Principles Of Theory Research Articles

R-function method and variational method for the bending problem of functionally graded plates with fixed supports and complex shapes

In engineering practice, analytical solutions for the bending problem of functionally graded plates are usually available only when the boundary conditions are simple. When using numerical methods like the variational method to solve the problem, trial functions can generally be constructed only for simple-shaped boundaries. In contrast, the R-function method can be effectively used to address problems with complex boundary shapes. This study integrates the R-function theory with the variational method to investigate the bending problem of functionally graded plates with complex boundaries. By employing the R-function theory, complex regions can be represented as implicit functions, which facilitates the construction of trial functions that satisfy complex boundary conditions. The paper elaborates on the variational principle and R-function theory, derives the variational equation for the bending problem of functionally graded plates, and validates the feasibility and accuracy of the method through numerical examples of rectangular, U-shaped, and L-shaped functionally graded plates. The results are compared with those from other literature and the finite element method (FEM) using ANSYS, showing good agreement.

A proactive and uncertainty driven management mechanism for workflows of processing tasks

Efficient resource selection and scheduling in large-scale computing systems like the Cloud pose significant challenges, especially for workflows with unreliable or preemptible resources. These workflows depict a set of (sequential or parallel) processing activities that should be executed upon the available resources. In this paper, we focus on the efficient management of resources paying attention to unreliable executions and propose a novel checkpointing mechanism integrated into an uncertainty-aware Heterogeneous Earliest Finish Time (uHEFT) online algorithm. This algorithm determines the optimal time instances to store the observed progress of the execution by adopting the principles of the Optimal Stopping Theory and the continuous monitoring of the execution parameters. Hence, we are able to monitor the execution of tasks on unreliable resources and determine the optimal points to store progress, thereby mitigating the risk of unexpected revocations which frequently occur in preemptive strategies. The proposed model leverages the heterogeneity of available Cloud services, providing a proactive mitigation approach for revocation risks. The pros and cons of our approach are evaluated through a set of extensive simulations and performance metrics against an optimal strategy in which every checkpoint is applied just before a revocation event is observed. Notably, uHEFT minimizes the deviation from the theoretical optimal strategy (regret) without increasing the overall number of checkpoints. This cost-efficient solution enhances the execution of workflows in environments with volatile resources.

¿Y Ahora Qué? Interest Convergence and Hope Through Provision, Promotion, and Partnerships in TwoWay Dual Language Programs

As Two-Way Dual Language Programs continue in their nascent stages in the United States, some teachers, administrators, and researchers have reported issues of interest convergence. This construct refers to a Critical Theory principle that proposes alignment between the interests of whites and marginalized groups for a perceived common benefit, but whites stand to profit. In this article, two researchers work alongside a bilingual pre-service teacher to highlight three examples that illustrate this principle: (1) the business of learning a language, (2) Latin@ Spanish-speaking students used as resources, and (3) the gentrification of bilingual education. Beyond the diagnosis of such dilemmas, we offer a preliminary framework and propose some tenets of hope to overcome any such asymmetries that can exist when interested families from different social locations agree to collaborate in the journey of dual language education for their children.

Redesigning Refuge: Spatial Adaptations and Defensible Space Principles in Zaatari Camp in Jordan

Refugee camps are typically designed as temporary sustainable settlements, prioritizing logistics over cultural considerations, which can lead to environments being misaligned with the lived experiences of displaced populations. This study addresses the challenge of traditional humanitarian camp designs that prioritize logistical efficiency over cultural and socio-cultural needs, leading to environments that do not align with the lived experiences of displaced populations. Focusing on the Zaatari Syrian Refugee Camp in Jordan, the research employs a structured questionnaire distributed among 102 households to investigate how refugees have reconfigured the camp’s original grid layout into more cohesive clustered patterns, informed by the principles of defensible space theory. Key findings reveal that refugees actively transform public courtyards into semi-private spaces, driven by cultural imperatives and safety needs. Statistical analyses confirm significant correlations between clustering behaviors and the attributes of defensible space, particularly the zones of influence and boundary demarcation, enhancing community resilience and accessibility. However, the study finds a limited predictive power overall, indicating that while these adaptations are significant, factors such as natural surveillance and territorial behavior do not exhibit strong influences on clustering dynamics. These findings have important implications for humanitarian planning and design. They highlight the necessity for more culturally sensitive and flexible approaches that prioritize refugee agencies and communal identity in camp layouts. This research advocates for a hybrid planning approach that integrates socio-cultural values, promoting resilience and quality of life among refugees. By aligning spatial designs with the social and cultural realities of refugee communities, humanitarian actors can enhance the effectiveness of their interventions, ultimately contributing to more sustainable and inclusive urban environments as part of broader goals related to urban planning and development. Future research is encouraged to explore these practices in diverse refugee contexts, providing further validation of these findings and enhancing the applicability of these design principles in global humanitarian efforts.

