Systems Theory Research Articles

A Study on the Causes and Effects of the Current State of Extracurricular Tutoring in the Context of the “Double Reduction” Policy--A Qualitative Research Based on Parents of Public Elementary School Students in Shanghai, China

Based on the Ecological System Theory, this study uses semi-structured interviews to present the current situation of extracurricular tutoring that still exists in the context of the “Double Reduction” Policy and analyzes the reasons for it at the micro, meso and macro levels. The results of the interviews show that there are three types of tutoring for children under the “Double Reduction” Policy: maintaining pre-existing extracurricular tutoring arrangements, starting tutoring after the policy, and abstaining from tutoring throughout. In addition, most of the parents had a negative view of the “Double Reduction” Policy, while a few had a positive or neutral attitude. Based on the interviews, the study found that: Parents’ education philosophy, the school’s teaching mode, the “peer effect” of extracurricular tutoring, the educational streaming and examination systems, the anxieties surrounding social mobility among the middle class, and deeply entrenched Chinese traditional beliefs played a major role in the persistence of extracurricular tutoring. Subsequently, this study examines the impact of extracurricular tutoring from a social stratification lens, pointing out its potential to exacerbate the educational gap between different classes and families. Consequently, the study concludes with recommendations for policy enhancements aimed at fostering a more equitable educational ecosystem.

Experimental Study and Machine Learning-Based Prediction of the Abrasion Resistance of Manufactured Sand Concrete

To systematically analyze the impact of manufactured sand on the abrasion resistance of concrete, this paper investigates the correlation between sand type, sand ratio, stone powder content, compressive strength, and the abrasion resistance of manufactured sand concrete. Grey correlation analysis was conducted to assess the impact priority of each factor affecting the abrasion resistance, and prediction models for the abrasion resistance were developed using XGBoost, random forest, AdaBoost, and gradient boosting. The results indicate that compared to river sand concrete, C30 and C40 concrete prepared with limestone and diabase manufactured sand has 20% higher abrasion resistance due to the presence of stone powder and higher roughness and solidity. Within the range of 0.40 to 0.44, a lower sand ratio leads to higher abrasion resistance. For concrete prepared with manufactured sand containing 5% to 11% stone powder, the best abrasion resistance can be attained at a stone powder content of 9%, and microscopic analysis suggests the highest concrete density at this level. According to grey system theory, the influence of each affecting factor on the abrasion resistance follows the order: sand ratio > crushing value > roughness > compressive strength > stone powder content > 0.6. Compared to gradient boosting, random forest, and AdaBoost models, the XGBoost model adopted in this study showed relatively higher R2 and lower RMSE in both the training and testing sets, which proved its higher accuracy in predicting the abrasion loss of manufactured sand concrete. The machine learning models offer some guidance for predicting and enhancing the abrasion resistance of manufactured sand concrete in practical engineering.

Beyond Synodal Listening: Theological Action Research and Cultures of Conversation

In the contemporary Catholic Church’s engagement with synodality listening has become the dominant emphasis; methods for “spiritual conversation” are designed to give priority to listening—to one another and, fundamentally, the Holy Spirit. This paper offers some critiques of this emphasis and seeks to explore conversation as the synodal fundamental. Conversation overly controlled by listening is, I argue, susceptible to subtle and unhelpful power dynamics. “Ordinary conversation”—interruptive, informal, spontaneous, and not always polite—has its own theological significance and must also find its place in a truly synodal church. Drawing on extensive experience of theological action research and insights from systems theory, the paper sets out why such “ordinary conversation,” distinct from what might be seen as “formal listening,” is ecclesiologically essential for a full realisation of church. By way of conclusion, key themes are identified whose development is needed for the further enrichment of synodal processes through attention to ordinary conversation.

