bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of Rubber Fatigue Life Using an Assimilation‐based Learning Approach and Incremental Crack Propagation Model
Authors: Fang Congzhuo , Chen Yanfu , Yang Zihao , Zhang Yiyuan , He Xindang
Published: October 2024

Accurately and efficiently predicting the fatigue life of rubber materials has been a long‐standing challenge due to limited understanding of the fatigue mechanism. In this study, a variational assimilation‐based machine learning method assisted with incremental crack propagation model is proposed to predict the fatigue life of rubber materials. Firstly, according to the fracture mechanics theory, a new rubber fatigue life prediction model based on incremental crack propagation and sparse experimental data is established, which owns higher accuracy than the classical crack energy density model. Further, a rubber fatigue life solver coupled incremental crack propagation model and nonlinear finite element method is introduced to generate a dense fatigue life dataset of rubber materials with high accuracy. Finally, the artificial neural network model is trained, cross‐validated, and tested using the dense dataset, and the three‐dimensional variational assimilation model is employed to merge the predicted values of artificial neural network with experimental data. By comparing against the experimental data, the effectiveness of the proposed method was verified; thereby, we offer an accurate and efficient approach to predict the rubber fatigue life.
Association of sleep duration with obesity in older adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Jiang Huan , Zhang Hanyu , Wen Zhifei , Yuan Jiang , Wang Hongyan , Zhang Xiangeng
Published: October 2024

Background

Research on sleep duration and obesity is extensive in children and young individuals but limited and inconsistent for older adults. Our study aims to clarify the current status of this association in the elderly population.

Methods

We searched six English and four Chinese databases up to January 25, 2024, for observational studies on sleep duration and obesity in older adults. Two researchers independently conducted the literature search and data extraction. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale for cohort studies and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for cross‐sectional studies. Meta‐analyses were performed using Stata 15.0 software, using both random‐effects and fixed‐effects models to calculate pooled odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

The meta‐analysis of 15 studies found a correlation between short sleep duration and obesity in older individuals (pooled odds ratio, 1.40 [95% CI: 1.12–1.73]; P = 0.003). However, no significant correlation was found between long sleep duration and obesity among the elderly (pooled odds ratio, 1.04 [95% CI, 0.95–1.13]; P = 0.426).

Conclusions

Short sleep duration in the elderly was associated with obesity. More prospective studies need to be included in the future to improve the reliability of the conclusions. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 1269–1282.
Developing a battery of physical performance tests to predict functional disability in Japanese older adults: A longitudinal study from the Kasama study
Authors: Lim Namhoon , Tsunoda Kenji , Nagata Koki , Asano Yujiro , Seol Jaehoon , Jindo Takashi , Tsuji Taishi , Okura Tomohiro
Published: October 2024

Aim

Preventing functional disability benefits the quality of life of older adults and mitigates the economic burden of an aging society. However, the most effective physical performance tests and optimal cut points for identifying older adults at risk of functional disability remain unclear, and Japan lacks physical function‐based assessment tools. We aimed to identify the physical performance tests related to functional disability and to develop a predictive test battery for it.

Methods

We included 975 older adults (mean 72.8 ± 5.2 years, 55.4% women) in Kasama City, Japan. Functional disability was defined as certification of care level 2 or above based on the long‐term care insurance system. Cox proportional hazards analysis examined the association between physical performance tests and incident functional disability.

Results

During a mean follow‐up of 8.6 years (maximum 14 years), 236 participants (24.2%) developed functional disability. After adjusting for covariates, higher performances in grip strength, single‐leg balance with eyes open (SLB), timed up‐and‐go (TUG), five‐repetition sit‐to‐stand (5‐STS), and 5‐m habitual walk were significantly associated with a lower risk of functional disability. In a stepwise model, SLB, TUG, and 5‐STS were key predictors of functional disability. Receiver operating characteristic analysis determined optimal cut points of 32.6/32.7 s for SLB, 6.5/6.6 s for TUG, and 7.8/7.9 s for 5‐STS. We developed a predictive battery combining these cut points (area under the curve = 0.78).

Conclusions

The developed battery of physical performance tests predicts future functional disability and is useful for screening older adults at high risk. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 1343–1349.
Community Preferences for Allied Health Services in Residential Aged Care
Authors: Meulenbroeks Isabelle , Raban Magdalena Z. , Seaman Karla , Rolfe Kathleen , Mercardo Crisostomo , Ludlow Kristiana , Wabe Nasir , Westbrook Johanna
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Exploring health consumer preferences in care is an essential foundational, and ongoing activity, when designing and delivering models of care. We undertook a study to explore: (i) what allied health (AH) services are most important to health consumers and (ii) how health consumers expect to access these services in residential aged care (RAC) to determine consumer priorities in future AH models of care in RAC.

Methods

A mixed method study was conducted with aged care residents and community members (friends or family of residents/people who believe they may use RAC services). The study comprised two focus‐group activities where participants were asked to (1) rank the AH services most important to them and then (2) categorise how they would prefer to access each AH service. Focus group members used card sort methods (Q‐methodology) to aid prioritisation, categorisation and discussion. Card sorting data were analysed using inverted factor analysis and descriptive statistics. Qualitative focus group data were deductively coded using a coding structure created by the research team informed by quantitative results.

