Comprehensive Criteria Research Articles

Noise assessment of multirotor configurations during landing proceduresa).

This study numerically investigates the noise impact of multirotor aerial vehicles with different rotor scales during landing procedures. The operational environments of individual rotors are influenced by rotational speed and wake dynamics, leading to variations in landing noise characteristics. Noise impacts are evaluated across various landing operations from both physical and psychoacoustic perspectives using noise source hemispheres and noise maps. The physical noise impact is quantified using sound exposure level (SEL), while the psychoacoustic impact is assessed through a psychoacoustic annoyance (PA) based on sound quality metrics. Performance contours are established to compare noise impacts alongside other factors, such as energy consumption, landing duration, vehicle attitudes, and safety considerations. The combined effect of noise source strength and landing duration determines SEL, while PA is primarily influenced by acoustic loudness, which follows a similar trend to noise source strength. Consequently, physical and psychoacoustic noise impacts exhibit distinct trends based on the landing operations. This study outlines a process for optimizing landing operations that meet predefined performance goals while minimizing noise impacts. Because operational performance varies significantly across different landing procedures and vehicle types, the study emphasizes the importance of incorporating comprehensive performance criteria in the design of landing operations.

Clinical profile of IgG4-related disease in Japan based on the rare disease data registry

We started a registry for cases of immunoglobulin (Ig)G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) in December 2019 to clarify the clinical profile of IgG4-RD. In this study, clinical information from 854 cases registered by February 16, 2024 was analyzed from multiple perspectives. Diagnosis of IgG4-RD was made in 808 cases, comprising 638 definite, 38 probable, and 132 possible. The mean ± SD age at time of enrollment of the 808 cases was 67.9 ± 11.3 years, with 68.8% being male. The pancreas was the most frequently affected organ (49.8%), followed by the submandibular glands (46.2%) and lacrimal glands (30.6%). This study reconfirmed the pancreas and head-and-neck region as major affected areas in IgG4-RD. Clinically, submandibular adenitis and autoimmune pancreatitis often occur together in the same patient, but no association between the two organs was observed in our analysis. Regarding diagnosis, the comprehensive diagnostic criteria were most commonly used (63.6%). Storiform fibrosis and phlebitis obliterans were detected at different frequencies in different organs. In summary, this registry study identified clinical, imaging, hematologic, and pathologic findings in 808 Japanese patients with IgG4-RD. The frequency of affected organs and their characteristic pathological findings will be particularly useful for future practice.

The Construction of Care Journey Map for Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis - A Pilot Study and Usability Research

Background: Idiopathic scoliosis is commonly found in adolescents of 10 to 17 years of age, patients are required to encounter several essential measures and types in treatment. Healthcare team provides patients with complete and continuous treatment, in which a comprehensive care criterion has been a crucial issue.Aim: This article aims to develop a care criterion tool with reliability and validity.Subject and methods: By using cross-sectional study, a care criterion is developed with literature review. Moreover, the contents were reviewed by experts which further modified based on nursing personnel’s recommendation after actual use among clinical patients.Results: The “Care Journey Map for Scoliosis Patients” with contents of 72 items had been completed, in which the expert validity was 0.98. After use by nursing personnel, items with 100% completeness achieved 76.2%, the overall satisfaction from nursing personnel was 89.9% and 100% agreed the completeness and significance of this care map.Conclusion: The “Care Journey Map for Scoliosis Patients” is a care criterion developed based on literature review by nursing experts with years of clinical experience, considering transverse and longitudinal time axes as main parts for the overall process in patient care. The tool is proved to be with reliability and validity, which can be a care criterion provided for clinical nurses’ compliance, meriting clinical promotion.

Guidelines for robotic credentialling in reconstructive and functional urology. Consensus study

