Complex Phenomenon Research Articles

This is not an experiment: using vignettes in qualitative accounting research

PurposeThe use of interviews for data collection is prevalent in qualitative accounting research. This paper examines vignettes – sketches of hypothetical scenarios – as a promising complementary way to conduct interviews in qualitative accounting research.Design/methodology/approachThe paper is based on our experiences designing and using vignettes in five separate qualitative accounting studies, which collectively involve over 200 interviews with various participants. It discusses the opportunities the use of vignettes in interviews offers to qualitative accounting research, as well as the challenges associated with designing and using vignettes. The paper also reflects on fellow researchers’ varied reactions during seminars, workshops, and the journal review process.FindingsVignettes emerge as a productive and engaging complementary way for accounting researchers to obtain additional insights and perspectives not usually accessible in semi-structured interviews. The paper also provides practical insights into developing, using and publishing qualitative accounting studies using vignettes, contributing an additional behind-the-scenes view of using qualitative research methods.Originality/valueThe aim of this paper is to increase awareness of vignettes as a complement to the standard qualitative accounting interview. It provides guidance on how vignettes might be used productively for studying rare, new, emerging, complex, or multi-period real-world accounting phenomena. It also discusses how vignettes can promote transparency, honesty, and a greater level of detail in participants’ responses, as well as facilitate the involvement of lay people in accounting studies.

Characterization of substance use in homeless patients with mental disorders

Background In Denmark, 42% of homeless people suffer from dual diagnosis, i.e. the co-occurrence of a substance use of alcohol and/or illegal substances and another psychiatric disorder. Dual diagnosis homeless patients often cause differential diagnostic difficulties and fail to receive effective treatment. A solid grasp of the role of substance use in these patients may inform the diagnostic decision and contribute to improve their treatment. Today, knowledge of these issues remains scarce. The purpose of this study was to explore substance use in homeless patients with mental disorders and their subjective perspectives on their substance use. Methods 44 homeless dual diagnosis patients were included in the study. They were examined in interviews focusing on their substance use and their subjective perspective on their substance use. Results The most frequently used substances were cannabinoids (70.5%) and alcohol (45.5%), followed by cocaine, sedative/hypnotics, and amphetamine. The finding suggests that substance use in dual diagnosis homeless patients is a complex phenomenon with most patients (56.8%) using multiple substances. While substance use seems to contribute to keep the patients homeless, substance use was also reported to play an important role in coping with life on the streets by offering social contact and some relief from a desperate situation. Conclusion Substance use, mental disorder, and homelessness seem to be closely entangled, reinforcing each other and making it difficult to help these vulnerable patients. Diagnostic overshadowing may cause delays in adequate diagnosis and treatment of this group of patients.

Computational modeling of aging-related gene networks: a review

The aging process is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon affecting all living organisms. It involves a gradual deterioration of tissue and cellular function, leading to a higher risk of developing various age-related diseases (ARDs), including cancer, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases. The gene regulatory networks (GRNs) and their respective niches are crucial in determining the aging rate. Unveiling these GRNs holds promise for developing novel therapies and diagnostic tools to enhance healthspan and longevity. This review examines GRN modeling approaches in aging, encompassing differential equations, Boolean/fuzzy logic decision trees, Bayesian networks, mutual information, and regression clustering. These approaches provide nuanced insights into the intricate gene-protein interactions in aging, unveiling potential therapeutic targets and ARD biomarkers. Nevertheless, outstanding challenges persist, demanding more comprehensive datasets and advanced algorithms to comprehend and predict GRN behavior accurately. Despite these hurdles, identifying GRNs associated with aging bears immense potential and is poised to transform our comprehension of human health and aging. This review aspires to stimulate further research in aging, fostering the innovation of computational approaches for promoting healthspan and longevity.

