Comprehensive Theory Research Articles

Exploring EFL Students’ Lived Experiences Working in Single-Gender and Mixed-Gender Groups: A Phenomenological Study

Group work (GW) is one of the strategies teachers employ to organize students and let them participate in collaborative tasks to achieve their learning-centered goals. The formation of single-gender (SG) and mixed-gender (MG) groups cannot be avoided in GW. Thus, this research aimed to explore EFL (English Foreign Language) students’ lived experiences working in SG and MG groups. A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was conducted. The data were collected from three rounds of semi-structured interviews with eight participants. They were selected through three steps of online screening with some criteria. The research was conducted at one of the state universities in East Java, Indonesia. Van Kaam’s method, modified by Moustakas (1994), was used to analyze the data. This research revealed two main results: positive and negative experiences reported by students in both the SG and MG groups. In the SG group, the themes include effective communication, postponed GW tasks, and a better environment. In contrast, in the MG group, the themes encompass ineffective communication, solid members, and ineffective time management. In short, two positive and one negative theme are mentioned in SG groups, while one positive and two negative themes emerge in MG groups. As a result, the core aspects revealed include communication, individual contributions and responsibility, and productivity and efficiency while working in groups. This present research adds more comprehensive theories of GW related to students' gender and helps students and teachers be more aware of GW related to gender aspects.

The 2022 ICJ Judgment in Nicaragua v. Colombia: Towards a Theory of Exclusivity in Allocating Rights and Jurisdiction between the Coastal and Other States?

Abstract In Alleged Violations of Sovereign Rights and Maritime Spaces in the Caribbean Sea (Nicaragua v. Colombia), the International Court of Justice delves into the matter of exclusivity when assessing alleged violations committed by foreign States within an Exclusive Economic Zone. Additionally, the Court examines the legality of legislative acts concerning the contiguous zone and outlines criteria for the drawing of straight baselines. The Court’s aim seems to be establishing a comprehensive theory of exclusivity, seeking to allocate and balance the rights and jurisdiction of coastal States and other States involved. In this context, it becomes apparent that the abstract notion of freedom of navigation imposes limitations on coastal States, preventing them from enacting legislation that expands the scope of their jurisdiction or adopts a liberal interpretation of permissible conditions within relevant regulatory frameworks. The implications of this theory for the evolution of the legal order pertaining to maritime spaces warrant significant attention.

The Promise of a Pointillist Perspective for Comparative Immunology.

Most studies in comparative immunology involve investigations into the detailed mechanisms of the immune system of a nonmodel organism. Although this approach has been insightful, it has promoted a deep understanding of only a handful of species, thus inhibiting the recognition of broad taxonomic patterns. Here, we call for investigating the immune defenses of numerous species within a pointillist framework, that is, the meticulous, targeted collection of data from dozens of species and investigation of broad patterns of organismal, ecological, and evolutionary forces shaping those patterns. Without understanding basic immunological patterns across species, we are limited in our ability to extrapolate and/or translate our findings to other organisms, including humans. We illustrate this point by focusing predominantly on the biological scaling literature with some integrations of the pace of life literature, as these perspectives have been the most developed within this framework. We also highlight how the more traditional approach in comparative immunology works synergistically with a pointillist approach, with each approach feeding back into the other. We conclude that the pointillist approach promises to illuminate comprehensive theories about the immune system and enhance predictions in a wide variety of domains, including host-parasite dynamics and disease ecology.

Electrochemical performance of P4Se3 as high-capacity anode materials for monovalent and multivalent ion batteries