AbstractObjectivesThis study aims to define criteria for robotic reconstructive and functional urology credentialing using expert consensus. A recent narrative review identified a lack of standardised minimal requirements for performing robotic‐assisted surgery procedures. The substantial variability or absence of a standardised curriculum and credentialing process within a highly specialised surgical field is often insufficient to guarantee surgeon proficiency and could potentially jeopardise patient safety.Subjects and MethodsThirty‐five international robotic surgery experts in urology and urogynaecology, selected based on surgical and research expertise, were invited to participate as expert panellists. Using a modified Delphi process the experts were asked to indicate their agreement with the proposed list of recommendations that was identified from the literature and review of relevant international credentialing policies in three electronic survey rounds.ResultsFourteen experts participated in round 1 of online surveys, 9 in round 2 and 13 in round 3. From 50 statements presented to the Delphi panel in round 1, a total of 39 recommendations (32 from round 1, 4 from round 2 and 3 from round 3) with median importance (MI) ≥ 7 and disagreement index (DI) < 1 were proposed for inclusion into the final draft set and were reviewed by the project team. Panellists agreed reconstructive and functional urology required its own specific modular training curriculum as the foundation for robotic training and a surgeon must have appropriate training i.e., fellowship or evidence of speciality training in functional urology.ConclusionsThis was the first study to develop preliminary guidelines on credentialing for robotic surgery in reconstructive and functional urology. A Delphi approach was employed to establish comprehensive credentialing criteria for robotic‐assisted surgery. The consistent adoption of these criteria across institutions will foster the proficiency of robotic surgeons and has the potential to bring improvements in patient outcomes.

Clinical Presentation, Investigation Findings, and Outcomes of IgG4-Related Pachymeningitis

ImportanceImmunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)–related disease is an increasingly recognized fibroinflammatory condition that can involve multiple organs, including the pachymeninges. The understanding of IgG4-related pachymeningitis (IgG4-RP) remains limited because of its rarity and the predominance of knowledge derived from case reports and case series.ObjectiveTo systematically review and synthesize the clinical presentation, investigation findings, and prognosis of IgG4-RP to better understand its diagnosis and management.Evidence ReviewA comprehensive systematic review was conducted following guidelines from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses. PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus were searched from their inception until May 30, 2023, using terms related to IgG4-related disease and pachymeningitis without language or publication restrictions. Case reports and series that met the 2020 Revised Comprehensive Diagnostic Criteria or the 2019 American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria were included. Data on clinical presentations, investigation findings, and treatment outcomes were extracted and summarized.FindingsA total of 148 case reports contributed data from 208 patients. Their median (IQR) age was 52 (39-62) years; 132 patients were male (63.5%) and 76 female (36.5%). Headache and cranial nerve dysfunctions were the most common neurological manifestations. Systemic involvement was identified in nearly half of the patients. Diagnostic imaging often showed preferential involvement of cavernous sinus and middle fossa. Laboratory results highlighted elevated serum IgG4 levels in 97 of 147 patients (65%) of patients and cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis in 43 of 82 patients (52%). Storiform fibrosis or obliterating phlebitis were uncommon pathological findings. Mortality was below 1% (1/134; 0.7%), but only a third of patients presented complete clinical improvement, and the recurrence rate was 60 patients (40%) in a median (IQR) follow-up time of 9 (1-20) months. Glucocorticoids were the most commonly prescribed treatment, in 143 of 169 patients (85%); rituximab was prescribed as maintenance therapy in 53 of 169 patients (31%).Conclusions and RelevanceIgG4-RP commonly presents with headaches and cranial nerve dysfunction, posing diagnostic challenges due to the significant absence of systemic manifestations, low IgG4 serum levels, and atypical pathological findings. Current treatment outcomes are limited by incomplete recovery and frequent relapses underscoring the necessity for new treatment strategies.

A three-stage framework for optimal site selection of hybrid offshore wind-photovoltaic-wave-hydrogen energy system: A case study of China

The integration of offshore wind-photovoltaic-wave-hydrogen production is a sustainable energy development concept that could smooth the intermittency of renewable energy generation, reduce energy abandonment, and improve energy efficiency. However, the successful deployment of a hybrid offshore wind-photovoltaic-wave-hydrogen energy system is premised on the selection of an appropriate location, which necessitates a robust framework to support this decision. This study proposes a three-stage decision framework based on Geographic Information System and multi-criteria decision-making to determine the optimal location from macro and micro perspectives. To ensure the effectiveness of site selection, it develops a comprehensive criteria system, including exclusion criteria and evaluation criteria, encompassing geographical, resource, economy, risk, and sustainable potential aspects. Then, the spatial simulation of alternative sites is conducted according to exclusion criteria to rule out infeasible alternative sites. The multi-criteria decision-making in the third stage is performed in a rough-fuzzy environment to eliminate the uncertainty in decision-making. Finally, a case study is conducted on Hainan Island, China. The results show that the western sea area of Dongfang City is the optimal location to deploy the hybrid offshore wind-photovoltaic-wave-hydrogen energy system. The proposed framework offers a reference for practical offshore renewable energy project implementation.

