Conventional Boundary Research Articles

Topological phase transitions of generalized Brillouin zone

It has been known that the bulk-boundary correspondence (BBC) of the non-Hermitian skin effect is characterized by the topology of the complex eigenvalue spectra, while the topology of the wave function gives rise to Hermitian BBC with conventional boundary modes. In this work, we go beyond the known description of the non-Hermitian topological phase and find a different type of BBC that appears in generalized boundary conditions. The generalized Brillouin zone (GBZ) possesses non-trivial topological structures in the intermediate boundary condition between open and periodic boundary conditions. Unlike the conventional BBC, the topological phase transition is characterized by the generalized momentum touching of GBZ, which manifests as exceptional points. As a realization of our proposal, we suggest the non-reciprocal Kuramoto oscillator lattice, where phase slips accompany exceptional points as a signature of such topological phase transition. Our work establishes an understanding of non-Hermitian topological matter by complementing the non-Hermitian BBC as a general foundation of the non-Hermitian topological systems.

Testing the Validity of the Multi-Factor Model in the Chinese Stock Market

In the wake of the burgeoning field of quantitative finance, factor models have risen to considerable prominence within the Chinese financial landscape. This research undertakes a comprehensive analysis employing data spanning the years 2014 to 2022, encompassing a total of 108 monthly observations sourced from the Chinese A-share stock market. The principal objective of this study revolves around the evaluation of the effectiveness of an array of common factors. These factors include the market risk premium, market value, book-to-market ratio, profitability, investment, momentum, and liquidity factors. Moreover, our inquiry extends beyond the conventional boundaries of the Fama-French three-factor and five-factor models. It introduces the pivotal elements of momentum and liquidity factors, effectively formulating an enriched model poised to offer a more robust framework for understanding and explaining returns. The discerned findings shed valuable light on the model configurations most apt for dissecting the excess returns exhibited within the sample stocks. Notably, the amalgamation of the three-factor model with the strategic incorporation of the liquidity factor emerges as the most comprehensive explanatory model for the observed excessive returns in the context of the Chinese A-share stock market. It is important to highlight that the introduction of the momentum factor, while explored, does not impart a significant augmentation in the model's capacity to clarify excess returns, a noteworthy departure from expectations within the Chinese A-share market. These insights not only advance our understanding of the Chinese financial landscape but also underscore the intricate dynamics at play in the realm of quantitative finance.

Black soldier fly larvae should be considered beyond their use as feedstuff

Abstract In recent years the entomological landscape has witnessed substantial progress in the promotion of insects for food and feed purposes. In particular, the black soldier fly (BSF) sector is experiencing an unprecedented expansion and is attracting growing attention from both researchers and entrepreneurs. Despite the well-established supply chain based on the valorisation of waste and by-products by BSF larvae for producing feedstuff, the BSF industry is considering alternative challenging substrates for rearing the larvae and exploring novel applications of bioactive molecules from BSF beyond animal feed. This editorial challenges the conventional boundaries of the insects for food and feed sector, and delves into the innovative use of BSF proteins, lipids, and chitin, pointing out diverse opportunities across the biomedical, biotechnological, agricultural, zootechnical, and environmental sectors that could further propel the utilisation of this insect.

«Пламенный голос из-за края». К вопросу о взаимодействии поэзии и политики

In contemporary critical literature, there are various perspectives on the relationship be­tween the political and the poetic. Some view poetry as a form of politics, encapsulated in the aphorism ‘the word is a weapon’, while others argue that politics itself should embody the qualities of poetry, as suggested by Andy Merrifield's assertion that "politics should be like poetry." This article seeks to explore the poetic dimensions that underpin the political necessi­ty for poetry, namely, the attributes of poetry that establish a connection with the political sphere. The focus of this exploration is the concept of poetic defamiliarization and its interac­tion with the political within Jacques Rancière's theoretical framework. Rancière posits that the political function of poetry, and art more broadly, lies in its ability to disrupt the estab­lished order of sensory perception, challenging the prevailing system of unquestioned percep­tual facts. This disruptive quality of poetry contrasts with what has been termed "police aes­thetics" by Vatulescu, which reflects the conformity and uniformity inherent in consumer society. The article contends that, within the contemporary cultural landscape, the transform­ative potential of poetic expression risks being co-opted by aestheticizing practices prevalent in consumer culture. As a result, the subversive nature of poetic utterance is somewhat dilut­ed, as it becomes assimilated into commodifying forces. However, the article also suggests that poetry retains the capacity to resist such commodification by transcending the limitations imposed by conventional boundaries, thereby offering a means of resisting capture by com­mercial interests

NURTURING INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS.