Daniel Bar‐Tal, on the Israeli‐Palestinian conflict, before and after October 7, 2023: In conversation with James Liu and Veronica Hopner

AbstractThe Israel‐Palestinian conflict is one of the most well‐known and polarizing issues that has impacts on societies, and institutions beyond Israel, and Palestine. This interview with prominent social scientist Daniel Bar‐Tal, Professor Emeritus, School of Education, Tel Aviv University, focused on the situation in Israel and Palestine following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, and the subsequent war in Gaza. Interviews such as this are an academic inquiry drawing on the expert analysis of a scholar‐activist, grounded in research and theory. As such an analysis, Bar‐Tal explains the causes of this war, its context, its process, the contribution of each side to its escalation, and its effects on the possibilities of peaceful conflict resolution between Israeli Jews and Palestinians. He describes the current situation as governed by considerations of realpolitik, contestations over what defines antisemitism, and whether Israeli conduct in Gaza constitutes genocide or ethnic cleansing. This interview enables the application of Bar‐Tal's systematic and holistic Theory of Intractable Conflict to the current crisis to interrogate how ethos of conflict, collective memory, and collective emotional orientation dynamically interconnect to form a culture of conflict. But also, how these elements can also be addressed for solutions to enable peaceful resolutions.

Leveraging the Interplanetary Superhighway for Propellant–Optimal Orbit Insertion into Saturn–Titan System

This paper presents an innovative approach using Dynamical Systems Theory (DST) for interplanetary orbit insertion into Saturn−Titan three−body orbits. By leveraging DST, this study identifies invariant manifolds guiding a spacecraft into Titan−centered Distant Retrograde Orbits (DROs), strategically selected for their scientific significance. Subsequently, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is employed to fine−tune the insertion parameters, thereby minimizing ΔV. The results demonstrate that the proposed method allows for a reduction in ΔV of over 70% compared to conventional approaches like patched conics−based flybys (2.68 km/s vs. 9.23 km/s), albeit with an extended time of flight, which remains notably faster than weak stability boundary transfers. This paper serves as an interplanetary mission planning methodology to optimize spacecraft trajectories for the exploration of the Saturn−Titan system.

On the Existence of Extreme Coherent Distributions with No Atoms

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Social Infrastructure and Organizational Resilience - A Theoretical Model

Abstract Background Considering resilience as a necessity for health care organisations (HCOs), many researchers argue that fluidity is a must and that organisational structures (formal and informal) hinder the adaptability and resilience of health care organisations. Contrary to this statement, my thesis posits that fundamental adaptive processes leading to new equilibria depend on a stable core that persists amidst change, enabling and catalysing these transformations. Methods The phenomenon of resilience within healthcare organisations is examined through the lens of sociological systems theory. Rooted in Talcott Parsons’ assertion that social systems, including healthcare organisations, must perform four basic functions (Adaptation, Goal Achievement, Integration, Latency: AGIL) to survive and function, our research uses the deductive method to derive the necessary structural social components required to cope with external demands. Results The application of the methods yields four complex basic structures rooted in the social structure of healthcare organisations: adaptive structures (flexible structures & resource generating structures), goal achievement structures (governance enabling collective goal setting, decision making and persistence), integrative structures (social capital and social networks) and sustainability structures (socialisation structure, knowledge base, organisational culture). Conclusions As the core of stability, this ‘four-component social infrastructure’ is essential for facilitating higher-order forms of resilience, such as new equilibria. In its absence, healthcare organisations would flounder during change, posing risks to the resilience of these HCOs. Thus, structure is indeed inherent in the chaos of resilience activities. In other words, there is order in the chaos of resilience, and it is essential. Key messages • Fundamental adaptive processes leading to new equilibria depend on a stable core that persists amidst change, enabling and catalysing these transformations. • There is order and structure in the chaos of resilience.

LEGITIMAÇÃO, PROCEDIMENTO E FUNDAMENTAÇÃO DAS DECISÕES JUDICIAIS

This academic article intends to analyze the relation between Niklas Luhmann's theory of Legitimation by procedure and the need to substantiate judicial decisions, in order to answer whether judicial substantiation is a requirement for legitimation in Niklas Luhmann's systems theory and in accordance with the Brazilian legal system (also from a procedural perspective). To facilitate reading and understanding, some definitions regarding the concepts used by the German author in his work will be briefly provided throughout the text, which will certainly help the reader to understand the proposal and conclusions of this article.