Artificial Intelligence as Research Methods in Urban Design

This paper delves into the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in urban design, focusing on its capability to manage complex urban systems via paradigm classification and comparative analysis. It methodically explores how AI improves design generation, optimizes morphology, and simulates real-world scenarios, thereby enhancing design quality and efficiency throughout the urban design process. Furthermore, the study contributes to the development of comprehensive AI evaluation criteria, integrating both theoretical and practical perspectives to critically understand the advantages and limitations of AI in urban design applications.

Construction of Sensory Evaluation System of Purple Sweet Potato Rice Steamed Sponge Cake Based on Fuzzy Mathematics.

This paper presents the establishment of a sensory evaluation system for purple sweet potato rice steamed sponge cake (PSPRSSC) utilizing fuzzy mathematics. Initially, eight key sensory evaluation indices were identified through expert consultations. These indices were subsequently prioritized using fuzzy binary comparison, resulting in the following order: aroma, taste, crust color, elasticity, viscosity, chewiness, hardness, and brightness. The corresponding weight values assigned to each index were 23%, 18%, 16%, 13%, 12%, 8%, 6%, and 4%, respectively. Notably, aroma was found to have a more significant impact than visual attributes in the sensory evaluation of PSPRSSC. Based on this prioritization, comprehensive sensory evaluation criteria for PSPRSSC were formulated. Verification tests confirmed the efficacy of the proposed evaluation system. This study provides critical data and theoretical support for the sensory quality assessment of PSPRSSC, thereby facilitating its industrialization and enhancing its market viability.

Multi-objective optimization of comprehensive performance in airfoil channel PCHEs using Bézier curves

The airfoil fin (AFF) Printed circuit heat exchanger (PCHE) has attracted significant attention for its excellent comprehensive performance. This study proposes an optimized design for AFF PCHE to enhance the comprehensive performance by integrating Bézier curves, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and multi-objective genetic algorithm (MOGA). A set of 12 Bézier curve-based variables is utilized to define and control the airfoil geometry, with optimization targets set on two comprehensive evaluation criteria: the first enhanced ratio (η1) and the third enhanced ratio (η3). The MOGA-generated Pareto front reveals the evolution of AFF structures in relation to η1 and η3. Results show that as the leading and trailing edges of the AFFs become sharper and the thickness decreases, the η1 of the PCHE channel gradually increases, while η3 decreases. Conversely, as the thickness of the AFFs increases and the trailing edge shape transitions from blunt to elliptical and finally to round, η3 significantly increases while η1 decreases. Furthermore, when changes focus mainly on the leading edge of the AFFs, η3 improves without markedly affecting η1. Compared to the traditional airfoil channel, the η1 of the Fin-b channel increases by 3.1%-10.8%, demonstrating its greater suitability under identical flow rate conditions. Similarly, the η3 of the Fin-g channel is 1.4%-11.6% higher than that of the traditional airfoil channel, highlighting its superior performance under identical pumping power conditions. The present work provides a valuable reference for optimizing the design of AFF PCHEs under identical flow rate and pumping power conditions.

Assessment of the efficiency of functioning of the environmental management system of enterprises

Purpose. A multifactor model is developed to assess the efficiency level of an enterprise’s environmental management system, depending on the effectiveness of organizational environmental measures. Methodology. The authors’ method for determining a comprehensive criterion for monitoring the effectiveness of the environmental management system, which characterizes the efficiency of operation and determines the level of environmental safety of enterprises, is proposed and used. To solve the tasks, a complex research method was also used, which included the analysis and generalization of literary and patent sources, and analytical, experimental research using computer and mathematical modeling methods. Findings. According to the studies and calculations of the generalized environmental quality indicator – 0.64, 0.66 and 0.66, the largest negative impact on the environment is caused by the activities of enterprises in the Pecherskyi, Podilskyi, and Solomianskyi districts of Kyiv, respectively. The obtained data testify to the relationship between the effectiveness of the implemented environmental measures (saving and rational use of resources, application of environmental technologies, advanced training, and environmental competence of employees) and the level of efficiency of the environmental management system of enterprises. Originality. As a result of the studies conducted using actual data, a system of indicators of the generalized environmental quality indicator has been proposed for the first time, which allows determining the environmental efficiency and effectiveness of the implemented environmental measures to assess the effectiveness of the functioning of the implemented environmental management system of the enterprise. Practical value. Based on the research results, a technique is proposed to assess the effectiveness of the environmental management system of enterprises by determining a generalized environmental quality indicator in terms of reducing the negative impact of the enterprise’s activities on the environment. Such an assessment system will help the management of the enterprise to promptly introduce corrective actions to improve the efficiency of the environmental management system and increase the level of environmental safety.

