Adaptive Structure Research Articles

Social Infrastructure and Organizational Resilience - A Theoretical Model

Abstract Background Considering resilience as a necessity for health care organisations (HCOs), many researchers argue that fluidity is a must and that organisational structures (formal and informal) hinder the adaptability and resilience of health care organisations. Contrary to this statement, my thesis posits that fundamental adaptive processes leading to new equilibria depend on a stable core that persists amidst change, enabling and catalysing these transformations. Methods The phenomenon of resilience within healthcare organisations is examined through the lens of sociological systems theory. Rooted in Talcott Parsons’ assertion that social systems, including healthcare organisations, must perform four basic functions (Adaptation, Goal Achievement, Integration, Latency: AGIL) to survive and function, our research uses the deductive method to derive the necessary structural social components required to cope with external demands. Results The application of the methods yields four complex basic structures rooted in the social structure of healthcare organisations: adaptive structures (flexible structures & resource generating structures), goal achievement structures (governance enabling collective goal setting, decision making and persistence), integrative structures (social capital and social networks) and sustainability structures (socialisation structure, knowledge base, organisational culture). Conclusions As the core of stability, this ‘four-component social infrastructure’ is essential for facilitating higher-order forms of resilience, such as new equilibria. In its absence, healthcare organisations would flounder during change, posing risks to the resilience of these HCOs. Thus, structure is indeed inherent in the chaos of resilience activities. In other words, there is order in the chaos of resilience, and it is essential. Key messages • Fundamental adaptive processes leading to new equilibria depend on a stable core that persists amidst change, enabling and catalysing these transformations. • There is order and structure in the chaos of resilience.

Ensemble-Enhanced Semi-Supervised Learning with Optimized Graph Construction for High-Dimensional Data.

Graph-based methods have demonstrated exceptional performance in semi-supervised classification. However, existing graph-based methods typically construct either a predefined graph in the original space or an adaptive graph within the output space, which often limits their ability to fully utilize prior information and capture the optimal intrinsic data distribution, particularly in high-dimensional data with abundant redundant and noisy features. This paper introduces a novel approach: Semi-Supervised Classification with Optimized Graph Construction (SSC-OGC). SSC-OGC leverages both predefined and adaptive graphs to explore intrinsic data distribution and effectively employ prior information. Additionally, a graph constraint regularization term (GCR) and a collaborative constraint regularization term (CCR) are incorporated to further enhance the quality of the adaptive graph structure and the learned subspace, respectively. To eliminate the negative effect of constructing a predefined graph in the original data space, we further propose a Hybrid Subspace Ensemble-enhanced framework based on the proposed Optimized Graph Construction method (HSE-OGC). Specifically, we construct multiple hybrid subspaces, which consist of meticulously chosen features from the original data to achieve high-quality and diverse space representations. Then, HSE-OGC constructs multiple predefined graphs within hybrid subspaces and trains multiple SSC-OGC classifiers to complement each other, significantly improving the overall performance. Experimental results conducted on various high-dimensional datasets demonstrate that HSE-OGC exhibits outstanding performance.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis of Acyclic Nucleosides and Their Therapeutic Applications.

DNA is commonly known as the "molecule of life" because it holds the genetic instructions for all living organisms on Earth. The utilization of modified nucleosides holds the potential to transform the management of a wide range of human illnesses. Modified nucleosides and their role directly led to the 2023 Nobel prize. Acyclic nucleosides, due to their distinctive physiochemical and biological characteristics, rank among the most adaptable modified nucleosides in the field of medicinal chemistry. Acyclic nucleosides are more resistant to chemical and biological deterioration, and their adaptable acyclic structure makes it possible for them to interact with various enzymes. A phosphonate group, which is linked via an aliphatic functionality to a purine or a pyrimidine base, distinguishes acyclic nucleoside phosphonates (ANPs) from other nucleotide analogs. Acyclic nucleosides and their derivatives have demonstrated various biological activities such as anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, etc. Ganciclovir, Famciclovir, and Penciclovir are the acyclic nucleoside-based drugs approved by FDA for the treatment of various diseases. Thus, acyclic nucleosides are extremely useful for generating a variety of unique bioactive chemicals. Their biological activities as well as selectivity is significantly influenced by the stereochemistry of the acyclic nucleosides because chiral acyclic nucleosides have drawn a lot of interest due to their intriguing biological functions and potential as medicines. For example, tenofovir's (R) enantiomer is roughly 50 times more potent against HIV than its (S) counterpart. We can confidently state, "The most promising developments are yet to come in the realm of acyclic nucleosides!" Herein, we have covered the most current developments in the field of chemical synthesis and therapeutic applications of acyclic nucleosides based upon our continued interest and activity in this field since mid-1990's.

