Search Results (31)

To address stability and safety issues in hydraulic support design under inclined–declined and large-dip-angle working conditions, this paper proposes a design-driven dynamic pose–load co-evolution solution method based on the physical entity of the ZFY12000/21/36D hydraulic support. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated through theoretical analysis, spatial modeling, and experimental verification. First, a spatial coordinate system describing hydraulic support pose is established based on Denavit–Hartenberg (DH) theory, constructing a “physical space-geometric coordinate system-DH parameter space” pose mapping model via DH principles, matrix iteration, and kinematic simulation. Second, a load-bearing characteristic analytical method is developed through systematic coupling analysis of dip angle, pose, and load distribution. Finally, coal mine field data collection and hydraulic support test platform experiments analyze load-bearing characteristics under varying poses and loads. Results show Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values of 0.836° for the front link inclination, 0.756° for the rear link, 0.114° for the balance ram, and 0.372° for the column; load-bearing state evolution under pose–load synergy aligns with theoretical models, confirming method feasibility. This approach fills a domain gap in hydraulic support dip–pose–load co-solving and provides critical references for designing hydraulic support products under extreme dip-angle operations. Full article

Accurate determination of carbon core-electron binding energies (C1s CEBEs) is crucial for X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) assignments and predictive computational modeling. This study evaluates density functional theory (DFT)-based methods for calculating C1s core-electron binding energies (CEBEs), comparing three functionals—PW86x-PW91c (DFTpw), mPW1PW, and PBE50—across 68 C1s cases in small hydrocarbons and halogenated molecules (alkyl halides), using the delta self-consistent field ΔSCF (or ΔDFT) method developed by one of the authors over the past decade. The PW86x-PW91c functional achieves a root mean square deviation (RMSD) of 0.1735 eV, with improved accuracy for polar C-X bonds (X=O, F) using mPW1PW and PBE50, reducing the average absolute deviation (AAD) to ~0.132 eV. The study emphasizes the role of Hartree–Fock (HF) exchange in refining CEBE predictions and highlights the synergy between theoretical and experimental approaches. These insights lay the groundwork for machine learning (ML)-driven spectral analysis, advancing materials characterization, and catalysis through more reliable automated XPS assignments. Full article

In recent years, the number of transistors on electronic chips has surpassed Moore’s law, resulting in overheating and energy consumption problems in data centers (DCs). Chip-level microchannel cooling is expected to address these challenges. Grooved heat sinks with droplet-shaped fins were introduced to modify the overall capability of the cooling system. The degree of impact of the distribution of grooves and fins was analyzed and optimized using the Taguchi method. Moreover, the coupling effect of flow and temperature fields was explained using the field synergy theory. The key findings are as follows: for thermal resistance, pump power, and overall efficiency, the influence degree is the number of combined units > number of fins in each unit > distribution of the combined units. The optimal configuration of 21 combined units arranged from dense to sparse with one fin in each unit achieves 14.05% lower thermal resistance and 8.5% higher overall efficiency than the initial heat sink. The optimal configuration of five combined units arranged from sparse to dense with one fin in each unit reduces the power energy consumption by 27.61%. After optimization, the synergy angle between the velocity vector and temperature gradient is reduced by 4.29% compared to the smooth heat sink. The coupling effect between flow and heat transport is strengthened. The optimized configuration can better balance heat dissipation and energy consumption, improve the comprehensive capability of cooling system, provide a feasible solution to solve the problems of local overheating and high energy consumption in DCs. Full article

