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Abstract Objective This systematic review aimed to analyse the effect of early weight bearing versus late weight bearing on rehabilitation outcomes after ankle fractures, which primarily include ankle function scores, time to return to work/daily life and complication rates. Methods The China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China Science and Technology Journal, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched. The focus was on identifying randomised controlled trials centred on early weight‐bearing interventions for post‐operative ankle fracture rehabilitation. All databases were searched for eligible studies published within the period from database inception to 20 June 2023. The eligible studies were screened according to the inclusion criteria. Study quality was evaluated using the methodology recommended by the Cochrane Handbook for the Systematic Evaluation of Interventions. Two authors independently performed the literature search and data extraction. Eligible studies were subjected to meta‐analyses using Review Manager 5.3. Based on the time points at which post‐operative ankle function was reported in the studies included in this paper, we decided to perform a meta‐analysis of ankle function scores at 6 weeks post‐operatively, 12 weeks post‐operatively, 24–26 weeks post‐operatively and 1 year post‐operatively. Results A total of 11 papers, comprising 862 patients, were included. Meta‐analysis indicated that patients receiving early weight‐bearing interventions, which referred to weight‐bearing for 6 weeks post‐operatively, experienced enhancements in ankle function scores (Olerud–Molander score, AOFAS score or Baird–Jackson score) at various post‐operative milestones: 6 weeks (SMD = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.49–0.88 and p 0.05). Conclusion The results showed that early weight bearing is effective in improving ankle function among post‐operative ankle fracture patients and allows patients to return to daily life earlier. Significantly, the safety profile of early weight bearing remains favourable, with no higher risk of complications than late weight bearing.

In order to improve the working efficiency of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and the processing efficiency of fulfilling orders in intelligent warehouses, a novel parallel ant colony optimization algorithm for warehouse path planning is proposed. Through the interaction of pheromones among multiple subcolonies, the coevolution of multiple subcolonies is realized and the operational capability of the algorithm is improved. Then, a multiobjective function with the object of the shortest path and the minimum number of turns of the AGV is established. And the path satisfying this objective function is obtained by the proposed algorithm. In addition, the path is further smoothed by reducing the number of intermediate nodes. The results show that the stability and convergence rate of the algorithm are faster and more stable, compared to other algorithms, in generating paths for different complexity maps. The smoothing treatment of the path significantly reduces the number of turns and the path length in the AGV driving process.

This study investigated the effects of plyometric training on lower‐limb muscle strength and knee biomechanical characteristics during the landing phase. Twenty‐four male subjects were recruited for this study with a randomised controlled design. They were randomly divided into a plyometric training group and a traditional training group and underwent training for 16 weeks. Each subject was evaluated every 8 weeks for knee and hip isokinetic muscle strength as well as knee kinematics and kinetics during landing. The results indicated significant group and time interaction effects for knee extension strength (F = 74.942 and p = 0.001), hip extension strength (F = 99.763 and p = 0.000) and hip flexion strength (F = 182.922 and p = 0.000). For landing kinematics, there were significant group main effects for knee flexion angle range (F = 4.429 and p = 0.047), significant time main effects for valgus angle (F = 6.502 and p = 0.011) and significant group and time interaction effects for internal rotation angle range (F = 5.475 and p = 0.008). The group main effect for maximum knee flexion angle was significant (F = 7.534 and p = 0.012), and the group and time interaction effect for maximum internal rotation angle was significant (F = 15.737 and p = 0.001). For landing kinetics, the group main effect of the loading rate was significant (F = 4.576 and p = 0.044). Significant group and time interaction effects were observed for knee extension moment at the moment of maximum vertical ground reaction force (F = 5.095 and p = 0.010) and for abduction moment (F = 8.250 and p = 0.001). These findings suggest that plyometric training leads to greater improvements in hip and knee muscle strength and beneficial changes in knee biomechanics during landing compared to traditional training. Highlights: Plyometric training changes landing biomechanics.Changes help to reduce the risk of ACL injury.Changes from long‐term training are more noticeable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the utilization of sodium alginate (SA) as a raw material to construct a double network structure through the incorporation of chitosan (CS) and the electrostatic polymerization of SA. Subsequently, by employing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a functional material, a modified SA/CS/PVA composite hydrogel (SCPH) was prepared via the Ca(II) ion exchange method. The hydrogel exhibited a flocculent form, thereby greatly enhancing the removal of Pb(II). The adsorption process of Pb(II) by the SCPH reached equilibrium within 30 min, achieving a remarkable removal rate of 97.45% and a maximum adsorption capacity of 147.93 mg/g (298 K). A series of characterization analyses have been employed to investigate the structure and adsorption mechanism of hydrogels, and the adsorption mechanism involves ion exchange, electrostatic attraction, as well as the complexation of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted at different temperatures and pH levels, and the kinetics and isotherms were investigated. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model were found to best fit the experimental data, suggesting the feasibility of using the SCPH as an efficient adsorbent for Pb(II) removal. Moreover, the dual network structure constructed by SA and CS significantly enhances the adsorption performance of SCPH. At the same time, PVA strengthens the mechanical strength of SCPH, which is favorable for recycling. As a low-cost and efficient adsorbent, SCPH can be widely used in water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]