Desired Behavior Research Articles

Analysis of the Effect of Anger Expression Method on Post-Purchase Evaluation Through the Mediating Effect of Retaliatory Consumption by Negative Desire Behavior

Analysis of the Effect of Anger Expression Method on Post-Purchase Evaluation Through the Mediating Effect of Retaliatory Consumption by Negative Desire Behavior

Strategy adaptive system to learning processes for emerging serious games using a fuzzy classifier system

An emerging serious game (ESG) is a game that unfolds autonomously without explicit laws, adapting to the player, where the player learns while playing. An ESG engine must enable the emergence in the game, in order to allow its adaptation to the specific environment where it is being used. In previous articles, different components of an ESG engine have been proposed. This paper proposes a strategy adaptive system (SAS) for ESG, which allows the emergence of strategies in a videogame. Particularly, SAS manages the emergence of new procedures or methods (tactics), as well as actions (logistics), among other things, in the ESG, to adapt it to the environment. This component is based on a Fuzzy Classifier System that generates new rules, tactics, etc. in the game to follow the desired behavior. In this article, SAS is applied in a smart classroom (SaCI, for its acronym in Spanish), in such a way that allows the adaptation of an ESG to the students in SaCI. Especially, it is used during their teaching-learning processes. Additionally, this paper analyzes the performance of SAS in SaCI, with very encouraging results, since the quality of the strategies proposed by SAS (defined by rules that define the logic and tactics of the game) is improved in all case studies. This improvement is confirmed because the average use of the rules generated by our adaptive system is greater than 3.6, when the initial rules are used on average less than once.

A Analysis of the Influence of the AIDA Method ( Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) on Purchasing Decisions for Halal-Labeled Fast Food for FAI UMSU Students

This study is to determine how consumer purchasing decisions for halal-labeled fast food products are influenced by the AIDA (attention, interest, desire, action) method applied. As a marketing strategy, the AIDA approach is used to determine how much attention, interest, desire, and consumer behavior can influence the decision to buy fast food that has received halal certification. This study uses a quantitative approach by distributing questionnaires to 100 respondents from 925 FAI UMSU students. The sample collected in this study was purposive sampling, meaning that the sample was based on certain criteria, namely FAI UMSU students from 2020 - 2023. The results showed that simultaneously the attention, interest, desire, and action variables influenced the decision to purchase halal-labeled fast food. Based on the coefficient of determination, the AIDA approach influences 73.1% of purchasing decisions for halal-labeled fast food. The remaining 26.9% is influenced by factors not included in the research model. Keywords: AIDA, Purchase Decision, halal label Keywords: AIDA, Purchase Decision, halal label

Consumer response to the new normal: examining the role of anticipated recovery, smart governance and prosocial behavior in driving satisfaction

Purpose Drawing on the stimulus–organism–response framework, this study examined the environmental stimuli driving tourists' internal, or organismic, states. In addition, the authors investigated the association of the identified organismic variables with the response variables during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the study examined how the associations between tourists' anticipation of recovery and the national government's smart governance, on one hand, and tourists' desire to travel domestically, their attitude toward domestic travel and their willingness to exhibit prosocial behaviors, on the other, further drive the satisfaction they derive from domestic travel.Design/methodology/approach The authors used an online questionnaire to collect self-report, single-wave data from individuals residing in India, an emerging market (N = 421).Findings The findings demonstrate (1) the association of anticipated recovery on the desire to travel and prosocial behavior; (2) the association of smart governance on attitude (although negative); (3) the association of desire, attitude and prosocial behavior on satisfaction; and (4) the lack of any moderation effect for perceived severity.Originality/value This study is the first empirical study to investigate the impact of tourists' perceptions and dispositions and the efficacy of the national government on tourists' desire to travel domestically and on their satisfaction with domestic travel. The findings can help emerging market multinationals and global brands engage better with domestic consumers in emerging markets within the context of the current pandemic. In addition, the findings can help to prepare these players to handle future disruptions caused by global health contingencies.

