Soft robots,owing to their ability to undergo continuous large deformations,hold significant promise in fields such as disaster rescue,scientific exploration,and medical healthcare.However,they are prone to damage und...Soft robots,owing to their ability to undergo continuous large deformations,hold significant promise in fields such as disaster rescue,scientific exploration,and medical healthcare.However,they are prone to damage under harsh working conditions,which can negatively impact their operational efficiency.The existing research on the protection of soft robots is very limited.In this study,inspired by the natural armor of the arapaima and the asymmetrical body surface structures of the cobra,a high-performance flexible protective system was designed using a coupled biomimetic approach.An electronic pressure testing machine was used to evaluate the flexibility and protective performance of the biomimetic protection system.The results indicated that the presence of the asymmetric structures can substantially enhance the protection performance of the biomimetic protection system without appreciably compromising its flexibility in the slightest.This is due to the reason that the frictional anisotropic effect of asymmetric structure has varying effects on the interlocking interaction between adjacent scales in bending and compression conditions.This study introduces a novel approach aiming at enhancing the protective performance of flexible protection systems,thus presenting potential applications in soft robotic systems.展开更多
In this paper,we investigate potential singularity issues in prescribed performance control induced by actuator faults and propose a global nonmonotonic prescribed performance scheme for strict-feedback nonlinear syst...In this paper,we investigate potential singularity issues in prescribed performance control induced by actuator faults and propose a global nonmonotonic prescribed performance scheme for strict-feedback nonlinear systems.This scheme allows for parameterized relaxation of constraint boundaries in the presence of actuator faults.Unlike existing prescribed performance control schemes that rely on redesigning nonmonotonic rate functions to modify boundary relaxation properties,the proposed method introduces a novel adjustment module into the prescribed performance function,enabling the parametric design of nonmonotonic boundaries.Moreover,the proposed method simultaneously addresses the removal of the initial feasibility condition and the imposition of asymmetric constraints by introducing a global asymmetric design with an error correction module.This module enables flexible conversion from asymmetric to symmetric boundaries at a predetermined time instant,thereby reducing transient overshoot while maintaining steady-state tracking precision.Simulation results validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed scheme.展开更多
Digital ecosystem embeddedness subverts the promotion mechanism of farmers’entrepreneurial performance;however,related research is scarce.This study constructed a theoretical mechanism model and applied a structural ...Digital ecosystem embeddedness subverts the promotion mechanism of farmers’entrepreneurial performance;however,related research is scarce.This study constructed a theoretical mechanism model and applied a structural equation model,regression analysis,and bootstrapping to explore the impact of digital ecosystem embeddedness on farmers’entrepreneurial performance,based on survey data from 592 farmer start-ups in South China and East China.The research finds that digital ecosystem embeddedness has a significant impact on social networks and farmers’entrepreneurial performance,with social networks acting as a mediator between digital ecosystem embeddedness and farmers’entrepreneurial performance.Social networks positively affect entrepreneurial learning and resource management,and entrepreneurial learning and resource management positively affect farmers’entrepreneurial performance.Both entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurial resource management exert a mediating effect between social network and farmers’entrepreneurial performance,respectively.Digitalization capability exerts a moderating effect between digital ecosystem embeddedness and social networks.The results show that the promotion mechanism of digital ecosystem embeddedness on farmers’entrepreneurial performance constructs a new cognitive and resource space for entrepreneurs by rebuilding social networks to provide a combination of continuous learning support and efficient resource aggregation.This study enriches our understanding of the effect of digital ecosystem embeddedness on farmers’entrepreneurial performance by depicting an integrated mechanism for entrepreneurial performance promotion in a digital context.It also provides practical guidance for farming start-ups to develop sustainable entrepreneurial advantages in a digital context.展开更多
Thermally integrated Carnot battery(TI-CB)systems offer unique advantages for industrial waste heat recovery,but their performance under fluctuating,off-design conditions remains poorly understood.To address this gap,...Thermally integrated Carnot battery(TI-CB)systems offer unique advantages for industrial waste heat recovery,but their performance under fluctuating,off-design conditions remains poorly understood.To address this gap,this study proposes a quasi-dynamic mathematical model with solution methodologies applicable to both design and off-design operating conditions.A dynamic evaluation framework is also developed to account for the temporal mismatch between energy storage and release processes.A multi-operating-condition set constructed via multivariable sampling is used to enable systematic analysis of key design parameters under both design and off-design conditions.The results reveal that heat source utilization parameters and heat pump temperature rise are dominant factors affecting TI-CB performance,while off-design analysis shows that ORC mass flow rate variations have a more significant impact on system performance than heat pump fluctuations.Due to irreversible heat losses,an increase in the heat source temperature difference leads to a decrease in round-trip efficiency(ηrt)from 62.6%to 45.8%,whileηorc andηex also exhibit downward trends.A higher temperature lift in the heat pump results a decrease in the mean COP from 7.6 to 4.8,whereasηorc increases from 7.0%to 10.2%.Among working fluids evaluated,R1336mzz(Z)demonstrates superior performance but exhibits nonlinear behavior,while R1233zd(E)provides optimal stability across operating ranges,making it suitable for practical engineering applications.展开更多
Manufacturing and environmental uncertainties can significantly affect the electromagnetic(EM)performance of antenna-radome systems,leading to degradation in key indicators such as reduced transmission coefficient,inc...Manufacturing and environmental uncertainties can significantly affect the electromagnetic(EM)performance of antenna-radome systems,leading to degradation in key indicators such as reduced transmission coefficient,increased boresight error,and shortened radar detection range.To efficiently and accurately quantify these effects,this study proposes a combined strategy that integrates the Physical Optics-based Surface Integral(PO-SI)method with Interval Analysis(IA).The PO-SI method enables accurate modeling of complex radome structures,while IA estimates the upper and lower bounds of EM performance fluctuations by accounting for both manufacturing errors and environmental uncertainties.Compared to Geometric Optics-based methods,the proposed approach(PO-SI-IA)produces more accurate results that closely align with measured data,without reliance on extensive Monte Carlo sampling.Numerical simulations and microwave anechoic chamber experiments validate its accuracy and robustness.This work provides a reliable theoretical basis for uncertainty performance analysis and offers an efficient and flexible tool for EM performance evaluation and design of antennaradome systems in complex operational environments.展开更多
