray images, Calcaneal Inclination Angle (CIA), Tibiotalar Tilt Angle (TTA), Tibiotalar Angle (TA), Quadriceps Angle (Q-angle), Pelvic Incidence (PI), Pelvic Tilt (PT), Sacral Slope (SS), and L1–S1 Lordosis (LL) were measured. Participants were categorized into subgroups based on their CIA values: Pes Planus, Normal, and Pes Cavus. These subgroups were analyzed by foot orientation (right and left) using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis. Results: The one-way ANOVA identified significant differences in mean right foot PT values among subgroups. Correlation analysis shows moderate associations between foot CIA and Q-angle of the knee, as well as pelvic parameters including PI, PT, SS, and LL. Conclusions: Analysis of the correlation between foot parameters and body alignment, in the context of diagnostic and evaluative aspects of Chuna manual medicine (CMM), revealed moderate correlations among the foot, ankle, knee, pelvis, and lumbosacral regions. These findings suggest that foot morphology may play a clinically relevant role in posture-related disorders and could contribute to preventive and corrective strategies for musculoskeletal alignment. Full article

Energy harvesting plays a pivotal role in enabling sustainable power supply for the Internet of Things and distributed sensor networks, particularly for low-power devices. Piezoelectric energy harvesters based on vortex-induced vibrations offer a promising solution for low-wind-speed applications, yet their performance is constrained by limited bandwidth and sensitivity to wind speed variations. This study addresses these limitations by proposing a novel multi-parameter adjustable piezoelectric energy harvester featuring an inclined cylindrical bluff body. By systematically tuning the inclination angle and installation position, the device achieves substantial performance improvements. Experimental results indicate that the optimized configuration yields a wider operational frequency band and enhanced energy conversion efficiency. Through the experimental results, we discovered the existence of the double-peak phenomenon and the plateau phenomenon. The voltage value of the second peak can reach up to 122.4% of the maximum voltage of the first peak. The duration of the maximum plateau phase can maintain between the wind speed of 2.3 m/s and 5.7 m/s. Full article

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is responsible for transmitting neural signals that trigger muscle contraction. Muscle injuries cause damage to cellular structures and trigger local inflammatory processes. In this context, eccentric contraction was used as an experimental model because it involves excessive stretching, generating mechanical stress. Twenty-five adult male Wistar rats were distributed into groups: Control (C) (n = 5) and Injury (I) (n = 20). The protocol was performed on a treadmill and consisted of 18 sets/5 min/16 m/min speed, with intervals, and with a negative incline (−16º). The analyses consisted of histochemical techniques, such as myofibrillar ATPase and immunofluorescence (calcium channels, synaptophysin and α-bungarotoxin). Group I-0H showed alterations in the presynaptic region and an increase in Type I fibers. I-24H presented disorganization in the postsynaptic region. In I-4D, we observed the reorganization of neuromuscular activity, while I-7D presented greater density and cross-sectional area (CSA) of Type II fibers. It is concluded that the protocol promotes changes in NMJ structure and fiber distribution, mainly in I-24H. In I-4d, a reorganization of neuromuscular activity is observed, and in I-7D, a structural indicator consistent with recovery demonstrates the skeletal muscle’s ability to adapt to injury. Full article

Accurate prediction of thermo-mechanical behavior in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is often limited by mismatches between idealized Computer-Aided Design (CAD) geometry and path-dependent material deposition. This paper presents a G-code-driven, filament-level modeling and process-simulation workflow for complex geometries and infill strategies, especially toolpaths with in-plane inclinations. Extrusion segments are parsed from slicing G-code to obtain endpoints and process parameters, and each filament is reconstructed as a path-aligned rectangular bead using a dedicated local coordinate system. Progressive deposition is simulated in ANSYS Parametric Design Language (APDL) via an element birth–death method, enhanced by a centroid-based element selection strategy that reduces dependence on strictly aligned hexahedral partitions and improves robustness for complex meshes. A nonlinear transient thermal analysis is performed, and temperatures are mapped to the structural model through an indirect thermo-mechanical coupling scheme to predict warpage and residual stresses. Case studies on square plates with triangular and hexagonal infills (with/without sidewalls and a bottom base) show that the high-temperature zone follows newly deposited paths with peak temperatures near 220 °C, while displacement and von Mises stress accumulate and are strongly affected by infill topology and boundary conditions. Full article

With the rapid development of intensive marine aquaculture, water quality has become a key factor affecting both economic benefits and ecological safety in marine aquaculture. In the process of actual water quality evaluation, due to the great uncertainty and ambiguity of evaluation indicators, experts find it difficult to evaluate in real number form and are more inclined to use linguistic variables to evaluate indicators, which poses challenges for the construction of water quality evaluation models. An intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS) is an effective tool for dealing with uncertainty and fuzziness in complex problems. Based on a detailed analysis of existing distance measures for IFS, this study proposes a new distance measure that not only considers membership and non-membership information, but also constructs an allocation function for membership and non-membership, introducing hesitation information into distance metrics. We proposed the definitions and proved the properties. The comparative experiments show that the new distance measure can overcome the shortcomings of existing distance measures. Furthermore, based on the newly proposed distance measure, the IFS TOPSIS method is improved in multi-attribute decision-making applications. Finally, a practical application of marine aquaculture water quality evaluation is used. The results illustrate that when α = 1 the closeness declines from 0.741 to 0.432, when =2 the closeness declines from 0.662 to 0.46, and when =6 the closeness declines from 0.566 to 0.82. The convenience and effectiveness of the new method is demonstrated. Full article