Fabrication of 3D-Printed Hydrocortisone Triple Pulsatile Tablet Using Fused Deposition Modelling Technology.

Hydrocortisone (HC) is the optimal drug for adolescents diagnosed with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Because traditional dosage regimens HC are inconvenient, our study used fused deposition modeling (FDM) three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to solve the problems caused by traditional preparations. First, we designed a core-shell structure tablet with an inner instant release component and an outer delayed release shell. The instant release component was Kollicoat IR: glycerol (GLY): HC = 76.5:13.5:10. Then, we used Affinisol® HPMC 15LV to realize delayed release. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between the thickness of the delayed release shell and the delayed release time, and an equation was derived through binomial regression analysis. Based on that equation, a novel triple pulsatile tablet with an innovative structure was devised. The tablet was divided into three components, and the drug was released multiple times at different times. The dose and release rate of the tablets can be adjusted by modifying the infill rate of the printing model. The results indicated that the triple pulsatile tablet exhibited desirable release behavior in vitro. Moreover, the physicochemical properties of the drug, excipients, filaments, and tablets were characterized. All these results indicate that the FDM 3D printing method is a convenient technique for producing preparations with intricate structures.

Developing behavioral models of citizens for adapting to and mitigating climate change: a study on four prefectures in Japan

Individual behaviors of citizens are important for implementing the necessary measures for adapting to climate change. However, studies on the adaptive behaviors of ordinary citizens are limited. Therefore, in this study, we developed behavioral models to understand individual behaviors for adaption to and mitigation of climate change. We compared four behavior groups, namely, G1, individual mitigation; G2, individual adaptive; G3, long-term adaptive; and G4, solar-energy system installation behaviors. Following a questionnaire survey for the four behavioral groups, behavioral models were developed using structural equation modeling, which considered psychological factors along with selected attitudes, perceived effectiveness, norms, benefits, practicality, and intention. Furthermore, we considered the recognition and attribution of local climate change as key factors for adaptation behaviors toward local climate change. The behaviors of citizens in four prefectures in Japan, namely, Nagano, Tokyo, Saitama, and Kanagawa were considered. Among them, Nagano Prefecture, wherein the implementation of adaptation measures was at a low level while that of mitigation measures was at a high level, showed a differing trend. In the behavioral models, the recognition of local climate change directly affected the behavior of citizens in the individual adaptive behavior group. In both the individual adaptive and long-term adaptive behavior groups, the impact of benefits was substantial, with significant differences across local areas. Thus, effective adaptation strategies might involve tangible and familiar examples demonstrating the consequences of behavior, thus enhancing citizens' behavior evaluation perception and fostering its acceptance as a desirable behavior. Tailoring adaptation strategies to specific local contexts might also be necessity. To encourage citizens to adapt to climate change and its impacts, we propose two-way efforts, instead of providing one-way information, by supporting citizens to think about self-help and mutual help effectively. Our study can serve as a reference for future studies focusing on citizen behavior about climate change mitigation and enhance their adaptation for locally implemented strategies.

A new method to identify key match-play behaviours of young soccer players: Development of the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool.