Diversity of heart failure phenotypes in transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy. More than just heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

Introduction Current guidelines recommend suspecting transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) in patients over 65 years of age with unexplained left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in a non-dilated LV, heart failure (HF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or severe aortic stenosis. However, there is evidence indicating a high prevalence of ATTR-CM in other HF phenotypes. As such, this study aimed to characterize the diversity of HF phenotypes of ATTR-CM by examining the LV ejection fraction and LV dilatation using echocardiography. Methods This multicentre, retrospective observational study included patients diagnosed with ATTR-CM between 2015–2023. The diagnosis was based on a positive cardiac biopsy or positive bone scintigraphy without monoclonal gammopathy. Echocardiographic measurements were categorized according to LV ejection fraction (LVEF) into HFpEF (LVEF ≥50%), HF with mildly reduced EF (HFmrEF, LVEF 40–49%), and HF with reduced EF (HFrEF, LVEF <40%). LV cavity size was categorized by LV end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and volume index (LVEDVi) as normal, moderately increased and severe dilatation. Results The study included 135 patients with ATTR-CM (mean age, 78 years; 89% male; 89% wild-type ATTR-CM). Most patients were screened for ATTR-CM because of unexplained HF and increased LV wall thickness (57%). Echocardiography showed LVEF <50% in 60% of the patients, with a significant portion presenting with HFrEF. Patients with LVEF <50% had higher NYHA class and elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels than HFpEF patients. LV dilatation was observed in 43% of the patients, with 10% presenting with both LVEF <50% and severe LV dilatation. Conclusion This study revealed significant variability in HF phenotypes among patients with ATTR-CM, from HFpEF without LV dilatation to HFrEF with severe LV dilatation. Relying solely on HFpEF for screening may lead to under-diagnosis. These findings suggest the need for more comprehensive diagnostic criteria beyond echocardiographic measures to improve ATTR-CM detection and management.

The 2023 revised diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis.

For the diagnosis of IgG4-related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis, either revised comprehensive diagnostic criteria or organ-specific diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis in 2008 were applied; however, the collected knowledge for IgG4-related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis required us to revise the criteria for IgG4-related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis. The board member of Japanese Study Group for IgG4-related Dacryoadenitis and Sialadenitis revised the diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis. We collected the clinical questions to be revised and performed a review of the literature. When the data were insufficient, additional data collection was performed. After the revision, public comments were collected. The three major points were revised. 1. Asymmetric or under two pairs of dacryoadenitis and sialoadenitis were included as IgG4-related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis. 2. The thresholds of IgG4-positive cell infiltration were adjusted to an IgG4+/IgG+ ratio >0.4 and IgG4+ cells >10 per high power field. 3. The labial salivary gland biopsy was allowed to diagnose IgG4-related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis. The revised diagnostic criteria for IgG4-related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis solved several issues with the previous criteria. It will improve the early diagnosis of IgG4-related dacryoadenitis and sialadenitis, especially in situations without enough resources for a biopsy.

Enhancing Economic, Resilient, and Sustainable Outcomes Through Supplier Selection and Order Allocation in the Food Manufacturing Industry: A Hybrid Delphi-FAHP-FMOP Method

In the food manufacturing industry, which is critical to national economies, there is a growing imperative to meet heightened safety, quality, and environmental standards, particularly in the face of supply chain disruptions. This study addresses the gap in literature by integrating sustainable and resilient supply chain theories with risk management and low-carbon principles into a supplier selection framework. Utilizing the Delphi method, fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), and fuzzy multi-objective programming (FMOP), we develop a decision-making model specifically calibrated for the food sector. Initially, the study establishes a comprehensive criteria system encompassing quality, cost, delivery, low-carbon, and risk management through a literature review and expert consultation. Subsequently, FAHP is employed to determine the relative importance of each criterion in supplier selection. Furthermore, FMOP is utilized to develop a decision-making model for optimizing supplier selection and order allocation. Validated through a numerical study based on a Chinese food manufacturer, the framework presents a practical tool for food manufacturers, ensuring supply chain stability while aligning with sustainability objectives. This research refines decision making and strengthens the competitive stance of food manufacturers, significantly propelling the industry’s green transformation.

