Conventional Theory Research Articles

Charge block-driven liquid-liquid phase separation - mechanism and biological roles.

Liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has increasingly been found to play pivotal roles in a number of intracellular events and reactions, and has introduced a new paradigm in cell biology to explain protein-protein and enzyme-ligand interactions beyond conventional molecular and biochemical theories. LLPS is driven by the cumulative effects of weak and promiscuous interactions, including electrostatic, hydrophobic and cation-π interactions, among polypeptides containing intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) and describes the macroscopic behaviours of IDR-containing proteins in an intracellular milieu. Recent studies have revealed that interactions between 'charge blocks' - clusters of like charges along the polypeptide chain - strongly induce LLPS and play fundamental roles in its spatiotemporal regulation. Introducing a new parameter, termed 'charge blockiness', into physicochemical models of disordered polypeptides has yielded a better understanding of how the intrinsic amino acid sequence of a polypeptide determines the spatiotemporal occurrence of LLPS within a cell. Charge blockiness might also explain why some post-translational modifications segregate within IDRs and how they regulate LLPS. In this Review, we summarise recent progress towards understanding the mechanism and biological roles of charge block-driven LLPS and discuss how this new characteristic parameter of polypeptides offers new possibilities in the fields of structural biology and cell biology.

The Universe Never Had the So-Called Gravity

This paper challenges conventional gravity theories by revisiting Galileo's discoveries and presenting a counterintuitive perspective. Recent experiments, such as the hammer and feather drop on the moon and vacuum demonstrations on Earth, prompt a reevaluation of our current scientific understanding of gravity. The paper argues that celestial bodies, including Earth, move towards objects, challenging the traditional concept of gravity. Drawing on the equivalence principle and dark matter effects, it contends that objects become stationary when disconnected from their original reference frame. Addressing criticisms, the paper asserts that Earth's perpetual movement ensures uniform gravitational effects globally. Exploring the expanding universe and dark matter's influence, it concludes that objects released in space do not fall but become stationary, prompting a reassessment of established scientific principles. This paradigm shift invites readers to reconsider their understanding of gravity and the universe. The paper is written as a letter to stimulate thought and discussion.

형법 제1조 제2항의 적용범위에 대한 고찰

Korean supreme court’s judgement, 2020do16420 abandoned the conventional theory of motivation in relation to the interpretation of Article 1 (2) of the Criminal Act, and instead presented a new standard of “change in the perspective of criminal law”, distinguishing between changes in laws directly related to the punishment of the penal law and changes in laws that indirectly affect the punishment of the penal law. But, Article 1 (2) of the Criminal Act does not limit the scope of laws that change the criminal constituent requirements by stipulating, “If the act does not constitute a crime or the sentence becomes lighter than the old law due to a change in the law after the crime, the new law shall apply”. So, if a change in one law affects the punishment of the penal law, that is, the establishment and punishment of the crime, it is reasonable to regard it as a change in the laws of Article 1 (2) of the Criminal Act, regardless of whether it has a direct impact or not. To be specific, in addition to changes in the authorized or delegated laws, which are subordinate laws of the penal laws, it is reasonable to regard Changes in supplementary norms that affect the punishment of the penal laws by lending the conceptual elements of the criminal constituent requirements and Changes in laws affecting the punishment of the penal laws by stipulating contents contradictory to the penal laws as changes in the laws of Article 1 (2) of the Criminal Act.

Implication of E-learning and AI Individualized Pedagogical Perspectives

Over the past few years, multiple e-learning programs have been created. Technology-enabled learning possibilities are now commonplace in educational settings, and a lot of people use online resources to further their knowledge for private, professional, or academic purposes. The results show that while newly created e-learning programs are based on contemporary digital tools, require content that is more strategic and has a distinct emphasis than classic learning situations. These findings make one wonder if the elements of virtual education are the best additions to conventional face-to-face instruction. This paper focuses on identifying an e-learning program using Artificial Intelligence (AI) that effectively incorporates pedagogical learning approaches by using the expertise of pedagogical specialists. To help develop theoretical ideas for instruction, several categories encompassing conventional and e-learning learning theories, such as behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism, and connectivism, were examined.