Signals to Captivate: The Impact of Signals in US and UK Equity Crowdfunding Project Success

When traditional financial institutions found it challenging to help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with capital allocations, crowdfunding emerged as a beacon of innovation by furnishing and supporting the operations of SMEs by financing their tasks and facilitating the risk-sharing process. Alongside its significant expansion and widespread appeal, crowdfunding encounters several critical challenges, one of the most prominent being the information asymmetry that may arise between those seeking funds and prospective supporters. Grounded in the principles of signalling theory, a theoretical framework has been constructed for a comparative analysis between the United States and the United Kingdom. The study’s objective is to investigate information manipulation in an equity crowdfunding market by adopting visual cues (images, video, share price, valuation, equity offered) to mitigate the problem of information asymmetry in making the project successful. This has been achieved by compiling secondary data from the following equity-based platforms: StartEngine (US platform) and Seedrs and Crowdcube (UK platform). We employed econometric techniques and quadratic analysis and validated the models through a robustness check. Results reveal that the visual cues substantially impact a project’s success by mitigating the problem of information asymmetry, but this varies in each country. These findings provide valuable insights for entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers regarding how different signals in distinct market environments drive crowdfunding performance. The study fills a significant lacuna in the existing literature and provides practical guidelines on optimizing crowdfunding strategies for better outcomes in both regions.

ANALISIS PENERAPAN DAN IMPLIKASI PEMBELAJARAN BAHASA ARAB BERDASARKAN PRINSIP TEORI KOGNITIF MULTIMEDIA DI AKUN SOSIAL MEDIA INSTAGRAM @ARABICWITHENES

Learning Arabic through Instagram social media is one of the alternative media to present material in an interesting and contemporary way, because Instagram has feed and reels features that support multimedia-based learning, but to present material a theory is needed to support learning to be more effective. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to analyze the application and implications based on the principles of multimedia cognitive theory in learning Arabic through the @arabicwithenes Instagram account. Using a qualitative approach, while the method used is content analysis, this study analyzes how the feeds and reels features in the account apply the six main principles of multimedia cognitive theory, namely the principles of multimedia, spatial proximity, temporal proximity, coherence, modality, and redundancy. The results of this study show that most of the content has effectively applied these principles, especially in the simultaneous use of audio and visual, which then facilitates the understanding of the pronunciation and meaning of mufradat for Instagram users, especially its followers. At the same time, however, there is still some content that applies redundancy, which has the potential to increase cognitive load. The effects of applying these principles show a positive impression on their followers in terms of increasing motivation and interest as well as understanding in learning Arabic, although the intensity of improvement needs to be carried out further, especially in terms of personalizing the content so that it is more relevant to the skill level of each individual Instagram user and follower.

Teaching innovation in internal control courses integrating ideological education and game theory

This study aims to propose an innovative teaching model for Internal Control courses, integrating course ideology and game theory perspectives to enhance learning engagement. The developed model—termed “Integration, Co-learning, Co-empathy”—comprises three phases: initial design, mid-term application, and final assessment. Integration constructs a cohesive knowledge structure; Collaborative Learning boosts students’ practical skills; empathy strengthens emotional literacy and fosters a positive teacher-student relationship. By merging ideological and political education concepts with game theory principles, the research optimizes course design and teaching strategies. It offers insights into the continuous development of Internal Control courses in accounting programs, providing practical recommendations for university-level curriculum reform. Ultimately, it targets improved educational effectiveness and promotion of comprehensive learning.