An Exoskeleton Design and Numerical Characterization for Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

This research addresses a feasibility study for validating an exoskeleton with kinematic considerations. The designed exoskeleton will be used for children with congenital disorders, especially for a case study characterized by Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The research core focuses on virtual simulations carried out through the multibody systems theory under an MSC Adams software environment, with an exoskeleton constructive solution. The designed exoskeleton mechanism is characterized by simplicity, low-cost, and easy-operation features criteria. The results obtained through a numerical processing analysis validate the feasibility study of the proposed prototype.

Physical-information model of the immune system as a development of P.K. Anokhin’s theory of functional systems

The article deals with the standard immunological model, which is based on the principles of random combination of molecules and cells and their random encounter with their complementary sites, which is accompanied by the formation of reversible complexes and/or a cascade of subsequent reactions. In its purity, such a model gives rise to various kinds of paradoxes that do not correspond to the reality of immune processes. As a rule, the development of immunology is expressed in the construction of more and more detailed links of immunologic events, but the addition of each new event to the chain of links should lead not to acceleration, but to slowing down of the final process within the combinatorial-complementary system. In this connection, the question of a new possible model of the immune system is raised, which is based on P.K. Anokhin’s theory of functional systems. As its further development the physical-information model (PhIM) of the immune system is proposed, which assumes two plans, informational and physical, of the immune system organization and their coordination on the basis of the ideas of organic potential and processes of conjugation. The information plan is represented as an abstract space of degrees of freedom of the system, analogous to phase space in physics. The current and final state of the system can be represented as points of the state space, the activity of the system with the transition from the current to the final state, as a trajectory in this space. The acceptor of the action result in the theory of functional systems of P.K. Anokhin is connected in this case with the image of the final state as the result of the system action. The construction of the trajectory of the system’s activity can be represented as the direction of reduction of the organic potential of the system, by analogy with that in the case of physical systems and their physical potentials. The organic potential reaches a minimum in the final state and expresses the need of the biosystem as a result of action.

Neither Employment nor Self‐Employment: Avenues Towards Functional Platform‐Mediated Work Systems

ABSTRACTDigital labour platforms are contested because they create work relationships that neither fall into the category of traditional employment nor fulfil the criteria of freelance work due to platforms’ heavy interference in the work process. Although existing research has elucidated different pathways for improving the working conditions of platform workers, we develop an employment relations perspective on platform‐mediated work systems building on David Marsden's theory of employment systems. On the basis of an assessment of the psychological, economic and legal contracts underlying platform‐mediated work, we discuss the limited functionality of these contracts in their ability to control opportunism among platforms, workers and clients. Our analysis contributes to existing debates by providing a theoretically informed framework for analysing the design of platform‐mediated work systems and their consequences for the participating parties. Our insights add nuance to the platform regulation debate by going beyond the question of worker classification towards understanding the organizational and institutional elements of the work system that need to be redesigned and supported by appropriate institutional safeguards. An employment systems perspective also allows for reflection on the economic, societal, sectoral and strategic conditions that could drive such changes.

Random Walks and Lorentz Processes

Random walks and Lorentz processes serve as fundamental models for Brownian motion. The study of random walks is a favorite object of probability theory, whereas that of Lorentz processes belongs to the theory of hyperbolic dynamical systems. Here we first present an example where the method based on the probabilistic approach led to new results for the Lorentz process: concretely, the recurrence of the planar periodic Lorentz process with a finite horizon. Afterwards, an unsolved problem—related to a 1981 question of Sinai on locally perturbed periodic Lorentz processes—is formulated as an analogous problem in the language of random walks.

