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With the popularity of Play-to-Earn (P2E) games, in-game token economies have become the foundation of the financial structure of virtual worlds. More and more players are investing in digital assets, promoting long-term economic growth. This paper delves into the key factors for the sustainability of the P2E game token economy: the investment value of tokens and external incentives. When tokens are no longer profitable, user churn rates rise sharply, which is critical to the continued development of P2E games. External factors also significantly impact token prices, which affects the stability and sustainability of the entire economic system. In response to these challenges, this paper proposes a series of strategies to enhance token stability, including adjustments to game design, improvements to player incentive mechanisms, and the formulation of relevant policies and regulations. The conclusions of this study aim to provide valuable insights and guidance to game designers, investors, and players to promote the healthy development of Web3 game token economic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The declining trend in China's fertility rate is very pronounced, and since 2023, the population has entered a phase of negative growth, significantly constraining economic development. At the same time, income inequality, which creates many problems, remains a serious issue. Existing research does not discuss the impact of income inequality on fertility rates in China currently. This paper depends on both macro and micro perspectives to examine the relationship between income inequality and fertility. We used the macro perspective to study the impact of urban-rural income inequality on the birth rate. The results show that the widening income gap between urban and rural areas will reduce the birth rate, but this effect declines with increasing of the birth rate; this negative effect is the strongest in the eastern region and the weakest in the western region. We used micro perspective to study the effect of the Gini coefficient on fertility motivation. It was found that for every one percent increase of the Gini coefficient, the fertility motivation decreased by about 0.08%, indicating that income inequality also impacts fertility behavior negatively. Comparing different income groups, income inequality has no impact on the fertility motivation of low-income groups, but has a significant negative and positive impact, respectively, on the middle and high-income groups. The mediating effect model shows that income inequality can negatively affect fertility behavior by reducing social trust and subjective well-being. Therefore, the empirical results from China suggest that income inequality negatively affects fertility behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insulation layer of deep-sea optoelectronic composite cables in direct contact with high-pressure and highly corrosive seawater is required for excellent water resistance, environmental stress cracking resistance (ESCR), and the ability to withstand high DC voltage. Although high-density polyethylene (HDPE) displays remarkable water resistance, it lacks sufficient resistance to environmental stress cracking (ESCR). This article is based on a blend modification approach to mixing HDPE with different vinyl copolymer materials (cPE-A and cPE-B). The processing performance and mechanical properties of the materials are evaluated through rheological and mechanical testing. The materials' durability in working environments is assessed through ESCR tests and water resistance experiments. Ultimately, the direct current electrical performance of the materials is evaluated through tests measuring space charge distribution, direct current resistivity, and direct current breakdown strength. The results indicate that, in the polyethylene blend system, the rheological properties and ESCR characteristics of HDPE/cPE-A composite materials did not show significant improvement. Further incorporation of high melt index linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) material not only meets the requirements of extrusion processing but also exhibits a notable enhancement in ESCR performance. Meanwhile, copolymerized polyethylene cPE-B, with a more complex structure, proves effective in toughening HDPE materials. The material's hardness significantly decreases, and when incorporating cPE-B at a level exceeding 20 phr, the composite materials achieve excellent ESCR performance. In a simulated seawater environment at 50 MPa, the water permeability of all co-modified composite materials remained below 0.16% after 120 h. The spatial charge distribution and direct current resistivity characteristics of the HDPE, cPE-A, and LLDPE composite systems surpassed those of the HDPE/cPE-B materials. However, the HDPE/cPE-B composite system exhibited superior dielectric strength. The application of composite materials in deep-sea electro–optical composite cables is highly promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the slowdown in growth from an inequality perspective, this study applies a comprehensive dataset with strong comparability and a dynamic panel threshold model to explore the effect of income inequality on economic growth, its channels of influence, and differences in channels due to country differences, considering income level differences and country differences. The study finds that whilst inequality impedes growth in the general growth framework, this impediment becomes insignificant when the fertility rate or country differences are controlled for. Second, the impeding effect of inequality on growth occurs at low-income levels rather than at high-income levels. Finally, in the low-income stage, inequality tends to impede growth through channels that reduce the level of human capital and political stability and increase fertility, rather than through channels that affect investment, and the channels vary slightly by the country's economic systems, religious beliefs, and saving habits. This study suggests that at the low-income stage, the government should appropriately increase the proportion of labour compensation, improve the redistribution system, encourage the development of charity, and establish a sound social donation system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unbalanced and insufficient development is a prominent problem in China's period of economic transformation, and an accurate grasp of the current situation and evolutionary trend of innovation and economic development is of great significance in finding a solution and promoting regional coordinated development. This paper introduces the framework of functional data analysis to the study of both innovation and economic development in China, examining its spatial dynamic distribution and convergence characteristic in greater depth. Empirical results revealed the following. (1) Significant regional differences exist in the absolute level of China's innovation development, with a balanced improvement in the development speed and growth potential. Significant differences exist in the absolute level and speed of economic development, but