The sole function of cultivated land of agricultural production is insufficient to meet the diverse demands of modern agriculture. To address land-use conflicts and achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of zero hunger and reduced carbon emissions by 2030, this study introduces the theory of land sparing and sharing, uses landscape indices to identify spatially fragmented areas, employs a four-quadrant model to assess the matching status of functional supply and demand, and applies correlation analysis to determine the trade-off/synergy relationships between functions. The results indicate the following: (1) Zhengzhou’s farmland landscape exhibits characteristics of low density, low continuity, and high aggregation, with separation zones and sharing zones accounting for 77% and 23% of the total farmland area, respectively. (2) The multifunctional supply (high in the northeast, low in the southwest) and demand (high in the west, low in the east) of farmland show significant mismatches, with PF and EF exhibiting the most pronounced supply–demand mismatches. The “LS-LD and HS-LD” types of farmland account for the largest proportions, at 39% and 35%, respectively. (3) The study area is divided into four primary types: “PCZ, RLZ, BDZ, and MAZ” to optimize supply–demand relationships and utilization patterns. This study enriches the application of land sparing and sharing in related fields, providing important references for policymakers in optimizing land-use allocation and balancing food and ecological security. Full article

Currently, the global technological competition pattern is accelerating its restructuring, and chip technology, as a core technology for national strategic security and industrial competition, faces a serious bottleneck that seriously restricts the construction of China’s industrial chain security and innovation ecology. A “recognition-evolution” collaborative analysis system was proposed in this study using patent data as a carrier. Firstly, a PKCN-BERT-LDA fusion module was constructed to identify the core technologies of chip design, manufacturing, and packaging testing. Secondly, the traditional main path analysis method was improved by innovatively introducing information entropy theory to construct a dynamic evolution model, and the technological evolution path in the chip field during 2010–2024 was systematically tracked based on the Derwent patent database. According to this study, the field of chip design exhibited a bidirectional innovation feature of “system optimization regional deep cultivation”, while the manufacturing process highlights the non-linear accumulation law of process complexity. Packaging and testing technology tended to develop in synergy with integration and intelligence. Full article

Sustainability in post-mining landscapes has left a critical governance challenge in resource-rich countries such as Indonesia, where extraction leaves communities economically vulnerable and environments degraded. This study aims to develop and validate a dual-pathway framework for post-mining sustainability by analyzing the intersection between institutional mechanisms and behavioral readiness. Drawing from a qualitative meta-synthesis of 1339 stakeholder-derived remarks coded across 80 thematic nodes, the framework identifies ten key dimensions, including land compensation, corporate social responsibility (CSR) co-financing, agroecological livelihoods, stakeholder engagement, social norms, and perceived legitimacy. Anchored in Stakeholder Theory and Legitimacy Theory, the findings reveal that sustainability is contingent not solely on technical rehabilitation but also on the synergy between policy reform, community empowerment, and cultural acceptance. While this study is grounded in secondary data synthesis, further field validation is recommended to enhance generalizability across diverse mining regions. The resulting model offers both a conceptual and operational guide for participatory governance and behavioral integration in complex post-extractive contexts with policy recommendations for inclusive, multi-actor planning in Indonesia’s mining regions. Full article

The rapid emergence of the platform economy has accelerated the practice of embedded innovation, with ecosystem partner selection serving as a critical first step in platform enterprises’ innovation collaborations and playing a key role in enhancing innovation efficiency and outcomes. Based on the theory of embedded innovation, this study identifies the core innovation demands of platform enterprises at distinct stages. It then employs QFD to quantify decision indicator weights for ecosystem partner selection. By integrating Prospect Theory with Field Theory, this study develops both a decision evaluation model and an optimization model to achieve the optimal screening of ecosystem partners. Specifically, this study contributes in the following ways: (1) It constructs an embedded innovation direction selection model to uncover the evolving innovation demands at each stage. Within the QFD framework, we map these demands onto selection evaluation indicators, assess their importance via the maximum entropy principle, and determine indicator weights through a correlation matrix. (2) It proposes a Prospect Theory-based TOPSIS evaluation model, incorporating decision-makers’ psychological preferences to mitigate bias arising from singular or excessive risk attitudes. This model ranks potential partners according to their closeness to an ideal solution. Finally, (3) it designs a Field Theory-based optimization model that accounts for the platform enterprise’s perspective, partner-matching rationality, and continuity of interaction. This model emphasizes the complementarity and synergy of innovation resources to enhance cooperation fit and strategic alignment between the platform and its partners. Finally, this study conducts an empirical analysis on platform enterprise XM and validates the model’s feasibility and stability through sensitivity testing and comparative analyses. This study enriches the understanding of ecosystem partner selection within platform ecosystems by advancing methods for quantifying partner demands and refining the selection of evaluation indicators. It also deepens the depiction of non-rational characteristics in behavioral decision-making and elucidates the mechanisms underlying the ongoing interactions between platform enterprises and their ecosystem partners. These theoretical contributions not only extend the scope of research on platform ecosystems and embedded innovation but also provide feasible approaches for platform enterprises to improve partner governance and foster collaborative innovation in dynamic and complex environments. Ultimately, the findings offer strong support for enhancing innovation performance and building sustainable competitive advantages. Full article

