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The purpose of this paper is to address a novel method for solving parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs) in general, wherein the heat conduction equation constitutes an important particular case. The new method, appropriately named the Improved Transversal Method of Lines (ITMOL), is inspired in the Transversal Method of Lines (TMOL), with strong insight from the method of separation of variables.

The essence of ITMOL revolves around an exponential variation of the dependent variable in the parabolic PDE for the evaluation of the time derivative. As will be demonstrated later, this key step is responsible for improving the accuracy of ITMOL over its predecessor TMOL. Throughout the paper, the theoretical properties of ITMOL, such as consistency, stability, convergence and accuracy are analyzed in depth. In addition, ITMOL has proven to be unconditionally stable in the Fourier sense.

In a case study, the 1-D heat conduction equation for a large plate with symmetric Dirichlet boundary conditions is transformed into a nonlinear ordinary differential equation by means of ITMOL. The numerical solution of the resulting differential equation is straightforward and brings forth a nearly zero truncation error over the entire time domain, which is practically nonexistent.

Accurate levels of the analytical/numerical solution of the 1-D heat conduction equation by ITMOL are easily established in the entire time domain.

Taking as reference a sample of around a hundred biographical materials on entrepreneurs in Mexico and Colombia, the purpose of this chapter is dual. Both to show the relevance and varied modalities that the biographical approach has enjoyed in business history research since the 1990s, and to display the intrinsic potential this modality of scholarship entails for entrepreneurship endeavors. In particular, it discusses the prospects to incorporate this body of empirical works into the large Latin American audience attending undergraduate, graduate and executive education programs in business, economic history and related fields. The chapter is organized into three sections. The first two are devoted to illustrate relevant patterns in the entrepreneurial trajectory of individuals and entrepreneurial families studied in each of the two countries under consideration. The last section identifies some conceptual issues that may impact current debates on Latin American business development as exemplified in recent business and economic history journal venues and scholarly conferences.

The overall goal of science is to build a valid and reliable body of knowledge about the functioning of the world and how applying that knowledge can change it. As personnel and human resources management researchers, we aim to contribute to the respective bodies of knowledge to provide both employers and employees with a workable foundation to help with those problems they are confronted with. However, what research on research has consistently demonstrated is that the scientific endeavor possesses existential issues including a substantial lack of (a) solid theory, (b) replicability, (c) reproducibility, (d) proper and generalizable samples, (e) sufficient quality control (i.e., peer review), (f) robust and trustworthy statistical results, (g) availability of research, and (h) sufficient practical implications. In this chapter, we first sing a song of sorrow regarding the current state of the social sciences in general and personnel and human resources management specifically. Then, we investigate potential grievances that might have led to it (i.e., questionable research practices, misplaced incentives), only to end with a verse of hope by outlining an avenue for betterment (i.e., open science and policy changes at multiple levels).

Agriculture commodity price forecasts have long been important for a variety of market players. The study we conducted aims to address this difficulty by examining the weekly wholesale price index of green grams in the Chinese market. The index covers a ten-year period, from January 1, 2010, to January 3, 2020, and has significant economic implications.

In order to address the nonlinear patterns present in the price time series, we investigate the nonlinear auto-regressive neural network as the forecast model. This modeling technique is able to combine a variety of basic nonlinear functions to approximate more complex nonlinear characteristics. Specifically, we examine prediction performance that corresponds to several configurations across data splitting ratios, hidden neuron and delay counts, and model estimation approaches.

Our model turns out to be rather simple and yields forecasts with good stability and accuracy. Relative root mean square errors throughout training, validation and testing are specifically 4.34, 4.71 and 3.98%, respectively. The results of benchmark research show that the neural network produces statistically considerably better performance when compared to other machine learning models and classic time-series econometric methods.

Utilizing our findings as independent technical price forecasts would be one use. Alternatively, policy research and fresh insights into price patterns might be achieved by combining them with other (basic) prediction outputs.

The aim of this paper was to examine the interrelationships between Maslow’s motivated needs in relation to employees’ personal and workplace spirituality experiences.