The increasing need for advanced anode materials with superior performance in rechargeable batteries has driven investigations into cutting-edge energy storage systems. This study delves into the potential of P4Se3 Molecular Cages (MCs) as innovative anode materials for both monovalent and multivalent ion batteries, including Na ion batteries (NIBs), Mg ion batteries (MIBs), Ca ion batteries (CIBs), Al ion batteries (AIBs), and Zn ion batteries (ZIBs) through a comprehensive Density Functional Theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) based investigations. The analyses encompass the electronic structure, structural stability, electrochemical performance, charge storage mechanisms, and redox properties to offer valuable insights into the potential of P4Se3 as an anode. The DFT calculations unveil critical aspects of adsorption, diffusion, and reaction kinetics in P4Se3 elucidating its potential as high-capacity and suitable anode material. The exothermic reactions between Na, Mg, Ca, Al, and Zn with host P4Se3 highlight its suitability for the intercalation process in monovalent and multivalent ion batteries. Furthermore, calculated storage capacities for NIB, MIB, CIB, AIB, and ZIB are found as 1484.84 mAhg−1, 519.69 mAhg−1, 1410.60 mAhg−1, 593.93 mAhg−1, and 74.24 mAhg−1 respectively. The voltage profiles indicate favorable open circuit voltages (OCV) of 0.31 V, 0.27 V, 0.55 V, and 3.3 V for NIB, MIB, CIB, and AIB respectively. The study employs climbing image nudged elastic band (Cl-NEB) simulations to compute diffusion barriers faced by monovalent and multivalent ions in the host structure. The calculated minimal diffusion barriers of 0.18 eV for NIB, 0.30 eV for MIB, 0.35 eV for CIB, 0.33 eV for AIB, and 0.71 eV for ZIB indicate fast charging capabilities due to efficient ion movement. Furthermore, the respective calculated values of diffusion coefficient are found as 5.27 × 10−10 m2/s, 5.27 × 10−9, 4.0 × 10−10 m2/s, 5.27 × 10−10 m2/s and 5.27 × 10−11 m2/s and respective values of ionic conductivity σ are found as 4.13 × 10−3 S/m, 14.57 × 10−2 S/m, 30.03 × 10−3 S/m, 16.65 × 10−3 S/m and 0.20 × 10−3 S/m for NIBs, MIBs, CIBs, AIBs and ZIBs. The findings of this study point out suitability of P4Se3 as anode material in monovalent and multivalent ion batteries.

Proof of the Facts in Belgian Administrative Law: An Analysis of the Case Law of the Belgian Council of State

This text discusses proof of the facts in Belgian Administrative Law. In Belgium a general comprehensive theory on proof of the facts in administrative law is currently missing. There is no general Belgian legislative framework on evidence or proof of the facts as such. Monographs or academic studies that discuss proof in administrative law as such are lacking too. Therefore, the analysis in this article is based on the case law of the general and highest administrative court, the Belgian Council of State. This text discusses questions concerning the division of the burden of proof, the object of proof, the degree of certainty on the facts required, the means of evidence and the determination of their value.

The Separability Problem in Molecular Quantum Systems: Information-Theoretic Framework for Atoms in Molecules.

Even though molecules are fundamentally quantum entities, the concept of a molecule retains certain classical attributes concerning its constituents. This includes the empirical separability of a molecule into its three-dimensional, rigid structure in Euclidean space, a framework often obtained through experimental methods like X-Ray crystallography. In this work, we delve into the mathematical implications of partitioning a molecule into its constituent parts using the widely recognized Atoms-In-Molecules (AIM) schemes, aiming to establish their validity within the framework of Information Theory concepts. We have uncovered information-theoretical justifications for employing some of the most prevalent AIM schemes in the field of Chemistry, including Hirshfeld (stockholder partitioning), Bader's (topological dissection), and the quantum approach (Hilbert's space definition). In the first approach we have applied the generalized principle of minimum relative entropy derived from the Sharma-Mittal two-parameter functional, avoiding the need for an arbitrary selection of reference promolecular atoms. Within the ambit of topological-information partitioning, we have demonstrated that the Fisher information of Bader's atoms conform to a comprehensive theory based on the Principle of Extreme Physical Information avoiding the need of employing the Schwinger's principle, which has been proven to be problematic. For the quantum approach we have presented information-theoretic justifications for conducting Löwdin symmetric transformations on the density matrix to form atomic Hilbert spaces generating orthonormal atomic orbitals with maximum occupancy for a given wavefunction.