State-Space Basins for Monopedal Jumping with Stable Landing

Abstract Maintaining stability during jumping remains a challenge due to its hybrid dynamics. Despite recent advancements in the control of jumping robots, existing research lacks an accurate and comprehensive criterion for the stability of jumping. This study proposes a general criterion for jumping that incorporates the system&amp;#x92;s nonlinear dynamics and environmental constraints. The stability basins are formulated as a state-space partition based on a rigorous definition extending the balanced state basin (BSB) concept, which has been validated as a stability criterion for biped robots in legged stance. A hybrid approach, using a combination of analytical and optimization methods, solves the flight and stance phases of jumping as independent sub-problems. The basins are computed for a monopedal jumping robot, Salto-1P, and validated with simulations. To demonstrate its general applicability, two distinct flight-to-stance tasks are considered: targeted jumping and cat-like righting. Analysis of each task&amp;#x92;s stability basins and the landing BSB reveals the inherent trade-offs between stability and the task requirements for variations in the initial state variables such as speed, orientation, and height. The stability basins represent the system&amp;#x92;s fundamental controller-independent stability characteristics and can be applied to the mechanical design, control, and fall prediction of jumping robots.

Evaluating the Impact of Mini-Competition on Pharmaceutical Procurement: Challenges, Risks, and Regulatory Implications in Indonesia

This study evaluates the impact of the mini-competition method in pharmaceutical procurement in Indonesia, focusing on its challenges, risks, and regulatory implications. Mini-competition, a procurement method designed to promote competitive pricing in e-purchasing, has been introduced to streamline the procurement process, especially for essential goods such as pharmaceuticals. However, this method faces legal and practical challenges, including risks of fraud, reduced competition, collusion, and issues concerning product quality and innovation. The legal framework governing mini competition, including Presidential Regulation No. 12 of 2021, is analyzed to identify potential weaknesses in ensuring transparency and accountability. The research also includes a case study of pharmaceutical product procurement, highlighting the significant price reductions resulting from mini competition but revealing adverse effects on industry sustainability. The analysis of the cost structure of pharmaceutical companies shows that continued price reductions may force companies to cease operations due to unprofitability. Drawing on international case studies, this study concludes that while mini competition can lower procurement costs, it also poses significant risks to product quality, innovation, and market competition. Traditional tender methods are proposed as a more balanced and sustainable approach for pharmaceutical procurement, emphasizing the need for transparent and comprehensive evaluation criteria.

A large-scale supplier evaluation approach for circular economy in the presence of circular criteria interactions and weight consistency

Circular economy (CE) is an economic model in which we achieve sustainable development through resource recovery, reuse, and remanufacturing. Large-scale supplier evaluation is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of the CE supply chain and efficient utilization of resources. Especially, criterion interaction and consistency of criterion weights are two key factors of large suppliers’ evaluation in CE. However, current research often overlooks these key factors, this study proposes a large-scale supplier evaluation approach in CE to address these issues. The novel aspects of the proposed approach come with considering the interaction between circular and non-circular criteria, as well as eliminating the impact of large-scale complex information on the consistency of criterion weights. Firstly, large-scale hesitant evaluation information is fused by evidence reasoning, and interaction rules between circular and non-circular criteria are established. Then, the interaction weights of the criteria are obtained based on the interaction of circular criteria, and the comprehensive criteria weights are determined by an improved best-worst method. Next, the decision makers’ weights are generated by the utility value of the circular criterion. Finally, the results of numerical example and analysis show that 86% of the supplier ranking results are stable, and the consistency of the proposed approach is 0.9757, indicating that the proposed approach exhibits high validity and reliability. It emphasizes the significance of the supplier’s circular ability in CE and reduces the interference of large-scale complex information on the consistency of evaluation results.

Improved diagnostic performance of high-sensitivity cardiac troponins in muscle dystrophies using comprehensive definition criteria for cardiac involvement: A longitudinal study on 35 patients.

Sparse information is available on the correct interpretation of elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn) in confirmed muscular dystrophies. Serum concentrations of hs-cTn T (hs-cTnT) and hs-cTn I (hs-cTnI) were determined in 35 stable outpatients with confirmed skeletal muscle dystrophies. We calculated sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values of hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI for identification of cardiac involvement using a comprehensive definition that included diastolic left ventricular and right ventricular function, strain analysis using two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiogram and magnetic resonance imaging, myocardial biopsies, and consideration of a variety of triggers for cardiac injury, including arrhythmias, conduction disorders, and hypoxemia due to respiratory failure. Cardiac involvement was diagnosed in 34 of 35 cases. Specificities of hs-cTnT increased from 12.5% to 100% (p = 0.0006) applying the comprehensive definition compared to a definition based on electrocardiography and echocardiography alone. At the recommended 99th percentile upper limit of normal, sensitivities were significantly lower for hs-cTnI than for hs-cTnT (29.4% vs. 100%, p = 0.0164). Conversely, the specificities of hs-cTnT and hs-cTnI increased to 100% when using the comprehensive definition criteria for diagnosing cardiac involvement. Elevated hs-cTnT but not hs-cTnI discriminates cardiac involvement in cases with confirmed skeletal muscle dystrophies with very high sensitivity and 100% specificity. Prior reports on worse performance may be explained by the use of less sensitive imaging methods or incomplete assessment of cardiac involvement.