On the path to cyber organizational resilience: shedding light on the context of SMEs

PurposeHistorically, discussion of organizational resilience (OR) was dedicated to a generic event. However, nowadays a new research domain oriented to the cyber side of OR (i.e. cyber-OR) has developed. Inspired by the principles of Resilience Engineering and adaptive capacity theories, this research aims to assess cyber-OR tools and practices in the context of Italian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) alongside the hindering factors they encounter while implementing cyber-OR practices. The SME context is particularly suitable for this investigation due to the excessive cyberattacks they face and the crucial economic role they play in many Western countries, including Italy.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative research design used semistructured interviews and data collected from 31 Italian SMEs. Data analysis followed thematic analysis principles using the NVivo 12 software package.FindingsResults show a low level of cyber-OR across the SMEs the authors assessed, especially in the post-event phase. Moreover, SMEs are affected by several factors that hinder cybersecurity (i.e. lack of awareness, lack of resources and budget, and small organization size).Practical implicationsThe authors offer a new perspective for practitioners and institutions to develop frameworks and strategies targeted for SMEs to overcome the effects posed by the hindering factors that are still unclear in the cyber-OR domain.Originality/valueThis research advances knowledge in the context of cyber-OR and SMEs, an area which needs further investigation.

Applying Excellence Theory to the Critical Study of Gender and Socioeconomic Bias in Stable Diffusion Models: Toward Responsible AI in Public Relations

ABSTRACT The future of AI in public relations and strategic communications hinges on responsible AI practices, requiring practitioners to address and mitigate biases embedded in proprietary AI models. This study integrates the principles of excellence theory to examine how public relations professionals can adopt responsible AI practices that make their organizations excellent, given PR’s critical communications role in the organization and larger social system. Through a longitudinal analysis of biases across Stable Diffusion text-to-image generation AI models 1.5, 2.1, and XL, the study quantifies disparities and provides a template for replicable bias testing. By generating images from intentionally polarizing sentiment prompts and conducting detailed gender coding, findings reveal consistent underrepresentation of women and socioeconomic stereotypes within the models, exposing the biases inherent in datasets and algorithms. Excellence theory serves as a guiding framework to make clear the ways in which communicators can advocate for responsible AI practices, urging PR professionals to actively audit and benchmark AI tools as part of the ongoing education and improvement of the practice at large.

Modeling of hysteresis effects in magneto-active polymers: constitutive theory and variational principles

Abstract This work covers the variational-based modeling of magneto-mechanical hysteresis effects in hard magnetic magneto-active polymers (MAPs). We discuss basic ingredients of the constitutive theory within the concept of generalized standard materials that necessitates suitable definitions of (i) the total energy density function and (ii) the dissipation potential. A key feature of the developed energy-based constitutive model is its modular structure that allows to associate individual components of the total energy density with the magnetic field strength in vacuum, the magnetization of the material, and specific components of the total stress tensor. The utilization of spectral invariants allows the formulation of a compact constitutive model that is able to accurately capture the highly nonlinear material behavior of hard magnetic MAPs with stochastic microstructures. The developed constitutive functions are subsequently embedded in incremental variational principles. This is supplemented by the discussion of corresponding conforming finite element methods. The performance of the developed variational-based models is demonstrated by solving some application-oriented initial boundary value problems.

Effect of the transpulmonary pressure on the lungs’ vibroacoustic response: a first numerical perspective

