This work presents a comprehensive discrete modeling framework for coupled three-dimensional thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) applications involving localized failure. The discrete beam lattice formulation for non-isothermal saturated porous materials is capable of capturing complex spatial failure mechanisms. At the same time, the study addresses one of the main limitations of discrete lattice modeling, namely the selection of discrete input parameters and their relationship to continuum-equivalent properties. To overcome this issue, parameter calibration is performed by using a Bayesian inverse modeling procedure. First, a thermoelastic consolidation benchmark is considered, enabling the identification of key thermal, hydraulic, and coupling parameters, along with stiffness correction factors required to reproduce the corresponding continuum response. Next, an undrained heating test on a fully saturated specimen is used to capture thermal pressurization. Finally, the discrete beam lattice model is applied to an undrained compression test, with progressive failure and development of three-dimensional strain localization under coupled THM conditions.
Maritime traffic complexity (MTC) is a key metric of navigational difficulty. Existing MTC models share a common limitation: they assess complexity almost exclusively through vessel-interaction geometry derived from Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, neglecting the environmental and operational conditions that shape real navigational difficulty. This paper introduces multidimensional maritime traffic complexity (MDMTC) and MATRIX, the framework that operationalises it. MATRIX decomposes complexity into three conceptually distinct dimensions, geometrical, environmental, and traffic-characteristic, resolved into twelve normalised sub-indices and combined, through a weighted quadratic mean, into a single spatially resolved index on the unit interval. The weights couple the Analytic Network Process, elicited from seventeen experts with inter-criteria dependencies, with Shannon entropy weighting from a large empirical sample. Three seven-day case studies on real AIS and environmental data demonstrate the framework: introducing offshore wind farms as the only manipulated variable raises the mean index from 0.33 to 0.52 through the constraint sub-index alone, while a severe-weather episode drives an area to a critical state that a geometry-only model would miss. Against twenty deck officers rating twenty scenarios, the index agrees strongly with expert judgement (Spearman rho = 0.90), a convergent, perception-based validation. MATRIX supports vessel traffic services, offshore-infrastructure assessment, and autonomous navigation.
With the growing share of distributed energy sources and energy storage, the problem of high-voltage line overloads is becoming one of the key challenges of modern power systems. This paper proposes a method to eliminate transmission line overloads by coordinating power changes among selected generation units, loads, and energy storage units, with network reconfiguration as needed. A key element of the proposed approach is identifying the controllable elements most strongly associated with overload patterns in post-contingency scenarios. These elements were identified using statistical correlation coefficients describing the relationship between line loading levels and the power generated, consumed, or stored at individual buses. Correlation analysis was used to determine a subset of candidate elements most relevant to the observed overload patterns, thereby reducing the dimension of the control problem. The proposed approach enables effective overload reduction while simultaneously reducing the problem's dimensionality. The results indicate that it can be a useful tool supporting network management under conditions of high generation and load variability.
This study examines the influence of facilitation preference on the desirability of four volunteering benefits: feeling useful, positive social interactions, helping others, and having an enjoyable experience. The moderating effects of brand strength on the proposed relationships are also examined. Data were collected (N = 490) from an online survey panel and analyzed using PLS-SEM. The results indicate that facilitation preference has a positive influence on all four desired benefits of volunteering, confirming its relevance for volunteer recruitment. The results also confirm the negative moderating role of brand strength, weakening the proposed relationships between facilitation preference and the relative desirability of two benefits, feeling useful and positive social interactions. We propose that by increasing the organization's brand strength, individuals' reliance on social reassurance associated with facilitation preference is attenuated. Practical implications, limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Although cyber risk is widely recognized as a critical organizational threat, how firms configure internal roles and practices to address it remains poorly understood. This study offers insights into that question. In practice, two professional roles share the job of cyber risk assessment and assurance: cybersecurity specialists, who focus on the technical side of assurance, and internal auditors, who focus on governance, processes, and compliance. Drawing on 36 interviews across a range of organizations, we explain how these professional roles collaborate, when collaboration breaks down, and why working together is often difficult. We identify five common patterns of working across professional boundaries, ranging from rival parallel assessments to genuinely integrated work. As exposure to cyber threats rises because of regulation, critical operations, or greater digital dependence, accountability pressures increase, and managers and professionals spanning across the two professional roles act as connectors and engage in coordination across domains. We also show how standard risk-management templates and reporting tools can shift from being symbolic checklists to becoming practical coordination mechanisms. Overall, the study offers a framework for building more integrated cyber risk assessment and assurance, with relevance for other emerging risks that demand cross-functional expertise. Bien que le cyberrisque soit largement reconnu comme une menace s & eacute;rieuse pour les organisations, les modalit & eacute;s selon lesquelles les entreprises d & eacute;finissent les r & ocirc;les et les pratiques en interne pour y faire face restent floues. Cette & eacute;tude apporte un & eacute;clairage plus complet sur cette question. Dans la pratique, le travail entourant l'& eacute;valuation et l'assurance des cyberrisques est partag & eacute; par deux r & ocirc;les professionnels : les sp & eacute;cialistes en cybers & eacute;curit & eacute;, qui se concentrent sur les aspects techniques de l'assurance, et les auditeurs internes, qui se concentrent sur la gouvernance, les processus et la conformit & eacute;. En s'appuyant sur 36 entretiens men & eacute;s au sein de diverses organisations, les auteurs & eacute;tudient les modes de collaboration entre ces r & ocirc;les professionnels, les points de rupture des liens de collaboration, et les causes des difficult & eacute;s r & eacute;currentes li & eacute;es au travail commun. Ils identifient cinq tendances communes inh & eacute;rentes au travail interprofessionnel, allant de la r & eacute;alisation simultan & eacute;e d'& eacute;valuations concurrentes & agrave; un travail v & eacute;ritablement int & eacute;gr & eacute;. & Agrave; mesure que le niveau d'exposition aux cybermenaces augmente en raison de la r & eacute;glementation, des op & eacute;rations essentielles ou d'une plus grande d & eacute;pendance num & eacute;rique, les pressions en mati & egrave;re de responsabilit & eacute; s'intensifient. D & egrave;s lors, les gestionnaires et les professionnels occupant ces deux r & ocirc;les professionnels agissent comme des connecteurs et assurent la coordination entre les domaines. Les auteurs d & eacute;crivent & eacute;galement comment les mod & egrave;les standard de gestion de risques et les outils de communication de rapports peuvent & eacute;voluer d'un usage symbolique (listes de v & eacute;rification) & agrave; un usage pratique (m & eacute;canismes de coordination). Dans l'ensemble, l'& eacute;tude propose un cadre pour d & eacute;velopper une approche plus int & eacute;gr & eacute;e de l'& eacute;valuation et de l'assurance des cyberrisques, applicable & agrave; d'autres risques & eacute;mergents n & eacute;cessitant une expertise interfonctionnelle.
