Theory Research Articles

Pleasurable emotional states in health-care organizations: the mediation role of employee wellbeing on transformational leadership and job satisfaction.

This study aims to examine the association between transformational leadership, employee well-being and job satisfaction, focusing on the mediating role of employee well-being in the association between transformational leadership and job satisfaction. Data for this purpose were gathered by the authors through a questionnaire survey, with 180 employees at health center IV hospitals in Uganda serving as the sample. To test the theoretical model, a PROCESS Model Type 4 mediation analysis was performed. The findings demonstrate a slightly favorable association between transformational leadership and job satisfaction, transformational leadership is positively related to employee well-being as well as a positive association between employee well-being and job satisfaction. Moreover, the outcomes of the mediation analysis verify that employee well-being acts as a mediator in the association between transformational leadership and job satisfaction. Health-care organizations should invest in leadership training programs that develop transformational leadership skills. Leaders, who can inspire, intellectually stimulate and provide individualized consideration can significantly enhance employee well-being, which in turn boosts job satisfaction. Establish ongoing development initiatives to ensure that leadership skills remain sharp and evolve with changing health-care demands. This study adds to the body of knowledge in organizational behavior by examining the relationship in detail between transformational leadership, employee well-being and job satisfaction. In addition, this study was carried out in a developing nation, which might usually produce results that differ from those of studies carried out in developed nations.

A novel multi-stage precision reliability assessment method for mechanical system by Bayesian fusion

Precision reliability is crucial for evaluating mechanical system performance. However, limited data makes reliability assessment challenging due to difficult data collection and small sample sizes. Currently, little research has focused on using initial theoretical models as prior information for reliability assessment. This paper proposes a multi-stage precision reliability assessment method for a mechanical system by Bayesian fusion, which can effectively integrate design phase models with usage phase data under limited data conditions to carry out reliability assessment. First, the mechanical system is divided into meta-action units for precision modeling during the design phase. Then, an initial theoretical precision model is developed by incorporating operational error sources. Next, initial theoretical precision model is used to fit the Wiener process-driven model as Bayesian prior information, and reliability assessment is evaluated under different distribution assumptions for both the prior information and experimental data. This approach combines the prior advantages of the theoretical model with the data processing ability of the data-driven model under no prior data and small sample sizes, improving assessment precision and interpretability. Finally, a case study on a machine tool rotary table system validates the effectiveness of this method.

Exploring the Mediating Role of Student Attitudes in the Relationship between Dysfunctional Teams and Student Team Performance.

Recognizing the factors that cause dysfunction within a team is crucial for many teams. Growing studies have investigated the factors that affect college students' performance. This study focuses on the association between dysfunctional teams and student team performance (TP), with the mediating effect of students' attitudes towards team assessment. The data was collected from 332 students enrolled in professional courses from major universities and colleges in India. The theoretical model was analyzed using mediation analysis, taking students' attitudes as mediators of the relationship between a dysfunctional team and student team performance. The findings revealed that Student Attitudes (SA) successfully mediates the relationship between a dysfunctional team and student team performance. This study's results have significant implications for educators, institutions, and researchers looking to enhance collaborative learning and optimize team effectiveness. It contributes to the growing knowledge surrounding team dynamics in educational settings. It provides valuable insights for developing strategies and interventions to foster productive team interactions and ultimately elevate student team performance.

The impact of natural disasters on agricultural credit risk: A theoretical model and empirical test

The impact of natural disasters on agricultural credit risk: A theoretical model and empirical test

A scale for evaluating the willingness of national forest farm to participate in forest carbon sink project.

In recent years, the development of Forest Carbon Sink Project (FCSP) has become a key focus within forestry sector. Despite this, decision-makers often lack reliable tools to assess forest owners' willingness to engage in this project. This study aims to develop, validate and evaluate a rational value perception scale as the tool to understand the willingness of forest manager. Based on the theoretical model we proposed, the Forest Carbon Sink Project Development Value Perception Scale (FORSCALE) was developed. The scale consists of two subscales, one is Perceived Benefit Subscale including three dimensions - economic, social, and ecological benefits, another is Perceived Risk Subscale comprising five dimensions - financial, performance, technical, time, and policy risks. Data were collected from 1014 employees across 95 major national forest farms of China. Both Exploratory Factor Analysis and Confirmatory Factor Analysis were employed to validate the multidimensional robustness of FORSCALE. The Multidimensional Graded Response Model in Item Response Theory (IRT) was applied for evaluating the rationality of FORSCALE. Our findings indicated that the scale exhibited a strong multidimensional structure and good model fit. Among the dimensions, ecological benefits, time, policy, and technology risks, were particularly salient to FCSP developers. IRT analysis revealed discrimination parameter ranging from 3.057 to 15.241 and thresholds parameter from -2.296 to 1.055, indicating that all 48 items of the scale possess high discrimination and reasonable thresholds. Additionally, all items demonstrated measurement accuracy that varied along the perceived attitude continuum, with better discrimination for participants holding neutral and negative latent attitudes. Finally, we made specific recommendations for item addition or deletion, and collapsing options to refine the scale. In conclusion, FORSCALE provides decision-makers with an effective tool for creating sound guidance schemes and can be widely utilized in future FCSP development practices.