Results

Data were collected from 16 participants who formed five focus groups in a community forum. The analysis revealed three factors, that represented shared meaning amongst groups of participants (viewpoints) regarding prioritisation of AH services: ‘Prioritising urgent needs’, ‘Prioritising long‐term healthy habits and lifestyle’, and ‘Prioritising social well‐being’. Data from the card sort activity, which related to ‘how health consumers expect to access AH services’, were also categorised into three categories: ‘It is always provided’, ‘A professional will assess my need’ and ‘I or my family will ask for this service if I need it’. Participants wanted most AH services to be provided regularly, with some such as ‘Exercise and rehabilitation’ and ‘Meaningful activity’ to be provided up to one hour every day.

Conclusion

Consumers value a range of AH services and have an expectation that these will be provided in RAC on a regular basis. To ensure consumers make informed preferences regarding the future of services in RAC, health systems need to trial innovative AH models of care and embed consumer evaluation.
Follicular lymphoma research: an open dialogue for a collaborative roadmap
Authors: Collin Mélanie , Gagey Guillemette , Shanmugam Vignesh , Louissaint Abner , Okosun Jessica , Sarkozy Clementine , Nadel Bertrand
Published: October 2024

Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the second most common type of lymphoma (20% of all non‐Hodgkin lymphomas), derived from germinal centre (GC) B cells, and is characterised by its significant clinical, prognostic and biological heterogeneity, leading to complexity in management. Despite significant biological investigation and indisputable clinical progress since the advent of the immunotherapy era more than 20 years ago, much remains to be done to understand and cure this lymphoma. Today, FL is metaphorically a giant puzzle on the table with patches of sky, landscape and foliage clearly appearing. However, many of the remaining pieces are held by various stakeholders (e.g. clinicians, pathologists, researchers, drug developers) without global agreement on what the gaps are, or any clear blueprint on how to solve the puzzle of understanding the heterogeneity of this disease and create curative and tailored therapies. With the advent of new investigation and drug technologies, together with recent advances in our capacity to manage big data, the time seems ripe for a change of scale. More than ever, this will require collaboration between and within all stakeholders to overcome the current bottlenecks in the field. As for every investigator, we acknowledge that this first draft is necessarily biased, incomplete and some FL expert readers might recognise some remaining gaps not addressed. We hope they will reply to make this effort a collaborative one to assemble all the pieces in the most ideal fashion. As such, this review intends to be a first step and an interactive platform to a collaborative roadmap towards better understanding and care of FL.
Black‐and‐white pepper: unravelling Cruella De Vil's medical diagnoses
Authors: D'Acunto Laura , Brigo Francesco
Published: October 2024

Cruella De Vil, the iconic character from Dodie Smith's novel The Hundred and One Dalmatians, was traditionally viewed through a psychodynamic lens as a figure embodying narcissistic personality disorder, psychosis and mania. In this article, we propose an alternative hypothesis that her erratic behaviour and distinctive physical appearance may be attributed to a chronic systemic condition.
Ex situ spawning, larval development, and settlement in massive reef‐building corals (Porites) in Palau
Authors: Bennett Matthew‐James , Grupstra Carsten G. B. , Da‐Anoy Jeric , Andres Maikani , Holstein Daniel , Rossin Ashley , Davies Sarah W. , Meyer‐Kaiser Kirstin S.
Published: October 2024

Reproduction, embryological development, and settlement of corals are critical for survival of coral reefs through larval propagation. Yet, for many species of corals, a basic understanding of the early life‐history stages is lacking. In this study, we report our observations for ex situ reproduction in the massive reef‐building coral Porites cf. P. lobata across 2 years. Spawning occurred in April and May, on the first day after the full moon with at least 2 h of darkness between sunset and moonrise, on a rising tide. Only a small proportion of corals observed had mature gametes or spawned (14–35%). Eggs were 185–311 μm in diameter, spherical, homogenous, and provisioned with 95–155 algal cells (family Symbiodiniaceae). Males spawned before females, and ex situ fertilization rates were high for the first 2 h after egg release. Larvae were elliptical, ~300 μm long, and symbiotic. Just 2 days after fertilization, many larvae swam near the bottom of culture dishes and were competent to settle. Settlers began calcification 2 days after metamorphosis, and tentacles were developed 10 days after attachment. Our observations contrast with previous studies by suggesting an abbreviated pelagic larval period in Porites cf. P. lobata, which could lead to the isolation of some populations. The high thermal tolerance and broad geographic range of Porites cf. P. lobata suggest that this species could locally adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions, especially if larvae are locally retained. The results of this study can inform future work on reproduction, larval biology, dispersal, and recruitment in Porites cf. P. lobata, which could have an ecological advantage over less resilient coral species under future climate change.
Causal association of circulating inflammatory proteins on neurodegenerative diseases: Insights from a mendelian randomization study
Authors: Lin Wenwen , Wu Xuewei , Ou Guanyong
Published: October 2024

