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Theory predicts that horizontal acquisitions can effectively increase incumbent firms’ market power in concentrated industries with high product similarity. Using a novel measure for industry product similarity, we show that in such industries firms’ propensity to make horizontal acquisitions is greater and that the acquisitions result in more positive announcement returns for the acquirer and rival firms and in a larger premium paid for the target. Also, the deals harm dependent customer and supplier firms and they are more likely to be challenged by antitrust authorities. Overall, by emphasizing the importance of product similarity, our results help explain mixed empirical findings on whether horizontal acquisitions are used to reduce competition intensity.

Theory of Mind (ToM), the ability to represent the mental states of oneself and others, is an essential social skill disrupted across many psychiatric conditions. The transdiagnostic nature of ToM impairment means it is plausible that ToM impairment is related to alexithymia (difficulties identifying and describing one’s own emotions), as alexithymia is seen across psychiatric conditions. Whilst many studies have examined links between alexithymia and ToM, results are mixed. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review is to provide a taxonomy of ToM tests and assess their relationship with alexithymia. Tests are grouped according to whether they assess propensity to engage spontaneously in ToM or accuracy of ToM inferences, with tests further subdivided into those that do, and do not, require emotion recognition. A review of 63 suitable studies suggests that alexithymia is often associated with reduced ToM, and inaccurate ToM when tasks require emotion recognition. This latter finding appears due to impaired emotion recognition, rather than ToM impairment per se. Further directions and considerations for future research are discussed.

Theory of Mind (ToM), defined as children's understanding of their own and others' minds, is a foundational social cognitive skill. Research showed the important role of adults' conversations during book sharing, focusing on mental states, for ToM development. Additionally, children's mental-state talk is rarely studied. The current study focused on several children's discourse characteristics: mental-state terms, references to false beliefs, questions, reactions and initiations, between a small group and their preschool teacher during different contexts of book sharing at preschool: (1) Storybook reading; (2) Storybook reconstruction, when teachers reconstructed the story with the children based on a wordless version of the same book; (3) Storybook telling of a wordless book based only on illustrations. In all three conditions the teachers received the book and read/looked through it prior to the interactions with the children. Our findings showed that children's discourse characteristics appeared more during telling than reconstruction and reading, and more during reconstruction than during reading. Our discussion highlights the particular contribution of wordless book contexts, without sticking to text, for enhancing children's mental-state references and their active participation in discussions on books with preschool teachers and peers.

Much of the literature exploring the intersection between Deleuzo-Guattarian philosophy and architecture have focused on abstract theory, experimental projects and practices at the margins of the profession. But, one may ask, what of the mainstream, commercial practices that produce the offices, housing, shops, schools and community buildings that we see and engage with in our day-to-day lives? What of the everyday design decisions made by professional architects and technicians sitting at their desks and drawing boards? Are these to be excluded from architecture's engagement with Deleuzo-Guattarian philosophy? As I will show in this paper, Deleuze and Guattari's proposals for the strata and the machinic assemblage are drawn from their underlying attempt to expand Hjelmslev's planar composition from a tool used to analyse language to a conceptual framework used to analyse the formation and evolution of all things. There is nothing within the conceptual framework of the strata/machinic assemblage to suggest, therefore, that they should not be used to analyse such practices. With this in mind, this article considers how these concepts can be translated through and help provide new insight into a real-world design sequence taken from mainstream, commercial architectural practice. In doing so it will show how such practices can offer Deleuzo-Guattarian scholars a more nuanced insight into this conceptual framework and the concepts that form it.

Theory is a vital component of teaching, providing both systematic ways in which to view the learning process and frameworks for designing educational experiences. There is growing interest in identifying theory specific to simulation-based learning (SBL). We assert that the ten phases of Mezirow’s Transformative Learning Theory (TLT) closely mirror the simulation process of prebriefing, scenario, and debriefing in preparation for future experiences. The assumptions of TLT may help SBL facilitators understand how simulation fosters transformative adult learning. However, limitations to the theory must also be considered when applying TLT to the SBL arena.

