Integral Theory Research Articles

AI and Blockchain Integration in Business Aviation: Securing Supply Chain and Enhancing Traceability

Purpose: The research looks at how AI converges with the blockchain technology in business aviation to better the domains considered most important: maintenance, operations, flight optimization, and observation of regulatory standards. This is aimed at understanding how these technologies bring solutions that will mitigate the specific challenges to aviation related to the security of supply chains, fraud detection, and customer experience improvement. Methodology: The research adopts a qualitative and quantitative approach, reviewing case studies from leading aviation companies such as Airbus and Boeing, alongside real-world data analysis. The integration of AI for predictive maintenance, flight optimization, and in-flight entertainment (IFE) was examined, while blockchain’s role in securing data management, regulatory compliance, and fraud prevention was assessed through documented applications and industry reports. Findings: The identification of predictive maintenance, as ensured through AI, optimizes aircraft performance, having reduced downtime. Moreover, blockchain increases supply chain transparency and security, reduces fraud, and ensures immutable records. On top of that, AI-powered flight planning and in-flight operations significantly help in operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. Moreover, blockchain helps in compliance with regulations because of its secured and traceable data; hence, it serves as a very viable tool in aviation operations. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy, and Practice: This research contributes to the theory of AI and blockchain integration by presenting a comprehensive framework for their application in aviation. It provides new insights into how AI and blockchain can not only enhance operational efficiency but also address fraud and compliance issues, which are pivotal for policy development. Practically, it offers aviation companies a roadmap for leveraging these technologies to secure their supply chains, optimize operations, and enhance customer experiences, ultimately advancing the entire industry.

An approach for urban agglomerations integration evaluation based on multivariate big data: case of the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration

ABSTRACT The Central Plains Urban Agglomeration (CPUA) is a link of economic development to connect the eastern part and western part in China. Current research on urban agglomeration integration mainly uses urban properties’ data. This paper conducts an evaluation method for urban agglomeration integration based on multivariate big data. This method mainly applies eigenvector centrality to assess the integrated situation of the CPUA from four dimensions (internet connection, industrial economy, public service and coordinated governance). The data of this research mainly includes cell phone signaling data, Baidu index, industrial investment data and statistical data for planning. The main innovations and contributions of this research is that (i) on the theoretical aspect, this research proposed an index indicator evaluation system for integration of urban agglomerations based on Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and expert rating. It contributes for the further development of regional integration and other related theories; (ii) on the practical aspect, this study, taking the CPUA as example, presents an assessment approach that uses multivariate big data to measure the current integrated situation of urban agglomeration. This method provides decision-making support for the development of urban agglomeration integration.

Attitudes of French laypeople toward children’s medically-assisted dying

The issue of medically-assisted dying in pediatric care, including euthanasia and deep sedation, is ethically complex. Despite its relevance, no research has applied Information Integration Theory to evaluate the acceptability of these practices in pediatric care, which is what we did in the present study. A sample of 166 French laypeople read 54 scenarios involving end-of-life situations involving children and assessed the acceptability of a physician’s decision in each one. Scenarios included four factors: child’s discernment capacity, child’s request to die, parental consent, and physician’s action. Parental consent and the child’s request were the most influential factors in respondents’ judgments, followed by the child’s discernment and physician’s action. Cluster analysis revealed four groups: “Situation-dependent,” “Always acceptable,” “Not acceptable except in rare circumstances,” and “Parental consent.” Most people were sensitive to situational factors influencing the acceptability of children’s medically assisted dying.

The theory of democratic integration

The outcome of the 2024 European Parliament elections highlights the need for the EU to underpin its functioning as a European democracy with a proper political theory. This article introduces the theory of democratic integration as a political philosophy of the EU. It aims to provide the EU with a philosophical foundation by analysing its evolution as a deviation from the Westphalian system of international relations and its doctrine of absolute sovereignty. The article finds that the EU is succeeding in creating a new democratic home for its citizens and its member states. In times of increasing support for parties which promote national sovereignty as the recipe for the future and which consequently call for the dismantling of the European Parliament and the deconstruction of EU democracy, the theory will empower the Union to defend its constitutional achievements and prevent it from backsliding into an undemocratic organisation of illiberal states.