Neuroinflammation is increasingly recognized as a pivotal factor in the development and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. While correlations between inflammatory cytokines and these diseases are documented, the definitive causal dynamics remain to be elucidated. We explored the causal association between 91 circulating inflammatory cytokines and Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS) and Parkinson's disease (PD) through Mendelian randomization analysis. Leveraging genetic variants from the most comprehensive genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) available for these cytokines, AD, ALS, MS and PD, we sought to uncover the causality. Our study validated a causal influence of genetically determined cytokine levels on the susceptibility to AD, with notable cytokines including C‐X‐C motif chemokine 1 (OR = 0.9993, p = 0.0424), Interleukin‐18 (OR = 0.9994, p = 0.0186), Leukaemia inhibitory factor receptor (OR = 0.9993, p = 0.0122) and Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (OR = 0.9992, p = 0.0026) in risk attenuation. Additionally, a positive causal relationship was identified between two cytokines—C‐C motif chemokine 19 (OR = 1.0005, p = 0.0478) and Fms‐related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (OR = 1.0005, p = 0.0210)—and AD incidence. Conversely, transforming growth factor‐alpha (OR = 0.8630, p = 0.0298), CD40L receptor (OR = 0.7737, p = 1.1265E‐09) and Interleukin‐12 subunit beta (OR = 0.8987, p = 0.0333) showed inverse associations with ALS, MS and PD, respectively. The consistency observed in various MR analyses, alongside sensitivity analysis, underscored the absence of horizontal pleiotropy, thus supporting our causal findings. This study reveals, for the first time, a genetically anchored causal nexus between levels of circulating inflammatory cytokines and the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
Hampered Monetary Policy Transmission ‐ A Supply‐Side Story?
Authors: HECKMANN‐DRAISBACH LOTTA , HARDT JULIA
Published: October 2024

This paper shows that the supply side of credit is a major factor for hampered monetary policy transmission in monopolistic banking markets. Our stress test data containing projected interest rates of all 1,555 small and medium‐sized banks in Germany under two hypothetical scenarios provide a clear way to partial out demand shocks that are unrelated to monetary policy; we are thus able to show that while market power banks charge higher loan rates, they spare their borrowers a part of exogenous monetary policy contractions and withhold a substantial part of rising rates from their depositors. Because high market power banks are relatively more profitable, these banks could be able to insure their relationship customers against adverse shocks.
Global Cancer Nurse's Experiences and Perceptions of Potential Occupational Exposure to Cytotoxic Drugs: Mixed Method Systematic Review With Framework Synthesis
Authors: Campbell Karen , Afseth Janyne , Dunham Margaret , King Maria , Dicksit Daniel
Published: October 2024

Aim

To conceptualise experiences and perceptions of cancer nurses' potential for occupational exposure when dealing with cytotoxic drugs (CDs).

Design

A mixed methods systematic review with framework synthesis.

Methods and Data Sources

A literature search was conducted in February 2022 in CINAHL PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid Nursing, and PsycINFO, and it was reported using the PRISMA guidance.

Results

A synthesis of 38 studies revealed new categories of perceived solutions, side effects, and risky behaviour as well as three levels of experience and perception: individual, shared, and cultural, rather than the a priori theory.

Conclusions

The review conclude that individuals espouse safe handling and administration of CDs. Synthesis highlights a complex interplay between self‐reported perception and the observed experience of potential occupational exposure to cytotoxic drugs.

Implications for Professional Practice

The framework synthesis highlights the difference between the perception of espoused practice and the experience of practice. Observation and risk assessment must be used to enhance safe practice. Organisations must take seriously the perception and experience of the adverse effects of administering cytotoxic drugs to support cancer nurses.

Reporting Method

Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) methodology for systematic reviews and framework synthesis indexed studies deductively and inductively.

No patient or public contribution.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO: CRD42022289276
The Association Between Mutuality and Quality of Life in Adults With Chronic Illnesses and Their Nurses: Actor‐Partner Interdependence Model Analysis
Authors: Cilluffo Silvia , Lyons Karen S. , Bassola Barbara , Vellone Ercole , Pucciarelli Gianluca , Clari Marco , Dimonte Valerio , Lusignani Maura
Published: October 2024

Aim

To examine the association between mutuality and quality of life in nurse–patient dyads.

Design

A cross‐sectional multi‐centre study was conducted.

Methods

The study was conducted in five tertiary hospitals in Italy. We enrol both inpatients and outpatients with chronic diseases and their nurses with a convenience sampling. One‐hundred ninety‐two dyads participated to the study. A self‐assessment instrument including the Short‐Form 12 Health Survey (SF‐12), and the Nurse Patient Mutuality in Chronic Illness scale (NPM‐CI scale), in the two versions—one for patients and one for nurses, was administered. The effects of nurse–patient mutuality on the physical and mental quality of life of nurses and patients were estimated with a series of actor‐partner‐interdependence models (APIM).

