Function Theory Research Articles

Under Pressure? The Labour Market Policy of the Grand Coalition 2018–2021

This article examines the labour market policy of the Grand Coalition from 2018 to 2021, comparing the explanatory power of partisan theory with the functionalist theory in the analysis of labour market policies. In addition, the article differentiates between the policies before and after the outbreak of the Corona pandemic. It does this in order to trace the change in the theories’ explanatory power under crisis conditions. The analysis of labour market-related problem pressure indicators and a qualitative content analysis of plenary minutes show that anticipated problem pressure is relevant in explaining labour market policies, underlining the importance of political actors. Furthermore, partisan differences seem to diminish under crisis conditions.

Kebertahanan Angkringan pada Era New Normal di Kelurahan Sentanan, Kota Mojokerto

Angkringan is one of the typical culinary delights of the people who are now increasingly enjoying themselves, including in the New Normal era. This study aims to how does it survive in the New Normal era in Mojokerto City. This study uses the Functionalism theory by Bronislaw Malinowski and the Hierarchy of Human Needs theory by Abraham Maslow that uses a qualitative research method with an ethnographic research model through observation, interviews, and literature studies. The results of the study, it was found that the background of the existence of angkringan started from the economism respons of the Wong Kulonan overseas group who lived in Mojokerto City, the angkringan business in Mojokerto City also were accustomed to opening side jobs. Which then becomes an alternative job, and the needs of the people of Mojokerto City will have a wider public space The survival strategy of angkringan in the New Normal comes from the form of angkringan business that adapts to the New Normal era with simple capital and easy operations, high consumer interest with prices that adjust in the midst of a crisis and public space.

Gereja HKBP dalam Mempertahankan Identitas Kultural Diaspora Etnis Batak Toba di Kota Denpasar

Huria Kristen Batak Protestant (HKBP) is a Protestant Christian church in the Toba Batak ethinc group. HKBP cannot be separated from the life of the Toba Batak people. although basically the HKBP is a fellowship of Christians from all ethnic groups and groups. This study discusses the role of the church in an effort to maintain the cultural identity of the Toba Batak diaspora in Denpasar. and implications for both the congregation and the community around the church. This study uses the Functionalism Theory from Talcott Parsons and Symbolic Interaction Theory from Herbert Blumer. Qualitative research methods through data collection techniques in the form of observation, interviews, and documentation as well as using inductive data analysis techniques. Based on the results of the study, it was found that the Protestant Batak Christian Huria Church (HKBP) played a major role in maintaining the cultural identity of the Toba Batak diaspora in Denpasar. The implication of establishment of the Protestant Batak Christian Huria Church (HKBP) in Denpasar is the emergence of an exclusive and inclusive attitude from the congregation.

Cultivating Peace as a Socialization Outcome in Universities: The Role of Institutional-based Religious Students’ Associations

The search for peace and harmony entails many life aspects across the globe and various institutions. While the common conflicts in Kenya are skewed on tribal, political, and family orientations, the effects spread into institutions of higher learning. It is on this background that the need for cultivating peace in universities through nurtured socialisation outcomes is attributed to students’ association. The article emanates from a study conducted in 2020-2021 with the purpose of examining the influence of students’ associations on educational socialisation outcomes among students in selected universities in Nairobi County, Kenya. Guided by Structural Functionalist Theory, the study used a mixed-methods design. The target population of students in ten chartered universities in Nairobi County. The researcher used a sample of 3 universities and achieved involved 167 students. Using stratified and simple random sampling techniques combined with purposive sampling, the study selected universities, deans of students, and individual association members. Data was gathered using an observation checklist, and questionnaire for students, and an interview schedule for deans of students. The researcher piloted the research instruments in one of the private universities that were not among the main study sites. The reliability and validity of the instruments were checked using the split-half technique and critically assessing the consistency of the responses on the pilot questionnaires. The data collected was then analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The major finding was that participation in students’ religious association activities influenced educational socialisation outcomes. The outcomes can be harnessed into creating peaceful and harmonious co-existence in institutions of higher learning through which cultural, religious, and political diversities can be shared for the socio-wellbeing of the university community. The study recommends the embracing of students’ religious-based associations by university administrators to foster peace education.

