Original Theory Research Articles

Philosophical Foundations of the Critical Theory from the Americas on the Social Philosophies of Bolívar Echeverría and Adolfo Sánchez Vázquez

ABSTRACT This article wants to expose some central contributions for a critical theory from the Americas, made first of all from the Ecuadorian-Mexican philosopher Bolívar Echeverría and also by the Spanish-Mexican philosopher Adolfo Sánchez Vázquez, bringing them to an imaginary discussion with Alfred Schmidt, Karl Marx, and some concepts of the original critical theory from the now one-hundred-year-old Frankfurt school. The relationship between use value and value, the critique of some Eurocentric “philosophical” ideas inside nonmainstream theories are some of the departing points. A critical theory from the Americas could be a first step toward the necessary philosophical contributions for a postcapitalist society that may exist without the Today’s self-destructive impulse. It helps not only to understand the world outside the so-called First World in a more exact way, but it helps also to understand the centers of global power in a better way, as their self-consciousness is now probably on the lowest level ever.

청동기시대 공렬토기 형성과 상한연대에 관한 檢討

Although perforated rim Pottery is a major topic in the Bronze Age, discussions regarding the upper age have stopped. The subject is linked to the transition period from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age, and is judged to be an unidentified limit to the formation site that can be pointed out as the starting point of the process. This paper summarizes the issues related to the formation of existing pottery, and based on this, we intend to review archaeological material data in the northwestern part of Gyeonggi-do. The issue of the formation of perforated rim Pottery is divided into the external origin theory and the self-contained theory. The external origin theory is divided into the northwestern origin theory of the Liao-dong area and the northeast origin theory of the Tumen River basin. In these areas, excavations of perforated rim pottery are few, with double-rimmed pottery being more prevalent. The self-sustaining theory focuses on the excavation of perforated rim pottery combined with comb-pattern pottery in southern Gyeonggi Province. The northwestern part of Gyeonggi Province has confirmed Top-shaped pottery, where the similarity between the Sinheung-dong type and the Yeoksam-dong type is discussed as the material culture of the Daedong River basin, such as Gakyung pottery. Pottery excavated from the Yang-gok site in Gimpo also includes theses types. It can be seen from the radiocarbon dating measurement that Top-shaped pottery was introduced at a certain period after the village was formed at the Yang-chon site in Gimpo. Perforated rim pottery was formed before the spread of Top-shaped pottery around Gimpo, and Top-shaped pottery was accepted at a certain period after the formation of the village. Perforated rim pottery groups were formed before the 12th and 10th centuries B.C., when Top-shaped pottery spread to surrounding cultures, and radiocarbon dating measures suggest the time before and after the 13th century B.C.

Group responses to deviance: Disentangling the motivational roles of collective enhancement and self-uncertainty reduction

In this paper, we describe two basic motives for social identification: a drive for collective enhancement and a drive for epistemic fulfillment (uncertainty reduction). We posit that these two motives are critical for understanding one of the fundamental underlying mechanisms of social identity theory (SIT): positive distinctiveness, which is a desire to feel different from and better than relevant outgroups. Whereas “positive” was clearly outlined in the original social identity theory of intergroup relations, “distinctiveness” became a focal point of self-categorization theory. Most existing literature treats positive distinctiveness as a single construct; however, we argue that the “positive” and “distinctive” elements should be treated as separate but critically intertwined concepts. We suggest that “positive” is a direct feature of a desire for collective enhancement, and “distinctiveness” from a relevant outgroup is necessary for self-categorization that provides information to reduce self-uncertainty. Using the subjective group dynamics framework, which has historically emphasized the enhancement motive, we mathematically show that the motives act sequentially and differently to affect responses to deviance and change from it.

On the worldsheet S matrix of the AdS3/CFT2 mixed-flux mirror model

String on AdS3 × S3 × T4 backgrounds are known to be classically integrable in the presence of a mixture of Ramond-Ramond and Neveu-Schwarz-Neveu-Schwarz fluxes. It is expected that this results in the existence of a well-defined factorised worldsheet S matrix. In order to use integrability to compute the string spectrum we need such a factorised S matrix to exist also for the “mirror” model, obtained by a double Wick rotation of the original worldsheet theory. In the mixed-flux case the mirror model has a complex Hamiltonian, which raises questions on its well-definedness. In the paper we study the worldsheet tree-level S matrix of the original and mirror model and discuss some necessary conditions for the integrability and reality of the spectrum.