For uncertain strict-feedback systems under the prescribed performance control(PPC)problem,an innovative adaptive prescribed-time tracking control method is proposed.This method combines a novel error transformation f...For uncertain strict-feedback systems under the prescribed performance control(PPC)problem,an innovative adaptive prescribed-time tracking control method is proposed.This method combines a novel error transformation function with the prescribed-time stability theory,thereby achieving exact tracking of desired trajectories within a prescribed time while ensuring that the tracking error stays within predefined boundaries globally.By integrating a newly-designed Lyapunov-like energy function with dynamic surface control,it resolves the error surface issues that result in the semi-global boundedness of tracking error in traditional approaches.Furthermore,through a generalized Filippov solution definition,this approach overcomes the issue of non-existence of the system solution,which arises during the prescribed-time stability analysis due to the discontinuous control input.Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.展开更多
The purpose of this paper is to make an assessment on the performance of a fiber reinforced plastic(FRP)helmet-head system subjected to ballistic impact.Firstly,a finite element(FE)model for the human head is develope...The purpose of this paper is to make an assessment on the performance of a fiber reinforced plastic(FRP)helmet-head system subjected to ballistic impact.Firstly,a finite element(FE)model for the human head is developed.Constitutive models for each component of the head are determined and,in particular,strain rate effects of the compact bone of the skull and the hyperelastic property of the scalp are taken into account for the first time.Secondly,an FE model for Kevlar fiber reinforced plastic(KFRP)helmet is constructed based on the personal armor system for ground troops(PASGT)helmet.Recently developed dynamic constitutive models for metals and FRP laminates are employed for full metal jacketed(FMJ)bullet and the KFRP helmet.Finally,both the head and the helmet models are validated against available test data.Furthermore,the effects of various factors such as padding system,impact position,and projectile type on the ballistic performance of the helmet-head system have been systematically investigated with special attention being paid to the severity of head injury.It is found that the performance of the helmet with OA foam is advantageous over that of the helmet with strap-netting in head injury prevention.It is also found that a lower velocity(358 m/s)FMJ bullet poses more threats to head injury than a higher velocity(610 m/s)fragment-simulating projectile for the PASGT helmet-head system.展开更多
The integration of hovering unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)with modulating retro-reflector(MRR)free-space optical(FSO)communication systems offers a promising solution for flexible,highbandwidth links.This paper presen...The integration of hovering unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)with modulating retro-reflector(MRR)free-space optical(FSO)communication systems offers a promising solution for flexible,highbandwidth links.This paper presents a comprehensive performance analysis of a UAV-based MRR FSO system employing a multiple-quantum-well(MQW)modulator.We develop a composite channel model that simultaneously accounts for atmospheric turbulence,non-zero boresight pointing errors,and angleof-arrival fluctuations.Closed-form expressions for key performance metrics—including bit error rate,outage probability,and average channel capacity—are derived.Numerical results validate the analytical framework and provide insights into the effects of various system parameters.This study establishes a theoretical foundation and offers practical guidance for the design of efficient UAV-based MRR FSO systems.展开更多
This study systematically reviews 42 articles(2014–2024)on the relationship between eco-innovation and environmental emission performance.The findings show that eco-innovation,mainly measured by green patents,signifi...This study systematically reviews 42 articles(2014–2024)on the relationship between eco-innovation and environmental emission performance.The findings show that eco-innovation,mainly measured by green patents,significantly reduces CO2emissions,largely driven by regulatory policies like emissions trading systems and carbon taxes.However,the relationship between eco-innovation and emissions performance varies across industries and countries,suggesting the need for more context-specific research.Limitations in the literature include a focus on short time periods,single industries or countries,and reliance on patent counts,which may not fully capture innovation.Methodological gaps also exist in integrating firm-level innovation data with emissions data.Future research should expand the scope by examining long-term impacts;using diverse innovation indicators such as green R&D,renewable energy,and carbon storage technologies;applying advanced econometric models;and expanding to diverse sectors and economies,considering factors such as political uncertainty,green financing,and cultural influences.展开更多
This study develops an optimized integrated system for full-capacity hot water supply in hotels by combining solar thermal energy and air-source heat pumps.Using a hotel in Wuhan as a case study,a four-season×fou...This study develops an optimized integrated system for full-capacity hot water supply in hotels by combining solar thermal energy and air-source heat pumps.Using a hotel in Wuhan as a case study,a four-season×four-occupancy multidimensional working-condition matrix was established.Dynamic simulation and multi-objective optimization were performed on TRNSYS-TRNOPT,with the cost-benefit ratio(CBR)as the core evaluation metric.Key parameters—including collector area,tilt and azimuth angles,heat pump capacity,and storage tank volume—were jointly optimized.Model calibration against measured data yielded a deviation of less than 8%.The results demonstrate that the optimized system can achieve 60.8%energy savings and reduce annual carbon emissions by 132.8 t.The best-performing case(Case 1-1)achieved a payback period of 4.1 years,presenting a feasible pathway for decarbonizing buildings with high hot water demand.This research confirms the technical and economic viability of solar–heat pump systems for hotel applications,providing strong support for the achievement of China’s“Dual Carbon”targets in public buildings.展开更多
