Integral Theory Research Articles

Political Science Student Preferences for Online, Onsite, and Mixed-Mode Courses: Computer Literacy, Curricular Preferences, and Research Experiences

What explains Political Science (PS) student preferences for online, onsite and mixed online-onsite course mode? Much of the academic debate about students’ preferences for different course modes assumes correlates and determinants of those preferences as binary: If a factor positively predicts students’ preferences for online courses, the same factor would negatively predict preferences for onsite courses. In reality, this might not be the case, but we still have no explanation about what would predict those preferences. We frame our argument within the social cognitive theory, interaction equivalency theorem, and social integration theory, and test it with three sets of variables: students’ computer literacy, their preferences for vocational orientation of PS studies, and prior research experiences. We found computer literacy as well as preferences for philosophical, statistical, mathematical and computer application orientation of PS studies to positively predict all course modes considered; and that students’ prior research experiences with peers negatively predict preferences for all course modes considered. We test our hypotheses with data collected by surveying PS students in 11 universities in three Western Balkans countries, Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia, during the 2021–2022 academic year.

Communication Strategies as a Catalyst for Trust Building During Banking Mergers: Lessons from Nepalese Bank

This study investigates the key determinants of customer satisfaction in the post-merger context ofNIC Asia Bank and Kumari Bank, with a focus on technological innovation, employee competence, andcommunication strategies. Drawing on theoretical frameworks such as Expectancy Disconfirmation Theoryand Post-Merger Integration Theory, the study integrates cultural integration as a moderating variable. Usinga stratified random sampling method, data were collected from 500 respondents representing diversecustomer segments. Quantitative analyses, including descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression models,reveal that employee competence (β = 0.50) is the most significant driver of satisfaction, followed bycommunication strategies (β = 0.40) and technological innovation (β = 0.35). Cultural integration (β = 0.20)amplifies these relationships, enhancing the customer experience during organizational transitions. Findingshighlight significant urban-rural disparities, with urban customers favoring digital banking and ruralcustomers relying on traditional services. Accessibility challenges were particularly pronounced in rural areas.This study provides actionable recommendations for banks navigating mergers, emphasizing the need forimproved digital infrastructure, tailored communication, workforce training, and cultural alignment to ensuresustained customer satisfaction and loyalty. These insights contribute to academic discourse and offer practicalstrategies for the financial sector.

Intuitive to Strategic Translanguaging: Insights From Vietnamese EFL Classrooms

This article reports a qualitative case study on the translanguaging practices of Vietnamese English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) educators and explores the mechanisms behind individual differences in their practices through an integrative cultural-historical activity theory perspective. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and post-observation interviews with three educators at a public university in Vietnam. The findings highlight diverse functions of translanguaging, including checking comprehension, emphasizing content, and reducing English-speaking anxiety. Rooted in Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), this research introduces Proximal Language Scaffolding to highlight a strategic approach to using L1 and L2 for language learning within students’ ZPD. This research provides new insights into the nuanced implementation of translanguaging in EFL contexts and offers significant implications for teacher development and educational practices.

Tracing the ties that bind: navigating the static and dynamic connectedness between NFTs and equity markets in ASEAN based on QVAR-approach

Based on market integration theory, we investigate the static and dynamic connectedness between nonfungible tokens (NFTs) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) equity markets using the Quantile Vector Auto Regressive model. We also compute optimal weights and hedge ratios for our variable of interest to establish their diversification and hedging potential. Our analysis infers a moderate level of return transmission at the median quantile, where equity markets evolved as the net recipients of return spillover from the system, while NFTs emerge as key transmitters. In extreme market conditions, transmission between variables is amplified, but the increase is symmetrical across extreme quantiles, suggesting a similar impact. However, the interlinkage among assets is symmetric across conditional quantiles. The dynamic analysis demonstrates that the system integration amplifies during uncertain times (e.g., COVID-19 and the Russia–Ukraine conflict). Our portfolio analysis shows that NFTs provide diversification and hedging in all market conditions. However, the period of turmoil dampened the diversification potential, and hedging became expensive. Our study offers detailed and insightful information about the transmission mechanism and enables the participants of financial markets to diversify and hedge their portfolio.