not in the potential energy of development as reflected by acceleration. (2) The σ(t) function of nationwide and regional innovation development shows a downward trend. There is σ(t) convergence in economic development nationwide and in the northeastern, eastern, and western regions, but the regional disparities in economic development within the six central provinces have not yet been effectively mitigated. (3) Nationwide and regional innovation development are in a state of β(t) convergence. There is significant β(t) convergence in the nationwide economic development, with a transition point from divergence to convergence in the northeastern, eastern, and western regions. However, the β(t) function of economic development in the central region shows a region-wide divergence. The findings of this paper have important policy implications for recognizing the balance and disparities in innovation and economic development among regions in China and promoting coordinated regional development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To facilitate the first application of the novel concrete-filled built-up K-joints with different brace sections in truss bridges, the present paper aims to determine their practicability through a comparison with integral joints. First, a structural analysis was carried out using the MIDAS CIVIL software to evaluate the loading applied to the structure. Additionally, boundary condition analysis was carried out. After that, the symmetric multi-planar joints were developed, using Abaqus 6.14 for the strength verification and the failure mode identification. These were followed by the multi-planar joints estimate cost. The results indicated that for positive bending, the novel joint deformed by 2.01 mm, compared to 4.83 mm for the integral joint in the serviceability limit state. These deformations were equal to 5.58 mm and 7.68 mm, respectively, in the negative bending. Verification under the ultimate limit state indicated a deformation of 10.43 mm for the novel joint type and 16.59 mm for the integral joint in the positive bending, whereas deformations of 15.89 mm and 16.82 mm were indicated in the negative bending. Moreover, a failure mode analysis showed a buckling of the arc yielding for the novel joint type and a buckling of the gusset plate for the integral joint. Finally, the results showed that the novel type of joint was more expensive by about CNY 111,286.06. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural analysis is crucial for airfield pavement evaluation and plays a critical role in ensuring airfield operation safety and efficiency. Traditionally, the evaluation has relied on the Heavy Weight Deflectometer (HWD) test. This method encounters challenges, including interruptions in airfield operations, limited coverage of inspection locations, and extensive time required for data collection and analysis. In the presented research, a remote method for the measurement and analysis of runway pavement structural deflection induced by transiting aircraft was introduced, employing a Remote Laser Doppler Vibrometer (RLDV). First, a test system was developed to acquire deflection measurements of airport pavements using RLDV. To address inaccuracies arising from minor angle measurements and fixed-end beam vibrations, vibration correction methods were developed and validated. Thereafter, a linear regression model was constructed using data from both RLDV and HWD measurements, yielding a correlation coefficient of 0.94. This correlation highlights the reliable utility of RLDV in analyzing pavement structural response. The objective of this research is to present a novel approach for the evaluation of pavement structural performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study uses the DEA-Malmquist method to measure total factor productivity by employing the provincial panel data from 1998 to 2017 in China and constructing a panel data model to test the relationship between birth rate and human capital and the influence of labour in different age groups on total factor productivity. It was found that the increase in the birth rate has a significantly negative effect on human capital accumulation, while the effect of the birth rate on human capital shows an inverted 'U' shape. That is, when birth rate decreases, human capital increases, and when birth rate increases, human capital decreases. Thus, too low or too high birth rates will reduce human capital. Ultimately, human capital accumulation will significantly promote the growth and decomposition of total factor productivity. The effect of the labour age structure on total factor productivity also shows an inverted 'U' shape. Labour between 40 and 49 years old contributes the most to the promotion of total factor productivity. Eventually, due to the low birth rates, the proportion of 50-59 years old will keep at high level. Therefore, total factor productivity will decline significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS2016) data, this study empirically tests the impact of population aging on household consumption. The results show that population aging promotes the basic living consumption expenditure of most households and inhibits the enjoyment or development consumption expenditure of most households. At the same time, low-level consumer families are more affected by population aging and income than high-level consumer families. Moreover, the impact of population aging on developmental consumption varies among families with different income levels, especially in medical and health expenditures. The higher the family income level, the smaller the impact. Finally, this study puts forward suggestions such as improving the social security mechanism, improving the level of education, releasing the consumption potential of the elderly, improving the consumption level, and promoting consumption upgrading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on panel data from 2002 to 2017 in China, this paper analyses the influence of internal migration on regional innovation. The results show that internal migration not only has a significant promoting effect on improving regional innovation, but also presents a significant spatial agglomeration phenomenon. That is, internal migration has a significant positive impact on regional innovation according to the regression without spatial effects. And although internal migration will promote input of regional innovation, it will also have a negative impact on output of regional innovation. Meanwhile, internal migration will have a significant negative impact on innovation input in adjacent areas, and a significant positive impact on innovation output. Through decomposition, from the input of innovation, the migrant population will have a significant impact on local innovation, but it will also inhibit the innovation input of adjacent regions through indirect effects. Although the migrant population will have a significant negative impact on output of innovation, it will also promote innovation output significantly in adjacent regions through indirect effects, and have a positive impact on the improvement of overall innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]