In the high-stakes environment of intensive care units (ICUs), managing transpulmonary pressure is crucial for providing breathing assistance to intubated patients, particularly when combining this intervention with respiratory therapy, such as high-frequency chest compression (HFCC). Despite the complexity of lung tissues, a computed tomography-based finite element model (CT-FEM), guided by Biot's theory, can be employed to numerically predict their vibroacoustic behavior at low frequencies, where the properties of the lungs align with the theory's principles. In this work, one aims to develop an analytical model of the lungs for two different levels of transpulmonary pressure—10 cm H2O (inflated lungs) and 20 cm H2O (healthy lungs)—to examine the poroviscoelastic behavior of the lungs and evaluate the generated analytical model using a CT-FEM of the human thorax like a digital twin of the human thorax. Biot's theory was utilized to predict the complex-valued shear wave speed, as well as the fast and slow compression wave speeds, across a frequency range between 5 and 100 Hz. The analytically computed values were tested using a previously validated CT-FEM of the human thorax to compare respiratory therapy outcomes for intubated patients under different transpulmonary pressure levels. Besides the frequency response function of the thorax, the kinetic energy density and the strain energy density were compared for these pressure levels. The CT-FEM demonstrated that all peak points fall within the range of 20–45 Hz; therefore, this range might be considered in ICUs settings. Kinetic energy density was nearly 2.2 times higher, and strain energy density was 1.46–1.26 times higher at the first and last peaks, respectively; therefore, inflated lungs experienced greater effects than healthy ones under the same respiratory therapy conditions. Overall, this study highlights how different transpulmonary pressures affect HFCC therapy, offering insights into gentle and effective conditions for intubated patients in ICUs while revealing the lungs’ 3D responses by integrating analytically predicted shear wave speed, fast and slow compression wave speeds.

Assessment on the Implementation of Transition Program Skills Packages Among Learners with Autism in SOCSARGEN

Abstract Objectives: This study assessed the implementation of transition program skills package for students with autism in public secondary schools in the Province of South Cotabato, Sarangani Province, and General Santos City (SOCSARGEN), Philippines. It looks forward to learning from the experience of its learners and stakeholders in order to improve the K to 12 Transition Curriculum for learners with disabilities in particular for those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) so that this curriculum is pertinent and effective in preparing them for life post-school. Methodology: Utilizing the principles of the Social-Ecological Systems Theory (SEST) and the Input-Process-Output model, this research employed a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design. The quantitative strand consisted of 32 students from nine SOCSARGEN public schools in the school year 2022-2023, and the qualitative strand accessed the perceptions of eight learners with autism as key informants and 18 stakeholders through focus group interviews in rural and urban areas. Results: Outcomes reveal that the implementation of skills packages was moderately satisfactory, with teacher competence and stakeholder cooperation being its strengths. Teachers exhibited high competencies in the provision of skills training, with cooperation from parents, local industry, and government entities assisting in supporting program implementation. Deficiencies were seen in alignment of curriculum, methodologies for assessing learners, and availability of necessary resources like ICT tools and practical training facilities. Limited availability of assistive technology, out-of-date learning content, and lack of adequate exposure to work environments inhibited the full potential of the program. Stakeholders highlighted the demand for improvement in curriculum, improved financing, and better coordination with training schools to enable easier transition for learners into employment or further learning. Conclusion: The transition program skills packages for students with autism had moderate success, with positives in teacher competence and stakeholder engagement. Gaps still exist in learner profiling, curriculum relevance, ICT equipment, and on-the-job training. It is important to develop TESDA coordination, ICT accessibility, funding, and industry linkage. Future studies must investigate resource accessibility, cultural sensitivity, and curriculum flexibility to enhance learners' employability and independent living. Keywords: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), transition program, skills packages, learners’ experiences, stakeholder collaboration, educational assessment, mixed-method research

Padmanabhan's Boundary Variational Principle for Electrodynamics and Yang-Mills Theory

Padmanabhan's Boundary Variational Principle for Electrodynamics and Yang-Mills Theory

Vibration performance of composite doubly-curved shells embedded with damping layer

This paper presents an analysis of the vibration performance of composite shells with doubly-curved shapes embedded with a damping layer. First, the geometric equation and governing equation of composite sandwich doubly-curved shells (CSDCSs) are deduced using the first-order shear shell theory and Hamilton's principle. Subsequently, the Navier solution is applied to solve the deduced governing equation of CSDCSs, and the findings obtained by ANSYS are used to validate the validity and accuracy of the solutions. Finally, this paper graphically provides the vibration performance of CSDCSs with the structural as well as the physical parameters, as follows: With the change of the thickness ratio of the upper and lower layers, the frequency of hyperbolic shell decreases and then increases, while the loss factor increases and then decreases. As the aspect ratio rises, the frequency and loss factor of the spherical shell gradually decrease; the frequency of the parabolic shell shows a trend of gradually decreasing, while the loss factor shows a trend of increasing. Increasing the length-to-radius ratio, the loss factor decreases significantly, but the frequency only decreases slightly. When the shear coefficient takes a value greater than a certain value, CSDCSs can obtain both a better structural stiffness and a larger loss factor.