Solvent‐Controlled Separation of Integratively Self‐Sorted Pd2LA2LB2 Coordination Cages

The integrative implementation of multiple different components into metallosupramolecular self‐assemblies requires sophisticated strategies to avoid the formation of statistical mixtures. Previously, the key focus was set on thermodynamically driven reactions of simple homoleptic into complex heteroleptic structures. Using Pd2LA2LB2‐type coordination cages, we herein show that integrative self‐sorting can be reversed by a change of solvent (from DMSO to MeCN) to favor narcissistic re‐segregation into coexisting homoleptic species Pd2LA4 and Pd3LB6. Full separation (“unsorting”) back to a mixture of the homoleptic precursors was finally achieved by selective precipitation of Pd3LB6with anionic guest G1 from MeCN, keeping pure Pd2LA4 in solution. When a mixture of homoleptic Pd3LB6 and heteroleptic Pd2LA2LB2 is exposed to a combination of two different di‐anions (G1 and G2) in DMSO, selective guest uptake gives rise to two defined coexisting host‐guest complexes. A joint experimental and deep theoretical investigation via liquid‐state integral equation theory of the reaction thermodynamics on a molecular level accompanied by solvent distribution analysis hints at solvent expulsion from Pd2LA4 to favor the formation of Pd2LA2LB2 in DMSO as the key entropic factor for determining the solvent‐specific modulation of the cage conversion equilibrium.

Toward an Integrative Theory of Goals-Based Wealth Management

Toward an Integrative Theory of Goals-Based Wealth Management

Integrating second home owners into conservative rural communities in a developing country

The integration of second home owners into rural communities poses a complex challenge that remains little addressed in conservative developing countries’ context. Guided by integration theory, this qualitative study explores the integration of second home owners in Iran. The findings demonstrate that second home owners’ integration processes are manifested in three distinct forms: environmental-physical, socio-cultural, and mental-psychological. These types of integration significantly influence the dynamics of tourism development and community cohesion in the studied rural communities. Overall, this research contributes to integration theory by exploring second home owner adaption to rural environmental, sociocultural norms and deepens understanding of the social implications of second home ownership within conservative rural communities. The study also expands knowledge of place attachment and identity formation by investigating how the presence of second home owners influences the identity and sense of place for both tourists and local residents. By recognizing the complex nature of integration, the findings offer practical implications for improving the integrating second home owners into rural destinations.

Effect of nonpolar solute on the local structure of aqueous solution: Orientation-dependent integral equation study of nonpolar solute in rose water model

The presence of solute in water, even in small quantities, changes the properties of water. The ability of water molecules to form hydrogen-bonds is decisive for the structural and thermodynamic properties. When the solute is added to water, the network of hydrogen bonds is disrupted, changing the structure and properties of the water. In this work, we have used a simple two-dimensional rose water model together with orientation-dependent integral equation theory (ODIET) to gain insight into the effects of nonpolar solutes on the local structure of aqueous solutions. The theory shows good agreement with the radial distribution functions and enthalpies of solvation obtained with simulations, while improving the results of the orientation-averaged version of the theory. The advantage of the two-dimensional water model together with ODIET is that angle-dependent properties can be calculated relatively quickly and easily visualised. Using the potential of the mean force derivatives, the effect of added nonpolar solute on the local structure of the solution was investigated. Depending on the size of the solute, two different regimes of the effect of the solute on the structure of the solution were identified. Small solutes increase the tendency of water to form hydrogen-bonds and at the same time decrease solvation and association of the solute. On the other hand, large solutes have the opposite effect - they decrease the HB tendency of water and increase solvation and association of the solute.