Background: Given global population growth and aging, it is imperative to prioritize early eye disease detection and treatment. However, as patient volume increases, providers are facing a shortage of workforce capacity, particularly in areas where eye doctors are already scarce, making it important to consider alternative innovative solutions that could help increase eye screening capabilities. This study compared virtual reality (VR) platform of vision screening exams that are used to evaluate ocular health, such as 24-2 perimetry, Ishihara tiles, and the Amsler grid, against their in-clinic counterparts. Methods: A total of 86 subjects were recruited from Mount Sinai’s ophthalmology clinic (New York, USA) for a comparison trial that was internally controlled across healthy eyes and those with glaucoma and retinal diseases. VR and in-office tests were administered to the patients during their clinical visit, including 24-2 perimetry, Ishihara tiles, and the Amsler grid in a randomized order, and the results were compared for each test. Results: Perimetry results from Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer (HVFA) and VR suprathreshold testing demonstrated a good sensitivity both overall (80% OD, 84% OS) and across control (86% OD, 89% OS), glaucoma (69% OD, 78% OS), and retinal disease (76% OD, 80% OS) groups. A Garway-Heath anatomical map showed an overall 70–80% agreement. Ishihara plate tests did not show a significant difference between the two testing modalities (p = 0.12; Mann–Whitney U test), which remained true across all groups. Amsler grid testing differences were also non-significant within each subgroup (p = 0.81; Mann–Whitney U test). Patient time required to complete VR exams was significantly improved (p < 0.0001; Welch’s t-test) compared to the clinical standard tests. Conclusions: All VR-based exams tested in this study showed high sensitivity and percent agreement when compared to their in-office standards. Given the results of this study, VR has a promising potential in visual function screening, which, in addition to its portable design and easy use, could assist eye doctors in screening for prevalent diseases such as glaucoma and retinal conditions. Translational Relevance: VR-based vision exams that test vision fields, color vision and visual distortions provide comparable results in healthy patients, as well as those with glaucoma and retinal diseases, indicating its potential as a screening technology for different ocular pathologies. Given VR’s portable and low-profile features, it is important to consider leveraging VR to augment delivery of vision care. Full article

Residential yards are underappreciated and under-studied urban ecosystems. While there is a slow paradigm change taking place for using native plants in urban landscapes, little is known about the perceptions and preferences for native landscapes and the inclination to use native plants in residential yards. For this study, two plots were designed and planted with native plants to resemble residential gardens, and site visit surveys were used to collect data. Likert scale and checkbox questions with additional written comments were used to assess perceptions and preferences on the aesthetics, maintenance, environmental value, and willingness to adopt a native plant garden. The results were mostly positive; a high majority of respondents found the yards aesthetically pleasing, well-maintained, and very good for the environment. Although perceptions were positive, the results for willingness to use native plants in their own yard were nearly equal between willing and not willing/neutral. However, a high majority stated their likelihood to use native plants would increase if they knew more about the ecological benefits. The knowledge gained from this study will help (1) designers to create ecology-based aesthetic landscapes, (2) policy-makers to craft ecology-focused landscape codes and ordinances, and (3) educators and advocates to target behaviors and preferences in educational materials and social marketing campaigns. Full article

Background: Periprosthetic joint infection and native hip infections often require staged surgical intervention due to extensive bone and soft tissue destruction. This study evaluates the clinical feasibility and mechanical reliability of a modified functional articulating hip spacer (FAHS) incorporating a cemented dual-mobility-bearing (DMB) metal liner. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 20 patients who underwent a DMB-incorporated FAHS between March 2018 and December 2019. The technique involved cementing a DMB metal liner directly into the prepared acetabulum without a standard outer shell. Successful clinical outcome was defined as either transition to second-stage total hip arthroplasty (THA) or stable spacer retention, the latter including cases with definitive eradication or symptom-controlled chronic suppression therapy. Infection eradication required the clinical absence of infection for at least twelve months following the cessation of antimicrobial therapy. Construct-related mechanical complications and radiographic parameters were also analyzed. Results: The mean follow-up was 23.5 months, ranging from 6.0 to 62.6 months. Successful clinical outcome was achieved in 17 patients (85%), with seven (35%) transitioning to second-stage THA and ten (50%) opting for spacer retention. Within the retention group, seven achieved definitive eradication while three were maintained under chronic suppression therapy. Construct integrity was maintained in 80% of the cohort. Mechanical complications included two dislocations (10%) and two implant failures (10%). Radiographic analysis showed higher inclination and anteversion angles of the metal liner in the dislocation cases. Conclusions: The off-label use of DMB-incorporated FAHS represents a feasible option with acceptable mechanical performance in selected cases of PJI and native hip joint infection. However, as mechanical complications cannot be fully prevented, meticulous surgical techniques and careful patient selection remain essential. Full article

The design of satellite constellations is a complex optimization problem interdependent with other decision problems and multiple competing, user-specific criteria. Consequently, it is very difficult to make a final decision on the constellation design. This study proposes a full simulation and evaluation framework for designing a satellite constellation. Firstly, constructing a solution space by constraining orbital parameters and varying satellite count and plane configuration. Secondly, employing six evaluation metrics—covering both cost and coverage—that are weighted via the case company, Sternula’s setting, with the TOPSIS approach for ranking the candidate constellations. A subsequent sensitivity analysis evaluates robustness to shifts in criterion weights and per-satellite cost. The study indicates that a Walker Star constellation with 97.5° inclination, 105 satellites in 15 planes (phasing 7) achieves the best cost–coverage balance for the case company and remains stable under weight and cost variations. Full article