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This paper attempts to develop an efficient algorithm to solve the inverse problem of identifying constitutive parameters in VFG (viscoelastic functionally graded) materials/structures.

An adaptive recursive algorithm with high fidelity is developed to acquire the derivatives of displacements with respect to constitutive parameters, which are required for the accurate and stable gradient based inverse analysis. A two-step strategy is presented in the process of identification, by which the unknown parameters can be separately identified and the scale and complexity of the inverse VFG problem are reduced. At each step, the process of identification is treated as an optimization problem that is solved by the Levenberg–Marquardt method.

The solution accuracy of forward problems and derivatives of displacements can be stably achieved with different step sizes, and constitutive parameters of homogenous/regional-inhomogeneous VFG materials/structures can be effectively and accurately identified. By examining the reliability, resolution, impacts of reference information and noisy data, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is numerically verified via three numerical examples.

An adaptive recursive algorithm is developed for derivatives computing with high fidelity, providing a solid platform for the sensitivity analysis and thereby a two-step strategy in conjunction with Levenberg–Marquardt method is presented in the process of identification. Consequently, an effective algorithm is developed to identify constitutive parameters of homogenous/regional-inhomogeneous VFG materials/structures.

The purpose of this paper is to exploit the cyclic symmetry to reduce the computational expense of scaled boundary method (SBM) which may cumber its further application.

A partitioning EFG-SB (Element-free Galerkin-SB) algorithm is proposed for the two-dimensional elastic analysis of cyclically symmetric structures.

By utilizing the cyclic symmetry and partitioning algorithm, the whole computational cost can be significantly reduced. Three numerical examples are given to illustrate the advantages of the proposed algorithm.

It is proved that the matrices of eigenvalue and system equations of EFG-SBM for cyclically symmetric structures are block-circulant so long as a kind of symmetry-adapted reference coordinate system is adopted. No matter whether displacement constraints are cyclically symmetric or not, the partition is available for the eigenvalue equations. Therefore the major computational cost can be saved via the proposed partitioning algorithm. This paper provides an efficient algorithm for the two-dimensional elastic analysis of cyclically symmetric structures using EFG-SBM. A higher computing efficiency can be expected since the proposed partitioning algorithm facilitates parallel processing.

Our analysis is targeted at researchers in the fields of economics and finance, and we place emphasis on the incremental contributions of each paper, key research questions, study methodology, main conclusions and data and identification tactics. By focusing on these critical areas, our review seeks to provide valuable insights and guidance for future research in this rapidly evolving and complex field.

This paper conducts a structured literature review (SLR) of Bitcoin-related articles published in the leading finance, economics and accounting journals between 2018 and 2023. Following Massaro et al. (2016), SLR is a method for examining a corpus of scholarly work to generate new ideas, critical reflections and future research agendas. The goals of SLR are congruent with the three outcomes of critical management research identified by Alvesson and Deetz (2000): insight, critique and transformative redefinition.

The present state of research on Bitcoin lacks coherence and interconnectedness, leading to a limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms. However, certain areas of research have emerged as significant topics for further exploration. These include the decentralized payment system, equilibrium price, market microstructure, trading patterns and regulation of Bitcoin. In this context, this review serves as a valuable starting point for researchers who are unacquainted with the interdisciplinary field of bitcoin and blockchain research. It is essential to recognize the potential value of research in Bitcoin-related fields in advancing knowledge of the interaction between finance, economics, law and technology. Therefore, future research in this area should focus on adopting innovative and interdisciplinary methods to enhance our comprehension of these intricate and evolving technologies.

Our review encompasses the latest research on Bitcoin, including its market microstructure, trading behavior, price patterns and portfolio analysis. It explores Bitcoin's market microstructure, liquidity, derivative markets, price discovery and market efficiency. Studies have also focused on trading behavior, investors' characteristics, market sentiment and price volatility. Furthermore, empirical studies demonstrate the advantages of including Bitcoin in a portfolio. These findings enhance our understanding of Bitcoin's potential impact on the financial industry.

This paper hypothesized that perceived relative advantage and perceived compatibility would have a positive effect on merchants' intention to accept payments via P2P mobile payment services, while perceived financial risks and perceived costs would have a negative effect. The study also explored the differences in gender, age and experience.

The proposed model is based on the valence framework, where positive utility is represented by relative advantage and perceived compatibility, while negative utility is represented by perceived risks and perceived costs. The data for this study were collected from small business owners (merchants) at the largest public market in the Center Department of Mirebalais, Haiti, using a purposive sampling method.

The results of a structural equation modeling on a sample of 339 merchants only confirmed the effect of both perceived comparative advantage and perceived compatibility. Furthermore, the multigroup analysis revealed that the perceived comparative advantage is stronger for female merchants, older age groups and merchants who frequently used P2P m-payment for the transfer of remittances. Perceived compatibility is stronger for male merchants, younger age groups and merchants who occasionally used P2P m-payment for the transfer of remittances.

This study was conducted in the economic context of Haiti, where P2P m-payments are commonly used for transferring remittances. Since there are limited studies that examine P2P m-payment acceptance from the perspective of merchants, this study offers valuable insights.