Are theory of mind and metaphor comprehension causally related? A training study in middle childhood

ABSTRACT The main aim of this study was to investigate the existence and the direction of a causal relationship between theory of mind (ToM) and metaphor comprehension during middle childhood. To this purpose, we used a compelling training design, involving 53 typically developing children (25 M, pre-training Mage = 9 years; 3 months, SD = 0;4, age-range = 8;9-9;10) who were randomly assigned either to a ToM or a metaphor comprehension training (MetaCom) condition. Training programs were matched in structure and length and already proved effective in previous studies. Before and after the intervention, children were assessed for both advanced ToM (Strange Stories task) and metaphor comprehension (Physical and Mental Metaphors task). Groups were equivalent at baseline for the focus (ToM and metaphor comprehension) and the control variables (grammar, receptive vocabulary, reading comprehension, and working memory). Results showed that the two training programs significantly differ in their effect on ToM and metaphor comprehension. While both groups significantly improved in the respective focus variables (children in the ToM training improved in ToM skills and children in the MetaCom training improved in metaphor comprehension), the MetaCom training had a significant cross-domain effect on ToM. Conversely, the ToM training did not enhance children’s metaphor comprehension. Overall, this study suggests a driving role of metaphor comprehension in the development of advanced ToM, rather than vice versa.

Alkaline earth metal substitutional doped C20: a density functional study

Exploring the structure and electronic properties has become a very interesting subject for nanomaterial application in many fields. This study presents a comprehensive density functional theory exploration of structure and electronic properties of alkaline earth metal (Be, Mg, and Ca) substitutional doped C20 fullerene. The study shows that MC19 (M = Be, Mg, and Ca) cage has elongated M–C bond lengths and expanded C–M–C bond angles. The Be in BeC19 gains a modest charge, while Mg in MgC19 and Ca in CaC19 donate charge. The most amazing result is that MC19 has very large energy gap, which indicates their higher stabilities than C60, and further proved by the larger hardness of MC19 than that of C20. Importantly, the physical interaction mechanism between M and the cage are different for three MC19 structures, which can be proved by the frontier orbital wavefunction and total density of states. The chemical potential values of C20 are larger than that of MC19, indicating their weaker ability to contain electrons and higher activity. Our research will provide the groundwork for rational design and application of such materials in electronic devices and nanotechnology fields. Highlights Substitutioonal doping of Be(Mg, Ca) brings remarkable influence on the geometric structure of C20. The MC19(M = Be, Mg, and Ca) has higher stability than C20. It is evident MC19(M = Be, Mg, and Ca) clusters have none magnetic moment. The chemical potential values of C20 are higher than those of MC19(M = Be, Mg, and Ca). Our research will provide the groundwork for rational design and application of such materials in electronic devices and nanotechnology fields.

Modulating electronic structure of Fe site by adjacent Cu site through orbital coupling in Cu-Fe2O3 catalyst derived from Fenton sludge quenching

The incorporation of specific atoms into catalysts derived from Fenton sludge has the potential to regulate active site for promoting peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. Here, quenching technology was employed in this study to facilitate the production of a highly active Fe2O3-based catalyst from Fenton sludge. In this process, Cu atoms effectively substituted Fe atoms and regulated the local electronic structure of neighbouring Fe sites, thereby enhancing the catalytic performance in PMS activation for the degradation of Levofloxacin (LEVO) in wastewater. The strong orbital coupling between Fe and Cu, as confirmed by comprehensive characterization and density functional theory (DFT), facilitated the delocalization of d-orbital electrons, thereby enabling efficient electron transfer and redox cycling of Cu2+/Cu+ and Fe3+/Fe2+. This allowed degradation reaction to proceed continuously. The present study will offer a novel approach to the design of Fenton sludge derived catalysts, thereby expanding the utilization of quenching chemistry in solid waste recycling.

