Assumptions Of Theory Research Articles

Validation of the simplified Chinese version of PROMIS Parent Proxy-25 Profile in parents of children with cancer

PurposeTo determine the psychometric properties of the Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Parent Proxy-25 Profile (PROMIS-25) in a sample of Chinese parents of children with cancer. Design and methodsA cross-sectional sample (N = 148) of parents with children aged 5–17 years living with cancer was recruited. Each participant completed sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires and PROMIS-25. The flooring and ceiling effects were calculated. Reliability was determined by the Cronbach's alpha and split-half coefficient. Factor structure was examined by factor analysis. Model fit and graphical plots were assessed to test the assumptions of Rasch model-based item response theory (IRT). Differential item functioning (DIF) was assessed in terms of gender, age, and treatment stage. ResultsPROMIS-25 demonstrated some flooring and ceiling effect, excellent reliability (Cronbach's α > 0.7 for all six domains), and the six-domain factor structure was supported. The IRT assumptions were met in terms of unidimensionality, local independence, monotonicity, and measurement equivalence with acceptable DIF in terms of gender, age, diagnosis, and treatment stage. ConclusionPROMIS-25 is a highly reliable and valid instrument for evaluating children with cancer that assesses important health-related quality of life domains of child cancer. Practice implicationChinese parents of children with cancer and healthcare providers could use PROMIS-25 to assess the symptoms of children.

Role of Market Microstructure in Price Convergence: A Meta Analysis

This study aims to revisit the assumptions of economic theory that lead to the predictions of competitive equilibrium theory. Extensive work has already been done to answer how well these assumptions of microeconomic theory approximate the real-world market. In this context, two kinds of tools can be found in the literature that tries to answer this question. One is experimental economics (EE) where individuals are involved in a simplified market that mirrors the real-world markets. Human behavior is observed here under an alternating set of rules. The second tool is agent-based Modeling (ABM) which approximates the real-world markets with artificial agents where every agent possesses unique characteristics and the market comprises a diverse set of decision rules. In ABM, computer simulations imitate human behavior. Our results, however, state that with Zero Intelligence agents, the market is not even closer to the level of prediction of a theoretical competitive market. It also makes sense as random number generations should not lead the market to a level of efficiency higher than human agents and we cannot rule out the importance of rationality possessed by humans to bring more efficient results than ZI agents with no rationality.

Role of Market Microstructure in Price Convergence: A Historic Meta-Review

This study aims to revisit the assumptions of economic theory that lead to the predictions of competitive equilibrium theory. Extensive work has already been done to answer how well these assumptions of microeconomic theory approximate the real-world market. In this context, two kinds of tools can be found in the literature that tries to answer this question. One is experimental economics (EE) where individuals are involved in a simplified market that mirrors the real-world markets. Human behavior is observed here under an alternating set of rules. The second tool is agent-based Modeling (ABM) which approximates the real-world markets with artificial agents where every agent possesses unique characteristics and the market comprises a diverse set of decision rules. In ABM, computer simulations imitate human behavior. Our results, however, state that with Zero Intelligence agents, the market is not even closer to the level of prediction of a theoretical competitive market. It also makes sense as random number generations should not lead the market to a level of efficiency higher than human agents and we cannot rule out the importance of rationality possessed by humans to bring more efficient results than ZI agents with no rationality.

Rethinking the division of labor in IR: ‘critical’ and ‘problem-solving’ theories

Decades after their incorporation into the discipline, the argument that critical approaches are marginalized in the discipline of International Relations (IR) is increasingly becoming questionable. Thus, it is a good time to reflect on critical approaches’ evolution and achievements, as well as their ‘marginalized position in IR’ and relations with conventional approaches. For this aim, this paper focuses on realism(s) and critical theory(ies) while asking whether these two research traditions are conducting 'fair criticisms' to each other based on their own claims and whether their criticisms help develop IR theory's capacity in explaining and/or understanding world politics or undermine it. Accordingly, the paper first analyzes the realist school of thought in IR, going through the main arguments of classical realism, structural realism, and neo-classical realism. Second, it focuses on the development and main assumptions of critical theory (Marxist-inspired approaches, Frankfurt School and Neo-Gramscianism) mainly by focusing on Cox and Ashley's works and critical scholars' readings of them. Third, the paper discusses the main points of cleavages between the two approaches mainly based on the famous division of labor (criticizing vs solving problems), and their criticisms to each other while assessing the pearls and pitfalls of each. Following the discussion, the paper asks whether is there a way out of these dichotomies and whether it is possible to create a productive dialogue between 'problem-solving' and 'critical' schools of thought.

