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Purpose: To investigate the effect of a newly developed hand rim in wheelchair tennis players from a lab and field perspective. Methods: Nine wheelchair tennis players performed a set of field and lab tests with the new rim (NR) and regular rim on the racket side. Each player had a 60- to 120-minute regular training session with the NR. Three wheelchair tennis field tests (20-m sprint, Illinois, spider) were completed on a hard court using inertial measurement units. The inertial measurement units enabled analysis of linear/rotational velocity and acceleration. In the lab, two 4-minute submaximal tests (at 1.5 and 2 m/s, 0.2 W/kg), followed directly by a 5-second sprint, on a wheelchair ergometer were completed. Force and velocity were measured continuously throughout all tests. Mixed linear models investigated the effect between the 2 hand rims. Results: During the spider test, mean rotational velocity to the racket side (−2%, P =.005) was lower in the NR, and end times were similar between hand-rim conditions. No differences were observed in the 20-m sprint and Illinois field tests. In the lab, contact angle (+6%, P =.04), cycle time (+12%, P =.007), and work per push (+13%, P =.005) were higher in the NR during submaximal propulsion. Work per push (+13%, P =.007), peak velocity (+3%, P <.001), and distance covered (+4%, P =.02) were higher with the NR during the 5-second sprint test. Conclusions: The NR seems slightly favorable compared with the regular rim during performance testing on a wheelchair ergometer in wheelchair tennis players. A longer practice time might show more insights between the hand-rim types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a manufacturing power in the era of Industry 4.0, the Chinese traditional manufacturing industry urgently needs innovation and upgrading. In this process, the pressure on the traditional manufacturing industry is mainly financial shortages. The government can act as a Booster to add power to the upgrading by providing financial support. We build a three-tier game model consisting of Raw Material Suppliers, a Traditional Manufacturer, and an Original Equipment Manufacturer to explore the upgrading conditions and construct three settings: Agency, Consignment, and Design. We find that the government subsidy can serve as an effective way to ease enterprises' financial burden and improve the innovation level, which is more evident when the traditional manufacturer innovates. In addition, when the market competition and the government subsidy are both at a moderate level, the combined effect of the two factors is positive, and the condition is the best to upgrade. Encouragingly, the social welfare under Design will be the highest when the government subsidy is slightly great. Finally, excessive subsidy hinders upgrading and aggravates market competition, even if the traditional manufacturer enjoys exorbitant profits. HIGHLIGHTS The upgrading on the manufacturing industry in the era of Industry 4.0 The right of product design in supply chain models The cross-influence of the government subsidy and market competition on industrial upgrading is introduced The conditions to help upgrade the manufacturing industry are given in the era of Industry 4.0 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The modern era of running shoes began in the 1960s with the introduction of simple polymer midsole foams, and it ended in the late 2010s with the introduction of advanced footwear technology (AFT). AFT is characterized by highly compliant, resilient, and lightweight foams with embedded, rigid, longitudinal architecture. This footwear complex improves a runner's efficiency, and it introduced a step change in running performance. Purpose: This review serves to examine the current state of knowledge around AFT—what it is and what we know about its ingredients, what benefits it confers to runners, and what may or may not mediate that benefit. We also discuss the emerging science around AFT being introduced to track-racing spikes and how it is currently regulated in sporting contexts. Conclusions: AFT has changed running as a sport. The construction of AFT is grossly understood, but the nature of the interacting elements is not. The magnitude of the enhancement of a runner's economy and performance has been characterized and modeled, but the nuanced factors that mediate those responses have not. With these knowns and unknowns, we conclude the review by providing a collection of best practices for footwear researchers, advice for runners interested in AFT, and a list of pertinent items for further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the sourcing decisions of two competing firms with a potential responsibility violation risk from a supplier. There are two consumer segments in the market: socially and nonsocially conscious consumers. When a responsibility violation occurs, the socially conscious consumers will not purchase from any firm who sources from the risky supplier. To avoid this potential demand loss, the two firms can consider sourcing from a responsible but more expensive supplier. We develop game theoretical models to investigate the firms' optimal sourcing strategies and examine the effects of product line design and sourcing diversification on firms' incentives to source responsibly. Our study shows that when each firm adopts a single sourcing strategy, as the suppliers' cost difference increases, both of their sourcing choices deviate from the responsible supplier to the risky supplier. Moreover, we find that when the firm sourcing responsibly can determine whether to extend the product line to offer responsible and conventional products, product line design improves both firms' profits and induces them to source responsibly. Finally, we find that when each firm can choose between a single and a dual sourcing strategy, sourcing diversification can be potentially detrimental for both firms and prevent them from sourcing responsibly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many theoretical methods have been applied to research user behaviour and requirements. However, the uncertainty associated with customer characteristics often biases the conclusions drawn from customer research and affects the effectiveness of product design. In this paper, Bayesian networks (BN) are introduced into the research on customer behaviour analysis based upon theory of planned behaviour (TPB), and an analysis model driven by customer research data is established from the perspective of user behaviour intention to guide design optimisation. Combining the User background Factor with the TPB Factor, the model analyses the uncertainty of the association between the two, and corrects the errors in the designer's prior knowledge through structural learning. By a case study the paper finds that the evaluations that enhance customers' subjective norms and perceived behavioural control lead to a greater probability of purchase or use. In addition, customers with specific characteristics are more inclined to generate behaviour intention. The paper finally provides a design optimisation plan based upon the result of the research and discusses about the advantages of the research approaches and the directions of future researches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Determine the effects of advanced footwear technology (AFT) in track spikes and road-racing shoes on running economy (RE). Methods: Four racing shoes (3 AFT and 1 control) and 3 track spikes (2 AFT and 1 control) were tested in 9 male distance runners on 2 visits. Shoes were tested in a random sequence over 5-minute trials on visit 1 (7 trials at 16 km·h−1; 5-min rest between trials) and in the reverse/mirrored order on visit 2. Metabolic data were collected and averaged across visits. Results: There were significant differences across footwear conditions for oxygen consumption (F = 13.046; P <.001) and energy