The offshore rocket recovery tower is an essential infrastructure for reusable space transportation.To address the lack of design methods and quantitative performance evaluation approaches for prestressed cable-stayed...The offshore rocket recovery tower is an essential infrastructure for reusable space transportation.To address the lack of design methods and quantitative performance evaluation approaches for prestressed cable-stayed bracing systems under asymmetric and complex loading,this study develops an asymmetric two-stage prestressed cable-stayed bracing system for a large-scale offshore recovery tower with a height of 67 m and plan dimensions of 54 m×70 m.Dual-platform finite element models were established in MIDAS Gen and SAP2000,and 292 full-condition load combinations were analyzed using a nonlinear step-by-step inheritance algorithm.In parallel,a refined Abaqus solid model was employed to verify the core load-bearing joint locally.Prestressing reduced the maximum X-direction deformation under transportation conditions from 263.2 to 222.1 mm,yielding safety margins of 14.6% and 17.5% in the X-and Y-directions,respectively.The stresses in the main structural members were markedly improved―the Q460 truss and beam elements satisfied the allowable-stress limits,whereas the Q355 truss elements remained only slightly above the limit.The local maximum von Mises stress at the inner pulley block joint reached 891.9 MPa,indicating a risk of local yielding.These results demonstrate that the asymmetric prestressed cable-stayed bracing system can effectively enhance the global stiffness and forcetransfer performance of large-scale offshore recovery towers,and that the full-process analytical framework established in this study provides a theoretical basis and engineering reference for the design and performance evaluation of analogous offshore aerospace support structures.展开更多
BACKGROUND Acute Achilles tendon rupture(AATR)is a debilitating injury that significantly impacts elite athletes,particularly those in the national football league(NFL).While return to play(RTP)and performance outcome...BACKGROUND Acute Achilles tendon rupture(AATR)is a debilitating injury that significantly impacts elite athletes,particularly those in the national football league(NFL).While return to play(RTP)and performance outcomes are critical to career longevity,these outcomes may be influenced by factors such as injury timing,player position,and unreported rehabilitation variation.Prior literature lacks a comprehensive synthesis of these outcomes in NFL athletes.AIM To systematically evaluate return-to-play rates,performance outcomes,and career longevity following AATR among NFL athletes,while considering the methodological quality of available evidence.METHODS A systematic review was conducted in May 2024 following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using PubMed,EMBASE,and Cochrane Library databases.Studies reporting outcomes following AATR in NFL players were included.Data were extracted on demographics,timing of injury,RTP,games played,and performance metrics.Pooled rates and weighted means were calculated based on sample size.Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions tool.No meta-analysis or statistical heterogeneity testing(e.g.,I²)was performed due to the descriptive nature of the analysis.RESULTS Twelve studies including 676 NFL athletes met inclusion criteria.The weighted mean age at injury was 27.3±1.4 years,with a mean of 5.2±1.2 years in the NFL prior to injury.Linebackers(19.0%),wide receivers(11.9%),and running backs(9.0%)were most affected.AATRs occurred most often during the preseason(50.4%).The overall RTP rate was 66.2%,with a weighted mean time of 10.9±1.3 months.Post-injury,players averaged 12.9 games/season and played for 2.2±0.8 additional seasons.Performance significantly declined regardless of position.Most studies lacked data on rehabilitation protocols and exhibited moderate to critical risk of bias.CONCLUSION NFL athletes experience a relatively low return-to-play rate and substantial decline in performance following AATR.These outcomes are further influenced by high heterogeneity in study quality and the unreported variability in post-operative rehabilitation.These findings underscore the need for prospective,standardized research and may inform team physicians and athletic trainers in developing evidence-based RTP strategies.展开更多
Nature-based water treatment systems are becoming a promising substitute to conventional wastewater treatment technologies because of their potential to advance water quality while providing larger environmental and s...Nature-based water treatment systems are becoming a promising substitute to conventional wastewater treatment technologies because of their potential to advance water quality while providing larger environmental and socio-economic benefits.This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of global performance metrics,progress,and sustainability aids linked with these systems.The study tracks a structured narrative review approach,drawing on peer-reviewed literature from the main scientific databases published primarily over the past decade.Articles were chosen based on their relevance to system typology,treatment performance,implementation context,and sustainability assessment.The review evaluates a wide range of systems,including constructed wetlands,biofiltration and bioretention systems,riparian buffers,floodplain restoration interventions,floating treatment wetlands,and hybrid nature-engineered solutions.In different climatic and socio-economic conditions,these systems establish substantial pollutant removal capability,generally obtaining organic matter and suspended solids removal efficiencies above 70–90%,nutrient reductions normally ranging from 40–80%,and variable pathogen attenuation depending on hydraulic and environmental conditions.Performance,however,is strongly influenced by design configuration,hydraulic loading,substrate properties,vegetation composition,and climatic variability.Beyond treatment effectiveness,the synthesis highlights the multifunctional sustainability outcomes of nature-based systems,including reduced energy and chemical inputs,enhanced biodiversity,climate resilience,and improved social and landscape values.By combining global execution trends with relative sustainability perspectives,this review provides new insights into the scalability,long-term performance,and ecosystem-service integration of nature-based water treatment systems within future resilient water management strategies.展开更多
The study specifically examined the effects of employee motivation on the job performance of local government units in Ghana using the Kwahu South Municipal Assembly as a case study.The study used the mixed method wit...The study specifically examined the effects of employee motivation on the job performance of local government units in Ghana using the Kwahu South Municipal Assembly as a case study.The study used the mixed method with a sample size of 90 respondents based on simple random sampling technique and deployed the Vroom Yetton’s expectancy theory of motivation.The key findings of the study were:First,the Kwahu South Municipal Assembly implemented motivation strategies such as:working salary,employee training and development as well as periodic promotion based on performance and availability of vacancies to motivate the employees of the Assembly.Second,though all the employees admitted that the motivation strategies did influence their performance,they were not enough to effectively motivate them;hence some of the employees of the Assembly alluded to the fact that motivation was inadequate in the Assembly.Based on the findings,the study recommends the following:The Assembly should formulate and implement employee-centered motivation strategies that meet the motivation needs of employees and there should be improved conditions of service for employees of the local governance system.展开更多