A Theory and Test of Pledge-Based Voting: The Limited but Real Effects of Election Pledges on Citizens’ Vote Choice

Do voters decide on the basis of the election pledges political parties make? Although this is a key assumption in most democratic theories and, seemingly, among parties who issue dozens of pledges during campaigns, the scientific literature does not provide a clear answer to this question. This article develops a theory of pledge-based voting and a research design that allows for studying the electoral effects of pledges in real-time as the campaign unfolds. Based on a novel experimental design embedded in panel surveys administered during and after the 2019 Danish national election campaign (N = 6233), we estimate that the most salient pledges affect vote choice by between 1.1 and 2.1 percentage points averaged across the electorate. While modest, these effects can be decisive in the often highly competitive context of modern elections. The findings have implications for our understanding of political behavior, party politics, and normative theories of democracy.

The Economic Theory Assumption and Utility Maximization Model: The Perspective of Zakat Compliance Behavior

The dearth of studies on the economic theory and model from the perspective of zakat compliance behavior is hardly found in the literature and empirical evidence as well. Numerous studies have been explained through utility maximization and compliance behavior especially in the context of taxation based on the economic theory assumption. Discussion on compliance behavior has two basic theories that are associated with compliance; firstly, the psychological and sociological theory, and secondly, the economic theory that is always used to discuss compliance behavior in taxation. Due to that, this study aims to discuss the relevant economic theory and model from the perspective of zakat compliance behavior. In reviewing the relevant literature, this article provides a discussion on economic theory and model as a basis for explaining zakat compliance which includes a number of aspects like the economic aspect, psychological and sociological aspects as well as the Islamic aspect as previously suggested by some studies. Additionally, it demonstrates that economic theory and model also can be used to discuss Zakat compliance behavior and not purposely in the taxation system. Based on the discussion, this study will hopefully shed some light that even though the theory and model mainly discuss conventional perspectives such as the taxation system but it’s also can be adapted to discuss on Islamic perspective with some modification.

Institutional Legacies and the Decision to Commit Genocide

Despite their striking similarities, which include population demographics, size, and a legacy of inter-group conflict, the collapse of democratization in Rwanda and Burundi in the early 1990s led to genocide in Rwanda and a different type of violence in Burundi. This study suggests that to better comprehend why risk factors lead to genocide in some cases and not others, focus must be placed on howthese factors are perceived by those in power of the state experiencing them. This study introduces a model that uses Comparative Historical Analysis (CHA), process tracing, and the inclusion of a decision model built on the assumptions of prospect theory to explain this variegated outcome. This study is unique from others in that there has been no attempt made by genocide scholars to combine prospect theory and historical institutionalism to explain variations in the occurrence of genocide.

The Relationship between Capital Structure and Firm Performance: The Moderating Role of Agency Cost

Since it first appeared, agency theory has argued that debt can decrease agency issues between agent and principal and enhance the value of firms. This paper explores the moderating effect of agency cost on the association between capital structure and firm performance. A panel econometric method, namely a fixed-effect regression model, was used to evaluate the above description. This investigation uses secondary data collected from published annual reports of manufacturing firms listed on Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) during 2011–2019. Empirical results show that capital structure is negatively related to firm performance. Agency cost also has a negative impact on corporate performance; however, in the case of ROA and EPS, the relationship is positive. Interestingly, the findings illustrate that increasing the level of debt can reduce agency costs and enhance firm performance. Moreover, robust correlations are revealing that agency cost significantly affects the relationship between capital structure and corporate performance. These findings provide proof to support the assumptions of agency theory, which explains the association between capital structure and performance of firms. This study provides new perspectives on the relationship between capital structure and firm performance by using data from listed manufacturing firms in Iran; hence, these new insights from a developing market improve the understanding of capital structure in Asian and Middle Eastern markets.