Magnetization, Band Gap and Specific Heat of Pure and Ion Doped MnFe2O4 Nanoparticles

We have studied the magnetic properties of ion doped MnFe2O4 nanoparticles with the help of a modified Heisenberg model and Green’s function theory taking into account all correlation functions. The magnetization Ms and the Curie temperature TC increase with decreasing particle size. This is the opposite behavior than that observed in CoFe2O4 and CoCr2O4 nanoparticles. By Co, Mg or Ni doping, Ms and TC increase with enhancing the dopant concentration, whereas, by La or Gd doping, the opposite effect is obtained due to the different doping and host ionic radii which change the exchange interaction constants. The band gap energy Eg is calculated from the s–d model. It can decrease or increase by different ion doping. The peak observed in the temperature dependence of the specific heat at TC is field dependent.

Muatan Penyimpangan Sosial dalam Novel Seandainya Aku Boleh Memilih Karya Mira W: Kajian Sosiologi Sastra

This research contains an analysis of the "Seandainya Aku Boleh Memilih" novel by Mira W, which tells of various aspects of life in a civilized environment. In the novel, there are various social problems, so it is fulfilled to research social deviations. Structural functionalism's theory of social deviance sees deviant behavior as a result of social structural pressures. The focus of this research is to describe the manifestations of social deviance behavior and the factors that cause these social deviations, which are constructed in the "Seandainya Aku Boleh Memilih" novel by Mira W. It includes the type of literature research with a qualitative descriptive approach based on the study of the sociology of literature. Data was collected through reading and note-taking techniques which produced data in the form of dialogue or monologue and narration from the data source of the novel entitled "Seandainya Aku Boleh Memilih" by Mira W. This research succeeded in deciphering the types of social deviance from the novel, namely sexual deviance, crime, and lifestyle deviance. While the factors that cause these social deviations are the inability to absorb cultural norms and deviant learning processes.

Joint inversion of GNSS and GRACE/GFO data for terrestrial water storage changes in the Yangtze River Basin

SUMMARYSatellite geodetic technologies, such as the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE Follow-On (GFO), have complementary advantages in inferring terrestrial water storage (TWS) changes at regional and basin scales. We introduced a joint inversion strategy to infer TWS changes using GNSS- and GRACE/GFO-derived vertical displacements based on Green's function theory in the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) from January 2011 to December 2020. Additionally, we investigated the performance of variance component estimation (VCE) and Akaike's Bayesian Information Criterion (ABIC) to determine the optimal relative weights of different observation data. The performance of our joint inversion strategy was verified through a closed-loop simulation and multi-source hydrometeorological data [i.e. the time derivative of TWS changes (${\rm d}S/{\rm d}t$) from precipitation (P), evapotranspiration (ET) and run-off (R) based on the water balance equation, called P-ET-R]. The closed-loop simulation shows that the TWS changes from joint inversion have better consistencies with the synthetic signals than those of GNSS- and GRACE-only estimates, and the corresponding root mean square error (RMSE) decreased 1.43−6.28 mm and correlation coefficient (CC) increased 3−10 per cent. The ABIC was more suitable for the joint inversion of measured GRACE/GFO and GNSS data for TWS changes in the YRB. Analysis from the measured data shows that the spatial patterns and seasonal characteristics in TWS changes derived from GNSS, GRACE/GFO and their joint inversion are in good agreement in the YRB. The contribution of GNSS observations to the joint inversion in the upstream of the YRB is greater than that of GRACE/GFO due to the relatively densely distributed GNSS stations, but the opposite is true in the downstream. Furthermore, the joint inversion results have better agreements with P and P-ET-R compared to GNSS- and GRACE/GFO-only estimates in the upstream, and the corresponding CCs increased 5−7 per cent (for P) and 2−5 per cent (for P-ET-R), respectively, which further demonstrates the effectiveness of our joint inversion strategy. Our estimation strategy provides a new insight for joint inversion of GNSS and GRACE/GFO data to obtain more reliable TWS changes.