expenditure (F = 14.710; P <.001). Oxygen consumption (in milliliters per kilogram per minute) in both the first AFT spike (49.1 [1.7]; P <.001; dz = 2.1) and the other AFT spike (49.3 [1.7]; P <.001; dz = 1.7) was significantly lower than the control spike (50.2 [1.6]), which represented a 2.1% (1.0%) and 1.8% (1.0%) improvement in RE, respectively, for the AFT spikes. When comparing the subjects' most economic shoe by oxygen consumption (49.0 [1.5]) against their most economic spike (49.0 [1.8]), there were no statistical differences (P =.82). Similar statistical conclusions were made when comparing energy expenditure (in watts per kilogram). Conclusions: AFT track spikes improved RE ∼2% relative to a traditional spike. Despite their heavier mass, AFT shoes resulted in similar RE as AFT spikes. This could make the AFT shoe an attractive option for longer track races, particularly in National Collegiate Athletic Association and high school athletics, where there are no stack-height rules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disability is a basic human condition that affects a significant proportion of the world's population, yet many disability- and accessibility-relevant issues remain pressing and insufficiently addressed. With three experiments, the current research investigates potential reasons for why marketplace disability accessibility has not been universally accepted. Potential barriers to greater accessibility in marketplaces may arise because such efforts appear at odds with other salient priorities, at micro (i.e. consumer) and macro (i.e. firm, policy, or societal) levels. In the proposed framework and resulting experiments, micro-level trade-offs prompt perceptions of personal cost and macro-level trade-offs prompt perceptions of firm morality. In turn, these perceptions mediate firm evaluations, showing that consumers at baseline respond negatively to accessibility. Critically, however, several practical interventions emerge from these processes. Marketers can mitigate consumers' negative responses to accessibility by employing simple framing choices such as emphasizing who benefits or noting what the purpose of the offering is. By demonstrating one way to better understand perceptions of the full spectrum of the consumer population, this research provides pathways for consumer researchers to further delve into disability-related research in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many studies have found that allowing customers to self-design products using customization configurators generates high value for customers. However, in practice, high abandonment rates cast doubt on these findings. In the present article, this contradiction is resolved by analyzing consumers' experiences during the creative process. Six studies provide converging evidence that consumers abandon customization because their valence during the process is U-shaped: initial high expectations prompt consumers to start self-designing in the first place, but they quickly find, to their frustration, that their (interim) design solutions are less attractive and the self-designing process is less enjoyable than they originally anticipated. Unaware that their enjoyment of the process would ultimately increase if they persisted through this phase, they abandon the self-design process altogether. It is only if the consumer overcomes the minimum of the U of valence that they harness the potential value from self-designing. This problematic pattern can be managed by providing social feedback during the self-design process. These findings contribute not only to the customization literature but also more generally to the understanding of consumers' goal pursuit by enhancing its scope to creative tasks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under servitization (one paradigm of non-ownership-transfer) business model such as sharing, a manufacturer is responsible not only for product design but also for maintenance. This paper deals with joint decision of product quality and maintenance under servitization. A model minimising total cost is formulated to obtain the optimal product quality, maintenance effort and maintenance times. We find that the total cost first decreases then increases with product quality, maintenance effort and maintenance times. Moderate quality and maintenance effort level are the best for the manufacturer, because too high or too low quality and effort cause too high total cost. However, preventive maintenance should be implemented as many times as possible until the failure cost is reduced to zero as long as each maintenance can save cost. Moreover, in the optimal joint decision, the product quality, maintenance effort and maintenance times are negatively correlated in pairs. In addition, we explore the impact of unit failure cost, product lifecycle, production cost, maintenance cost, and failure intensity on the manufacturer's optimal decisions. In extensions, we further take penalty cost, exponential failure distribution, discount rate, and customer usage into account. This paper provides insight for the manufacturer to jointly consider product design and maintenance under servitization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Driving posture can lead to musculoskeletal pain. Most work focuses on the lower back; therefore, we know little about automobile seat design and neck posture. This study evaluated an automobile driver seat that individualized upper back support to improve head and neck posture. Specifically, we examined the system's impact on anterior head translation with secondary outcomes of spine posture and perceptions of comfort/well-being compared with a control. Forty participants were block randomized to experience either the activated or deactivated version of the same seating system first. Participants completed two 30-minute simulated driving trials, separated by washout, with continuous measures of anterior head translation, spine posture, and pelvis orientation. Perceptions of comfort/well-being were assessed by survey and open-ended questions immediately following each condition. Small, but statistically significant decreases in anterior head translation and posterior pelvic tilt occurred with the activated seat system. Participants reported lower satisfaction with the activated seat system. Order of the 2 seat conditions affected differences in pelvis orientation and participant perceptions of comfort/well-being. An anthropometric-based seat system targeting upper back support can significantly affect head and pelvic posture but not satisfaction during simulated driving. Future work should examine long-term impacts of these posture changes on health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two organizations that focus on tech-based health innovation have partnered to improve the mental health of young adults. In this "tech for good" project, Hopelab and Grit Digital Health worked together to create an app using human-centered product design. With the core needs of users at the forefront, the team developed an app both with and for college students to combat loneliness, a prevalent issue that can lead to other problems such as depression, anxiety, and even dropping out of college. The team also applied systems thinking to address the root causes of this "wicked problem," resulting in their Nod app, which has improved outcomes for college students. This article is based on the author's award-winning case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research integrates marketing literature, design theory, interviews with world-renowned designers, and established scale development procedures to develop a reliable and valid instrument that measures the effectiveness of design communication (i.e., the information about product designs conveyed through the product, packaging, or advertisements) via consumer evaluations. The theoretical underpinnings and face validity engaged in the development of