Gradual Change Research Articles

Acoustic features of long‐distance calls of wild cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are linked to the caller age from newborns to adults

AbstractWild cheetahs Acinonyx jubatus of all age classes, from newborns to adults, use their long‐distance chirps for communication with conspecifics. We investigated the ontogenetic changes of eight acoustic parameters of the chirps produced by wild‐living cheetahs across 14 age classes in Kenya. Chirp maximum fundamental frequency (f0max) was found to be best acoustic correlate of cheetah age. The f0max was the highest in neonates (up to 10 kHz), then decreased steadily across age classes and reached a plateau of about 1 kHz in mature adults older than 4 years. Based on a close relationship of f0max with age, we fitted polynomial models for estimating cheetah age by their chirps. We discuss that gradual changes of chirp f0max suggest the gradual development of cheetah vocal apparatus. Model for age estimation by chirps in the cheetah proposed in this study may provide conservationists a non‐invasive bioacoustic tool for estimating cheetah age, particularly at ages younger than 4 years. However, introducing more data from cheetahs of precisely known age would be necessary for obtaining more accurate results of age determination by voice for the older individuals.

Downhole parameter prediction method based on multi-layer water injection model and historical data-based model parameter identification

Wireless communication has become a preferred direction for the development of layered water injection tools due to its low cost and high reliability. However, the wireless system relies on the underground battery for power supply，and each communication will consume a significant amount of energy. In order to save energy consumption, the wireless system adopts the intermittent sleep communication mode, with intervals of usually more than one month. During the idle time of communication, the downhole parameters such as pressure and flowrate will change as the pressure and flowrate at the wellhead. Therefore, it is crucial to predict downhole parameters based on the wellhead pressure and flowrate. In this study, a downhole parameter prediction method based on multi-layer water injection model is proposed. A multilayer injection prediction model was established based on the hydraulic analysis of the tubing string, and the model parameters were identified and updated using the historical data uploaded each time. The pressure and flow rate measured at the wellhead were used as inputs to the model, and the recursive relationship between layers in the multilayer model was utilized to predict downhole parameters for each layer. A model parameter optimization method based on time-weighting is proposed in order to address the gradual changes in model parameters during water injection. This method assigns greater weight to more recent historical data, resulting in optimized model parameters. Experimental results show that the proposed method can effectively predict the flowrate and pressure of each layer, with a prediction deviation of less than 5% F.S., which provides technical support for the application and popularization of the wireless layered water injection system.

Microfloristic regions of the Middle–Upper Triassic: New insights into the phytogeographical affinities of southwestern Gondwana

Two phytogeographic units were defined for the Middle–Upper Triassic of Gondwana, the warm humid Onslow and the cool-temperate Ipswich microfloras; nevertheless, many uncertainties remain regarding the geographical scope of such assemblages, as well as to the degree of similarity between phytogeographical regions and the existence of different microfloristic domains within the Laurasian territory. To tackle these questions, a hierarchical cluster analysis complemented with ordination methods and bipartite network analysis was performed over a list of 70 palynomorph species and selected localities of the Anisian–Ladinian, Carnian and Norian time-intervals, with special emphasis on southwestern Gondwana units. Obtained results showed a clear dichotomy between tropical and extratropical associations, within which different microfloristic regions also developed from gradual changes in the frequency distribution of palynotaxa. These findings are significant because they confirm for first time through quantitative methods a phytogeographic separation between ‘Onslow’ and ‘Euro-Mediterranean’ assemblages, considered for a long time to be part of the same microflora. Furthermore, and contrary to expectations, two distinct phytogeographic units were recognized for the Laurasian territory, where the first is related to the hot and dry margins of western Tethys, and the other to the temperate and humid zones of Boreal Pangea. Likewise, a separate and well defined assemblage was recognized for southwestern Gondwanan, during the late Anisian–Carnian of central-western Argentina, named here as the Cuyo microfloristic region. This unit showed a close resemblance to microfloras of northern Laurasia due to the shared presence of several species of miospores that are largely absent from the eastern part of Pangea. We hypothesize that the migration of such species occurred through a trans-equatorial temperate and humid landway, following the rift basins and topographic highs developed along the suture lines of the Variscan orogenic belt and western South America at the beginning of Pangea separation.