Results

Patients' and nurses' perceptions of their mutuality were positively correlated. For patient mental quality of life, there was a statistically significant actor effect both for patients, and for nurses. There was also a consistent statistically significant partner effect for patient mental quality of life. There were no statistically significant actor or partner effects for the nurses' and patients' physical quality of life. This construct may be influenced by additional components, further studies are needed.

Conclusions

Mutuality between nurses and patients in chronic diseases influence both patient and nurse quality of life.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Our results support the importance of taking a dyadic perspective when considering mutuality and quality of life in nurse–patient dyads.

Impact

Nurse–patient mutuality is an indicator of a high‐quality relationship, which allows shared goals and shared decision‐making. Quality of life is one of the most important outcomes for chronic conditions patients and is an indicator of well‐being. Quality of life is also an important variable in healthcare professionals' lives. Little is known about the association between mutuality and quality of life in nurse–patient dyads. Mutuality has an actor effect on patient's and nurse's quality of life and has a negative partner effect on patient's quality of life. The understanding of mutuality and interdependence within the dyad, could increase mental quality of life in nurse–patient dyads.

Reporting Method

STROBE checklist for cross‐sectional studies was followed in this study.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients were involved in the sample of the study.
Health Promoting School Program From Affordable Health Initiative: Implementation Process in Brazilian Schools
Authors: da Silva Mourthé Matoso Bárbara , Gomes Viviane E. , Nakao Marcelo , da Rocha Najara B. , Marcenes Wagner , Ferreira Raquel C.
Published: October 2024

BACKGROUND

This study evaluated stakeholders' perceptions regarding the initial implementation process of the health promoting school model proposed by the affordable health initiative (AHI HPS model) in schools of Belo Horizonte/BRA.

METHODS

The model has been implemented since 2019, by an implementation committee (IC) with members from university, health, and education sectors. Data were collected from records of the IC meetings (n = 10) and interviews with 5 IC members to evaluate the model's acceptability, adoption, appropriateness, and feasibility. The material was decomposed by content analysis.

RESULTS

Two categories and 7 subcategories emerged, suggesting that stakeholders found the model straightforward and well‐suited to schools. Facilitators (teamwork, motivation, commitment, teacher's central role, inclusive decision‐making, intersectoral responsibility pact, model alignment with school context) and barriers (family involvement, time constraints for curriculum integration, financial resource, school infrastructure, records difficulties, university unawareness of the school context) to implementation were presented.

IMPLICATIONS FOR SCHOOL HEALTH POLICY, PRACTICE, AND EQUITY

The results highlight the need to involve civil society and decision‐makers to make the program feasible.

CONCLUSION

Participants showed they accept and intend to contribute to implementing the model. They believe in the program's feasibility as long as teacher involvement is prioritized, and identified barriers are overcome.
Macrofaunal Biodiversity and Patch Mosaics on the Deep Gulf of Mexico Seafloor
Authors: McClain Craig R. , Hanks Granger , Copley Samuel , Bryant S. River D. , Schubert Brian A.
Published: October 2024

The deep‐sea benthos often exhibit exceptional biodiversity. The patch‐mosaic hypothesis proposes that this deep‐sea diversity arises from varied microhabitats with prolonged temporal persistence filtering for distinctive communities thereby increasing beta‐diversity. This study investigated environmental, community, and macrofaunal species turnover at four deep‐sea sites (~2000 m) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Using precise small‐scale sampling with a ROV, we analyzed patterns across spatial scales from centimeters to approximately 400 km among 67 sediment cores. We examined the relationships between sedimentary carbon, sediment grain size, and macrofaunal alpha‐ and beta‐diversity. Subsequently, we explored the role of these environmental properties and their spatial arrangement in shaping communities and species distributions. We observed a consistent trend where the overall abundance and diversity of a community increased with higher carbon but decreased with increasing grain size. Substantial faunal turnover was observed among cores, even at centimeter scales, with the contribution of centimeter‐scale spatial distance rivaling that of 100‐km scales in faunal dissimilarity. Similar to alpha‐diversity, beta‐diversity exhibited strong correlations with sediment carbon and grain size. The observed random spatial structure in grain size and carbon appear to translate into randomness in both community and species distribution. These findings align with the patch‐mosaic model, underscoring the complexity of deep‐sea ecosystems. These findings suggest an intricate relationship between sedimentary attributes, faunal composition, and spatial arrangement in the deep‐sea benthos, shedding light on the mechanisms driving biodiversity in seemingly homogeneous environments.
Wild birds as hosts of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and Anaplasmataceae (Rickettsiales) in the Atlantic rainforest ecoregion, Argentina
Authors: Vaschalde Paula J. , Flores Fernando S. , Tauro Laura B. , Monje Lucas D.
Published: October 2024

