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At present, electric vehicle (EV) development has been widely accepted as a coping strategy by countries encountering environmental issues. However, there remain some uncertainties surrounding the future of China's EV industry. The super-network provides an effective solution to the research on optimising subject decisions in a multilevel network model. On this basis, a closed-loop super-network model of the EV industrial chain system is proposed, which involves four different participants: EV manufacturer, sales company, consumer market, and recycling company. Furthermore, the variables are extracted based on practice, the behavioural strategies of each participant are analysed, and the dynamic equilibrium is determined with variational inequalities. Through numerical analyses, a further study is conducted on the main influencing factors and the extent of their impact on the dynamic equilibrium of the system. According to the results, the main research questions are answered, and some suggestions are made on the formulation of appropriate regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpreting William Blake's epic Jerusalem from the dual perspectives of literary economics and East-West relations may provide a new theoretical perspective for examining the changes in literary economic thought of the British Romantic period. From the perspective of the demarcation of Blake studies, it can be observed that Blake, as a producer of artworks and books, participated in the emerging market of the British Romantic period. The discourses of the social criticism school, the classical tradition school, and the textual study school are respectively based on the examination of the relationship between Blake's artistic creation and the market in different ways. From the interdisciplinary perspective of literary economics, it can be seen that Jerusalem's reflection on the reality of social transformation in the Romantic period can be corroborated with the contemporaneous rise of the marginalist economic thought, which can be analyzed from two aspects: first, the principle of diminishing marginal utility aligns with Blake's artistic innovation practice; second, the principle of dynamic equilibrium resonates with the complex symbolism of Blake's epics. Accordingly, Blake reshaped the national imagination of Romantic-period Britain in two ways: one is the idealized vision of the nation symbolized by the giant Albion; the other is the reconstruction of the East-West relations symbolized by the relationship among Albion, Jerusalem, and Vala. Blake's imagination reconfigured the schema of East-West relations, embodying the influence of literary art on social reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document provides a concise summary of an article discussing the synthesis and analysis of 5,7,8,10-tetraphenyl-1,14-dianilinotripyrrins. The study explores the structural changes and properties of these compounds in response to different environments and substituents. The article provides detailed information on the synthesis, structures, and spectroscopic analysis of the synthesized compounds. The findings suggest potential applications as near-infrared emitters and further research on the photophysical dynamics of tripyrrins is ongoing. The document also acknowledges funding support and provides access to additional supporting information online. [Extracted from the article]

The phenomenon of isothermal supersaturation of solutions in a porous medium at ion exchange is studied on the basis of mathematical modeling. The phenomenon consists in the fact that the solution with concentration significantly higher than the maximal solubility of the substance is formed in the pores of sorbent and no precipitation occurs. The question of why sediment does not appear in the pores between the grains is investigated in the article. It is shown that the phenomenon under consideration can be explained by the effect of dynamic equilibrium between the association of condensed phase particles in the inner part of the pores, their diffusion, and decomposition near the surface of the sorbent grains caused by a change in potential. The degree of possible supersaturation of the solution is estimated depending on the process parameters. The proposed hypothesis is confirmed by quantitative studies using the available experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different tasks and proxy measurements have been employed to evaluate dynamic balance in older individuals. However, due to inherent limitations, results from most evaluations could hardly be taken as valid measurements of dynamic balance. Is the Equidyn smartphone application-based protocol valid and sensitive for assessment of dynamic balance in older adults? Dynamic balance was evaluated in 52 physically active individuals, age range 60–80 years (M = 69.36). The dynamic tasks were one-leg sway either in the mediolateral (ML) or anteroposterior (AP) direction while supported on the contralateral leg, and cyclic sit-to-stand with a narrow support base. These tasks were performed under standardized movement amplitude and rhythm. Outcomes were correlated with unipedal quiet standing. A smartphone was attached to the trunk backside, and a custom-made application (Equidyn) was employed to provide guidance throughout evaluation, timed beeps to pace the movements, and three-dimensional trunk acceleration measurement for balance evaluation. Our data showed (a) that both ML and AP leg sway tasks were sensitive to aging and to direction of leg sway movements; (b) referenced to quiet unipedal stance, moderate/strong correlations for the ML/AP leg sway tasks and moderate correlations for the sit-to-stand task; and (c) moderate/strong correlations between the ML and AP leg sway tasks, and moderate correlations between the sit-to-stand and the two unipedal dynamic tasks in the ML acceleration direction. The current results support the conclusion that the Equidyn protocol is a sensitive and valid tool to evaluate dynamic balance in healthy older individuals. The protocol tasks standardized in amplitude and rhythm favor their reproducibility and trunk acceleration data interpretation. As the whole assessment is made through a smartphone application, this dynamic balance evaluation could be made in a low-cost simple way both in the laboratory and clinical settings. • Protocol test of dynamic balance for older people based on a smartphone application. • Trunk acceleration measure in challenging paced movements standardized in amplitude. • Results indicated sensibility of dynamic balance measure to age and task requirements. • Moderate/strong correlations with trunk acceleration values on unipedal quiet stance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to advance the understanding of paradoxes, underlying tensions and potential management strategies when integrating digital technologies into existing lean-based production systems (LPSs), with the aim of achieving synergies and fostering the development of production systems. Design/methodology/approach: This study adopts a collaborative management research (CMR) approach to identify patterns of organisational tensions and paradoxes and explore management strategies to overcome them. The data were collected through interviews and focus group interviews with experts on lean and/or digital technologies from the companies, from documents and from workshops with the in-case researchers. Findings: The findings of this paper provide insights into the salient organisational paradoxes embraced in the integration of digital technologies in LPS by identifying different aspects of the performing, organising, learning and belonging paradoxes. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate the intricacies and relatedness between different paradoxes and their resolutions, and more specifically, how a resolution strategy adopted to manage one paradox might unintentionally generate new tensions. This, in turn, calls for either re-contextualising actions to counteract the drift or the adoption of new resolution strategies. Originality/value: This paper adds perspective to operations management (OM) research through the use of paradox theory, and we (1) provide a fine-grained perspective on why integration sometimes "fails" and label the forces of internal drift as mechanisms of imbalances and (2) provide detailed insights into how different management and resolution strategies are adopted, especially by identifying re-contextualising actions as a key to rebalancing organisational paradoxes in favour of the integration of digital technologies in LPSs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hanging rope problem is considered. The rope is subject to rotation with the rotation axis being parallel to the rope. Using a continuum model and the basic principles of dynamics, the differential equation governing the motion is derived. The dynamic equilibrium case without vibrational motion is assumed in deriving the equation. The equation is cast into a dimensionless form first. It is shown that there are two dimensionless parameters affecting the motion, the dimensionless angular velocity parameter and the dimensionless radius of rotation. The differential equation is solved exactly as well as approximately and the effects of parameters on the motion are discussed in detail. The problem can be discussed in a mechanics or differential equation course at the undergraduate level within the context of applications of differential equations to real-world problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, High Resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopes and selected experimental conditions were used to screen the colloidal system. The obtained results complement the established knowledge regarding the mechanism of nanoparticle formation. The process of gold nanoparticles formation involves a two-step reduction of Au ions to Au(0); atom association and metastable cluster formation; autocatalytic cluster growth; ultra-small particle formation (1–2 nm, in diameter); particle growth and larger particles formation; and further autocatalytic crystal growth (D > 100 nm). As a reductant of Au(III) ions, a cinnamon extract was used. It was confirmed that eugenol as one of the cinnamon extract compounds is responsible for fast Au(III) ion reduction, whereas cinnamaldehyde acts as a gold-particle stabilizer. Spectrophotometry studies were carried out to track kinetic traces of gold nanoparticle (D > 2 nm) formation in the colloidal solution. Using the Watzky—Finke model, the rate constants of nucleation and autocatalytic growth were determined. Moreover, the values of energy, enthalpy and entropy of activation for stages related to the process of nanoparticle formation (Index 1 relates to nucleation, and Index 2 relates to the growth) were determined and found to be E1 = 70.6 kJ, E2 = 19.6 kJ, ΔH1 = 67.9 kJ/mol, ΔH2 = 17 kJ/mol, ΔS1 = −76.2 J/(K·mol), ΔS2 = −204.2 J/(K·mol), respectively. In this work the limitation of each technique (spectrophotometry vs. HRSTEM) as a complex tool to understand the dynamic of the colloidal system was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article develops a method for determining the areas of attraction of trajectories by stable points of dynamic equilibrium. This method is based on determining a line separating these areas. In the case of n-fold equilibrium states, there are a maximum of (n + 1)/2 regions of attraction. This is the maximum number of stable states. It may also happen that none of the states are stable and then there will not be any area of attraction. The number of all states n is odd. In the case of single stable states, we are dealing with one unlimited region of attraction. In the case of three-fold equilibrium states, two of which are stable, there are two regions of attraction, etc. In this study, the case of three-fold dynamic equilibrium states of a chemical tank reactor is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behavior of two immiscible low-viscosity liquids differing in density and viscosity in a vertical flat layer undergoing modulated rotation is experimentally studied. The layer has a circular axisymmetric boundary. In the absence of modulation of the rotation speed, the interphase boundary has the shape of a short axisymmetric cylinder. A new effect has been discovered, under the influence of rotation speed modulation, the interface takes on a new dynamic equilibrium state. A more viscous liquid covers the end boundaries of the layer in the form of thin films, which have the shape of round spots of almost constant radius; with increasing amplitude of the velocity modulation, the wetting boundary expands. It is found that upon reaching the critical amplitude of oscillations, the film of a viscous liquid loses stability, and the outer edge of the wetting spot collapses and takes on a feathery structure. It is shown that this threshold is caused by the development of the Kelvin--Helmholtz oscillatory instability of the film. The spreading radius of a spot of light viscous liquid and its stability are studied depending on the rotation rate, amplitude, and frequency of rotation speed modulation. The discovered averaged effects are determined by different oscillatory interaction of fluids with the end-walls of the cell, due to different viscosities. The effect of films forming can find application in technological processes to intensify mass transfer at interphase boundaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematical models are an integral part of science that play a huge role in predicting processes. These models are usually made based on data corresponding to events (in the past) or laboratory data.According to our studies, all mathematical models (absorption isotherm, absorption kinetics, precipitation-runoff and kinetics of water infiltration into the soil) have deficiencies, some of which are related to the lack of knowledge of boundary conditions. Also, some models that are more accurate are also very complicated due to their experimental nature.The purpose of this study is to introduce a law that can be used to determine the limiting conditions of mass curves and to obtain mathematical models suitable for mass curves. In other words, this law can help a lot to build models, especially models based on equilibrium systems in the field of crime.In order to introduce the law of “irreversibility', past studies in various scientific departments have been used, including: chemistry (surface chemistry) and physics (hydrology and water-soil). Also, the author's experiences in building many models in different scientific fields have been used.In order to achieve the goals of the study, walnut green shell (GWH) and its biochar (GWHB) adsorbents to remove heavy metals (Fe+2, Pb+2, Zn+2, Ni+2, Cd+2, Cu+2) used. The results showed that the capacity calculated by Shamhammadi isotherm model is equal to the capacity calculated by pseudo-second-order (PSO) model, but the average capacity calculated by Shamhammadi model (and PSO model) is between 20 % (GWH) and 66 % (GWHB) is higher than the average capacity calculated by the Langmuir model.