New inequalities for permanents and hafnians and some generalizations

We show new upper bounds for permanents and hafnians, which are particularly useful for complex matrices. Multidimensional permanents and hyperhafnians are considered as well. The permanental bounds improve on a Hadamard type inequality of Carlen et al. [An inequality of Hadamard type for permanents. Methods Appl Anal. 2006;13(1):1–17. doi: 10.4310/MAA.2006.v13.n1.a1] and Cobos et al. [Multilinear forms of Hilbert type and some other distinguished forms. Integral Equ Oper Theory. 2006;56(1):57–70. doi: 10.1007/s00020-005-1412-2]. Our proofs are based on a more general inequality, which can be applied to generalized Laplace type expansions of the matrix functions under consideration. As application, we show new bounds on the characteristic function of a random diagonal sum. A numerical comparison shows the performance of some of our permanental bounds.

Current (Poly)paradigmatic Trends in Linguistics. Framing Certain Integrative Theories

Current (Poly)paradigmatic Trends in Linguistics. Framing Certain Integrative Theories

Molecular integral equations theory in the near critical region of CO2

Molecular integral equations theory in the near critical region of CO2

Relaxation dynamics of integrable field theories after a global quantum quench

Relaxation dynamics of integrable field theories after a global quantum quench

Exploration of multi-level human-machine integration theory between elderly users and intelligent systems

Exploration of multi-level human-machine integration theory between elderly users and intelligent systems

Colliding identities? The role of multiple identities among historically underrepresented students pursuing scientific research careers

ABSTRACT Motivated by Identity Integration and Threat theories, this preregistered study examined associations between scientist and ethnic identities and future scientific research career intentions among African American and Hispanic STEM undergraduates (N = 1,247). Scientist identity was positively correlated with junior-year ethnic identity and predicted senior-year scientific research career intentions. Neither scientist nor ethnic identities predicted senior-year self-esteem (which may influence science career decisions). However, minority science training program (MSTP) enrollment influenced the relationship between scientist identity and self-esteem, and between ethnic identity (belongingness) and scientific research career intentions. Neither ethnicity nor gender were moderators. The results indicate that different identities can relate to one another and uniquely influence scientific research career decisions among African American and Hispanic students, especially among MSTP enrollees.

A drug-drug co-amorphous system for highly improved solubility of breviscapine: an experimental and computational study

Drug-drug co-amorphous systems are a promising approach to improve the aqueous solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs. This study explores the combination of breviscapine (BRE) and matrine (MAT) form an amorphous salt, aiming to synergistically enhance the solubility and dissolution of BRE. In silico analysis of electrostatic potential and local ionization energy were conducted on BRE-MAT complex to predict the intermolecular interactions, and solvent-free energies were calculated using thermodynamic integration and density functional theory. The co-amorphous mixture, prepared by solvent evaporation, was characterized using various analytical techniques, including polarized microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and powder X-ray diffraction, confirming its amorphous nature. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and molecular dynamic simulations revealed strong hydrogen bonding, with a proton transfer from the carboxyl group of BRE to the tertiary amine nitrogen of MAT. The resulting co-amorphous salt demonstrated substantial solubility improvement (> 8000-fold in water) and enhanced in vitro dissolution of BRE. The study also confirmed that the co-amorphous salt maintained physical stability at 40 °C and 75% relative humidity over 6 months. These findings provide a viable strategy for developing drug-drug co-amorphous formulations to enhance solubility and stability, with significant potential for pharmaceutical applications.

Utility of photon-counting detectors for MV-kV dual-energy computed tomography imaging.

High soft-tissue contrast imaging is essential for effective radiotherapy treatment. This could potentially be realized using both megavoltage and kilovoltage x-ray sources available on some therapy treatment systems to perform "MV-kV" dual-energy (DE) computed tomography (CT). However, noisy megavoltage images obtained with existing energy-integrating detectors (EIDs) are a limiting factor for clinical translation. We explore the potential for non-spectral photon-counting detectors (PCDs) to improve MV-kV image quality simply by equally weighting all MV photons rather than up-weighting the less informative, lower contrast high-energy photons as in an EID. Three computational methods were applied to compare non-spectral PCDs with EIDs in MV-kV DE imaging. A single-line integral estimation theory approach was used to calculate the basis material signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of tissue (1 to 50cm) and bone (0.1 to 10cm). CT images of a tissue cylinder with seven bone inserts (densities 1.0 to ) were simulated to assess material decomposition accuracy. Multiple noisy simulations of an anthropomorphic phantom were performed to generate pixel-by-pixel noise profiles. PCDs yielded a 15% to 45% improvement in single-line integral SNR for both materials. In CT simulations, similar material decomposition accuracy was achieved, with both EIDs and PCDs slightly underestimating bone density. However, PCDs yield a higher contrast-to-noise ratio and more uniform noise texture than EIDs in virtual monoenergetic images. We demonstrate the potential for improved MV-kV DE CT imaging using non-spectral PCDs and quantify the degree of improvement in a range of object compositions. This work motivates the experimental assessment of PCDs for megavoltage imaging and the potential clinical translation of PCDs to radiotherapy imaging.

