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The coordinated motion of animal groups through fluids is thought to reduce the cost of locomotion to individuals in the group. However, the connection between the spatial patterns observed in collectively moving animals and the energetic benefits at each position within the group remains unclear. To address this knowledge gap, we study the spontaneous emergence of cohesive formations in groups of fish, modeled as flapping foils, all heading in the same direction. We show in pairwise formations and with increasing group size that (1) in side-by-side arrangements, the reciprocal nature of flow coupling results in an equal distribution of energy requirements among all members, with reduction in cost of locomotion for swimmers flapping inphase but an increase in cost for swimmers flapping antiphase, and (2) in inline arrangements, flow coupling is non-reciprocal for all flapping phase, with energetic savings in favor of trailing swimmers, but only up to a finite number of swimmers, beyond which school cohesion and energetic benefits are lost at once. We explain these findings mechanistically and we provide efficient diagnostic tools for identifying locations in the wake of single and multiple swimmers that offer opportunities for hydrodynamic benefits to aspiring followers. Our results imply a connection between the resources generated by flow physics and social traits that influence greedy and cooperative group behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This paper focuses on the impact of EU structural funds (SFs) on the GDP per capita of 183 European NUTS‐2 regions throughout the 1990–2018 period. To allow for the endogeneity of funds allocation to regions, we estimate a bivariate structural panel VAR model, including a rich menu of control variables. Our main identifying restriction is based on the widely documented long lags affecting the implementation of EU's cohesion policy. Through a spatial VAR specification, we also estimate spillovers from local SF expenditure on other areas. We find highly significant multipliers measuring the local response of GDP to an exogenous shock in local SF expenditure, with a long‐run value settling at 2.7. Spillovers for GDP from an exogenous shock to SFs are also positive and significant, but much smaller (about one‐fifth of the within‐region responses). When partitioning our sample according to features suggested by the literature (stage of development, EU funding regimes, size), we find that within‐region multipliers are higher in lagging regions, especially if located in countries supported by the Cohesion Fund, and in regions with a larger population. Spillovers are also heterogeneous across different groups of regions, turning out to be negative in regions belonging to countries not supported by the Cohesion Fund. This evidence is largely validated in qualitative terms by refinements of the analysis concerned with the choice of proximity matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper introduces an alternative method for determining the shear strength parameters of concrete materials, specifically the rectangular section splitting method, to ascertain the shear strength parameters of concrete materials. Based on the Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion, formulas for calculating the cohesion (c) and the angle of internal friction (φ) of concrete materials are derived. Numerical simulation is employed to fit and solve for the coefficients involved in the formulas. Subsequently, the concrete rectangular section splitting method and direct shear tests are utilized to verify the derived formulas. The results indicate that there is a certain feasibility to the shear strength parameters obtained for concrete materials through the rectangular section splitting method. The cohesion (c) differs by approximately 3.65%, and the angle of internal friction (φ) differs by about 6.94% when compared to the shear strength parameters obtained through direct shear tests. This suggests that the rectangular section splitting method provides a viable approach for determining the shear strength parameters of concrete materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the domain of participatory research and co-creation, understanding the dynamic interplay between group cohesion and diversity is pivotal for fostering innovation. While diversity fuels the generation of novel ideas, cohesion ensures these ideas are effectively synthesized and implemented. This study aims to explore the nuanced role that facilitators play in navigating the balance between cohesion and diversity, particularly in groups characterized by pronounced faultlines. Employing agent-based modeling, the study examines how facilitators affect the cohesion-diversity nexus. The findings reveal a complex facilitator's paradox. While facilitative actions can successfully enhance group cohesion by mitigating the negative effect of faultlines, such efforts often inadvertently reduce the within-group diversity that is crucial for sparking innovative outcomes. These findings challenge the conventional view of faultlines as merely divisive and underscore the intricate role of facilitators in modulating group dynamics. This research discusses a novel framework for dynamic facilitation strategies, emphasizing the need for facilitators to skillfully balance cohesion and diversity. This framework not only enriches the theoretical understanding of group facilitation but also offers practical insights for optimizing collaborative innovation in diverse settings. This article is part of the theme issue 'Co-creating the future: participatory cities and digital governance'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the significant objects of remote sensing monitoring, landslides not only lead to huge economic losses, but also result in catastrophic environmental damage and human casualties. In the past few decades, piles are widely accepted and successfully applied in slope stabilization. Through numerical calculation based on limit equilibrium method, pile reinforcement effects on cohesive and cohesionless soil slopes are studied in this paper. The potential influencing factors are systematically analyzed, including cohesion, friction angle, pile truncation length, slope gradient, and soft band. A correlation was developed to predict the safety factor as a quadratic function of pile truncation length. The results show that pile reinforcement effect was related to the slope gradient and not to cohesion or friction angle. As the slope gradient increases, the pile reinforcement effect on the cohesive soil decreases, while that of the cohesionless soil increases. On the whole, the pile reinforcement effect of cohesive soil slope is better than that of cohesionless soil slope. For the slope with a soft band, the pile reinforcement effect gradually increases as the strength of soft band decreases. During the pile truncation process, the change in safety factor for slopes with a soft band can be divided into three phases: pile control phase, pile-soft band control phase, and soft band control phase. Piles are more suitable for reinforcing cohesive soil slopes containing soft bands, which can effectively improve the slope stability. The research results can provide reference for the rational use of piles and the reduction of geotechnical engineering hazards related to landslides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of pre-task planning and topic familiarity on the use of cohesive devices in second language (L2) writing. Cohesion, achieved through the appropriate utilisation of cohesive devices (local, global, and