This paper presents a bio-inspired rigid–flexible continuum robot driven by flexible shaft tension–torsion synergy, tackling the trade-off between actuation complexity and flexibility in continuum robots. Inspired by the muscular arrangement of octopus arms, enabling versatile multi-degree-of-freedom (DoF) movements, the robot achieves 6-DoF motion and 1-DoF gripper opening and closing movement with only six flexible shafts, simplifying actuation while boosting dexterity. A comprehensive kinetostatic model, grounded in Cosserat rod theory, is developed; this model explicitly incorporates the coupling between the spinal rods and flexible shafts, the distributed gravitational effects of spacer disks, and friction within the guide tubes. Experimental validation using a physical prototype reveals that accounting for spacer disk gravity diminishes the maximum shape prediction error from 20.56% to 0.60% relative to the robot’s total length. Furthermore, shape perception experiments under no-load and 200 g load conditions show average errors of less than 2.01% and 2.61%, respectively. Performance assessments of the distal rigid joint showcased significant dexterity, including a 53° grasping range, 360° continuous rotation, and a pitching range from −40° to +45°. Successful obstacle avoidance and long-distance target reaching experiments further demonstrate the robot’s effectiveness, highlighting its potential for applications in medical and industrial fields. Full article

Driven by the dual imperatives of global economic green transformation and the advancement of digital technologies, achieving synergistic enhancement through digitalization and greenization to promote sustainable development has become a focal point for both academia and practical fields. This study, utilizing a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2023, aims to explore the transformative potential of digital–green synergy (DGS) for enhancing enterprise sustainable development within the realm of production efficiency improvement. Employing a coupling coordination model based on the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method, the research measures the DGS levels of enterprises. Grounded in strategic synergy theory, the resource-based view, and dynamic capability theory, this study thoroughly investigates the direct impacts of DGS on corporate TFP, intermediary mechanisms, moderating effects, and heterogeneous roles. The research findings robustly demonstrate that DGS can significantly improve enterprise TFP through optimizing resource allocation, reducing cost stickiness, and enhancing operational efficiency, thereby facilitating the dynamic reorganization of production factors and the creation of sustainable value. Furthermore, external factors, such as financing constraints and environmental regulation, alongside internal organizational factors like executive characteristics, are shown to exert significant moderating effects on the effectiveness of DGS. In summary, this research not only highlights the crucial role of DGS in enhancing production efficiency as a driver for high-quality corporate development and the pursuit of sustainable goals but also provides important theoretical guidance for policymakers to incentivize digital and green transformation. It also offers practical insights for enterprise managers to strategically formulate synergistic development strategies, enhance economic benefits, and achieve long-term sustainable performance. Beyond these practical implications, this study further enriches the theoretical landscape by first extending strategic synergy theory to firm-level digital–green synergy in emerging markets; second by enhancing sustainability research by adopting a broader “environment-society” framework; methodologically innovating by developing a novel “goal-strategy-input-technology” synergy measurement framework; and finally, deepening the theoretical understanding of DGS-TFP relationships through mechanism and moderator exploration. Full article