Regression analysis using a cross-sectional, convenience sampling approach of 158 US employees responding to survey questions using a Qualtrics survey related to their demographics, motivated needs, daily spirituality experiences, workplace spirituality, work spirituality experiences and work-related flow.

Correlation analyses provided support for Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in relation to employees’ daily spiritual experiences, workplace spirituality, work spirituality experiences and work-related flow. Regression analyses also identified the specific Maslow needs that served as predictive factors in relation to employees’ personal and workplace spirituality. Findings and conclusions are also discussed in relation to employees and organizations.

Currently, there are no correlation studies that have examined workplace spirituality as an ethical behavior in the workplace and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. This correlation gap is notable because further examination of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs as a theoretical framework in relation to employees’ spirituality can be particularly valuable for contemporary work settings. Consider that today’s work environment is faced with dynamic and unique factors, and each of these factors not only changes the work environment but also they significantly drive or minimize employee motivation. Three such factors include new generations of employees with unique values entering the workforce and the great resignation and quiet quitting.

The study identifies that Maslow’s belonging, esteem and self-transcendence are related positively to employees’ spiritual experiences in the workplace. When these needs are fulfilled in the work environment, employees may be more likely to engage in spiritual practices at work, such as participating in yoga, prayer and meditation and in fulfilling one’s motivated needs and spirituality, employees are able to pursue their true purpose in the workplace.

This study extends the literature regarding understanding the value of workplace spirituality as a positive outcome for the employees and organizations.

Nature and biophilic design have received widespread attention in architecture. There has been a need for a new concept of sustainability that includes the interrelationship between humans and the environment. Biophilic design is therefore a comprehensive and sustainable approach that contributes to restoring relationships and connections to promote mental and physical health. The purpose of the paper is to derive a method for measuring and evaluating the impact of incorporating biophilic design into spaces where children are present.

This research follows a three-stage methodology. The first stage is an Overview, including the concept of biophilia, the concept of biophilic design and its patterns. The second stage consists of methods for evaluating biophilic designed spaces. The third stage attempts to deduce a method for measuring and evaluating the impact of incorporating biophilic design into spaces designated for children on children.

Integrating the Biophilia Interview Scale and the Nature Connection Index scales could lead to the development of a new scale that captures the child’s understanding of nature, his connection to nature and knowledge of his environmental preferences. Linking this measure to the child’s basic needs aims to enhance the performance of spaces designated for pre-school children and measure the extent to which these spaces meet the child’s environmental preferences and match his basic needs.

There is limited understanding of evaluating preschool spaces in terms of their suitability for children, the extent to which the design patterns used in these spaces meet the child’s preferences and desires, and the extent to which these spaces meet the child’s basic needs. Therefore, this study aims to integrate methods for assessing environmental preferences appropriate for pre-school children and linking them to the child’s basic needs, which ultimately leads to the creation and design of spaces in which children can integrate, interact.

Prejudice against Jews was part of the landscape in the Union of South Africa long before Nazism made inroads into the country during the 1930s, at which stage Jews constituted approximately 4.6% of the country’s white (or European) population. Aggressive Afrikaner nationalism was marked by fervent attempts to proscribe Jewish immigration. By 1939, Jewish immigration was included as an official plank in the political platform of the opposition Purified National Party led by Dr D.F. Malan, along with a ban on party membership for Jews residents in the Transvaal province. Racial discrimination, in a country with diversified ethnic elements and intense political complexities, was synonymous with life in the Union long before the Apartheid system, with its official policy of enforced legal, political and economic segregation, became law in May 1948 under Dr Malan’s prime ministership. Although the Jews, while maintaining their own subcultural identity, were classified within South Africa’s racial hierarchy as part of the privileged white minority, the emergence of recurrent anti-Jewish stereotypes and themes became manifest in a country permeated by the ideology of race and white superiority. This was exacerbated by the growth of a powerful Afrikaner nationalist movement, underpinned by conservative Calvinist theology. This chapter focusses on measures taken in South Africa by organisational structures within the political sphere to restrict Jewish immigration between 1930 and 1939 and to do so on ethnic grounds. These measures were underscored by radical Afrikaner nationalism, which flew in the face of the principles of ethics and moral judgement.