Equilibrium Scenario Research Articles

A perspective on active glassy dynamics in biological systems

AbstractDynamics is central to living systems. Many experiments in the last two decades have revealed glassy dynamics in diverse biological systems, showing a transition between a solid-like and a fluid-like state. The biological systems have nontrivial characteristics: they are active with novel control parameters and immense complexity. Moreover, glassiness in these systems has many nontrivial features, such as the behavior of dynamical heterogeneity and readily found sub-Arrhenius relaxation dynamics. Theoretical treatments of these systems are generally challenging due to their nonequilibrium nature and large number of control parameters. We first discuss the primary characteristics of a glassy system and then review the experiments that started this field and simulations that have led to a deeper understanding. We also show that despite many challenges in these systems, it has been possible to develop theories that have played a significant role in unifying diverse phenomena and bringing insights. The field is at the interface of physics and biology, freely borrowing tools from both disciplines. We first discuss the known equilibrium scenario and then present the primary changes under activity.

Some specific wormhole solutions in extended f(R,G,T) gravity

This research work provides an exhaustive investigation of the viability of different coupled wormhole (WH) geometries with the relativistic matter configurations in the [Formula: see text] extended gravity framework. We consider a specific model in the context of [Formula: see text]-gravity for this purpose. Also, we assume a static spherically symmetric spacetime geometry and a unique distribution of matter with a set of shape functions ([Formula: see text]) for analyzing different energy conditions. In addition to this, we examined WH-models in the equilibrium scenario by employing anisotropic fluid. The corresponding results are obtained using numerical methods and then presented using different plots. In this case, [Formula: see text] gravity generates additional curvature quantities, which can be thought of as gravitational objects that maintain irregular WH-situations. Based on our findings, we conclude that in the absence of exotic matter, WH can exist in some specific regions of the parametric space using modified gravity model as [Formula: see text].

Optimal dosage protocols for mathematical models of synergy of chemo- and immunotherapy.

The release of tumor antigens during traditional cancer treatments such as radio- or chemotherapy leads to a stimulation of the immune response which provides synergistic effects these treatments have when combined with immunotherapies. A low-dimensional mathematical model is formulated which, depending on the values of its parameters, encompasses the 3 E's (elimination, equilibrium, escape) of tumor immune system interactions. For the escape situation, optimal control problems are formulated which aim to revert the process to the equilibrium scenario. Some numerical results are included.

Not everything is green in the green transition: Theoretical considerations on market structure, prices and competition

This paper studies how the green transition towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly economy affects the market structure and the competition between firms. In this context, we propose a two-stage game-theoretical model of competition between firms in prices and green investments. The model delivers several scenarios but two are particularly concerning. One such scenario is called the “dirty” equilibrium, in which firms delay the green transition investments. The other scenario is called the “partial green” equilibrium scenario, in which one firm makes the green transition investments obtaining a leading position, while the other remains producing the “dirty” product. In addition to the associated environmental damages, both scenarios are also problematic because they reduce market competition and the number of firms. In this respect, the “partial green” equilibrium may be even more problematic in the long-run because the green leader may perpetuate its advantage towards some kind of monopoly or market power. Inflation and less competition are particular robust implications of the green transition process that are found in this paper.

Contextual Relevance of Sustainable Supply Chain: Recycling, Philanthropy, or Both?

Many firms have already been actively or passively involved in sustainable supply chain management with the objective of improving the triple bottom line (TBL). But whether the limited funds should be allocated to both community responsibility activities (e.g., corporate philanthropy) and environmental protection activities (e.g., recycling) is a confusing question. This paper provides deep insights into the combination strategy of two corporate social responsibility (CSR) types in a two-tier sustainable supply chain by modeling analysis. The decision models in eight scenarios with different combinations of CSR types are proposed and applied for the determination of equilibrium scenarios. The paper's findings highlight: under certain conditions, (1) the supply chain with two types of CSR is the equilibrium scenario and improves the TBL; (2) counter-intuitively, balancing short- and long-term benefits, firms are more willing to cooperate with partners with relatively low consumers sensitivity of CSR activities; (3) it is wise for the manufacturer to allocate more funding to environmental responsibility than to community responsibility. In addition, considering both short- and long-term benefits, comparing with the manufacturer, the retailer has a stronger incentive to improve recycling efficiency.