W-HYDRA: a new experimental platform for the Water-Cooled Lead Lithium Breeding Blanket

Abstract In the framework of the activities coordinated by the EUROfusion consortium, the Water thermal-HYDRAulic (W-HYDRA) experimental platform is being built at the ENEA Brasimone Research Centre in order to support the development of the Water-Cooled Lead Lithium (WCLL) Breeding Blanket (BB). In particular, this infrastructure will make possible the installation and testing of prototypical mock-ups under relevant working conditions, such as the First Wall (FW), the manifold and the Steam Generator (SG). Moreover, it will represent an integral test facility for the investigation of phenomena characteristic of WCLL BB concept, such as the PbLi/water interaction. Finally, the collection of data coming from the different planned experimental campaigns will allow to qualify and validate numerical models and codes currently adopted for the design of components, as well as for the modelling of complex phenomena typical of the WCLL BB.
In order to come to a definitive design of the different facilities constituting the experimental platform, several design analyses assessing the thermal, hydraulic and structural performances of the different facilities and components are necessary. The paper reports a highlight of the W-HYDRA platform with a general description of the facilities. Some of the most relevant design studies carried out so far are reported as well, highlighting their impact on the evolution of the design.

Impact of variable viscosity, thermal conductivity, and Soret–Dufour effects on MHD radiative heat transfer in thin reactive liquid films past an unsteady permeable expandable sheet

AbstractSignificance of magnetohydrodynamic effect on a viscous (temperature‐dependent) and chemically reactive thin fluid film flow past an unsteady permeable stretchable plate with Soret–Dufour effects, nonlinear thermal radiative, and suction under the action of a convective type of boundary condition is analyzed. The problem consists of nonlinear governing basic equations that are highly nonlinear due to the existence of nonlinear thermal radiative terms in the energy equation. Analytical solutions are challenging to achieve for such types of problems, so a numerical scheme adopts the numerical solution. Computed solutions indicate that decreasing the Dufour number (and simultaneously increasing the Soret number) enhances heat flux, whereas the reverse trend is estimated for the concentration gradient field. The influence of magnetization indicates a decrement in the thin liquid film velocity distribution, whereas an increment is observed in temperature and solutal gradient profiles. Further, an enhancement in thermoradiative values focuses on decreasing the heat flux profiles, whereas a decreasing trend is determined in the solutal gradient by incrementing the Schmidt number. The variations of the velocity field, temperature, and concentration gradients are shown for the unsteady parameter lying in the range [0.8, 1.4]. Similarly, the range of different parameters utilized are [0.0, 1.0], [0.0, 2.0], [0.8, 1.5], [0.5, 2.0], [0.0, 1.0], [0.2, 3.0], [1.0, 2.0], [0.0, 3.0], [0.4, 1.0], and [0.4, 1.0]. The novelty of the present study lies in its analysis of complex fluid dynamics phenomena and their implications for various industrial processes and engineering applications, including coating processes, heat exchangers, microfluidics, and biomedical engineering. The insights gained from the study can contribute to developing more efficient and innovative research in these areas. Further, we have compared the present results with those available in the literature under some special cases and found them to be in excellent agreement.

Advanced stability analysis of a fractional delay differential system with stochastic phenomena using spectral collocation method.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in incorporating fractional calculus into stochastic delay systems due to its ability to model complex phenomena with uncertainties and memory effects. The fractional stochastic delay differential equations are conventional in modeling such complex dynamical systems around various applied fields. The present study addresses a novel spectral approach to demonstrate the stability behavior and numerical solution of the systems characterized by stochasticity along with fractional derivatives and time delay. By bridging the gap between fractional calculus, stochastic processes, and spectral analysis, this work contributes to the field of fractional dynamics and enriches the toolbox of analytical tools available for investigating the stability of systems with delays and uncertainties. To illustrate the practical implications and validate the theoretical findings of our approach, some numerical simulations are presented.

Is Stress a Contributor to Tumor Metastasis?

Stress, often considered a silent yet pervasive force in our daily lives, has increasingly been recognized for its significant impact on human health. In the realm of oncology, the connection between stress and cancer development, particularly tumor metastasis, has become a subject of intense research and clinical interest. This review discusses the intricate relationship between stress and tumor metastasis, exploring the biological mechanisms, clinical implications, and potential therapeutic approaches at the intersection of these two complex phenomena. By understanding the role of stress in shaping cancer progression, we may uncover new avenues for improving patient outcomes and advancing cancer care.