The assessment of building performance plays a crucial role in achieving sustainability objectives within the construction industry.In recent years,stakeholders have been increasingly focused on evaluating smart build...The assessment of building performance plays a crucial role in achieving sustainability objectives within the construction industry.In recent years,stakeholders have been increasingly focused on evaluating smart buildings(SBs)performance.Numerous methods,criteria,and tools have been developed to measure performance,but most of them primarily concentrate on the overall building level,neglecting the system level of buildings.To tackle this complexity and promote sustainability,it is essential to establish systematic,comprehensive,and practical approaches for evaluating smart building performance.This study proposes an evaluation model for smart buildings performance,encompassing 24 core performance indicators at both the whole building and system levels.The relevance and validity of these indicators were evaluated through a questionnaire survey,along with input from sustainable building experts.This research is part of a broader project aimed at developing a decision support system to assess sustainable building performance and enhance the sustainability of building projects.展开更多
Background:Ischemic preconditioning(IPC)is purported to have beneficial effects on athletic performance,although findings are inconsistent,with some studies reporting placebo effects.The majority of studies have inves...Background:Ischemic preconditioning(IPC)is purported to have beneficial effects on athletic performance,although findings are inconsistent,with some studies reporting placebo effects.The majority of studies have investigated IPC alongside a placebo condition,but without a control condition that was devoid of experimental manipulation,thereby limiting accurate determination of the IPC effects.Therefore,the aims of this study were to assess the impact of the IPC intervention,compared to both placebo and no intervention,on exercise capacity and athletic performance.Methods:A systematic search of PubMed,Embase,SPORTDiscus,Cochrane Library,and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature(LILACS)covering records from their inception until July 2023 was conducted.To qualify for inclusion,studies had to apply IPC as an acute intervention,comparing it with placebo and/or control conditions.Outcomes of interest were performance(force,number of repetitions,power,time to exhaustion,and time trial performance),physiological measurements(maximum oxygen consumption,and heart rate),or perceptual measurements(RPE).For each outcome measure,we conducted 3 independent meta-analyses(IPC vs.placebo,IPC vs.control,placebo vs.control)using an inverse-variance random-effects model.The between-treatment effects were quantified by the standardized mean difference(SMD),accompanied by their respective 95%confidence intervals.Additionally,we employed the Grading of Recommendations,Assessment,Development and Evaluation(GRADE)approach to assess the level of certainty in the evidence.Results:Seventy-nine studies were included in the quantitative analysis.Overall,IPC demonstrates a comparable effect to the placebo condition(using a low-pressure tourniquet),irrespective of the subjects'training level(all outcomes presenting p>0.05),except for the outcome of time to exhaustion,which exhibits a small magnitude effect(SMD=0.37;p=0.002).Additionally,the placebo exhibited effects notably greater than the control condition(outcome:number of repetitions;SMD=0.45;p=0.03),suggesting a potential influence of participants'cognitive perception on the outcomes.However,the evidence is of moderate to low certainty,regardless of the comparison or outcome.Conclusion:IPC has significant effects compared to the control intervention,but it did not surpass the placebo condition.Its administration might be influenced by the cognitive perception of the receiving subject,and the efficacy of IPC as an ergogenic strategy for enhancing exercise capacity and athletic performance remains questionable.展开更多
We highly commend Dr Souza et al.1for their systematic review research.The authors conducted a detailed investigation into the effects of ischemic preconditioning(IPC)on athletic performance,comparing it with placebo ...We highly commend Dr Souza et al.1for their systematic review research.The authors conducted a detailed investigation into the effects of ischemic preconditioning(IPC)on athletic performance,comparing it with placebo and no-intervention conditions.The study found that while IPC demonstrated superior effects over the no-intervention group in certain metrics(e.g.,time to exhaustion),its performance did not significantly surpass that of the placebo group.This suggests that the potential benefits of IPC may partially stem from participants’psychological expectations,or placebo effects.The study also highlighted the significant impact of placebo interventions on athletic performance,emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between placebo and no-intervention conditions in experimental designs.展开更多
This paper studies the sensing base station(SBS)that has great potential to improve the safety of vehicles and pedestrians on roads.SBS can detect the targets on the road with communication signals using the integrate...This paper studies the sensing base station(SBS)that has great potential to improve the safety of vehicles and pedestrians on roads.SBS can detect the targets on the road with communication signals using the integrated sensing and communication(ISAC)technique.Compared with vehicle-mounted radar,SBS has a better sensing field due to its higher deployment position,which can help solve the problem of sensing blind areas.In this paper,key technologies of SBS are studied,including the beamforming algorithm,beam scanning scheme,and interference cancellation algorithm.To transmit and receive ISAC signals simultaneously,a double-coupling antenna array is applied.The free detection beam and directional communication beam are proposed for joint communication and sensing to meet the requirements of beamwidth and pointing directions.The joint timespace-frequency domain division multiple access algorithm is proposed to cancel the interference of SBS,including multiuser interference and duplex interference between sensing and communication.Finally,the sensing and communication performance of SBS under the industrial scientific medical power limitation is analyzed and simulated.Simulation results show that the communication rate of SBS can reach over 100 Mbps and the range of sensing and communication can reach about 500 m.展开更多
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52175176)the Key Scientific and Technological Project of Henan Province(No.252102230031)+1 种基金the Doctoral Research Foundation of Zhengzhou University of Light Industry(No.2024BSJJ004)the Fund of Henan Key Laboratory of Superhard Abrasives and Grinding Equipment,Henan University of Technology(No.JDKFJJ2023002).