Selective benzene hydroalkylation: Ni/Ni PS/HY catalysts for enhanced cyclohexylbenzene formation

The potential for synthesizing cyclohexylbenzene through one-step hydroalkylation of benzene is significant, but the selectivity is hindered by the deep hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexane. In this study, Ni-containing phyllosilicate (Ni PS) was incorporated between Ni nanoparticles and zeolite (HY) using the deposition–precipitation technique, thereby creating Ni/Ni PS/HY. A conventional Ni/HY catalyst was also prepared using the impregnation method for comparison. Ni/Ni PS/HY demonstrates outstanding catalytic performance even at a low temperature of 130 °C and a high WHSV of up to 42.21 h−1, achieving a benzene conversion of ∼25 % and a cyclohexylbenzene selectivity of ∼85 %, which remained stable for 300 h. By contrast, the conventional Ni/HY catalyst yields a mere 2.5 % benzene conversion under identical conditions. Comprehensive characterizations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that Ni PS plays crucial roles in the hydroalkylation of benzene to cyclohexylbenzene. The formation of Ni PS leads to high Ni dispersion, generating more active sites for hydrogenation. Concurrently, the robust interaction between Ni PS and Ni reduces the reactivity of adsorbed H species, impeding the deep hydrogenation of benzene to cyclohexane, while still effectively allowing the formation of cyclohexene. After being adsorbed by the strong acid sites within Ni PS, the intermediate cyclohexene can be smoothly transported through the mesoporous structure of Ni PS to HY for alkylation. All these factors culminate in the exceptional catalytic performance of Ni/Ni-PS/HY.

A Comprehensive Theory on Gain and Field of View of Conical Horn for Sensing Applications in the Optical and THz Ranges

A Comprehensive Theory on Gain and Field of View of Conical Horn for Sensing Applications in the Optical and THz Ranges

A Spectrum of Autonomy: Towards a Theoretical Framework of Strategic Autonomy

Despite the renewed significance and popularity of strategic autonomy in recent years, this term remains undertheorized. Current usage of the term makes it difficult to determine whether an actor is strategically autonomous or not, and whether a particular course of action enhances autonomy or decreases it. This article thus begins by tracing the intellectual history of strategic autonomy, and then by evaluating the way in which modern scholars use this term. Consequently, it advances a novel conceptualization of the term, arguing that instead of being a binary concept, strategic autonomy represents the highest level of autonomy on a full spectrum of autonomy. While providing a comprehensive theory of strategic autonomy is beyond the scope of this article, we offer some preliminary hypotheses on why the international system incentivizes actors to pursue strategic autonomy.

Leadership humour style: role of self-disclosure and perceived similarity for employee’s thriving at work and burnout

Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand the leadership humour style and the mechanism through which leadership humour style transforms into follower’s workplace positive and negative outcomes such as thriving at work and burnout. It uses comprehensive elaboration theory and relational process theory to explore self-disclosure and perceived similarity as two new constructs to assess their relation to intrapsychic (self-enhancing and self-defeating) and interpersonal (affiliative and aggressive) leader’s humour style, respectively. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory qualitative study through semi-structured interviews was conducted with 10 leaders to understand the different aspects of leadership humour and their outcomes. Based on these dimensions, a questionnaire was created and sent to 200 respondents, and 158 responses were received. The empirical analysis of data was done by building structural equation modeling using smart partial least square. Findings The empirical study has shown that self-enhancing leadership humour is related to self-disclosure, and both affiliative and aggressive leadership humour styles are related to perceived similarity. When looking at the two critical outcomes of leadership humour, both perceived similarity and self-disclosure were related to social intimacy and thriving at work. The mediation effect showed that self-enhancing humour leads to self-disclosure which increases social intimacy leading to improving thriving at work and aggressive humour leads to norm violation which further leads to burnout. Originality/value The study has used the mixed methodology to understand leadership humour and its outcomes by conducting in-depth interviews with leaders and also provides empirical evidence related to leadership humour style by using the survey to collect data from the followers capturing their perceptions. And very critically, it has explored self-disclosure and perceived similarity as two new constructs to see their relation to leadership humour style and positive and negative outcomes at the workplace.