This paper examines the role of Creativity and innovations are indispensable elements in the modern business environment, serving as catalysts for growth, adaptation, and competitive advantage. This abstract delves into the dynamic relationship between creativity and innovation within the business context, highlighting their pivotal roles in shaping organizational success. Creativity, characterized by the generation of novel and valuable ideas, lays the foundation for innovation—the process by which these ideas are translated into tangible and marketable solutions. Businesses that foster a culture of creativity empower employees to think beyond conventional boundaries, fostering an environment where diverse perspectives converge to ignite innovation. This abstract explores the interconnected nature of these concepts, emphasizing the need for organizations to embrace risk-taking, encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration, and prioritize a customer-centric approach. By understanding and leveraging the synergies between creativity and innovation, businesses can navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving landscape and position themselves as trailblazers in their respective industries. This exploration underscores the transformative power of creativity and innovation, portraying them not merely as business strategies but as essential drivers of sustained success and relevance in an ever-changing world. By setting and achieving creativity and innovation objectives, businesses can position themselves as dynamic and adaptive entities, capable of navigating change, staying ahead of the competition, and delivering sustained value to customers and stakeholders

Exploring the Expression of Deconstructionism in Chinese National Costume Design

In the mid-20th century, the concept of deconstructionism was first proposed in the field of philosophy. Its emergence subverted entrenched notions and cognitions of traditional structures, fostering a novel mode of anti-traditional thinking. Within the realm of fashion, deconstructionism primarily manifests in breaking the taboos of traditional attire, rendering aesthetic standards more diverse. Designers are empowered to transcend conventional design boundaries in both thought and form, thereby crafting works imbued with greater tension and contradiction. With a history spanning 5000 years, China has witnessed the emergence of numerous distinct traditional garments. The imperative task facing every Chinese designer is how to inherit and evolve these historically significant ethnic attires. Contemporary ethnic-style garment design transcends mere clothing production; it constitutes an endeavor concerning the perpetuation and evolution of ethnic attire and sentiment. Deconstruction serves as a method of garment design, yet it is the national sentiment of the Chinese people that embodies the ultimate essence requiring dissemination and expression in design. The central inquiry of this paper revolves around how to integrate this internationalized deconstruction design method with Chinese traditional attire, thereby endowing traditional clothing with renewed vitality. In the course of this study, a qualitative research approach is predominantly employed. Through comparative analysis of exemplary works of Chinese ethnic-style garment design from both domestic and international sources, the application outcomes of deconstructionism in garment silhouette, pattern, and detail elements are derived. Utilizing structural methods in garment design not only yields innovative stylistic structures but also furnishes additional design insights and space for the future development of ethnic garment design.

Life cycle of buildings and structures. Life cycle stages

In this paper, the author provides provisions and definitions of the life cycle of buildings and structures. The life cycle is conventionally divided into five stages (the stage of the origin of the idea and scientific research, the formation of the design resource of constructive safety, the stage of construction (construction), the establishment of the initial (starting) resource of constructive safety, the stage of operation and its stages, the stage of technical inspection, reconstruction, strengthening and recovery, recycling stage and environmental aspects), definitions of each stage are given and conventional boundaries of each stage are proposed. In the world around us everything alive or not alive have its oven beginning and ending. The period between ending and beginning we can name as the period of existence or the period of life. We can use this abstract-philosophic statement about life period for all buildings and structures people has ever made. Some of buildings and structures made by humanity existed by ages and centuries, but other ones existed not for a long time and can disappeared from the face of the earth under the influence of set of outside and inside destructive factors.