Reversing the legacies: asset-based discourses for racialized social workers

ABSTRACT Social work has a lengthy history of ignoring and invalidating the assets that racialized practitioners bring to their work. This article seeks to shift the discourse in social work away from invisibility and diminishment toward visibility, positive valuing, and asset-rich perspectives. The rationale is rooted in original research, theory, and experience. We close the article with concrete recommendations for change. Research conducted in [state], USA, partnered with four culturally specific organizations and the university research team. An in-person Delphi study identified a set of 25 assets that these organizations agreed were pronounced within their workforce, and that contributed to the wellbeing of racialized clients. Defined as “staffing assets,” these experiences were then affirmed by a sample of 505 clients. To help organize the 25 assets into more standard constructs, we identify six domains in which to embed the assets: culturally grounded worldview and beliefs, effective advocate, invested in long-term community wellbeing, demonstrated respect and recognition, organic problem solver, and relationally focused. We then theorize these assets, drawing from previously published work. Closing with recommendations for improvements in the field, we prioritize workforce diversification, social work education reprioritizing, supervision improvements, building inclusive workplaces, infusing equity into research, and a shifted discourse within social work that foregrounds practitioners of color as holding essential assets for the wellbeing of racialized clients and communities. This contribution is a mere opening – as a field, we must dedicate scholarship and practice to building out practice frameworks that include social workers of color.

How Did Medieval Ecclesiastical Criminal Law Impact the Ideology of Contemporary European Criminal Law

This paper explores the correlation between medieval ecclesiastical criminal law and contemporary European criminal law, as well as how the former has influenced the ideology of the latter. This work initially presents the contextual background and rationale for the chosen topic, subsequently provides a comprehensive overview of existing research in this field, and subsequently advances three hypotheses in the main body of the paper: the transition from customary law to written law, the perpetuation of original sin theory, and the establishment of theoretical principles within criminal law. These hypotheses are then systematically examined to derive conclusive findings. Based on my research, it can conclude that all three hypotheses hold true. This investigation contributes to bridging an intentional gap overlooked by theoretical constructions and approaching an authentic understanding of history.

Meta-contact analysis based on contact theory in three-dimensional discontinuous deformation analysis

Accurate contact analysis between nonspherical blocks, such as polyhedral blocks, is crucial for modeling jointed rock masses. The Contact Theory provides a rigorous foundation for contact detection. However, designing a robust and efficient algorithm that conforms to the original Contact Theory remains challenging. This study introduces the meta-contact concept for polyhedral blocks, which corresponds to the contact cover on the entrance block of the Contact Theory. Using the meta-contact concept, contact type identification, determination of contact points and plans, and contact force calculation can be formulated while retaining the advantages of Contact Theory in dealing with irregular blocks with small edges and large penetration.

Reimagining and reinterpreting Cooper pairs, the Fermi sea, Pauli blocking and superfluidity: The Pauli principle in collective motion

Identifying possible microscopic mechanisms underlying superfluidity has been the goal of various studies since the introduction of the original BCS theory. Recently a series of papers have proposed microscopic dynamics based on normal modes to describe superfluidity without the use of real-space Cooper pairs. Multiple properties were determined with excellent agreement with experimental data. The group theoretic basis of this general N-body approach has allowed the microscopic behavior underlying these results to be analyzed in detail. This reimagination is now used to reinterpret several interrelated phenomena including Cooper pairs, the Fermi sea, and Pauli blocking. This approach adheres closely to the early tenets of superconductivity/superfluidity which assumed pairing only in momentum space, not in real space. The Pauli principle is used, in its recently revealed role in collective motion, to select the allowed normal modes. The expected properties of superfluidity including the rigidity of the wave function, interactions between the fermions in different pairs, convergence of the momentum and the gap in the excitation spectrum are discussed.

The neural correlates of reinforcement sensitivity theory: A systematic review of the frontal asymmetry and spectral power literature.

The original Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (oRST) proposes two systems of approach (BAS) and avoidance (BIS) motivation to underpin personality and behavior. The revised-RST (rRST) model separates avoidance motivation into passive (BIS; anxiety) and active (FFFS; fear) systems. Prior research has attempted to map RST onto lateralized frontal asymmetry to provide a neurophysiological marker of RST. The main aim is to examine the relationships of the o/rRST scales with trait (baseline) and state (manipulated through experimental paradigms) frontal asymmetry. A systematic review was conducted, resulting in 158 studies designated to neuroimaging research. In total, 54 studies were included in this review using either frontal asymmetry or spectral power. The results were split into three main categories: resting frontal alpha asymmetry (N = 23), emotional induction and state-related frontal alpha asymmetry (N = 20), and spectral analysis (N = 16). Findings indicated that BAS was associated with enhanced left frontal asymmetry at baseline and during state-related paradigms. Findings for BIS were more inconsistent, especially at rest, suggesting that BIS, in particular, may require active engagement with the environment. Only 9 of the 54 papers included used the revised RST model, highlighting the need for more rRST research.