Termolecular Eley–Rideal pathway for catalytic oxidation of nitric oxide on [Pt2]0,± dimers using O2

AbstractA comprehensive density functional theory (DFT) investigation of the catalytic oxidation of NO to NO2 on neutral and charged [Pt2]0,± dimers has been considered employing M06L/def2TZVP level of theory. Single as well as co‐adsorption energies of NO and O2 molecules suggest that the traditional Langmuir Hinshelwood (LH) mechanism and less explored termolecular Eley–Rideal (TER) and termolecular Langmuir Hinshelwood (TLH) mechanisms, are suitable for a full catalytic reaction pathway in which two NO molecules are converted to two NO2 molecules, initiated by an activated O2 molecule. Activation barrier reveals that the TER mechanism is found to be more reliable in converting two NO molecules into two NO2 molecules on [Pt2]¯ dimer. In addition to shedding light on the intrinsic characteristics of Pt2 dimers, the study will serve as a benchmark for investigating the oxidation process of NO to NO2 utilizing models of termolecular chemical processes.

The tempest within: the origins and outcomes of intense national emotions in times of national division

Theories of intense national emotions have focused on affection for the home nation and antagonism for national others but overlooked antagonism for fellow nationals. The article introduces a comprehensive theory of intense national emotions. It first discusses the sources of the potential energy stored in national identities, pointing to a combination of two factors: the nation is at once potent due to its capacity to shield against existential threats and precarious due to its dependence on the reproduction of contested narratives. The article then explains that events that—through a construction process elaborated in the text—seem to threaten or promise to alter perceived core elements of the nation (i.e., “nation-disrupting events”) evoke intense emotions. Next, the article explains why some periods of "hot" nationalism increase national division rather than unity. The conclusion proposes a promising direction for future research on intense national emotions as a mechanism of eventfulness.

Utilizing in situ construction of N-doped hierarchical porous carbon to achieve electronic control of highly dispersed Pd nanoparticles for efficient catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 to formic acid

Hydrogenation of CO2 to produce formic acid/formate is a significant pathway for future energy storage and utilization. The development of heterogeneous catalysts with high activity and stability for this process is still a challenge. In this work, the in-situ N-doped hierarchical porous carbon derived from distiller's grains was used as a support for Pd-based catalysts (Pd/NC) to convert CO2 into valuable chemicals while making high-value use of waste biomass. The optimum catalyst, Pd/NC-800, shown exceptional catalytic performance, achieving a turnover frequency (TOF) of 2060 h−1 at 100℃, 4 MPa in the catalytic CO2 hydrogenation to formate reaction. Comprehensive experimental results and density functional theory calculations indicate that the electronic effect between the pyridine N in the support and the Pd nanoparticles (NPs) can make the Pd surface reach the state of electron enrichment and enhance the metal-support interaction. Moreover, the synthesized material has hierarchical pore structure, which provides abundant Pd anchor location sites and improves mass transfer efficiency. The results not only provide a feasible strategy for the preparation of efficient CO2 hydrogenation catalysts, but also break a new and effective avenue for the resource utilization of distiller's grains.

A dream vacation typology

AbstractA six‐fold typology of ideal trips was developed in this study by listening to the voices of residents of Southeast Queensland, Australia, who identified what they felt a dream vacation encompassed. The study represents one of the first of its kind to explore this phenomenon from the tourists' perspective. The typology encompassed 16 styles of holiday. The six types included destination‐exclusive holidays, personal growth, exploration, escape, hedonism and attraction or activity specific holidays. The study concludes that more empirical research into this phenomenon is desired before comprehensive theory development can occur, for existing theories and models used to study ideal holidays tend to be fragmented and often contradictory.

A Study Based on the Factors Influencing Irrational Consumption

It is becoming increasingly common to conduct research on irrational consumption as one of the predominant topics of research nowadays. There is growing awareness of the development of smart consumption among scholars, but there are no comprehensive theories to explain how to influence people to make irrational purchases decisions, although researchers have identified this phenomenon. This study is therefore intended to synthesize previous findings and offer targeted recommendations by utilizing the findings of previous studies. That is why as part of this investigation, we collected and evaluated relevant past research that was conducted so as to determine which factors result in unhealthy consumption decisions. According to the research, a few external factors would have an impact on a consumer's frequency of consumption in addition to their own personal experiences when it came to the frequency of consumption. The use of ethical marketing will increasingly become the norm, with customers rationalizing their excess consumption in the context of reinterpreting the meaning of the marketing messages as a result of ethical marketing.