This study aimed to assess the presence of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia species infecting wild birds and their associated ticks in two localities: Moconá Provincial Park (MPP) and Piñalito Provincial Park (PPP), within the Atlantic rainforest ecoregion of Argentina. A total of 142 birds were captured representing 34 species, 28 genera, 15 families and five orders. Ticks were collected from 33 of these birds, comprising 19 species, 14 genera and one order. A total of 59 ticks were collected and identified as Amblyomma calcaratum (13 larvae and four nymphs), Amblyomma longirostre (31 larvae and four nymphs), Amblyomma ovale (one larva and one nymph) and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (five larvae). All samples were screened for detection of Anaplasma, Ehrlichia and Rickettsia DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Four bird species tested positive for Anaplasmataceae, with three closely related to Anaplasma and Ehrlichia species previously reported in A. calcaratum adults from a site 15 km away from MPP. The fourth Anaplasmataceae agent was phylogenetically related to Ehrlichia strains reported in Amblyomma triste from the Delta and Parana Islands ecoregion. Additionally, two Rickettsia species were detected and molecularly identified within ticks collected from birds: Rickettsia amblyommatis in A. longirostre larvae and Rickettsia rhipicephali in H. leporispalustris larvae. These findings suggest that birds may play a significant role in the spread of ticks and their associated tick‐borne pathogens across diverse biomes.
Morphological and molecular evidence for a new species of Russula subgen. Compactae from Pakistan
Authors: Ashfaq Ammara , Razzaq Annum , Naseer Arooj , Khalid Abdul Nasir
Published: October 2024

A new species of Russula has been collected from Punjab and Khyber pakhtunkhwa provinces, Pakistan. Russula punjabensis sp. nov. is characterized by grayish purple to grayish red pileus with brittle central region, white lamellae with brown striations, becoming brown at maturity, a rhizoidal base, small (7.48 × 6.64 µm) subglobose to broadly ellipsoid basidiospores as compared to R. acrifolia (7.7 µm), small (34.80 × 4.35 µm) cylindrical to narrowly fusiform pileocystidia and presence of clamp connections in pileipellis. Phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear ribosomal ITS & LSU nucleotide sequences confirm its novelty.
A synopsis of Monimiaceae (Laurales) in the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Cortes Caique Santos , Sano Paulo Takeo , Lírio Elton John de
Published: October 2024

This synopsis of Monimiaceae in the Brazilian Amazon provides illustrations, an identification key, the diagnosis and comments on the taxonomy and conservation status of the species. Data were collected from both physical and virtual herbaria as well as from relevant literature in order to compile information on morphological characteristics, geographic distribution and conservation status. Six species of Mollinedia are found in the Brazilian Amazon, including our proposal to reinstate Mollinedia krukovii, and a new record of Mollinedia repanda for Brazil. Mollinedia ptariensis is considered a synonym of M. repanda in this study. Macropeplus was previously reported for this biome but is now being excluded because it resulted from an incorrect identification. Furthermore, we document new occurrences of five species across various states within the Amazon. With respect to the risk of extinction, four species are categorized as ‘least concern' and two species remain formally non‐assessed. An initial regional assessment is presented in this work for the species not yet evaluated. In our preliminary assessment, M. krukovii was considered as presenting insufficient data for a risk assessment and Mollinedia grazielae was assessed as endangered. Overall, this study underscores the Amazon forest as the second largest center of richness of Monimiaceae species in Brazil.
Orchestrating ROS regulation: coordinated post‐translational modification switches in NADPH oxidases
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Zhang Dingliang , Zhong Chenchen , Li Wenli , Dinesh‐Kumar Savithramma P. , Zhang Yongliang
Published: October 2024

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are among the most important signaling molecules, playing a significant role in plant growth, development, and responses to various environmental stresses. Respiratory burst oxidase homologs (RBOHs) are key enzymes in ROS production. Plants tightly regulate the activation and deactivation of RBOHs through various post‐translational modifications (PTMs), including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, S‐nitrosylation, and persulfidation. These PTMs fine‐tune ROS production, ensuring normal plant growth and development while facilitating rapid responses to abiotic and biotic stresses. This review discusses the effects of different PTMs on RBOH function and their biological relevance. Additionally, we examine the evolutionary conservation of PTM sites and emphasize the complex interplay between multiple PTMs regulating RBOHs.
Larger, Not Leaner? Agencification and the Size of the Administrative Overhead in Local Governments
Authors: Kårtvedt Leif E.
Published: October 2024

Governments establish agencies to enhance public service efficiency, aiming to improve government performance. However, agencification makes governments' service delivery more complex by putting service providers at arm's length from governments' control. To retain their capacity to support frontline service delivery, governments may expand their central administrative overhead. Conceptually, overhead constitutes resources available to support primary production processes in the organization, such as managerial coordination and technical support. This study, based on survey and registry data from 296 Norwegian local governments, analyses whether agencification correlates with the size of administrative overhead across political systems. The findings reveal lower central administrative overhead in local governments with higher degrees of agencification, suggesting a challenge in providing central support for an increasingly disaggregated service delivery. Importantly, the study underscores the difficulty governments face in mobilizing adequate resources to achieve their stated goals.
Beyond Stocks and Surges: The Demographic Impact of the Unauthorized Immigrant Population in the United States
Authors: Van Hook Jennifer
Published: October 2024