Study of the fuzzy $ q- $spiral-like functions associated with the generalized linear operator

<abstract><p>Nowadays, the subclasses of analytic functions in terms of fuzzy subsets are studied by various scholars and some of these concepts are extended using the $ q- $theory of functions. In this inspiration, we introduce certain subclasses of analytic function by using the notion of fuzzy subsets along with the idea of $ q- $calculus. We present the $ q- $extensions of the fuzzy spiral-like functions of a complex order. We generalize this class using the $ q- $analogues of the Ruscheweyh derivative and Srivastava-Attiya operators. Various interesting properties are examined for the newly defined subclasses. Also, some previously investigated results are deduced as the corollaries of our major results.</p></abstract>

Benefits and Challenges of the Rural Upgraded Secondary Schools in the Provision of Quality Education in Luano District of Central Province, Zambia

The aim of the study was to determine the benefits and challenges of the rural upgraded secondary schools in Luano district. The study was conducted in Luano district of Central Province of Zambia. The study theorized the study by using Spencer's Structural Functionalist Theory. The study used qualitative and quantitative research methods to collect, integrate and analyze data. The study utilized a descriptive research design. The study's target population were all head teachers, heads of departments, and subject teachers in the selected upgraded secondary schools. The research instruments used in the study were questionnaires and an interview guide. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic method. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SSP) was used to generate descriptive statistics in frequency table and bar graph. The study shows that the upgraded secondary schools in Luano district face significant challenges, which include the sharing of classrooms with the primary section, lack of enough furniture, lack of libraries in, schools poses a substantial challenge in the upgraded secondary schools, lack of laboratories in the upgraded secondary schools is a challenge to upgraded secondary schools lack enough specialized trained teachers in other subjects hinders effective functioning of the schools, lack of enough financial resources poses challenges among the upgraded secondary lack of enough teaching and learning resources as challenges faced by the upgraded secondary schools. The government should establish more classrooms to cater to the increasing enrolment. The government should construct laboratories in upgraded rural secondary schools; the government should build libraries in upgraded rural secondary schools, and the government should increase funding for upgraded rural secondary schools; the government should deploy more secondary school teachers in the upgraded rural secondary schools, the government should procure furniture for the upgraded rural secondary schools through the Ministry of Education.

A Class Functionalist Theory of Race

AbstractThis article makes a case for weak class reductionism. In particular, we advance a theoretical account that largely “reduces” a social construct called race to another social construct called class. Once you acknowledge that race is not itself a prime mover, but rather something to be explained, class as an explanans turns out to be a strong candidate. Before making this case, we distinguish our account from three alternative forms of class reductionism, which we reject: the notions that (1) class is a more fundamental form of identity than race; (2) class is of greater normative importance than race; and (3) race is an epiphenomenon of class, without independent effects. We then argue for one form of class reduction that establishes race as causally dependent on class. In particular, we provide a general defense of functional explanations, argue that capitalist class relations can functionally explain the persistence of race, and finally, delineate the limits of that explanation. Because the nature of functional explanation requires the explanandum to have important effects in the world, this argument puts race at the center of any discussion of capitalist class relations in racialized societies and explains it on the basis of its effects rather than its causes. Nonetheless, as we show in our conclusion, none of these arguments imply that race or racism is inherent to capitalist class relations. Racism may be explained by capitalism, even if it is not necessary for it.

Higher-order and Weil generalization of Grassmannian

We give a simple mechanical motivation for a generalization of the classical Grassmannian considered as a space of m-dimensional linear subspaces of ℝk to higher-orders cases. Our efforts are prolongated to the Weil functor theory, motivated by non-holonomic and semi-holonomic jets, applicable in the description of the Cosserat model.

Intellectualization of Indigenous Languages of South Africa: Translation Twists and Turns

This paper provides an overview of the intellectualization of the indigenous languages of South Africa through a translation of academic texts and using isiZulu by way of example. The intellectualization of a language means the advancement, upliftment, and enrichment of a language, enabling it for use in different domains as a language of research, science and technology, and teaching and learning. The point of departure for this paper is the value of translation as an enabler for the intellectualization of languages. Using Nord’s functionalist theory, this paper seeks to provide an overview of the process of translation of doctoral abstracts from English into isiZulu as a contribution towards the intellectualization of isiZulu at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa. The aim of this qualitative study, therefore, was to explore the intricacies involved in the journey to the intellectualization of languages that belong to different language families, specifically English and isiZulu. The data used were 12 doctoral dissertation abstracts randomly selected from a pool of abstracts from various disciplines submitted for translation from English into isiZulu at UKZN as part of the initiative of intellectualizing isiZulu. The study established an acknowledgment of the intricacies involved in the translation of academic texts and suggests possible practices to be followed to contribute successfully to the intellectualization of indigenous languages of South Africa, isiZulu in particular.