Scenario Simulation for the Urban Carrying Capacity Based on System Dynamics Model in Shanghai, China

Shanghai, as an international metropolis, has an ever-growing population and ongoing economic development, so the pressure on the natural resources and the environment is continually increased. How to ease the tension among economy, resources and the environment? The sustainable green development of Shanghai has been the focus of the public and the government. Urban carrying capacity involves complex interactions among population, the economy and the environment. Understanding the balance between these elements is an important scientific issue for sustainable green development in Shanghai. For this purpose, the balance between urban development and ecological resources was emphasized, and population carrying capacity, GDP (Gross Domestic Product), green ecological index and added value of secondary industry were investigated to measure urban carrying capacity. The dynamic changes of the carrying population, GDP, green ecological index and the added value of the secondary industry in Shanghai during 2018–2035 were simulated using a system dynamics model including three subsystems and 66 variables from a macroscopic perspective. Five development scenarios were employed during the simulation, namely a status-quo scenario, an economic-centric scenario, a high-tech-centric scenario, an environment-centric scenario and a coordinated equilibrium scenario. The simulation results indicated that the potential of carrying population will decline by 2035, and the economic and ecological indicators will also be at a low level under the status-quo scenario, which is an inferior option, while the under coordinated equilibrium scenario, the ecological environment, population growth and economic development will all perform excellently, which is the best option. Therefore, the urban carrying capacity of population, economy and resources in Shanghai may be improved by increasing investment in scientific research, increasing the expenditure on environmental protection and improving the recycling efficiency of waste solid and water. The results provide insights into the urban carrying capacity of Shanghai city.

Mutual information in changing environments: Nonlinear interactions, out-of-equilibrium systems, and continuously varying diffusivities.

Biochemistry, ecology, and neuroscience are examples of prominent fields aiming at describing interacting systems that exhibit nontrivial couplings to complex, ever-changing environments. We have recently shown that linear interactions and a switching environment are encoded separately in the mutual information of the overall system. Here we first generalize these findings to a broad class of nonlinear interacting models. We find that a new term in the mutual information appears, quantifying the interplay between nonlinear interactions and environmental changes, and leading to either constructive or destructive information interference. Furthermore, we show that a higher mutual information emerges in out-of-equilibrium environments with respect to an equilibrium scenario. Finally, we generalize our framework to the case of continuously varying environments. We find that environmental changes can be mapped exactly into an effective spatially varying diffusion coefficient, shedding light on modeling of biophysical systems in inhomogeneous media.

Extracting values from consumer returns: The role of return-freight insurance for competing e-sellers

In e-commerce, return-freight insurance (RI) has become a significant profit-enhancing tool for e-sellers, which is used to compensate consumers for their return-freight fees. E-sellers can buy RI to offer it to consumers (Strategy O) or allow consumers to buy it (Strategy N). This paper develops a duopoly model to investigate how this new practice (introducing RI) affects the pricing strategies and demand of two e-sellers with different qualities and their RI decisions (producing four scenarios: NN, NO, ON, OO). First, we confirm that the introduction of RI does not necessarily lead to market expansion. The increase in demand of the low-quality e-seller (E-seller L) hinges on its low RI premium, the competitor's high RI premium, and the high return-freight compensation. Counterintuitively, the high return-freight compensation may prevent consumers from buying from the high-quality e-seller (E-seller H) who offers RI. Second, in contrast to E-seller L, E-seller H is inclined to lower the selling price if RI is introduced. In an online platform with RI, offering RI will induce e-sellers to increase their selling prices. Third, e-sellers prefer to offer RI only if the RI premium is low, the probability of product fit is low, and the return-freight compensation is high. The RI premium is the most important, and the probability of product fit is more important than the return-freight compensation. An interesting result is that the e-seller's preference for offering RI is not affected by the competitor's RI decision. Therefore, the equilibrium scenario can be NN, NO, ON, or OO.