the Design Communication Assessment Scale (DCAS) progresses the field's understanding as to what constitutes the seven evaluative dimensions of design (form, function, solidity, usefulness, style, eco-consciousness, and uniqueness). Practically, DCAS's versatility provides managers with the ability to gauge consumer evaluations of design communications while enabling better communications with designers. In addition, the authors validate a shortened form of the DCAS for resource-constrained firms. Support for DCAS's generalizability is provided across laboratory and field studies in which ecological validity is established. Together, these studies demonstrate that using DCAS leads to improved performance across a wide array of metrics, including click-through rates, email signups, and retail sales for a diverse set of products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product configuration design combines the existing configurable components of enterprises to quickly form a new product that meets customised requirements. However, the representation, maintenance, and update of the configuration knowledge, and the mismatch problem restrict the rationality and efficiency of existing configuration design methods. In this paper, a recommendation model is developed for customised product configuration design, which takes personalised customer requirements and product component information as input and outputs a ranked list of component instances. It consists of two sub-models: a retrieval sub-model and a ranking sub-model. The retrieval sub-model selects a set of component instance candidates from all possible candidates, and then the ranking sub-model ranks them and selects the best possible candidate. To boost the ranking sub-model performance, we propose a novel interacting network, DualAdap, to extract meaningful low-order, high-order, and adaptive-order cross features. Based on learned cross features, the ranking sub-model computes the adoption scores of all candidates and then selects the best possible candidate according to adoption scores. The configuration design of the elevator traction machine is taken as a case study. Results verify that our recommendation model can identify similar component instances and then accurately pick out the best possible candidate that meets customer requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficiency of remanufacturing systems is closely related to the modular design. This paper proposes a sustainable design concept aiming at active remanufacturing. This paper adopts the modular method related to parameter flow to decompose and construct the product's function. The author applies the clustering method to the parameter flow correlation determination to realize the quantitative division of modules. This paper combines sustainable design principles with the life cycle characteristics of products. In this paper, the sustainable design is divided into modules based on the degree of component association. Finally, this paper uses an example to demonstrate that the model in this paper can divide products into modules in a sustainable way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Component orthogonal arrays (COAs), as subsets of all possible permutations on experimental factors, are suitable for designing order-of-addition experiments due to their pairwise balance property between any two positions of the orders. When the levels of components can be changed, the standard statistical design method has been to use the Cartesian product design, which often results in a large number of experimental runs. In this article, we consider combining COAs and 2m−p factional factorial designs by using a Subcartesian product. A systematic method is given for design construction. In the construction method, both the COA and 2m−p design are sliced properly, and then the two designs are combined by the Subcartesian product. We show that the number of runs obtained by the Subcartesian product method is usually much smaller than that obtained by the Cartesian product method. In addition, the constructed design satisfies the pairwise balance property and has the same D-efficiency as the full m ! × 2 m design under the main-effect model. Examples are given to illustrate the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The use of oral anticancer medications has become more prevalent in cancer therapy. This is particularly the case in the management of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, when the treatment delivery interaction between the patient and the healthcare provider is removed, the risk of non-adherence increases. Insights into patient preferences can allow drug product formulation scientists to design more patient-centric medications that may promote an increase in adherence which, in turn, may lead to more beneficial health outcomes. Methods: We conducted an advisory board with patients with NSCLC in the United Kingdom to elicit and understand preferences for drug product attributes related to appearance, instructions, and modality. The advisory board was preceded by a quantitative preference survey that included three object-case best–worst scaling exercises and was followed by administering the same survey to a broader group of patients to confirm the results. Results: Patients strongly prefer once-daily dosing over more frequent dosing, regardless of the number of pills because taking tablets or capsules multiple times each day can disrupt daily activities. In addition, patients place high importance on surface smoothness because a rough surface implies decreased swallowability. Finally, food restrictions involving directions regarding taking medication with or without food represent difficulties for patients with cancer. Results of the follow-up survey confirmed these results. Conclusions: Drug developers should attempt to limit the dosing of these medications to once-daily regimens, avoid surface roughness, and develop formulations that can be taken without regard to the timing of meals to the greatest extent possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: In the era of burgeoning digital technology, healthcare is a challenging transformative change towards virtual and digital platforms. Internet‐based healthcare services are emerging as a popular trend within the medical area. User experience (UX) is paramount for the healthcare service, as it significantly influences experience satisfaction and fosters user viscosity. Gaining a profound understanding of users' demands and crafting services that align with their expectations is essential. Methods: Consequently, exploring an effective design approach for the digital healthcare service that prioritizes UX along with utilizing a comprehensive evaluation methodology to handle UX data, is of profound importance. This study introduces a design methodology for Internet‐based healthcare products grounded in the UX and mental (UX‐M) model. Aiming to refine the Internet‐based healthcare product design by integrating insights from the experience data, it employs the Delphi‐ANP and the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation to determine evaluation indexes and conduct experiential assessments. Results: The UX evaluation results of existing schemes are compared with the proposed design scheme of the intelligent guidance and internet hospital. The findings indicate that the UX evaluation of Internet‐based medical services with the proposed method outperforms the existing schemes. Conclusions: On the one hand, UX research of Internet‐based healthcare products can significantly enhance service satisfaction for patients utilizing online medical treatments. On the other hand, the analysis of experience‐based evaluation empowers designers to refine and improve UX design of Internet‐based medical services. Such research endeavors are critical for enhancing the overall quality of service offerings and elevating user satisfaction in the digital healthcare