Co‐opted Independent Directors and Firms' Environmental Performance

ABSTRACTResearch Question/IssueConsidering escalating environmental concerns and the important role of board members in shaping strategic corporate decisions, we investigate the relationship between co‐opted independent directors and firms' environmental performance.Research Findings/InsightsExamining US firms from 2002 to 2018, we document a significant negative relationship between co‐opted independent directors and firm environmental performance. Our findings show that while institutional ownership and CEO power exacerbate the negative association, strong corporate governance mitigates this negative impact of co‐opted independent directors on environmental performance. The cross‐sectional results show that the relationship is pronounced in firms with young CEOs, male CEOs, and low CEO compensation. Further, the relationship is also prevalent in boards with fewer meetings, high multiple directors, and higher compensation, indicating a monitoring compromise by independent co‐opted directors.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsReasonable theoretical arguments are drawn from agency theory and the theory of friendly boards, and our statistical analysis supports the academic position of the theory of friendly boards. The negative effect of independent co‐opted directors on firm environmental performance challenges the role of independent directors in addressing agency issues in environmental efforts, hinting at a departure from conventional agency theory expectations.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsTo improve environmental performance, firms should reconsider their board structures, acknowledging the potential drawbacks of co‐opted independent directors. Our findings challenge the Sarbanes–Oxley Act's (SOX) emphasis on increasing the number of outside directors, which assumes independent board members will rigorously oversee executives. Such legislation is greatly based on the premise that independent board members strictly monitor executives. However, our findings indicate that not all independent directors are strict monitors, as demonstrated by lower environmental performance when there are more co‐opted independent directors.

Small Bang Model: A New Paradigm for Understanding Universe Creation

The Small Bang Model (SBM) introduces a revolutionary framework for the genesis of the universe, challenging conventional cosmological theories. By suggesting the universe originated from a zero-mass state, facilitated by antimatter black holes, the SBM provides fresh insights into galaxy formation and the distribution of matter and antimatter. This paper outlines the SBM’s foundational principles, contrasts it with the Big Bang theory, and highlights its potential to resolve longstanding cosmological puzzles. Notably, it presents empirical validations demonstrating distinct mass relationships between supermassive black holes and their host galaxies, supporting a novel classification into matter and antimatter galaxies. The Small Bang model is founded on two pivotal concepts: the theory of Cosmic Inflation and the principle of ‘Shunyata Universe’s Gene- sis’ (or ’Emptiness Universe’s Genesis’), a framework envisioning the universe’s inception as small, empty, and cold, entirely devoid of matter or energy. These SBM findings offer a groundbreaking perspective on the early universe’s dynamics and the distribution of cosmic matter, deepening our understanding of cosmic inflation. Consequently, we invite physicists to study, comprehend, and assess the new cosmological model proposed by the Small Bang Model.

Constructing and Evaluating Machine-Learned Interatomic Potentials for Li-Based Disordered Rocksalts.

Lithium-based disordered rocksalts (LDRs), which are an important class of positive electrode materials that can increase the energy density of current Li-ion batteries, represent a significantly complex chemical and configurational space for conventional density functional theory (DFT)-based high-throughput screening approaches. Notably, atom-centered machine-learned interatomic potentials (MLIPs) are a promising pathway to accurately model the potential energy surface of highly disordered chemical spaces, such as LDRs, where the performance of such MLIPs has not been rigorously explored yet. Here, we represent a comprehensive evaluation of the accuracy, transferability, and ease of training of five atom-centered MLIPs, including the artificial neural network potentials developed by the atomic energy network (AENET), the Gaussian approximation potential (GAP), the spectral neighbor analysis potential (SNAP) and its quadratic extension (qSNAP), and the moment tensor potential (MTP), in modeling a 11-component LDR chemical space. Specifically, we generate a DFT-calculated data set of 10,842 configurations of disordered LiTMO2 and TMO2 compositions, where TM = Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, and/or Cu. To provide a point-of-comparison on the performance of atom-centered MLIPs, we also trained the neural equivariant interatomic potential (NequIP) on a subset of our data. Importantly, we find AENET to be the best potential in terms of accuracy and transferability for energy predictions, while MTP is the best for atomic forces. While AENET is the fastest to train among the MLIPs considered at low number of epochs (300), the training time increases significantly as epochs increase (3300), with a corresponding reduction in training errors (∼60%). Note that AENET and GAP tend to overfit in small data sets, with the extent of overfitting reducing with larger data sets. Finally, we observe AENET to provide reasonable predictions of average Li-intercalation voltages in layered, single-TM LiTMO2 frameworks, compared to DFT (∼10% error on average). Our study should pave the way both for discovering novel disordered rocksalt electrodes and for modeling other configurationally complex systems, such as high-entropy ceramics and alloys.