Life cycle assessment of methanol vehicles from energy, environmental and economic perspectives

As a new alternative fuel vehicle for energy reserve strategy, the development of methanol vehicles in China has been at the forefront. Completed pilot projects have demonstrated that methanol vehicles can effectively reduce fuel costs and pollutant emissions during driving. In addition to methanol vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles such as electric vehicles and compressed natural gas vehicles also maintain a sound development momentum in China. It is essential to understand which one has more advantages from sustainable development. This paper uses the Energy, Environment, and Economy (3E) evaluation method to analyze the energy consumption, environmental emission, and economy of methanol, electric, gas, and gasoline vehicles from the whole life cycle perspective. A comprehensive index evaluation model was constructed, and the development potential of the three alternative fuel vehicles was ranked under four different scenarios (energy-oriented, environment-oriented, economic-oriented, and equilibrium scenarios). This research shows that methanol vehicles have higher total energy consumption than gasoline vehicles in the whole life cycle. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, compared with gasoline vehicles, methanol, and compressed natural gas vehicles decreased by 8.79 tons and 12.45 tons, respectively. At the same time, methanol vehicles have a better economic benefit than gasoline vehicles (37%), which is the same as the completed pilot projects. In addition, results also show that due to the advantages of low renovation cost and fuel price, the user’s cost of methanol vehicles is more down than blade electric vehicles, which makes them have better development potential compared with electric and compressed natural gas vehicles in the economic-oriented and equilibrium scenario. Therefore, methanol vehicles can be used as alternative fuel vehicles for long-term development in China.

Power-law spectrum of energetic particles in classical thermal equilibrium by pitch-angle scattering process

The Boltzmann–Gibbs thermodynamic equilibrium state of charged particles pitch-angle scattered by weak plasma waves is discussed. Degrees of freedom of these waves play a fundamental role in constructing the grand canonical ensemble. Via the gyro-resonance condition, fast particles have an inverse break power-law spectrum for ɛ−μ≪T, where ɛ is the particle energy, μ is the chemical potential, T is the temperature. The break energies are the rest energy and −μ. For ɛ≪−μ≪T, the energy spectral index α is δ/2+1 and δ+1 for non- and ultra-relativistic particles, respectively, with δ an effective fractal dimension of background magnetic field lines. The spectral index for −μ≪ɛ≪T is α+1. This thermal equilibrium scenario, combined with the leaky-box model and cosmic-ray observations, seems to suggest that the Galactic magnetic field is super-diffusive with δ≈1.4.

Land space optimization of urban-agriculture-ecological functions in the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan Urban Agglomeration, China

Evaluating urban-agriculture-ecological space is useful in optimizing land space and high-quality socio-economic development. This study evaluated urban development and ecological protection in an urban agglomeration and delineated the ecological security pattern for the sustainable use of land spaces. Using the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan (CZT) urban agglomeration as study area, system dynamics (SD) model, cellular automaton (CA), and artificial neural network (ANN) were utilized to simulate the variation trends of urban development space, ecological space, and urban agricultural space for 2019–2035 under different development scenarios (status-quo, economic-centric, environment-centric, and coordinated equilibrium). The highlights of results are as follows: (1) The combined effects of the economy, nature, accessibility, and spillover effects exerted significant impact on urban land expansion. Socio-economic variables and spillover effect constitute the main controlling factors of land space expansion. (2) The urban construction space of the CZT urban agglomeration would vary for the different development scenarios. During the simulation period, urban construction space in the study area would be 1572.06 km2 for the status-quo scenario, 1763.27 km2 for the economic-centric scenario, 1634.13 km2 for the environment-centric scenario, and 1668.69 km2 for the coordinated equilibrium scenario. (3) The growth boundary of the urban agglomeration was demarcated based on the spatial attributes, land-use functions, and clustering. The rigid growth boundary was estimated at 3686 km2, while the flexible growth boundary was estimated to be 1794.53 km2. These values can be used to guide planning, policies, and strategies for the orderly expansion of urban land in future development.

Reduction of the wage share of income and increasingly precarious employment

The economic globalization that began in the late 1970s and early 1980s has generated job insecurity for workers. This coincides with two trends: a reduction in the wage share of income and increasingly precarious employment, both of which have been seen in most market economies since the early 1980s. This article proposes an efficiency-wage model in a demand-constrained equilibrium scenario, to explain how rising job insecurity has reduced the wage share of income and made employment more precarious. An additional virtue of this model is that it explains several features of the Mexican labour market observed in recent decades.