text), enhances text coherence and readability. However, the influence of pre-task planning and topic familiarity on cohesive device usage in L2 writing has received limited attention. To address this research gap, 32 L2 learners from an American university’s 15-week English for Academic Purposes (EAP) programme were randomly assigned to planning and no-planning groups. Participants completed both a familiar and an unfamiliar writing task, determined by a survey conducted at the outset of the study, with task order counterbalanced. The writing performances were analysed using 25 cohesion measures to examine the use of different cohesive devices. Results showed that pre-task planning and topic familiarity significantly impacted local and global cohesion measures, while text cohesion measures were sensitive solely to topic familiarity. Furthermore, planning and topic familiarity effects varied across different cohesion measures and aspects; connective usage was lower in the pre-task planning condition, whereas adjacent paragraph overlap in content lemmas and adjacent sentence overlap in all lemmas were higher in essays by pre-task planners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals within social groups respond to costs and benefits of sociality by adjusting the proportion of time they spend in close proximity to other individuals in the group (cohesion). Variation in cohesion between individuals, in turn, shapes important group‐level processes such as subgroup formation and fission–fusion dynamics. Although critical to animal sociality, a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing cohesion remains a gap in our knowledge of cooperative behavior in animals. We tracked 574 individuals from six species within the genus Canis in 15 countries on four continents with GPS telemetry to estimate the time that pairs of individuals within social groups spent in close proximity and test hypotheses regarding drivers of cohesion. Pairs of social canids (Canis spp.) varied widely in the proportion of time they spent together (5%–100%) during seasonal monitoring periods relative to both intrinsic characteristics and environmental conditions. The majority of our data came from three species of wolves (gray wolves, eastern wolves, and red wolves) and coyotes. For these species, cohesion within social groups was greatest between breeding pairs and varied seasonally as the nature of cooperative activities changed relative to annual life history patterns. Across species, wolves were more cohesive than coyotes. For wolves, pairs were less cohesive in larger groups, and when suitable, small prey was present reflecting the constraints of food resources and intragroup competition on social associations. Pair cohesion in wolves declined with increased anthropogenic modification of the landscape and greater climatic variability, underscoring challenges for conserving social top predators in a changing world. We show that pairwise cohesion in social groups varies strongly both within and across Canis species, as individuals respond to changing ecological context defined by resources, competition, and anthropogenic disturbance. Our work highlights that cohesion is a highly plastic component of animal sociality that holds significant promise for elucidating ecological and evolutionary mechanisms underlying cooperative behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed at a diachronic investigation of conjunction as a grammatical cohesive device in ELT research articles. A total number of 100 research articles concentrating on teaching writing skills in the EFL context, and were released in two extremes of 1980–82 and 2020–22 were selected. The caution was taken to choose the papers which were written by expert English writers. Working within a descriptive-analytical framework, the type and frequency of conjunctions used in the articles were examined. The results depicted that the frequency of conjunctions increased at the expense of dropping in their variation. Having looked more closely, we found that particular conjunctions grew in use while the others fell out of the writers' favor. This pattern was also visible in the studies in which non-English writers' research articles were examined. This change, therefore, is attributed to the development of the speech community and the rise of non-English writers. Eventually, we concluded that it might be better to revise our material in ESP classes to adapt to the changes in a speech community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Breakage dynamics and scaling of wet aggregates of rigid particles" delves into the behavior of wet particle aggregates using particle dynamics simulations. It examines how aggregates deform and break upon colliding with a flat wall, considering capillary and viscous forces. The research identifies different stages of deformation, cracking, and fragmentation based on the initial kinetic and capillary energies of the aggregates, presenting the results in a phase space diagram. The study sheds light on the impact dynamics of wet particle aggregates on rigid surfaces, highlighting transitions between inelastic rebound, plastic deformation, cracking, and breakage controlled by initial kinetic energy and capillary number. The findings offer valuable insights into scaling behavior, spreading dynamics, and the influence of system parameters on wet particle aggregates, calling for further research to validate the results. [Extracted from the article]

This study proposes a pseudo-static analytical formulation for calculating the active thrust force on cantilever retaining walls under seismic loads. The formula incorporates the effects of soil cohesion and failure surface shape and is applied to short-heel and long-heel cantilever walls. The results are compared to classic analytical methods and a numerical model. The proposed formula provides a good representation of wall behavior under low to medium seismic loads, with an extended range compared to classical methods. However, using 100% of the peak ground acceleration (PGA) overestimates the active force for medium to strong earthquakes, so reduced PGA values are recommended. The formula accurately predicts the failure surface inclination, with an accuracy of approximately 10°. Soil cohesion has no significant effect on the failure mechanism, but the heel length influences its effect on active force reduction. Overall, the study offers an improved analytical approach for assessing the seismic response of cantilever retaining walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell motility is crucial for many biological processes including morphogenesis, wound healing, and cancer invasion. The WAVE regulatory complex (WRC) is a central Arp2/3 regulator driving cell motility downstream of activation by Rac GTPase. CYFIPrelated Rac1 interactor (CYRI) proteins are thought to compete with WRC for interaction with Rac1 in a feedback loop regulating lamellipodia dynamics. However, the physiological role of CYRI proteins in vivo in healthy tissues is unclear. Here, we used Drosophila as a model system to study CYRI function at the cellular and organismal levels. We found that CYRI is not only a potent WRC regulator in single macrophages that controls lamellipodial spreading but also identified CYRI as a molecular brake on the Rac-WRC-Arp2/3 pathway to slow down epidermal wound healing. In addition, we found that CYRI limits invasive border cell migration by controlling cluster cohesion and migration. Thus, our data highlight CYRI as an important regulator of cellular and epithelial tissue dynamics conserved across species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sealant