Cytotoxicity Profile of Schiff Base Organotin(IV) Complexes: Experimental and Theoretical Approach.

Present work deals with the synthesis, characterization and biological investigation of Schiff base ((E)N'(2,3-dihydroxybenzylidene)isonicotinohydrazide (L)) and its diorganotin(IV) complexes (R2SnL, diphenyltin(IV) complex R = Ph (1), dimethyltin(IV) complex R = Me(2))by experimental and theoretical approach. All the complexes were characterized by spectroscopic techniques including FTIR, multinuclear NMR and theoretical studies. Theoretical calculations were carried out using Gaussian 09 software which also supports the experimental analysis. Molecular docking studies using Autodock software were carried out to predict the binding pose and affinity of the complexes towards particular proteins. DNA binding studies by UV titrations and in-silico studies showed the superior binding of diphenyltin(IV) complex (1) and dimethyltin(IV) complex (2) in an intercalative mode. In- vitro cytotoxicity analysis of L and its complexes (1, 2) was carried out against two cancer cell lines using MTT assay. Diphenyltin(IV) complex (1) was more potent and cytotoxic against studied cancer cell lines i.e.C6 Glioblastoma cells and SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma cells.

Innovative formaldehyde adsorption with optimized deep eutectic solvents: An experiment and multilevel computational chemistry approach.

Formaldehyde, a hazardous gas that is exposed to everyone every day, has been proven to pose an elevated risk of respiratory problems, allergies, and chronic diseases. Adsorption technologies have proven to be a straightforward and labor-saving method to reduce indoor formaldehyde levels. Currently, extensive research has been conducted utilizing Deep Eutectic Solvents (DES) as adsorbents for harmful gases, yet the adsorption and conversion mechanisms for formaldehyde remain unclear. In this study, we highlighted the adsorption and transformation mechanisms of formaldehyde with DES employing quantum chemical and molecular dynamics calculations. Initially, thermodynamic software (CosmoTherm) was employed to calculate the logarithmic activity coefficients (LAC) of formaldehyde and determine the solid-liquid equilibrium (SLE) for 416 combinations of DES. On the basis of the eutectic point and LAC of DES, potential formaldehyde adsorbents were screened. In the second step, the DES screened out has a good formaldehyde adsorption capacity through the experiment. Finally, the reactive sites, reaction pathways, van der Waals interactions, and hydrogen bonds of DES of L-cysteine/diethanolamine (CYS-DEA) and formaldehyde were studied through a theoretical approach. This study comprehensively elucidates the screening of formaldehyde adsorbents, experimental adsorption, and adsorption mechanisms. Significantly shortens the development cycle of DES as formaldehyde adsorbents.

Vibration analysis of steel footbridges: Experimental investigation, numerical modeling and theoretical approach

Vibration analysis of steel footbridges: Experimental investigation, numerical modeling and theoretical approach

Assessment of residential renewable energy investment under dynamic market environment: Aspect from household benefits.

The adoption of residential renewable energy is pivotal for achieving the 'Net Zero' goal, yet financial assessments of household investments in this area remain complex due to dynamic market conditions. This study introduces a novel closed-form financial valuation framework for residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, explicitly addressing the uncertainties of electricity market price fluctuations (market risk) and energy policy changes (policy risk) using Geometric Brownian Motion (GBM). A case study in France demonstrates the framework's application, revealing that the discount rate is the most influential factor in solar PV valuation, followed by system lifespan and policy-driven Feed-in Tariff (FiT) rates. Sensitivity analyses further highlight how these variables interact to influence investment outcomes under various market scenarios. Key findings include (1) the identification of critical thresholds for solar PV investments, ensuring financial viability even under fluctuating conditions; (2) the validation of GBM as an effective tool for capturing long-term market and policy dynamics; and (3) actionable policy recommendations emphasizing market efficiency, policy stability, and end-of-life management. These insights contribute to advancing both household investment decision-making and policy design, addressing a significant gap in understanding the economic dynamics of residential renewable energy adoption. By bridging theoretical valuation models with empirical evidence, this research provides practical guidance for promoting decentralized renewable energy systems globally.