Reliability analysis for system with dependent components based on survival signature and copula theory

Recently, survival signature theory has been widely used in system reliability analysis. However, there are few studies that address the extension of survival signature theory to component-dependent systems. This study proposes a copula-based survival signature method to obtain an analytical solution for system reliability considering component dependence. It consists of two steps: constructing the dependence structure and utilizing the copula function to compute the analytical probability structure. The effectiveness of the Archimedean copula function in describing component dependence and its compliance with the exchangeability assumption in survival signature theory are first derived. Then, using Sklar's theorem, the analytical solution for the probability structure is determined based on the inclusion-exclusion principle. Finally, the hierarchical Archimedean copula function is employed to build a more sophisticated dependent structure. It is demonstrated that the satisfaction of the exchangeability assumption under the hierarchical Archimedean copula structures depends only on whether the joint distribution probability function of the components in the same type is constructed by a unique Archimedean copula function. Three separate systems with imprecise dependent information are employed in the reliability analysis in order to show the validity of the proposed method. The findings show that given a straightforward series-parallel system with a single type of component, the system reliability initially drops and then rises as the dependence parameters in the copula function grow at each time point. Additionally, the approach is more precise and effective than the simulation method when it comes to the study of complex systems.

Accurate and scale-free pressure prediction for many-body dissipative particle dynamics

We have developed a generalized mean-field equation of state suitable for many-body dissipative particle dynamics method in a homogeneous system, which is accurate and valid at arbitrary level of coarse-graining in pressure prediction. Specifically, the truncation influences caused by finite cutoff radius have been mitigated to satisfy with the assumption of mean-field theory, and the so-called local density has been replaced with global one in the frame of homogeneous system. Our present work represents an advancement toward establishing a robust and reliable one-to-one parameter mapping protocol based on mean-field theory.

Application of redefined J-integral range ΔJ for ultra-low cycle fatigue problems with large magnitude of elastic-plastic deformation

The redefined J-integral range ΔJ by a domain integral representation was applied to the ultra-low cycle fatigue problem of a 1 T compact tension (1TCT) specimen. The specimen was subject to large magnitude of cyclic deformation. The redefined J-integral range ΔJ is unconditionally independent of size and shape of its integral domain. The subloading surface plasticity model was adopted to appropriately reproduce the cyclic stress-strain behavior of the material. Finite element analyses on and evaluations of ΔJ were performed on the ultra-low cycle fatigue problem of a 1TCT specimen made of stainless steel SUS316. The outcomes of present study show the followings: (i) use of the redefined J-integral range ΔJ under the assumption of finite deformation theory, ductile crack propagations in ultra-low cycle fatigue problems can be characterized and (ii) deformation and load-displacement hystereses of the experiments can appropriately be reproduced by the use of the subloading surface plasticity model.

Technical Paper on Stock Prediction using Machine Learning Algorithms

Abstract: In today's financial world, a stock market is quite important. The stock market's worth is an important part of today's global economic system. The stock market attracts a large number of people from all areas of life, whether corporate or academic. Because of the non-linear structure of the stock market, research is one of the world's hottest and most important topics. People invest in the stock market based on previous theory outcomes or assumptions. When it comes to forecasting, people typically look for ways or procedures to help them reduce risk and improve performance. As a result, in today's competitive stock market, stock value forecast is crucial. Critical and technical studies' approach cannot guarantee the consistency and accuracy of estimations. As a result, machine learning technology has risen in popularity in stock forecasting over the last 5-6 years, with estimates based on current stock values that have been educated in terms of prior values. This research focuses on using LSTM (Long Short Time Memory) technology to forecast future market trends.

Dynamic prospect theory: Two core decision theories coexist in the gambling behavior of monkeys and humans.

Research in the multidisciplinary field of neuroeconomics has mainly been driven by two influential theories regarding human economic choice: prospect theory, which describes decision-making under risk, and reinforcement learning theory, which describes learning for decision-making. We hypothesized that these two distinct theories guide decision-making in a comprehensive manner. Here, we propose and test a decision-making theory under uncertainty that combines these highly influential theories. Collecting many gambling decisions from laboratory monkeys allowed for reliable testing of our model and revealed a systematic violation of prospect theory's assumption that probability weighting is static. Using the same experimental paradigm in humans, substantial similarities between these species were uncovered by various econometric analyses of our dynamic prospect theory model, which incorporates decision-by-decision learning dynamics of prediction errors into static prospect theory. Our model provides a unified theoretical framework for exploring a neurobiological model of economic choice in human and nonhuman primates.