Digitalisation Today as the Capitalist Appropriation of People’s Mental Labour

This paper deals with the question of how the process of digitalisation on the technical basis of the computer can be described in Marxist categories and what consequences are foreseeable as a result. To this end, the first section shows, based on a historical analysis of the emergence of the computer, that this apparatus was invented as an instrument of a division of human mental labour and thus complementary to the division of physical labour. It is therefore necessary to analyse computers and digitalisation in their relation to human beings and human labour. In the second section, the central ideology of digitalisation is elaborated, which is supposed to make the current form of digitalisation appear meaningful for people and society: The anthropomorphisation of the computer, which was said to be increasingly able to think, speak, and learn like humans, to become more and more intelligent, and to be able to do everything better than humans once the technical singularity had been reached. This claim, which has been propagated again and again, is contradicted on various levels. The computer operates on about two dozen simple mathematical, logical, and technical commands and can do nothing but run one programme at a time, developed and entered by programmers on the basis of behavioural or physical data. This sometimes produces amazing results because the computer can work quickly and systematically as well as reliably. But in contrast to humans, it faces the world as a behaviouristic machine that can neither understand meaning nor reflect its own or human behaviour. The computer also ”sees” and ”hears” its environment only on a physical basis and it ”thinks” at best on a statistical basis if the programme tells it to do so. The apparatus can therefore simulate mechanical machines, but in interaction with humans its actions and reactions are, as any machine, not socially oriented, but dependent on whether humans interpret them as meaningful und useful. The third section elaborates on the complementarity of mental and physical divisions of labour. This would be a central theme of a critical Marxism for an analysis of digitalisation today, which understands the previous capitalism from the division of physical labour. Even though there are some theoreticians who have contributed to this, so far there is no comprehensive theory of it. Therefore, section 4 wants to contribute to such a theory by collecting empirical observations in an interpretive way regarding the related questions. In this way, it becomes clear how the division of people's intellectual labour made possible by the computer is being dealt with today: Capitalism is reorganising more and more areas of human life such as mobility, social relations, education, medicine, etc. through the use of the computer. As a result, first and foremost the business fields of the digital economy are expanding. Moreover, capitalism no longer has to limit itself to controlling the field of production but is increasingly intervening in the whole symbolic world of people. Consequently, according to the thesis, we are heading for an expanded capitalism that will increasingly restrict and reduce both democracy and people's self-realisation. Section 5 emphasises once again that a different digitalisation is also possible, one that serves humanity and not capitalism. Further, some summarising and comments are added there.

An active inference approach to interpersonal differences in depression

Depression is characterized by different distortions in interpersonal experience and behavior, ranging from social withdrawal to overt hostility. However, clinical psychological research has largely neglected the need for an integrative framework to operationalize these different phenomena and their dynamic change more accurately in depression. In this article, we draw on active inference theory, a comprehensive theory of perception, action, and learning, to provide a formal model explaining how variations in patients' internal belief-systems lead to differences in social experience and behavior. In this context, we assume that individuals cannot directly grasp the characteristics of their social environment. Instead, they must infer them indirectly from ambiguous social observations, which they themselves generate and alter through their actions. Differences in interpersonal experience and behavior arise from the interplay of patients’ prior expectations, their propensity to infer particular social states from certain observations, and their beliefs in their ability to influence these situations through specific actions. We then use concrete examples to demonstrate how future research can take our approach to identify systematic differences in interpersonal experiences and behaviors among depressed patients (or patient subgroups) and to investigate their changes in response to new social experiences. We also discuss potential applications of our approach in diagnosing and treating depression. This work is a move towards understanding the interpersonal aspects of depression in more detail, recognizing their importance in etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.