Crisis and paradigm change in the European semester: from austerity to investment-oriented policy ideas

ABSTRACT The policy-responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have fuelled expectations about potential paradigmatic change in European Economic Governance (EEG). Building on existing scholarship on policy paradigms, we develop testable expectations about the steps preceding paradigmatic change, which we explore on the basis of three types of data. First, we show how public spending in three key Eurozone countries between 2008 and 2021 follows predicted patterns of the punctuated equilibrium model. Second, we show that governments’ justifications for their annual budgets reflect a gradual change in policy-ideas between 2009 and 2020, following the expected three orders of change. Third, we show how this gradual change is also present in the European Country-Specific Recommendations and in the bureaucratic logics within the European Commission. Our findings reconcile three strands of scholarship on policy change and have implications for our understanding of the European integration process and for future research on economic policy-making within EEG.

A Least Squares Estimator for Gradual Change-Point in Time Series with m-Asymptotically Almost Negatively Associated Errors

As a new member of the NA (negative associated) family, the m-AANA (m-asymptotically almost negatively associated) sequence has many statistical properties that have not been developed. This paper mainly studies its properties in the gradual change point model. Firstly, we propose a least squares type change point estimator, then derive the convergence rates and consistency of the estimator, and provide the limit distributions of the estimator. It is interesting that the convergence rates of the estimator are the same as that of the change point estimator for independent identically distributed observations. Finally, the effectiveness of the estimator in limited samples can be verified through several sets of simulation experiments and an actual hydrological example.

INTEGRATING DEPOSITIONAL SYSTEM TRACTS WITH MINERALOGY AND PROVENANCE OF THE MIOCENE SANDSTONES, OFFSHORE NORTH KUTEI BASIN

Vertical variation of the Miocene sandstone mineralogy in the Kutei Basin has been recognized but the reasons for this remain unsaid. Deltaic-sandstone facies, parasequence sets, detrital mineralogy, and provenance of the uppermost Middle Miocene to the Upper Miocene strata in the Anamta and Amantu areas were analyzed using twenty-three wells and selected composite 2D and 3D seismic lines. Taxon indicators were correlated to build bio- and litho-stratigraphic markers: M50, M65, M66, and M70. The mineralogy dataset was derived from core and cuttings, while the detrital minerals were described, counted, normalized, and plotted in ternary diagrams. The four key markers were tied to the 3D-seismic data for seismic-stratigraphy analysis to observe the parasequences, system tracts, and sequence boundaries that correspond to the fluctuated relative sea-level. The parasequence sets are: (1) M65 aggradation and progradation, (2) M66 progradation, forced-regression, and back to another progradation, (3) M70 progradation, which interestingly demonstrate the detrital-mineral groupings. Qt-F-L suggests a gradual change up to the younger age from subarkose to sublitharenite towards feldspathic-litharenite to litharenite. Qp-Lv-Ls demonstrates the source was derived from collision-suture and folded-thrust belt. Qm-F-Lt diagram reveals the mature rocks with stable frameworks to the recycled-orogen provenance. The sediments maturity and stability are further confirmed by the Qm-P-K ternary chart. The most important finding is a significant shift of the paleo-shelf edge during the forced regression, as it separated the mineralogy composition of the M66 to the underlying M65 parasequence sets.

Privatization and Coercive Isomorphic Pressure in Norwegian Early Childhood Education and Care (1987-2020)

This article analyses the privatization of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) provision in Norway between 1987 and 2020. My analytical framework combines theories of structured organizational fields and gradual institutional change to investigate how the scope and field position of private ECEC providers have evolved during this period. Based on an analysis of official policy documents, I illuminate how ECEC quality enhancement has gradually been institutionalized as the common, legitimizing endeavour of the ECEC provision field by means of coercive isomorphic pressure. Along with increasing regulation of working conditions, this has altered the meaning of private ECEC provision. Both the scope and field position of private provider organizations have evolved accordingly. Currently, small providers and larger provider corporations face different sets of legitimacy challenges, resulting in a conflict of interests. Tensions between these groups are likely to fuel ongoing field dynamics that are capable of yielding institutional stability as well as change. My analysis contributes towards building a more comprehensive theoretical framework for organizational fields by illuminating the interplay between coercive isomorphic pressure and organizational characteristics within a structured field.