Exploring Esports game addiction among college students in multiplayer online battle arena: a quantitative model centered on self-control and motivation

PurposeWith the widespread popularity of Esports, Esports game addiction has attracted wide attention. This research explores the causes of Esports game addiction among college students in Mainland China and the influence of specific participation motivation and self-control on college students’ Esports game addiction.Design/methodology/approachThis research applied the organismic integration theory (OIT) instead of the basic psychological needs theory using Honor of Kings, the most popular Esports game in the form of multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) among Chinese college students. A total of 339 completed questionnaires were finally analyzed. SmartPLS 2.0 M3 was used to perform the PLS-SEM analysis on the relationship between self-control, participation motivation and Esports game addiction.FindingsOnly introjected regulation and a motivation positively impacted Esports game addiction, while intrinsic motivation, integrated regulation, identified regulation and external regulation had surprisingly no effect on Esports game addiction.Originality/valueScant studies have explored Esports game addiction in MOBA games, especially in Asia. Results showed that parents, schools and society should consciously strengthen the education and exercise of students’ self-control ability to prevent Esports game addiction. Game developers should appropriately adjust game structures and functions to prevent college students from using them as social tools or games to escape reality.

Relational integration/assimilation? A critical dialog with postcolonial and mainstream perspectives

Mainstream studies on integration and assimilation, epitomized by scholars like Richard Alba and Nancy Foner, tend to equate the terms, describing them as processes in which migrants lose their ethnic salience and gradually become barely distinguishable from the white majority. Postcolonial critiques, most notably from Willem Schinkel and Adrian Favell, challenge these views labeling them as methodological nationalism that allegedly perpetuates racial biases and reduces migrants’ agency. Ultimately Schinkel calls for deconstruction of the entire field of migration studies, while Favell advocates for separating integration from the logic of nation state. To rebuild a once-failed dialog between these influential but divergent perspectives, this article utilizes Klarenbeek’s relational integration theory, which argues in favor of balancing egalitarian social relations between majorities and minorities over one-directional integration models that assign migrants the role of passive recipients. Using Klarenbeek’s framework, I offer a critical perspective on both the mainstream tendency to problematize migrants and the radical deconstruction of integration suggested by postcolonial theorists. I argue that both mainstream and postcolonial scholars should move away from methodological whiteness, acknowledge the conceptual distinction between assimilation and integration, and incorporate insights from acculturation theories to foster a much-needed egalitarian dialog between their competing approaches.

The Role of Faith-Based Education in Bangladesh’s Multicultural System and Its Impact on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Objective: To examine how faith-based education in Bangladesh's multicultural educational system incorporates religious and secular courses, emphasizing madrasa students' intellectual development and cultural identity. Theoretical Framework: Exploring how to strike a balance between religious principles and the demands of secular education, based on multicultural and integrative education theories. Method: Qualitative research using student and teacher interviews combined with document analysis of curriculum materials and educational policies. Results and Discussion: Students who attend faith-based schools form strong cultural and ethical identities based on religious beliefs, which influence their values and sense of identity. Incorporating secular disciplines like physics and math helps pupils develop their critical thinking abilities and prepares them for various social and academic issues. The integration of a balanced curriculum is still hampered by several issues, such as scarce resources, inadequate teacher preparation, and cultural conflicts between conservative and progressive viewpoints. Research Implications: This paper emphasizes the necessity of laws that help religious schools deliver high-quality instruction that satisfies both contemporary academic requirements and religious beliefs. Originality/Value: Offers unique insights into Bangladesh’s educational landscape, guiding future reforms to promote academic success and cultural integration in a diverse society.

Computing Excited States of Very Large Systems with Range-Separated Hybrid Functionals and the Exact Integral Simplified Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (XsTD-DFT).