Implementasi Pembelajaran Diferensiasi pada Mata Pelajaran Sejarah: Studi Kasus di SMAN 23 Kabupaten Tangerang

This article describes the implementation of differentiated learning in history subjects at SMAN 23 Tangerang Regency. This research method uses qualitative methods, with a single case study strategy. The research method in this study is a qualitative method. The validity of the data used in this research uses triangulation of data sources and methods. The data was obtained through in-depth interviews, observation and document study. Research results: First, the history teacher's learning planning has prepared and implemented a history module that uses a differentiated learning approach. Second, implementation of learning, history teachers apply learning in the form of differentiation of content, processes and products for material on ancestral origins, four theories of ancestral origins, and their relationship to current Indonesian society. Third, learning evaluation, teachers use assessments based on cognitive, affective and psychomotor aspects. Fourth, the impact of differentiated learning in history subjects is improving critical and creative thinking skills in history learning. Fifth, the obstacles experienced are inadequate facilities and infrastructure, and also insufficient learning time.

Moisture buffer value for hygroscopic materials with different thicknesses

Moisture buffer value (MBV) is a critical parameter for assessing hygroscopic material's ability to moderate indoor humidity variation. The original MBV theory is strictly valid only for a semi-infinite (or “very thick”) material. When the material is thinner than semi-infinite, the material's thickness will affect its moisture buffering ability. The existing MBV theory is inapplicable. This study proposed a new numerical method to calculate a material's MBV at different thicknesses. The proposed model is simple and efficient. The relation between a material's MBV and thickness and the optimal thickness can be obtained without extensive experimental measurement. What's more, the material's adsorption and desorption isotherms, as well as the material's hysteresis loop and scanning isotherms, are incorporated in the proposed model, making it applicable to advanced desiccant materials like Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). MIL-100(Fe), one of the most promising MOF candidates for indoor humidity control, was used to validate the newly developed model. MBVs of MIL-100(Fe) samples with different thicknesses were measured, and the experimental data closely matched the simulated results. Finally, a building energy consumption simulation model was developed based on the proposed numerical model. A MOF panel with its optimal thickness was placed in the BESTEST typical office room located in Copenhagen. The results show that MOF can reduce about 30 % of the energy consumption of air conditioning in a purely passive way.

Compensation of Budeanu’s Reactive and Complemented Reactive Currents in Extended Budeanu Theory in 3-Phase 4-Wire Systems Powered by Symmetrical Nonsinusoidal Voltage Source

The result of continuous efforts in the development of power theory, Budeanu’s power theory was successfully extended. The mathematical description that has been proposed is based on another concept, namely the Currents’ Physical Components (CPC) theory. With CPC theory, it was possible to describe, in the original Budeanu theory, the components of the load current, including the Budeanu distortion current. The Budeanu distortion current can have a maximum of five components associated with different physical phenomena and related to the equivalent parameters of the load. This article discusses passive compensation, which provides compensation for the Budeanu reactive current and the Budeanu complemented reactive current due to the known equivalent load parameters associated with the reactance elements. In addition, the article refers to a very important aspect when determining the parameters of a passive compensator, i.e., choosing parameters in such a way that the compensator simultaneously compensates for the reactive current and the unbalanced current. The article presents five methods relating to the determination of compensator parameters. Two methods are related to the reactive current compensation only for the first harmonic without affecting the unbalanced current. The next three methods relate to the compensation of the Budeanu reactive current and the consideration of the unbalanced current. Calculations and simulations were performed for all five methods, the results of which are presented and analyzed in this publication. The Matlab/Simulink R2023a environment was used as the calculation and simulation software.