The accelerating processes of globalization and modernization have imposed unprecedented anthropogenic pressures on the cultural diversity of historic districts, leading to the physical degradation of historical heritage and the fragmentation of cultural transmission chains. To address this challenge, this study establishes an innovative spatial-gene theoretical framework that seeks to balance heritage protection with urban development by integrating landscape characteristics and cultural connotations, thereby enhancing the conservation of cultural diversity in historic districts. Focusing on the historic Small Wild Goose Pagoda district as a case study, we developed a comprehensive methodology integrating field research, historical induction, spatial analysis, and place-making. Through this operational framework, we systematically identified four constitutive spatial genes: the mountain–water pattern, the urban-axis, the li-fang, and the architectural courtyard. These genetic elements inform a dual-regeneration strategy that promotes synergy and dialogue between old and new: (1) place-making guided by historical morphological grammar rules and (2) activity organization that reconfigures the value system of “openness and inclusiveness”. This research not only advances spatial-gene theory but also provides a replicable model for regenerating historic districts oriented toward cultural diversity, effectively combining historical authenticity with contemporary functionality to promote sustainable urban development. Full article

Camellia oleifera fruit pickers are essential for improving picking efficiency and promoting the Camellia oleifera industry. However, it is challenging to develop pickers that meet user needs. Current design tools and methods have limitations, such as a single model, poor synergy between integrated models, and subjective bias when analysing user requirements and translating them into product attributes. To solve these problems, this study proposes a new design decision model based on the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP), Function Analysis System Technique (FAST), Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ Theory), and extension transformation theory. The model was developed and applied to design an Camellia oleifera fruit picker. In this paper, an empirical investigation of an Camellia oleifera base in Wuhan was carried out, and multi-level demand analysis was used to identify the design demands in the behavioural process; FAHP was used to calculate the demand weights to clarify the design focus; expert knowledge was used to convert the demands into specific product functional features, and FAST was used to decompose these features to find the contradictory conflicts; TRIZ theory was used to determine the principles of resolving the contradictions, and the extension transformation theory were used to generate the creative design solutions for the products. By integrating FAHP, FAST, TRIZ theory and the extension transformation theory, the subjective bias in product design is eliminated, the design decision-making process is improved, and new methods and ideas are provided for the design of oleaginous tea fruit pickers and similar products. Finally, the conceptual design of an Camellia oleifera fruit picking machine was produced. However, the conceptual design has yet to be subjected to exhaustive simulation experiments and prototype testing. Future research will focus on conducting the necessary simulations, prototypes, and field tests to fully assess the feasibility and effectiveness of the design and make the required iterative improvements accordingly to commercialize the product eventually. Full article

This paper presents a novel integration of Systems Engineering (SE) methodologies and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in the design of robotic systems, focusing on enhancing underwater robotic missions. Using the conceptual design of an underwater exploration vehicle as a case study, we demonstrate how SE can systematically incorporate I4.0 tools to improve mission performance and meet stakeholder expectations. The study begins with an overview of the SE approach, emphasizing the conceptual design stage and aligning it with the application and case study of design theories. We then explore various I4.0 technologies, highlighting their functional benefits rather than technical specifics and addressing design methods for I4.0. Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) are examined in terms of classification, components, and tasks, showcasing their evolution driven by technological advancements, thus tackling the complexity and design of complex systems. The core of our study involves defining stakeholder expectations, using quality function deployment for requirements definition, and performing a functional and logical decomposition of the ROV system. To deal with design fixation within the design team, we developed a tool to help integrate new technologies by also empathizing with their functional capabilities rather than the technology itself. Our approach underscores the importance of understanding and incorporating new technologies functionally, aligning with the transition towards Industry/Society 5.0. This work not only illustrates the synergy between SE and I4.0, but also offers a structured methodology for advancing the design and functionality of complex systems, setting a blueprint for future developments in this field. Full article