landscape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Access to pediatric dialysis is challenged in low-resource settings due to high costs, scarcity of equipment, and the lack of qualified personnel availability. We demonstrated the manual single lumen alternating micro-batch (mSLAMB) device can remove small solutes in vitro without the need for electricity, batteries, or pumps. We developed a new version (Kirpa Kit™) to address some of the technical limitations of mSLAMB. Here, we compare the in vitro clearance performance and ease of use of the Kirpa Kit™ with that of prior mSLAMB configurations. Methods: A mixture of expired packed red blood cells, 0.9% NaCl, urea, and heparin was used to test the efficiency of two mSLAMB configurations and the Kirpa Kit™ in removing potassium and urea. Clearance was evaluated by measuring percent reduction after 25-min sessions with each device. A survey was used to evaluate the ease of use of each configuration. Results: The Kirpa Kit™ achieved a median urea reduction of 82.4% and potassium reduction of 82.1%, which were higher than those achieved with the best-performing mSLAMB configuration (urea 71.9%, potassium 75.4%). The Kirpa Kit™ was easier to use with a shorter perceived time of use than the mSLAMB. Conclusions: The Kirpa Kit™, evolution of mSLAMB, is easy to use and may have improved efficacy, making it an optimal candidate for in vivo testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers Bayesian Φq-optimal designs for multi-factor additive non linear models where model errors are heteroscedastic. For additive non linear models with a constant term, a sufficient condition is given in order to derive Bayesian Φq-optimal product designs, which are achieved from univariate optimal designs with respect to every marginal model with a single factor. However, in the case of ignoring a constant term, an additional assumption of orthogonality is proposed to ensure that optimal designs can be found. Then, the corresponding optimal product designs can be built with the help of the equivalence theorem for the Bayesian Φq-optimality criterion. Several examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of theoretical results on optimal product designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Landmarks are essential in non-rigid shape registration for identifying the correspondence between designs and actual products. In 3D printing, manual selection of landmarks becomes labor-intensive, due to complex product geometries and their non-uniform shape deviations. Automatic selection, however, has to pinpoint landmarks indicative of geometric regions prone to deviations for accuracy qualification. Existing automatic landmarking methods often generate clustered and redundant landmarks for prominent features with high curvatures, compromising the balance between global and local registration errors. To address these issues, we propose an automatic landmark selection method through deviation-aware segmentation and landmarking. As opposed to segmentation for semantic feature identification, deviation-aware segmentation partitions a freeform product for high-curvature region identification. Prone to deviation, these regions are generated through curvature-sensitive remeshing to extract vertices of high curvature and automatic clustering of vertices based on vertex density. Within each segment or high-curvature region, a curvature-weighted function is tailored for the Gaussian process landmarking to sequentially select landmarks with the highest local curvatures. Furthermore, we propose a new evaluation criterion to assess the effectiveness of selected landmarks through registration. The proposed approach is tested through automatic landmarking of printed dental models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe the use of pressurized metered-dose inhalers (pMDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) in Spanish subjects in terms of sociodemographic, clinical, and functional characteristics in subjects with asthma or COPD on maintenance treatment with inhaled therapy. METHODS: This was a retrospective, descriptive, national, multi-center, and observational study using a database with 1.8 million patients from hospitals and primary care centers as a secondary information source. RESULTS: The sample included 24,102 subjects with asthma on maintenance therapy (26.0% with pMDI, 55% with DPI, and 19.0% with a combination of DPI + pMDI inhalers) and 12,858 subjects with COPD on maintenance therapy (26% with pMDI; 39% with DPI; and 35% with a combination of pMDI + DPI inhalers, mostly extemporary triple therapy). In proportion, subjects ≥ 75 y old used more pMDI than DPI, while younger subjects (40-64 y old) used more DPI. An inhalation chamber was prescribed in 51.0% of subjects with asthma and 47.2% of subjects with COPD treated with pMDI. The use of an inhalation chamber increases with the degree of air-flow limitation by disease and age. In subjects with comorbidities, pMDI inhaler use increased in those ≥ 75 y old for subjects with asthma and subjects with COPD. Switching from pMDI to DPI and vice versa was relatively common: 25% of subjects with asthma and 21.6% of subjects with COPD treated with pMDI had switched from DPI in the previous year. On the contrary, 14.1% and 11.4% of subjects with asthma and subjects with COPD, respectively, treated with DPI had switched from pMDI the last year. CONCLUSIONS: The use of pMDI or DPI can vary according to age, both in asthma and COPD. Switching from pMDI to DPI and vice versa is relatively common. Despite the availability of dual- and triple-therapy inhalers on the market, a considerable number of subjects were treated with multiple devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The optimal setup for continuously administering albuterol with heliox remains unclear, especially for pediatric patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of continuous albuterol delivery with heliox using different nebulizer setups in a pediatric model. METHODS: A pediatric manikin with simulated spontaneous breathing was used to receive continuous albuterol (20 mg/h) with heliox (80/20) in 3 setups: (1) The MiniHEART nebulizer, driven by oxygen at 3 L/min, was attached to a Y-piece, linking to a non--rebreather mask and a valved reservoir with 11 L/min heliox; (2) a vibrating mesh nebulizer (VMN) placed at the humidifier inlet of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) with 11 L/min heliox and the manikin's mouth sealed; and (3) a VMN placed between a valved reservoir with 11 L/min heliox and a non--rebreather mask. Both tight-fitting and loose-fitting mask configurations were tested in the setup with vibrating mesh nebulizer and mask. Heliox of 70/30 was tested with a VMN and a loose-fitting mask. Albuterol was delivered continuously to the nebulizer via an infusion pump at 8 mL (20 mg)/h for each 20-min run and each experiment was repeated five times. A collecting filter placed between the manikin's trachea and lung model was removed after each run, and the drug was eluted and assayed via ultraviolet spectrophotometry (276 nm). RESULTS: During continuous albuterol nebulization using heliox, the VMN either in line with HFNC or with a tight-fitting mask achieved the highest and similar inhaled dose (8.5 ± 0.4 vs 8.8 ± 0.7%, P = .35), while the MiniHEART nebulizer yielded the lowest aerosol deposition (1.5 ± 0.2%). The inhaled dose was lower with the loose-fitting mask than with the tight-fitting mask (5.9 ± 0.9 vs 8.8 ± 0.7%, P=.009), and heliox of 80/20 delivered a higher inhaled dose than heliox of 70/30 (5.9 ± 0.9 vs 3.9 ± 0.4%, P=.009). CONCLUSIONS: When administering continuous albuterol with heliox in a pediatric model, utilizing a VMN in line with HFNC during closed-mouth breathing yielded a higher inhaled dose compared to both the MiniHEART nebulizer and VMN with a loose-fitting mask. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental issues have become an important consideration to be included in business operations. One of the main environmental problems in the wood industry is the high production of wood waste and increasing scarcity and cost of raw materials. For this reason, companies need to utilize wood waste to reduce material costs and, at the same time, reduce the impact of waste on the environment. Converting wood waste into products that can be sold will increase its economic value. This research aims to identify the types of waste from a furniture company and reduce waste by designing various products made from wood waste. Wood chips are wood waste that have the potential to be reused. Waste wood chips from the materials station can be used to create bedside table products. The bedside table was chosen because of its high selling price, and the company could make it with its existing resources. Apart from that, the company still needs to expand its variety of bedside tables. The bedside table was designed using the TRIZEE method. TRIZEE is a method that combines eco-efficiency with 40 TRIZ principles, which can reduce environmental impacts in alignment with company goals. The design process resulted in 4 bedside table variations. Production capacity is estimated to produce 56 bedside tables per month. If scrap waste is successfully used as bedside table material. Apart from saving raw materials, the company will be able to reduce wood waste and gain greater profits from waste utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are plenty of cute products in the marketplace even in difficult times. Yet, cute products do not always capture people's attention. Does insecure economic perception affect people's choice of cute products? To address this unexamined research gap, we propose that economic insecurity negatively influences cute product choice preference via the serial mediation effects of other‐focused concern and the need to connect with others. Desire for emotional support is proposed to moderate the focal relationship. We demonstrate these effects using four studies. Studies 1a and 1b tested the causal relationship between primed economic insecurity and choice preference towards cute products as well as ruling out several possible mechanisms (i.e., sense of control, affect, parental caring motives, risk aversion, the desire for cuteness, and the need for protection). Study 2 demonstrated that other‐focused concern and the need to connect with others serially mediated the above effect. Study 3 explored the moderating effect of desire for emotional support. Companies that manufacture cute products can benefit from our findings on how to communicate with consumers in times of economic downturn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Risk management has always been a trend in manufacturing related literature in the era of zero-defect manufacturing (ZDM). However, a gap still exists to present a holistic viewpoint of the integration for a product and its related processes involved during decision-making in manufacturing industry. The (knowledge-driven) integrated-decision support system indicates the opportunity by integrating the product design and manufacturing processes related risks in a manufacturing industry to make better decisions at the shop floor. It further proposes a direction towards development of a decision support system framework for their respective risks' identification as well as mitigation to enhance the quality, while minimizing time and cost. Over the years, risk identification has been considered well but risk mitigation has mostly been overlooked in the published literature. This paper scanned over a thousand papers from renowned journals published between 2005 and 2024. Currently, the evolution involved in the advancement of decision support tools for risk management has been reviewed by utilizing systematic literature review methodology. The study also provides a design overview, highlighting its features, pros, and cons of the existing methods which can be used for risk identification, prioritization, and mitigation in the development of a dynamic decision support system to aim (data-driven) zero-defect manufacturing (ZDM). Lastly, the paper discusses the current challenges and opportunities to lessen the manufacturing recalls in the industry, followed by phases of the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To ensure the acceptability and effectiveness of potential Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs), understanding user needs, and preferences are crucial to inform the design of MPTs. This article aims to explore the perceptions towards potential MPT use and to explore the needs of multiple stakeholders in India within their social and behavioural contexts. Methods: A qualitative multicentric study was conducted in three Indian states—Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. The study involved a total of 222 interviews: 77 in-depth interviews with women, including those from the general population, HIV-positive women, and street and brothel-based Female Sex Workers (FSWs); 84 in-depth interviews with men and 61 key informant interviews were conducted. Three focus group discussions were conducted with FSWs. Interviews explored perceptions of the potential MPTs, needs, and factors that may potentially affect their use and adherence. Interviews and FGDs were transcribed and translated verbatim. Thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data in NVivo version 8. Result: The following themes highlight the need and preferences among women for the potential MPT product: 1) Overall perceptions about new MPT, 2) People at high risk need long acting products, 3) Condom versus new MPT: potential of MPT, 4) Women empowerment through MPTs 5) Secrecy and confidentiality 6) Non-stigmatising MPT product positioning. Conclusion: Several stakeholders in this study expressed their need for new MPTs, but concerns regarding confidentiality, privacy, stigma and, adherence were identified. Besides efficacy, characteristics such as the size, packaging, formulation, and texture of MPTs, should be taken into account when designing the MPT products, also considering the needs of women, specially, female sex workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the manufacturing process of products, it is common to produce in batches, and such complex products often have many interrelated processes and interdependent components. These lead to mutual correlations among multiple responses, correlations among response observations, and a complex relationship between inputs and responses. If aforementioned relationships cannot be addressed in the robust parameter design of batch products, it will influence the predictive precision of the model, subsequently impacting the reliability of the optimization results. To tackle the above three types of associations in products with batch effects, we propose a new approach, namely, the semiparametric mixed‐effects modeling approach for multi‐response correlation. Specifically, we begin by developing a multi‐response Bayesian semiparametric mixed‐effects model using spline, and then construct a multivariate loss function to obtain the optimal operating conditions, subsequently calculating the value of the entropy‐based weighted satisfaction function. The validity of the suggested method in modeling and optimization is verified through a simulation study and 3D printing example analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is crucial for enterprises to clearly identify user needs during the process of formulating product design improvement plans. Therefore, it is essential to comprehensively and accurately identify user needs, explore the reasons behind the emergence of these needs, and incorporate user opinions into the process of product design improvement. A method is proposed to comprehensively and accurately capture user requirements and address the challenge of identifying