Конфігурації особистого, публічного та професійного в персональних профілях користувачів фейсбуку: контент-аналіз

Background. Social media have become powerful platforms for self-representation and self-presentation. Researchers note that social networks blur the conventional boundaries between personal and public issues and spheres of life. Empirical analysis of personal profiles will help understand what issues (personal, public, or professional) and in what configurations users post on their social networks. The study aims to analyze the posts' meta-themes, types, and general patterns of configurations in 15 personal profiles of the Ukrainian Facebook space. Methods. Content analysis of 50 consecutive posts from 15 profiles of users of different ages, professions, and publicity was applied. Posts have been categorized by meta-themes (personal, professional, public) and types defined in the process of analysis (including dissemination of information about one's project, posts for memorable dates, diary accounting, diary reflection, meme, quote, opinion writing, etc). Results. Differences between the strategies of personal profile usage by public and non-public individuals were found. In particular, non-public users more often focus on personal topics, while public ones focus on professional ones. Popular types of posts were identified, such as diary accounting, diary reflecting, mapping of one's network, and project announcements. It was found that promoting one's own projects, journalism, and essay writing, as well as crowdfunding campaigns, are more common among public figures, while diary reflection, sharing photos, and memes are more prevalent among non-public users. Personal profiles in social networks perform a number of functions, such as being counterparts of live communication and self-presentation, spaces for opinion leadership, and involvement in collective events. Despite the proven diversity of profile management, each user demonstrates integrity and consistency in their approach. Conclusions. Unlike institutions and spaces of modernity, contemporary social networks combine different spheres of life (personal, professional, and public) in one space – in a single personal profile and even a single post. This creates both new opportunities for self-(re)presentation and challenges. Further empirical research involving qualitative methods is relevant for a deeper understanding motivation of users and their perception of the profiles.

Multi-Dimension Framework for Global Education System

In today’s growing interconnected and rapidly evolving world, where all aspects of human life are interdependent, a broader understanding of cultures, economies, politics, and social issues is required. Considering the importance of education role in this issue, diverse traditional education systems around the world have resulted in fragmented approaches that fall short in preparing individuals for the complexities of an interlinked global society. To this end, it is necessary to provide a new innovative education model that adapts to and integrates evolving socio-economic and technological dimensions. This paper presents a great vision of a comprehensive framework for a dynamic global education system leveraging cutting-edge digital technologies such as artificial intelligence to interconnect economic, social, cultural, technological, and well-being dimensions aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thereby facilitates equitable access to quality education and aspires to transcend conventional boundaries leading to foster holistic development and global collaboration.

Cultivating a Culture of Innovation Nurturing Entrepreneurial Spirit and Startup Mindset in Engineering Education

Abstract -- In today's rapidly evolving world, the role of engineers has transcended conventional boundaries, requiring not just technical proficiency, but also the ability to think creatively, adapt swiftly, and translate concepts into practical solutions. This article underscores the significance of instilling a culture of innovation, entrepreneurial spirit, and startup mindset within engineering education. It emphasizes the need for these qualities in light of the dynamic nature of engineering challenges. The evolving educational landscape must instill students with the capacity to tackle future complexities. This article accentuates the essence of entrepreneurial thinking and startup-oriented approaches without resorting to quantitative or qualitative analysis. It explores how integrating entrepreneurial concepts into engineering education can foster inventiveness, interdisciplinary cooperation, and industry preparedness. Furthermore, it addresses the potential hurdles in implementing such an approach. In essence, this article asserts that by cultivating entrepreneurship, educators equip engineering students to emerge as inventive problem solvers and catalysts for societal advancement. Keywords---Engineering; Education; Entrepreneurial; Industrial; Innovation; Start up.