Public Opinion Formation in the Digital Age : A Review of Literature

The digital age has brought significant changes in the way people access and process information. Social media and other online platforms have become a major source of information and public opinion. This study aims to review the literature on public opinion formation in the digital age. This study uses the literature review method to analyze literature relevant to the research topic. A literature review shows that the digital age has had a significant impact on the formation of public opinion. Social media and other online platforms have become the primary means for individuals to access information, share ideas, and exchange opinions. This has led to changes in the way public opinion is formed and disseminated. The formation of public opinion in the digital age is a complex and dynamic phenomenon. Social media and other online platforms have an important role to play in shaping public opinion. A better understanding of the process of forming public opinion in the digital age is needed to develop effective communication strategies and build a more democratic society.

Party Politics in West Bengal: Historical and Contemporary Dynamics

Party politics in West Bengal is a complex and ever-evolving phenomenon deeply rooted in the state's socio-cultural history. This overview explores the dynamic landscape of party politics in West Bengal, tracing its historical evolution and examining the key players, ideological underpinnings, electoral strategies, and socio-economic factors that have influenced voter preferences over the years. From the pre-independence era's freedom struggle to the contemporary political dynamics dominated by the All-India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), West Bengal's political journey reflects its vibrant cultural mosaic and socio-political complexities. This paper also discusses the current scenario in West Bengal, highlighting the role of various political parties in recent local and assembly elections. The methodology involves a comprehensive review of academic papers and journals on various aspects of West Bengal's politics, governance, and societal dynamics. While existing literature touches on governance-related aspects like healthcare policies, decentralisation, and power sector reforms, there is a research gap in integrating these elements to provide a holistic assessment of West Bengal's governance model. The paper identifies this research gap and calls for a more comprehensive study that explores the interplay of political decisions, decentralisation efforts, and policy reforms in shaping the state's development and governance outcomes.

“I will never be Spanish enough”. Gender-based Islamophobia in Spain: socio-educational aspects

ABSTRACT Recent studies have highlighted that Muslim women, as the most likely recipients of Islamophobia, are uniquely vulnerable to this complex phenomenon. In Spain, these are still very incipient, and practically non-existent from a socio-educational approach. Based on the life stories of 10 Muslim women, this research analyses in depth their experiences with gender-based Islamophobia in the Spanish context, and how it influences their processes of identity construction, feelings of belonging and religiosity. The sample includes Moroccan women, women of Moroccan origin (belonging to the so-called second generation) and converts. Four main thematic blocks emerged from the analysis: identity/feeling of belonging, religiosity, Islamophobia and education. In the discourses analysed, the hijab emerges as a key element of empowerment for many of them. In a context where Islam is often presented as incompatible with Western values, the analyses revealed how the participants experience continuous identity contradictions, producing both a rejection of their culture and roots, and a greater identification with it, sometimes in a reactive way. We argue that it is important for educational and social institutions to address the stereotypes and prejudices associated with Muslim women and to promote the positive construction of multiple, positive and non-exclusive identities.