A Grafting Hydrogen‐bonded Organic Framework for Benchmark Selectivity of C2H2/CO2 Separation under Ambient Conditions

Reticular chemistry and pore engineering have garnered significant advancements in metal‐organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks, leveraging robust metal‐coordination and covalent bonds. However, these achievements remain elusive in hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks, hindered by their inherent weakness in hydrogen bonding. Herein, we strategically manipulate the porosity of hydrogen‐bonded frameworks through a grafting approach, culminating in the synthesis of two isomorphic HOFs, HOF‐FJU‐99 and HOF‐FJU‐100, with distinct pore environments. Remarkably, HOF‐FJU‐100, with its microporous architecture, not only showcases exceptional stability but also achieves unparalleled separation efficiency and ultrahigh selectivity for C2H2/CO2 mixtures (50/50, v/v) under ambient conditions. Its IAST selectivity value of 201 stands as a benchmark, towering over all previously reported HOFs. The pore of HOF‐FJU‐100 boasts an electrostatic potential highly favourable for C2H2 adsorption, as evidenced by single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis revealing multiple hydrogen bonding interactions between C2H2 molecules and the framework. In situ gas‐carrier powder X‐ray diffraction analysis underscores the adaptability of pore structure, dynamically adjusting its orientation in response to C2H2, thereby enabling a highly efficient and specific separation of C2H2/CO2 mixtures through specific adsorptive interactions.

A Grafting Hydrogen-bonded Organic Framework for Benchmark Selectivity of C2H2/CO2 Separation under Ambient Conditions.

Reticular chemistry and pore engineering have garnered significant advancements in metal-organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks, leveraging robust metal-coordination and covalent bonds. However, these achievements remain elusive in hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks, hindered by their inherent weakness in hydrogen bonding. Herein, we strategically manipulate the porosity of hydrogen-bonded frameworks through a grafting approach, culminating in the synthesis of two isomorphic HOFs, HOF-FJU-99 and HOF-FJU-100, with distinct pore environments. Remarkably, HOF-FJU-100, with its microporous architecture, not only showcases exceptional stability but also achieves unparalleled separation efficiency and ultrahigh selectivity for C2H2/CO2 mixtures (50/50, v/v) under ambient conditions. Its IAST selectivity value of 201 stands as a benchmark, towering over all previously reported HOFs. The pore of HOF-FJU-100 boasts an electrostatic potential highly favourable for C2H2 adsorption, as evidenced by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis revealing multiple hydrogen bonding interactions between C2H2 molecules and the framework. In situ gas-carrier powder X-ray diffraction analysis underscores the adaptability of pore structure, dynamically adjusting its orientation in response to C2H2, thereby enabling a highly efficient and specific separation of C2H2/CO2 mixtures through specific adsorptive interactions.

Modeling the Causes of Urban Traffic Crashes: Accounting for Spatiotemporal Instability in Cities