Makna Simbolik Tradisi Pembacaan Yāsīn Faḍīlah: Studi Living Qur’an di Desa Jono Kecamatan Tawangharjo Kabupaten Grobogan

This study analyzes the phenomenon of the tradition of reading Yāsīn Faḍīlah in Jono Village, Tawangharjo District, Grobogan Regency, which is unique in its procession, namely that there is a slametan event which is permissible by request according to what ṣāḥibul ḥajat wants. The purpose of this study is to find out the forms of tradition, describe the preservation of tradition, and how symbolic meaning is created in the reading tradition of Yāsīn Faḍīlah. The method used is qualitative with the type of case study research. As for data collection in this study using the method of observation, interviews, and documentation. Meanwhile, for data analysis, Bronislaw Malinowski's functionalism theory and Herbert Blumer's symbolic interactionism theory were used. The results of this study indicate that the tradition of reading Yāsīn Faḍīlah in Jono Village is divided into 3, namely: Pre-Event, Implementation, and Post-Event. The preservation of this tradition is maintained because the forms of these traditions meet the needs of the people in accordance with Malinowski's theory, namely by fulfilling psycho-biological, social structural, and symbolic needs. While the symbolic meaning is created into four parts, including: 1) The symbol of the relationship with God. 2) Symbol of relationship with ancestors. 3) Symbol of relationship with others. 4) Symbol of relationship with oneself.

Local Plant Treasures and Functions of Pantun Batobo

Pantun Batobo is a type of pantun in the Kampar area, Riau Province. This pantun is hummed when doing batobo activities. Batobo is a mutual cooperation activity in working on the fields, starting from the process of planting to harvesting. This study examines the pantun batobo by focusing on two aspects, namely the treasures of local plants found in the pantun and the function of the pantun. Data collection methods used are interview methods and recording techniques. The data analysis method uses descriptive analysis method. The theory used is Alan Dundes' Function Theory and Ecocritical Theory. The results obtained from this study are that from an eco-critic perspective, the batobo pantun is rich in knowledge of local plant treasures stored in the rhyme sampirans. This shows the close kinship between the people who own the pantun and the nature around it. In terms of function, this pantun has a function as a fun escape from reality and turns boring work into a game. The pantun batobo is not only a pantun muda-mudi filled with feelings, but it contains the perspective of the people who own the pantun about macrocosm and microcosm.

Magnetic, Phonon and Optical Properties of Transition Metal and Rare Earth Ion Doped ZnS Nanoparticles.

The surface, size and ion doping effects on the magnetic, phonon and optical properties of ZnS nanoparticles are studied based on the s-d model including spin-phonon and Coulomb interaction, and using a Green's function theory. The changes of the properties are explained on a microscopic level, due to the different radii between the doping and host ions, which cause different strains-compressive or tensile, and change the exchange interaction constants in our model. The magnetization increases with increasing small transition metal (TM) and rare earth (RE) doping concentration. For larger TM dopants the magnetization decreases. The phonon energies increase with increasing TM, whereas they decrease by RE ions. The phonon damping increases for all doping ions. The changes of the band gap energy with different ion doping concentration is also studied. Band gap changes in doped semiconductors could be due as a result of exchange, s-d, Coulomb and electron-phonon interactions. We have tried to clarify the discrepancies which are reported in the literature in the magnetization and the band gap energy.

The Tradition of Mokhatamu Quru`ani for The Bride In The Marriage Customs (Study of Living Quran in Bongo Village, Batudaa Pantai District Gorontalo)

This article discusses the practice of Mokhotamu Quru'ani for the bride in the Gorontalo Community Wedding Procession in Bongo Village, Batudaa Pantai District Gorontalo. The focus of this article is how the participants interpret the tradition reading of the Quran for the bride. To get the social meaning of this tradition, this research uses the Bronislaw Malinowski functionalism approach as a reference and data analysis. The results of this study concluded that Mokhotamu Quru'ani began since the acceptance of Islam as a religion and was integrated with local customs. The implementation of Mokhotamu Quru'ani is practiced with local culture which is based normatively through the philosophy of Adati Hula-Hulaa To Saraa, Saraa Hula-Hulaa to Quru'ani. In the practice the bride reads the Qur’an starts from Q.S. Ad-Duha to An-Nas and Ad-Dhuha. Mokhotamu Qurua'ni has a religious function as a guarantee of peace and happiness of marriage life. Based on the theory of functionalism, the tradition of Mokhotamu Quru'ani fulfil biological need, interumental needs and integrative needs.