Integration Theory in Measuring Cultural Diversity in the Western Urban Context: The Case of Islamic Religious Buildings in the Western Urban Context

Integration Theory in Measuring Cultural Diversity in the Western Urban Context: The Case of Islamic Religious Buildings in the Western Urban Context

The Integral Theory, Pelvic Floor Biomechanics, and Binary Innervation.

The pelvic floor biomechanics and sphincter functioning are essential for understanding pelvic floor dysfunction and the pathophysiology of the pelvic organs. The pelvic floor consists of muscles, fascial connections and ligaments. The Integral Theory Paradigm (ITP) explains the musculoskeletal entity of the sphincter mechanism and the pathophysiology of pelvic organ function. The ITP explains the pelvic floor function determined by 3 directional muscle forces: forward, backwards and downward-acting muscle vector forces that form an anterior and posterior resultant. The resultant equilibrium is essential for urinary continence, voiding and defecation. Loose ligaments disturb the equilibrium of the pelvic floor's muscular function with consequences for the organ function's continence, evacuation, and sensory perception.

THE ROLE OF TRANSPORT CORRIDORS IN STRENGTHENING IRANIAN REGIONAL COOPERATION IN CENTRAL ASIA

The role of transport corridors in strengthening regional cooperation in Centra l Asia is critical, especially in the context of Iran's evolving foreign policy. Amidst the backdrop of the Russian-Ukrainian confrontation and the expansion of major infrastructure projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), Iran's strategic initiatives in Central Asia have gained prominence. This article aims to explore how transport corridors can enhance Iran's regional influence and cooperation with Central Asian countries. The main question addressed is: how do these transport corridors contribute to regiona l stability and economic integration? The hypothesis is that Iran's active participation in developing these corridors, particularly through key projects like the Chabahar Port, not only boosts trade and connectivity but also counters geopolitica l isolation and fosters long-term regional cooperation. The research utilizes the theory of regional integration and interdependence, supported by qualitative content analysis of documents, texts, and expert interviews related to regional transport strategies.The findings indicate that efficient transport infrastructure is fundamental for economic development and political stability in Central Asia. Iran's collaboration with Russia and China further amplifies the benefits of these corridors, providing a strategic counterbalance to Western influence. Ultimately, the study highlights that Iran's role in Central Asia is pivotal for broader regional integration and sustainable development.

An optimization-based equilibrium measure describes fixed points of non-equilibrium dynamics: application to edge of chaos

Abstract Understanding neural dynamics is a central topic in machine learning, non-linear physics and neuroscience. However, the dynamics is non-linear, stochastic and particularly non-gradient, i.e., the driving force can not be written as gradient of a potential. These features make analytic studies very challenging. The common tool is the path integral approach or dynamical mean-field theory, but the drawback is that one has to solve the integro-differential or dynamical mean-field equations, which is computationally expensive and has no closed form solutions in general. From the aspect of associated Fokker-Planck equation, the steady state solution is generally unknown. Here, we treat searching for the steady states as an optimization problem, and construct an approximate potential related to the speed of the dynamics, and find that searching for the ground state of this potential is equivalent to running an approximate stochastic gradient dynamics or Langevin dynamics. Only in the zero temperature limit, the distribution of the original steady states can be achieved. The resultant stationary state of the dynamics follows exactly the canonical Boltzmann measure. Within this framework, the quenched disorder intrinsic in the neural networks can be averaged out by applying the replica method, which leads naturally to order parameters for the non-equilibrium steady states. Our theory reproduces the well-known result of edge-of-chaos, and further the order parameters characterizing the continuous transition are derived, and the order parameters are explained as fluctuations and responses of the steady states. Our method thus opens the door to analytically study the steady state landscape of the deterministic or stochastic high dimensional dynamics.

