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Structural equation modeling (SEM) is a well-established and frequently applied method in various disciplines. New methods in the context of SEM are being introduced in an ongoing manner. Since formal proof of statistical properties is difficult or impossible, new methods are frequently justified using Monte Carlo simulations. For SEM with covariance-based estimators, several tools are available to perform Monte Carlo simulations. Moreover, several guidelines on how to conduct a Monte Carlo simulation for SEM with these tools have been introduced. In contrast, software to estimate structural equation models with variance-based estimators such as partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) is limited.

As a remedy, the R package cSEM which allows researchers to estimate structural equation models and to perform Monte Carlo simulations for SEM with variance-based estimators has been introduced. This manuscript provides guidelines on how to conduct a Monte Carlo simulation for SEM with variance-based estimators using the R packages cSEM and cSEM.DGP.

The author introduces and recommends a six-step procedure to be followed in conducting each Monte Carlo simulation.

For each of the steps, common design patterns are given. Moreover, these guidelines are illustrated by an example Monte Carlo simulation with ready-to-use R code showing that PLS-PM needs the constructs to be embedded in a nomological net to yield valuable results.

Increasing numbers of convictions for the use of child sexual exploitation material (CSEM) call for enhanced measures to prevent this type of offending. Strength-based approaches such as the good lives model have made significant contributions to the management of offenders who have sexually abused against children. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

The present study explored the application of these models to the rehabilitation and desistance behaviour of CSEM users, based on a thematic analysis of the self-managed desistance strategies employed by 26 offenders.

The findings confirmed the value of strength-based approaches in understanding self-management strategies used to enhance desistance behaviour in CSEM users.

The empirical and theoretical findings were then combined into a conceptual framework aimed to enhance preventative efforts and interventions targeted at undetected CSEM users.

This paper provides the first conceptual and empirical model of prevention and desistance behaviour specific to CSEM offending.

The world’s first time‐of‐flight (TOF) 3D range camera without moving parts, based on a custom solid‐state imaging device is described in this article. With the single exception of the smart‐pixel array, only electronic and optical standard components are used. The range camera does not need any mechanically scanning parts. It acquires 10 range images per second and achieves a resolution of a few centimeters over a distance range of 10‐20 meters for non‐cooperative targets. The illumination source consists of 160 LEDs, modulated at 20MHz, with a total optical power of about 800mW. The description of the smart pixel’s working principle and the presentation of our first 3D measurements are completed with a discussion of the theoretical limitations and a comparison with the system performance.

Coating is a process applied to surface of materials to have thermal insulation, hot corrosion, erosion and oxidation resistance. Due to their combination of high hardness and chemical stability, thin titanium nitride and Tinalox PVD coatings have been successfully established in surface engineering. In the present study, wear and friction characteristics of TiN and Tinalox PVD coated ASME 316L stainless steel were investigated and compared with the substrate. To do this, friction and wear tests were done using Tribotester, S/N: 07‐128 CSEM machine. Also, hardness variation was determined by means of CSEM Nano‐Hardness Tester S/N: 4‐113. It was seen that hardness was increased in TiN and Tinalox coated substrates, while friction coefficient and wear rate decreased.

This paper seeks to detail the fabrication of a glass‐ceramic substrate, based on the LiO₂‐ZrO₂‐SiO₂‐Al₂O₃ (LZSA) system, by laminated object manufacturing (LOM) using water‐based cast tapes.

Small amounts of ZrSiO₄ were added to control the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of the original glass‐ceramic (LZSA5Zr: LZSA+5 wt% ZrSiO₄). In order to verify the influence of the amount and nature of crystalline phases on the thermal and dielectric behavior of the material, LZSA and LZSA5Zr laminates were sintered at 700°C for 30 min and crystallized at either 800 or 850°C for 30 min.