We are grateful to A. Lushchik and E. Shablonin for numerous and valuable discussions. This work has been carried out within the framework of the EUROfusion Consortium and has received funding from the Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 and 2019-2020 under grant agreement No 633053. The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission. The raw/processed data required to reproduce these findings cannot be shared at this time as the data also forms part of an ongoing study., Theory is developed for kinetics of the diffusion-controlled radiation defect accumulation in crystalline solids under high fluencies taking into account recently observed correlation between the defect diffusion energy and pre-exponential (known as the Meyer-Neldel rule in chemical kinetics) and their dependence on the radiation fluence (Kotomin et al., J Phys Chem A 122 (2018) 28). The predicted accumulation kinetics could be applied to all kinds of solids. It considerably differs from the commonly used, in particular, suggesting that concentration growth at high fluencies could be nonmonotonous and the saturation defect concentrations independent on the temperature., EUROfusion Consortium Euratom research and training programme 2014-2018 and 2019-2020 under grant agreement No 633053; Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia as the Center of Excellence has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Framework Programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017-TeamingPhase2 under grant agreement No. 739508, project CAMART²

An extensive metamorphosis is currently taking place in the education industry due to the rapid adoption of different technologies and the proliferation of new student-instructor and student–student interaction models. While traditional face-to-face interaction is still the norm, mobile, online and virtual augmentations are increasingly adopted worldwide. Moreover, with the advent of gaming technology besides the 3D visual paradigm, the “touch” and “feel” paradigm is slowly taking its place in the user interface design through gamification. While haptic (force feedback) devices were barely available a decade ago outside research laboratories, the rapid rise in gaming technology has driven the cost significantly lower enabling the spread of these devices in many households and the wide public. This article presents a novel haptic-based training tool implemented as a gaming scenario to assist students in learning of abstract concepts in Physics. The focus is on electromagnetism as one of the fundamental forces in nature and specifically the abstractions used as building blocks around the Lorentz force. Experimental results suggest that by introducing well designed visual-haptic interfaces in presenting abstract concepts, students become better engaged in the classrooms and superior learning outcomes can be achieved.

We are concerned with the coexistence states of the diffusive Lotka-Volterra system of two competing species when the growth rates of the two species depend periodically on the spacial variable. For the one-dimensional problem, we employ the generalized Jacobi elliptic function method to find semi-exact solutions under certain conditions on the parameters. In addition, we use the sine function to construct a pair of upper and lower solutions and obtain a solution of the above-mentioned system. Next, we provide a sufficient condition for the existence of pulsating fronts connecting two semi-trivial states by applying the abstract theory regarding monotone semiflows. Some numerical simulations are also included.

This paper presents an abstract theory on well-posedness for time-fractional evolution equations governed by subdifferential operators in Hilbert spaces. The proof relies on a regularization argument based on maximal monotonicity of time-fractional differential operators as well as energy estimates based on a nonlocal chain-rule formula for subdifferentials. Moreover, it will be extended to a Lipschitz perturbation problem. These abstract results will be also applied to time-fractional nonlinear PDEs such as time-fractional porous medium, fast diffusion, p-Laplace parabolic, Allen-Cahn equations.

Theory predicts that when different barriers to gene flow become coincident, their joint effects enhance reproductive isolation and genomic divergence beyond their individual effects, but empirical tests of this ‘coupling’ hypothesis are rare. Here, we analyze patterns of gene exchange among populations of European corn borer moths that vary in the number of acting barriers, allowing for comparisons of genomic variation when barrier traits or loci are in coincident or independent states. We find that divergence is mainly restricted to barrier loci when populations differ by a single barrier, whereas the coincidence of temporal and behavioral barriers is associated with divergence of two chromosomes harboring barrier loci. Furthermore, differentiation at temporal barrier loci increases in the presence of behavioral divergence and differentiation at behavioral barrier loci increases in the presence of temporal divergence. Our results demonstrate how the joint action of coincident barrier effects leads to levels of genomic differentiation that far exceed those of single barriers acting alone, consistent with theory arguing that coupling allows indirect selection to combine with direct selection and thereby lead to a stronger overall barrier to gene flow. Thus, the state of barriers – independent or coupled – strongly influences the accumulation of genomic differentiation.

Virtual simulation experiment teaching can be carried out in any environment without the limitation of time and space, and used repeatedly for learning, more intuitive understanding of principle and method of the whole experiment, to combine the experimental content and abstract theory, and teachers can improve students’ learning situation in virtual simulation teaching line tracking. The exploration and application of evaluation system of virtual simulation practice teaching under the background of new engineering is carried out. By scoring the students’ preview, operation, experimental results and reports, and examination, a four-stage process evaluation method of “preview before class - experimental operation - review after class comprehensive assessment” is constructed. The core of the evaluation system is the cultivation of virtual simulation talents’ practice and innovation ability, and virtual simulation is emphasized. The exploration of real experiment teaching process evaluation system and the establishment of comprehensive evaluation index system can promote the deep integration of classroom teaching and virtual simulation experiment teaching, cultivate virtual simulation practice teaching resources and develop teachers, and make the virtual simulation experiment teaching evaluation mode more perfect.