AI-Powered financial modeling and valuation analysis: Unleashing data-driven insights

In the contemporary financial arena, the fusion of artificial intelligence (AI) with traditional financial modelling and valuation analysis heralds a revolutionary epoch marked by unprecedented efficiency, accuracy, and foresight. Leveraging cutting-edge algorithms and vast datasets, AI-powered methodologies transcend conventional boundaries, offering discerning insights and strategic foresight to financial practitioners. This abstract navigates through the transformative landscape of AI-driven financial modelling, unravelling its intricate mechanisms and profound implications for the financial ecosystem. Through the symbiosis of machine learning, natural language processing, and predictive analytics, AI algorithms seamlessly decode intricate financial patterns, empowering stakeholders with actionable intelligence and unparalleled decision-making prowess. Keywords: artificial intelligence, financial modelling, valuation analysis, predictive analytics, machine learning, strategic foresight, data-driven insights, algorithmic efficiency, transformative paradigm, decision-making process.

The built environment and public spaces informing teaching and learning

Modern learning environments have evolved beyond traditional classrooms, encompassing various settings like digital networks, social media, communities, and urban landscapes. The defining characteristics of an educational space include purpose and intentionality, going beyond conventional boundaries and offering students practical, context-specific learning experiences. Engagement with public spaces and the constructed environment facilitates spatial engagement and participation.
 This text explores a critical pedagogy that aims to uncover institutional power and prevailing ideologies within everyday experiences, questioning the educational value of buildings, cities, streets, and walls. It examines the constructed environment as an educational tool, including cities, parks, houses, streets, public, and private spaces.
 Within the domain of educational research, urban public spaces and the built environment serve as crucial contexts for graduate students, providing experiential learning opportunities and an in-depth analysis of the intricate relationship between political and pedagogical rationales that shape urban spaces and structures. This exploration also extends to the spaces between buildings and the practices that influence them.
 Urban spaces offer genuine learning contexts, enhancing research skills and honing observational abilities. Students are encouraged to delve beneath the surface of familiarity, transcending self-evident truths.
 The text presents three case studies examining cultures formed by young individuals in schools, urban populations, small communities, and urban artists. These studies spotlight the educational significance embedded within the interplay of spatial configurations and the inhabitants of these spaces.
 Cover page:

Beyond Storage: Evaluating the Utilization of Learning Management Systems in Higher Education

In the rapidly evolving landscape of higher education, the integration of Learning Management Systems (LMSs) has become pivotal, transcending mere content uploading to necessitate a deeper fusion of technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge, as emphasised by the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) model. This study addresses the knowledge gap in assessing the alignment of the usage LMSs with the TPACK framework through a mixed-method approach. Analysing LMS usage patterns and distributing questionnaires to academics reveals the predominant use of LMSs for basic content storage, with limited incorporation of multimedia resources and infrequent utilisation of external and analytical tools. These findings raise concerns about universities' optimal utilisation of technology investments, highlighting the need to reassess LMS value and potential redesign. The study underscores the importance of enhanced training and support for academics to align LMSs with TPACK principles, emphasising the necessity of understanding this relationship. By doing so, educators can employ transformative strategies that extend beyond conventional boundaries, offering a more enriched educational experience.

An Unknown Demonologist at the University of Paris?

Though Daemonologia, like ontologia and anthropologia, is not genuinely medieval, but conceived in the Renaissance, it remains valid to apply such categories to the medieval intellectual culture. By doing so, we can restore the continuum of historical development. The present paper investigates the role of Hugh of Saint-Cher (ca. 1190–1263) within the domain of scholastic demonology. Specifically, it focuses on distinctions II.7–8 from Hugh's commentary on the Sentences (ca. 1231–1234) which has been transcribed, collated, and translated by me for the first time. I begin by examining Hugh's forerunners among scholastics in order to ultimately pick out Alexander of Hales. He was the sole precursor who invested in pushing demonology beyond conventional boundaries. Onwards, I demonstrate the diversity of thematic issues Hugh addresses. His text aims at accommodating a rational explanation and critique of the demonic procreation, healing, body assumption, locution, and wonders. Notably, Hugh's work demonstrates a relatively limited influence of Aristotle. The Dominican instead endows Lombard's text with illuminating stories about Balaam, Simon Magus, Apuleius, and Bartholomew. Hugh's ideas would go on to serve as the cornerstone for further elaboration of the demonology in the 1230s and 1240s. Subsequently, I offer an extensive overview of Hugh's impact on the handwritten tradition, clearly discernable through critical reception in Richard Fishacre, John de la Rochelle, and Eudes Rigaud's writings. What is more, I point out alternative ways to entail demonology by drawing upon evidence from Roland of Cremona and Alexander of Hales. After all, I consider Aristotle's impact on early scholastic demonology between 1225 and 1245.