ABSTRACTTidal wetlands provide a variety of ecosystem services to coastal communities but suffer severe losses due to anthropogenic activities in the Yangtze River Estuary (YRE). However, the detailed dynamics of tidal wetlands have not been well studied with sufficient spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we proposed a rapid classification method that integrates the COntinuous monitoring of Land Disturbance (COLD) algorithm and Median Composite (MC) based on the dense Landsat time series to track the dynamic processes of tidal wetlands in the YRE from 1990 to 2020. The results showed that the COLD-MC demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in detecting the change of tidal wetlands and excellent overall accuracy and kappa coefficient ranging from 90% to 96% and 0.89–0.95, respectively. The overall accuracy of change detection was 97% with an absolute error of 0.4 years. We found that the total area of tidal wetlands experienced a net loss of 59.75 km2 in the YRE, but the gain and loss of the study period were 1556.07 and 1615.82 km2, respectively. Land reclamation, sediment reduction, and Spartina alterniflora invasion pose significant threats to tidal wetlands. Sustainable management could be implemented through the establishment of nature reserves and ecological sediment enhancement engineering projects.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) is to an increasing extent given credit for the economic development of a country along with the creation of new jobs, foreign capital, technology and knowledge transfer, generating positive spillover effects or the opportunity of joining global value chains. In the current paper the authors aim to investigate the impact of the subsidiaries of transnational companies (TNCs) which operate in Romania and carry out foreign trade activities on the trade balance of Romania during the period 2014-2022. The analysis demonstrates they generate a significant surplus in the case of services and a deficit in the case of goods, the surplus surpassing the deficit until 2018. Beginning with 2019, the high growth rate of deficits can no longer be balanced through a slower growth rate of surpluses resulting from the trade in services. Other findings reveal the sectors contributing the most to these imbalances: the manufacturing industry, telecommunications and information technology, manufacturing services and transportation generate a large surplus and trade generates a huge deficit. Data was extracted from BNR FDI annual reports, issued during 2013-2022, based on Combined Nomenclature and the IMF's Balance of Payments and International Investment Position Manual, 6th edition (BPM6) methodology. The research might be extended with the identification and evolution of TNCs at the microeconomic level, and subsequently studying the case of key multinational companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper logically explores the overall form of ideological and political education system construction in colleges and universities, constructs the logical rationale of system cognition and development, and explores the operation process of system dynamic balance. The ideological and political education system is constructed through the comprehensive planning of multiple data chains, and the demand for teaching tasks and communication delays is solved through optimized planning. Maximizing the utilization of teaching resources is achieved by optimizing the deployment of teaching resources. Finally, the Civics teaching mode of multi-data chain integrated planning was evaluated and tested through experiments. The results show that the three dimensions of the pre-test of the experimental group are 4.29, 4.21 and 4.41, respectively, which are improved to 5.60, 5.83 and 4.99, with a significant improvement effect. This paper effectively explores the development of Civics teaching, realizes all-round education, and achieves the fundamental purpose of cultivating morality.

Background. The study examines a model of the structure and evolution of stars in dynamic equilibrium, supplemented by a new analysis of the zonal flow velocity, new elements for describing the evolution of the heat flow, and the introduction of unequal particle mass. The purpose of the work is to describe a modified model of the structure of stars under conditions of dynamic equilibrium and their oscillations, in which the problem with the peculiarity of the zonal flow on the rotation axis is eliminated. The model is also generalized by introducing into it the coefficient of particle massiveness. Materials and methods. To derive and analyze the equations of dynamic equilibrium of stars, the method of hydrodynamic markers or Lagrangian variables is used, supplemented by a new interpretation of the gravitational field parameters using marker fields. To describe the thermal properties of the medium, the assumption of quasi-adiabatic processes in stars is used. Results. In this work, generalized equations for the structure and evolution of stars in dynamic equilibrium are obtained as a general type of equilibrium. The model considers the zonal flow, which describes the differential rotation of stars, the separate influence of thermal processes on the zonal flow and the distribution of temperature and density in the star, as well as the inhomogeneous distribution of particle mass, which is associated with the inhomogeneous distribution of the nuclei of chemical elements inside stars. Within the framework of the model, general relations are obtained for the distribution of the local angular velocity of the zonal flow. General factors influencing the behavior of the light curve of stars under dynamic equilibrium conditions have been identified. Period-luminosity diagrams were obtained in analytical form. The obtained relationships make it possible to refine the model of 11-year solar oscillations constructed in [1]. Conclusions. The proposed model can be used as a basic model for describing pulsating stars of various types.

