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The purpose of this paper is to propose a novel quasi-nonlocal coupling of the bond-based peridynamic model with the classical continuum mechanics model to fully take advantage of their merits and be free of ghost forces.

This study reconstructs a total energy functional by introducing a coupling parameter that alters only the nonlocal interactions in the coupling region rather than the whole region and a modified elasticity tensor that affects the local interactions. Then, the consistency of force patch test is enforced in the coupling region to completely eliminate the ghost force in a general energy-based coupling scheme. For a one-dimensional problem, these coupling parameters are further determined through an energy patch test to preserve the energy equivalence or through an l¹-regularization. And, for a two- or three-dimensional problem, depending on the existence of a solution to the discretized force patch test, they are determined through an l¹-minimization or l¹-regularization.

One- and two-dimensional numerical examples under affine deformation have been conducted to verify the accuracy of the quasi-nonlocal coupling method, which exhibits no ghost force. Moreover, the coupling model can reproduce almost the same deformation behaviors of points near the crack for a cracked plate under tension as that from a pure peridynamic model, the former with a rather low computational cost and an easier application of boundary conditions.

This work is aiming at getting over long-standing ghost force issues in the energy-based coupling scheme. The numerical results from the cracked plate problem are exhibited promising extension to dynamic problems.

The purpose of this paper is to provide the historical background of genealogical records and analyze the value of Chinese genealogical research through the study of names and genealogical resources.

The paper examines the historical evolution and value of Chinese genealogical records, with the focus on researching the Islamic Chinese names used by the people living in Guilin. The highlight of this paper includes the analysis and evolution of the Islamic Chinese names commonly adopted by the local people in Guilin. It concludes with the recommendations on emphasizing and making the best use of genealogical records to enhance the research value of Chinese overseas studies.

The paper covers the history of Islam and describes how the religion was introduced into China, as well as Muslims' ethnicity and identity. It also places focus on the importance of building a research collection in Asian history and Chinese genealogy.

This research study has a strong subject focus on Chinese genealogy, Asian history, and Islamic Chinese surnames. It is a narrow field that few researchers have delved into.

The results of this study will assist students, researchers, and the general public in tracing the origin of their surnames and developing their interest in the social and historical value of Chinese local history and genealogies.

The study of Chinese surnames is, by itself, a particular field for researching the social and political implications of contemporary Chinese society during the time the family members lived.

Very little research has been done in the area of Chinese local history and genealogy. The paper would be of value to researchers such as historians, sociologists, ethnologists and archaeologists, as well as students and anyone interested in researching a surname origin, its history and evolution.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical historical analysis of the business (mis)behaviors and influencing factors that discourage enduring cooperation between principals and agents, to introduce strategies that embrace the social values, economic motivation and institutional designs historically adopted to curtail dishonest acts in international business and to inform an improved principal–agent theory that reflects principal–agent reciprocity as shaped by social, political, cultural, economic, strategic and ideological forces

The critical historical research method is used to analyze Chinese compradors and the foreign companies they served in pre-1949 China.

Business practitioners can extend orthodox principal–agent theory by scrutinizing the complex interactions between local agents and foreign companies. Instead of agents pursuing their economic interests exclusively, as posited by principal–agent theory, they also may pursue principal-shared interests (as suggested by stewardship theory) because of social norms and cultural values that can affect business-related choices and the social bonds built between principals and agents.

The behaviors of compradors and foreign companies in pre-1949 China suggest international business practices for shaping social bonds between principals and agents and foreign principals’ creative efforts to enhance shared interests with local agents.

Understanding principal–agent theory’s limitations can help international management scholars and practitioners mitigate transaction partners’ dishonest acts.

A critical historical analysis of intermediary businesspeople’s (mis)behavior in pre-1949 (1840–1949) China can inform the generalizability of principal–agent theory and contemporary business strategies for minimizing agents’ dishonest acts.