Exploring nonlinear phenomena in animal vocalizations through oscillator theory.

Animal vocalizations comprise a rich array of complex sounds that exhibit nonlinear phenomena (NLP), which have fascinated researchers for decades. From the melodic songs of birds to the clicks and whistles of dolphins, many species have been found to produce nonlinear vocalizations, offering a valuable perspective on the mechanisms underlying sound production and potential adaptive functions. By leveraging on the principles of oscillator theory and nonlinear dynamics, animal vocalizations, which are based on coupled oscillators, can be described and conveniently classified. We review the basic ingredients for self-sustained oscillations and how different NLP can emerge. We discuss important terms in the context of oscillator theory: attractor types, phase space, bifurcations and Arnold tongue diagrams. Through a comparative analysis of observed NLP and bifurcation diagrams, our study reviews how the tools of nonlinear dynamics can provide insights into the intricate complexity of animal vocalizations, as well as into the evolutionary pressures and adaptive strategies that have shaped the diverse communication systems of the animal kingdom.This article is part of the theme issue, 'Nonlinear phenomena in vertebrate vocalizations: mechanisms and communicative functions'.

Black Low-Income Mothers’ Experiences With a Local Peer Support Group: A Qualitative Exploration

Maternal empowerment, particularly by enhancing resourcefulness and support systems, has emerged as a promising approach to address inequities. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of Black low-income women during the postpartum period and the interplay between cultural context, resourcefulness, and motherhood. The study employed a novel methodological approach that combined focused ethnography with grounded theory analysis. Six focus groups ( n = 35) were conducted with Black mothers who had given birth within 5 years and were self-identified as low-income. Data analysis followed grounded theory principles of constant comparison and theoretical sampling. A grounded theory emerged, “the journey to empowered motherhood includes both navigation and transformation.” Three categories, (1) individual context, (2) strength alongside relationships, and (3) transition to motherhood, developed this theory which describes a dynamic process whereby mothers navigate sociocultural landscapes, leading to a transformed sense of self. This study offers insights into the complex nature of maternal empowerment among Black low-income mothers. The findings underscore the need for interventions that focus on fostering mothers’ existing strengths and abilities within their specific sociocultural contexts, culturally sensitive maternal care that acknowledges and addresses the unique contextual challenges faced by Black low-income mothers, and a shift in perspective from deficit- to strength-based approaches in maternal health.

Исследование возможностей применения положений квантовой теории в менеджменте

The continuous complication of economic conditions invariably entails the search for increasingly effective approaches to managing complex socio-economic systems. One of the areas of the search for approaches to solving this problem is the study of the possibilities of applying Burkhard Heim’s field theory in management, which involves the use of the principles of the quantum theory he developed in the science of managing complex socio-economic systems - enterprises and organizations. As a starting point for studying B. Heim’s quantum theory in management, which combines gravity, electromagnetism and quantum mechanics, many researchers in this area consider the issues of interaction between consciousness and physical reality in relation to solving management problems. Just as B. Heim was never able to bring his theory to its logical conclusion, subsequent researchers who have sought to transfer the provisions of B. Heim’s quantum theory to the field of management have not yet managed to build a sufficiently harmonious relationship between them. In this regard, the purpose of these studies was to search for problems and prospects for using B. Heim’s quantum theory in management. This work is based on a set of theoretical research methods, including: abstraction, analysis, analogy, generalization and formalization.The main results of the conducted research consist in explaining the nature of the functioning of enterprises and organizations as controlled socio-economic systems from the standpoint of quantum mechanics by drawing a set of analogies concerning: energy, momentum, angular momentum and other quantities of the bound state of the system under study; limitations of the system under study by discrete values; possession of both discrete and continuous characteristics by the systems under study; implementation of the uncertainty principle in the systems under study. The presented results allow us to move on to further research concerning a more detailed consideration of the quantum and wave nature of the activities of enterprises from the standpoint of management, including the superposition of the provisions of quantum and wave theory.