Stock estimates of the US unauthorized foreign‐born population are routinely published, but less is known about this population's dynamics. Using a series of residual estimates based on 2000 Census and 2001–2022 American Community Survey (ACS), I estimate the components of change for the unauthorized immigrant population from 2000 to 2022 by region and country of origin. Further, I develop and present novel measures of expected duration in unauthorized status and demographic impact of unauthorized entries (i.e., person‐years lived in unauthorized status). Results reveal dramatic changes over the last two decades. In the early 2000s, the unauthorized immigrant population was dominated by Mexicans who tended to remain in the United States for extended periods of time and whose demographic impact on the US population was substantial. After the 2007–2008 Great Recession, a new pattern emerged. Unauthorized migrants now arrive from across the globe, including Central America and Asia (up through 2018), and most recently from Europe, Africa, Canada, Venezuela, and other parts of South America. These new unauthorized immigrants are more likely to arrive on temporary nonimmigrant visas (which typically allow a foreigner to live and work in the United States for six years) and, with the exception of Venezuelans, spend less time in unauthorized status. Overall, the demographic impact of this new type of unauthorized migration is lower than it was two decades ago.
The politics of pooling risk: People want to help the vulnerable by involving the government in healthcare
Authors: Alva Daniella P. , Andrews Talbot M. , Delton Andrew W.
Published: October 2024

Many people want the government involved in healthcare. Is this because citizens are concerned about their own vulnerability, the plight of vulnerable others, or both? To test for these concerns, we used representative surveys and experimental economic games. We found robust evidence for concern for others. In surveys, people who worried about vulnerable others wanted more government involvement in healthcare. In experiments, people with the opportunity to subsidize vulnerable others often helped. The evidence for personal concern was more mixed. In surveys, people who were personally vulnerable did not usually want more government involvement in healthcare. In experiments, however, vulnerable people often wanted more healthcare. Additional data suggests that concern for the vulnerable is motivated by social preferences, empathy, and compassion. We discuss how the logic of healthcare is different from other aspects of the welfare state and therefore needs to be studied separately.
Absurdity as the impossible command in natural deduction
Authors: Pezlar Ivo
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we propose a new approach to absurdity in the context of natural deduction for intuitionistic and classical logic. It combines the aspects of both the logical approach, which treats absurdity as a propositional constant, and the structural approach, which treats absurdity as a structural punctuation mark signalling the dead end of derivations. In particular, we will treat absurdity as an impossible command, that is, a speech act composed of an imperative force indicator, and the false propositional constant, that is, a proposition that cannot be true by definition. In return, we obtain a framework that constitutes a middle ground between the logical and structural approaches. For example, it allows us to consider the ex falso quodlibet rule as a kind of structural rule, specifically, a semi‐structural rule, and at the same time also maintain that negation can be reduced to implication of absurdity, specifically, to its propositional content.
Seed ecology of the arid zone invasive thistle; Centaurea melitensis L.: A study of the effects of seasonal temperature, pH, salinity and moisture stress
Authors: Humphries T. , Weller S. L. , Mahony A. , Javaid M. M. , Turville C. , Florentine S.
Published: October 2024

Centaurea melitensis L., known commonly as Malta thistle, is an aggressive and invasive weed species native to the Mediterranean region. This species now occupies a diverse range of ecosystems and climate types across the globe, including the semi‐arid zone of New South Wales, Australia. This semi‐arid climate differs dramatically from its native Mediterranean climate, therefore, we aimed to identify if local adaptations in the seed ecology for C. melitensis have developed. Seeds were collected from mature C. melitensis at Nanya Station, located within the Scotia region of NSW, and then transported to Federation University Australia, Mt. Helen, Victoria. Under laboratory conditions, mature seeds were tested for their germination responses to temperature (17/7, 25/15, 30/20, 35/25°C), photoperiod (12 h light and 12 h dark [L/D], 24 h dark [D]), salinity (0, 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 mM), osmotic potential (0, −0.1, −0.2, −0.4, −0.6, and −0.8 MPa), and pH (5, 6, 6.2, 7, 8, 9, and 10). The seeds achieved 100% germination in the 17/7°C treatment, with light not being a limiting factor. The seeds exposed to the 25/15°C (D) and 30/20°C (D) treatments also maintained high germination percentage, whilst germination was significantly reduced in the 35/25°C (D) treatment. The L/D photoperiod maintained a 77.5% germination rate at 35/25°C. Whilst increased salinity reduced seed germination from 97.5% in the control to 6% at 250 mM, this species nevertheless demonstrated resistance to osmotic stress with 23% germination observed at 0.8 MPa. Germination exceeded 90% at all of the soil pH treatments, although mean germination time was significantly reduced when seeds were treated with a solution of pH 10. Our results demonstrate that the C. melitensis seeds collected in Australia's semi‐arid zone demonstrated high germination plasticity and are capable of competitive germination in warmer and drier conditions compared to its native Mediterranean climate. Therefore, management efforts that prioritise restricting the spread of C. melitensis seeds into new environments, for example through practising correct sanitation protocols, coupled with the early detection and control of emerging populations will be critical for C. melitensis management in Australia.
The Role of Social Media in Promoting Inclusive Communication between the Non-Disabled and People with Disabilities through Accessibility Features
Authors: Abed Lowai G.
Published: October 2024