Traffic crashes have become one of the key public health issues, triggering significant apprehension among citizens and urban authorities. However, prior studies have often been limited by their inability to fully capture the dynamic and complex nature of spatiotemporal instability in urban traffic crashes, typically focusing on static or purely spatial effects. Addressing this gap, our study employs a novel methodological framework that integrates an Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA)-based Stochastic Partial Differential Equation (SPDE) model with spatially adaptive graph structures, which enables the effective handling of vast and intricate geospatial data while accounting for spatiotemporal instability. This approach represents a significant advancement over conventional models, which often fail to account for the fluid interplay between time-varying weather conditions, geographical attributes, and crash severity. We applied this methodology to analyze traffic crashes across three major U.S. cities—New York, Los Angeles, and Houston—using comprehensive crash data from 2016 to 2019. Our findings reveal city-specific disparities in the factors influencing severe traffic crashes, which are defined as incidents resulting in at least one person sustaining serious injury or death. Despite some universal trends, such as the risk-enhancing effect of cold weather and pedestrian crossings, we find marked differences across cities in relation to factors like temperature, precipitation, and the presence of certain traffic facilities. Additionally, the adjustment observed in the spatiotemporal standard deviations, with values such as 0.85 for New York and 0.471 for Los Angeles, underscores the varying levels of annual temporal instability across cities, indicating that the fluctuation in crash severity factors over time differs markedly among cities. These results underscore the limitations of traditional modeling approaches, demonstrating the superiority of our spatiotemporal method in capturing the heterogeneity of urban traffic crashes. This work has important policy implications, suggesting a need for tailored, location-specific strategies to improve traffic safety, thereby aiding authorities in better resource allocation and strategic planning.

Concept, content and structure of the phenomenon of professional adaptation of military servicemen to military service through physical training and sports

The article is devoted to the analysis of the concept, content and structure of professional adaptation of military personnel to military service using means of physical training and sports. It was determined that the professional adaptation of military personnel is a complex process that includes psychophysiological, social and professional components. Special attention is paid to the role of physical training and sports in ensuring the effective adaptation of servicemen to the conditions of service, in particular in the context of the formation of the necessary physical, moral and willpower qualities and professional skills. On the basis of a systemic approach, the main elements and stages of the adaptation process, as well as their interrelationship and influence on the general level of combat readiness of servicemen, are revealed. Means of physical training and sports play an important role in the professional adaptation of military personnel. They contribute to increasing physical endurance, strengthening health, developing mental stability and forming teamwork skills. Thus, the professional adaptation of military personnel is the result of the complex influence of physical, psychological and social factors. Means of physical training and sports are important tools that contribute to a successful adaptation process, providing recruits with not only physical strength, but also psychological readiness for service, as well as integration into the military team.

Fault diagnosis method of rolling bearing of BN ball mill based on AESL-GA

Aiming at the shortcomings of incomplete and inaccurate knowledge-based Bayesian network (BN) construction methods, a BN structure construction method based on knowledge guidance and data mining is proposed. Aiming at the problem of inaccurate single signal fault diagnosis results and the uncertainty problem in fault information, the current signal and the vibration signal are fused to establish the feature nodes of the BN network, and the fault feature parameters of the two signals are extracted respectively. The feature basket is selected using the discrimination index method and used as the node of the BN structure feature layer. The initial BN structure constructed by expert knowledge is combined with the adaptive elite structure genetic algorithm (AESL-GA) for structural optimization. By adaptively restricting the search space in the evolution process, reducing the number of free parameters, improving its global search ability, and obtaining the optimal BN structure. The method is verified by the measured data of the ball mill rolling bearing of Jinchuan Company and the Paderborn University data set, which proves the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Nanostructural Influence on Optical and Thermal Properties of Butterfly Wing Scales Across Forest Vertical Strata.

Butterfly wing scales feature complex nanostructures that influence wing coloration and various mechanical and optical properties. This configuration plays a key role in ecological interactions, flight conditions, and thermoregulation, facilitated by interactions with environmental electromagnetic energy. In tropical forests, butterflies occupy distinct vertical habitats, experiencing significant light and temperature variations. While wing nanostructures have been widely studied, their variation across different vertical flight preferences remains underexplored. This study investigates the wing nanostructures of 12 tropical butterfly species from the Nymphalidae family, focusing on their optical, morphological, and thermal properties across different forest strata. We analyzed the optical response through diffuse reflectance in the UV, Vis, and NIR ranges, correlating these findings with nanostructural configuration and thermal stability using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Our results reveal a significant correlation between flight stratification and wing optical responses, alongside distinct nanostructural features within each stratum. This study demonstrates the variability in butterfly wing nanostructures along the vertical stratification of the forest to cope with environmental conditions, raising new questions for future research on eco-evolutionary flight and thermal adaptations. Additionally, this underscores the importance of understanding how these structural adaptations influence butterfly interactions with their environment and their evolutionary success across different forest strata.