has been developed that improves upon current catheter-based treatments in the following ways: 1) Efficient delivery system, 2) No in situ polymerization, 3) No harmful byproducts, and 4) Cost-effective formulation. During the development process, particular attention was given to materials that were tunable, safe, and effective sealant agents. The thermo-responsive properties of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) provides an ideal foundation to develop an optimized solution. Through a combination of model-based and material testing, a hydrogel was developed that balances conformational factors to achieve a customized transition temperature, radiopacity suitable for visualization, mechanical properties suitable for delivery via 3Fr catheter, sufficient cohesion once applied to resist migration under physiological pressures and an improved safety profile. Two applications, embolization of lymphatic leakage and exclusions of the left atrial appendage (LAA), to eliminate LAA dead space to reduce the risk of thromboembolic events, were considered. The material and benchtop results for this product demonstrate the suitability of this new material not only for these applications but also for other potential healthcare applications. IMPACT STATEMENT: A sealant has been developed that improves upon current catheter-based treatments in the following ways: 1) Efficient delivery system, 2) No in situ polymerization, 3) No harmful byproducts, and 4) Cost-effective formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The instability process of the slope is governed by cohesion and dilatancy angle. The FEM and limit equilibrium method fail to accurately replicate the impact of cohesion and dilatancy angle on the dynamic instability of the slope. To address this limitation, this study employed a meshfree particle method known as smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH). Based on the Drucker–Prager yield criterion and elastoplastic constitutive model, the slope stability program was written in Fortran 90. This computational framework unveils the consequences of increasing the dilatancy angle on particle motion parameters, including velocity, displacement, time, and slope morphology. Furthermore, a comparative analysis was conducted to discern the variations in the sliding surface during slope plastic failure under conditions of zero and nonzero cohesion. This analysis serves to investigate the influence mechanisms of cohesion and dilatancy angle on slope stability. The research findings indicate the following key observations. First, the velocity, displacement, horizontal distance, and plastic strain of particle motion significantly increase as the dilatancy angle increases from 0° to 0.75φ (φ is the friction angle). The total duration of particle movement also increases correspondingly. When particles cease motion, the final morphology characterized by height and accumulation area increases as the dilatancy angle augments. Second, when the dilatancy angle is larger than 0.50 times the friction angle, the further increase in dilatancy angle has no significant effect on the particle motion. Third, when cohesion is zero, the slope fails to develop a shear band extending from the toe to the crest, and the sliding surface primarily adopts a linear form. When cohesion is present, the slope demonstrates an opposing pattern, and the sliding surface is mainly curved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study proposes a new and simple process that improves the quality of a hyaluronic acid (HA) filler crosslinked with 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (BDDE) using solution dispersion at a low temperature. This process involves the solvent being dispersed among the solute naturally after the mixing process. The process used in this study involved two reactions. First, the solution was dispersed among HA molecules (Mw = ~0.7 MDa) creating a well-homogenized mixture. Second, the decomposition and synthesis of HA occurred naturally in an aqueous alkaline solution (>pH 11), the weight average molar mass (Mw) was adjusted (Mw = ~143,000), and the crosslinking surface area was expanded, allowing for a high degree of crosslinking. Therefore, the viscoelasticity and cohesion of the filler increased with the new method compared to the previous process both at the lab scale (previous process:new process, viscosity (cP) = 24M:43M, storage modulus (Pa) = 306:538, loss modulus (Pa) = 33:61, and tack (N) = 0.24:0.43) and at the factory scale (previous process:new process, complex viscosity (cP) = 19M:26M, storage modulus (Pa) = 229:314, loss modulus (Pa) = 71:107, and tack (N) = 0.35:0.43). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The EU Treaties contain no provision akin to the clause in the United States Constitution empowering spending in the 'general Welfare', i.e., for the general public good. Nonetheless, supporters of a broad reading of the cohesion flexibility clause, Article 175(3) TFEU, now claim that the EU, in effect, already has that power. The claim is inspired by that clause serving as the sole legal basis for the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). This is the cornerstone of the NextGenerationEU (NGEU) Programme, the EU's massive borrowing and spending initiative that has directed a large amount of money to national priorities to address not just economic consequences of Covid but also longer-term issues of climate change, energy transition, and digitalization. This contribution critically assesses whether Article 175(3) TFEU can serve as the basis for general spending authority in the EU, particularly at the expense of its traditional role in regional development in Europe's economic periphery. The analysis draws on the historic purposes of cohesion policy, the existing case law on the limited scope of the cohesion flexibility clause, as well as legal opinions of the Council Legal Service on the same question. This contribution concludes that the crisis-driven reinterpretation of Article 175(3) TFEU not only undermines cohesion as developmental tool for the periphery, but it also raises serious concerns about democratic legitimacy and the rule of law at Europe's core. The EU may well need a general spending power, but the way to achieve it is not through institutional lawyers engaging in strained crisis reinterpretation outside of public scrutiny. Instead, what is needed is democratic politics pure and simple, i.e., Treaty change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study we explored the relationship between parent–child cohesion and physical activity among adolescents, as well as examining perceived social support and self-efficacy as mediators of this link. We integrated the Parent–Child Cohesion Scale, the Adolescent Physical Activity Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Self-Efficacy Scale, collecting data from 308 adolescents via paper questionnaires. The findings indicated that parent–child cohesion had a direct positive effect on adolescents' physical activity and also indirectly influenced physical activity through the individual and chain mediators of perceived social support and self-efficacy. These results contribute to a deeper theoretical understanding of the mechanisms behind adolescents' physical activity. From a practical perspective, our findings offer new methods and pathways for enhancing physical activity among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional traits of individuals and not just species can regulate ecological interactions with biotic and abiotic environments, yet how individual-level functional diversity (FDind) mediates the environmental effects on