The study sought to establish whether social media can promote inclusive communication between people with disabilities and those without through accessible features in Saudi Arabia. Two areas of interest in the study were inclusivity and accessibility of social media features. People with disabilities must be included in the online space and have access to features that enable them to communicate easily. Social media communication can be sending a friend request, chatting, or responding to people's posts. The study engaged a self-report of 154 participants of varied levels of education and age groups, including gender, different provinces around the country, and the social media platforms they preferred. The descriptive and inferential analyses show that social media platforms can promote inclusive communication if accessible features are available. Accessible features include alt text, a simple user interface, hashtags, emoticons, and captions.
INFLUENCE OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL FACTORS ON THE SARS-COV-2 STRAIN ISOLATED FROM A DOG
Authors: Sadikaliyeva S.O. , Kalimolda E.Zh. , Abay Zh.S. , Shayakhmetov Ye.A. , Moldagulova S.U. , Shorayeva K.A. , Jekebekov K.K. , Omurtay A.D. , Zhunushov A.T. , Kozhabergenov N.S. , Yespembetov B.A. , Kassenov M.M. , Nurpeisova A.S.
Published: October 2024

This article presented the results of a study on the impact of physicochemical factors on the biological activity of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus isolated from a dog in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The results indicated that storing the virus at a temperature of -70°C led to a decrease in viral activity, similar to the effect observed when stored at room temperature. Storage at +40°C resulted in complete inactivation of the virus. The study on the effect of various concentrations of ionic and non-ionic detergents revealed that exposure to the ionic detergent DOC at concentrations of 0.1% and 0.5% caused a decrease in viral activity, while no change was observed at a concentration of 0.01%. The detergent SDS, at concentrations of 0.01%, 0.1%, and 0.5%, reduced the biological activity of the virus from the initial titer (5.25 lg TCID50/cm³) to 4.00 lg TCID50/cm³. Similarly, the use of non-ionic detergents, Triton X-100 and Tween-20, led to a reduction in viral activity from the initial titer to 4.50 lg TCID50/cm³.
The effect of pH in acidic, neutral, and alkaline environments on the biological activity of the virus was also studied. A decrease in viral activity was observed at acidic and alkaline pH levels, whereas a neutral pH environment had no impact on viral activity.
APPLICATION OF THE DNA BARCODING METHOD FOR IDENTIFICATION AND TAXONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE LAMIACEAE FAMILY
Authors: Zhumabay N.B. , Gubaidullin N.N. , Ishmuratova M. Yu. , Manabayeva S.A.
Published: October 2024

The Lamiaceae family is one of the largest and most important among the aromatic plants, including many species with pronounced pharmacological properties. Plants of this family, such as mint, rosemary and thyme, are widely used in traditional and modern medicine due to their therapeutic and biochemical properties. The importance of correct species identification is emphasized by the need to preserve the biodiversity and sustainable use of the resources of this family. In this work, plants of Lamiaceae family growing in the territory of the Karaganda region were studied by DNA barcoding. The studies were conducted on the basis of nucleotide sequences of rbcL and trnH-psbA chloroplast DNA barcodes using the methods of paired genetic distances, BLASTn and phylogenetic tree based on the analysis of maximum parsimony. The high efficiency of the rbcL locus was demonstrated for the identification of higher taxonomic groups, such as subfamilies and tribes, while the intergenic spacer trnH-psbAhasproved to be effectiveat the level of speciesandgenus level.
VIABILITY OF ORTHOPOXVIRUS STRAINS IN THE SELECTION OF A STABILIZER FOR LYOPHILIZATION, STORAGE AND TRANSPORTATION
Authors: Aliyeva A.B. , Aidarbekova D.B. , Barakbayev K.B. , Almaz E.K. , Serikbayov O.N. , Kenzhebayeva M.K. , Tabys Sh.T. , Nakhanov A.K. , Zhugunisov K.D.
Published: October 2024

The article presents the results of research on the choice of a stabilizer for strains "CP-65K" and "BIEMG-51" orthopoxviruses, which helps to preserve their biological activity during lyophilization, storage in various temperature and time conditions and transportation.
To select a stabilizing medium that ensures the greatest preservation of the virus during lyophilization and subsequent storage, depending on the composition of protective media, temperature and shelf life, we prepared 3 samples of each vaccine preparation with stabilizing additives: I and V samples consisted of 5 % peptone and 3 % sucrose; II and VI samples - of 3 % peptone and 2 % sucrose; III and VII samples - from skimmed milk; IV and VIII samples - control. All protective media were added to the viral materials in a 1:1 ratio.
As a result of the conducted studies, it was found that of the tested samples of stabilizing media, the most protective property for the strains «CP-65K» CPOX and "BIEMG-51" smallpox vaccine virus had a stabilizing medium consisting of a mixture of peptone (5 %) and sucrose (3 %) in the final concentration, which ensured the safety of vaccine strains for 12 months month. at a temperature of (2-8) °C and minus (40.0±1.0) °C without a significant decrease in their biological activity (6.50±0.14 lg TCID50/cm3 and 6.25±0.14 lg TCID50/cm3, respectively).
Mode Analysis for the Rotating Aerodynamic Disturbance of a Transonic Fan
Authors: Zhang Peng , Wang Zhuo , He Dan , Huang Danhong , Li Haobo , Du Lin , Sun Xiaofeng
Published: October 2024