The effect of color vision resolution on intra-oral shade-selection accuracy.

Dentists must be able to identify subtle color changes as shade-matching is crucial in aesthetic dentistry. To determine whether color discrimination ability is related to shade-matching accuracy among dentists. The sensitivity of the normal-color vision population to different colors was investigated using Farnsworth Munsell 100 Hue (FM-100) test results. The FM-100 test was administered to 37 dentists at the Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University. Sensitivity of dentists with normal-color vision to different colors was investigated using the FM-100 test. Participants were instructed to arrange color caps of various colors according to the gradual change in colors and the results were scored. Visual shade matching test using Vita 3D-MASTER shade guide was performed to determine shade-matching accuracy. The relationship between color discrimination ability and shade-matching accuracy was analyzed. The number of misplaced color caps in the FM-100 test was also calculated. The FM-100 test revealed that 16 and 21 participants had excellent and average color discrimination ability, respectively, and their shade-matching accuracies were 68.75% and 66.67%, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the shade-matching accuracy between the two groups. No significant correlation was observed between the color discrimination ability and shade-matching accuracy. In addition, the number of wrong color caps on the 43-63 color tray with the transition from blue-green to blue-purple was the highest according to Friedman's test. Color discrimination ability of dentists does not affect their visual shade-matching accuracy. Additionally, people with normal color vision are not sensitive to the transition from blue-green to blue-purple.

Динамические изменения в русской грамматике

The article is devoted to the evolutionary processes in Russian grammar at the end of the 20th century and at present. Article deals with 1) the cases of gradual change of noun case forms: kupit’ khleba I moloka – kupit’ khleb I moloko, dogovory - dogovora; 2) with cardinal numbers case forms changes: dvukhsot - dvukhsta; 3) with a sharp increase in the trend towards immutability of new borrowings; 4) with substitution of a particle NI for a particle NE in subordinate clause, and at least, 5) with the influence of feminism on the restructuring of professional names: rezhissior - rezhissiorka.

Applying a new framework of connections between mathematical symbols and natural language

A reader of mathematical text must often switch between reading mathematical symbols and reading words. In this study, five different categories of structural connections between symbols and language, which invite such switches, are presented in a framework. The framework was applied in a study of Swedish mathematics textbooks, where 180 randomly selected pages from different educational stages were analyzed. The results showed a significant change in communication patterns as students progress through school. From a predomination of connections based on proximity found in year two, there is a gradual change to a predomination of symbols interwoven in sentences in year eight. Furthermore, more qualitative investigations of the different connections complemented the quantification, both through further explanations of the quantitative results, and through more examples of differences in communication patterns. The implications for readers of mathematics texts are discussed.

Role of Spatial Impurity Spread on the Transition Dynamics of Doped GaAs Quantum Dot in Presence of Noise

The present study thoroughly explores the time‐average population transfer rate (TAPTR) of impurity‐doped GaAs quantum dot (QD) pursuing the change in the spatial impurity spread (SIS). The said excitation rate is studied under the influence of Gaussian white noise (GWN). The rise of the ground‐state electronic density takes place due to different types of time‐changing fluctuations, viz. simple sinusoidal field, time‐dependent confinement potential, and time‐dependent magnetic field. GWN couples with the QD by additive and multiplicative modes. In this work, the joint influence of SIS and GWN and its pathway of inclusion and the nature of the time‐dependent perturbations are examined on the attributes of the TAPTR. The TAPTR curves are composed of steadfast rise, steadfast diminish, maximization (relevant to generation of large nonlinear optical properties), minimization, and saturation (suggesting dynamic freezing). The findings elucidate the means of fine‐tuning the TAPTR among the doped GaAs QD eigenstates in presence of noise, when the SIS undergoes a gradual change.