community properties (e.g., interaction patterns, connectivity and productivity) remains largely unexplored. Here, we assembled 4432 individuals from 30 macrophyte species across 26 lakes in south China and measured six functional traits -shoot height, specific leaf area, lamina thickness, leaf dry mass content, stem diameter and stem dry mass content—for each individual. We estimated FDind for macrophyte community in each plot using trait probability density framework. Path analysis revealed that functional richness promoted negative interactions (the absolute value of negative: positive cohesion as proxy of community interaction patterns) and thus community productivity at lower total phosphorus (TP) and shallower water, while functional divergence/redundancy reduced negative interaction and thus community productivity at shallower water, lower TP and higher altitude. Functional evenness decreased community productivity at higher TP and deeper water. Functional dissimilarity reduced community connectivity (total cohesion) and thus community productivity at deeper water and higher altitude. Our results highlight that FDind could modify the environmental effects (from local to regional) on the interaction patterns, network connectivity and productivity of macrophyte community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening disease that consists in the development of a tear in the wall of the aorta. The initial tear propagates as a discontinuity leading to separation within the aortic wall, which can result in the creation of a so-called false lumen. A fatal threat occurs if the rupture extends through the whole thickness of the aortic wall, as blood may then leak. It is generally accepted that the dissection, which can sometime extend along the entire length of the aorta, propagates via a delamination mechanism. The aim of the present paper is to provide experimentally validated parameters of a mathematical model for the description of the wall's cohesion. A model of the peeling experiment was built in Abaqus. The delamination interface was described by a piecewise linear traction-separation law. The bulk behavior of the aorta was assumed to be nonlinearly elastic, anisotropic, and incompressible. Our simulations resulted in estimates of the material parameters for the traction-separation law of the human descending thoracic aorta, which were obtained by minimizing the differences between the FEM predictions and the delamination force given by the regression of the peeling experiments. The results show that the stress at damage initiation, Tc, should be understood as an age-dependent quantity, and under the assumptions of our model this dependence can be expressed by linear regression as Tc = − 13.03·10−4·Age + 0.2485 if the crack front advances in the axial direction, and Tc = − 7.58·10−4·Age + 0.1897 if the crack front advances in the direction of the aortic circumference (Tc [MPa], Age [years]). Other model parameters were the stiffness K and the separation at failure, δf–δc (K = 0.5 MPa/mm, δf–δc = 0.1 mm). The material parameters provided by our study can be used in numerical simulations of the biomechanics of dissection propagation through the aorta especially when age-associated phenomena are studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deixis is one of the most prominent means of textual coherence in its formal aspect, as it possesses verbal techniques that contribute to linking complex relationships within the text, making it strong, solid, coherent and cohesive. Deixis, with its various types, contributes directly to the formulation of the formal framework of the text, since it is one of the most important means of composition by which semantic meanings are embodied. Deixis helps the word acquires its denotation and highlights its significance. The study discusses deixis in three sections: the first section deals with central pronouns, the second deals with demonstrative pronouns, and the third is about relative pronouns; with the aim of highlighting the extent of their contribution to the coherence of the texts in the collection of poetry Hadi Al-Rabi, and the cohesion of its parts. The researcher approaches this consistent means from two sides: the first is a theoretical study, and the second is tracking the presence of this linguistic means in the texts through an applied analytical study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explore the propagation mechanism of fracturing fractures in elastoplastic medium-deep formations, a fully coupled finite element model of seepage-stress in medium-deep formations was established by using the Moore-Coulomb plasticity criterion and the traction-separation law of cohesive units, and a series of numerical simulation studies were carried out on the strength of the temporary plugging agent, the length of the temporary plugging zone, the plastic parameters of the formation, the injection displacement and other influencing factors in the process of temporary plugging and fracturing, and the changes of each factor and the pressure and fracture width required to break through the temporary plugging zone were explored. The numerical simulation results show that with the increase of the length and strength of the temporary plugging zone, the pressure required for fracturing to break through the temporary plugging zone is also greater. Appropriately increasing the injection displacement is conducive to the formation of pressure holding and increasing the crack width. The results show that the lower the cohesion strength, the smaller the internal friction angle, the greater the plastic deformation, the higher the fracture propagation pressure, and the wider the crack width. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Political practice and academic discourse similarly assume that the local level has the potential to strengthen political cohesion in the European Union: it is the tier closest to citizens and implements a large share of European legislation. But what political cohesion actually is and how it can be achieved is less clear. The paper addresses this gap by analysing the local framing of political cohesion in Europe. Drawing on case studies in eight German cities, local Europe-related networks are investigated, focusing on how their ideas about their role in crafting political cohesion links to their Europe-related activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Group‐living in animals comes with a number of benefits associated with predator avoidance, foraging, and reproduction. A large proportion of fish species display grouping behaviour. Fish may also be particularly vulnerable to climate‐related stressors including thermal variation, hypoxia, and acidification. As climate‐related stressors are expected to increase in magnitude and frequency, any effects on fish behaviour may be increased and affect the ability of fish species to cope with changing conditions. Here we conduct a systematic review of the effects of temperature, hypoxia, and acidification on individual sociability and group cohesion in shoaling and schooling fishes. Searches of the published and grey literature were carried out, and studies were included or excluded based on selection criteria. Data from studies were then included in a meta‐analysis to examine broad patterns of effects of climate‐related stressors in the literature. Evidence was found for a reduction in group cohesion at low oxygen levels, which was stronger in smaller groups. While several studies reported effects of temperature and acidification, there was no consistent effect of either stressor on sociability or cohesion. There was some evidence that marine fishes are