Weyl–invariant scalar–tensor gravities from purely metric theories

We describe a method to generate scalar–tensor theories with Weyl symmetry, starting from arbitrary purely metric higher derivative gravity theories. The method consists in the definition of a conformally-invariant metric g^μν\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\hat{g}_{\\mu \ u }$$\\end{document}, that is a rank (0,2)-tensor constructed out of the metric tensor and the scalar field. This new object has zero conformal weight and is given by ϕ2/Δgμν\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\phi ^{2/\\Delta }g_{\\mu \ u }$$\\end{document}, where (-Δ)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$(-\\Delta )$$\\end{document} is the conformal dimension of the scalar. As gμν\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$g_{\\mu \ u }$$\\end{document} has conformal dimension of 2, the resulting tensor is trivially a conformal invariant. Then, the generated scalar–tensor theory, which we call the Weyl uplift of the original purely metric theory, is obtained by replacing the metric by g^μν\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\hat{g}_{\\mu \ u }$$\\end{document} in the action that defines the original theory. This prescription allowed us to define the Weyl uplift of theories with terms of higher order in the Riemannian curvature. Furthermore, the prescription for scalar–tensor theories coming from terms that have explicit covariant derivatives in the Lagrangian is discussed. The same mechanism can also be used for the derivation of the equations of motion of the scalar–tensor theory from the original field equations in the Einstein frame. Applying this method of Weyl uplift allowed us to reproduce the known result for the conformal scalar coupling to Lovelock gravity and to derive that of Einsteinian cubic gravity. Finally, we show that the cancellation of the volume divergences in the theory given by the conformal scalar coupling to Einstein–Anti-de Sitter gravity is achieved by the Weyl uplift of the original theory augmented by counterterms, which is relevant in the framework of conformalrenormalization.

Critical perspectives on GVC theory: uncovering GVC resilience through non-lead power

Critical perspectives on GVC theory: uncovering GVC resilience through non-lead power

Food waste behavioral intention in Islamic universities: the role of religiosity and pro-social behavior

Purpose Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a pivotal role in fostering economic development by cultivating skilled workforce and generating knowledge and innovation. However, HEIs may pose a potential risk to sustainable economic development due to the generation of food waste inside their campus canteens. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of attitude, subjective norm (SN), perceived behavior control (PBC), religiosity and pro-social behavior among State Islamic Religious College (SIRC) students on their intention to avoid food waste behavior. This study also focused on the mediating role of the three original theory of planned behavior (TPB) variables and pro-social behavior in the relationship between religiosity and the intention to reduce food waste. Design/methodology/approach Questionnaires were used to collect data from 443 students at SIRC. The collected data were processed and analyzed using structural equation modelling to test direct, indirect and mediating effects. Findings The empirical results indicated that the eagerness of students at SIRC to reduce their behavior of leaving food behind can be driven by their negative attitudes or views toward food waste, the practice of religious teachings in their lives, the belief that they can avoid food waste and their concern for the environment. The empirical results reveal that even though religiosity influences SN, it is unable to strengthen the relationship between religiosity and the desire to be anti-food waste. Practical implications In addition to contributing to the food waste literature in the context of eating behavior, the results of this study have theoretical and practical implications. Originality/value To assess SIRC students’ behavioral intentions to avoid food waste behavior, this study used a contemporary setting to measure attitude, SN, PBC, religiosity and pro-social behavior, so strengthening the TPB’s empirical underpinning.

Optimization of the Domain Size in Stressed Liquid Crystals

The distributions of orientational and translational order parameters in liquid crystal polymer composites are studied using the methods of molecular-statistical physics. A model is considered in which the composite consists of liquid crystal (LC) domains separated by flat polymer sheets. The perturbation of the orientational and translational order parameters, which is caused by an arbitrary flat polymer sheet in a planar LC layer, is estimated. The effective distance over which this disturbance propagates is estimated. It is shown that it is proportional to the square root of the splay elastic constant of LC. It has been shown that in certain temperature ranges the polymer can induce a more ordered liquid crystal phase near itself (smectic phase inside of nematic phase and nematic phase – inside of isotropic liquid phase). In this case, the orientational order parameter of LC near the polymer can be significantly higher than far from it, and the “perturbation” of the order parameters can propagate over a distance of up to several micrometers with a sharp peak at a distance of the order of one micrometer. Based on the original theory, the methods have been proposed for optimizing the sizes of domains in stressed liquid crystals obtained by mechanical treatment in liquid crystal polymer composites.