Corporate governance effectiveness and operational risk of banks

This paper examines the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on the risk-taking behaviour of commercial banks in Ghana. In this context, risk-taking is defined based on the operational risk faced by the banks. The study employs the two-step system generalised method of moments (2SYS-GMM) estimation technique, using a panel dataset of 14 commercial banks in Ghana from 2010 to 2022. The corporate governance variables considered include board size, board independence, board meetings, and financial expertise on the board, with firm growth included as a control variable. This study shows that board meetings have a positive and significant relationship with operational risk in banks. Conversely, board size is negatively and significantly associated with operational risk. However, board independence and financial expertise on the board do not have any impact on operational risk. Additionally, firm growth is found to have an inverse relationship with bank risk. The paper highlights the risk-taking behaviour of boards in commercial banks in Ghana, specifically showing that larger board size reduces the level of risk, supporting the principles of agency theory. The findings offer valuable insights for regulators and policymakers to enhance internal corporate governance mechanisms to safeguard banks during financial distress. Additionally, these findings can boost shareholder and stakeholder confidence in the effectiveness of governance reforms, promoting long-term benefits.

Systems Theory Principles and Complex Systems Engineering Concepts for Protection and Resilience in Critical Infrastructure: Lessons from the Nuclear Sector

ABSTRACTPart of the Presidential Policy Directive 21 (PPD‐21) (PPD 2013) mandate includes evaluating safety, security, and safeguards (or nonproliferation) mechanisms traditionally implemented within the nuclear reactors, materials, and waste sector of critical infrastructure—including a complex, dynamic set of risks and threats within an all‐hazards approach. In response, research out of Sandia National Laboratories (Sandia) explores the ability of systems theory principles (hierarchy and emergence) and complex systems engineering concepts (multidomain interdependence) to better understand and address these risks and threats. This Sandia research explores the safety, safeguards, and security risks of three different nuclear sector‐related activities—spent nuclear fuel transportation, small modular reactors, and portable nuclear power reactors—to investigate the complex and dynamic risk related to the PPD‐21‐mandated all‐hazards approach. This research showed that a systems‐theoretic approach can better identify inter‐dependencies, conflicts, gaps, and leverage points across traditional safety, security, and safeguards hazard mitigation strategies in the nuclear reactors, materials, and waste sector. As a result, mitigation strategies from applying systems theoretic principles and complex systems engineering concepts can be (1) designed to better capture interdependencies, (2) implemented to better align with real‐world operational uncertainties, and (3) evaluated as a systems‐level whole to better identify, characterize, and manage PPD‐21's all hazards strategies.

A Fuzzy Set and Application of Fuzzy Multi Criteria Decision Making on Vendor Selection

Vendor selection plays a pivotal role in supply chain management, influencing the efficiency and effectiveness of operations. Traditional vendor selection methods often rely on crisp decision-making frameworks, which may oversimplify complex decision scenarios and neglect uncertainties inherent in real-world situations. This paper explores the application of fuzzy set theory as a novel approach to vendor selection, aiming to enhance decision-making processes in supply chain management. Drawing from the principles of fuzzy set theory, which allow for the representation of vague or imprecise information, this study proposes a framework that accommodates the inherent uncertainties and ambiguities associated with vendor selection criteria. By employing fuzzy logic and membership functions, the proposed framework enables decision makers to express the degree of membership of vendors to predefined criteria in a more flexible and nuanced manner. In conclusion, this paper contributes to the ongoing discourse on vendor selection methodologies by introducing a novel approach grounded in fuzzy set theory. By embracing uncertainty and ambiguity, the proposed framework offers a more realistic and adaptable decision-making tool for supply chain practitioners, paving the way for further advancements in the field. A numerical example has been presented to support the proposed model.