A substantial body of prior research has explored patterns of disability-free and morbidity-free life expectancy among older populations. However, these distinct facets of later-life health are almost always studied in isolation, even though they are very likely to be related. Using data from the US Health and Retirement Study and a multistate life table approach, this paper explores the interactions between disability, morbidity, and mortality by sex and education among four successive US birth cohorts, born from 1914 to 1923 to 1944–1953 and compared in the periods 1998–2008 and 2008–2018. We find little compression of disability but a marked expansion of morbidity across cohorts. However, disability-free life expectancy (DFLE) among those living with chronic morbidities has increased, even though at the population-level DFLE is largely unchanged. Broadly, these patterns suggest that successive cohorts of older populations in the US are experiencing a dynamic equilibrium, where the link between chronic morbidities and disability has weakened over successive cohorts. Investigating patterns by educational attainment, we find marked disparities where the least educated individuals not only live significantly fewer years free of disabilities or chronic morbidities but also have experienced an expansion in morbidity and disability. Our findings suggest that the future trajectory of disability-free life expectancy in the US is increasingly contingent on efforts to improve disease management and control the severe consequences of chronic morbidities.

Many models have been proposed to explain the water infiltration curve in soil, but according to the studies we have done so far, no model can simultaneously estimate the field capacity (FC) and soil hydraulic conductivity (K). The aim of this research is to present a new model that is defined based on the dynamic balance of water-soil-time and is able to estimate FC and soil hydraulic conductivity using cumulative field infiltration data. The studies were carried out in Varamin region with an area of 1370 square kilometers. For the penetration test, first, seven sides (A, B, C, D, E, F and G) were selected in 7 areas of agricultural land and with a double ring with an outer diameter (70 cm) and an inner diameter (30 cm) became. Also, to determine the soil texture, apparent specific gravity, PWP and FC, soil sampling was done at the depths of 0–10 and 20–30 cm. To determine FC moisture, pressure (−10 kPa) was used in a pressurized membrane device, and to determine volumetric moisture in PWP, sieved samples were placed on ceramic plates. Using a spray, the samples were wetted, so that they reached the saturation level, and the pressure was set to 1500 kPa. Examining the FC values showed that the maximum value of FC in site F (clay loam texture) is equal to 14.73 cm and the lowest value in site G (sandy clay loam texture) is equal to 6.8 cm by the model estimated by the results obtained in Laboratory confirmed. Meanwhile, the minimum saturated hydraulic conductivity of soil at site A was estimated to be 0.06 cm/min and the maximum at sites D and F was 0.28 cm/min. Time constant (Ksh) has shown completely different water infiltration rate in the first term of the model (Rfksh) compared to the second term of it (K), and no obvious relation has detected between them. But, their summation (k+Rfksh) was always equal to the maximum infiltration instantaneous rate (T→0). The research results showed that using the new model, the FC value varies between 6.8 and 14.73 cm. Also, the minimum and maximum instantaneous speed of water infiltration occurred in the site. An equal to 0.621 and in site D equal to 1.735 cm/min. The results of fitting the penetration model on cumulative penetration data showed that R2 varies between 0.994 and 0.999 and RMSE between 0.116 and 1.197. Therefore, the model is able to describe the penetration data well.

A comprehensive understanding of surface reconstruction was critical to developing high performance lattice oxygen oxidation mechanism (LOM) based perovskite electrocatalysts. Traditionally, the primary determining factor of the surface reconstruction process was believed to be the oxygen vacancy formation energy. Hence, most previous studies focused on optimizing composition to reduce the oxygen vacancy formation energy, which in turn facilitated the surface reconstruction process. Here, for the first time, we found that adding oxyanions (SO42−, CO32−, NO3−) into the electrolyte could effectively regulate the solid–liquid interface, significantly accelerating the surface reconstruction process and enhancing oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activities. Further studies indicated that the added oxyanions would adsorb onto the solid–liquid interface layer, disrupting the dynamic equilibrium between the adsorbed OH− ions and the OH− ions generated during surface reconstruction process. As such, the OH− ions generated during surface reconstruction process could be more readily released into the electrolyte, thereby leading to an acceleration of the surface reconstruction. Thus, it was expected that our finding would provide a new layer of understanding to the surface reconstruction process in LOM‐based perovskite electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Ecosystem function' and 'ecosystem functioning' became core keywords in the ecological literature on ecosystems, their structure, development and integrity. We investigate functions from the perspective of causal contributions to higher capacities, as selected effects, as contributions to the stability and self‐maintenance of organisms and as type‐fixed effects. Based on an in‐depth discourse in philosophy of science, we conclude that ecosystems do not have functions in any sense that goes beyond a mere description of a causal contribution. We recommend the terms 'ecosystem function' and 'ecosystem functioning' be avoided in the ecological literature (and beyond). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Business cycles and economic growth have long been studied separately, hindering understanding of the nature and causes of economic fluctuations and growth. Here, we present an economic model that incorporates both deterministic trends and persistent fluctuations, derived from a general economic data generation process obtained using the dimensionless nonlinear autoregressive integrated (NLARI) process. To explore the nature and causes of economic fluctuations and growth, we develop a unified test to identify whether the economic data generation mechanism is stable fixed points, unit roots, cyclical oscillations, or chaos. Empirical studies show that as the economic resilience coefficient changes from strong to weak, the data-generating mechanism for U.S. economic indicators shifts from a stable fixed point (dynamic equilibrium) in the supply-side economy to an unstable unit root (divergence) in the demand-side economy involving income distribution. Therefore, the U.S. economy is in partial dynamic equilibrium of the