The author argues and explains that the indigenous Eastern epistemological frame of yin-yang balancing can be taken as a unique system of thinking toward a meta-perspective. It is not only deeply rooted in the indigenous Eastern culture traditions, but also bears salient global implications, especially in the domain of paradox management. The purpose and contribution of this chapter are twofold: (1) to explain the unique and salient features of yin-yang balancing (the “either/and” system to reframe paradox into duality as partially conflicting and partially complementary, both spatially and temporarily) as compared with the Western logic systems (the “either/or” and “both/or” or “both/and” systems); and (2) to explore the global implications of the “either/and” system for future paradox research, including the three unique themes of overlap between opposites with the “seed” of one opposite inside the other; threshold from the contingent balance between partial separation and partial integration in line with specific contexts through three operating mechanisms, and knot for the special role of third-party to shift paradox from a dyadic level to a triadic and even a multiplex level.

As a consequence of the proposal of the Carbon Neutral and Carbon Peak policy in 2020, the Chinese Government is paying more attention to developing sustainability performance. This study aims to assess the direct influence of country-level and corporate anti-corruption measures on environmental, social and governance (ESG) and its three dimensions, besides ascertaining the moderating role of firm size.

This study used the system generalized method of moments on a sample of 820 Chinese listed firms from 2012 to 2021.

The findings show that country-level and corporate corruption negatively affect ESG performance. Corporate anti-corruption measures have a more pronounced positive influence on the sustainability performance of small firms than large firms due to the limited resources, lower political position and weaker refusal power of small firms.

The study has great implications for governments, corporate boards and ESG rating agencies. Government and corporate boards should mitigate the risks of country-level and corporate corruption to attain sustainable development goals. Rating agencies should add country-level and corporate corruption into the ESG evaluation system.

Some empirical results have proven that anti-corruption measures help reduce the emission of carbon dioxide, but few evidence shows how country-level and corporate corruption affect ESG and its three dimensions.

The purpose of this paper is to verify the feasibility and reliability of mineral casting applied in high-precision printed circuit board (PCB) drilling machine. The mechanical properties of machine frame are quantified to provide a solution for machine tool industry to seek a perfect substance competing with classic materials such as cast iron and granite.

The optimal design of machine frame is performed via the CAD system combined with finite element analysis (FEA). The mechanical properties of the frame elements are evaluated by a series of mechanical experiments: static performance is quantified by flatness tests, dynamic behavior is estimated by experimental and numerical models, respectively. Meanwhile, the performance of the frame element with traditional materials is examined experimentally.

Mineral casting parts can be successfully applied to PCB drilling machine to meet high accuracy requirements. The characteristic of mineral casing gives the most possibilities in structural design. The frame parts show good static/dynamic behaviors by structural optimization processes. Especially, the machine frame with mineral casting gains a great weight reduction compared with traditional materials.

The application of mineral casting in PCB drilling machine offers greater design flexibility and innovative system solutions. The combination of FEA is convincing to achieve optimal structure and ideal weight to maximize the economic and technical benefits. Moreover, lightweight design of machine structural components achieves not only higher kinematic/dynamic precision but also considerable cost reduction.

Over the past decade, the rapid evolution of social media has impacted the field of human resource management in numerous ways. In response, scholars and practitioners have sought to begin an investigation of the myriad of ways that social media impacts organizations. To date, research evidence on a range of HR-related topics are just beginning to emerge, but are scattered across a range of diverse literatures. The principal aim of this chapter is to review the current literature on the study of social media in HRM and to integrate these disparate emerging literatures. During our review, we discuss the existent research, describe the theoretical foundations of such work, and summarize key research findings and themes into a coherent social media framework relevant to HRM. Finally, we offer recommendations for future work that can enhance knowledge of social media’s impact in organizations.

The devastating impact of catastrophic disasters on terrestrial infrastructure requires the adoption of alternative technology solutions among humanitarian organizations. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of the most commonly used satellite technologies in relief logistics: imagery and mapping, portable global positioning system (GPS) positioning devices, telecommunications, and GPS vehicle tracking.

The paper examines both the benefits and limitations of satellite technologies in light of the existing literature and through a complementary questionnaire survey with field workers involved in humanitarian operations in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

The results show that the use of satellite technologies can facilitate most of the key logistics challenges encountered by relief actors. However, they also highlight important barriers within humanitarian organizations such as the lack of skilled workers and high costs, underlining the need for long-term training, resource investments, and cooperation between users and technology providers.

The research findings remain valid only in the context of catastrophic disaster responses, which lead to similar destructions, logistical problems, and needs for satellite technologies.

This paper shows how satellite technologies can support humanitarian professionals in the field. It also provides policy recommendations that can facilitate the use of these technologies.

The applications of satellite technologies within humanitarian supply chains are not well-defined in the literature. This paper is the first to be dedicated to analyze the role of the main satellite technologies used in a relief logistics setting.

In this chapter, we propose a blended methodological approach (critical) educational ethnography, to address problems of education. The chapter includes a brief overview of critical and educational ethnography, which inform the methodology, followed by a discussion of the essential elements and pedagogical objectives that undergird and operationalize the methodology. The essential elements include articulating a critical context, defining and understanding culture, establishing relationships and embeddedness, and multiple ways of knowing. Rather than articulate a curriculum and content for teaching (critical) educational ethnography, pedagogical objectives are provided to support the development of novice researchers (i.e., doctoral students, researchers-in-training).