The detection of unconventional quantum oscillations in insulating 2D materials

In strongly correlated quantum materials, electrons behave in ways that often extend beyond the confines of conventional Fermi-liquid theory. Interesting results include the observation of low-temperature metallic behavior in systems that are highly resistive. Here we provide an overview of experiments in which insulators exhibit characteristics of a metal such as the Shubnikov–de Haas-like quantum oscillations, focusing on recent findings in the correlated insulating states of two-dimensional WTe2. We discuss the status of current research, clarify the debates and challenges in interpreting the experiments, rule out extrinsic explanations and discuss promising future directions.

Electron-photon exchange-correlation approximation for quantum-electrodynamical density-functional theory

Quantum-electrodynamical density-functional theory (QEDFT) provides a promising avenue for exploring complex light-matter interactions in optical cavities for real materials. Similar to conventional density-functional theory, the Kohn-Sham formulation of QEDFT needs approximations for the generally unknown exchange-correlation functional. In addition to the usual electron-electron exchange-correlation potential, an approximation for the electron-photon exchange-correlation potential is needed. A recent electron-photon exchange functional [C. Schäfer , ], derived from the equation of motion of the nonrelativistic Pauli-Fierz Hamiltonian, shows robust performance in one-dimensional systems across weak- and strong-coupling regimes. Yet, its performance in reproducing electron densities in higher dimensions remains unexplored. Here we consider this QEDFT functional approximation from one- to three-dimensional finite systems and across weak to strong light-matter couplings. The electron-photon exchange approximation provides excellent results in the ultrastrong-coupling regime. However, to ensure accuracy also in the weak-coupling regime across higher dimensions, we introduce a computationally efficient renormalization factor for the electron-photon exchange functional, which accounts for part of the electron-photon correlation contribution. These findings extend the applicability of photon-exchange-based functionals to realistic cavity-matter systems, fostering the field of cavity QED (quantum-electrodynamics) materials engineering. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

The Effects of Interest Rates on Bank Risk-Taking in South Africa: Do Cyclical and Location Asymmetries Matter?

We examine the nonlinear relationship between interest rates on bank risk-taking behavior in South Africa between 2008:q1 and 2022:q3 using nonlinear autoregressive distributive lag (NARDL) and quantile autoregressive distributive lag (QARDL) models. Whilst the preliminary estimates from linear ARDL produce results adhering to conventional theory, the NARDL and QARDL analysis shows that the relationship between the variables is more complex. On one hand, the NARDL model shows that the phase of monetary policy (cyclical asymmetries) is important in determining the pass-through effects of interest rates on bank risk behavior. We find that both contractionary and expansionary monetary policy increases long-term risk through decreased liquidity for the former and increased non-performing loans for the latter. On the other hand, the QARDL model shows that the level of bank risk behavior (location asymmetries) is also important in determining the impact of interest rates on bank risk behavior. We find that interest rates affect bank risk behavior in ‘medium-to-high risk environments’ for unsecured loans and lending and in ‘medium-to-low risk environments’ for liquidity. Overall, these results enable us to recommend ways in which the SARB can strengthen its monitoring mechanisms given the multifaceted impact of interest rates on bank risk-taking.

Anomalous Long-Distance Coherence in Critically Driven Cavity Magnonics.

