Higher complication rates in reverse shoulder arthroplasty are commonly reported in patients receiving smaller humeral implants, potentially due to reduced bone stock and compromised implant stability. While bone-preserving hybrid onlay-Grammont humeral stems are thought to improve cortical engagement, comparative biomechanical evidence remains scarce, particularly in small humeri. A 2×2 factorial design was conducted in this exploratory study to evaluate the independent effects of implant size (large vs. small humerus) and implant placement (inlay vs. hybrid onlay-Grammont) on implant stability. Paired humeri from a male (large) and female (small) donor were implanted with inlay and hybrid onlay-Grammont designs. Specimens were tested under controlled physiological and compressive failure loading in a custom-built μCT-compatible rig. Implant stiffness, vertical displacement, and cortical failure were quantified using 3D μCT imaging and force-displacement data. Rigid co-registration and surface mesh segmentation were used to assess implant migration and bone deformation. In the large humerus, the hybrid onlay-Grammont implant showed greater stiffness (288N/mm) and failure load (2800N) than the inlay design, consistently causing cortical opening. In the small humerus, the inlay implant exhibited the highest distal migration (-12mm) without cortical cracking, while the onlay design produced controlled radial cortical failure consistent with the large specimen. These results demonstrate that reduced peri-prosthetic bone stock can prevent the implant from fully loading the cortex causing a shift of the failure mechanism, particularly in the small humerus. They also support further larger studies on patient, surgical, and loading factors concerning implant stability.

An innovative site investigation tool, termed ROBOCONE, is being developed by integrating robotic modules capable of lateral, vertical and torsional displacement, into the shaft of conventional cone penetrometer. This study presents an explicit method for determining undrained elastic shear modulus by coupling the response of the vertical and torsional modules, so-called t–z and τ–θ modules respectively. A comprehensive finite element modelling framework was developed to investigate soil-ROBOCONE interaction and quantify the influence of module’s aspect ratio on measured stiffness. For each module, deformation components at the interface and in the surrounding soil were decomposed in order to evaluate the end effects on soil stiffness. Coupling the τ–θ and t–z module responses effectively eliminate the influence of interface stiffness – a parameter difficult to determine prior to testing. These findings enhance the efficiency of site investigation by enabling early-stage characterisation of soil properties in offshore projects without the need for offshore sampling and subsequent laboratory testing, while also providing practical guidance for optimizing ROBOCONE design.

AFIS-CL technique: A posterior reduction method enabling three-dimensional control in vertically unstable pelvic ring injuries.

Analysis of environmental data during a lagrangian experiment: The influence of vertical movements

Finite element analysis with experimental verification of concrete anisotropic structures for industrial design under hydrostatic pressure

Holistic processing is a fast, efficient, and seemingly effortless processing style typically linked with perceiving faces and objects of expertise-where observers appear unable to selectively attend to features within a stimulus. Holistic face processing is disrupted when the top and bottom halves are vertically separated by a substantial amount. This was attributed to the biological implausibility of the elongated faces-a domain-specific explanation. However, more recent findings of face-like holistic processing of stimuli with strong perceptual grouping cues suggest that such cues support holistic processing more generally. If so, the breakdown of holistic processing with vertical separation may reflect a disruption to perceptual grouping mechanisms rather than to face-specific mechanisms. We tested this hypothesis across three experiments. Experiment1 used a modified composite part matching paradigm to replicate previous results-verticallyseparating the halves in a composite face paradigm disrupted holistic face processing. Experiment2 demonstrated that vertical part displacement similarly disrupted holistic processing of non-face stimuli rich in perceptual grouping cues, which are not constrained by biological plausibility. Experiment3 revealed that horizontal misalignment-a standard method of disrupting holistic processing-does not further diminish holistic processing of vertically displaced non-face stimuli, consistent with the interpretation that holistic processing was already disrupted for these stimuli. These findings support a disrupted perceptual grouping, rather than biological implausibility, account of the disruption to face holistic processing with vertical part misalignment. This has implications for understanding face processing and, given the role of holistic perception in supporting perceptual expertise, skilled perception more broadly.