Simplified quantum chemistry (sQC) methods can routinely compute excited states for very large systems in an "all-atom" fashion. They are viable alternatives to regular multiscale schemes. sQC methods have the advantage of accounting explicitly for all of the environment at a quantum mechanical (QM) level. The treatment of charge-transfer states is now improved by the native implementation of range-separated hybrid (RSH) exchange-correlation functionals into the eXact integral simplified time-dependent density functional theory (XsTD-DFT). After the RSH XsTD-DFT/TDA scheme was benchmarked, XsTD-DFT(/TDA) ultraviolet/visible absorption, circular dichroism (CD), and/or two-photon absorption (2PA) spectra were directly compared to the results of experiments for four challenging and increasingly large systems: eYFP model system, Λ-shaped multimodular D-π-A-π-D'-π-A-π-D chromophore, mixed donor/acceptor ligand Pd(II) double cage [3BF4@Pd4DmA8-m], and the photoactive yellow protein (PYP). Among the results, this study shows that an "all-atom" approach is unavoidable for reproducing absorption and CD spectra of PYP because one of the main transitions involves a local excitation on a tryptophan.

Ecosystem style of thinking in economic analysis: principle of unity of the continuous and the discrete

Objective: to substantiate the unity of the discrete and the continuous in the socio-economic ecosystems theory development. Methods: system economic theory; the theory of the system structure influence on the changing homogeneity of the intraecosystem space-time; the systemic-integrational theory of an enterprise; the principle of complementarity. Results: the article substantiates the expediency of introducing the “ecosystem style of thinking” concept into scientific circulation. It is shown that the basic principle of the ecosystem style of thinking is the principle of complementarity, expressed as the unity of the continuous and the discrete. This principle is due to the inherent characteristic of the ecosystem – a combination of continuity and discreteness of its intra-ecosystem space-time (in particular, a combination of homogeneity and diversity of relationships between ecosystem participants). In order to form methods for determining the qualitative relationship between the ecosystem homogeneity and heterogeneity, the author proposes a typology of relationships between ecosystem participants, formed on the basis of the systemic-integrational theory of an enterprise. The paper substantiates the importance of a rational correlation of the homogeneity and diversity of the ecosystem space-time for the ecosystem functioning and for identifying the imbalances in the ecosystem spatiotemporal development. Scientific novelty: It was found that the main characteristic of the ecosystem style of thinking is the principle of unity of the continuous and the discrete in economic analysis. The author concludes that the ecosystem style of thinking is based on the post-non-classical style of thinking as interpreted by V. S. Stepin. The article proposes a typology of the economic analysis principles and substantiates the typology of relationships in the ecosystem based on the system integration theory of an enterprise. The author draws attention to the need for a rational balance between homogeneity and diversity in the ecosystem relationships for its functioning. Practical significance: the research expands the arsenal of objective methods for studying economic phenomena and processes by applying the ecosystem approach principles.

Transatlantic Economic Relations at a Crossroads

The article was written on the eve of the US presidential election in 2024 and is devoted to the economic aspects of modern transatlantic relations. Descriptive statistics is used to assess the role and place of the transatlantic economy in terms of gross product, export-import operations, trade of US and EU branches and investment activity. The article touches upon the interconnectedness of the economy. It tense noted that the parties remain the main source of prosperity for each other. On this basis, hypotheses has been put forward about the reasons for restarting the dialog and its instability. Taking into account the logic of well-known integration theories, the author deliberates about the predisposition of the USA and the EU to institutionalize relations with the creation of common norms. However, small advantages on the US side in the ratio of benefits from economic integration are a factor of instability and an opportunity for further competition within the transatlantic economy. Based on the analysis of official reports on the activities of the US-EU Trade and Technology Council and other documents, the author's vision of the purpose of the dialogue is formulated – to test political innovations that contribute to completing the transition of the transatlantic economy to the sixth wave of innovation and maintaining its leadership positions in the world.

Exploration on the Construction of a Demonstration Center for Digital and Intelligent Experimental Teaching of Foreign Languages

Based on the ecosystem theory, the cognitive-emotional-social integration theory and the technology acceptance model, this paper discusses the construction path and practice mode of the demonstration center for digital and intelligent experimental teaching of foreign language. A teaching ecosystem of synergistic development has been built through the construction of a digital and intelligent foreign language teaching training room, a digital and intelligent foreign language teaching platform, a digital and intelligent testing platform and the creation of a digital and intelligent faculty. By innovating the teaching mode, optimizing the assessment mechanism, and integrating big data and intelligent technology, it effectively enhances students' practical language ability, intercultural communication ability and practical application ability, and promotes teachers' informatization literacy and awareness of teaching innovation. Feasible solution strategies are proposed for the technological integration, assessment system improvement and ethical issues faced during the construction, providing important theoretical and practical references for the deepening development of digital and intelligent foreign language teaching.

A Roadmap for The Integrative HR Leadership Theory of Intangible Competitive Advantage

A Roadmap for The Integrative HR Leadership Theory of Intangible Competitive Advantage