The aim of this research was to assess the validity and reliability of a newly developed scoring tool, designed for monitoring youth soccer players during match-play performance to support coaches/scouts with the talent identification process. The method used to design the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool comprised of a five-stage process of (i) conducting an initial literature review to establish content validity (ii) gaining content validity through a cross sectional online survey (iii) establishing face validity via expert coach feedback (iv) conducting inter-rater reliability tests and (v) intra-rater reliability tests. In stage two, twenty-two soccer academy practitioners completed an online survey, which revealed that player behaviours such as resilience, competitiveness, and decision making were all valued as the most important behavioural characteristics by practitioners (90.9%), whilst X-factor was valued as least important by a significant amount (27.2%). Stages three to five of the testing procedure included a sample of four academy coaches not involved in the preceding stage. Twenty male collegiate soccer players (under-16 to under-18) involved in the study took part in four versus four small-sided games (SSG) in a 'round-robin' tournament across three weeks which accumulated 14 SSG's, 100-140 minutes of playing time and 70-98 individual player grades. Two of the four academy coaches watched the SSG's and used the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool to assess live evidence of desirable player behaviours, which was subsequently followed by retrospective video analysis for intra-rater reliability testing. The remaining two academy coaches watched the same SSG retrospective video footage to test for inter-rater reliability. Reliability results revealed an acceptable level of agreement with scores between 81.25%-89.9% for inter-rater whilst intra-rater provided scores between 80.35%-99.4%. Preliminary evidence here suggests that the Hull Soccer Behavioural Scoring Tool is both a valid and reliable method to assess desirable player behaviours during talent identification processes. Thus, youth soccer practitioners and researchers should seek to test and further validate the tool in order to confirm its utility as a means of measuring behavioural characteristics of youth soccer players.

Multiscale Heterogeneities-Based Piezoresistive Interfaces with Ultralow Detection Limitation and Adaptively Switchable Pressure Detectability.

Mechanical compliance and electrical enhancement are crucial for pressure sensors to promote performances when perceiving external stimuli. Here we propose a bioinspired multiscale heterogeneity-based interface to adaptively regulate its structure layout and switch to desirable piezoresistive behaviors with ultralow detection limitation. In such a multiscale heterogeneities system, the micro-/nanoscale spiny Ag-MnO2 heterostructure contributes to an ultralow detection limitation of 0.008 Pa and can perceive minor pressure increments under preloads with high resolution (0.0083%). The macroscale heterogeneous orientation of the cellular backbone enables anisotropic deformation, allowing the sensor to switch to rational sensitivity and working range (e.g., 580 kPa-1 for 0-20 kPa/54 kPa-1 for 60-140 kPa) as required. The sensor's stepwise activation progresses from the micro-/nanoscale heterostructure to the macroscale heterogeneous orientation, which can adaptively match diverse sensing tasks in complex applications scenarios. This multiscale heterogeneous and switchable design holds immense potential in the development of intelligent electromechanical devices, including wearable sensors, soft robotics, and smart actuators.

Efficacy of Behavioral Economic Nudges to Assist Teen Mothers: the Healthy Adolescent Transitions Randomized Controlled Trial.

Communities may often lack the resources to deliver intensive programs to assist teen mothers, and many eligible adolescents may decline participation in lengthy interventions. Therefore, alternative approaches involving less resource and time may be needed. Behavioral economics (BE) can inform the development of such novel interventions. BE often feature low-intensity approaches designed to "nudge" people to help them reach their long-term goals. Nudges can include giving reminders, making the desired behavior more convenient, and optimizing the verbal presentation of recommended options. Three hundred thirty-one American adolescents (ages 14 to 19) who were 22 to 35weeks pregnant were enrolled in the present trial. One hundred sixty-six participants were randomly assigned to the intervention condition featuring a three-month BE intervention delivered by a registered nurse and social worker. The remaining 165 youths were assigned usual care. Surveys were completed at baseline, 3months, 12months, and 18months. Data collection occurred from 2017 to 2021. Qualitative feedback indicated that the BE intervention was well-received by adolescents. However, there were no significant differences between the intervention and control groups at any time point regarding repeat pregnancy, contraceptive usage, financial literacy, school completion, job attainment, HPV vaccinations, nicotine usage, perception of having a medical home, urgent care/ED usage, and nutritional intake (all p > .05). Our findings suggest that a BE-based intervention may not be sufficient to facilitate change for teen mothers. Future programs should consider lasting longer, featuring a higher dose, and/or incorporating systems-level changes. This trial was prospectively registered (NCT03194672 clinicaltrials.gov).