The non-synchronous blade vibration induced by a rotating aerodynamic disturbance is encountered for the fan of a turbofan engine working at 65% speedline. To analyze the unsteady characteristics, two methods based on the phase analysis and the compressive sensing (CS) for spatially-undersampled data are proposed and applied to obtain the circumferential mode order of the aerodynamic disturbance, and their performance has been carefully examined at various parameters. It was shown that when there are sufficient probes, i.e., 7–8 in the present study, both the two methods can give a correct prediction to the dominant mode order (the highest is 26 in this work) for all non-engine-order (EO) frequencies. However, if less probes are used, the deterioration of accuracy can be observed for both the two methods and a better performance can be observed for the CS method. In order to suppress the blade vibration, the fan blade is trimmed to alter its solid eigenfrequencies and avoid the resonance, which is proved to be an effective anti-vibration design. The existence of the aerodynamic disturbance after the blade is trimmed also suggests that the vibration is not self-excited but induced by the resonance of the flow excitation and the structure. For the cases with and without vibration, the origin of these non-EO frequencies can be well explained by the spinning mode theory and the interaction between the blade vibration and a high-order blade passing frequency has been observed in this study.
A Data-Driven Method for the Derivation of Explicit Algebraic Reynolds Stress Models Applied to the Wake Losses of Low-Pressure Turbine Cascades
Authors: Deutsch Johannes , Fard Afshar Nima , Henninger Stefan , Jeschke Peter
Published: October 2024

This paper introduces and validates a data-driven approach to improve the prediction of linear eddy viscosity models (LEVMs). The general approach is adopted in order to improve the wake mixing of low-pressure turbine (LPT) cascades. The approach is based on the modification of the Boussinesq assumption. It follows the rationale applied in the derivation of explicit algebraic Reynolds stress models (EARSMs) by including additional second-order tensors, as suggested by Pope (1975, “A More General Effective-Viscosity Hypothesis,” J. Fluid Mech., 72(2), pp. 331–340. 10.1017/S0022112075003382 ) . The unknown scalar functions that determine the contributions of each second-order tensor to the Reynolds stresses are approximated as polynomials. A metamodel-assisted multi-objective optimization determines the value of each of the polynomial coefficients. The optimization minimizes the difference between the result of the EARSM simulation and reference data provided by a high-fidelity large eddy simulation (LES). In this study, tailor made EARSMs are calibrated in order to improve the prediction of the kinetic energy loss distribution in the wake of the T106C LPT cascade with an isentropic Reynolds number of 80,000. We showed that the wake losses predicted by state-of-the-art Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) turbulence models cannot reproduce the reference (LES) data. In the following, we investigated the influence of each polynomial coefficient of the (EARSM) on the flow solutions within a sensitivity study. The models generated by the approach reduced the deviations in total kinetic energy loss between the (LES) reference solution and the baseline model by approximately 70%. The turbulent quantities are analyzed to identify the physical correlations between the model inputs and the improvement. The transferability of the models to unseen test cases was assessed using the MTU-T161 (LPT) cascade with an isentropic Reynolds number of 90,000. A decrease of up to 80% is achieved regarding the deviations between the (LES) reference and the baseline RANS model. In summary, the suggested approach was able to generate tailor made EARSM models that reduce the deviations between RANS and LES for the mixing of turbulent wake flows.
The Elevated Temperature Tribological Performance of Tough and Superhard TaMoN–Ag Films With Solute and Nanocomposite Structures
Authors: Wang Huiying , Li Hang , Li Jianliang , Wei Ningxin , Sun Longlong , Huang Jiewen , Kong Jian , Wu Qiujie , Shi Yan
Published: October 2024

Films have been prepared with not only high hardness to guarantee excellent wear resistance but also high toughness to prevent brittle fracture at low to middle-high temperatures. On the basis of ternary transition metal nitrides with significantly improved hardness and toughness, TaMoN–Ag films with solute and nanocomposite structure were prepared by direct current (DC) magnetron sputtering technology. Friction wear tests were performed between room temperature (RT) and 700 °C. When doping with trace amounts of Ag atoms (∼1.12 at%, 4 W), TaMoN–Ag film maintain solid solution structure. TaMoN–Ag films with the Ag target power is 4 W show the highest hardness (H ∼ 62.1 GPa), which is 58% higher than TaMoN film and 44% better than that of TaMoN films. Meanwhile, a lower wear rate (KIC ∼ 5.87 × 10−7 mm3/N·m) is obtained. The tribological properties of TaMoN–Ag films at room temperatures are related to the H3/E2 and lubricious Ag phase, while the tribological properties at high temperatures are mainly due to the formation of lubricating binary metal oxides (AgxTMyOz (Magnéli phases)). The composite films generally have good resistance to plastic deformation.