the underlying causes of user requirements. This method utilizes online comments and operational data to identify user requirements and their influencing factors. First, text sentiment analysis techniques are employed to quantify the importance and performance values of product feature topics. Second, we construct a quadrant model to identify product features requiring improvement, and the original negative comments related to these features are traced. However, the quadrant model alone is insufficient to reflect specific product issues that users are concerned about. Therefore, a functional structure model based on product issues is designed to filter and identify factors that influence user requirements using operational data. Finally, a Bayesian network inference approach is utilized to identify the key influencing factors on user requirements, enabling analysis of the causes behind user requirements and the proposal of product design improvement strategies. The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method are validated through experiments conducted on heavy-duty truck data. By analyzing the original negative comments related to the power characteristics, specific user demands regarding the insufficient power of the product were identified, such as "obviously insufficient power when climbing slopes" and other issues. Based on the vehicle power system functional structure model, combined with expert knowledge and operational data, factors related to the state of parts and user behavior that may affect "insufficient vehicle power" were identified. Based on the analysis results, suggestions were made to improve the engine intake air temperature control strategy and to enhance vehicle performance by promoting correct user behavior through informational campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D printing has revolutionized product design and manufacturing across various industries by enabling the creation of complex geometries with minimal waste. Despite its advancements, 3D printing still faces significant challenges, including spatial constraints and process control limitations. This paper introduces novel approaches to improve the functionality and precision of material extrusion 3D printers for the fused deposition modeling method, particularly for additional printing tasks such as printing on existing objects or continuing a print on a relocated object without prior knowledge of its position or even the environment is changed. We introduce a compensation system integrating a high-speed vision system for robot arms to address these challenges. Our system employs a three-step pose estimation process—fast point feature histograms (FPFH)-based, corner-based, and sub-pixel edge-based methods—to ensure high accuracy in restoring the position of printed pieces for additional printing tasks on a given object. Experimental results demonstrate substantial improvements in printing precision, with the system achieving sub-millimeter and sub-pixel accuracy. These advancements not only eliminate work area constraints but also enhance the adaptability and reliability of 3D printing processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a wide set of technologies that can be used for many different scopes. AM is now a well-integrated prototyping and development tool in most industrial endeavours, while proper end-product manufacturing has only seen very specific niche successes. Given the complexity of AM's matrix, which is full of discontinuities and non-trivial intercorrelations that play a relevant role in product design and development, it should not come as a surprise that not many end-product applications have succeeded in making use of it. This paper argues that understanding AM's complex matrix and correctly identifying suitable production niches for it are key elements of this issue, a topic for which existing literature and tools are scarce. The analysis of AM's status quo for end-product manufacturing and the review of existing approaches to integrate these technologies with product development are the basis used in this paper to propose a suitability assessment tool to fill this knowledge gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for functionality, performance, safety, and reliability in complex product domains is continuously increasing, leading to growing product complexity. Traditional document-based systems engineering approaches face numerous challenges in terms of communication efficiency, traceability, and maintenance when dealing with complex product system design. Consequently, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) has been widely adopted. To improve the efficiency of system modelling, an effective method is needed to automate the process by reusing existing design resources. This study proposes a knowledge graph-based approach for the automatic generation of system model diagrams, consisting of three main steps. Firstly, a system model graph is constructed using an existing system model repository. Then, the required modelling elements are extracted from design documents, and reusable model elements are obtained based on the system model graph. Lastly, a mapping relationship is established between system model elements extracted from multi-source heterogeneous data and SysML metamodel, enabling the automatic generation of system model diagrams based on SysML views. This approach effectively leverages the information from the existing system model repository and achieves automated mapping conversion from multi-source heterogeneous data to the SysML system model. A communication satellite case study is presented to demonstrate the capability of this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bicycle set-up dimensions and cycling kinematic data are important components of bicycle fitting and cyclist testing protocols. However, there are no guidelines on how bicycles should be measured and how kinematic data should be collected to increase the reliability of outcomes. This article proposes a consensus regarding bicycle set-up dimensions and recommendations for collecting cycling-related kinematic data. Four core members recruited panellists, prepared the document to review in each round for panellists, analysed the scores and comments of the expert panellists, reported the decisions and communicated with panellists. Fourteen experts with experience in research involving cycling kinematics and/or bicycle fitting agreed to participate as panellists. An initial list of 17 statements was proposed, rated using a five-point Likert scale and commented on by panellists in three rounds of anonymous surveys following a Delphi procedure. The consensus was agreed upon when more than 80% of the panellists scored the statement with values of 4 and 5 (moderately and strongly agree) with an interquartile range of less than or equal to 1. A consensus was achieved for eight statements addressing bicycle set-up dimensions (e.g. saddle height, saddle setback, etc.) and nine statements for cycling kinematic assessment (e.g. kinematic method, two-dimensional methodology, etc.). This consensus statement provides a list of recommendations about how bicycle set-up dimensions should be measured and the best practices for collecting cycling kinematic data. These recommendations should improve the transparency, reproducibility, standardisation and interpretation of bicycle measurements and cycling kinematic data for researchers, bicycle fitters and cycling related practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Assistive technology for elderly are advancing, and this study aimed to analyse the Indian perspective on utilising assistive robot technology for aiding elderly individuals. Materials and Methods: A population-based survey was undertaken to collect data from three perspectives: Relatives of the elderly, Healthcare professionals and Elderly individuals. The survey gathered 389 responses. The responses are statistically