more strongly negatively affected by acidification compared with freshwater species, but results are similarly inconsistent and more studies are required. Additional studies of two or more stressors in combination are also needed, although one study found reduced sociability following exposure to acidification and high temperatures. Overall, there is some evidence that hypoxia, and potentially other climate‐related environmental changes, impact sociability and group cohesion in fishes. This may reduce survival and adaptability in shoaling and schooling species and have further ecological implications for aquatic systems. However, this synthesis mainly highlights the need for more empirical studies examining the effects of climate‐related factors on social behaviour in fishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consensus reporting is valuable for presenting unified scientific evidence to the public. When a consensus does not exist, I argue that scientists ought not to default to majority reporting in its place. Majority reporting has several epistemic drawbacks because it can obscure underlying justifications and lines of evidence, which may be in conflict or contested. I argue that minority reporting, in conjunction with majority reporting, is an epistemically superior mechanism for scientists to report on the full range of reasons and evidence available within a group. This article addresses several objections, including worries over group cohesion, fringe reporting, and elite capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses Charles Taylor's analysis of the 'politics of recognition', which reveals that the major versions of the latter share an ideological conception of Eros as a binding, unifying force. Such striving for oneness is seen as key to forming harmonious, just communities and nations, and ultimately global cohesion. I refer to this as the 'ideology of Eros'. However, Taylor highlights an ironically divisive opposition concerning how to realise such oneness, based on incompatible foundational principles: 'sameness' and 'difference'. Instead of a choice, Taylor opts for the demanding political task of ongoing negotiation between them. I augment Taylor's analysis by re-evaluating the figure of 'non-recognition' arising from Lacan's critique of the 'ideology of Eros', which is centred on Socrates' encounter with Alcibiades in Plato's Symposium and to which he adds his notion of genuine love, which affirms an ethic of healthy 'non-recognition'. I argue that this ethic supports the difficult political task that Taylor rightly calls for. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a corpus of narrative dialogues, we show that the use of "on" is not intended to define a clear and precise reference, but rather to share a point of view and introduce entities onto the verbal scene: "on" is used to make narrated entities and events salient while erasing the narrative source, thus creating a fuzzy, dynamic and evolving reference. This observation puts the usual categorization of "on" as "indefinite" into perspective, and instead highlights its essential role in structuring the narrative in a context of direct dialogues Our results thus reveal the contribution of "on" to the coherence and cohesion of discourse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two billion tons of iron ore is mined globally/year, still, a comprehensive protocol for obtaining discrete element method parameters is missing. A slight improvement in operational difficulties can translate into significant financial benefits. A direct measurement of discrete element method interaction parameters, such as sliding and rolling friction and cohesion energy between a pair of particles, is very difficult. Therefore, a bulk calibration approach is used to obtain discrete element method parameters that involve performing laboratory scale tests (angle of repose, wall friction angle, etc.), which are subsequently reproduced in the discrete element method model and adjusted through a novel, sequentially coupled central composite experimental design. Results are demonstrated through simulations of 14.5 wt-% moisture-containing iron ore (representing the most difficult scenario) flow through an industrially operational transfer chute. Four different liner materials were investigated. Interestingly, cohesion and frictional forces are found to be flow-determining rather than inertial forces, and the nature of the liner plays the most significant role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bonding strength between asphalt binder and aggregate is one of the major factors considered when developing flexible pavements. This study considered five factors to understand the most influential factor affecting the bonding strength at the asphalt aggregate interface and its impact on distresses in an attempt to limit their propagation. 60/70 penetration grade asphalt binder with different types of aggregate (basalt, granite, limestone, and marble) were investigated using the Binder Bond Strength (BBS) test. Three aging levels (unaged, RTFO, and PAV) with different curing temperatures (25, 40, and 60°C) and curing durations (24, 48, and 72 hr) were examined at two different curing conditions (dry and wet). Three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS software was utilised to quantify the significance of each factor on pull-off tensile strength (POTS) values. The results demonstrated that aging level, aggregate type, and curing temperature had a significant effect on bond strength. In contrast, curing type and curing duration did not show a significant effect as individual factors on the POTS values. It was found that increasing temperature had a detrimental effect on POTS for all combinations. On the other hand, short-term and long-term aging significantly increased the POTS values. Moreover, POTS values strongly depended on the aggregate type, as various aggregate types had different rankings. The POTS values decreased when samples were conditioned in water with a change in failure type. In dry conditions, the failure occurred within the asphalt (cohesive failure). The failure type changed from cohesion to adhesion after conditioning specimens in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Equitable development is one of the conditions for achieving a stable and just society. This assertion is corroborated by the numerous global and regional efforts to minimize inequality and ensure balanced development. By this recognition, decentralization, a system of governance where power cascades from centralized, remote structures to accessible local bodies, has long been floated as a tool for achieving development equity. In Ghana, decentralized units are unequally endowed, resulting in differing capacities for resource mobilization and service delivery. This study sought to accomplish two fundamental objectives, first to understand the nature of socioeconomic development performance dynamics among Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and whether spatial spillovers exist and mediate these dynamics. Second was to investigate whether socioeconomic development performance is converging over time. Using performance on the District League Table (DLT) as a proxy for socioeconomic development, global and local Moran's I analysis revealed statistically significant clustering of development performance, hinting at the presence of spatial spillovers. Leveraging spatially explicit Markov chains, findings indicated that most MMDAs were more likely to stay in their performance classes than transition to a different cohort, with this probability being the highest in the upper and lower