摘要Soft robots,owing to their ability to undergo continuous large deformations,hold significant promise in fields such as disaster rescue,scientific exploration,and medical healthcare.However,they are prone to damage under harsh working conditions,which can negatively impact their operational efficiency.The existing research on the protection of soft robots is very limited.In this study,inspired by the natural armor of the arapaima and the asymmetrical body surface structures of the cobra,a high-performance flexible protective system was designed using a coupled biomimetic approach.An electronic pressure testing machine was used to evaluate the flexibility and protective performance of the biomimetic protection system.The results indicated that the presence of the asymmetric structures can substantially enhance the protection performance of the biomimetic protection system without appreciably compromising its flexibility in the slightest.This is due to the reason that the frictional anisotropic effect of asymmetric structure has varying effects on the interlocking interaction between adjacent scales in bending and compression conditions.This study introduces a novel approach aiming at enhancing the protective performance of flexible protection systems,thus presenting potential applications in soft robotic systems.
基金supported in part by the National Key Research and Development Program of China(2024YFB4006503)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52175022)+2 种基金the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(CPSF)(GZC20250940)the project“Romanian Hub for Artificial Intelligence–HRIA”Smart Growth,Digitization and Financial Instruments Program,MySMIS(351416)。
摘要In this paper,we investigate potential singularity issues in prescribed performance control induced by actuator faults and propose a global nonmonotonic prescribed performance scheme for strict-feedback nonlinear systems.This scheme allows for parameterized relaxation of constraint boundaries in the presence of actuator faults.Unlike existing prescribed performance control schemes that rely on redesigning nonmonotonic rate functions to modify boundary relaxation properties,the proposed method introduces a novel adjustment module into the prescribed performance function,enabling the parametric design of nonmonotonic boundaries.Moreover,the proposed method simultaneously addresses the removal of the initial feasibility condition and the imposition of asymmetric constraints by introducing a global asymmetric design with an error correction module.This module enables flexible conversion from asymmetric to symmetric boundaries at a predetermined time instant,thereby reducing transient overshoot while maintaining steady-state tracking precision.Simulation results validate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed scheme.
基金the National Pre-Research Foundation of Suzhou City University(Grant No.2023SGY006)Philosophy and Social Science Fund of Higher Education Department in Jiangsu Province(Grant No.2024SJYB1073)to provide fund for conducting research.
摘要Digital ecosystem embeddedness subverts the promotion mechanism of farmers’entrepreneurial performance;however,related research is scarce.This study constructed a theoretical mechanism model and applied a structural equation model,regression analysis,and bootstrapping to explore the impact of digital ecosystem embeddedness on farmers’entrepreneurial performance,based on survey data from 592 farmer start-ups in South China and East China.The research finds that digital ecosystem embeddedness has a significant impact on social networks and farmers’entrepreneurial performance,with social networks acting as a mediator between digital ecosystem embeddedness and farmers’entrepreneurial performance.Social networks positively affect entrepreneurial learning and resource management,and entrepreneurial learning and resource management positively affect farmers’entrepreneurial performance.Both entrepreneurial learning and entrepreneurial resource management exert a mediating effect between social network and farmers’entrepreneurial performance,respectively.Digitalization capability exerts a moderating effect between digital ecosystem embeddedness and social networks.The results show that the promotion mechanism of digital ecosystem embeddedness on farmers’entrepreneurial performance constructs a new cognitive and resource space for entrepreneurs by rebuilding social networks to provide a combination of continuous learning support and efficient resource aggregation.This study enriches our understanding of the effect of digital ecosystem embeddedness on farmers’entrepreneurial performance by depicting an integrated mechanism for entrepreneurial performance promotion in a digital context.It also provides practical guidance for farming start-ups to develop sustainable entrepreneurial advantages in a digital context.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52576234)a grant from the State Key Laboratory of Alternate Electrical Power System with Renewable Energy Sources(Grant No.LAPS25016)the National Key R&D Program of China(Grant No.2023YFE0108600).
摘要Thermally integrated Carnot battery(TI-CB)systems offer unique advantages for industrial waste heat recovery,but their performance under fluctuating,off-design conditions remains poorly understood.To address this gap,this study proposes a quasi-dynamic mathematical model with solution methodologies applicable to both design and off-design operating conditions.A dynamic evaluation framework is also developed to account for the temporal mismatch between energy storage and release processes.A multi-operating-condition set constructed via multivariable sampling is used to enable systematic analysis of key design parameters under both design and off-design conditions.The results reveal that heat source utilization parameters and heat pump temperature rise are dominant factors affecting TI-CB performance,while off-design analysis shows that ORC mass flow rate variations have a more significant impact on system performance than heat pump fluctuations.Due to irreversible heat losses,an increase in the heat source temperature difference leads to a decrease in round-trip efficiency(ηrt)from 62.6%to 45.8%,whileηorc andηex also exhibit downward trends.A higher temperature lift in the heat pump results a decrease in the mean COP from 7.6 to 4.8,whereasηorc increases from 7.0%to 10.2%.Among working fluids evaluated,R1336mzz(Z)demonstrates superior performance but exhibits nonlinear behavior,while R1233zd(E)provides optimal stability across operating ranges,making it suitable for practical engineering applications.