Empirical Photochemical Modeling of Saturn’s Ionization Balance Including Grain Charging

Abstract We present a semianalytical photochemical model of Saturn’s near-equatorial ionosphere and adapt it to two regions (∼2200 and ∼1700 km above the 1 bar level) probed during the inbound portion of Cassini’s orbit 292 (2017 September 9). The model uses as input the measured concentrations of molecular hydrogen, hydrogen ion species, and free electrons, as well as the measured electron temperature. The output includes upper limits, or constraints, on the mixing ratios of two families of molecules, on ion concentrations, and on the attachment rates of electrons and ions onto dust grains. The model suggests mixing ratios of the two molecular families that, particularly near ∼1700 km, differ notably from what independent measurements by the Ion Neutral Mass Spectrometer suggest. Possibly connected to this, the model suggests an electron-depleted plasma with a level of electron depletion of around 50%. This is in qualitative agreement with interpretations of Radio Plasma Wave Science/Langmuir Probe measurements, but an additional conundrum arises in the fact that a coherent photochemical equilibrium scenario then relies on a dust component with typical grain radii smaller than 3 Å.

Nonequilibrium self-assembly of multiple stored targets in a dimer-based system.

Nonequilibrium self-assembly can be found in various biological processes where chemical potential gradients are exploited to steer the system to a desired organized structure with a particular function. Microtubules, for example, are composed of two globular protein subunits, α-tubulin and β-tubulin, which bind together to form polar dimers that self-assemble a hollow cylinder structure in a process driven by GTPase activity. Inspired by this process, we define a generic self-assembly lattice model containing particles of two subunits, which is driven out-of-equilibrium by a dimer-favoring local driving force. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we characterize the ability of this system to restore pre-encoded target structures as a function of the initial seed size, interaction energy, chemical potential, number of target structures, and strength of the nonequilibrium drive. We demonstrate some intriguing consequences of the drive, such as a smaller critical seed and an improved target assembly stability, compared to the equilibrium scenario. Our results can expand the theoretical basis of nonequilibrium self-assembly and provide deeper understanding of how nonequilibrium driving can overcome equilibrium constraints.

PyUserCalc: A Revised Jupyter Notebook Calculator for Uranium‐Series Disequilibria in Basalts

Key Points Cloud‐based Jupyter notebook presents an open source, reproducible tool for modeling U‐series in basalts Equilibrium and pure disequilibrium porous flow U‐series models with 1D conservation of mass Scaled porous flow model introduces incomplete equilibrium scenario with reaction rate limitations

Data-Limited Stock Assessment for Fish Species Devoid of Catch Statistics: Case Studies for Pampus argenteus and Setipinna taty in the Bohai and Yellow Seas

For many fish stocks, such as Pampus argenteus and Setipinna taty in China, size composition data are more accessible than catch data. Varied results can arise when different length-based stock assessment models are applied to these data, and fishery managers often need to reconcile conflicting estimates of population status. Superensemble modeling, a relatively recent innovation in fish stock assessments commonly used in other fields, may provide an effective solution to resolving uncertainties among the results from multiple length-based models. To verify potential for this approach to improve estimates of population status, we applied ensemble modeling to fit simulated data of P. argenteus and S. taty in the Bohai and Yellow Seas using predictions from a length-based integrated mixed effects (LIME) and length-based spawning potential ratio (LB-SPR) models as covariables in a superensemble model developed in this study. All simulation modeling of P. argenteus and S. taty in the Bohai and Yellow Seas was conducted using the operating model in the R package LIME. Initially, the LIME and LB-SPR performances were tested separately under three scenarios of fishing mortality and recruitment variability (“equilibrium scenario,” “endogenous scenario,” and “one-way base scenario”). Then, estimates of spawning potential ratio (SPR) were combined with the superensemble models (a linear model, a support vector machines, a random forest and a boosted regression tree). We trained our superensemble models with 80% of the simulated data and tested them with the remaining 20%. Our results showed that superensemble modeling substantially improved the estimates of SPR, with support vector machines performing the best at estimating population status: precision improved by 12.7% for S. taty and 8% for P. argenteus on average (namely, median absolute proportional error decreased by 0.127 and 0.08 on average) compared to the individual models. This finding has important implications for fisheries management in the context of species for which catch data are unavailable. Applying the size composition survey data, the results from support vector machines superensemble model suggested that neither S. taty nor P. argenteus in the Bohai Sea in 2019 are overfished, but the stock status of P. argenteus warrants vigilant monitoring.