classes. Nonetheless, MMDAs located within high performing neighborhoods were more likely to improve in their performance than their counterparts located in low performing neighborhoods. Further analysis also revealed a high degree of cohesion, where MMDAs' development performance tend to assume the direction of their neighborhoods. In the second objective, decomposed Theil index analysis revealed processes of convergence overall and within decomposed groups while between groups convergence appeared to have saturated. The study advocates for collective as opposed to piecemeal strategies for achieving equitable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper empirically estimates the impact of the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) on economic growth across European regions. The narrative of this paper is based on the convergence club hypothesis. In this context, we implement the data‐driven Phillips and Sul test to classify European regions into endogenously identified convergence clubs that tend to converge to different steady‐state equilibria. We find three substantially different convergence clubs in terms of both per capita output and spatial location: capital cities and metropolitan areas (along the so‐called "Blue Banana"), core countries, and the periphery. We observe a persistent core‐periphery pattern in terms of output per capita among European regions with different rates of convergence. The convergence club comprising capital cities and metropolitan areas converges almost four times faster than the rest of the EU. Subsequently, we estimate club‐specific growth regressions to investigate the impact of ESIF expenditures on short‐run economic growth. Our main identification strategy relies on two instrumental variables, namely the spatial lag of EFSI expenditures‐to‐GDP and the air distance to Brussels, to address a strong endogeneity problem in strongly biased relationship between ESIF expenditures‐to‐GDP and short‐run economic growth. Our results indicate a positive impact of ESIF expenditures‐to‐GDP on short‐run economic growth in the second (core) and third (periphery) convergence clubs, with the impact being twice as large in the latter compared to the former. These results remain robust when adjusting the growth regressions to use ESIF expenditures‐to‐population instead of ESIF expenditures‐to‐GDP, although the pronounced difference in effect magnitude among convergence clubs diminishes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Securing high-quality outcomes in educational settings necessitates an in-depth investigation of the antecedents of work engagement, a critical driver of excellence in these essential environments. Drawing on a sample of 551 Italian teachers (Mage = 47.61, SD = 10.29; 67.9% female), this study delves into the mechanisms through which extroversion, a key personality trait, significantly enhances work engagement. Results from multilevel structural equation modeling indicate that the effect of extroversion on engagement is mediated by both individual-level and team-level resources. Specifically, personal resources, such as positive emotions, along with team resources, such as cohesion, were found to play a crucial mediating role. The findings not only reinforce the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) theory's relevance in educational settings but also offer practical insights for school administrators, helping them leverage these dynamics to foster more engaging and supportive work environments, ultimately enhancing teacher well-being and effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the challenging subjects in geological and geotechnical engineering is the effects of soil specimen disturbance in order to determine several physical and strenght characteristics. Disturbance occurs in all stages, including drilling the borehole, preparing, transporting and conducting tests in the laboratory. Practically, it is impossible to prepare an ideal undisturbed sample. Due to the difficulties of preparing undisturbed samples, especially in soil layers, the tests are mostly performed on the remolded samples. Several studies have been conducted on the methods of evaluating sample disturbance. The target of this study was to evaluate the effects of disturbance on the strenght properties of clay soils as case study of Tabriz city. By conducting uniaxial compressive and direct shear tests on undisturbed and remolded samples, the effects of disturbance and sensitivity of the samples were investigated. Generally, the compressive strength of remolded samples decreases due to disturbance. In addition to determining Spearman's correlation coefficient, linear and non-linear regression analysis were performed in order to estimate the compressive strength of the undisturbed sample. By determining the sensitivity ratio, the sensitivity of samples is low. Correlation between the strength of undisturbed and remolded samples in direct shear test, including cohesion and internal friction angle, was studied by performing regression analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses the creation and implementation of the first Standards for Intercultural Education in North Macedonia, which are applicable throughout the entire primary school level. Although The National Education Program, i.e., The Comprehensive Strategy for Education and Action Plan 2018-2025 of North Macedonia, addresses the importance of ensuring quality control of the educational process, until 2021, no standards existed for both primary and secondary education in the country. The existence of intercultural standards should play a crucial role in fostering inclusive societies and preparing young individuals to navigate diverse global environments. Given that active citizenship and inclusion are the fundamental values of the EU, the drafting and ratification of these standards in the country was prioritized as the cornerstone of promoting multiculturalism and intercultural integration. The paper gives an overview of the national and international documents that have been used as the foundation in the drafting of these standards. The way in which these standards have been created, and the pedagogical and didactical principles upon which they were organized will be discussed. The paper aims to highlight the key principles and practices of intercultural education as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the approved standards in North Macedonia. Through the analysis of those standards and the practical samples provided, this paper underscores the importance of intercultural education standards in the country but also in promoting inclusive societies, enhancing cultural awareness, and preparing individuals to thrive in an interconnected world, thus hopefully reducing stereotypes, prejudices, and even radicalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All texts are made up of single words, words and sentences that are put together for a specific purpose to convey a specific meaning or concept. A text is a longer unit than a sentence and becomes a discourse when it is coherent. In coherence theory, text analysis is at the core of all readings. In fact, the author reflects his real and meta-real world with the help of language and maintaining the relationship between the elements that make up the text, adding to the semantic depth, effectiveness and allure of the text as well as its appeal to the audience. The present study analyzed the elements of the text coherence in Ibn Hussām Khosfi's Khāvarān Nāma, using Halliday and Hassan's text coherence theory (1976 AD), in the two categories of "grammatical and lexical". One finding of this research is