Despite neonatal radiosensitivity, accurate lens dose assessments in computed tomography (CT) are lacking. We assessed the neonatal head CT eye lens dose under various scanning conditions, including vertical table displacement and organ-based exposure modulation (OEM), using the GAFCHROMIC LD-V1 (LD-V1), which can measure two-dimensional dose distributions, and we evaluated the limitations of conventional dose indices. The lens dose decreased with increasing distance from the isocentre for the Canon 320. Whereas, for the Canon 80 and Siemens, the dose peaked at +25mm and then decreased. For the OEM, the dose reduction effect decreased at 30°. The CT dose index volume remained consistent. Spatially resolved dosimetry using the LD-V1 reveals beam overlap and positioning-related dose anomalies that cannot be captured by point dosimeters or conventional indices. The LD-V1 can effectively evaluate superficial dose distributions and guide dose optimization in neonatal imaging.

To achieve the objectives of efficient wireless charging and timely data collection in Wireless Rechargeable Sensor Networks (WRSNs), this paper proposes a joint scheduling scheme for UAV that optimizes both charging and data collection tasks. First, the network area is divided into sparse and non-sparse grids. A Sparse Grid Fusion Algorithm based on Minimum Enclosing Circle (SGFMC) is introduced to reduce the number of UAV hovering points in sparse grids, thereby improving energy replenishment efficiency. Then, for non-sparse grids, a clustering approach based on minimizing energy radiation area is employed to shrink the energy coverage of UAV, effectively shortening the distance between the UAV and sensor nodes and enhancing energy efficiency. Next, the charging priority of cluster head nodes is determined by jointly considering their residual energy and the UAV’s vertical displacement during flight. This not only reduces UAV’s energy consumption during vertical movement but also ensures fairness in charging. A binary search-based allocation strategy is then applied to optimally distribute UAV energy among cluster head nodes. Furthermore, to minimize the energy consumption of cluster heads when transmitting data to the UAV during data collection, an adaptive UAV hovering altitude adjustment strategy is introduced. Simulation results demonstrate that, compared with existing algorithms such as HEC, HSA, and SA, the proposed SGFMC strategy significantly improves UAV flight distance efficiency and overall energy utilization.

Fault activation is a common phenomenon during coal seam mining in proximity to faults. To better understand the mechanism of roof water hazards caused by fault activation, numerical simulation was employed. By coupling FLAC3D with PFC3D, this simulation is mainly analyzed from four aspects: the number of contact forces, the evolution of vertical displacement, the development of the plastic zone, and vertical stress. Based on field test and numerical simulation, this study reveals that fault activation becomes more intense as the working face advances from the hanging wall to the footwall of the fault. In addition, fault activation exhibits distinct phases, each characterized by different mechanical behaviors. Furthermore, combined with the decreasing trend in the number of contact forces, the height of the water-conducting fracture zone shows a pattern of initial increase followed by subsequent decrease. These findings reveal that analyzing the mechanism of roof water hazards caused by fault activation provides a theoretical basis and valuable insights for preventing and controlling roof water hazards during coal mining operations near faults.