The role of socio-philosophical theories in ideas about the integration and disintegration of societies (based on T. J. Bernard’s approach)

The article is devoted to the revision of the validity of opposing the concepts of social integration as a consensus and social disintegration as a conflict. The methodological basis is the rethinking of the back-ground assumptions of influential socio-philosophical theories proposed by T. J. Bernard. It is shown that along with the understanding of social integration as order and consolidation, and disintegration as conflict and deviation, there are also other interpretations in the structure of socio-philosophical thought. In some of these interpretations, social integration characterizes ideal, not real, societies and is not related to social practice, while in others, social integration immanently includes a disintegration process.

Heat and mass transfer analysis of non-Newtonian radiative nanofluid flow driven by the combined action of peristalsis and electroosmosis

The present numerical investigation uncovers the flow, heat, and mass transfer of ethylene glycol-based nanofluid (BN-EG) led by the combined impacts of peristaltic pumping and electroosmosis. The thermal conductivity of carrier liquid is deemed to change with temperature. Further, the features of electric field, Ohmic heating, radiative heat flux, mixed convection, and magnetic field are taken. Mathematical modeling is conducted under the assumption of lubrication theory. The nonlinear-coupled equations are addressed numerically by implementing Shooting method. The effective results of all physical constraints linked with the flow model are vigilantly studied and highlighted through various curves. The observations obtained from current analysis reveal that temperature augments with higher electroosmotic parameter. However, the Joule heating parameter increases the rate of heat transmission, while a lower rate of heat transfer is perceived for the radiation parameter. An increment in Helmholtz–Smoluchowski velocity increases the velocity profile. Pressure gradient rises in a forward way when electrical field favors peristaltic flow. Concentration of nanomaterial considerably declines when concentration Grashoff number is assigned higher values.

Board gender diversity and capital structure: Evidence from the Portuguese listed firms

This investigation analyzes the impact of board gender diversity on the financial policies of non-financial Portuguese listed firms between 2010-2019. The study applies the two-step Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) for econometric analysis. The results show that board gender diversity affects firms’ capital structure. While female directors have no determinant role in defining firm indebtedness levels, they significantly contribute to its structure. Our results demonstrate that female directors, particularly those with executive roles, consistently contribute to reducing firms’ long-term debt and prefer to issue short-term debt. Moreover, female directors tend to manage trade over financial debt, especially in older firms. Independent female directors play a significant role in smaller firms by decreasing long-term and financial debt. The study supports the notion that gender diversity on the board contributes differently to the firms’ financial policies. Additionally, the findings are in line with the assumptions of agency, resource dependence, and pecking order theories. This study shows that gender diversity promotes short-term debt as a substitute for bank loans to avoid increasing firms’ risk, which ultimately impacts the definition of financial debt levels.

Do Intellectual Capital and Financial Performance Connect With Stock Price Volatility?

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the effect of intellectual capital (IC) and financial performance on stock price volatility Methodology: The methodology used is a quantitative approach with panel data regression analysis. The sample selection method used a purposive sampling method with criteria set by the researchers resulting in 37 mining companies from 2014 - 2021. Findings: The results of this study indicate that human capital, structural capital, and capital employed do not affect stock price volatility. Relational capital has a significant positive effect on stock price volatility. Furthermore, earnings volatility and return on assets show a significant positive effect on stock price volatility. The results of this study reject the assumptions of the resource-based view theory. This study has implications for practices in the capital market, where most investors have yet to consider IC in their investment decisions. Novelty: Not much research has been done on the renewal of stock price volatility; The intellectual capital factor uses the Value-Added Intellectual Capital (VAIC) method in the form of human capital, structural capital, employed capital and rational capital; The financial performance factors used are earning volatility, dividend payout ratio and return on assets; Renewal of research objects using mining sector companies; Research data from 2016-2021.