Cross-Cultural Marketing Communication: A Comparative Analysis of Strategies in Global Campaigns

Due to the advent of globalisation, the establishment of global markets has led to a notable increase in the number of enterprises operating across many nations. The emergence of multicultural organisations may be attributed to companies' efforts to extend their operations outside conventional geographical boundaries. Within these firms, individuals from many nationalities interact with one another in order to accomplish the objectives of the company. The attraction and profitability of these expansions for enterprises may be evident; yet, the operational and managerial challenges associated with global firms are more complex compared to local ones. The global business landscape is shaped by a multitude of factors, including divergences in social, cultural, economic, legal, and political contexts. Engaging in global commercial operations exposes organisations to a range of potential risks, such as political risk, currency risk, and cultural risk, among others. Human resources play a vital role in facilitating the smooth running of company divisions, both at local and worldwide levels. The objective of this research is to examine the challenges associated with cross-cultural marketing faced by organisations engaged in global marketing endeavors. The research highlights the significance of possessing a comprehensive comprehension of a foreign culture, demonstrating respect towards a foreign culture, and implementing management practices that are appropriately attuned to cultural variations. These factors are identified as crucial in enabling a company to effectively address the challenges associated with cross-cultural marketing.

Teacher-student relationships in higher education: reflections from an adventure sport context

ABSTRACT Teacher-student relationships form an integral part of students’ learning process in higher education. Using an autobiographical research methodology and critical incident theory, we reflect upon significant episodes during adventure sport fieldwork. We use these to discuss why it is essential for educators to reflect upon this aspect of their practice to cultivate an equitable, inclusive, and empowering learning environment for students. We begin by proposing a definition of ‘care’ in the context of higher education and discuss how its application produces distinctive issues to consider in the teaching of outdoor adventure education (OAE). Using this as a foundation for our thinking, we proceed to address the issue of diversity. We argue that managing teacher-student relationships to create an environment which supports and values a diverse student population is crucial for a sector still trying to shake off the ideological remains of its racial capitalist origins. Finally, we consider the issue of power within teacher-student relationships. Specifically, we suggest that OAE is a field which lends itself well to challenging conventional role boundaries and hierarchies, provided that educators do so with appropriate care. In doing this, we reflect the contemporary issues evident in wider society and by engaging with students over issues of power, oppression, and inclusion, we seek to make an impact beyond our teaching in the academy.

Non-Interiors

This text-based research essay, through the theory and practices of mapping, suggests a non-dichotomous conceptualisation of interiority. It offers to probe the potentials of ambiguities and multiple meanings of an interior rather than the traditional oppositions such as inside-outside, private-public, female-male invoked by the term interior. We argue that interiority is not a fixed entity but a continuously changing state through the relationships formed among the imagined, remembered, and lived spaces of a subject. Our research is centred around a study of filmmaker Chantal Akerman’s Les Rendez-vous d'Anna, which traces filmmaker Anna's encounters with hotel rooms, stations, and trains as she travels through different cities to promote her film. Akerman’s film introduces interiors provoked by uncertain and unfamiliar modes of interiority by interrogating its habitation through the peculiar tactics of filmmaking and viewing. By mapping this filmic interiority, we argue for ‘non-interior’ as a critical and creative way of approaching an interior. Non-interior is not the opposite of interior, nor an in-between position of interior and exterior, yet is concerned with what is unknown, what is excluded, and what is unheeded. It aims to theorise and practise an uncertainty of the interior without assigning a single static definition. The research of a non-interior offers ambiguity, multiplicity, and uncertainty to an interior, allowing us to explore interiority within gradual shades of its materiality as a room, a threshold element, or a piece of furniture. Mapping came to the fore as a method of this research, which performs the filmic topography. It suggests an embodied practice of film viewing, including the authors’ analytical and emotional responses to the encountered representation of the interior. Mapping enables us to explore the potential of filmic representation to blur the presumed definitions and conventional boundaries of the concept of the interior. By mapping filmic interiors, we reveal ambiguous states of the interiors we encountered in the film and multiply their layers of uncertainty. These mapped uncertainties allow the interior to be questioned and the non-interior to be produced. In particular, non-interior draws on the non-dichotomous approaches in art and architecture such as Robert Smithson's ‘non-site’, Pascal Bonitzer’s ‘de-framing’ or ‘off-screen’, and Rosalind Krauss's ‘expanded field’ to explore ambiguity as a critical tool in order to understand the uncertainty of an interior. Mapping of non-interiors proposes architectural theory and representation that consists of fragmented, subjective, situated, and embodied knowledge of interiors.