Active fault reactivation poses significant hazards, and understanding their near-surface structure is crucial for mitigating seismic risk. Along the Balakot-Bagh fault (BBF), the source of the 2005 Mw 7.6 Kashmir earthquake, geomorphic evidence is gradually eroded and sedimented. Traditional Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) often produces smoothly varying tomograms that obscure sharp structural boundaries. This study introduces an integrated interpretation framework that combines geological mapping, high-resolution ERT imaging, and machine learning (ML) k-means clustering to improve characterization of the BBF's shallow deformation zone at Sar Pain (S1) and Naushahra (S2), Pakistan. Geological surveys at S1 document numerous NW-SE-trending coseismic rupture strands with vertical displacements of 0.1-3m, defining an actively deforming damage zone, while at S2, no surface rupture is preserved due to thick alluvial cover. Inverted ERT models at both sites reveal low-resistivity anomalies associated with fractured, water-saturated materials and fault gouge; however, conventional inversions smooth sharp resistivity gradients, limiting structural interpretation. Applying k-means clustering as a post-inversion segmentation tool transforms continuous resistivity fields into discrete lithological and structural domains. The Elbow method is used to determine the optimal number of clusters to improve interpretability. The clustered models sharpen structural discontinuities, delineate fault cores and subsidiary strands at S1, and reveal concealed deformation at S2 where surface evidence is absent. This integrated interpretation framework significantly enhances the resolution and interpretability of near-surface fault architecture within a crustal-scale thrust system. The approach is particularly effective for imaging buried fault segments and has important implications for seismic hazard assessment and land-use planning.

To improve the low-temperature crack resistance of asphalt pavement, this paper investigates the effects of fiber length, content, and type on the flexural and tensile properties of asphalt mastic. Firstly, a numerical program was developed in MATLAB to establish a three-dimensional finite element model of asphalt mastic with an uneven fiber distribution in ABAQUS. Then, the Burgers model selected for simulation was obtained through the asphalt low-temperature bending beam rheological test (BBR). Constructing a three-point bending virtual test of asphalt mastic using a three-dimensional fiber model and systematically analyzing the influence of fiber parameters on bending and tensile properties. The accuracy of the three-dimensional fiber model was verified through BBR experiments. The finite element simulation results show that the addition of fibers can significantly improve the tensile performance of asphalt mastic; increasing the fiber content or length can reduce the peak stress at the bottom of the mid-span and delay cracking. The higher the fiber elastic modulus, the smaller the vertical displacement of the specimen. The model established in this article can effectively elucidate the mechanism of fiber reinforcement, providing a theoretical basis for optimizing fiber parameters and improving the crack-resistance performance of asphalt pavement.

Conventional endoscopic imaging of vocal fold (VF) vibration provides only a two-dimensional superior view, missing essential vertical dynamics such as VF thickness and vertical displacement. Simulation studies have assigned these parameters important regulatory functions, underscoring the need for in vivo methods capturing the three-dimensional (3D) VF geometry and vibratory motion. In this in vivo case study, dynamic 3D VF MRI was applied in a professionally trained singer, achieving sub-millimeter spatial and sub-millisecond temporal resolution. Six phonation types were produced according to Estill Voice Training® terminology, each intended to elicit different VF thicknesses and supraglottic configurations. For each type, ten phase-binned 3D datasets of the larynx were reconstructed per oscillatory cycle. Segmentation yielded VF thickness, vertical and horizontal displacement, contact-area dynamics, glottal area waveforms, open quotient (OQ), and supraglottic/subglottic dimensions. These MRI-derived measures showed strong correspondence with those from high-speed imaging and electroglottography acquired from the same subject, indicating that dynamic VF MRI enables reliable in vivo quantification of vibratory and structural parameters. Each phonation type was characterized by distinct VF geometry, supraglottic shaping, and oscillatory behavior. Across types, OQ correlated closely with VF thickness, which systematically covaried with supraglottic adjustments. This suggests supraglottic posturing represents an additional dimension of control.