supply-side economy. The low resilience of the demand-side economy allows for the accumulation of noise from exogenous shocks, leading to persistent fluctuations. We find that the economic deterministic trend is (ω / α) t , i.e., time t multiplied by the ratio of the mean of exogenous supply, demand, and technological progress investment shocks to the economic resistance coefficient. A general dynamic equilibrium economy maximizes growth from investment by avoiding t growth losses from permanently persistent fluctuations. Thus, (ω / α) t is the maximum value obtained along the maximum profit growth at the von Neumann equilibrium price. The investment path that creates the maximum ratio ω / α is the optimal growth path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematical approaches for modeling dynamic traffic can be roughly divided into two categories: discrete packet routing models and continuous flow over time models. Despite very vital research activities on models in both categories, their connection was poorly understood so far. We build this connection by specifying a (competitive) packet routing model, which is discrete in terms of flow and time, and proving its convergence to the intensively studied model of flows over time with deterministic queuing. More precisely, we prove that the limit of the convergence process when decreasing the packet size and time step length in the packet routing model constitutes a flow over time with multiple commodities. In addition, we show that the convergence result implies the existence of approximate equilibria in the competitive version of the packet routing model. This is of significant interest as exact pure Nash equilibria cannot be guaranteed in the multicommodity setting. Funding: This work was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation) under Germany's Excellence Strategy—The Berlin Mathematics Research Center MATH+ [Grant EXC-2046/1, project ID: 390685689] and the Research Training Group [Grant 2236 UnRAVeL]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stepwise electrocatalysis can remarkably accelerate the kinetics of two consecutive reactions in sulfur electrochemistry. However, the significant difference between the catalysis and diffusion rates of polysulfides results in persistent shuttling in the stepwise electrocatalysts. Here, a stepwise electrocatalytic strategy of catalysis‐immobilization‐deposition is proposed for achieving the consistency of diffusion and catalysis of polysulfides. Accordingly, a sandwich‐like stepwise electrocatalyst is designed, which is composed of Co nanoparticles (Co‐NP), mesoporous SiO2, and iron single atom (Fe‐SA) (denoted as Co‐NP@SiO2@Fe‐SA), serving as catalysis core, immobilization interlayer, and deposition shell, respectively. Benefitting from the dynamic equilibrium between production and consumption of polysulfides achieved by the spatial synergistic effect of the triple sites, the S/Co‐NP@SiO2@Fe‐SA cathode delivers a high reversible capacity of 731 mAh g−1 over 500 cycles at 1 C with a small capacity decay of 0.039% per cycle. Moreover, a high areal capacity of 3.8 mAh cm−2 at a sulfur loading of 4.5 mg cm−2 is achieved with a low electrolyte/sulfur ratio of 5.9. This work sheds light on a new host design concept with high catalytic activity, stability, and selectivity to enable high performance lithium‐sulfur batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of natural language is characterized by the incorporation of a dependency structure into word sequences. Scale-free pattern regularity, in which the frequency of words conforms to a common pattern based on their rank in a list, is empirically well-known. As statistical regularity has been observed in natural and social phenomena, understanding its standard principle is of great significance. To yield a scale-free rank-size relation, procedures have been established for distributing resources such as words to elements based on the rich-get-richer mechanism. However, such procedures do not address the relevance of the dependency among elements. Using a scheme that considers the occurrence of a word as the task of assigning an energy particle to an element in a dissipative system, I implemented a computational system to select synchronously connected elements in conjunction with a model of the noise-induced synchronization phenomenon. I empirically demonstrated that the energy particle distribution for spatio-chronological freedom could provide a scale-free rank-size relation to reach a steady state of dynamic equilibrium corresponding to the most probable case in the system. Furthermore, I observed an interference fringe-like pattern in the scale-free energy particle distribution that self-organized into a stationary wave through the superposition of a wave function for energy particle assignments. The results obtained by the computational system demonstrate that statistical regularity can be provided by dependency relations with chronological variation sustainability, paving the way for the development of a methodology for evolutionary language modeling.

Business cycles and economic growth have long been studied separately, hindering understanding of the nature and causes of economic fluctuations and growth. Here, we present an economic model that incorporates both deterministic trends and persistent fluctuations, derived from a general economic data generation process obtained using the dimensionless nonlinear autoregressive integrated (NLARI) process. To explore the nature and causes of economic fluctuations and growth, we develop a unified test to identify whether the economic data generation mechanism is stable fixed points, unit roots, cyclical oscillations, or chaos. Empirical studies show that as the economic resilience coefficient changes from strong to weak, the data-generating mechanism for U.S. economic indicators shifts from a stable fixed point (dynamic equilibrium) in the supply-side economy to an unstable unit root (divergence) in the demand-side economy involving income distribution. Therefore, the U.S. economy is in partial dynamic equilibrium of the supply-side economy. The low resilience of the demand-side economy allows for the accumulation of noise from exogenous shocks, leading to persistent fluctuations. We find that the economic deterministic trend is ([Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text], i.e., time [Formula: see text] multiplied by the ratio of the mean of exogenous supply, demand, and technological progress investment shocks to the economic resistance coefficient. A general dynamic equilibrium economy maximizes growth from investment by avoiding [Formula: see text] growth losses from permanently persistent fluctuations. Thus, ([Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text])[Formula: see text] is the maximum value obtained along the maximum profit growth at the von Neumann equilibrium price. The investment path that creates the maximum ratio [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] is the optimal growth path.