that lexical and semantic elements, especially the element of repetition, are the first and foremost factor of coherence and cohesion of the text. Considering that the Khāvarān Nāma is an epic-narrative text from the omniscient point of view, the text has a central axis and the reference of pronouns in the sentences, as another important factor in text coherence, is both limited and specific. What creates this unity and coherence is the poet's profound thought, which flows in the longitudinal axis of the poems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Mining Science & Technology is the property of Journal of Mining Science & Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Djoussour El-maarefa is the property of Association of Arab Universities and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Unsaturated soils exhibit distinct physical and mechanical characteristics compared to dry or saturated soils. Ignoring the influence of unsaturation (matric suction) and assuming either dry or saturated conditions can lead to unreliable predictions of pile behavior in unsaturated soils. In this study, the pullout capacity of different physical model piles driven in unsaturated Kaolinite-Bentonite matrices is investigated. A series of lab-scale pullout tests were carried out to examine the influence of matric suction, pile type, pile L/D ratio, and undrained cohesion (cu) of soil on the ultimate pullout capacity of model piles. Soil samples were prepared and compacted in a tank, and holes were created using a pile. Four model piles (solid and hollow stainless steel) were driven into the holes, ensuring proper spacing. Incremental loading was applied until the piles slipped out, with displacement measured by an LVDT. The pile pullout capacity increased with increased matric suction and undrained cohesion. The uplift capacity increased by 50% to 136% as matric suction increased by 157.97% as the compaction state was changed from 0.95γd(max) on the wet side of optimum moisture content (OMC) to 0.95γd(max) on the dry side of OMC of the compaction curve. However, for the compaction state of 0.90γd(max), the matric suction increased by 398.80%, leading to a 275% to 800 % increase in the uplift capacity. As the cohesion of the five samples increased from 17.84 kPa to 137.84 kPa, the uplift capacity of all the model piles increased. In Kaolinite-Bentonite mixes compacted on the dry side of OMC, hollow model piles resisted higher pull-out loads than solid model piles. The increase in uplift capacity was found to be in the range of 11.11% to 75% for different combinations of pile type and compaction density (matric suction). The results from the study imply a strong influence of matric suction, undrained cohesion, L/D ratio, and pile type on pullout capacity for piles driven in unsaturated Kaolinite-Bentonite mix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iraqi cities in general, and the city of Mosul in particular, face a major problem represented by the ill-considered changes occurring in the urban fabric and residential neighborhoods as a result of the invasion of commercial shops into these areas, which has led to the creation of social problems that have affected the social behavior of residential neighborhoods. The Al-Muthanna area was chosen on the left side of Mosul to study the impact of the development of Al-Muthanna Commercial Street on the urban fabric of the residential area. The research relied on a descriptive analysis of the area and a study of sites of change, and graphic analysis was also adopted. The practical study showed a significant weakness in the relationship that achieve the comprehensive unity of the urban scene, which indicates the absence of a unified language in designing the components of the urban street. The results also showed a significant weakness in visual gradation and visual continuity, while there was a clear presence of the concepts of inconsistency and contrast. The results indicate the presence of a state of disintegration and incoherence in the urban scene of the studied street, in addition to the great dissonance between its compositional components. This is due to the failure to use a pre-planned and structured design language when converting functional use from one function to another, which negatively affects urban structures and formations. When changing the functional use of a particular urban scene, it is essential to do so carefully and in accordance with design criteria that ensure visual compatibility and cohesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Petroleum Research & Studies is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of International Journal of Language Academy: IJLA is the property of Rota Kariyer and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Mountain Research (10082786) is the property of Mountain Research Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Returning pruned branches into the field is a key procedure in kiwifruit cultivation. It utilizes discarded branches and aids in orchard management. Shearing and bending behaviors dominate the mechanized process of branch return; however, current research lacks appropriate modeling methods for these processes. In this study, we developed a discrete element method (DEM) model to simulate the shearing and bending behaviors of kiwifruit branches. Initially, laboratory experiments determined the shear strength and elastic modulus of branch samples to be 31.38 MPa and 1.21 GPa, respectively. An annular kiwifruit branch DEM model was constructed. A Plackett–Burman design test identified significant influencing factors: effective modulus of bond, bond cohesion, effective modulus between ball and wall, and the normal-to-shear stiffness ratio. Utilizing the response surface method, we derived relationships between DEM parameters and mechanical responses. Optimal parameter combinations were found: an effective modulus of bond at 2.2 × 109 Pa, bond cohesion at 2.56 × 108 Pa, effective modulus between ball and wall at 1.27 × 108 Pa, and a normal-to-shear stiffness ratio of 1.16. Finally, simulations of the shearing and bending processes were conducted. The optimal parameter combination was verified with a relative error of 4.5%. Displacement–force curves showed general consistency, indicating reliability in the modeling approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate how shared leadership, as perceived by players within a soccer team, influences teamwork execution and the state of flow. To achieve the objectives of this study, a purposive sampling method was employed, and soccer players registered with the Korea Football Association were selected as the research participants. Subsequently, data were collected using self-report surveys on shared leadership, teamwork execution, and flow state. Data from 415 participants were utilized for analysis, and data analysis was conducted using the SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 21.0 programs. Shared leadership was found to have a positive association with teamwork execution and the state of flow. Furthermore, the mediating effect of teamwork execution in the relationship between shared leadership and the state of flow was found to be significant. The results of this study emphasize the influence of leadership that is shared among team members rather than the effectiveness of individual leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the Ukrainian ecclesiastical crisis, focusing on the granting of autocephaly to the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in 2019 and its global repercussions. The study highlights the schism with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), which