Developing quantum networks necessitates coherently connecting distant systems via remote strong coupling. Here, we demonstrate long-distance coherence in cavity magnonics operating in the linear regime. By locally setting the cavity near critical coupling with traveling photons, nonlocal magnon-photon coherence is established via strong coupling over a 2-m distance. We observe two anomalies in this long-distance coherence: first, the coupling strength oscillates twice the period of conventional photon-mediated couplings; second, clear mode splitting is observed within the cavity linewidth. Both effects cannot be explained by conventional coupled-mode theory, which reveals the tip of an iceberg of photon-mediated coupling in systems under critical driving. Our Letter shows the potential of using critical phenomena for harnessing long-distance coherence in distributed systems.

Simultaneous determination of Young's modulus and residual stress via dynamic analysis of nanobridge exhibiting beam-to-string behaviors using a genetic algorithm

The mechanical properties of nanostructures, particularly Young's modulus and residual stress, exert significant influence on the performance and reliability of nanomechanical devices. However, conventional methods prove inadequate for evaluating these properties due to the impact of fabrication processes on nanostructures. This study addresses this challenge by proposing a dynamic model that considers the transition between “beam-like” and “string-like” characteristics under residual stress, a factor overlooked in previous research. Through analysis of nanobridge vibration modes and utilization of genetic algorithms (GAs) to reverse-engineer Young's modulus and residual stress from resonant frequencies, we introduce a novel and precise methodology. In contrast to the conventional Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, our proposed model integrates the system's kinetic and potential energies for resonant frequency calculation. This energy-based approach, grounded in physical principles, excels at capturing dynamic changes in structural behavior. Particularly in the critical “transition region” where the resonator shifts from “beam-like” to “string-like” behavior, our method adeptly accounts for energy conversion processes, resulting in more accurate resonant frequency estimations. By comparing with existing published data, our proposed method achieves a maximum error of 5.87 % in the determination of Young's modulus and residual stress of nanostructures.

The oxygen fugacity of intermediate shergottite NWA 11043: implications for Martian mantle evolution

Shergottite meteorites, classified as depleted, intermediate, or enriched based on incompatible trace elements and specific radiogenic isotope compositions (Sr, Nd, and Hf isotope ratios), point to multiple Martian mantle source regions. The oxygen fugacity (fO2) of these mantle regions, determined from early crystallizing minerals using the olivine-pyroxene-spinel oxybarometer, appears to correlate with incompatible trace element enrichment and isotope compositions. However, values derived from the vanadium-in-olivine oxybarometer challenge this correlation, hinting at potential biases in oxybarometry or complexities in the redox conditions of the Martian mantle. By analyzing the intermediate shergottite Northwest Africa (NWA) 11043 with various oxybarometers, this study deduced its origin from a reduced mantle source, with an average fO2 value of −0.77 ± 0.35 relative to the iron-wüstite (IW) buffer. Notably, these values coincide with those of depleted shergottites, which represent the depleted Martian mantle region. This redox similarity between intermediate and depleted shergottites contrasts with earlier notions that postulated intermediate shergottites as a mix of depleted and enriched mantle derivatives. Moreover, intermediate shergottites such as NWA 11043, Elephant Moraine (EETA) 79001A, and Allan Hills (ALH) 77005 display 176Hf/177Hf values akin to those of depleted shergottites, suggesting that intermediate mantle components can be separated from the depleted mantle source at approximately 2.2 Ga based on model age calculations. Therefore, there presents a consistent redox state between mantle magma sources of both intermediate and depleted shergottites since the Hesperian period, while enriched shergottites lean toward more oxidized conditions past source formation.This study prompts a reassessment of conventional theories, emphasizing the nuanced redox evolution of the Martian mantle across distinct mantle source regions and underscoring the complexity of the redox evolution of the Martian mantle. The emergence of chemically diverse mantle reservoirs might predominantly arise from early magma ocean differentiation processes, albeit with inherent oxidation nuances. The differences in fO2 observed between intermediate and depleted shergottites underscore the need for more in-depth studies to decipher Martian mantle differentiation and evolution.