Predicting game-induced emotions using EEG, data mining and machine learning

BackgroundEmotion is a complex phenomenon that greatly affects human behavior and thinking in daily life. Electroencephalography (EEG), one of the human physiological signals, has been emphasized by most researchers in emotion recognition as its specific properties are closely associated with human emotion. However, the number of human emotion recognition studies using computer games as stimuli is still insufficient as there were no relevant publicly available datasets provided in the past decades. Most of the recent studies using the Gameemo public dataset have not clarified the relationship between the EEG signal’s changes and the emotion elicited using computer games. Thus, this paper is proposed to introduce the use of data mining techniques in investigating the relationships between the frequency changes of EEG signals and the human emotion elicited when playing different kinds of computer games. The data acquisition stage, data pre-processing, data annotation and feature extraction stage were designed and conducted in this paper to obtain and extract the EEG features from the Gameemo dataset. The cross-subject and subject-based experiments were conducted to evaluate the classifiers’ performance. The top 10 association rules generated by the RCAR classifier will be examined to determine the possible relationship between the EEG signal's frequency changes and game-induced emotions.ResultsThe RCAR classifier constructed for cross-subject experiment achieved highest accuracy, precision, recall and F1-score evaluated with over 90% in classifying the HAPV, HANV and LANV game-induced emotions. The 20 experiment cases’ results from subject-based experiments supported that the SVM classifier could accurately classify the 4 emotion states with a kappa value over 0.62, demonstrating the SVM-based algorithm’s capabilities in precisely determining the emotion label for each participant’s EEG features’ instance.ConclusionThe findings in this study fill the existing gap of game-induced emotion recognition field by providing an in-depth evaluation on the ruleset algorithm’s performance and feasibility of applying the generated rules on the game-induced EEG data for justifying the emotional state prediction result.

Enhancing Linearity of Light Response in Avalanche Photodiodes by Suppressing Electrode Size Effect

The nonlinear characteristics of avalanche photodiodes (APDs) inhibit their performance in high-speed communication systems, thereby limiting their widespread application as optical detectors. Existing theoretical models have not fully elucidated complex phenomena encountered in actual device structures. In this study, actual APD structures exhibiting lower linearity than their ideal counterparts were revealed. Simulation analysis and physical inference based on GaN APDs reveal that electrode size is a noteworthy factor influencing response linearity. This discovery expands the nonlinear theory of APDs, suggesting that APD linearity can be enhanced by suppressing the electrode size effect. A physical model was developed to explain this phenomenon, which is attributed to charge accumulation at the edge of the contact layer. Therefore, we proposed an improved APD design that incorporates an additional gap layer and a buffer layer to stabilize the internal gain under high-current-density conditions, thereby enhancing linearity. Our improved APD design increases the linear threshold for optical input power by 4.46 times. This study not only refines the theoretical model for APD linearity but also opens new pathways for improving the linearity of high-speed optoelectronic detectors.

A simple theory for training response of deep neural networks

Deep neural networks give us a powerful method to model the training dataset’s relationship between input and output. We can regard that as a complex adaptive system consisting of many artificial neurons that work as an adaptive memory as a whole. The network’s behavior is training dynamics with a feedback loop from the evaluation of the loss function. We already know the training response can be constant or shows power law-like aging in some ideal situations. However, we still have gaps between those findings and other complex phenomena, like network fragility. To fill the gap, we introduce a very simple network and analyze it. We show the training response consists of some different factors based on training stages, activation functions, or training methods. In addition, we show feature space reduction as an effect of stochastic training dynamics, which can result in network fragility. Finally, we discuss some complex phenomena of deep networks.

Next-day largest earthquake magnitude forecasting with the aid of Moon tidal force and sunspot data

Seismicity is a complex phenomenon with a multitude of components involved. In order to perform forecasting, which has yet to be done sufficiently well, it is paramount to be in possession of information of all these components, and use this information effectively in a prediction model. In the literature, the influence of the Sun and the Moon in seismic activity on Earth has been discussed numerous times. In this paper we contribute to such discussion, giving continuity to a previous work. Most importantly, we instrument four earthquake catalogs from different regions, calculating the Moon tidal force at the region and time of each earthquake, which allows us to analyze the relation between the tidal forces and the earthquake magnitudes. At first, we find that the dynamical system governing Moon motion is unidirectionally coupled with seismic activity, indicating that the position of the Moon drives, to some extent, the earthquake generating process. Furthermore, we present an analysis that demonstrates a clear positive correlation between tidal force and earthquake magnitude. Finally, it is shown that the use of Moon tidal force data and sunspot number data can be used to improve next-day maximum magnitude forecasting, with the highest accuracy being achieved when using both kinds of data. We hope that our results encourage researchers to include data from Moon tidal forces and Sun activity in their earthquake forecasting models.