Development of a psychological health promotion intervention for ultra-orthodox Jewish mothers of children with ADHD using the intervention mapping protocol

BackgroundAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neuro-developmental health condition in children and adolescents, in which its associated behavior manifestations are known to negatively affect members of the family unit, especially mothers. Ultra-orthodox Jewish (UOJ) community is growing globally and mothers of children with ADHD in this community are potentially at risk for negative health outcomes. As the UOJ community is culturally conservative, maintaining a distinct separation from outside influences, they often avoid utilizing public mental health services due to stigma and a lack of culturally sensitive treatments. Thus, this study aimed to develop a theory-driven and culturally appropriate psychological health promotion intervention for these mothers using the Intervention Mapping protocol.MethodsA mixed-method design was used. Qualitative content analysis was performed on four focus groups (n=25). Additionally, descriptive statistics including the content validity index was used to measure feedback regarding the developed intervention protocol’s relevance, effectiveness, and appropriateness Theoretical models for behavior change, including the Behavior Change Wheel’s COM-B system and the Theoretical Domains Framework, and literature on ADHD in the general population and the ultra-orthodox community were integrated in the process. Intervention components were systematically derived from findings.ResultsKey determinants of health behavior change were identified, resulting in formulating intervention objectives addressing stigma reduction surrounding ADHD, increasing knowledge about the ADHD condition and treatment, awareness of the school systems’ capabilities in meeting the ADHD child’s needs, enhancing mothers’ advocacy skills, and maternal self-care. Intervention? strategies included a group setting, providing information on health consequences, social support, re-attribution, active learning, goal setting, and promoting an identity associated with the desired behavior change. Mothers’ quantitative feedback confirmed the overall relevance, effectiveness, and appropriateness of the interventions’ content (CVIavg= .86, .85, .87).ConclusionsIntervention Mapping facilitated the development of a culturally sensitive psychological health promotion intervention for ultra-orthodox Jewish mothers of children with ADHD. Further research is warranted to assess intervention feasibility and effectiveness.

Heat treatment protocol for additively manufactured nitinol shape memory alloys in biomedical applications

Additive manufacturing (AM) is getting significant attention in realizing customizable nitinol (NiTi) devices for biomedical applications. However, due to the change in composition and constituent phases occurring during printing and the microstructural inhomogeneity in the printed parts, obtaining a desired set of phase transformation behaviors and superelastic properties is a major challenge. In this work, laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) was used to fabricate NiTi at a very low laser energy density (35 J/mm3) on a titanium base plate while keeping these behaviors and properties within desirable ranges without any structural defects such as crack and delamination. Our measurements showed that the as-printed NiTi exhibited distinct one-step phase transformation with the austenite finish (Af) temperature of 2.1 °C. To increase the Af temperature to 30.2 °C (within the recommended range of Af temperature for biomedical applications), a heat treatment protocol was developed, which includes a solution cycle (at 900 °C for 1 h) followed by an aging cycle (at 450 °C for 30 min). The heat treatment protocol enabled us to attain the homogenized microstructure while creating ultrafine metastable Ni-rich precipitate, Ni4Ti3, which facilitated the desirable phase transformation behavior with the increased Af temperature. The heat-treated sample showed narrower and sharper two-step martensitic phase transformation with the formation of intermediate R-phase. The presence of both Ni4Ti3 and the R-phase was confirmed by the transmission electron microscopic (TEM) analysis. In the superelasticity test at the body temperature, these samples, starting from the 2nd cycle, demonstrated a recovery ratio of more than 90% and a recoverable strain of more than 6.5%. After 10th cycles, the stable recoverable strain was 6.52% with a recovery ratio of 96%, which is the highest superelasticity reported for the LPBF processed NiTi to the best of our knowledge. After the initial deformation process, we expect these NiTi samples to attain near full superelasticity during service. The micro-hardness study also showed that the hardness of the heat-treated samples is less affected by the cyclic loading. Therefore, this paper presents a viable heat treatment protocol, which provides an important processing roadmap in making NiTi implants by AM while maintaining excellent functional properties of NiTi for biomedical applications.