Compact stars in f(ℛ,𝒢,𝒯 ) gravity

This work is to introduce a new kind of modified gravitational theory, named as [Formula: see text] (also [Formula: see text]) gravity, where [Formula: see text] is the Ricci scalar, [Formula: see text] is Gauss–Bonnet invariant and [Formula: see text] is the trace of the energy–momentum tensor. With the help of different models in this gravity, we investigate some physical features of different relativistic compact stars. For this purpose, we develop the effectively modified field equations, conservation equation, and the equation of motion for test particle. Then, we check the impact of additional force (massive test particle followed by a nongeodesic line of geometry) on compact objects. Furthermore, we took three notable stars named as [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The physical behavior of the energy density, anisotropic pressures, different energy conditions, stability, anisotropy, and the equilibrium scenario of these strange compact stars are analyzed through various plots. Finally, we conclude that the energy conditions hold, and the core of these stars is so dense.

Strategic pollution control under free trade

This paper designs a reciprocal dumping model to address the control of industrial pollution between two trading partners. Firms generate transboundary pollution from production and environmental taxes represent the pollution control instrument. We ask whether environmental taxes implemented in a non-cooperative setting are more stringent than the globally efficient level. Relative to the globally efficient case, we find in the linear Markov Perfect Nash Equilibrium (MPNE) context that the tax rate for both countries is smaller and individual emissions are larger. However, these results may not hold in the non-linear MPNE case depending on market structure and environmental conditions. Unlike the symmetric equilibrium case, the tax rates are always discontinuous under asymmetric MPNEs. The asymmetric equilibrium scenario can give rise to higher individual payoffs relative to the symmetric equilibrium case.

Innovative application of strategic foresight to oncology research

PurposeThis study aims to investigate into the future of cancer and cancer research in preparation for a strategic plan for a cancer research centre.Design/methodology/approachThe study used framework foresight, a method for creating scenarios and their implications developed by the MS program in Foresight at the University of Houston.FindingsThe study identified four scenarios: a continuation scenario in which progress in detecting and treating cancer progressed as it has over the past few decades, a collapse scenario in which attention was diverted from medical research due to a climate crisis, a new equilibrium scenario in which cost became the overriding concern for cancer treatment, and a transformation scenario in which individuals took control of their treatment through Do-It-Yourself remedies. Those scenarios suggested four strategic issues for the planning exercise: the growing volume of genomic and clinical data and the means to learn from it, the increased involvement and influence of patients in diagnosis and treatment, the ability to conduct research in a time of fiscal austerity and declining levels of trust in all professions, including medicine.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper not only provides guidance for cancer centers but also for medical practice in general.Practical implicationsThe client used the scenarios and their implications as part of its considerations in strategic planning.Originality/valueThis paper represents the first time that Framework Foresight has been applied to a medical topic.

The optimal combination between selling mode and logistics service strategy in an e-commerce market

In e-commerce, many online platforms operate as a reseller for some products and serve as a marketplace for others. Under both selling modes, the logistics service can be undertaken by the platform or the supplier. The combination between the selling mode and the logistics service strategy produces four typical scenarios: (a) the platform acts as a reseller and the supplier offers the logistics service, namely, the RS scenario; (b) the platform serves as a reseller and provides the logistics service, namely, the RP scenario; (c) the platform works as a marketplace and the supplier offers the logistics service, namely, the MS scenario; and (d) the platform operates as a marketplace and provides the logistics service, namely, the MP scenario. On this basis, this paper proposes an analytical model to examine how the selling mode choice interacts with the logistics service strategy. We find that the supplier's preference aligns with the improvement of the logistics service level. When the cost performance of the logistics service is high, the RP scenario will generate the highest logistics service level, in which the supplier will gain the highest profit; when the cost performance of the logistics service is low, the MS scenario will generate the highest logistics service level and give the supplier the highest profit. For the platform, as the logistics service's cost performance increases, his preferred scenario will evolve from MP to MS, and then to RP. Further, we examine the equilibrium scenario by considering the interactions between the supplier and the online platform. We find that the MS scenario will be the equilibrium when the logistics service's cost performance is in the medium range; otherwise, RP will become the equilibrium scenario.