Lithium-ion battery heterogeneous electrochemical-thermal-mechanical multiphysics coupling model and characterization of microscopic properties

In the design and optimization process of lithium-ion battery electrodes, microscopic performance characterization is extremely crucial. The current multiphysics field coupling models for lithium-ion batteries predominantly use homogeneous descriptions of electrode particles and pores, which restricts the characterization of microscale electrode properties. There are fewer heterogeneous multiphysics field coupling models capable of simultaneously integrating electrochemical, thermal, and mechanical fields. Addressing this issue, this study introduces a lithium-ion battery heterogeneous electrochemical-thermal-mechanical (HETM) multiphysical field coupled model that considers the diameter and spatial distribution of active particles. This model employs the Monte Carlo method to reconstruct two-dimensional electrodes and establishes the corresponding electrochemical-thermal-mechanical multiphysical field coupled theoretical and finite element simulation models. The HETM model is validated through discharge and charge curves at various C-rates and material, demonstrating higher accuracy and the ability to provide more precise data for the design and optimization of lithium-ion batteries. The model considers the bidirectional coupling between electrochemical-thermal and electrochemical-mechanical processes, as well as the unidirectional coupling between thermal and mechanical interactions, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of both the microscopic and macroscopic characteristics of the battery.

Thumb-sized 3D-Printed cymbal microneedle array (CyMA) for enhanced transdermal drug delivery.

Transdermal drug delivery presents a compelling alternative to both needle injection and oral ingestion of medication, as it enhances patient adherence and convenience through its non-invasive and painless administration method. The use of microneedles penetrates the barrier of the stratum corneum, facilitating the sustained delivery of drugs across the skin. However, their efficacy has been limited by the slow diffusion of molecules and often requires external triggers. Herein, a lightweight and minimized 3D-printed microneedle array is introduced, employing a cymbal-type ultrasound transducer, as the external engine for deeper and faster transdermal drug delivery. A theoretical finite element model was developed and the optimization design was conducted for structural parameters. The optimized assembled prototype was fabricated using high-precision 3D printing and weighs only 20 g. In vivo experiments using a diabetic mouse model demonstrate that local insulin delivery with CyMA achieves systemic effects comparable to intraperitoneal administration. Such compact and effective microneedle delivery technology offers considerable promise therapeutic applications on the skin and intraoral use.

Culture in practice

ABSTRACT This article provides readers with contextual background to the 2023 Cultural Studies Association of Australasia (CSAA) conference: ‘Culture in Practice’ and thus the papers in this edited collection. The contemporary realities of climate crisis, increasing inequality, multiplying communities of hate, in addition to growing geo-political insecurity demand cultural as well as political, social, and economic responses mean that now more than ever ‘culture’ is a contested site of exclusion and possibility. Thus the conference’s theme sought to explore how we might create an open and inclusive cultural space for collaboration especially in a country like Australia where sovereignty of the First Nations peoples has never been ceded. How do we decolonise culture? How do we re-create it? How do we mobilise it for inclusive ends? The Introduction argues for Cultural Studies as an act of politics as much as a theoretical or methodological approach, that resists acts of forgetting. The enduring politics that papers and scholars throughout this conference demonstrated in practice was this refusal to forget, and an insistence on the urgency of radical, decolonial, queer, powerful feminist practice in Cultural Studies in the contemporary moment.

Multiliteracy Play: Designs and Desires in the Second Language Classroom (Book Review)

Notable paradigmatic shifts in second language education have taken place over the course of the last several decades. During the mid-1990s, the ‘social turn’ was marked by moves away from the understanding of second language acquisition as a purely cognitive process toward a more holistic understanding of a language learner’s agency and situatedness within dynamic sociolinguistic contexts (Ellis, 2021). Over the last 10 years, the ‘multilingual turn’ has built upon the social turn to include critical and post-structural perspectives that address sociocultural and sociolinguistic power dynamics. These perspectives value learners’ fluid multilingual competencies, such as translanguaging, in an increasingly globalized world (Ellis, 2021). Presently, this shift continues to drive increased interest in linguistic plurality, multimodal learning and expression, and what is known as multiliteracies (Zapata et al., 2023). Multiliteracies refers to a theoretical and practical approach to literacy pedagogy developed by the New London Group (1996) which calls for educators to acknowledge the ever-increasing cultural and linguistic diversity of modern globalized societies as well as the increasingly diverse forms of texts, information, and technologies that circulate throughout them. In doing so, educators can better engage the contextual discourses, or “lifeworlds,” of learners, providing opportunities for the process of agentive (re)design, or meaning-making. In Multiliteracy Play: Designs and Desires in the Second Language Classroom, Chantelle Warner builds upon the New London Group’s framework by providing a vision for further realizing the current paradigmatic shift in second language teaching. The author’s core argument is that multiliteracy play, described as creative (and sometimes subversive) “tinkering” with linguistic, cultural, and semiotic meaning, further emphasizes and explores facets of the second language learning process that remain neglected: affect, aesthetic, design, and desire. [First Paragraph]