Metabolic cross-feeding interactions modulate the dynamic community structure in microbial fuel cell under variable organic loading wastewaters.

The efficiency of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) in industrial wastewater treatment is profoundly influenced by the microbial community, which can be disrupted by variable industrial operations. Although microbial guilds linked to MFC performance under specific conditions have been identified, comprehensive knowledge of the convergent community structure and pathways of adaptation is lacking. Here, we developed a microbe-microbe interaction genome-scale metabolic model (mmGEM) based on metabolic cross-feeding to study the adaptation of microbial communities in MFCs treating sulfide-containing wastewater from a canned-pineapple factory. The metabolic model encompassed three major microbial guilds: sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB), methanogens (MET), and sulfide-oxidizing bacteria (SOB). Our findings revealed a shift from an SOB-dominant to MET-dominant community as organic loading rates (OLRs) increased, along with a decline in MFC performance. The mmGEM accurately predicted microbial relative abundance at low OLRs (L-OLRs) and adaptation to high OLRs (H-OLRs). The simulations revealed constraints on SOB growth under H-OLRs due to reduced sulfate-sulfide (S) cycling and acetate cross-feeding with SRB. More cross-fed metabolites from SRB were diverted to MET, facilitating their competitive dominance. Assessing cross-feeding dynamics under varying OLRs enabled the execution of practical scenario-based simulations to explore the potential impact of elevated acidity levels on SOB growth and MFC performance. This work highlights the role of metabolic cross-feeding in shaping microbial community structure in response to high OLRs. The insights gained will inform the development of effective strategies for implementing MFC technology in real-world industrial environments.

Investigating the Synergistic Effect of Decoration and Doping in Silver/Strontium Titanate for Air Remediation.

Strontium titanate (STO) and its variants have emerged as leading materials in photocatalysis, particularly for degrading nitrogen oxides (NOx), due to their non-toxic nature, structural adaptability, and exceptional thermal stability. Although the one-pot sol-gel method leads to high-quality photocatalysts, areas remain for improvement. This study examines the impact of ethanol as a cosolvent in STO synthesis, focusing on optimizing the water-to-ethanol volume ratio. The findings reveal that a 1:3 ratio significantly enhances macropore formation and photocatalytic efficiency, achieving 42% NOx degradation under LED within three hours. Furthermore, incorporating 8.0 wt.% Ag into STO substantially improves visible light absorption and enables complete NOx elimination, thanks to enhanced charge separation and localized surface plasmon resonance. Even at high temperatures (1100 °C), the Ag-STO photocatalyst maintains partial activity, despite exceeding silver's melting point. These results highlight the potential of STO-based materials for industrial applications, positioning them as a promising solution for effective NOx mitigation.

Adaptation of skin structures to environmental variations in anurans from southern and southwestern China.

Variations in skin structures can possibly reflect local adaptation to distinct environmental factors. As the primary interface with the surrounding environment, amphibian skin undergoes phenotypic innovations that play a key role in protection, water absorption, and respiration. However, the effects of environmental factors on skin structures have been examined in only a limited number of species. Here, we conducted a comparative analysis of the skin structures of 102 Chinese anuran species across varying geographical distributions and habitat types. Our results revealed that the total volume of granular glands and capillary density in the dorsal skin significantly increased with increasing latitude. We also found that the thickness of calcified layers in both dorsal and ventral skin was positively correlated with annual temperature and negatively correlated with humidity. Additionally, terrestrial species exhibited the largest dorsal granular gland, whereas arboreal species had the smallest one. Likewise, the largest dorsal mucous gland was observed in aquatic species, while the smallest was found in terrestrial species. These results highlighted the importance of understanding the relationship between skin phenotypes and environmental variables and thus providing conservation strategies based on the evolutionary adaptations in anurans. Our study can contribute to the broader knowledge of evolutionary biology in anurans by demonstrating how specific skin traits are linked to survival and fitness across various ecological contexts.