Unlocking auditors’ perceived external employability: exploring antecedents and behavioral consequences

PurposeIn a rapidly changing career landscape where lifelong job security is no longer guaranteed, this study investigates how audit firms play an important role in shaping their employees’ career perceptions and the subsequent effects on auditor behavior. Specifically, it explores the link between audit firms’ career development initiatives and auditors’ perceptions of external employability – an important determinant of auditor behavior. Using the framework of social exchange theory, the study investigates how perceived external employability affects both relational and operational behaviors of auditors.Design/methodology/approachThe study employs structural equation modeling on survey data from 359 auditors.FindingsThe results indicate that when audit firms actively support career development, it positively contributes to auditors’ perceived external employability. A higher perceived external employability, in turn, leads to positive behavioral outcomes among auditors, including stronger relational behaviors (such as professional commitment) and operational behaviors (including heightened professional skepticism and reduced behaviors that could compromise audit quality).Originality/valueThis study uncovers a paradox where perceived external employability, typically viewed as a risk, emerges as a potent driver of desirable auditor behavior. In today’s dynamic career landscape, emphasizing individual-centered and flexible careers, these results highlight the benefits of perceived external employability. Rather than undermining audit services, increased perceived external employability driven by firm investments in auditors’ careers acts as a catalyst for desirable auditor behavior. Organizational support in terms of career development practices creates an environment where auditors are more committed, professionally skeptical and uphold the quality of audit services.

Evaluation of cost-effectiveness of single-credit traffic safety course based on Kirkpatrick model: a case study of Iran

BackgroundTraining plays a role in reducing traffic accidents, and evaluating the effectiveness of training programs in managers’ decision-making for training continuation is important. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a single-credit traffic safety course based on the four levels of the Kirkpatrick model in all Iranian universities.MethodsThis interventional study aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of a single-credit traffic safety course based on the Kirkpatrick model from 2016 to 2020 in Iran. The data were collected in three stages: (1) calculating the costs of offering traffic safety courses, (2) determining the effectiveness of providing such courses based on the levels of the Kirkpatrick model, and (3) evaluating the cost-effectiveness of administering traffic safety courses. Data were collected through researcher-made and standardized questionnaires. The research population included traffic safety course instructors and university students who could take this course. Finally, the data were analyzed with SPSS v. 23 and also calculations related to ICER, which shows the cost effectiveness of providing single credit course.ResultsScores of the students’ reaction level to the traffic safety course was 41.8% before the course; this score was estimated at 67% after the course. At the level of learning, students’ knowledge was 43.6% before the training course, which reached 73% after the course. At the level of behavior, the state of students’ desirable traffic behaviors was 54% before the course, which reached 66.1% after the course. The educational effectiveness of the course presentation at the level of results was 58.2% before and 74.8% after the course. While assuming that the weights of all model levels were constant, the cost of a 1% increase in the overall educational effectiveness by using the Kirkpatrick model, compared to not providing the course (not administering the intervention) was 486.46 USD.ConclusionThe results showcased the effectiveness of the traffic safety course in all four levels of The Kirkpatrick model. Therefore, policy-makers and officials in charge of delivering this program should strengthen it and resolve its deficiencies to realize all its educational goals at the highest level.

Koopman fault‐tolerant model predictive control

AbstractThis paper introduces a novel data‐driven approach to develop a fault‐tolerant model predictive controller (MPC) for non‐linear systems. By adopting a Koopman operator‐theoretic perspective, the proposed method leverages historical data from the system to construct a data‐driven model that captures the non‐linear behaviour and fault characteristics. The fault influence is addressed through an online estimation of a time‐varying Koopman predictor, which allows for adjusting the MPC control law to counteract the fault effects. This estimation is performed in a higher dimensional Koopman feature space, where the dynamics behave linearly. As a result, the non‐linear fault‐tolerant MPC optimization problem can be replaced with a more practical and feasible linear time‐varying one using the approximated Koopman predictor. Moreover, by incorporating the online update procedure, the time‐varying Koopman predictor can represent the dynamics of the faulty system. Hence, the controller can adapt and compensate for the faults in real‐time, integrating the fault diagnosis module in the MPC framework and eliminating the need for a separate fault detection unit. Finally, the efficacy of the proposed approach is demonstrated through case study results, which highlight the ability of the controller to mitigate faults and maintain desired system behaviour.