LZSA laminates (sintered and crystallized at 700 and 800°C, respectively) exhibited a relative density of ∼90 percent, a dielectric constant of 8.39, a dielectric loss tangent of 0.031 and TEC of 5.5×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ (25‐550°C). The addition of 5 wt% ZrSiO₄ to original LZSA glass‐ceramics led to a nearly constant TEC value of 6×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ throughout the whole temperature interval (25‐800°C). Dielectric properties of LZSA5Zr did not show any remarkable change when compared to original LZSA.

The thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of LZSA glass‐ceramic laminates fabricated by LOM makes them potential candidates for substrate applications.

This study aims to examine the role of an overall model fit assessment in the context of partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM). In doing so, it will explain when it is important to assess the overall model fit and provides ways of assessing the fit of composite models. Moreover, it will resolve major concerns about model fit assessment that have been raised in the literature on PLS-PM.

This paper explains when and how to assess the fit of PLS path models. Furthermore, it discusses the concerns raised in the PLS-PM literature about the overall model fit assessment and provides concise guidelines on assessing the overall fit of composite models.

This study explains that the model fit assessment is as important for composite models as it is for common factor models. To assess the overall fit of composite models, researchers can use a statistical test and several fit indices known through structural equation modeling (SEM) with latent variables.

Researchers who use PLS-PM to assess composite models that aim to understand the mechanism of an underlying population and draw statistical inferences should take the concept of the overall model fit seriously.

To facilitate the overall fit assessment of composite models, this study presents a two-step procedure adopted from the literature on SEM with latent variables.

This paper clarifies that the necessity to assess model fit is not a question of which estimator will be used (PLS-PM, maximum likelihood, etc). but of the purpose of statistical modeling. Whereas, the model fit assessment is paramount in explanatory modeling, it is not imperative in predictive modeling.

In the face of the enormous rise in digital fraud and criminality, resulting in diverse afflictions to millions of user-victims, emanating from users’ horizontal interactive and transactive exchanges on the internet, but due significantly to internet’s deregulation and anonymity, this study aims to showcase the need for a socially grounded self-regulation. It holds, that this is feasible and that it can be achieved through large scale, comprehensive digital communication education (DCE) programs.

The composite methodology of the study comprises four types of components, namely, analytic, exploratory-discursive, constructionist and propositional. The construction-creation element consists of the design of an original combinational research tool: triangular relational pattern (TRP). Through TRPs, researchers can locate the types of relations involved between three implicated entities, namely, the affliction, the culprit and the victim and can study them in-depth. Subsequently, based on the TRP, DCE programs are composed, which are, also, proposed to be deployed by educational authorities and digital civil society associations.

The created, applied here and proposed TRPs can be used by other researchers aiming to locate, map and analyze the variants of internet criminality and victimhood and their implications across the global frontierless world and in the digital human condition, educational purposes but also to create social cohesion.

The study offers two original contributions. The TRP as a significant relational research tool-grid. The DCE programs that are linked to the repertories of digital relations and can be introduced in the general education programs.

The purpose of this study is threefold: (1) to propose partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) as a way to estimate models containing composites of composites and to compare the performance of the PLS-PM approaches in this context, (2) to provide and evaluate two testing procedures to assess the overall fit of such models and (3) to introduce user-friendly step-by-step guidelines.

A simulation is conducted to examine the PLS-PM approaches and the performance of the two proposed testing procedures.

The simulation results show that the two-stage approach, its combination with the repeated indicators approach and the extended repeated indicators approach perform similarly. However, only the former is Fisher consistent. Moreover, the simulation shows that guidelines neglecting model fit assessment miss an important opportunity to detect misspecified models. Finally, the results show that both testing procedures based on the two-stage approach allow for assessment of the model fit.

Analysts who estimate and assess models containing composites of composites should use the authors’ guidelines, since the majority of existing guidelines neglect model fit assessment and thus omit a crucial step of structural equation modeling.

This study contributes to the understanding of the discussed approaches. Moreover, it highlights the importance of overall model fit assessment and provides insights about testing the fit of models containing composites of composites. Based on these findings, step-by-step guidelines are introduced to estimate and assess models containing composites of composites.