Monitoring effects of hydrodynamic cavitation pretreatment of sodium oleate on the aggregation of fine diaspore particles through small-angle laser scattering

Hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) enhanced fine particle aggregation could be largely due to the generation of tiny bubbles and their role in bridging particles. However, the lack of adequate characterizations of aggregates severally limits our further understanding of the associated aggregation behaviors. In this study, the aggregation of fine diaspore particles was comparatively investigated in sodium oleate (NaOl) solutions with and without HC pretreatment through the small-angle laser scattering (SALS) technique in a shear-induced aggregation (SIA) system. Results showed that HC pretreatment caused the formation of bulk nanobubbles (BNBs), which significantly modified the particle interactions and thereby modified the size and mass fractal dimension (Df) of aggregates under different SIA conditions. Although HC pretreatment did not noticeably alter the gradual change trend of aggregate size and structure characteristics under specific variables, BNBs bridging facilitated the aggregation process towards the diffusion-limited cluster aggregation model, resulting in the formation of larger but looser aggregates. This effect was more pronounced under relatively high NaOl concentrations. Apart from BNBs, the aggregation was also affected by cavitation bubbles formed during shear cavitation, which was more significant under high stirring intensity conditions (i.e., 1800 rpm) than the low stirring intensity conditions (i.e., 600 rpm).

Rheology of Aqueous Ferrofluids: Transition from a Gel-Like Character to a Liquid Character in High Magnetic Fields

Rheological measurements under an applied magnetic field were used to investigate the changes to the internal structure and stability of an aqueous ferrofluid. The ferrofluid was prepared by dispersing 1.8 wt.% of maghemite nanoparticles with a size of d = 14 ± 3 nm and a saturation magnetization MS = 68 emu/g in water using citric acid as the surfactant. In this study, oscillatory tests were used to investigate the internal structural changes and the stability of ferrofluid under the influence of the magnetic field B. In a magnetic field of approximately 50 mT, the G′ became higher than the loss modulus G″ as the ferrofluid exhibited a gel-like character. However, at a magnetic field of approximately 200 mT, the character of the ferrofluid reverted to that of a liquid. The change in the character of the ferrofluid in this high magnetic field was associated with a gradual change from chain agglomerates to the energetically more favourable globular agglomerates, using a calculation based on a model described in a separate work. The globular agglomerates impeded the flow to a much lesser degree than the chains, causing a reduction in the viscosity. Further increase of the magnetic field resulted in sedimentation of agglomerates and loss of magneto-rheological effect.

Ontogenetic habitat shift of Anguilla marmorata and A. japonica in the rivers of southern Japan: Implications for habitat use evaluation and conservation

Abstract Understanding the habitat requirements of fishes throughout their life cycle is essential for effective conservation. Despite the growing need to conserve anguillid eels, the current understanding of the ontogenetic habitat shifts during their riverine stages remains limited, particularly for the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica and the Indo‐Pacific eel Anguilla marmorata. Here, changes in habitat use during the riverine stages of these two eel species were investigated in the southern Japan rivers, where they coexist. Eels were classified into total length (TL) classes at 10 cm intervals, and generalized additive models were constructed using these classes as an ordinal, quasi‐continuous explanatory variable. The models showed that the habitat use of the two species changed with growth; both species shifted to deeper and more lentic habitats as they grew larger. Small‐ and mid‐sized (<25 and 25–55 cm in TL, respectively) A. japonica used more lentic habitats with smaller substrates, ranging from sand/silt to cobbles, than small‐ and mid‐sized A. marmorata, which mainly used lotic habitats with cobble and boulder substrates. However, compared with small‐sized conspecifics, mid‐sized A. japonica mainly used habitats with larger substrates, such as pebbles and cobbles, suggesting that the interspecific overlap in habitat use is relatively high for mid‐sized individuals of both species. Large A. marmorata ( 85 cm) mainly used habitats with smaller substrates as they grew larger. The results suggest that using a fine body size classification and including these classes as a quasi‐continuous explanatory variable in habitat models capture gradual changes in habitat use, improving habitat use evaluation of anguillid eels. Preserving the environmental heterogeneity of river habitats in terms of water depth, current velocity and substrate size would facilitate habitat segregation of both conspecifics and allospecifics in the same rivers, thereby promoting the conservation of anguillid eels.