The impact of pubertal stress and adult hormone exposure on the transcriptome of the developing hypothalamus

Why individuals suffer negative consequences following stress is a complex phenomenon that is dictated by individual factors, the timing of stress within the lifespan, and when in the lifespan the consequences are measured. Women who undergo adverse childhood experiences are at risk for lasting biological consequences, including affective and stress dysregulation. We have shown that pubertal adversity is associated with a blunted hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis glucocorticoid response in peripartum humans and mice. In mice, our prior examination of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus showed that pubertal stress led to an upregulation of baseline mRNA expression of six immediate early genes (IEGs) in the PVN of adult, pregnant mice. Separately, we showed that the pregnancy-associated hormone allopregnanolone is necessary and sufficient to produce the blunted stress response phenotype in pubertally stressed mice. In the current study, we further examined a potential mechanistic role for the IEGs in the PVN. We found that in pubertally stressed adult female, but not male, mice, intra-PVN allopregnanolone was sufficient to recapitulate the baseline IEG mRNA expression profile previously observed in pubertally stressed, pregnant mice. We also examined baseline IEG mRNA expression during adolescence, where we found that IEGs have developmental trajectories that showed sex-specific disruption by pubertal stress. Altogether, these data establish that IEGs may act as a key molecular switch involved in increased vulnerability to negative outcomes in adult, pubertally stressed animals. How the factors that produce vulnerability combine throughout the lifespan is key to our understanding of the etiology of stress-related disorders.

Factors conditioning pain control and reduction in post-cesarean section parturients: a cross-sectional study.

Pain experienced by women in the perinatal period constitutes a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. The aim of the study was to assess conditions of pain locus of control and pain reduction in post-cesarean section parturients. A cross-sectional quantitative study with convenience sampling was performed among 175 hospitalized post-cesarean section women in hospitals in Eastern Poland in accordance with the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement. A self-design questionnaire regarding general information and obstetrics/gynaecology medical interview, The Pain Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) and The Beliefs about Pain Control Questionnaire (BPCQ) were used. The inclusion criteria were as follows (1) age of ⩾18 years old; (2) cesarean section (CS); (3) period from the 13th hour to the end of the 72nd hour after the procedure; and (4) informed consent. The data was analyzed with IBM SPSS Statistics. Internal locus of control (M = 14.02) was provided the highest value by the parturients and followed by chance events (M = 12.61) and doctors' power (M = 12.18). Dominant coping with pain strategies in the post-cesarean parturients were coping self-statements (M = 19.06), praying or hoping (M = 18.86). The parturients assessed their pain coping (M = 3.31) strategies along with pain reduction (M = 3.35) at the moderate level. Higher pain control was correlated with cognitive pain coping strategies (β = 0.305; t = 4.632; p < 0.001), internal pain control β = 0.191; t = 2.894; p = 0.004), cesarean section planning (β = -0.240; t = -3.496; p = 0.001) and past medical history of CS (β = 0.240; t = 3.481; p = 0.001). The skill of reduction of pain was positively associated with cognitive pain coping strategies (β = 0.266; t = 3.665; p < 0.001) and being in subsequent pregnancy (β = 0.147; t = 2.022; p = 0.045). Catastrophizing and hoping were related to lower competences of coping with pain (B = - 0.033, SE = 0.012, β = - 0.206, T = -2.861). The study allowed for identification and better comprehension of factors conditioning pain control and pain reduction in parturients after the cesarean section. Furthermore, a stronger belief that pain can be dealt with is found in the parturients characterized by cognitive pain coping strategies and internal pain locus of control. The skill of reduction of pain is related to cognitive coping strategy and procreation status.

Methodological considerations in the study of perceived discrimination at work and its association with workers health and occupational outcomes: A scoping review.