Situating the Place of Literature in Research Ethics

It is an indisputable fact that literature reserves a significant place in research ethics. However, its place in research ethics is neglected by most of the scholars concerned with the scholastic subject matter of research ethics. This study aims at exploring the place of literature in research ethics. Primary data were obtained from observation, and library and internet data sources. Content analysis and qualitative approach are employed in the analysis of data. The work is grounded by the functionalist theory, which explains the functional connectivity between literature and research ethics, as societal systems that are interdependent. The analysis reveals that literature plays crucial roles in instruction, information, education, exerting influence, construction of realities and ethics, execution, preservation and transmission of research ethics, instilling creative and critical skills in researchers, research authorities and participants, and causing readership, and new world orders in research sphere. The study concludes that literature is deeply involved in all that concerns research ethics. It recommends sustained right use of literature for constructing, disseminating, executing, sustaining and reforming research ethics across ages and societies.

The level of youth involvement in church-initiated programmes in Methodist church in Kenya, Nyambene synod

The study aimed to examine the youth involvement level in Church initiated programmes in the Methodist Church in Kenya, Nyambene Synod. Methodist Church in Kenya has come up with Church-initiated programmes to assist the youth struggling with different life issues. However, the problem continues to persist in Nyambene Synod, where the youth have kept migrating from MCK to other churches, despite the significant role church-initiated programmes play in church. The study employed a descriptive research design. Data were obtained from questionnaires, focus group discussions and interview schedules. Functionalism theory was used to establish the level of youth involvement in church-initiated programmes. The study found that not all youth participate in church-initiated programmes, and Circuit ministers and circuit leaders were not offering church-initiated programmes effectively. This study recommends that the church ought to embrace modern ways, including technology, to involve more youth in the programmes and give the youth more room to express themselves through different youth activities, which should be carried out more often to retain them in church.

Function in the Light of Frequency-dependent Selection

ABSTRACT Christie, Brusse, et al. claim that the ‘selected effect’ (SE) theory of function is premised on a simplistic view of evolution. In complex evolutionary scenarios, in particular those involving frequency-dependent selection (FDS), the SE theory fails, they argue, since citing a trait’s SE function does not serve to explain why the trait exists. I argue that where FDS leads to a stable equilibrium, at which all individuals’ trait values constitute a ‘best response’ to the rest of the population, the SE theory can be straightforwardly applied. However, matters are different if the evolutionary dynamics do not take the population to a stable equilibrium.

The charge-transfer states and excitation energy transfers of halogen-free organic molecules from first-principles many-body Green’s function theory

The organic solar cells based on halogen-free components, have been the new favorites to develop green and renewable energy. PBDB-T and its derivatives are considered the superior electron donors to construct the solar cells. Although there are plenty of researches about them, the charge-transfer mechanisms and excitation energy transfers of relative organic solar cells are still unclear, the developments of photovoltaic devices are restricted consequently. In this work, we calculate the electronic structures and excited-state properties of PBDB-T, PBT1-C, PBT1-O and PBT1-S donors in the gas phase from the many-body Green's function theory. With BTP-IC and BTP-IS as the acceptors, we consider the Förster, Dexter, and overlap electronic couplings to compute the excitation energy transfers of the dimers. The ionization energies and excited-state energies of the four donors calculated by GW + BSE are in good agreement with experiments, and they are sensitive to the functionals in the computation. We find two charge transfer schemes. The thienyl of PBDB-T molecule makes its charge-transfer state at the lowest energy, and the total electronic coupling of PBDB-T based dimer is the strongest. The Dexter, and overlap types electronic couplings are significant to study the excitation energy transfer of organic heterojunctions. We provide a theoretical guide in the design and synthesis of higher-performance halogen-free donors.