Role of an organizational psychologist in improving and accelerating work engagement

Purpose-. Work is an integral part of human life, where progress and productivity are more expected or demanded but an employee’s mental health is rarely considered a priority. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to highlight the significance of placing an organizational psychologist at the forefront of workplaces, to encourage the mutual wellbeing of individuals and organizations. Approach- This is a conceptual paper that builds upon a thorough review of existing conventional management theories to identify key cracks in knowledge about the importance of organizational psychologists to deal with a diverse range of social and behavioral issues within organizations considering common psychological safety at work. We start by conducting a content analysis of a few articles in the field that discuss the ‘why’ for organizational psychologists under work climate and continue with the strategies that can help organizations in reducing work-related stressors and improving social working conditions, and training. Findings- This study proposes a model that can be used to consider individual (employee) and situational (organizational) psychological wellness by underlining the direct interaction of organizational psychologists in managing human resources. The model of this study elucidates that collective wellbeing relies equally on organizational support teams (HR) and organizational psychologists through collective mindfulness. Originality/Value- Many studies are conducted in different countries with different perspectives of the organization and HR, where the role and importance of the organizational psychologist or psychologist in the organizations were highlighted, yet the concept is still blurry in Pakistan, and thus, this study is a novel contribution in a geographical context. Keywords- Psychology, Organizational psychologist, Employee wellbeing, Corporate wellness, Organizational development Paper type- Conceptual Paper

Social capital, government guidance and contract choice in agricultural land transfer.

This study explores the impact of farm households' social capital characteristics and local government policies on the selection of farmland transfer contracts in China's rural industrial revitalization context. Utilizing field research data from 1,979 households in ethnic areas of Hunan Province, this paper constructs an econometric model to assess how farm households' social capital and local governments' involvement in rural industrial revitalization influence farmland transfer contract selections. The findings indicate that, lacking government program support, farmers' social capital significantly affects contract type and duration, but not the rent. Specifically, farmers possessing extensive social capital prefer verbal and short-term contracts (coefficients of 0.525 and 0.643, significant at the 5% level), whereas their influence on rent (coefficient of 2.418, significant at the 5% level) manifests under government program support. These results challenge the conventional theory of farmland transfer contracts and offer substantial empirical support for the development of local government policies in rural industrial revitalization, underlining the critical role of government guidance and social capital in enhancing farmland transfer.

Psychological mechanism and cognitive basis of humorous speech

To more clearly present the psychological mechanism and cognitive basis of humorous speech, this study measured college students using various scales, discussed the role of humorous coping in resolving their social anxiety and regulating their mental health, and attempted to construct a cognitive symbol working model from three dimensions: theory of innocence, modern semiotics, and conceptual integration theory. We used the proposed model to present the psychological mechanism and cognitive basis of humorous speech. This study found that humor coping is positively correlated with college students’ social anxiety, which is positively correlated with mental health. Affinity humor style and humor coping can positively predict college students’ communication anxiety, but affinity humor style has better predictive power. This research held that relevance is the general principle of communicative cognition and has become a space of conceptual synthesis network. The combination of conceptual fusion and deviation theory with conventional theory can help us better understand verbal humor and reveal its cognitive basis. There is a close relationship between humorous language and human psychological mechanisms. Finally, there is also a clear relationship between different psychological mechanisms and the structure of humorous language.

Coherent potential approximation study of impurity effect on monolayer hexagonal boron phosphide

Impurity doping is a necessary technology for the application of semiconductor materials in microelectronic devices. The quantification of doping effects is crucial for controlling the transport properties of semiconductors. Here, taking two-dimensional (2D) hexagonal boron phosphide semiconductor as an example, we employ coherent potential approximation method to investigate the electronic properties of 2D semiconductor materials at low doping concentrations, which cannot be exploited with conventional density function theory. The results demonstrate that the positive or negative impurity potential in 2D semiconductors determines whether it is p-type or n-type doping, while the impurity potential strength decides whether it is shallow-level or deep-level doping. Impurity concentration has important impacts on not only the intensity but also the broadening of impurity peak in band gap. Importantly, we provide the operating temperature range of hexagonal boron phosphide as a semiconductor device under different impurity concentrations and impurity potentials. The methodology of this study can be applied to other 2D semiconductors, which is of great significance for quantitative research on the application of 2D semiconductors for electronic devices.

Brushing Up on Cartilage Lubrication: Polyelectrolyte-Enhanced Tribological Rehydration.