基金supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grants Nos.U25A20300 and U2241205)in part by the Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi Province(Grant No.2024JC-ZDXM-25)in part by the Shaanxi Provincial Outstanding Youth Science Fund Project(Grant No.2025JC-JCQN-025)。
摘要Manufacturing and environmental uncertainties can significantly affect the electromagnetic(EM)performance of antenna-radome systems,leading to degradation in key indicators such as reduced transmission coefficient,increased boresight error,and shortened radar detection range.To efficiently and accurately quantify these effects,this study proposes a combined strategy that integrates the Physical Optics-based Surface Integral(PO-SI)method with Interval Analysis(IA).The PO-SI method enables accurate modeling of complex radome structures,while IA estimates the upper and lower bounds of EM performance fluctuations by accounting for both manufacturing errors and environmental uncertainties.Compared to Geometric Optics-based methods,the proposed approach(PO-SI-IA)produces more accurate results that closely align with measured data,without reliance on extensive Monte Carlo sampling.Numerical simulations and microwave anechoic chamber experiments validate its accuracy and robustness.This work provides a reliable theoretical basis for uncertainty performance analysis and offers an efficient and flexible tool for EM performance evaluation and design of antennaradome systems in complex operational environments.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(62503335,92267101,62573301)。
摘要For uncertain strict-feedback systems under the prescribed performance control(PPC)problem,an innovative adaptive prescribed-time tracking control method is proposed.This method combines a novel error transformation function with the prescribed-time stability theory,thereby achieving exact tracking of desired trajectories within a prescribed time while ensuring that the tracking error stays within predefined boundaries globally.By integrating a newly-designed Lyapunov-like energy function with dynamic surface control,it resolves the error surface issues that result in the semi-global boundedness of tracking error in traditional approaches.Furthermore,through a generalized Filippov solution definition,this approach overcomes the issue of non-existence of the system solution,which arises during the prescribed-time stability analysis due to the discontinuous control input.Simulation results validate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
摘要The purpose of this paper is to make an assessment on the performance of a fiber reinforced plastic(FRP)helmet-head system subjected to ballistic impact.Firstly,a finite element(FE)model for the human head is developed.Constitutive models for each component of the head are determined and,in particular,strain rate effects of the compact bone of the skull and the hyperelastic property of the scalp are taken into account for the first time.Secondly,an FE model for Kevlar fiber reinforced plastic(KFRP)helmet is constructed based on the personal armor system for ground troops(PASGT)helmet.Recently developed dynamic constitutive models for metals and FRP laminates are employed for full metal jacketed(FMJ)bullet and the KFRP helmet.Finally,both the head and the helmet models are validated against available test data.Furthermore,the effects of various factors such as padding system,impact position,and projectile type on the ballistic performance of the helmet-head system have been systematically investigated with special attention being paid to the severity of head injury.It is found that the performance of the helmet with OA foam is advantageous over that of the helmet with strap-netting in head injury prevention.It is also found that a lower velocity(358 m/s)FMJ bullet poses more threats to head injury than a higher velocity(610 m/s)fragment-simulating projectile for the PASGT helmet-head system.
摘要The integration of hovering unmanned aerial vehicles(UAVs)with modulating retro-reflector(MRR)free-space optical(FSO)communication systems offers a promising solution for flexible,highbandwidth links.This paper presents a comprehensive performance analysis of a UAV-based MRR FSO system employing a multiple-quantum-well(MQW)modulator.We develop a composite channel model that simultaneously accounts for atmospheric turbulence,non-zero boresight pointing errors,and angleof-arrival fluctuations.Closed-form expressions for key performance metrics—including bit error rate,outage probability,and average channel capacity—are derived.Numerical results validate the analytical framework and provide insights into the effects of various system parameters.This study establishes a theoretical foundation and offers practical guidance for the design of efficient UAV-based MRR FSO systems.
基金the MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/and FEDER,UE[Grant/Award No.PID2021-122419OB-I00-GELESMAT]for the financial supportto the Grant PID2022-137379NB-I00 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by“ERDF A way of making Europe”Prof.Martínez also acknowledges the Multidisciplinary Institute of Enterprise(MIE)of the University of Salamanca and the Department of Education of the Junta de Castilla y León and FEDER(Grant CLU-2019-03-2)for the financial support to the Research Unit of Excellence“Economic Management for Sustainability”(GECOS).
摘要This study systematically reviews 42 articles(2014–2024)on the relationship between eco-innovation and environmental emission performance.The findings show that eco-innovation,mainly measured by green patents,significantly reduces CO2emissions,largely driven by regulatory policies like emissions trading systems and carbon taxes.However,the relationship between eco-innovation and emissions performance varies across industries and countries,suggesting the need for more context-specific research.Limitations in the literature include a focus on short time periods,single industries or countries,and reliance on patent counts,which may not fully capture innovation.Methodological gaps also exist in integrating firm-level innovation data with emissions data.Future research should expand the scope by examining long-term impacts;using diverse innovation indicators such as green R&D,renewable energy,and carbon storage technologies;applying advanced econometric models;and expanding to diverse sectors and economies,considering factors such as political uncertainty,green financing,and cultural influences.
