When and why does sense of power hinder self-reported helping behavior? Testing a moderated mediation model in Chinese undergraduates

Many studies on power and its influence on pro-social behavior have been conducted with Western samples. Little is known about whether the relevant research findings can be extended to other cultural settings. This study investigates the relationship between sense of power and self-reported helping behavior in Chinese culture. Using a sample of 388 undergraduate students, this study examines a moderated mediation model in which moral identity serves as a moderator and perspective taking serves as a mediator. The results show that sense of power is negatively associated with helping behavior, and this association is mediated by perspective taking. That is, sense of power exerts a negative effect on perspective taking, thereby decreasing people's tendency to help others. In addition, moral identity moderates the direct and indirect effect from sense of power to helping behavior. Specifically, when moral identity is low, sense of power exerts negative effects on perspective taking and helping behavior, but these effects become non-significant when moral identity is high. This study sheds new light on the understanding of sense of power by examining its profound role in influencing pro-social engagement in Eastern cultures. Our findings suggest that powerful people with lower levels of moral identity may be less willing to consider others' thoughts and feelings, and act less helping behavior. While high moral identity may buffer the negative effect of sense of power and enable powerful people to better play a role in promoting social harmony.     

Microstructure evolution of Al-15% Si alloy during hot rolling

ABSTRACT

A direct chill (DC) cast Al-15% Si alloy was processed by hot rolling with a single pass at a temperature of 520°C with a thickness reduction of 80%. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to investigate the evolution of the sample’s microstructure. After hot rolling, silicon particles homogeneously distributed in the Al matrix with fine equiaxed grains of average size ～ 0.95?μm. High-angle boundaries (HABs) (about ～75.8% in percentage) dominate in the Al matrix structure. There is evidence for Si-particle-stimulated continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) during hot rolling.     

Microstructure and martensitic transformation behaviors of a Ti–Ni–Hf–Cu high-temperature shape memory alloy ribbon

The Ti₃₆Ni₄₁Hf₁₅Cu₈ melt-spun ribbon undergoes a B2 ? B19′ transformation upon cooling and heating. When the Ti₃₆Ni₄₁Hf₁₅Cu₈ melt-spun ribbon is annealed at 873 K for 1 h, the spherical (Ti, Hf)₂Ni particles with a diameter of 20–40 nm precipitate in the grain interior. The fine (Ti, Hf)₂Ni precipitates improve the stability of phase transformation temperatures and cause martensite domains, with (001) compound twins in three orientations dominant instead of (011) type I twins. {111}-, {113}- and (001)//{111}-type boundaries are observed among these martensite domains. When the (Ti,Hf)₂Ni precipitates coarsen, (011) type I twins become main martensite structures in the ribbon annealed at 973 K for 1 h.     

Fractal patterns in Au–Ta multilayer films upon ion beam mixing

Metallic glass has been formed in Au₅₀Ta₅₀ multilayer films upon 200?keV xenon ion mixing at an irradiation dose of 1?×?10¹⁵?Xe⁺/cm². Electron diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analysis confirm that the metallic glass consists of two amorphous phases, evolved from Au and Ta lattices, respectively, and also reveal the formation of a fractal morphology with a fractal dimension of 1.73?±?0.05 in the dual-phase glass features. In similar Au₆₅Ta₃₅ multilayer films, a fractal pattern is also observed at a dose of 1?×?10¹⁵?Xe⁺/cm², while the pattern, with a fractal dimension of 1.74?±?0.05, is composed in this case of a crystalline Au-based solid solution and a Ta-based amorphous phase. Interestingly, the fractal dimensions of the two irradiation-induced fractal patterns match quite well with that expected on a cluster diffusion-limited aggregation model.     

Alloying effects on sulphur embrittlement of the γ-γ′ interface of nickel-based single-crystal superalloys

Fully first-principles calculations have been performed to investigate the alloying effect on the sulphur embrittlement of the n - n ' interface of nickel-based single-crystal superalloys. The shear and cohesive strengths of the inter-face are calculated in terms of Mayer bond orders (BOs), and the ratio R BO of shear strength over cohesive strength is analysed as a function of alloying element substitution. The interface characteristics are also studied using the electron charge-density distribution. It is found that the interplay between shear and cohesive strengths has a significant influence on the interfacial embrittlement. Using the phenomenological theory of fracture as well as the calculated ratio R BO, we propose a new mechanism responsible for relieving sulphur embrittlement of the n - n ' interface through alloying substitution.     

Shear horizontal surface waves in piezoelectric materials with surface stress

ABSTRACT

The propagation of shear horizontal (SH) surface waves in piezoelectric semi-infinite bodies is investigated theoretically. The surface stress exerting on the boundary is taken into account through surface piezoelectricity theory, and the velocity ranges and existence conditions of such surface waves for both electrically open and shorted cases are derived in detail. Analysis results show that the SH surface waves occurring with surface stress are dispersive in contrast to the classical situation, and the propagation characteristics strongly depend on the relative value of surface elasticity, surface piezoelectricity and surface density.     

The dissemination and research of Laszlo's systems philosophy in China

Since the 1980s, the so‐called “new six‐theory” (Dissipative structure theory, Synergetics theory, Catastrophe theory, Chaos theory, Fractal theory, and Hypercycle theory), different from the traditional “systems theory,” “information theory,” and “cybernetics theory” (the “old three theory") has been introduced into China. With it, Laszlo's systems philosophy has been given close attention by Chinese scholars. The main elements of this work are analyzed in terms of the publication and research of Laszlo's work on systems philosophy, and more specifically on systems philosophy and the theory of knowledge, systems philosophy and general evolution theory, systems philosophy and the theory of value, and systems philosophy and metaphysics.     

When the West Meets the East: Cultural Clash and Its Impacts on Anomie in a Sample of Chinese Adolescents

ABSTRACT

Criminological studies conducted in China have highlighted the important role of Chinese culture and anomie theory in explaining crime patterns and delinquency among adolescents. None of the studies, however, have empirically tested the relationship between cultural attachment and anomie. The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of ethnic identity associated with cultural attachment on anomie in the Chinese social setting. Specifically, the effects of both attachment to conventional Chinese culture and attachment to Western popular culture (WPC) were examined; the interaction between the two may shed some important light on how culture and cultural conflict can lead to anomie among Chinese adolescents. The data analyzed were collected from a sample of more than 6,500 middle school students. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the hypothesized relationships. The study found that attachment to traditional Chinese cultural values, especially showing respect to conventional figures/values, reduces anomie among adolescents. In contrast, attraction to WPC and being socially labeled as a big fan of WPC elevate the levels of anomie reported by the students. Reflections on cultural conflict and relevant policy implications are provided in the “Discussions and conclusions” section.