Physical performance tasks were linked to the PROMIS physical function metric in patients undergoing hemodialysis

ObjectivesTo investigate whether a multi-item performance outcome measure, the physical performance test (PPT), can be calibrated to a common scale with patient-reported outcome measures, using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) physical function (PF) metric. Study Design and SettingWe analyzed baseline data (N = 1,113) from the CONVINCE study, an international trial in end-stage kidney disease patients comparing high-dose hemodiafiltration with high-flux hemodialysis. Assumptions of item response theory (IRT) modelling were investigated for the combined set of the nine-item PPT and a four-item PROMIS PF short form (PROMIS-PF4a). We applied unidimensional IRT linking for calibrating the PPT to the PROMIS PF metric. ResultsAlthough some evidence for multidimensionality was found, classical test statistics (Cronbach's Alpha = 0.93), Mokken (Loevinger's H = 0.50), and bifactor analysis (explained common variance = 0.65) indicated that PPT and PROMIS-PF4a items can be used to assess a common PF construct. On the group level, the agreement between PROMIS-PF4a and linked PPT scores was stable across several subsamples. On the individual level, scores differed considerably. ConclusionWe found preliminary evidence that the PPT can be linked to the PROMIS PF metric in hemodialysis patients, enabling group comparisons across patient-reported outcome and performance outcome measures. Alternative linking methods should be applied in future studies using a more comprehensive PROMIS PF item set.

Item response theory assumptions were adequately met by the Oxford hip and knee scores

ObjectivesTo develop item response theory (IRT) models for the Oxford hip and knee scores which convert patient responses into continuous scores with quantifiable precision and provide these as web applications for efficient score conversion. Study Design and SettingData from the National Health Service patient-reported outcome measures program were used to test the assumptions of IRT (unidimensionality, monotonicity, local independence, and measurement invariance) before fitting models to preoperative response patterns obtained from patients undergoing primary elective hip or knee arthroplasty. The hip and knee datasets contained 321,147 and 355,249 patients, respectively. ResultsScree plots, Kaiser criterion analyses, and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed unidimensionality and Mokken analysis confirmed monotonicity of both scales. In each scale, all item pairs shared a residual correlation of ≤ 0.20. At the test level, both scales showed measurement invariance by age and gender. Both scales provide precise measurement in preoperative settings but demonstrate poorer precision and ceiling effects in postoperative settings. ConclusionWe provide IRT parameters and web applications that can convert Oxford Hip Score or Oxford Knee Score response sets into continuous measurements and quantify individual measurement error. These can be used in sensitivity analyses or to administer truncated and individualized computerized adaptive tests.

Improving startups through excellence initiatives: addressing circular economy and innovation.

This study analyses how startups implement circular business models supported by innovation and Industry 4.0, in which strategic stakeholders for value creation are to be found in this specific business ecosystem. The theoretical framework of circular business models supported by innovation was used for analysing the startups based on some assumptions of stakeholder theory. Fifty-one startups were selected, which correspond to the unit of analysis for this study on the improvement of supply chains through circular business models supported by innovation aimed at sustainability in organizations. We conducted a multiple case study whose results suggest that: (i) circularity is strategic for the business to assume its commitment to a sustainable development agenda, especially regarding pollution prevention and proactive action; (ii) visionary entrepreneurs are actively engaged with circular economy practices and technological innovation to promote a circular flow for their business ecosystem; (iii) Industry 4.0 is still incipient, but it is synergistic and beneficial for a successful circular economy in startups; and (iv) primary stakeholders are the activators of circular cycles in the startups surveyed. The present study contributes to the literature in four ways by: (i) presenting a framework which brings together exploratory theoretical propositions on strategic stakeholders for startups, innovative capabilities and assumptions of circular business models; (ii) validating exploratory theoretical propositions with 51 startups; (iii) providing lessons learned so far by the startups which are in line with the assumptions of circular business models for triggering their innovation capabilities and promoting Industry 4.0; (iv) providing an original typology of circular economy assumptions and technological innovations adopted by startups. The originality of this study lies in presenting useful insights for motivating managers to: (i) invest in circular business to become one of the first entrants and earn extra profits; (ii) make investments in circular business and technological innovations to obtain efficiency, practicality and process optimization; (iii) internalize Industry 4.0 technologies concomitantly with technological innovations and circular economy to generate systemic effects; (iv) integrate relevant stakeholders of the business ecosystem to generate a synergistic and effective effect for sustainable development.