摘要This study develops an optimized integrated system for full-capacity hot water supply in hotels by combining solar thermal energy and air-source heat pumps.Using a hotel in Wuhan as a case study,a four-season×four-occupancy multidimensional working-condition matrix was established.Dynamic simulation and multi-objective optimization were performed on TRNSYS-TRNOPT,with the cost-benefit ratio(CBR)as the core evaluation metric.Key parameters—including collector area,tilt and azimuth angles,heat pump capacity,and storage tank volume—were jointly optimized.Model calibration against measured data yielded a deviation of less than 8%.The results demonstrate that the optimized system can achieve 60.8%energy savings and reduce annual carbon emissions by 132.8 t.The best-performing case(Case 1-1)achieved a payback period of 4.1 years,presenting a feasible pathway for decarbonizing buildings with high hot water demand.This research confirms the technical and economic viability of solar–heat pump systems for hotel applications,providing strong support for the achievement of China’s“Dual Carbon”targets in public buildings.
基金The National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52578356).
摘要The offshore rocket recovery tower is an essential infrastructure for reusable space transportation.To address the lack of design methods and quantitative performance evaluation approaches for prestressed cable-stayed bracing systems under asymmetric and complex loading,this study develops an asymmetric two-stage prestressed cable-stayed bracing system for a large-scale offshore recovery tower with a height of 67 m and plan dimensions of 54 m×70 m.Dual-platform finite element models were established in MIDAS Gen and SAP2000,and 292 full-condition load combinations were analyzed using a nonlinear step-by-step inheritance algorithm.In parallel,a refined Abaqus solid model was employed to verify the core load-bearing joint locally.Prestressing reduced the maximum X-direction deformation under transportation conditions from 263.2 to 222.1 mm,yielding safety margins of 14.6% and 17.5% in the X-and Y-directions,respectively.The stresses in the main structural members were markedly improved―the Q460 truss and beam elements satisfied the allowable-stress limits,whereas the Q355 truss elements remained only slightly above the limit.The local maximum von Mises stress at the inner pulley block joint reached 891.9 MPa,indicating a risk of local yielding.These results demonstrate that the asymmetric prestressed cable-stayed bracing system can effectively enhance the global stiffness and forcetransfer performance of large-scale offshore recovery towers,and that the full-process analytical framework established in this study provides a theoretical basis and engineering reference for the design and performance evaluation of analogous offshore aerospace support structures.
摘要BACKGROUND Acute Achilles tendon rupture(AATR)is a debilitating injury that significantly impacts elite athletes,particularly those in the national football league(NFL).While return to play(RTP)and performance outcomes are critical to career longevity,these outcomes may be influenced by factors such as injury timing,player position,and unreported rehabilitation variation.Prior literature lacks a comprehensive synthesis of these outcomes in NFL athletes.AIM To systematically evaluate return-to-play rates,performance outcomes,and career longevity following AATR among NFL athletes,while considering the methodological quality of available evidence.METHODS A systematic review was conducted in May 2024 following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using PubMed,EMBASE,and Cochrane Library databases.Studies reporting outcomes following AATR in NFL players were included.Data were extracted on demographics,timing of injury,RTP,games played,and performance metrics.Pooled rates and weighted means were calculated based on sample size.Risk of bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Non-Randomised Studies of Interventions tool.No meta-analysis or statistical heterogeneity testing(e.g.,I²)was performed due to the descriptive nature of the analysis.RESULTS Twelve studies including 676 NFL athletes met inclusion criteria.The weighted mean age at injury was 27.3±1.4 years,with a mean of 5.2±1.2 years in the NFL prior to injury.Linebackers(19.0%),wide receivers(11.9%),and running backs(9.0%)were most affected.AATRs occurred most often during the preseason(50.4%).The overall RTP rate was 66.2%,with a weighted mean time of 10.9±1.3 months.Post-injury,players averaged 12.9 games/season and played for 2.2±0.8 additional seasons.Performance significantly declined regardless of position.Most studies lacked data on rehabilitation protocols and exhibited moderate to critical risk of bias.CONCLUSION NFL athletes experience a relatively low return-to-play rate and substantial decline in performance following AATR.These outcomes are further influenced by high heterogeneity in study quality and the unreported variability in post-operative rehabilitation.These findings underscore the need for prospective,standardized research and may inform team physicians and athletic trainers in developing evidence-based RTP strategies.
摘要Nature-based water treatment systems are becoming a promising substitute to conventional wastewater treatment technologies because of their potential to advance water quality while providing larger environmental and socio-economic benefits.This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of global performance metrics,progress,and sustainability aids linked with these systems.The study tracks a structured narrative review approach,drawing on peer-reviewed literature from the main scientific databases published primarily over the past decade.Articles were chosen based on their relevance to system typology,treatment performance,implementation context,and sustainability assessment.The review evaluates a wide range of systems,including constructed wetlands,biofiltration and bioretention systems,riparian buffers,floodplain restoration interventions,floating treatment wetlands,and hybrid nature-engineered solutions.In different climatic and socio-economic conditions,these systems establish substantial pollutant removal capability,generally obtaining organic matter and suspended solids removal efficiencies above 70–90%,nutrient reductions normally ranging from 40–80%,and variable pathogen attenuation depending on hydraulic and environmental conditions.Performance,however,is strongly influenced by design configuration,hydraulic loading,substrate properties,vegetation composition,and climatic variability.Beyond treatment effectiveness,the synthesis highlights the multifunctional sustainability outcomes of nature-based systems,including reduced energy and chemical inputs,enhanced biodiversity,climate resilience,and improved social and landscape values.By combining global execution trends with relative sustainability perspectives,this review provides new insights into the scalability,long-term performance,and ecosystem-service integration of nature-based water treatment systems within future resilient water management strategies.