Editorial for Characterization and Application of Nanomaterials (Vol-ume 6 Issue 1)

Nanomaterials stand as transformative elements across diverse domains, ranging from biotechnology, aircraft, aviation, and space exploration to medicine, health, environmental preservation, resources, energy, and aerospace. This issue, comprising nine original research articles and two insightful reviews, we embark on a journey to unravel the multifaceted uses of nanomaterials, with a special emphasis on their contributions to environmental protection and medicine. Delving into the unique traits of various nanomaterials, our aim is to provide readers with a comprehensive understanding that transcends conventional boundaries, fostering a deeper appreciation for the impact of nanomaterials.

Plane wave reflection in micro-structural piezomagnetic-flexomagnetic solid with impedance boundary conditions

The second-order gradient theory is reliable to predict the behavior of mechanical phenomena such as wave scattering, vibration, and buckling in nano/micro-structures. This theory incorporates size-dependent effects including strain-gradient elasticity and micro-inertia, crucial for constitutive modeling of piezomagnetic-flexomagnetic crystals. These small-scale size effects can have significant impact on the sensing mechanism of nanoscale transducers used in structural health monitoring (SHM) and nondestructive testing (NDT). In this article, we address the scattering of a plane wave (P-type longitudinal wave) in a piezomagnetic-flexomagnetic solid halfspace after it reflects from an open surface. The secular equation of quasi plane ( qP ) wave and multiple wave modes generated after reflection have been obtained analytically using non-classical governing equations. Impedance boundary conditions have been considered and conventional stress-free boundary conditions have been obtained as its case. Unlike a conventional piezomagnetic medium, five different wave modes have been traced after reflection (two different surface wave modes are present due to the gradient elasticity and micro-inertia effect). Closed expressions of amplitude ratios and energy flux ratios of reflected waves have been formulated from the system of linear equations. By taking a suitable numerical example, amplitude ratios and energy flux ratios for reflected waves have been plotted with respect to incidence angle. Detailed discussions have been made to understand the influence of impedance boundary and flexomagnetic effect on those ratios. The numerical results have been validated by energy conservation law. This investigation may provide necessary guidelines to understand the plane wave characteristics in micro-structural smart solid structures.

On Theater, Law, and Justice (Not Necessarily in That Order)

This special issue of Documenta delves into the reciprocal relationship between ‘Theater and Law,’ establishing an interdisciplinary space for justice that transcends conventional legal boundaries. In contrast to traditional, rigid judicial frameworks that revolve around accusing and sentencing clearly defined defendants, the performing and visual arts provide a reflective environment for reevaluating legal cases and systems. Each article in this issue aspires to reconceptualize established legal perspectives by presenting artistically inspired alternatives. The contributions illustrate how the performing and visual arts foster empathetic and progressive alternatives to the judicial process, both within and beyond traditional court settings. To underscore the significance of these artistically inspired alternatives, this introduction examines the tragic case of Sanda Dia, a twenty-year-old student who died during an extreme initiation ritual from a student corps at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in 2018.