Abstract ‘Ecosystem function’ and ‘ecosystem functioning’ became core keywords in the ecological literature on ecosystems, their structure, development and integrity. We investigate functions from the perspective of causal contributions to higher capacities, as selected effects, as contributions to the stability and self‐maintenance of organisms and as type‐fixed effects. Based on an in‐depth discourse in philosophy of science, we conclude that ecosystems do not have functions in any sense that goes beyond a mere description of a causal contribution. We recommend the terms ‘ecosystem function’ and ‘ecosystem functioning’ be avoided in the ecological literature (and beyond).

Using maize prices data from Tanzania's National Bureau of Statistics from 2002 through 2017, this paper analyses the impacts of export bans and seasonality on spatial domestic price transmission between deficit markets and the surplus Sumbawanga market; using a vector error correction (VEC) model with export ban and seasonality dummy variables. Results show that 45% of deficit markets converged in the long-run with the Sumbawanga market, with a significant negative sign at 10% level. Moreover, 64% of market pairs negatively impacted spatial domestic price transmission, while seasonality had significant impacts on the same between market pairs. A Granger causality suggests that 63%, 27%, and 10% of market pairs were bidirectional, unidirectional and no causality, respectively. Thus, government policies should incline towards increaseing maize production rather than imposing ad-hoc export bans, improving storage facilities, and mitigating climate changes to insulate seasonality: all of which will--through market mechanism--moderate consumer prices and ensure profitability among maize sellers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ion exchange in nanoporous clay-rich media plays an integral role in water, nutrient, and contaminant storage and transport. In montmorillonite (MMT), a common clay mineral in soils, sediments, and muds, the swelling and collapse of clay particles through the addition or removal of discrete molecular layers of water alters cation exchange selectivities in a poorly understood way. Here, we show that ion exchange is coupled to the dynamic delamination and restacking of clay layers, which creates a feedback between the hydration state of the exchanging cation and the composition of the clay interlayer. Particles with different hydration states are distinct phases with unique binding selectivities. Surprisingly, equilibrium achieved through thermal fluctuations in cation concentration and hydration state leads to the exchange of both ions and individual MMT layers between particles, a process we image directly with high-resolution transmission electron microscopy at cryogenic conditions (cryo-TEM). We introduce an exchange model that accounts for the binding selectivities of different phases, which is likely applicable to many charged colloidal or macromolecular systems in which the structural conformation is correlated with the activities of water and counterions within spatially confined compartments.

Based on the potential threat of heavy metal pollution from a metal tailings pond in Tongling, Anhui Province to the mining area and the surrounding underground aquifer, the leaching test analysis of soil samples, the modeling of water quality and the prediction of groundwater level were carried out. The optimal allocation scheme of water resources was proposed finally. The results showed that the leaching concentration of major heavy metal elements in the soil tended to increase with the decrease of pH value or the increase of Ca2+ concentration, while Pb elements could not be leached out. By comparing with the local background value, the leaching toxicity of heavy metal elements in the mining area was relatively low. By simulating the underground flow through the MODFLOW module, it can be concluded that it takes about 63.5 years for the dynamic balance of 80 m level to be reached after the mine is stopped discharging. The transport of shallow groundwater to the west and deep groundwater to the south and east can be obtained by simulating solute transport through MT3DMS module. Based on the above research, the optimal allocation of mine water and artificial lake water was carried out, which provided scientific basis for the utilization of water resources in Tongling Mining area and reference value for other similar mining areas.

In order to investigate the effect of oxide film on performances, evolution of surface oxide film during PNCO (Plasma Oxynitrocarburising) was studied. The microstructures, surface morphology, phase constitutions, cross-sectional hardness profile, and wear performances were evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), microhardness tester and wear tester. The research results showed that nanoparticles oxide film formed on the surface of samples by oxidation could be simultaneously decomposed by reduction, thus a dynamic equilibrium between the oxidation and reduction could be obtained under appropriate processing condition, resulting in a similar surface morphology of an oxide film and with the same thickness of 1–2 μm during PNCO process, while the compound layer thickness increases with treating time. Meanwhile, it is found that the maximum hardness of 760 HV0.05 is not obtained on the utmost surface, and almost the same friction coefficient of 0.45 and wear rate of 1.38 mg·(N·m)−1 was obtained under light load due to the oxide layer on the top surface; while better wear resistance can be obtained for longer time PNCO-treated samples under heavy load due to thicker compound layer. Therefore, the study provides a significant guide for plasma surface modification technology.