Metodologi Kontekstual dalam Tafsir Ayat Hukum: Studi Literatur atas Tafsir Klasik dan Kontemporer

The interpretation of legal verses in the Qur'an undergoes significant methodological dynamics between classical and contemporary mufassirs, which raises issues of relevance and adaptability in the modern social context. This study aims to explore and compare contextual methodologies in the interpretation of legal verses between classical and contemporary periods. The method used is a literature study with a comparative analysis approach to classical interpretations such as Al-Tabari, Al-Qurtubi, and Ibn Kathir and contemporary interpretations such as Quraish Shihab and Abdullah Saeed. The results show that contemporary mufassirs more often use a contextual approach that considers current social and cultural dynamics, while classical mufassirs tend to use a literal textual approach. The findings support the hypothesis that contextual methodology is more relevant and adaptive to social change compared to classical textual methods. This research produces the "Contextual-Textual Tafsir Integration Theory" (CTIT) which offers a synthesis between textual and contextual approaches. The implication of this study is the need for integration between textual and contextual approaches to develop a more holistic and responsive tafsir methodology, which not only maintains the classical intellectual heritage but also meets the needs of modern society.

Examining Dropout Among Graduate and Undergraduate Public Affairs and Political Science Students

Within the domain of public affairs and political science (PAPS), student dropout emerges as a critical concern. This study delves into the factors influencing the decisions of undergraduate and graduate PAPS students to discontinue their programs. Employing a comprehensive mixed-methods approach, we surveyed 384 at-risk undergraduates and conducted in-depth interviews with 18 former graduate students. Thematic analysis of these interviews revealed six pivotal factors influencing graduate student dropout: the financial burden of study (including tuition and limited financial aid), program curricular challenges (such as demanding thesis requirements and inadequate practical components), the delicate balance of multiple responsibilities (work, study, and family), health-related issues (including anxiety and stress), poor academic performance, and personal difficulties (such as lack of family support). At the undergraduate level, descriptive analyses indicated that 38% of PAPS students contemplated dropping out, with 30% considering changing their major. Exploratory Factor Analysis and Multiple Regression highlighted the significance of factors such as family and societal influences, economic considerations, program and curriculum structure, institutional dynamics, academic performance, personal attitudes, and student health in shaping these contemplations. This research not only expands the application of integration and engagement theory and the pull, push, and failing out theory but also validates their effectiveness in predicting dropout within PAPS programs. The study offers valuable insights for both researchers and policymakers, underscoring the imperative for more supportive, flexible, and financially viable educational structures to enhance student retention in the realm of public affairs and political science.

Toward sustainable smart agriculture in a developing country: An empirical analysis of green firms determinants

AbstractThe significance of green entrepreneurship in achieving socioeconomic and environmental goals has received widespread recognition in academic literature. However, despite this acknowledgment, the internal and external variables influencing the expansion and sustainability of green agricultural enterprises have not been thoroughly studied and explored in the literature. This research aims to test the theoretical Green Agriculture Support Framework (GASF), suggesting internal and external support elements that, when strategically aligned, foster the growth of green agriculture enterprises, particularly those leveraging technologies and tools associated with Agriculture 4.0. To this end, we utilized survey data collected from managers and employees of green enterprises located in Pakistan. The collected data was analyzed using the structural equation modeling (SEM) method, incorporating the partial least squares (PLS) approach through SmartPLS software. The findings imply that external variables (formal Institutions, Government Support, Culture) have significant impacts on the development of green enterprises and that internal factors (Technology, Talent Management) have somewhat limited impacts. Consequently, policymakers must concentrate on creating strategies and measures to enhance the external environment of an organization, that is, intensive government support, less rigid formal institutions and their policies, entrepreneurial culture, and overall improved economic condition of the country, and be cautious about the internal factors like rigid and outdated technology and talent management policies, that may hinder the development of such enterprises. As a result, using the organismic integration theory (OIT) theoretical lens, this research contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the various internal and external factors that significantly affect the growth of innovative green agriculture enterprises. A thorough understanding of green determinants assists in identifying the areas that require attention of policymakers for the effective growth of the green agricultural sector in an economy, leading to valuable implications for green policies.