views this move as a challenge to its canonical authority and geopolitical influence. A key case examined is the ROC's establishment of the Exarchate in Africa, traditionally under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Alexandria, showcasing how theological disputes intersect with geopolitical ambitions. The article delves into issues such as nationalism, the Russky Mir ideology, and canonical principles to analyze the broader implications for Orthodox unity, synodality, and global mission. It argues that while the crisis threatens ecclesiastical cohesion, it also offers an opportunity for renewal, reflection, and a redefinition of Orthodox structures to better navigate contemporary challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Arabic Language Sciences & Literature / Maǧallaẗ ʻUlūm Al-Luġaẗ Al-ʻArabiyyaẗ Wa-Ādābi-hā is the property of Arab Journal of Sciences & Research Publishing (AJSRP) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Benggangs are a unique type of soil erosion commonly found in southern China, with the gully wall being the most dynamic component of the Benggang system and is crucial for assessing its overall progression. The unsaturated shear strength of soil in Benggang areas is a key factor influencing the stability of the gully wall. However, quantitative analyses of the unsaturated shear strength in the gully walls of Benggangs remain limited. In this study, the soil–water characteristic curves (SWCC) and shear strengths of undisturbed soil samples from four different soil layers in the gully wall of Benggang were measured using a pressure membrane meter and a quadruple direct shear apparatus. The results revealed that the water holding capacity of the soil decreased gradually with increasing matrix suction, and the order of the water holding capacity was the sandy soil layer > transition layer > laterite layer > clastic layer. With an increasing soil water content (SWC), the shear strength, cohesion (c), and internal friction angle (φ) of the four soil layers decreased significantly, and the φ showed a power function decreasing curve (p < 0.05), whereas c in the laterite layer and transition layer exhibited a power function decreasing curve (p < 0.01). The c of the sandy soil layer and clastic layer decreased linearly and logarithmically (p < 0.01) with increasing SWC, respectively. The unsaturated shear strength model for the four soil layers was developed based on the Vanapalli model. The root mean square error (RMSE) of the simulated and measured values was less than 29.349, while the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and R2 values were greater than 0.638 and 0.788, respectively. The model can be used to analyze and predict the unsaturated shear strength in different layers of Benggang gully walls, providing a theoretical foundation for studying the erosion mechanisms of Benggangs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hollow slabs have been widely used for medium- and small-span bridges, but hollow slab bridges occasionally encounter connecting problems. The key to solve the problems is to ascertain the contact mechanism and subsequently find an approach to simulate them. This paper focuses on developing a cohesion–friction model for concrete interfaces and implementing nonlinear analysis of hollow-slab bridges through a general finite element software. First, the positions and moving tendencies of interfaces in hinge joints are investigated; the stress states on these interfaces can be divided into compression‒shear, tension–shear and pure shear states. Second, a simplified cohesion–friction model for concrete interfaces is proposed in which the shear resistance under different stress states is deduced based on Mohr's strength theory. Third, the accuracy of the proposed model is verified by a conventional cohesion–friction model. Finally, the proposed model is applied to predict the behaviours of hollow-slab bridges in finite element analysis. Research results indicate that the shear resistance of a concrete interface can be predicted by the proposed model and the behaviours of hollow-slab bridges can be represented by the finite element model. The slab deflection is seriously affected by the friction coefficient and shear strength of the interfaces; hence, it is necessary to calibrate these indexes in advance of numerical simulation analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, new self-adhesive materials were obtained based on cross-linked silicone self-adhesives obtained by modifying the composition with the addition of a silicon filler, olivine. Silicone pressure-sensitive resin DOWSIL 7358 was used as a basis and modified with various amounts of olivine. New materials (self-adhesive tape samples) were characterized in terms of peel adhesion, tack, cohesion at room and elevated temperatures, SAFT test (shear adhesion failure temperature), pot life (storage stability), and shrinkage (dimensional stability). During the tests, an increase in thermal resistance (>225 °C) and a drastic reduction in shrinkage values (below 0.5%) were noted for all modified samples tested. All tests were performed in compliance with international standards, e.g., FINAT FTM 1, FINAT FTM 8, FINAT FTM 9, FINAT FTM 14, and GTF 6001. This allows us to conclude that the new material has significant application potential due to the good performance results. The results of adhesion and tack were in ranges accepted in the PSA industry, cohesion was kept at an unchanged level (above 72 h), and a great increase in the thermal resistance was observed (from 147 °C for pure resin to high above 225 °C for even the smallest additions of the olivine powder. Moreover, the shrinkage of prepared adhesive films was reduced significantly. In the available literature, there are no references to the modification of adhesives using powdered silicon minerals of natural origin, which is a novelty due to their higher bulk density compared to commercial powdered silicon fillers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Adab Al-Kufa is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract Polyurethane (PU) adhesive derived from lignin-based polyol can be used as a substitute for urea–formaldehyde (UF) adhesive for plywood because it can be used for exterior application, it is more environmentally friendly, and does not produce formaldehyde emissions. This research work aimed to investigate and evaluate the adhesive performance of lignin-based PU adhesive for bonding plywood, synthesized by mixing methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), polyol, polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), and lignin, then applied to the rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis) veneers and hot-pressed at a temperature of 120 °C and a pressure of 2.5 MPa for 4 min. The lignin yield obtained was 36.17%, moisture content 5.07 ± 0.71%, ash content 0.31 ± 0.19%, and lignin purity 95.32 ± 0.61%. The increased addition level of PVOH/lignin resulted in decreased solids content of the adhesive, while viscosity, cohesion, torque, storage modulus, loss modulus, and tan delta increased. Based on the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis results, urethane bonds were identified in both the adhesive and plywood. Lignin-based PU adhesive formulas with 10%, 20%, and 30% PVOH/lignin fulfilled the minimum requirements for delamination, tensile strength, and wood failure, as specified by the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) No. 233:2003. Markedly, plywood bonded lignin-based PU adhesive with 30% PVOH/lignin met the standards of JAS No. 233:2003 for exterior grade plywood.