A grounded theory based kano model to develop age-friendly housing retrofit strategies for older people in China

ABSTRACT China’s aging population is rapidly growing, with home-based care becoming the preferred choice for many older adults. Age-friendly housing (AFH) is a key measure to improve their quality of life, yet a systematic decision-making framework remains lacking. This study develops a Grounded Theory-based Kano Model to prioritize AFH design strategies for different older adult groups. The results indicate that strategies related to mobility impairments have the highest priority, followed by those addressing external assistance, physical adjustments, vision, fine motor skills, and hearing loss. Different age groups show varied needs for mobility support and environmental visibility. Men place higher priority on eliminating indoor height differences and providing support than women. Older adults living alone or with caregivers have lower priorities for several design strategies. Those with arthritis, cerebrovascular diseases, or sensory impairments have greater demands for walking safety and communication-related modifications. The study reveals a direct link between design strategy priorities and physiological decline, providing empirical data for AFH design prioritization. These findings offer a basis for optimizing AFH retrofit subsidy policies for older adults with varying physical abilities and for cities at different economic levels.

Influence of plasma-chemical processes on the parameters of an atmospheric pressure Helium microdischarge.

This study investigates the influence of plasma-chemical processes on the parameters of an atmospheric pressure (AP) Helium microdischarge. Using a one-dimensional fluid model with both Maxwellian and non-Maxwellian electron energy distribution function (EEDF), we analyze the spatial profile of plasma parameters in a microdischarge with a 0.2mm gap. There are significant differences in the recorded rate coefficients for dissociative recombination (DR) and three-body recombination (TR), which are essential for determining the densities of excited atoms and molecules in the high-pressure plasma, where the balance of charged particles is determined by volume recombination. A careful examination of the relevant literature reveals these contradictions. In order to adequately represent the main channels of creation and destruction of excited and charged particles, it is necessary to take into account the atomic states of Helium up to the quantum level n=4. The full set of plasma-chemical reactions includes elastic electron collisions, excitation and de-excitation by electrons and atoms, direct and stepwise ionization, associative ionization, molecular excimer creation and destruction, ion conversion, recombination, and radiation. The results reveal that the selected rate coefficients and EEDF form significantly influence the simulation outcomes. This highlights the need to develop improved theoretical models to enhance the control and use of plasma technologies.

The Influence of Gradient Patterned Design on Nanoshapes Deposition

Experimental exploration of surface modifications for nanoparticle patterning on hydrophilic set of stripes reveals unique patterns on gradient patterned designs. Combining theory with empirical data offers insights into droplet-induced assembly dynamics for gold nanorods and nanospheres mixture. The unique patterns and assembled arrays of nanospheres and nanorods has been evaluated and mapped with theoretical analytics. Gradient patterned surfaces demonstrate controlled particle deposition via precise manipulation of surface properties and complex energy interplay. Confinement effects induced by the surface design through engineered hydrophobic stripes that induce hydrodynamic flow play a critical role in guiding nanorods towards the center of the hydrophilic stripes, impacting wetting behavior and droplet dynamics. Such interplay of forces in suspension facilitates precise control over hydrodynamic confinement and capillary alignment. Study of theoretical models in this regard can play critical role in nanoparticle deposition, alignment, and shape separation effect.

Investigation of the Relationship Between Perceived Leadership Behaviours of Nurses and Hospital Safety Culture: A Study With the Structural Equation Model.