Methodological Approaches in Military Science Research

Scientific research is a prerequisite for progress in all areas of society, and military science is no exception. However, its specificities require careful analysis in order to identify specific methodological approaches to ensure the added value of the results obtained. Moreover, the need for continuous transformation and adaptation of military structures to the operating environment and to the specific characteristics of contemporary armed conflicts leads to an increased interest in identifying innovative solutions in this field. Academic research is the approach to provide feasible and viable solutions to these challenges. However, there are relatively few works that address the methodological peculiarities specific to the field of military science. For this reason, the present article analyses how to organize and conduct scientific studies in the military field, proposing a structured framework of methodological approach in 14 steps to ensure the logical coherence of the approach, while highlighting the specificities of the field under analysis.

Shape-Morphing in Oxide Ceramic Kirigami Nanomembranes.

Interfacial strain engineering in ferroic nanomembranes can broaden the scope of ferroic nanomembrane assembly as well as facilitate the engineering of multiferroic-based devices with enhanced functionalities. Geometrical engineering in these material systems enables the realization of 3-D architectures with unconventional physical properties. Here, 3-D multiferroic architectures are introduced by incorporating barium titanate (BaTiO3, BTO) and cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4, CFO) bilayer nanomembranes. Using photolithography and substrate etching techniques, complex 3-D microarchitectures including helices, arcs, and kirigami-inspired frames are developed. These 3-D architectures exhibit remarkable mechanical deformation capabilities, which can be attributed to the superelastic behavior of the membranes and geometric configurations. It is also demonstrated that dynamic shape reconfiguration of these nanomembrane architectures under electron beam exposure showcases their potential as electrically actuated microgrippers and for other micromechanical applications. This research highlights the versatility and promise of multi-dimensional ferroic nanomembrane architectures in the fields of micro actuation, soft robotics, and adaptive structures, paving the way for incorporating these architectures into stimulus-responsive materials and devices.

Reveal mechanical and optical properties changes during prolonged skin stretching via in vivo continuous investigation

Skin expansion is a well-established technique in plastic surgery, and recent studies have highlighted its potential in promoting hair regeneration. This study aimed to explore how the mechanical and optical properties of skin change during a prolonged stretching process. A hybrid method was developed to assess, in vivo, the effects of an 8-day skin stretching protocol—previously used in hair regeneration research—on the dorsal skin of mice. This method combined mechanical and optical measurement systems. Tensile stress–strain curves were generated using a spring-based setup, while optical properties such as scattering and birefringence were analyzed with a polarimetry imaging system that incorporated the Mueller matrix (MM) and Mueller matrix polar decomposition (MMPD) methods. The results showed that Young's modulus increased from approximately 5 kPa on day 1 to 60–100 kPa by days 6–8, indicating collagen fiber straightening and increased stiffness. Optical analysis revealed greater anisotropy in both scattering and birefringence, as reflected by changes in MM elements and MMPD results. These changes suggest skin adaptation and regeneration, particularly within the first 24 h of stretching. Interestingly, alterations in optical properties closely mirrored changes in mechanical properties, pointing to a coordinated process of structural remodeling and functional adaptation in the skin. These findings offer valuable insights into skin remodeling and adaptation, which could guide future tissue engineering strategies.

Beware of the Dark Side: The Rise of Cybercrimes

This study paper offers a top to bottom assessment of the mind boggling hardships introduced by cybercrime in India, pushed by the country's quick digitalization in different areas. The expansion in cybercrime occurrences, enveloping monetary extortion, information breaks, and cyberattacks, has arisen as a critical concern for partners in both public and business areas. This report investigations the essential drives executed by the Indian government, policing, and business elements to counter these difficulties. It inspects the developing complexities of digital dangers, evaluates the viability of current relief methods, and proposes thoughts for making a more adaptable and powerful network protection structure. The report offers fundamental bits of knowledge to upgrade India's safeguard against the raising scene of computerized dangers by tending to the essential causes and advancing nature of cybercrime in the country. The discoveries look to further develop India's online protection foundation and reinforce strength against expanding digital dangers.

Multivariate Flexible Metal-Organic Frameworks and Covalent Organic Frameworks.