Abstract Longitudinal uneven deformation caused by subgrade frost heave in seasonally frozen regions seriously threatens the operational safety and structural performance of high-speed railways. To investigate the dynamic impact of frost heave on the vehicle–track system, this study develops a coupled dynamic model based on vehicle–track interaction theory, integrating a CRH3 high-speed train with a CRTS I slab track. Frost heave amplitude and wavelength are defined as key control parameters. Numerical simulations are conducted to analyze vehicle stability and track structural responses under various frost-heave conditions. A multi-indicator evaluation approach is adopted, incorporating indicators such as wheel–rail force, derailment coefficient, rail acceleration, vehicle body acceleration, rail displacement, and wheel-load reduction ratio. Results indicate that increasing frost heave amplitude significantly intensifies wheel–rail dynamic interactions and track responses. When the amplitude exceeds 15 mm, the vertical rail displacement approaches or exceeds the recommended limit under the simulated conditions. A sensitive relationship is observed between frost heave wavelength and vehicle bogie wheelbase, with amplified dynamic responses observed near a wavelength of 20 m, where both vehicle vibration and track response peak. Moreover, train speed interacts with frost-heave parameters, and high-speed operation is associated with increased dynamic responses. These findings provide insights into the dynamic response characteristics of the vehicle--track system under frost heave conditions, offering a reference for safety assessment and maintenance strategies in cold-region high-speed railways.

Abstract The shallow water masses of the South China Sea (SCS) play a critical role in regulating regional climate and sustaining marine ecosystems. Using Argo float observations, we examine SCS water mass properties and eddy structures on isopycnal surfaces. By analyzing data in density space, we separate true water mass changes from vertical displacement of isopycnals. This approach helps reveal previously undocumented interannual variability in temperature and salinity together. We find that during the study period (2005–23), the shallow waters of the SCS, including within eddies, are strongly linked to El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability. During El Niño events, SCS waters become warmer and saltier, and during La Niña, they become colder and fresher. We show that the water mass variability can be explained by anomalies in local surface fluxes—with enhanced heating and reduced precipitation during El Niño and weaker heating with increased precipitation during La Niña. The water mass response is observed throughout the SCS but appears amplified within cyclonic eddies, likely due to their shallower mixed layer and greater sensitivity to surface fluxes. Our results demonstrate the sensitivity of SCS water masses to large-scale climate variability and provide new insight into the sensitivity of the SCS to ENSO. Significance Statement Using Argo data analyzed on isopycnal surfaces, we identify coherent temperature–salinity changes in South China Sea water masses that are not evident on fixed depth levels. The upper ocean becomes warmer and saltier during El Niño and cooler and fresher during La Niña in response to anomalous surface heat and freshwater fluxes associated with large-scale ENSO-related variability. Analyses on depth levels conflate true water mass changes with vertical isopycnal heave, masking this coupled signal.

In Chuckwagon racing, teams of four Thoroughbred horses pull wagons at high speeds. Movement symmetry is a key locomotion metric linked to force production, racing direction, and lameness. Racehorse symmetry in trot during on-track warmups and cooldowns was assessed. Over 10 days, 60 horses (average 8 per day) were fitted with Global Navigation Satellite Systems combined with Inertial Measurement Unit (GNSS-IMU) sensors. Weight-bearing asymmetry was quantified using the minimum difference (MnD) in vertical trunk displacement between diagonal limb pairs, and push-off asymmetry was quantified using the upwards difference (UpD). Absolute (mm) and normalized (% ROM) asymmetries were compared between warmups and cooldowns using linear mixed models. Mean MnD was similar between warmup (6.2 mm; 17.6%) and cooldown (6.4 mm, 19.7%). Mean UpD increased from warmup (11.3 mm, 31.7%) to cooldown (12.8 mm, 38.0%), with UpD% significantly higher in cooldown (p = 0.046). No other differences were significant (all p ≥ 0.202). One horse sustained a catastrophic musculoskeletal (MSK) injury. This horse's UpD ranged from 3.3-29.7 mm (11.4-69.3%) during warmups and 24.3-25.5 mm (47.8-76.4%) during cooldowns. Push-off asymmetry may increase after Chuckwagon racing. The injured horse showed high asymmetries, but high values also occurred in uninjured horses. Further work needs to establish normal asymmetry ranges in Chuckwagon racing and identify patterns associated with MSK injuries.