Perceived workplace discrimination is a complex phenomenon involving unfair treatment in the workplace based on personal characteristics such as age, ethnicity, gender, or disability. The objective of this study is to explore the association of perceived workplace discrimination with health and occupational outcomes. Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology, a scoping review of articles published between 2000 and 2022 was conducted in databases such as Pubmed, Scopus, and PsyInfo. Inclusion criteria focused on studies exploring perceived workplace discrimination among workers, excluding those on patients, students, or the general population, and articles not written in English or Spanish. Of the 9,871 articles identified, 102 met the criteria and were analyzed. Research showed a progressive increase in the study of perceived workplace discrimination, with a majority of studies in North America and Europe and a predominance of cross-sectional designs. Most studies did not clearly define the concept of perceived workplace discrimination nor report the psychometric characteristics of the measurement instruments. A significant association was found between perceived discrimination and negative outcomes in workers' mental and physical health, as well as a negative impact on job satisfaction and an increase in absenteeism. Additionally, sociodemographic characteristics such as race/ethnicity, gender, and age influenced the perception of discrimination. This review confirms that perceived workplace discrimination significantly impacts the health and job satisfaction of workers, with particular detriment in minorities and women. Despite an increase in research over the last two decades, there remains a lack of consistency in the definition and measurement of the phenomenon. Most studies have used cross-sectional designs, and there is a notable absence of research in the Latin American context.

Emotional Dysregulation and Sleep Problems: A Transdiagnostic Approach in Youth

Background: Sleep is a complex phenomenon that affects several aspects of life, including cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Sleep disturbances, especially during adolescence, can negatively impact emotional regulation, making it a critical factor in targeting psychopathology. Methods: This study explores the interplay between emotional dysregulation (ED) and sleep patterns in a sample of 90 adolescent patients by means of self- and parent-rated clinical measures. Results: Our findings reveal a bidirectional relationship between ED and sleep problems. Adolescents with higher affective instability experience poorer sleep quality, while those with worse sleep quality exhibit higher internalizing problems. Additionally, emotional reactivity is associated with disrupted circadian rhythms. Conclusions: These results emphasize the significance of addressing sleep problems in the context of psychopathology treatment, potentially leading to improved outcomes. Further research is needed to determine the most effective treatment strategies, including nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions. Understanding the intricate relationship between sleep problems and emotion regulation offers insights for more targeted and effective treatment approaches for youths struggling with ED.

Urban Environmental Planning in Shimla Smart City: Review of Related Literature

Urban environmental concerns are on rise due to increasing population pressure on finite natural resources, deforestation, over grazing, unplanned construction, networking of roads and large-scale modification of natural landscape. It has caused irreversible damage to the ecology of this Himalayan state. Number of ultra modern projects, road networking, hydropower projects, and SEZ and real estate projects are costing Himalayan ecology. Unplanned developmental activities and urban processes in city have resulted in several ecological problems like environmental pollution, noise pollution extreme climatic conditions, shortage of drinking water, landslides, sinking land and change in seasonal cycle. Poor urban planning will cause social, economic and environmental implications in long term. Cities needs to be planned professionally keeping in mind future sustainability. Before planning a city in hilly areas, needs proper understanding of complex and dynamic phenomena involving interaction between environmental and socio- economic and political factors with multi disciplinary approach and vision. Urbanization and industrialization on one side is contributing its share in economic development of a region but on the other hand, it is degenerating water, air, soil and natural resources resulting in the degradation of environmental quality (Anjum, 1998). Urban environmental degradation leaves direct impact on the ecology and causes ecological imbalance (Singh, 1996). The most striking reason for the environmental degradation is the changing man and environment relationship. (Dasman, 1976), Shah (2001). Developmental activities in Himalayan region need different treatment and systematic planning.

An Integer-Fractional Gradient Algorithm for Back Propagation Neural Networks

This paper proposes a new optimization algorithm for backpropagation (BP) neural networks by fusing integer-order differentiation and fractional-order differentiation, while fractional-order differentiation has significant advantages in describing complex phenomena with long-term memory effects and nonlocality, its application in neural networks is often limited by a lack of physical interpretability and inconsistencies with traditional models. To address these challenges, we propose a mixed integer-fractional (MIF) gradient descent algorithm for the training of neural networks. Furthermore, a detailed convergence analysis of the proposed algorithm is provided. Finally, numerical experiments illustrate that the new gradient descent algorithm not only speeds up the convergence of the BP neural networks but also increases their classification accuracy.