Building Collaborative Governance in the Extractive Sector

The extractive sector faces wicked problems — so-called because they are complex, ambiguous, dynamic and evolving. They usually lack one root cause and their solutions often create unintended consequences. However, collaborative governance offers a way to address the sector’s complex challenges. By studying examples of collaboration in other areas — environmental conservation, health care, education, urban planning and disaster response — the extractive sector can adopt best practices for its own purposes. Rather than a top-down, siloed approach, collaborative governance involves working with a variety of stakeholders, such as local communities, government, industry and civil society groups. Collaborative governance is a pragmatic and effective approach to problem-solving and fosters transparency, inclusivity and adaptability by integrating a range of perspectives and expertise, culminating in effective and equitable policy-making. Environmental impacts, social conflicts and a broad range of stakeholder interests are just a few of the challenges the extractive sector faces, making traditional top-down decision-making inadequate. The sector could incorporate collaborative governance in decision-making processes by adopting principles from Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) theory. These principles include adaptability, use of local knowledge and decentralization to aid in balancing hard and fast regulations with on-the-ground realities, including playing a valuable role in conflict prevention. Among the problems the sector faces are economic dependence on finite, depleting resources, evolving technology, social conflict, a shifting regulatory environment, uncertain global markets and the imperative to respect cultural and Indigenous rights. Thus, a key part of collaborative governance would be training local community leaders to advocate for their interests and to manage their resources responsibly. Many other sectors offer valuable lessons in collaborative governance. For example, inclusive and shared decision-making in health care has produced better, more effective and tailored patient outcomes. Urban planning’s focus on sustainability can guide the extractive sector in managing environmental impacts and promoting community resilience. Stakeholders in conservation and natural resource management, including government, organizations and Indigenous communities, already collaborate to establish protected areas, engage in wildlife management and work on sustainable land use. Collaboration in education encompasses school boards, parent councils and other stakeholders. Disaster management and emergency response also have much to teach about collaborative governance. With NGOs, government, first responders and communities co-ordinating disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts, disaster management has become much more effective. International development is another field that successfully uses collaborative governance. Collaboration between governments, NGOs, donors and communities helps address poverty, infrastructure development and local social issues, with a focus on local ownership, capacity building and sustainable development. The need for more collaborative approaches in the extractive sector is increasingly evident. New global standards demand collaboration, consultation and even consent from local communities, especially where Indigenous peoples are involved. Impact assessments, community consultations and benefit-sharing agreements are now the norm. Collaborative governance is expanding in the extractive sector; thus it is essential to critically assess current practices, learning from collaboration in other sectors in order to adapt key methods to specific contexts in the extractive sector. A blueprint for future collaboration requires thoughtful reflection on what has worked, what has not and why.

Telaah Hubungan Tongkonan dan Lanskap Budaya Toraja: Analisis Sistem Aktivitas dan Ekspresi Sistem Setting

Tongkonan, as vernacular architecture, cannot be dissociated from its cultural landscape. Tongkonan and its cultural landscape form a holistic entity that constitutes Toraja culture as a whole. However, most current research focuses solely on Tongkonan’s architectural and structural aspects. There are still few studies that explore Tongkonan’s vernacular architecture in connection with its cultural landscape, including its relationship to the culture of its people and its geographical context. This research is a desk study with the aim of formulating aspects related to further examining the relationship between Tongkonan as vernacular architecture and its cultural landscape based on theory of systems of activity and systems of setting. In addition, this paper contributes to fulfilling the 11th SDGs, covering four pillars -social, economic, ecology, and cultural. The method used is qualitative-descriptive with content analysis to analyze data obtained from the literature study. The analysis is supported by empirical studies in Kete' Kesu village in North Toraja Regency. The chosen location is an ancient village with a fairly complete cultural landscape and good accessibility. The findings show that the systems of activity for Toraja people in Tongkonan and its cultural landscape include domestic, religius, ecology and socio-economic activities. The systems of setting for Tongkonan and its cultural landscape encompass Tongkonan itself, alang, grazing area, puya, rante, saroan, paddy field, forest/kombong, farm, lantang, middle yard, Tongkonan surrounding, penanian, territory/liliq, area diamben, area ma'dika, area renge direnge, bridge, villages, settlement, pasar, graveyard, parampa.

The effect of service robot use on tourism staff career identity: an experimental study

ABSTRACT Based on cognitive-affective system theory and using tour guides, hotel and attraction staff as subjects, three experimental studies investigated the effect of using service robots on career identity. The results were that: (1) the use of service robots significantly affected career identity; (2) emotional exhaustion mediated the relationship between service robot use and career identity; and (3) years of work experience and staff age positively moderated the main effect. The findings provide meaningful implications for managers to more effectively deploy service robots and enhance staff career identity.