Abstract Plasma vertical displacement events (VDEs) are critically important in tokamak operation and design, due to its direct influence on plasma performance and device safety. For the China Fusion Engineering Test Reactor (CFETR)—China's next-generation tokamak currently in its conceptual design phase—particular emphasis must therefore be placed on developing reliable VDE control strategies. The Tokamak Simulation Code (TSC) and TokSys have been widely applied in VDE studies on multiple tokamaks worldwide, including DIII-D, EAST, JT-60U, and ITER. A key parameter for characterizing vertical instability is the plasma vertical growth rate. In this work, free-drift plasma evolution was simulated using TSC, and the vertical growth rate was extracted by fitting the plasma vertical position trajectory—a result consistent with predictions from TokSys. Furthermore, active feedback control of VDEs in CFETR has been implemented in TSC for three representative internal control (IC) coil configurations: mounted on the inner vacuum vessel wall, on the outer wall of the blanket, and on the inner wall of the blanket. The corresponding IC coil current control waveforms obtained from TSC have also been benchmarked against TokSys simulations.

ABSTRACT A comprehensive study was conducted to evaluate seismic-induced stresses, structural response, and differential settlement between consecutive bridge foundations considering soil–pile interaction. The bridge analysed has mixed foundation types: a mat foundation on hard rock at the end support and a pile foundation in soft soil at the mid support. A three-dimensional finite element model with nonlinear spring elements was developed to simulate pile–soil interaction. Twelve spectrum- matched seismic records to the target maximum-level ground motion were selected, consistent with NBC 105:2020 and normalized to the bridge’s natural period and resulting accelerograms were scaled in 0.025g increments upto 1.5g for incremental dynamic analysis. Key responses, including stresses in piers and piles, vertical and lateral displacements, and curvature, were recorded and compared between two models: rigid pile base (Model A) and flexible base (Model B). Results indicate that flexible foundations reduce stress demand but significantly increase displacement-related vulnerabilities, highlighting a critical design trade-off. The performance of the Tuninara Bridge underscores the importance of detailed geotechnical investigation, accurate soil–structure interaction modelling and foundation solutions. The findings provide practical insights for the design, assessment, and retrofitting of bridges in Nepal’s seismically active and geotechnically complex regions.

Maxillary anterior intrusion with clear aligner therapy remains biomechanically challenging and clinically unpredictable. This study aimed to evaluate the biomechanical response of anterior intrusion under different clear-aligner attachment configurations using a three-dimensional finite element model incorporating a quasi-dynamic canine anchorage system. A patient-derived finite element model of the maxillary dentition was reconstructed from CBCT data. A 0.75-mm polyurethane aligner and composite attachments were modelled across five attachment configurations: posterior attachments only (GP1), posterior with lateral incisor attachments (GP2), posterior with central and lateral incisor attachments (GP3), premolar attachments only (GP4), and a canine anchorage group (GP5). Displacement-controlled intrusion was simulated at five incremental levels (0.5-2.5 mm). Outcome measures included vertical tooth displacement, Von Mises stress distribution in teeth, periodontal ligament (PDL) and alveolar bone, attachment deformation, inclination changes, and anchorage-corrected biomechanical responses. Intrusion displacement increased progressively with activation across all groups (p < 0.001; partial η2 = 0.991). GP3 produced the greatest incisor displacement across increments (0.46-2.28 mm), closely followed by GP5 (0.44-2.21 mm). Attachment-deficient configurations (GP1 and GP4) showed significantly lower displacement (0.32-1.62 mm). Peak tooth Von Mises stress increased from approximately 146 MPa at 0.5 mm intrusion to 312 MPa at 2.5 mm intrusion, with GP3 demonstrating the highest stress transmission and GP5 showing slightly reduced but more evenly distributed stresses. PDL stress gradients increased linearly with intrusion depth (R2 > 0.99), while attachment deformation and engagement efficiency were highest in GP3 and GP5. Anchorage-augmented mechanics in GP5 redistributed loading toward the canines, increasing the Anchorage Stability Index and reducing excessive incisor stress peaks. Attachment configuration and anchorage control substantially influence biomechanical efficiency during aligner-mediated anterior intrusion. Comprehensive anterior attachments maximize force transmission, while physiologic canine anchorage enhances load distribution and biomechanical stability. These findings provide biomechanical guidance for optimizing aligner protocols in deep-bite correction.