Precise control of the void environment, achieved through multiple functional groups and enhanced by structural adaptations to guest molecules, stands at the forefront of scientific inquiry. Flexible multivariate open framework materials (OFMs), including covalent organic frameworks and metal-organic frameworks, meet these criteria and are expected to play a crucial role in gas storage and separation, pollutant removal, and catalysis. Nevertheless, there is a notable lack of critical evaluation of achievements in their chemistry and future prospects for their development or implementation. To provide a comprehensive historical context, the initial discussion explores into the realm of "classical" flexible OFMs, where their origin, various modes of flexibility, similarities to proteins, advanced tuning methods, and recent applications are explored. Subsequently, multivariate flexible materials, the methodologies involved in their synthesis, and horizons of their application are focussed. Furthermore, the reader to the concept of spatial distribution is introduced, providing a brief overview of the latest reports that have contributed to its elucidation. In summary, the critical review not only explores the landscape of multivariate flexible materials but also sheds light on the obstacles that the scientific community must overcome to fully unlock the potential of this fascinating field.

Variant of Organizational and Functional Adaptation Structures of a Typical Situational Centre to the Emergence of Crisis Situations

Due to the growing number of crisis situations (CS) in the modern world, such as natural disasters, man-made accidents, pandemics, cyber-attacks, financial crises, wars, and other negative events, it is important for the state to develop and adapt the organizational and functional structures of information and analytical units, including situation centers (SC), to respond effectively to such cases, thereby ensuring the country’s resilience in the face of negative circumstances. The purpose of the study is to consider and analyze a possible option for adapting the organizational and functional structure of a typical SC for more efficient functioning in the context of a CS. The research methods used in the article include content analysis, analysis, induction and hypothetical method. The article highlights the organization of information interaction between state structures during full-scale conflicts, the ways of resolving the SC in such conditions and the measures taken to respond effectively in a timely manner. Particular attention is paid to approaches to information counteraction in crisis management. The authors analyze the experience of countries around the world in establishing and operating SC and developing appropriate organizational and functional structures. Based on the results of the analysis, it is concluded that today there is a tendency to establish and operate crisis centers in countries around the world. However, it has been found that no publication pays sufficient attention to approaches to adaptation (improvement) of the structures of crisis centers to the emergence of the CS. The study is of great importance, since the proposed option of adapting the organizational and functional structure of a typical crisis center to the emergence of a CS opens up new opportunities for understanding effective methods of countering a CS and promotes the development of crisis management strategies, in particular in the context of hybrid confrontation and full-scale war.

Key internal drivers for an SME’s dynamic ambidextrous growth strategy: A case study of a Norwegian seafood group

This qualitative, explorative case study presents a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) in Norway that successfully pursued a dynamic ambidextrous growth strategy. The study applies a micro-foundation perspective and focuses on identifying and describing key internal drivers behind the group’s ambidextrous strategy. The empirical findings underscore ambidextrous owner-managers' pivotal role in facilitating strategic realignment, structural adaptation, and knowledge management to enable the case group’s long-term growth. This study contributes to the strategy literature by proposing a framework for theorizing how the identified key internal drivers can be employed to form a dynamic ambidextrous growth strategy in SMEs.

Bamboo fiber-enhanced UHPC: Early hydration and microstructural/mesoscale analysis

This study investigates the impact of incorporating bamboo fibers, a natural and renewable material, into ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) on its early hydration, mechanical properties, internal relative humidity, autogenous shrinkage, and microstructure. The results show that adding bamboo fibers significantly improves various UHPC properties. Bamboo fibers regulate hydration and prolong the hydration process through their water absorption and retention abilities. With a fiber content of 1.0 vol percent (vol%), the compressive strength increases by 10.2 %, reaching 97.1 MPa, and at 2.0 vol%, flexural strength and toughness increase by 37.9 % and 739.5 %, respectively. Additionally, bamboo fibers help maintain internal relative humidity above 98 % during the first 7 days of curing and reduce autogenous shrinkage by up to 55.9 %. The fibers also optimize the microstructure by minimizing voids, with a 1.0 % fiber content reducing the void ratio to 1.64 %. This reduces large voids and improves the material's density. Overall, bamboo fibers show great promise in enhancing UHPC's structural performance and environmental adaptability while being a sustainable and cost-effective material.