analysed, and data is visualised with different plots for better understanding. Results: It is observed that the older people rate with less conviction on the use of technology when compared to the relatives and healthcare professionals. Out of the three target groups, the elderly individuals had the most correlating attributes to purchasing the robot. Also, healthcare personnel, relatives, and older people gave 82%, 63% and 55% affirmatives to the question on purchasing the robot, respectively. And the cost of the robot is preferred to be under 6 lakh rupees. Conclusions: Though the younger generation has more orientation towards technology, older people are skeptical about handling computer gadgets or robots. However, there are significant expectations and concerns expressed by three target groups such as conversational, navigational, reminder features, security and malfunction concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The elderly population faces reduced levels of health and performance, which necessitates the use of rehabilitation assistive technologies to maximize functional independence in daily activities. This study aimed to explain the experiences of the elderly regarding the use of rehabilitation assistive technologies based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology. Methods: The present study was a qualitative study of the type of content analysis that was conducted in the city of Hamadan in 2022. Participants included 20 elderly aged 60 years or above who were selected as a purposive sample and subjected to individual semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using directed qualitative content analysis based on Hsieh and Shannon's approach. Data were coded using MAXQDA software (MAXQDA Analytics Pro 2020, VERBI GmbH Berlin). Results: According to the results, 260 primary codes were extracted, and they were classified into five predetermined categories of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, including performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence, facilitating conditions, and behavioral intention, as well as two new categories of technology anxiety and perceived need for technology. After extracting 260 primary codes based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, 75 sub-categories were identified in 14 main categories. Conclusion: The themes obtained from the study indicate the necessity of providing the required conditions to maintain the complete independence and health of the elderly and strengthen their morale. The results can be helpful in the development of support strategies for family members, healthcare providers, and policymakers. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Assistive rehabilitation technologies include low-tech assistive technologies. The use of assistive rehabilitation technologies is a potential solution to improve balance, quality of life, and increase activity and functional independence in the elderly. Since peers play a very important role as technology advocates in the intention to accept and use assistive technologies, the expression of the experiences and views of the elderly can encourage and support the use of assistive rehabilitation technologies by other elderly. This study found that the use of assistive rehabilitation technologies by the elderly is a relatively complex issue with various personal, social, economic, cultural and physical aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The novel cryoballoon with 28 mm or 31 mm adjustable diameters, aims to achieve a wide antral pulmonary vein isolation (PVI). However, the distribution of antral lesions and their variations based on left atrial (LA) remodeling require further clarification. Methods: We evaluated 22 patients (67 [59.5–74.8] years, 19 males) who underwent PVI of atrial fibrillation (AF) (13 paroxysmal AF [PAF] and 9 non‐PAF) using size‐adjustable cryoballoons. LA electro‐anatomical mapping was performed post‐PVI with three‐dimensional mapping systems. We assessed the shapes of the LA and pulmonary veins (PVs) and the distribution of isolated areas (IAs), comparing the results between PAF and non‐PAF patients. Results: In the left PVs (LPVs), the distance between the PV orifice and IA edge (PVos‐IA) was larger on the roof and posterior segments (~15 mm) but relatively smaller on the anterior segment near the PV ridge (<10 mm). For the right PVs (RPVs), it was more extensive in the posterior segment (10–15 mm). Comparing PAF and non‐PAF, there were no significant differences in the PVos‐IA except for the right posterior‐carina segment, antrum IA (LPVs: 5.9 ± 1.6 vs. 5.8 ± 0.8 cm², p =.81; RPVs: 4.8 ± 2.3 vs. 4.8 ± 1.2 cm², p =.81), distances between the right and left IAs on the LA posterior wall (LAPW), and un‐isolated LAPW area (9.0 ± 4.9 vs. 9.9 ± 2.5 cm², p =.62). No individual PVIs were observed in either group. Two patients exhibited overlapping IAs on the roof, and one patient who underwent 31 mm balloon applications for all PVs exhibited an LAPW isolation. Conclusion: The size‐adjustable cryoballoon achieved a wide antral PVI even in non‐PAF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Safety data of the latest radiofrequency (RF) technologies during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation in real‐world clinical practice are limited. Objectives: We sought to evaluate the acute procedural safety of the four latest ablation catheters commonly used for AF ablation. Methods: A total of 3957 AF ablation procedures performed between January 2022 and December 2023 at 20 centers with either the THERMOCOOL SMARTTOUCH SF (STSF), TactiCath (TC), QDOT Micro (QDM), or TactiFlex (TF) were retrospectively analyzed. Results: In total, QDM, STSF, TF, and TC were used in 343 (8.7%), 1793 (45.3%), 1121 (28.4%), and 700(17.7%) procedures. Among 2406 index procedures, electrical pulmonary vein isolations were successfully achieved in 99.5%. Despite similar total procedure times in the four groups, the total fluoroscopic time was significantly shorter for QDM/STSF with CARTO than TF/TC with EnSite (18.7 ± 14 vs. 27.6 ± 20.6 min, p <.001) and longest in the TF group. The incidence of cardiac tamponade was 0.7% (0.5% and 0.9% during index and redo procedures, 0.8% and 0.3% for paroxysmal and non‐paroxysmal AF) and was significantly lower for QDM/STSF than TF/TC (0.2% vs. 1.1%, p =.008) and highest in the TF group. The incidence of cardiac tamponade was higher for TF than TC and STSF than QDM. In the multivariate analysis, TF/TC with EnSite was a significant independent predictor of cardiac tamponade during both the index (odds ratio [OR] = 4.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.3–17.5, p =.02) and all procedures (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 1.3–7.2, p =.01). Conclusions: The incidence of cardiac tamponade and the fluoroscopic time during AF ablation significantly differed among the latest RF catheters and mapping systems in real‐world clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nearly 60 years of research on exoskeleton design, manufacturing, testing, and application, few researchers study what goes into the process of designing these devices that augment human performance. Exoskeleton evaluation and selection, however, remains under--researched and ultimately unclear given the large number of decision criteria with possible interdependencies. In this paper, an analytic network process (ANP) model was structured and used due to its ability to consider multi-levels of interdependencies between decision criteria while encapsulating the advantages of expert opinion. A panel of experts categorized 55 engineering design metrics into five categories. Discussion sessions were conducted to identify the metrics' interdependencies yielding an unweighted, weighted, and limit priority super-matrix from the ANP model. The results of the ANP model provide an analysis of how interdependencies affect the importance of