"Mechanical Engineering Testing Technology" course is an important basic course for mechanical engineering majors undergraduate. It is an important component of cultivating qualified mechatronics talents. Its abstract theory and strong practicality bring great difficulties to the teaching of this course. In order to break the limitation of time, space and environment of classroom teaching and practice teaching, this paper proposes to build an experimental platform based on the online virtual simulation technology. In the classroom teaching, the real physical feedback information is integrated into the actual working conditions, and the corresponding experimental courses are designed to realize the deep integration of classroom teaching and practical teaching. By using this method, the teaching effect is improved, the students' horizon is broadened, and the students' ability of theoretical analysis and innovative practice can be developed coordinately.

Behavioral economics is widely perceived to be part of the profession's shift away from a culture that places abstract theory at its center. I present a critical discussion of the atheoretical style with which "behavioral" themes are often disseminated: a purely anecdotal style in popular expositions, simplistic cost-benefit modeling in pieces that target a wide audience of academic economists, and the practice of capturing psychological forces by distorting familiar functional forms. I argue that the subject of "psychology and economics" is intrinsically foundational, and that a heavier dose of abstract theorizing is essential for it to realize its transformative potential.

We introduce an abstract theory of the principal symbol mapping for pseudodifferential operators extending the results of Sukochev and Zanin (J Oper Theory, 2019) and providing a simple algebraic approach to the theory of pseudodifferential operators in settings important in noncommutative geometry. We provide a variant of Connes’ trace theorem which applies to certain noncommutative settings, with a minimum of technical preliminaries. Our approach allows us to consider operators with non-smooth symbols, and we demonstrate the power of our approach by extending Connes’ trace theorem to operators with non-smooth symbols in three examples: the Lie group $$\mathrm {SU}(2)$$ , noncommutative tori and Moyal planes.

Theory attributes finance with the ability to both promote growth and reduce output volatility, and therefore increase energy security. But evidence is mixed, partly due to endogeneity effects. For example, financial institutions themselves might be a source of volatility, as the events of 2008 suggest. We address this endogeneity issue by using periods of extreme oil price volatility as a source of nearly exogenous volatility, to study the effect of finance. To do this, we develop a quasi-natural experiment and study the effect of the dramatic decline of oil prices in 2014, using a synthetic control methodology. Our hypothesis is that the ability of oil-rich countries to mitigate the effects of this decline rested on the quality of their financial institutions. We focus on 11 oil-rich countries between 2006Q1 and 2016Q4 that had “poor” measures of financial development (treatment group) out of 20 such countries and synthetically create counterfactuals from the remaining (control) group with “superior” financial development. We subject both to the oil price shock of 2014 and find evidence that better financial institutions do indeed reduce output volatility and mitigate its negative effect on growth in the year that showed a sustained decline in oil price. To address any remaining potential endogeneity between oil prices and finance, we use a cross-sectionally augmented autoregressive distributed lag model with data on 30 oil-producing countries over the period 1980–2016, and confirm that the effects of oil volatility on growth is mitigated with better financial institutions. Our results make a strong case for the support of the positive role of financial development in improving energy security and fostering growth.

