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The analysis of certain structures must be performed with due consideration to non‐linear behavior, such as material and geometric non‐linearities. The existing methods for treating non‐linear structural behavior generally make use of repeated linearization, such as load increment methods. This paper demonstrates that there is an alternative type of linearization that appears to have significant advantages when applied to the analysis of non‐linear structural systems. Briefly stated, this alternative linearization can be thought of as a “monomialization”. This monomial (single‐termed power function) approximation more faithfully models the power function behavior inherent in typical structural systems. Conveniently, it becomes a linear form when transformed into log space. Thus, computational tools based on linear algebra remain useful and effective. Preliminary results indicate that the monomial approximation provides a higher quality approximation to non‐linear phenomena exhibited in structural applications. Consequently, incremental and iterative methods become more effective because larger steps can be taken. The net result is an increase in reliability of the solution process and a significant reduction in computational effort. Two examples are presented to demonstrate the method.

The numerical treatment of non‐linear engineering phenomena often involves some sort of mathematical simplification. In many cases, the system under investigation is linearized about an operating point using the linear part of the Taylor’s series expansion. This allows local representation for use in incremental or iterative methods using well‐established computational tools for linear algebra. Demonstrates a different linearization technique that generally provides a higher quality fit to a certain class of functions than the standard Taylor linearization. This class of functions is general enough to represent all systems of algebraic equations. Presents a graphical demonstration of the quality of fit along with a discussion of why this alternative linearization provides a high quality fit. Also presents an engineering application of the linearization.

While women in most European societies still carry the largest burden in caring for the family, there is also an important unrealised learning interest among women. This has an impact on women's labour market and career opportunities. This paper aims at analysing empirically the role of family obligations in women's ability to realise their learning interests and how this differs across societal and institutional contexts across Europe.

The paper makes use of the second wave of Adult Education Survey from 2011, including data from 22 European countries. The article focuses on women aged 25–55 – an age group most affected by parental obligations. Logistic regression models are used to compare the effect that children in the household have on women's learning barriers across country groups of different family policy arrangements.

The results confirm empirically the situational nature of family barriers to learning as they grow and decline depending on the age of children. However, the level of intensity and the period when family-related barriers remain relevant for women vary across European countries.

This paper provides new insights into how women's caring obligations shape their labour market and career opportunities, focussing on the ability to take up adult learning. Involving data from 22 countries, including Eastern European countries, provides a broad look into the differing contexts shaping women's opportunities across Europe.

As often in project scheduling, when the project duration is shortened to reduce total cost, the total float is lost resulting in more critical or nearly critical activities. This, in turn, results in reducing the probability of completing the project on time and increases the risk of schedule delays. The objective of project management is to complete the scope of work on time, within budget in a safe fashion of risk to maximize overall project success. The purpose of this paper is to present an effective algorithm, named as adaptive multiple objective differential evolution (DE) for project scheduling with time, cost and risk trade-off (AMODE-TCR).

In this paper, a multi-objective optimization model for project scheduling is developed using DE algorithm. The AMODE modifies a population-based search procedure by using adaptive mutation strategy to prevent the optimization process from becoming a purely random or a purely greedy search. An elite archiving scheme is adopted to store elite solutions and by aptly using members of the archive to direct further search.

A numerical construction project case study demonstrates the ability of AMODE in generating non-dominated solutions to assist project managers to select an appropriate plan to optimize TCR problem, which is an operation that is typically difficult and time-consuming. Comparisons between the AMODE and currently widely used multiple objective algorithms verify the efficiency and effectiveness of the developed algorithm. The proposed model is expected to help project managers and decision makers in successfully completing the project on time and reduced risk by utilizing the available information and resources.

The paper presented a novel model that has three main contributions: First, this paper presents an effective and efficient adaptive multiple objective algorithms named as AMODE for producing optimized schedules considering time, cost and risk simultaneously. Second, the study introduces the effect of total float loss and resource control in order to enhance the schedule flexibility and reduce the risk of project delays. Third, the proposed model is capable of operating automatically without any human intervention.