Retain in the City, Return Flow, or Blind Direction: A Study on the Differentiation Mechanism of Migrant Workers’ Migration Willingness under the Background of China’s Strategy for Integrated Urban–Rural Development

Against the backdrop of urban–rural integration development in China, the government has further strengthened its support for rural migrant workers’ urban employment and entrepreneurship, as well as their urbanization. Nevertheless, influenced by the current urban–rural development environment and public policies, a portion of rural migrant workers have evolved into two distinct groups: those with clear intentions to settle in cities or return to their hometowns and those trapped in a “neither-nor” situation, who are unable to fully integrate into urban life or seamlessly return to the countryside. This study, based on field investigations conducted in 21 cities across seven major geographical regions in China, reveals a ternary differentiation in migration intentions among rural migrant workers: “Retain in the cities”, “Return flow”, and “Blind direction”. In advancing the urban–rural integration strategy, the “clearly-oriented” groups, choosing to stay or return, can serve as dynamic forces in reconciling resources between urban and rural areas, thereby fostering closer urban–rural ties. Conversely, the “aimless wandering” group, characterized by stagnation, confusion, frequent mobility, and recurrent unemployment, poses numerous negative impacts on urban–rural interaction and coordination, hindering the in-depth integration of urban and rural areas to some extent. Drawing upon the internationally recognized Push-Pull Theory and Social Integration Theory within the field of population migration, this study conducts an empirical analysis of large-scale sample data to explore the characteristic factors and formation mechanisms underlying the “staying”, “returning”, and “blind direction” intentions, with a particular focus on the internal dynamics shaping and evolving the “aimless wandering” group. Finally, grounded in the empirical findings, this study advocates a collaborative approach between the Chinese government and various sectors of society to address the issue by promoting employment guidance, enhancing security measures, and other initiatives that encourage rural migrant workers to either stay in cities or return to their hometowns. It aims to provide policy recommendations for a definitive resolution of the rural migrant worker issue during the crucial period of urban–rural integration development.

Dynamical predictive coding with reservoir computing performs noise-robust multi-sensory speech recognition.

Multi-sensory integration is a perceptual process through which the brain synthesizes a unified perception by integrating inputs from multiple sensory modalities. A key issue is understanding how the brain performs multi-sensory integrations using a common neural basis in the cortex. A cortical model based on reservoir computing has been proposed to elucidate the role of recurrent connectivity among cortical neurons in this process. Reservoir computing is well-suited for time series processing, such as speech recognition. This inquiry focuses on extending a reservoir computing-based cortical model to encompass multi-sensory integration within the cortex. This research introduces a dynamical model of multi-sensory speech recognition, leveraging predictive coding combined with reservoir computing. Predictive coding offers a framework for the hierarchical structure of the cortex. The model integrates reliability weighting, derived from the computational theory of multi-sensory integration, to adapt to multi-sensory time series processing. The model addresses a multi-sensory speech recognition task, necessitating the management of complex time series. We observed that the reservoir effectively recognizes speech by extracting time-contextual information and weighting sensory inputs according to sensory noise. These findings indicate that the dynamic properties of recurrent networks are applicable to multi-sensory time series processing, positioning reservoir computing as a suitable model for multi-sensory integration.