Development of an online evaluation awareness scale

The COVID-19 epidemic has precipitated a rapid and widespread adoption of online education, leading to its normalization in contemporary society. Online education is evident across several educational levels. However, assessing the efficacy and effectiveness of these training programs can only be achieved by implementing a suitable evaluation methodology. One of the primary challenges associated with online education is the difficulty in assessing its quality and effectiveness. One of the contributing factors to this issue is the instructor's lack of technological skills and knowledge relevant to online teaching. This research aims to develop a scale (Online Evaluation Awareness-OnEvA) to determine the instructors’ awareness of online evaluation. 165 participants’ data from 63 universities was used for exploratory factor analysis. The items of the scale are designed to measure awareness in both pedagogical and technological dimensions. The items in the pedagogical dimension include the essential competencies that instructors should possess, and alternative evaluation methods offered online. In the technological dimension, the items are created to determine instructors’ awareness of the use of technological platforms and tools. For the next step, a confirmatory factor analysis was performed to establish the scale’s construct validity with 161 instructors. Additionally, the scale’s internal consistency was determined to be high, with a Cronbach's alpha of .964. It is affirmed that this awareness scale developed within the scope of this research will contribute to the development of future models or frameworks related to the dimensions of evaluation knowledge in online learning.

A STUDY ON STRATEGIC REWARD SYSTEM OF EMPLOYEES WITH REFERENCE TO IT SECTOR

Companies must grow to be more strategic if they are to carry on and do well in the current business situation. Functional and unit strategies must be aligned with overall company strategy to enhance organizational effectiveness. In this respect, strategic reward systems are vital to ensuring desired employee behaviours and enhanced company performance. This project reviews strategic reward systems and examines rewards. It outlines the employee’s strategic compensation and recognition programs and discusses implications for management. Companies for reaching higher goals and development use motivation. Motivation is a complex phenomenon which is influenced by individual, cultural, ethnic and historical factors. Some methods are suggested to increase employee performance. Rewards and incentives are probably among the most popular ones. So, organizations use reward systems and strategies to motivate their employees and to increase their performance. The aim of this study is to investigate how reward systems and organizational incentives influence employees.

In Vitro Studies on 3D-Printed PLA/HA/GNP Structures for Bone Tissue Regeneration.

The successful regeneration of large-size bone defects remains one of the most critical challenges faced in orthopaedics. Recently, 3D printing technology has been widely used to fabricate reliable, reproducible and economically affordable scaffolds with specifically designed shapes and porosity, capable of providing sufficient biomimetic cues for a desired cellular behaviour. Natural or synthetic polymers reinforced with active bioceramics and/or graphene derivatives have demonstrated adequate mechanical properties and a proper cellular response, attracting the attention of researchers in the bone regeneration field. In the present work, 3D-printed graphene nanoplatelet (GNP)-reinforced polylactic acid (PLA)/hydroxyapatite (HA) composite scaffolds were fabricated using the fused deposition modelling (FDM) technique. The in vitro response of the MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts and RAW 264.7 macrophages revealed that these newly designed scaffolds exhibited various survival rates and a sustained proliferation. Moreover, as expected, the addition of HA into the PLA matrix contributed to mimicking a bone extracellular matrix, leading to positive effects on the pre-osteoblast osteogenic differentiation. In addition, a limited inflammatory response was also observed. Overall, the results suggest the great potential of the newly developed 3D-printed composite materials as suitable candidates for bone tissue engineering applications.