Declines in grassland diversity in response to nutrient addition are a general consequence of global change. This decline in species richness may be driven by multiple underlying processes operating at different time‐scales. Nutrient addition can reduce diversity by enhancing the rate of local extinction via competitive exclusion, or by reducing the rate of colonization by constraining the pool of species able to colonize under new conditions. Partitioning net change into extinction and colonization rates will better delineate the long‐term effect of global change in grasslands.We synthesized changes in richness in response to experimental fertilization with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium with micronutrients across 30 grasslands. We quantified changes in local richness, colonization, and extinction over 8–10 years of nutrient addition, and compared these rates against control conditions to isolate the effect of nutrient addition from background dynamics.Total richness at steady state in the control plots was the sum of equal, relatively high rates of local colonization and extinction. On aggregate, 30%–35% of initial species were lost and the same proportion of new species were gained at least once over a decade. Absolute turnover increased with site‐level richness but was proportionately greater at lower‐richness sites relative to starting richness. Loss of total richness with nutrient addition, especially N in combination with P or K, was driven by enhanced rates of extinction with a smaller contribution from reduced colonization. Enhanced extinction and reduced colonization were disproportionately among native species, perennials, and forbs. Reduced colonization plateaued after the first few (<5) years after nutrient addition, while enhanced extinction continued throughout the first decade.Synthesis. Our results indicate a high rate of colonizations and extinctions underlying the richness of ambient communities and that nutrient enhancement drives overall declines in diversity primarily by exclusion of previously established species. Moreover, enhanced extinction continues over long time‐scales, suggesting continuous, long‐term community responses and a need for long‐term study to fully realize the extinction impact of increased nutrients on grassland composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indonesia regards the shift in the center of economic gravity to Asia, marked by the rise of China and India following the earlier Asian tigers, as a welcome phenomenon that can benefit its own economic development. However, while celebrating the economic dynamism of the Indo-Pacific region, Indonesia also views with great concern China's assertiveness in pursuing its claims over the whole of the South China Sea, as well as the re-emergence of major power rivalry, particularly between the United States and China as the incumbent and ascending superpower respectively, which can disrupt regional stability and prosperity. With its 'free and active' foreign policy doctrine Indonesia adheres to non-alignment, and as a matter of principle does not take sides in any great power competition. Indonesia's policy in managing regional uncertainty which offers both opportunities for cooperation and threats of conflicts can best be described as hedging plus to ensure both its strategic autonomy and agency. It entails engaging all sides to maximize benefits while mitigating risks at both the national level and through ASEAN. At the same time, as the world's largest archipelagic state straddling the Indian and the Pacific oceans, and the largest member of ASEAN, Indonesia carries out middle-power diplomacy by playing a leading role in promoting ASEAN-centric inclusive and cooperative wider East Asian multilateralism, helping to shape both the institutional and normative pillars of the International Order in the Indo-Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytopathology is a highly complex scientific discipline. Initially, its focus was on the study of plant-pathogen interactions in agricultural and forestry production systems. Host-pathogen interactions in natural plant communities were generally overlooked until the 1970s when plant pathologists and evolutionary biologists started to take an interest in these interactions, and their dynamics in natural plant populations, communities, and ecosystems. This article introduces the general principles of plant pathosystems, provides a basic critical overview of current knowledge of host-pathogen interactions in natural plant pathosystems, and shows how this knowledge is important for future developments in plant pathology especially as it applies in cropping systems, ecology, and evolutionary biology. Plant pathosystems can be further divided according to the structure and origin of control, as autonomous (wild plant pathosystems, WPPs) or deterministic (crop plant pathosystems, CPPs). WPPs are characterized by the disease triangle and closed-loop (feedback) controls, and CPPs are characterized by the disease tetrahedron and open-loop (non-feedback) controls. Basic general, ecological, genetic, and population structural and functional differences between WPPs and CPPs are described. It is evident that we lack a focus on long-term observations and research of diseases and their dynamics in natural plant populations, metapopulations, communities, ecosystems, and biomes, as well as their direct or indirect relationships to CPPs. Differences and connections between WPPs and CPPs, and why, and how, these are important for agriculture varies. WPP and CPP may be linked by strong biological interactions, especially where the pathogen is in common. This is demonstrated through a case study of lettuce (Lactuca spp., L. serriola and L. sativa) and lettuce downy mildew (Bremia lactucae). In other cases where there is no such direct biological linkage, the study of WPPs can provide a deeper understanding of how ecology and genetics interacts to drive disease through time. These studies provide insights into ways in which farming practices may be changed to limit disease development. Research on interactions between pathosystems, the "cross-talk" of WPPs and CPPs, is still very limited and, as shown in interactions between wild and cultivated Lactuca spp.-B. lactucae associations, can be highly complex. The implications and applications of this knowledge in plant breeding, crop management, and disease control measures are considered. This review concludes with a discussion of theoretical, general and specific aspects, challenges and limits of future WPP research, and application of their results in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dynamic coupling modeling and analysis of rotating beams based on the nonlinear Green-Lagrangian strain are introduced in this work. With the reservation of the axial nonlinear strain, there are more coupling terms for axial and transverse deformations. The discretized dynamic governing equations are obtained by using the finite element method and Lagrange's equations of the second kind. Time responses are conducted to compare the proposed model with other previous models. The stretching deformation due to rotating motion is observed and calculated by special formulations under dynamic equilibrium. The stretching deformation and the change of the associated equilibrium position are taken into account to analyze the free vibration and frequency response of the rotating beams. Analytical and numerical comparisons show that the proposed model can provide reliable results, while the previous models may lead to imprecise results, especially in high-speed conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An environmental administrative penalty is a powerful tool to regulate environmental pollution and ecological destruction by punishing intentional violations. Still, unchecked discretion may lead to excessively low or high penalties, breaking our balance of desire for uniformity with the need for discretion. To achieve the balance, regulators may use standardized discretion to achieve greater compliance by punishing intentional violations in a standardized way. However, policymakers and scholars have different attitudes on understanding whether standardized discretion helps enforcement. For this purpose, we construct a muti-agent dynamic game under the standardized discretion of environmental administrative penalty (SDEAP). The results show that: i) SDEAP can positively affect firms’ output and emission reduction efforts but negatively affect environmental quality; ii) The lower limit of SDEAP can positively affect environmental quality but negatively affects firms’ output and emission reduction efforts; iii) The upper limit of SDEAP can positively affect firms’ output, emission reduction efforts, and environmental quality; iv) SDEAP can restrict law enforcement and improve firms’ efforts to reduce emissions. This work can be helpful both to firms and the government as the basis for developing and implementing SDEAP.