Quantitative assessment and trade-off/synergy analysis of land use multifunctions can effectively identify regional conflicts and dominant functions, providing decision support for promoting sustainable socio-economic and land use development. However, current research in this field still faces challenges due to coarse scale of studies and limited availability of accurate data. Taking Harbin City as a research case, this research employed an improved mutation level method, Pearson correlation analysis, and a multi-scale geographically weighted regression model to comprehensively investigate the profiling of land use multifunctions and their trade-off /synergy relationships. The comparative advantage theory was adopted to identify dominant functional zones using the NRCA index at a grid scale, in order to achieve a territorial spatial functional zoning delineation. The results showed that there were intricate trade-off/synergy relationships among production–living–ecology functions. Moreover, the types and intensity of trade-off/synergy evolved continuously with socio-economic development and regional resource endowment disparities. Due to its exceptional resource endowment, the agricultural dominated, urban dominated, and ecological dominated functional areas accounted for a significant proportion of 29%, 7%, and 26%, respectively. However, owing to the intricate trade-offs/synergies inherent in land use multifunctions, only a mere 2% (agricultural), 1% (urban), and 1% (ecological) of the area were identified as Optimization Guidance Zones. Conversely, Remediation Improvement Zones constituted the largest share at 63% of the total area, with agricultural, urban, and ecological Remediation Improvement Zones accounting for approximately 33%, 12%, and 18%, respectively. Based on the results of the type and intensity of trade-off/synergy among production–living–ecological functions, as well as the dominant zones and the integrated territorial spatial functional zoning delineation, this article provided targeted recommendations for the sustainable development of the region. These recommendations took into account both resource endowment and socio-economic development characteristics specific to the study area. The study aims to contribute to related research gaps, while providing valuable insights for other regional studies. Full article

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the predominant orthopedic disorder in children, affecting 1–3% of the global population. Research in this field has tried to delineate the genetic factors behind scoliosis and its association with heredity since AIS is considered a polygenic disease and has different genetic and epigenetic factors. The current study conducted a narrative review of the literature, focusing on biomarkers in the pathophysiology of muscle in AIS patients. Articles were collected from Scopus, Pubmed, and Web of Science. The key screening parameters were scoliosis classification, sampling, and the biomarkers evaluated. This review emphasizes potential key mechanisms and molecular regulators in muscle tissue. While there has been limited focus on the proteins contributing to muscle changes in AIS, significant attention has been given to genomic studies of single-nucleotide polymorphisms, particularly in LBX1. Despite these efforts, the exact causes of AIS remain elusive, with several theories suggesting genetic and hormonal factors. This review identified critical protein biomarkers such as Gi-protein alpha subunits, fibrillin-1 and -2, and various differentially expressed proteins, which may be linked to muscle alterations in AIS. This field of research is still limited due to a lack of homogeneity in the distinction of patients by groups and curve severity. Although the pathophysiology of AIS is still unclear, molecular research is important to guide the treatment of AIS before achieving skeletal maturity, thus avoiding serious problems associated with posture changes and low quality of life. In the future, a more comprehensive synergy between orthopedic and molecular research might ameliorate the diagnosis and treatment of AIS patients. Full article

Even though the application of real options theory in international business research has increased substantially, the measurement of collaborative synergies in international sequential acquisition by means of advanced real options is still the theoreticall gap which needs to be filled by new research and promising area for empirical research. This paper moves the field forward and highlights the fact that strategic synergies can be considered as compound real options for growth that are opened by an international sequential acquisition and, thus, add market value to the acquirer. Our research is presented as a theory-building inductive case-based study. This paper aims to integrate sequential compound real options with real options that have changing volatility in order to evaluate collaborative tacit synergies (a value in development) of sequential international acquisitions; thus, it contributes to corporate finance, international business, and strategic management theory with a fresh evaluation of the applications of advanced real options. Full article