design metrics in exoskeleton design. The results of the proposed model were compared to a previous study where a panel of 40 experts individually ranked the importance of engineering design metrics without considering interdependencies. The use of the ANP can provide a stronger, more holistic approach to the inherently multi-criteria decision-making involved in exoskeleton design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As autonomous vehicles (AV) are becoming more pervasive in transportation, it is important to consider drivers' perceptions of these vehicles. The existing research has investigated taking over AV control, its safety and acceptance. However, the preferences for self-driving in multiple traffic situations have not been extensively investigated. In Part I, we aim to bridge these gaps by investigating such preferences in high and low traffic complexities. Eighty-eight participants in North America were recruited. They viewed video recordings of driving in the city of Toronto, the regional municipality of Waterloo and highways to answer survey questions. Their responses regarding perceptions and preferences were simply analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test at various traffic situations with two traffic complexities. It showed strong preferences for self-driving in most low complexity situations and certain situations in both complexities. These findings can suggest a few applicable design principles of AV decision system regarding traffic situation-based and biased perceptions-based user preferences. In Part II, we extend our analyses to user preferences for multiple two-stage actions of AVs and suggest additional design principles of the system with a more-in-depth insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spray drying of emulsions is a widespread encapsulation technique to produce a large variety of powdered formulations. The oil droplet size (ODS) in the powder is critical for product quality, influencing key product parameters such as the encapsulation efficiency (EE) of the oil. To expand the understanding of changes in ODS and structure formation during the drying step. For this purpose, model oil-in-water emulsions were spray-dried at varying air inlet and outlet temperatures. The powders were characterized regarding ODS and EE. Smaller ODS were observed for parameter combinations where higher drying rates are expected due to decreased coalescence. The results for the EE revealed no clear trend. An increase of air outlet temperature first led to a small decrease in EE followed by a distinct increase of EE. The first decrease may indicate a collapse of the particle morphology but more detailed investigations are necessary to explore these phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: During the advent of laparoscopy, surgeons directly explored the abdominal cavity with a telescope-like device through a small incision. Since then, numerous technological advances have transformed minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Yet, in our wireless world, various devices crowd the surgical field, with long wires and light sources posing fall and fire risks. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the first reported human use of a novel wireless laparoscopy system or WLS (ArthroFree™, Lazurite®, Cleveland, Ohio). Methods: The utility and convenience of the WLS was assessed via two avenues: (1) by analyzing surgical outcomes from first human use and (2) by surveying healthcare professionals regarding its quality and utility. Results: Eighteen patients (mean age 44.2, 83.3% female, mean BMI 33.4) underwent operations with the WLS. Operations included gynecologic and general surgical procedures. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications, and no conversions to traditional laparoscopy or laparotomy. Mean operating time was 71.94 ± 20.41 min, and estimated blood loss was minimal. Survey results revealed varied individual experiences. Strengths included adequate illumination, improved ergonomics, and simplicity of setup and ease of operation. One respondent criticized the image resolution. Feedback indicated an overall positive impact, and 67% of respondents supported inclusion of the device at their facility. Moreover, its deployment in resource-limited settings abroad has demonstrated its efficacy in global surgery, indicating its potential in various healthcare environments. Conclusions: This is the first reported human use of a novel WLS. Clinical results supported efficiency and safety of the technology. The successful deployment of the WLS in diverse surgical environments, including resource-limited settings, highlights its potential as a universally adaptable tool in global surgery. This report represents a strong first step toward a wireless operating room with the promise of redefining surgical standards as well as bridging gaps in surgical care worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymatic hydrolysis is an efficient processing method for valorizing chicken rest raw material by generating new food- or feed ingredients. This paper characterizes two types of chicken rest raw material: viscera and a mixture of bones, skin and remaining meat, and evaluates how industrially relevant hydrolysis process designs affect overall yield of all products, including hydrolysate, sediment, lipid, and emulsion. Eleven hydrolyses were performed using viscera and bone materials, endogenous and commercial enzymes, pre-treatments, variations in water addition and hydrolysis times. Compared to bone materials, viscera had higher proteolytic activity, more readily water-soluble components, and lower effect of adding commercial enzymes on product yields. The process of heating the raw material to hydrolysis temperature greatly impacted product yields, representing about 50 % of the overall hydrolysate production from viscera during hydrolysis. Pre-inactivation of endogenous enzymes reduced initial, but not final, hydrolysate yields. Adding commercial enzymes to pre-inactivated viscera had no effect on yields compared to not adding enzymes. Reducing water addition lowered initial hydrolysate yield from bone material. Lipid yield reflected lipid content in the raw material, and thermal pre-separation of lipids did not increase the total lipid recovery. In general, hydrolysis of viscera generated more emulsion than the bone material. [Display omitted] • Composition and proteolytic activity vary between chicken rest raw material fractions. • Hydrolysate represents 10–25 % of total dry yield of hydrolysis products. • Heating raw material before hydrolysis contributes to the overall hydrolysate yield. • Industrially relevant process design affect product yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to understand how different representations of requirements influence idea generation in terms of quantity, addressment, novelty, and variety of conceptual sketches. Requirements are testable statements of need, desires, and wishes of the stakeholders that are used by engineers to frame the problem. Project success is highly dependent on well-defined requirements documents. An experimental study was conducted with 52 fourth-year mechanical engineering undergraduate students. Two design problems are used with three different representations: a problem statement with embedded requirements, a problem statement and a traditional requirement list, and a problem statement with contextualized scrum stories. Each student addressed both design problems with two different representations of requirements. It was found that the use of contextualized scrum story representations significantly affected the novelty of solution fragments and addressment of requirements, while no significant change in variety and quantity was seen. Finally, it was found that quantity is not directly related to the number of requirements addressed in the sketches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]