Abstract. The Gabon-Congo upwelling system, located in the southeastern Gulf of Guinea, is a highly productive marine ecosystem influenced by both local and remote physical forcing. This study investigates the seasonal variability of the nitrate budget and biological productivity in this region using a high-resolution (1/36°) coupled physical-biogeochemical simulation with the NEMO-PISCES model. The analysis highlights the relative contributions of physical and biological processes in modulating nitrate concentrations in both the mixed layer and the euphotic zone. Results reveal a semi-annual cycle of nitrate, with two upwelling periods (May–August and December) and two downwelling periods (January–April and October–November). These cycles are primarily driven by the passage of coastal trapped waves (CTWs) forced by equatorial Kelvin waves, inducing vertical thermocline displacements and regulating nitrate availability in the euphotic zone. The nitrate budget analysis shows that the vertical diffusion linked to internal tide and local wind, and vertical advection linked to the CTWs, are the dominant process supplying nitrate to the mixed layer during the main upwelling season. However, near the Congo River mouth (5.5–6° S), the horizontal advection plays a key role, supplying significant amounts of nitrate through the river plume. In the lower euphotic layer, the vertical mixing contributes to the nitrate loss during the upwelling but becomes a source of nitrate during the downwelling periods. The seasonal cycle of the chlorophyll a (CHLa) concentration follows that of nitrate, confirming that the primary production in this region is mainly driven by nitrate availability. The study also highlights the role of the Angola Current in transporting low-nitrate waters from the Equatorial Undercurrent, which influences the nitrate and CHLa balance in the Gabon-Congo upwelling system. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms governing nutrient dynamics and biological productivity in the Gabon-Congo upwelling system. Understanding these processes is crucial for assessing the impact of climate variability on the regional marine ecosystems and fisheries.

Environmental loading is a major driver of nonlinear GNSS vertical displacements, yet its spatiotemporal heterogeneity remains insufficiently understood in regions with complex topography. In this study, we investigate the environmental loading effects on GNSS vertical motions across Southwest China using observations from a network of 66 stations. Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA) and Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis were applied to extract annual signals, while component-wise RMS reduction quantified hydrological and atmospheric loading contributions. Spatial statistical analysis, cross-wavelet transform, and k-means clustering examined correlation patterns and phase hysteresis between GNSS observations and modeled loads. Results show that hydrological loading dominates seasonal vertical oscillations, but crustal responses exhibit pronounced spatial heterogeneity controlled by regional topography and hydro-climatic gradients. EOF analysis reveals a dipole pattern induced by the Hengduan Mountains’moisture-blocking effect. Atmospheric loading anomalously dominates the eastern Sichuan Basin, whereas Yunnan displays strong amplitudes with high heterogeneity due to karst hydrogeology. Phase analysis identifies three distinct regimes: a rapid elastic response on the Tibetan Plateau, (with the lag of ~20 ± 5 days, correlation coefficient R ≈ 0.65), intermediate delays in Yunnan (~60 ± 5 days, R ≈ 0.58), and pronounced hysteresis in the Sichuan Basin (~105 ± 5 days, R ≈ 0.38) linked to slow groundwater diffusion and poroelastic processes. These findings highlight the critical role of local hydrogeological dynamics in modulating GNSS vertical deformation and provide new insights for improving environmental loading corrections in complex mountainous regions.