Counterexamples and weak (1,1) estimates of wave operators for fourth-order Schrödinger operators in dimension three

This paper is dedicated to investigating the L^{p} -bounds of wave operators W_{\pm}(H,\Delta^{2}) associated with fourth-order Schrödinger operators H=\Delta^{2}+V on \mathbb{R}^{3} with real potentials satisfying |V(x)|\lesssim \langle x\rangle^{-\mu} for some \mu>0 . A recent work by Goldberg and Green (2021) has demonstrated that wave operators W_{\pm}(H,\Delta^{2}) are bounded on L^{p}(\mathbb{R}^{3}) for all 1<p<\infty under the condition that \mu>9 and zero is a regular point of H . In the paper, we aim to further establish endpoint estimates for W_{\pm}(H,\Delta^{2}) in two significant ways. First, we provide counterexamples to illustrate the unboundedness of W_{\pm}(H,\Delta^{2}) on the endpoint spaces L^{1}(\mathbb{R}^{3}) and L^{\infty}(\mathbb{R}^{3}) for non-zero compactly supported potentials V . Second, we establish weak (1,1) estimates for the wave operators W_{\pm}(H,\Delta^{2}) and their dual operators W_{\pm}(H,\Delta^{2})^{*} in the case where zero is a regular point and \mu>11 . These estimates depend critically on the singular integral theory of Calderón–Zygmund on a homogeneous space (X,d\omega) with a doubling measure d\omega .

DEVELOPMENT OF THE GLOBAL AIR TRANSPORTATION MARKET IN CONDITIONS OF TURBULENCE

The purpose of the article is to develop and substantiate the strategic priorities of international cooperation of air transport enterprises of Ukraine in war and post-war times based on the study of turbulence factors affecting the activity of the global air transport market, as well as the analysis of the strategic development of the world's largest airlines in crisis conditions. The methodological basis of the research is scientific theories of economic cycles and crises, theories of market equilibrium, theories of market structures, theories of cooperation and integration. Both general scientific and special methods of scientific knowledge were used – historical-logical, descriptive-analytical, analysis and synthesis, methods of quantitative and qualitative comparisons. The informational basis of the article is monographic studies and periodical publications of Ukrainian and foreign economists, analytical reports of international aviation organizations, international consulting companies and analytical centres. The article examines the essence, structure and modern trends in the development of the global air transport market. Turbulence factors affecting the dynamics of air transport are identified and justified, including geopolitical instability, economic downturns, rising fuel prices, pandemics, technological innovations etc. The impact of crises on international air transportation was assessed, and the peculiarities of the regulation of the world air market were considered. The role of global strategic alliances in the formation of the world market of air transportation is determined, it is established that international cooperation of air transport enterprises allows to increase the market share. The results of the research made it possible to justify the strategic priorities of international cooperation of air transport enterprises of Ukraine in war and post-war times. Research results can be used for scientific justification and further creation of proper conditions for the effective functioning of the global air transport market, as well as in the development of new strategies for air transport enterprises of Ukraine, which will allow them to remain stable and competitive in conditions of uncertainty and growing threats.

Theoretical analysis of the structure, thermodynamics, and shear elasticity of deeply metastable hard sphere fluids.

The structure, thermodynamics, and slow activated dynamics of the equilibrated metastable regime of glass-forming fluids remain a poorly understood problem of high theoretical and experimental interest. We apply a highly accurate microscopic equilibrium liquid state integral equation theory, in conjunction with naïve mode coupling theory of particle localization, to study in a unified manner the structural correlations, thermodynamic properties, and dynamic elastic shear modulus in deeply metastable hard sphere fluids. Distinctive behaviors are predicted including divergent inverse critical power laws for the contact value of the pair correlation function, pressure, and inverse dimensionless compressibility, and a splitting of the second peak and large suppression of interstitial configurations of the pair correlation function. The dynamic elastic modulus is predicted to exhibit two distinct exponential growth regimes with packing fraction that have strongly different slopes. These thermodynamic, structural, and elastic modulus results are consistent with simulations and experiments. Perhaps most unexpectedly, connections between the amplitude of long wavelength density fluctuations, dimensionless compressibility, local structure, and the dynamic elastic shear modulus have been theoretically elucidated. These connections are more broadly relevant to understanding the slow activated relaxation and mechanical response of colloidal suspensions in the ultradense metastable region and deeply supercooled thermal liquids in equilibrium.