Correlation between end-weight principle and adjective clauses in English: Q1 SCOPUS applied linguistics articles and Thai EFL learners’ essays

The researcher in this study applied the notions of quantitative method, theoretical linguistics and applied linguistics to examine the correlation between the linguistic theory of end-weight principle and English adjective clauses in Q1-SCOPUS applied linguistics articles and Thai EFL learners’ descriptive essays. The significance of this study is that structure and use in writing should be learned simultaneously. This current study also innovatively supports Thai EFL learners to examine their linguistic competence in structuring information in their English writing. The data collection in this study was divided into two datasets. The first dataset was 20 Q1-SCOPUS applied linguistics articles published between 2022 and 2024. Approximately 200,000 words provided 117 sentences containing adjective clauses in the final position or VP-postmodifiers. On the other hand, the second dataset was 67 descriptive essays written by Thai EFL high-school learners from both public schools and private schools under the supervision of the Ministry of Education, Thailand. The original theory of the end-weight principle proposed by Quirk et al. (1972) is followed in this study. The syntactic structure of adjective clauses follows Radford (2009) who analyzed adjective clauses as complementizer phrases (CP). The inferential statistical analysis of correlation follows SPSS 29. The results showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between the datasets of applied linguistics articles and EFL learners’ descriptive essays where the p-values were reported at 0.01 and 0.02, respectively. Not only do these statistical relationships show that English is an end-weight language, but also Thai EFL learners can follow the norm accurately. This is due to the positive effect of the mother tongue interference since the Thai language is an end-weight language. The pedagogical implication of the study to EFL learners is that information structures should be contributed to grammar classes. For future studies, it is recommended to test the hypothesis of the end-weight principle with reduced adjective clauses in the medial position of sentences.

Intensions and extensions of granules: A two-component treatment

The concept of a granule (of knowledge) originated from Zadeh, where granules appeared as references to words (phrases) of a natural (or an artificial) language. According to Zadeh's program, “a granule is a collection of objects drawn together by similarity or functionality and considered therefore as a whole”. Pawlak's original theory of rough sets and its different generalizations have a common property: all systems rely on a given background knowledge represented by the system of base sets. Since the members of a base set have to be treated similarly, base sets can be considered as granules. The background knowledge has a conceptual structure, and it contains information that does not appear on the level of base granules, so such information cannot be taken into consideration in approximations. A new problem arises: is there any possibility of constructing a system modeling the background knowledge better? A two-component treatment can be a solution to this problem. After giving the formal language of granules involving the tools for approximations, a logical calculus containing approximation operators is introduced. Then, a two-component semantics (treating intensions and extensions of granule expressions) is defined. The authors show the connection between the logical calculus and the two-component semantics.

Revisiting the Crystallography of {225}γ Martensite: How EBSD Can Help to Solve Long-Standing Controversy

Explaining the crystallography of iron alloys martensite with a {225}γ habit plane remains a challenging task within the phenomenological theory of martensite crystallography. The purpose of this study is to re-examine the martensite formed in a Fe-8Cr-1.1C alloy using EBSD, which has a better angular resolution than the conventional transmission electron diffraction techniques previously used. The results show that the single morphological plates, which hold a near {225}γ habit plane, are bivariant composites made up of two twin-related variants. It is shown that a {113}γ plane is systematically parallel to one of the three common 112α planes between the two twin-related crystals. This observation suggests that the lattice invariant strain of transformation occurs through a dislocation glide on the {113}γ ⟨110⟩γ system, rather than through twinning as is commonly accepted. Based on this assumption, the predictions of Bowles and Mackenzie’s original theory are in good agreement with the crystallographic features of {225}γ martensite. Unexpectedly, it is the high shear solution of the theory that gives the most accurate experimental predictions.

Processes as variable embodiments

In a number of papers, Kit Fine introduced a theory of embodiment which distinguishes between rigid and variable embodiments, and has been successfully applied to clarify the ontological nature of entities whose parts may or may not vary in time. In particular, he has applied this theory to describe a process such as the erosion of a cliff, which would be a variable embodiment whose manifestations are the different states of erosion of the cliff. We find this theory very powerful, and especially appropriate to capture the intuition that the same process may go on at different times. However, its formal principles have been subject to some criticisms, mainly concerning the mereological structure of a variable embodiment. Moreover, since the notion of variable embodiment is very general, simply saying that processes are variable embodiments is not enough to understand their ontological nature. To address these concerns, in this paper we proceed in two phases: first, we propose a revised version of Fine’s original theory adapted to the case of processes, which adopts a classical mereology instead of Fine’s hylomorphic mereology, and a temporalized constitution relation in place of Fine’s function of variable embodiment; second, we go deeper into the ontological nature of processes by revisiting the notions of homogeneity, intentionality, and telicity discussed in the literature, and propose an account based on ontological principles and not on semantic properties of predicates. This allows us to organize processes into a novel taxonomy based exclusively on their unity and individuation principles.