Effects of a flexible joint on instability of a free-free jointed bipartite beam under the follower and transversal forces

This paper deals with the problem of the instability regions of a free-free flexible jointed bipartite beam under the follower and transversal forces as a realistic simulation of a two-stage aerospace structure. The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of the characteristics of a flexible joint on the beam instability to use maximum bearable propulsion force. A parametric study is conducted to investigate the effects of the stiffness and the location of the joint on the critical follower force by the Ritz method and the Newmark method, then to research the vibrational properties of the structure. It has been shown that the nature of instability is quite unpredictable and dependent on the stiffness and the location of the joint. The increase of the follower force or the transversal force will increase the vibration of the model and consequently cause a destructive phenomenon in the control system of the aerospace structure. Furthermore, this paper introduces a new concept of the parametric approach to analyze the characteristics effects of a flexible two-stage aerospace structure joint design.     

The Relationship of Locus of Control and Metacognitive Knowledge of Math with Math Achievements

The purpose of the research was to examine the correlation between locus of control and metacognitive knowledge in math and math achievement among students with learning disabilities. We examined 30 eighth grade pupils with learning disabilities and 30 other pupils all of whom studied in a heterogeneous class in a public school in order to better understand the extent to which the variables: metacognitive knowledge, locus of control and achievement in math differed in the two populations. The pupils answered three questionnaires: the first was designed to study the locus of control, the second, to investigate metacognitive knowledge and the third, to measure math achievement. The findings of this study indicate that the higher the level of the internal locus of control, the higher the use of metacognitive knowledge. Furthermore, higher levels of internal locus of control and higher use of metacognitive knowledge resulted in increased math achievement.     

Israeli public diplomacy toward the United States: a network and narrative approach

Israel’s public diplomacy efforts in the U.S. are aimed at garnering American public support for Israeli foreign policy. This study aims to identify the networks of Israeli public diplomacy toward the United States. Using the theoretical frameworks of networked public diplomacy and strategic narrative, the authors try to understand how network strategy is used and information is circulated to create a strategic narrative. Therefore, the two methods of social network analysis and qualitative content analysis are applied to identify the networks of Israeli public diplomacy in the United States and the content produced by it. The study finds that in Israel’s public diplomacy model, the networking method stands in contrast to its government-oriented strategic narrative. Thus, new forms of communication are applied to conduct old strategies. The research identifies four types of actors who apply new public diplomacy techniques and dissects the strategic narrative they employ to affect the American public in the service of Israeli interests. Despite the effort to apply new forms of public diplomacy, strategic narrative production and dissemination remain highly governmental and closed, which is indicative of the persistence of old forms of public diplomacy.