Novel discretized gravitational search algorithm for effective medical hyperspectral band selection

Medical hyperspectral imaging present a promising avenue for non-invasive diagnostic methods for diseases. Nonetheless, the sparsity of medical hyperspectral data within high-dimensional spaces introduces the “curse of dimensionality”, which diminishes the efficiency and accuracy of data processing efforts. Therefore, spectral dimensionality reduction emerges as an essential process in the analysis and utilization of MHSIs data. To retain the intrinsic properties of the spectral bands, an effective unsupervised band selection algorithm is proposed leveraging the gravitational search algorithm (GSA-UBS) to identify the optimal band subset. Taking into account the informational content and redundancy among candidate bands, a comprehensive evaluation criterion is established that incorporates a band distance matrix and an information entropy vector. Additionally, a straightforward discrete search strategy is developed that enables gravitational search algorithm to directly retrieve the original sequence numbers of the selected bands, bypassing the conventional 0–1 band weighting approach. The extensive evaluation of GSA-UBS on three publicly available invivo brain cancer MHSIs datasets and a remote sensing hyperspectral image demonstrates its superior performance compared to various state-of-the-art methods. The source code for GSA-UBS can be accessed at https://github.com/zhangchenglong1116/GSA_UBS.

Optimisation of Occupant Restraint Systems for Autonomous Vehicles in Reclined Postures

Occupant restraint systems (ORS) play an integral and critical role in protecting occupant safety. However, research on optimising ORS in reclined postures in autonomous vehicles is still insufficient. This study aimed to conduct multiobjective optimisation of the ORS to explore potential occupant injury reduction capability. Firstly, the MADYMO simulation method quantitatively correlates the relevant parameters of the ORS with occupant injuries. Then, parameters that significantly impact the safety performance of the ORS (pretensioning time, pretensioning force, webbing stiffness, seatbelt limiter force, and explosive pretensioning time) were selected as design variables. The occupant’s comprehensive injury evaluation criterion, WIC, was used as the optimisation criteria. The ORS parameters were optimised by combining the Latin hypercube experimental design, the Kriging surrogate model, and the NSGA-II optimisation algorithm. The results show that after optimisation, the occupant’s head injury criteria (C head) decreased by 10.87%, neck injury criteria (C neck) decreased by 14.18%, chest injury criteria (C chest) decreased by 8.43%, lumbar spine injury criteria (C lumbar) decreased by 2.37%, and the comprehensive weighted injury criterion (WIC) decreased by 8.14%. This study significantly reduced injuries to various parts of the occupant, thereby improving the safety of occupants in reclined postures.

Design Rules for Capillary Force-Induced Clustering and Recovery of Monolithic Microbridges on Microapertured Polymer Membrane.

Microbridge structures have been widely used in microelectromechanical systems. When the devices with microbridges operate in diverse environments, including wet conditions, structural failures such as crumples, clustering, and collapse of micro/nanostructures occur due to the capillary force of liquid in this environment. It is necessary to establish comprehensive design criteria to address this. Herein, we investigate the structural stability of microbridges on microsized apertures in wet conditions. The multiscale structure is fabricated with microbridge width, spacing of 10 μm, and height of 6 μm while varying the supporting micro aperture size. The behavior of the microbridges is observed through an optical microscope during water dispensing on the bridges and evaporation. It is found that the microbridges remain stable on apertures of 100 μm in diameter, while clustering occurs on larger-sized apertures (300, 500 μm). Interestingly, in contrast to the 500 μm-sized aperture, the clustered microbridges on the 300 μm-sized aperture gradually recover to their original configuration after completely evaporating water. A simple theoretical model for capillary force-induced clustering and recovery is proposed to elucidate this phenomenon, which agrees with the experimental results. The microbridges constructed following the design rule can ensure robust and stable operation even in wet conditions. These findings contribute to advancing micro/nanoscale engineering and offer insights for developing innovative microdevices.