Digital Marketing and Consumer Behaviour of Selected Deposit Money Banks in Lagos State, Nigeria

The banking sector is a service-based industry that offers a variety of financial services to customers. To improve their market share, banks often fight for consumers. The boundaries between sectors are being blurred by digital technologies. With the introduction of digital marketing by banks and the ability for deposit money institutions to effectively listen to and track brand discussions, a substantial new potential for achieving desired consumer behavior has emerged. Traditional cash transactions and physical banking remain popular in Nigeria, despite the growing use of the internet in the banking industry. The study, therefore, examined the effect of digital marketing on consumer behavior of selected deposit money banks in Lagos State, Nigeria. The research design for this study was survey research design. Convenience sampling was used to select 377 respondents. The data gathered was analysed using regression analysis. The results of the simple linear regression analysis revealed digital marketing (β = 0.569, R2 = 0.363, t = 15.993, p<0.05) had a positive and significant effect on consumer behaviour of selected deposit money banks in Lagos State. The study concluded that digital marketing is a relevant factor in determining consumer behaviour of selected deposit money banks in Lagos State, Nigeria. Based on the findings, the study recommends that deposit money banks should continuously improve their digital banking services and provide more services that can be done via mobile phones and networks as this would allow customers are constantly exploring these platforms which would eventually trigger consumer behaviour of existing and potential customers to transact with their banks.

Self-centering steel beam-to-column connections with novel superelastic SMA angles

This paper proposed a novel type of self-centering (SC) steel beam-to-column connection using superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA) angles and steel angles. Unlike conventional post-tensioned SC connections, the proposed SC connection utilized SMA angles to provide SC ability and moderate energy dissipation, enabling easy installation and replacement. Experimental and numerical studies were conducted to investigate the cyclic behavior of the connection. Two types of steel connections with different configurations were tested: one equipped with SMA angles only and the other with a combination of SMA and steel angles. The cyclic behavior of the SC steel beam-to-column connections was investigated through a series of experiments. A numerical study was also conducted to provide more insight into the mechanical behavior of the connections and the local strain condition of SMA angles. Numerical results were validated with experimental results. Comparative results demonstrated that both connections exhibited desirable flag-shaped hysteresis behavior with SC and energy dissipation. No obvious damage and residual deformation were observed in SMA angles after cyclic loads in both the experiments and numerical simulations, indicating that the SC connection using SMA angles can be reused for successive mainshocks and aftershocks without replacement. Therefore, the proposed SC connection can help achieve the goal of earthquake resilience in structural design.

Grain boundary network plasticity: Reduced-order modeling of deformation-driven shear-coupled microstructure evolution

Microstructural evolution in structural materials is known to occur in response to mechanical loading and can often accommodate substantial plastic deformation through the coupled motion of grain boundaries (GBs). This can produce desirable behavior, such as increased ductility, or undesirable behavior such as mechanically-induced coarsening. In this work a novel, multiscale model is developed for capturing the combined effect of plasticity mediated by multiple GBs simultaneously. This model is referred to as “grain boundary network plasticity”. The mathematical framework of graph theory is used to describe the microstructure connectedness, and the evolution of microstructure is represented as volume flow along the graph. By using the principle of minimum dissipation potential, which has previously been applied to grain boundary migration, a set of evolution equations are developed that transfer volume and eigendeformation along the graph edges in a physically consistent way. It is shown that higher-order geometric effects, such as the pinning effect of triple points, may be accounted for through the incorporation of a geometric hardening that causes geometry-induced GB stagnation. The result is a computationally efficient reduced order model that can be used to simulate the initial motion of grain boundaries in a polycrystal with parameters informed by atomistic simulations. The effectiveness of the model is demonstrated through comparison to multiple bicrystal atomistic simulations, as well as a select number of GB engineered and non-GB engineered data obtained from the literature. The effect of the network of shear-coupling grain boundaries is demonstrated through mechanical response tests and by examining the yield surfaces.