This study presents new insights into the potential role of polyelectrolyte interfaces in regulating low friction and interstitial fluid pressurization of cartilage. Polymer brushes composed of hydrophilic 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt (SPMK) tethered to a PEEK substrate (SPMK-g-PEEK) are a compelling biomimetic solution for interfacing with cartilage, inspired by the natural lubricating biopolyelectrolyte constituents of synovial fluid. These SPMK-g-PEEK surfaces exhibit a hydrated compliant layer approximately 5 μm thick, demonstrating the ability to maintain low friction coefficients (μ ∼ 0.01) across a wide speed range (0.1-200 mm/s) under physiological loads (0.75-1.2 MPa). A novel polyelectrolyte-enhanced tribological rehydration mechanism is elucidated, capable of recovering up to ∼12% cartilage strain and subsequently facilitating cartilage interstitial fluid recovery, under loads ranging from 0.25 to 2.21 MPa. This is attributed to the combined effects of fluid confinement within the contact gap and the enhanced elastohydrodynamic behavior of polymer brushes. Contrary to conventional theories that emphasize interstitial fluid pressurization in regulating cartilage lubrication, this work demonstrates that SPMK-g-PEEK's frictional behavior with cartilage is independent of these factors and provides unabating aqueous lubrication. Polyelectrolyte-enhanced tribological rehydration can occur within a static contact area and operates independently of known mechanisms of cartilage interstitial fluid recovery established for converging or migrating cartilage contacts. These findings challenge existing paradigms, proposing a novel polyelectrolyte-cartilage tribological mechanism not exclusively reliant on interstitial fluid pressurization or cartilage contact geometry. The implications of this research extend to a broader understanding of synovial joint lubrication, offering insights into the development of joint replacement materials that more accurately replicate the natural functionality of cartilage.

Energetic cost of biosynthesis is a missing link between growth and longevity in mammals

The comparative studies of aging have established a negative correlation between Gompertz postnatal growth constant and maximum lifespan across mammalian species, but the underlying physiological mechanism remains unclear. This study shows that the Gompertz growth constant can be decomposed into two energetic components, mass-specific metabolic rate and the energetic cost of biosynthesis, and that after controlling the former as a confounder, the negative correlation between growth constant and lifespan still exists due to a 100-fold variation in the latter, revealing that the energetic cost of biosynthesis is a link between growth and longevity in mammals. Previously, the energetic cost of biosynthesis has been thought to be a constant across species and therefore was not considered a contributor to the variation in any life history traits, such as growth and lifespan. This study employs a recently proposed model based on energy conservation to explain the physiological effect of the variation in this energetic cost on the aging process and illustrates its role in linking growth and lifespan. The conventional life history theory suggested a tradeoff between growth and somatic maintenance, but the findings in this study suggest that allocating more energy to biosynthesis may enhance the somatic maintenance and extend lifespan and, hence, reveal a more complex nature of the tradeoff.

Eye movement intervention facilitates concurrent perception and memory processing.

A widely used psychotherapeutic treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) involves performing bilateral eye movement (EM) during trauma memory retrieval. However, how this treatment-described as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)-alleviates trauma-related symptoms is unclear. While conventional theories suggest that bilateral EM interferes with concurrently retrieved trauma memories by taxing the limited working memory resources, here, we propose that bilateral EM actually facilitates information processing. In two EEG experiments, we replicated the bilateral EM procedure of EMDR, having participants engaging in continuous bilateral EM or receiving bilateral sensory stimulation (BS) as a control while retrieving short- or long-term memory. During EM or BS, we presented bystander images or memory cues to probe neural representations of perceptual and memory information. Multivariate pattern analysis of the EEG signals revealed that bilateral EM enhanced neural representations of simultaneously processed perceptual and memory information. This enhancement was accompanied by heightened visual responses and increased neural excitability in the occipital region. Furthermore, bilateral EM increased information transmission from the occipital to the frontoparietal region, indicating facilitated information transition from low-level perceptual representation to high-level memory representation. These findings argue for theories that emphasize information facilitation rather than disruption in the EMDR treatment.