ABERDEEN, the “Granite City,” the “Silver City by the Sea,” the great headquarters of the grey granite trade, and one of the busiest and most influential mercantile cities in Scotland, has a name which is known throughout the civilized world, and a fame which has penetrated to nearly every quarter of the habitable globe. The writing of all that might legitimately be written concerning this remarkable, and in many cases unique, community of “ hard‐headed Aberdonians ” (as they are usually styled), would fill many large volumes, and as we have neither the time nor the space for the compilation of such a work of history and description as this would imply, our readers must be content with an unpretentious historical survey of what is of more immediate interest to them, viz. : the chief libraries belonging to the city of Aberdeen. These are two in number—the Library of the University and the Public Library.

Project managers bear the responsibility of selecting and developing resource scheduling methods that align with project requirements and organizational circumstances. This study focuses on resource-constrained project scheduling in multi-project environments. The research simplifies the problem by adopting a single-project perspective using gain coefficients.

It employs uncertainty theory and multi-objective programming to construct a model. The optimal solution is identified using Matlab, while LINGO determines satisfactory alternatives. By combining these methods and considering actual construction project situations, a compromise solution closely approximating the optimal one is derived.

The study provides fresh insights into modeling and resolving resource-constrained project scheduling issues, supported by real-world examples that effectively illustrate its practical significance.

The research highlights three main contributions: effective resource utilization, project prioritization and conflict management, and addressing uncertainty. It offers decision support for project managers to balance resource allocation, resolve conflicts, and adapt to changing project demands.

NO MAN OF LETTERS has ever more closely identified himself with his country's historical lore and traditions than Sir Walter Scott: as poet and novelist his place in Scottish literature is secure. Abbotsford, the house he transformed into a replica of a medieval Scottish baronial castle, all turrets and gables, weapons and armour, is a national literary shrine. The memoirs of his life and work written by his son‐in‐law, John Gibson Lockhart, are widely acknowledged as a biographical tour de force. All this is well known and needs no emphasizing here. It is therefore all the more strange that the library he built at Abbotsford and the sizeable collection of books he amassed there have received very little attention in recent years. He has rarely been mentioned as one of the great book collectors, yet many of the books and broadsheets to be found in his library are now almost unprocurable elsewhere. A study of an eminent author's library always proves rewarding and the library at Abbotsford is no exception. Indeed, perhaps even more than usual, this particular library reflects the literary interests of its owner. Certainly, Scott's love of books very quickly emerges.

HIS holidays over, before the individual and strenuous winter work of his library begins, the wise librarian concentrates for a few weeks on the Annual Meeting of the Library Association. This year the event is of unusual character and of great interest. Fifty years of public service on the part of devoted workers are to be commemorated, and there could be no more fitting place for the commemoration than Edinburgh. It is a special meeting, too, in that for the first time for many years the Library Association gathering will take a really international complexion. If some too exacting critics are forward to say that we have invited a very large number of foreign guests to come to hear themselves talk, we may reply that we want to hear them. There is a higher significance in the occasion than may appear on the surface—for an effort is to be made in the direction of international co‐operation. In spite of the excellent work of the various international schools, we are still insular. Now that the seas are open and a trip to America costs little more than one to (say) Italy, we hope that the way grows clearer to an almost universal co‐working amongst libraries. It is overdue. May our overseas guests find a real atmosphere of welcome, hospitality and friendship amongst us this memorable September!

The purpose of this paper is to theorize the institutional pillars of management accounting function.

The paper adopts a comparative case study approach.

Institutional pillars of management accounting are explored on the basis of two longitudinal case studies. Competitive/economic forces and three analytical elements of institutional theory are composing institutions: regulative, normative and cultural‐cognitive pillars. Each element is important, and all of them may work in combination, but they operate through distinctive mechanisms and processes. This paper illustrates how they provide the basis for compliance, order and the legitimacy of not the whole organization, nor of the management accounting systems but of the management accounting function. This “organizational legitimacy” of management accounting function may provide one potential additional explanation for the change and stability of management accounting in organizations.

This paper creates an institutional interpretation of accounting change or stability at the level of an accounting function. It illustrates how the pressure for change or stability in management accounting is collectively constituted in organisations, how it is given meaning and how individuals are making sense of things, i.e. how accounting is institutionally embedded.