The Ghanaian coast is eroding at a significant rate. A comprehensive understanding of the dynamics of a beach is vital for its management. Two decades of shoreline and a short-term sediment volume change data on the Apam Beach were analysed from freely available satellite and drone images, respectively. After assessing its long-term shoreline changes, it was revealed that the beach is gradually accreting at a mean rate of + 0.60 m/year. This, coupled with a net sediment deposition of + 3725.22 m3 within 5 months, could be attributed to fluvial discharges and the topography of the beach. The Parabolic Bay Shape Equation (PBSE) further characterised this beach as being in the dynamic equilibrium state. Thus, any disruption to the existing sediment transport mechanism will lead to a chronic erosion problem. To avert this, it is proposed that all future developments on this beach should be thoroughly planned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Measurement of equilibrium protein adsorption with constant competitor concentration. • Isocratic competitive retention measurements of dynamic protein adsorption are rare. • Presence of competitor insulin decreases the retention times for the α-lactalbumin. • Heterogeneity of adsorption sites for α-lactalbumin is reduced in the presence of competitor insulin. • A novel approach to understand the competitive dynamics of multicomponent protein chromatography. Protein chromatography is the dominant method of purification of biopharmaceuticals. Although all practical chromatography involves competitive absorption and separation of M. species, competitive protein absorption has remained inadequately understood. We previously introduced the measurement of equilibrium protein adsorption isotherms with all intensive variables held constant, including competitor concentration. In this work, we introduce isocratic chromatographic retention measurements of dynamic protein adsorption in the presence of a constant concentration of a competitor protein. These measurements are achieved by establishing a dynamic equilibrium with a constant concentration of competitor (insulin) in the mobile phase flowing through an ion exchange adsorbent column and following the behavior of a test protein (α-lactalbumin) injected into this environment. We observed decreased retention times for α-lactalbumin in presence of the competitor. The presence of competitor also reduces the heterogeneity of the sites available for adsorption of the test protein. This investigation provides an approach to fundamental understanding of competitive dynamics of multicomponent protein chromatography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Watershed eco-compensation is a policy tool to realize watershed environment improvement and regional economic development. It is important to eliminate the influence of economic differences between upstream & downstream regions and realize the fairness of regional social development based on Natural based Solutions (NbS). At present, lack of clarity in coupling and coordination analysis of ecosystem services & socioeconomic based on NbS could hamper watershed eco-compensation standards “popularization” and reduce the ability to successfully ecological governance. To meet the needs of economic development and ecological service value realization, dynamic equilibrium game research based on multidimensional relationship coordination and a multi-objective optimization solution of economic benefit distribution was carried out. To achieve the bargaining Bayesian/Nash equilibrium of the watershed eco-compensation standard in the game, the existence conditions of the equilibrium solution of the eco-compensation standard based on the mixed equilibrium game implementation process were studied. To carry out the complete information dynamic game, the equilibrium solution of the watershed eco-compensation standard based on the dynamic transfer payment was solved, and the rational analysis of the dynamic Bayesian equilibrium game of bargaining based on the incentive compatibility mechanism was also discussed. Water quantity and quality eco-compensation can ensure balanced development between ecological protection and the social economy in the Mihe River Basin. Combined with the variation law of socioeconomic water intake-utilization standards and the water use value, the city of Shouguang City & Qingzhou City should pay Linqu County 4.78 million US$ and 1.29 million US$ as watershed eco-compensation standards per year based on NbS, respectively. To verify the rationality of the results derived from the economically optimal model, two modes of “bargaining” & “perfect competition”, were used to study the characteristics of the protocols generated by the equilibrium game, and the applicable conditions of the nonzero-sum game solution upstream and downstream of the watershed were also explored. Based on the nonzero-sum processing of the survey results, the current relationship between the input value of eco-compensation and the willingness to pay satisfies v≥c+1/4. Based on the dynamic game & Bayesian equilibrium solution of bargaining, the watershed eco-compensation quota of water quantity & quality is 6.07 million US$, the willingness to pay is 65.63 US$/month. These findings contribute to the quantifying process of bargaining & dynamic equilibrium by transforming “ambiguous” information to achieve sustainable ecosystem service management and develop socioeconomic strategies associated with different compensation features based on NbS, thus helping to inform watershed management.

The self-determination of people with intellectual disability (ID) is influenced by their interpersonal environment. This study set out to understand better the experience of Hong Kong adults with mild ID in exercising self-determination and to explore the relational and contextual dynamics of how they make decisions in conjunction with parents and paid carers. A qualitative study was conducted using focus groups for data collection. In total, 32 participants including people with mild ID, parents and rehabilitation personnel were recruited using purposive sampling. Five focus group discussions took place and the data were analysed using a thematic approach. Our findings highlight a continuum of autonomy in decision making in which participants with mild ID exercise different levels of autonomy in different contexts. In the triangular relationship with parents and rehabilitation personnel, all three parties are simultaneously looking to establish a dynamic equilibrium in decision making. The study enriches our understanding of the relational and contextual considerations for people with ID in decision making. They may have their own priorities for all the decisions they make, but these involve a dynamic interaction between all three parties. The search for dynamic equilibrium in decision-making is a new finding in studies of the self-determination of people with intellectual disability (ID). The findings embed the considerations of the roles of autonomy and relatedness in the self-determination of people with ID at the intrapersonal level. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the relational concerns people with ID have about those they respect while fostering their self-determination. It is also important to address the dynamic interactions among adults with ID, parents and rehabilitation personnel, and the efforts others make in facilitating the self-determination of people with ID. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]