摘要The study specifically examined the effects of employee motivation on the job performance of local government units in Ghana using the Kwahu South Municipal Assembly as a case study.The study used the mixed method with a sample size of 90 respondents based on simple random sampling technique and deployed the Vroom Yetton’s expectancy theory of motivation.The key findings of the study were:First,the Kwahu South Municipal Assembly implemented motivation strategies such as:working salary,employee training and development as well as periodic promotion based on performance and availability of vacancies to motivate the employees of the Assembly.Second,though all the employees admitted that the motivation strategies did influence their performance,they were not enough to effectively motivate them;hence some of the employees of the Assembly alluded to the fact that motivation was inadequate in the Assembly.Based on the findings,the study recommends the following:The Assembly should formulate and implement employee-centered motivation strategies that meet the motivation needs of employees and there should be improved conditions of service for employees of the local governance system.
摘要The assessment of building performance plays a crucial role in achieving sustainability objectives within the construction industry.In recent years,stakeholders have been increasingly focused on evaluating smart buildings(SBs)performance.Numerous methods,criteria,and tools have been developed to measure performance,but most of them primarily concentrate on the overall building level,neglecting the system level of buildings.To tackle this complexity and promote sustainability,it is essential to establish systematic,comprehensive,and practical approaches for evaluating smart building performance.This study proposes an evaluation model for smart buildings performance,encompassing 24 core performance indicators at both the whole building and system levels.The relevance and validity of these indicators were evaluated through a questionnaire survey,along with input from sustainable building experts.This research is part of a broader project aimed at developing a decision support system to assess sustainable building performance and enhance the sustainability of building projects.
基金partially supported by the State Funding Agency of Minas Gerais,Brazil(FAPEMIG),Process No.APQ-01811-21supported by Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung(AvH)/Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior(CAPES)+1 种基金National Council for Scientific and Technological Development-CNPq(Process No.308138/2022-8)supported by National Council for Scientific and Technological Development-CNPq(Process No.BPD-00905-22).
摘要Background:Ischemic preconditioning(IPC)is purported to have beneficial effects on athletic performance,although findings are inconsistent,with some studies reporting placebo effects.The majority of studies have investigated IPC alongside a placebo condition,but without a control condition that was devoid of experimental manipulation,thereby limiting accurate determination of the IPC effects.Therefore,the aims of this study were to assess the impact of the IPC intervention,compared to both placebo and no intervention,on exercise capacity and athletic performance.Methods:A systematic search of PubMed,Embase,SPORTDiscus,Cochrane Library,and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature(LILACS)covering records from their inception until July 2023 was conducted.To qualify for inclusion,studies had to apply IPC as an acute intervention,comparing it with placebo and/or control conditions.Outcomes of interest were performance(force,number of repetitions,power,time to exhaustion,and time trial performance),physiological measurements(maximum oxygen consumption,and heart rate),or perceptual measurements(RPE).For each outcome measure,we conducted 3 independent meta-analyses(IPC vs.placebo,IPC vs.control,placebo vs.control)using an inverse-variance random-effects model.The between-treatment effects were quantified by the standardized mean difference(SMD),accompanied by their respective 95%confidence intervals.Additionally,we employed the Grading of Recommendations,Assessment,Development and Evaluation(GRADE)approach to assess the level of certainty in the evidence.Results:Seventy-nine studies were included in the quantitative analysis.Overall,IPC demonstrates a comparable effect to the placebo condition(using a low-pressure tourniquet),irrespective of the subjects'training level(all outcomes presenting p>0.05),except for the outcome of time to exhaustion,which exhibits a small magnitude effect(SMD=0.37;p=0.002).Additionally,the placebo exhibited effects notably greater than the control condition(outcome:number of repetitions;SMD=0.45;p=0.03),suggesting a potential influence of participants'cognitive perception on the outcomes.However,the evidence is of moderate to low certainty,regardless of the comparison or outcome.Conclusion:IPC has significant effects compared to the control intervention,but it did not surpass the placebo condition.Its administration might be influenced by the cognitive perception of the receiving subject,and the efficacy of IPC as an ergogenic strategy for enhancing exercise capacity and athletic performance remains questionable.
摘要We highly commend Dr Souza et al.1for their systematic review research.The authors conducted a detailed investigation into the effects of ischemic preconditioning(IPC)on athletic performance,comparing it with placebo and no-intervention conditions.The study found that while IPC demonstrated superior effects over the no-intervention group in certain metrics(e.g.,time to exhaustion),its performance did not significantly surpass that of the placebo group.This suggests that the potential benefits of IPC may partially stem from participants’psychological expectations,or placebo effects.The study also highlighted the significant impact of placebo interventions on athletic performance,emphasizing the importance of distinguishing between placebo and no-intervention conditions in experimental designs.
基金supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant U21B2014,Grant 92267202,and Grant 62271081.
摘要This paper studies the sensing base station(SBS)that has great potential to improve the safety of vehicles and pedestrians on roads.SBS can detect the targets on the road with communication signals using the integrated sensing and communication(ISAC)technique.Compared with vehicle-mounted radar,SBS has a better sensing field due to its higher deployment position,which can help solve the problem of sensing blind areas.In this paper,key technologies of SBS are studied,including the beamforming algorithm,beam scanning scheme,and interference cancellation algorithm.To transmit and receive ISAC signals simultaneously,a double-coupling antenna array is applied.The free detection beam and directional communication beam are proposed for joint communication and sensing to meet the requirements of beamwidth and pointing directions.The joint timespace-frequency domain division multiple access algorithm is proposed to cancel the interference of SBS,including multiuser interference and duplex interference between sensing and communication.Finally,the sensing and communication performance of SBS under the industrial scientific medical power limitation is analyzed and simulated.Simulation results show that the communication rate of SBS can reach over 100 Mbps and the range of sensing and communication can reach about 500 m.