Audio-visual Media Instructional Use and Its Effect on Reading Competences among Grade Two Pupils in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

ABSTRACT The main purpose of this study was to evaluate audio visual media instructional use and its effect on reading competences among grade two pupils in Maara sub county, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The study sought to identify the audio-visual resources available for teaching and learning reading competences, investigate extent to which teachers use the available audio-visual media, examine the challenges faced by teachers and learners in use of audiovisual media in teaching and learning reading competences and assess the learners reading abilities. The French Bell system Theory and a descriptive survey design were adopted in this study. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 330 learners, 30 head teachers and 30 teachers, making a sample size of 390 respondents. The research instruments were questionnaires, interviews schedules, reading examination for grade two learners and classroom observation. Piloting of the research instruments was done in one public primary schools. The reliability of the research instruments was measured using a Cronbach's Alpha statitistic. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented using tables, percentages frequencies and other descriptive statistics. Descriptive statistics revealed that schools have limited computers (average 2.90 per school) with a low student-to-computer ratio (1:10). Tablets are more prevalent (average 19.17 per school), but functionality issues reduce their effectiveness. Projectors and mobile phones are more commonly available but are still not sufficiently utilized in classroom learning. The data on the competence of learners to read appears to be symmetrically distributed with the competence of learners tapering off at the tail ends. This implies that most of the learners on average could read between 21-69 words per minute. However, there are significant disparities in reading abilities among learners, with a notable percentage performing below expectations. This disparity highlights the need for targeted interventions to support learners who are struggling and to bridge the competence gap across different schools. The reliability statistics for variables testing on teacher’s attitude in the use of Audio-visual media, for variables testing on challenges in the use of audio-visual media and for variables testing on the classroom observation performance indicators, were 0.969, 0.981 and 0.944 respectively. The reliability statistics on all the research instruments was 0.990. A Cronbach's Alpha of 0.70 (70%) or higher reveals a strong internal consistency of a series of questions integrated to form a single scale measured by the coefficient. The study recommends the government to integrate digital learning in schools and ensure schools are fully equipped with an access to electricity and network connectivity. Ministry of Education to develop teachers’ capacity on the use of digital devices. The study also recommends the Kenya institute of Curriculum Development to develop a curriculum in line with competency based curriculum provided in digital devices. Lastly curriculum support officers and head teachers to support teachers to make use of available audio visual resources for teaching and learning.

When is ‘the end of the road’ reached? Observing the presumption of parental involvement through systems theory

ABSTRACT In 2014 the Children Act 1989 was amended to include a presuption that involvement of a parent in a child’s life will further the child’s welfare unless there is evidence of the risk of harm. Kaganas published two seminal articles which concluded that the government’s ideological rationale for introducting the presumption of parental involvement not only failed to materialise but had some unintended, possibly detrimental, consequences for mothers. This article examines the operation and effects of the presumption of parental involvement in recent years based on an analysis of private law family court judgments between July 2020 and December 2023. Drawing on Luhmann’s theory of autopoietic social systems, it examines the possibilities for and limitations on using law to drive social change beyond the operations of the legal system itself. It concludes that the statutory presumption has failed to serve its stated purpose and has even had the unintended consequence of generating legal communications about the risks of parental involvement. From a feminist perspective, it concludes that positive changes observed in the family court response to domestic and child abuse are an achievement, in light of the limits on steering society, at least until something changes in the unknowable future.

The Evolution of Theories, Transformations, and Emerging Trends in Distance Education Worldwide: A Comprehensive Research Article