Time-course transcriptome analysis of lungs from mice infected with inhaled aerosolized Stenotrophomonas maltophilia.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (SMA) has emerged as an important pathogen capable of causing an opportunistic and nosocomial infection. We performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) of lung tissues from mice with pulmonary SMA infection over time via aerosolized intratracheal inhalation to investigate transcription profile changes in SMA-infected lungs. A mouse model of acute lethal SMA pneumonia was established in this study using aerosolized intratracheal inhalation, laying the groundwork for future SMA research. RNA-seq was then used to create a transcriptional profile of the lungs of the model mice at 0, 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours post-infection (hpi). Mfuzz time clustering, weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA), and Immune Cell Abundance Identifier for mouse (ImmuCellAI-mouse) were used to analyze RNA-seq data. A gradual change in the lung transcriptional profile was observed, which was consistent with the expected disease progression. At 4 hpi, the expression of genes related to the acute phase inflammatory response increased, as predicted abundance of innate immune cells. At this stage, an increased demand for energy was also observed, including an increase in the expression of genes involved in circulation, muscle function and mitochondrial respiratory chain function. The expression of genes associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and autophagy increased at 24 hpi. Unlike the number of natural killer (NK) cells following most bacterial lung infections, the abundance of NK cells decreased following infection with SMA. The expression levels of Cxcl10, Cd14, Gbp5, Cxcr2, Tnip1, Zc3h12a, Egr1, Sell and Gbp2 were high and previously unreported in SMA pneumonia, and they may be important targets for future studies. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the pulmonary transcriptional response to SMA infection. The findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of SMA pneumonia, which may aid in the development of therapies to reduce the occurrence of SMA pulmonary infection.

EXTREME STORM SURGES DUE TO GLOBAL WARMING IN EAST ASIA BASED ON A MAXIMUM POTENTIAL STORM SURGE MODEL

Based on climate projections considering global warming, various impact assessments have been made for temperature, precipitation, water resources, and sea-level rise (e.g., IPCC AR6, 2021). In coastal areas, sea-level rise is mainly important as a gradual change in the coastal environment. At the same time, extreme events such as tropical cyclones (TC) are expected to significantly impact storm surges. Global warming is expected to affect the characteristics of TCs, such as frequency, intensity, and track path. However, future changes in TC characteristics are still uncertain on both regional and global scales. This study aims to estimate the maximum potential storm surge height (MPS) along bays in East Asia and Japan using data from the maximum potential intensity (MPI) of a TC.

Molecular dynamics simulation of epoxy resin properties at different C=N contents

In response to the green development strategies of countries all over the world, research on degradable epoxy resins has attracted widespread attention. The introduction of reversible covalent bonds in the conventional cross-linked structure of epoxy resins is one of the methods to achieve degradation of epoxy resins, and most researchers use molecular dynamics simulations in their preliminary studies to investigate the feasibility of the introduction of reversible covalent bonding schemes. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the feasibility of introducing C=N into the cross-linked structure of epoxy resins. Four formulation schemes of vanillin-based monoepoxides with the curing agent 4,4′-methylenebis(cyclohexylamine) were designed, and the molecular dynamics simulation method was used to cross-link them. The changes in the cross-linking degree, structural parameters before and after cross-linking, free volume fraction, and C=N content before and after cross-linking were investigated. The effects of different C=N contents on the thermal properties such as glass transition temperature and thermal expansion coefficient, as well as the mechanical properties such as the elastic modulus and shear modulus of this epoxy resin, were investigated. The bond-breaking characteristics of C=N, C–N, and C–O were compared by density of states and differential charge density simulations. Then the degradation mechanism of epoxy resin after the introduction of C=N was illustrated. The results show that as the specific gravity of the curing agent molecule increases, the cross-linking degree tends to increase. The cross-linked model has reduced volume, increased density, decreased energy, and a more stable structure. After crosslinking, the gaps between the segments in the system become smaller, and the fraction of free volume decreases as the proportion of crosslinking agent molecules increases. The C=N content in epoxy resin shows an increasing trend first and then decreases with the increase in the proportion of the curing agent. The glass transition temperature of the material increases with the increase in C=N content, while the coefficient of thermal expansion decreases with the increase in C=N content. The elastic modulus and shear modulus of the material show an increasing trend with the increase in C=N content, with a relatively gradual change in magnitude. Compared with C–N and C–O bonds, the C=N bond is weaker in strength, has a greater polarity, and is more prone to cleavage and degradation.