دور الإدارة الإلکترونیة فی تطویر مرفق القضاء الإداری أحمد بن محمد الشمری أستاذ القانون الإداری المساعد کلیة إدارة الأعمال – جامعة حفر الباطن – السعودیة برید الکترونی: dr.alharmas@uhb.edu.sa الملخص تلعب التکنولوجیا الحدیثة دورا هاما فی تسهیل الإجراءات بصفة عامة وأمام القضاء بصفة خاصة من توفیر الوقت والجهد والمال على المتقاضین وعلی الدولة، وهو ما تنبهت له دول عدیدة أجنبیة وعربیة، قامت بإعداد خطط لتطویر مرافق القضاء بها بما یسمح باستخدام التکنولوجیا الحدیثة فی تحقیق العدالة السریعة الناجزة، خصوصا الخطوات المتعلقة بقید الدعوى، وتقدیم المستندات وأدلة الإثبات التی یرکن إلیها المدعى، والسداد الإلکترونی للرسوم القضائیة، والإعلانات والإخطارات القضائیة للخصوم ولممثلیهم؛ ونظرا للطبیعة غیر التقلیدیة لموضوع الدراسة وحداثته فی ذات الوقت انتهج الباحث فی هذه الدراسة العدید من مناهج البحث، والتی منها المنهج التأصیلی والذی تناول الإجراءات التقلیدیة المتبعة أمام القضاء الإداری، محاولین تحویل تلک الخطوات إلی الصورة الالکترونیة آخذین فی اعتبارنا أن الهدف من البحث لیس معالجة قضیة نظریة مجردة بحته بل معالجة رکیزة عملیة قانونیة؛ والمنهج المقارن والتطرق لتجارب بعض الدول التی اهتمت بموضوع إدخال تکنولوجیا المعلومات الحدیثة فی إجراءات التقاضی؛ فضلا عن استخدام المنهج التحلیلی وما یقتضیه موضوع البحث من ضرورة التعرض لشتی جوانبه بالتحلیل والتمحیص وصولا لوضع تصور لتطویر الإجراءات أمام القضاء الإداری باستخدام الوسائل الالکترونیة الحدیثة، وحجم المکاسب التی سیحققها ذلک سواء بالنسبة للمتقاضین أو بالنسبة للمصلحة العامة والتی هی أساس قیام أی مرفق عام والتی تتمثل فی إتاحة حق التقاضی لجمیع المتقاضین بسهولة ویسر مع تحقیق فکرة العدالة الناجزة. الکلمات المفتاحیة: الإدارة الإلکترونیة، تکنولوجیا المعلومات الحدیثة، القضاء الإداری، المرافق العامة، السلطة القانونیة السعودیة. The Role Of Electronic Administration In Developing The Administrative Justice Facility Ahmed Bin Mohammed Al-Shammari Assistant Professor of Administrative Law College of Business Administration – Hafr Albatin University - Saudi Arabia Email: dr.alharmas@uhb.edu.sa Abstract: Modern technology plays an important role in facilitating procedures in general and before the judiciary in particular by saving time, effort and money on litigants and the state, which has been alerted by many foreign and Arab countries, which has prepared plans to develop its facilities to allow the use of modern technology to achieve rapid justice completed , In particular the steps relating to the filing of the case, the submission of documents and evidence to which the plaintiff is based, the electronic payment of judicial fees, and the judicial declarations and notifications of the litigants and their representatives; Due to the unconventional nature of the subject of the study and its modernity at the same time, the researcher in this study adopted many research methods, including the original approach which dealt with the traditional procedures before the administrative judiciary, trying to convert these steps into the electronic image taking into consideration that the aim of the research is not to address the issue A purely abstract theory but rather a legal process pillar; a comparative approach and the experiences of some States that have been interested in the introduction of modern information technology in litigation proceedings; In addition to the use of analytical methodology and the necessity of the subject of the research need to be exposed to various aspects of analysis and scrutiny in order to develop a vision for the development of procedures before the administrative judiciary using modern electronic means, and the size of the gains that will be achieved for both litigants or for the public interest, which is the basis of any public facility which is To make litigation accessible to all litigants with ease and to realize the idea of ​​completed justice. Keywords: Electronic Management, Modern Information Technology, Administrative judiciary, public utilities, Saudi legal authority

In his mature writings, Kuhn describes the process of specialisation as driven by a form of incommensurability, defined as a conceptual/linguistic barrier which promotes and guarantees the insularity of specialties. In this paper, we reject the idea that the incommensurability among scientific specialties is a linguistic barrier. We argue that the problem with Kuhn’s characterisation of the incommensurability among specialties is that he presupposes a rather abstract theory of semantic incommensurability, which he then tries to apply to his description of the process of specialisation. By contrast, this paper follows a different strategy: after criticising Kuhn’s view, it takes a further look at how new scientific specialties emerge. As a result, a different way of understanding incommensurability among specialties will be proposed.

This is the first part of a series devoting to the generalizations and applications of common theorems in variational bifurcation theory. Using parameterized versions of splitting theorems in Morse theory we generalize some famous bifurcation theorems for potential operators by weakening standard assumptions on the differentiability of the involved functionals, which opens up a way of bifurcation studies for quasi-linear elliptic boundary value problems., Comment: 75 pages. Revision and extension for Part I (Abstract bifurcation theory) and Part III (Appendix) in arXiv:1712.03479v2[math.FA]. Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst., (2021) online. First one of a series of papers about author's bifurcation research program