Work environments that support patient safety initiatives are important for quality service and patient outcomes. The relationship between the leadership behaviours of nurse managers and safety culture, which has the potential to support these initiatives, constitutes one of the most important knowledge gaps. The study aimed to determine the relationship between nurses' perceived leadership behaviours and hospital safety culture and the factors affecting them. We tested the theoretical model using structural equation modelling with the AMOS 21 program. The research was conducted with 134 nurses in two public hospitals in the south of Türkiye. Data were collected between October and December 2021 using the Leadership Behaviour Questionnaire and the Patient Safety Culture Hospital Questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis used to evaluate the data of the study. Structural equation modelling analysis and confirmatory factor analysis performed to test the research hypotheses. The study found that non-punitive attitudes towards the mistakes had a full mediating effect on overall perception of safety interaction with employee-oriented leadership and high-level hospital interventions (β = -0.510, 95% CI -1.006/-0.076), and change had partly mediating effect on overall perception of safety interaction with change-oriented leadership (β = -0.510, 95% CI -1.043/-0.053). It is clear that if nurse managers are to improve the staff's patient safety culture, they should develop change-oriented leadership skills by identifying adverse events and risks and motivating staff to learn from errors without taking punitive measures. In this context, healthcare organizations should evaluate the leadership qualities of managers. Managers at all levels can make plans to develop leadership behaviours that will play a facilitating role in improving patient safety.

Rural transformation and the future of China's "granary": A perspective on livelihood trajectories

Recent research demonstrates that the core features of agricultural and rural transformation in grain-dependent areas of the newly industrializing countries in East and Southeast Asia do not fully align with classical theories and paradigms. However, there is a lack of a theoretical model that illustrates the general patterns of rural evolution and transformation in these areas during structural transformation and outlines their future trajectories. Through case studies of a well-known grain base in China, this paper explores this issue using an analytical framework consisting of the trajectory of agricultural transformation associated with rural residents' livelihood changes and the trajectory of rural community restructuring induced by these livelihood changes. The results show that, since structural transformation, the grain-dependent countryside of China has roughly undergone an evolution from a stage of relative isolation and self-sufficiency, marked by agricultural involution, to a stage of accelerating factor flows between cities and the countryside, marked by part-time livelihoods, and finally to the current stage of accumulating "potential energies" for rural restructuring, marked by population aging. Meanwhile, challenges to the further transformation of the countryside are rooted in the socioeconomic characteristics of the middle-income period, which underscores the significance of overcoming the middle-income trap. Finally, we propose theoretical patterns for the future trajectories of China's grain-dependent countryside through the scenario analysis based on overcoming the middle-income trap and discuss the implications for rural revitalization in these areas.

Dissociative episodes and concurrent heart rate in patients with PTSD - An ecological momentary assessment.

Dissociative symptoms are a frequent complication in posttraumatic stress disorders affecting about a third of all PTSD patients. While theoretical models predict a physiological hypoarousal during posttraumatic dissociations, empirical evidence is lacking. We addressed this by studying spontaneously occurring dissociative symptoms and related heart rate changes in an ecological momentary assessment. Therefore, we continuously measured heart rate for five to ten days with mobile ECG in 47 female inpatients diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder and dissociative symptoms. During this observation period, patients tracked each dissociative event on a smartphone app and reported on symptom characteristics. Patients reported a total of 164 dissociative events. Those typically lasted <30 min and involved co-occuring depersonalization and derealization of moderate to severe intensity. Tracked symptoms correlated positively with some conventional self-reports for depersonalization and derealization. Heart rate during dissociative symptoms varied greatly between and within individuals and was on average not different from baseline assessment. There was also no significant relation between dissociation intensity and heart rate change. These results challenge the theory of reactive hypoarousal during chronic dissociation and support the view that physiological adaptation modifies in the course of posttraumatic chronification. They also highlight the individual variability of dissociative symptoms and underscore the necessity of detailed assessment for targeted therapeutic approaches.

Incentives and the Replication Crisis in Social Sciences: A Critical Review of Open Science Practices

The replication crisis in the social sciences has revealed systemic issues undermining the credibility of research findings, primarily driven by misaligned incentives that encourage questionable research practices (QRPs). This paper offers a comprehensive and critical review of recent empirical evidence on the effectiveness of Open Science initiatives—such as replication studies, reproducibility efforts, pre-registrations, registered reports, and megastudies—in addressing the root causes of the replication crisis. Building upon and extending prior analyses, we integrate recent theoretical models from economics with empirical findings across various social science disciplines to assess how these practices impact research integrity. Our review demonstrates that while measures like pre-registration and data sharing have advanced transparency, they often fall short in mitigating QRPs due to persistent incentive misalignments. In contrast, registered reports and megastudies show greater promise by fundamentally reshaping the incentive structure, shifting the focus from producing statistically significant results to emphasizing methodological rigor and meaningful research questions. We argue that realigning incentives is crucial for fostering a culture of integrity and offer policy recommendations involving key stakeholders—including authors, journals, editors, reviewers, and institutions—to promote practices that enhance research reliability and credibility across the social sciences.