Two dual-categorization theories of tolerance: Commentary on Simon (2023).

This article provides a constructive critique on the disapproval-respect model of tolerance, which presents a dual-categorization-based explanation of tolerance with two components-disapproval and respect. Additionally, the article discusses the leniency contract theory, another dual-categorization-based theory of tolerance with two components-disagreement and open-mindedness-that has been largely overlooked by the tolerance research community. Both theories argue that tolerance arises from a sense of shared identity; however, they have distinct focuses in their conceptualization and consequences of tolerance. While the disapproval-respect model focuses on respect tolerance and its consequence in intergroup relations, the leniency contract theory focuses on open-minded tolerance, its consequence in minority versus majority influence, and the role of tolerance in enabling gradual and steady change toward a more pluralistic society. The leniency contract theory and disapproval-respect model together offer valuable insights into the ways in which group cohesion and diversity can coexist, even in the face of ideological disagreement. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

The irony of Indonesia's democracy: The rise of dynastic politics in the post-Suharto era

This essay aims to study why politicians engage in dynastic politics within democratic institutions and how they reject institutional changes that may limit their ability to pass on political power to family members. While scholars have emphasized institutions as an enabling factor, it is unclear how the power struggle manifested to preserve the institutions that continually suit the interests of aspiring dynasts amidst the democracy shift and pressure. This study seeks to fill the gap by delving into how political players struggle to preserve the structures that allow them to form political dynasties. This study also presents an original empirical conclusion demonstrating that Indonesian political dynasties more than tripled between 2010 and 2018, or in only one election cycle. This study contends that the primary cause of the rapid growth of political dynasties in Indonesia is inextricably related to the gradual institutional changes following Indonesia's democratic transition in 1998. In the process, the parasitic symbionts—i.e. the aspiring dynasts—were able to make institutional drifts.

Fault Coupling on a Creeping Thrust Fault: Joint Inversion Using Geodetic Data and Repeating Earthquakes

AbstractDue to the lack of recognized creep on dip‐slip faults, the nature of fault creep and its role in the generation of large earthquakes is largely unexplored. The Chihshang fault in Taiwan serves as one of the best examples of a thrust creeping fault in the world, exhibiting a fast creep rate of 2–3 cm/year and the capability of producing magnitude six earthquakes. Land‐based geodetic measurements are less sensitive to fault slip with depth, especially for the deeper portion of the seaward dipping fault. Taking advantage of slip rates inferred from repeating earthquake sequences (RESs) at greater depths (up to 30 km), we present a method that embeds RES‐derived slip rates into the neighboring fault patch for geodetic data inversion. Using the geodetic and seismological data from 2007 to 2011, we achieve a higher resolution of inter‐seismic slip rate distribution below a depth of 10 km. The inferred low coupling ratio establishes an extensive creeping area that coincides with a location of abundant RES and earthquake swarms. The inferred high coupling ratio, on the other hand, delineates a locked area corresponding to the two co‐seismic slip zones of the 2003 Mw 6.8 Chengkung and 2022 Mw 6.7 Yuli earthquakes. The transition zone marking the gradual change from fully locked to shallow creeping areas appears to coincide with the post‐seismic slip area of the 2003 Chengkung event. Using the fault coupling model, the moment rate deficit measured in the two locked areas is capable of generating a Mw 6.8 event every 78 years to the south and a Mw 6.7 event every 28 years to the north. This moment rate deficit is decreased by 10% when the closely located Central Range fault is considered in a two‐fault model, leading to the slightly longer recurrence interval on the Chihshang fault. The two‐fault model potentially contributes to a better understanding of the regional inter‐seismic deformation, which is recommended to be adopted in the future studies of seismic hazard assessment.