Purpose: The fundamental objective of the current comprehensible research article is to dwell on the developmental and historical process, theoretical approaches and foundations, along with technological improvements of newly emerging trends in distance education. Furthermore, the study puts a great deal of emphasis on the most significant psychological theories such as behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism and in what ways they can contribute to the effectiveness of distance education platforms. The study also explores the theoretical foundations such as systems theory, communication theory and media theory along with a focus on connectivism to comprehend distance education with a careful assessment on the integration of the emerging technological advancements such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality by revealing their transformative impacts and the potential on distance education. Henceforth, to accomplish such an aim, the current article provides a comprehensive analysis of distance education and offers a collection of insights into distance education for teachers, policymakers and other researchers in the relevant field. Design/Methodology/Approach: The current article employs a literature review as a research method to assess and evaluate the essential existing research body and to obtain definitive, evidence-based, practical, compelling and persuasive data within the relevant field of distance education from a constructivist perspective to find a clear answer to the research questions. Findings: The current study accentuates and finds that the improvements in technology, particularly, the Internet and fiber optics, have a transformative impact on distance education by improving interactivity and accessibility. Distance education seems to have evolved from corresponding with letters to sophisticated online platforms, enhancing global accessibility and overcoming challenges and obstacles. Psychological theories such as behaviorism, cognitivism, and constructivism are of high importance in optimizing learning experiences in this technological era. Highlights: The study highlights that the emerging trends in technology, comprising virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI), have a profound transformative effect on distance education by improving interactivity, visualization, and individualized learning experiences. VR and AR offer immersive, 3D settings that enhance involvement, engagement and understanding, whereas AI grands individualized learning and assessments, reshaping traditional educational methods and enhancing access to effective and productive learning opportunities.

Embracing Levin’s Legacy: Advancing Socio-Technical Learning and Development in Human-Robot Team Design Through STS Approaches

AbstractThis paper investigates the synergy between Levin’s theories on technology transfer as a socio-technical learning and developmental process (TLD process), and what we learnt about socio-technical systems (STS) theories in a case study developing human robot solutions for the construction sector. Levin’s extensive work highlights the significance of technology transfer as a means for organizational development. His TLD process emphasizes the intricate interplay between technology, organizational change, and learning and highlights the importance of incorporating cultural knowledge and skills into the technological transfer process. Contemporary STS views developed through our own work are introduced to complement and extend Levin’s theories by providing a systemic lens to understand the broader socio-technical context in which technology transfer occurs. To illustrate the synergies and potential challenges from Levin’s theories of technology transfer with contemporary STS concepts, we use a qualitative study of a unique case about the design and development of human-robot teams (HRTs) for construction tasks. Our findings reveal that while Levin’s theories provide a valuable foundation for understanding technology transfer and organizational change, contemporary socio-technical systems face unique challenges in the context of AI-driven human-robot teams, where intelligent robots also contribute to the socio-technical learning process. Moreover, the rapidly evolving nature of technology and innovations could exponentially impact on multidisciplinary design teams, stakeholder participation and inter-organizational dynamics. The discussions suggest an extension of co-generative learning to incorporate ‘collaborative intelligence’ between human-robot teams enabled by artificial intelligence (AI). Consequently, we suggest that Levin’s theories of technology transfer, developed before the rapid application of AI, may not have fully considered further social challenges caused by the introduction of autonomous systems such as AI-driven HRT systems. We extend Levin’s important work by suggesting that addressing such challenges requires ongoing dialogue and collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and policymakers with different disciplinary backgrounds to develop robust and reliable socio-technical systems frameworks to navigate the complexities of robotics and AI in today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Evaluating the Socioecological Classroom in Full-Service Schools: A Whole-School Approach to the Inclusive Education Context in South Africa

This paper evaluates the socioecological classroom in the context of a whole-school approach to inclusive education, which has evolved beyond the traditional classroom setting. Inclusive education calls for a paradigm shift to accommodate learners previously marginalised, with the classroom transforming into an ecosystem. The socioecological paradigm steers away from the notion that psychological and physiological elements are the main causes of disability. The importance of addressing multiple layers of influence is emphasised to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment. First, Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, which emphatically explains how a learner’s development is influenced by the systems in the environment that surrounds them, and then Foucault’s Theory of Power and Knowledge, in which power and knowledge are interconnected and inseparable, with power being exercised through the creation and control of knowledge, guided this study. A qualitative approach was adopted, and semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and non-participant observation were used to collect data. Phenomenological analysis was used to analyse the data from these data-collecting instruments. It was found that learners with disabilities need support at home, with imbalances being found in the power–knowledge relations between teachers and parents, and teachers occupying a superior position regarding academic knowledge. Some teachers still believe in the Medical-Deficit Model. A strengths-based approach should rather be adopted. Strategies for enhancing community–school collaboration that balances teacher–parent power dynamics should be explored.