Transition Conditions Research Articles

A legal-economic framework of wholesale electricity markets: Assessing Australia's transition

Recent years have seen a surge in renewable generation investment in many countries, displacing traditional fossil-fuel generation at scale. Clean energy transitions have amplified existing problems of wholesale market designs and introduced new ones, including, but not limited to maintaining system resilience and reliability and ensuring adequate future investment levels. We develop an integrated legal-economic framework of wholesale electricity markets under transition conditions. The framework explains the dynamic interplay between different levels of electricity market regulation, regulatory objectives, policy instruments, market outcomes and electricity system objectives. The novelty arises from our separation and definition of the two main levels of (energy) law and regulation shaping electricity market design and their unique impact on market and system outcomes. We show that understanding and targeting the different levels of regulation matters for successfully addressing transition problems. We demonstrate the framework on the example of Australia's National Electricity Market.

MINERALOGICAL, PETROGRAPHIC, AND LITHOCHEMICAL FEATURES OF THE UPPER JURASSIC–LOWER CRETACEOUS SECTION OF THE NORDVIK PENINSULA (NORTH OF EASTERN SIBERIA)

Some intervals of the Jurassic–Cretaceous strata of the Anabar-Lena sedimentary basin have a certain oil and gas production potential, which can be realized in the synchronous offshore horizons of the adjacent territories of the Arctic shelf. Among the most representative objects in this regard are the outcrops of Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous formations of the Nordvik Peninsula. The main data on the composition and structure of this section were obtained mainly at the beginning of the second half of last century. The results of complex mineralogical, petrographic, and lithochemical studies of the Urdyuk-Khaya and Paksa formations of Cape Urdyuk-Khaya of the Nordvik Peninsula presented in here enabled us to identify 10 boundaries for changing of sedimentation regimes of the paleobasin. It was found that the Urdyuk-Khaya Formation was formed mainly in the conditions of the shelf transition zone (moderate deep water) with low rates of terrigenous material intake, some depletion of oxygen in bottom waters, and a trend towards an increase in the depths of the basin. The basal stratum of the Paksa Formation was formed in offshore conditions with periodically occurring dioxic conditions in bottom waters and extremely low rates of terrigenous material intake. The overlying part of the formation was formed in various parts of offshore transition conditions with a gradual decrease in the depths of the basin, an increase in the oxygen content in the bottom layer of water, and the rate of terrigenous material intake. The main provenance area was igneous rocks of mafic, possibly intermediate composition. There was some influence of felsic igneous rocks, or ancient sedimentary rocks rich in quartz. The parent strata were subjected to moderate and severe chemical weathering, in a warm humid climate. The revealed features of the studied strata are similar to the characteristics of the same-age sediments of the lower reaches of the Anabar River, which determines their high correlation potential and allows us to judge the evolution of the western part of the Anabar-Lena basin.

Improvement of sleep quality and sub-health conditions through pasteurized fermented milk consumption: A human intervention study

The sub-health state refers to a transitional condition between optimal health and disease, impacting physical, psychological, and social well-being. In this 42-day human intervention trial, we investigated the effects of two pasteurized fermented milks on sub-health symptoms. These pasteurized fermented milks shared the same starter culture and probiotic strains (Lacticaseibacillus paracasei PC-01, Lactiplantibacillus plantarun Lp-6, Lactobacillus helveticus H9, and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis Probio-M8), differing only in the presence of inulin. Qualified subjects were randomly assigned to the probiotic group (received milk without inulin; n = 49 or synbiotic group (received milk with inulin; n = 51). Outcome measures included Sub-Health Measurement Scale (SHMS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, fecal metagenomes, metabolomes, and short-chain fatty acids, and serum neurotransmitter levels at baseline, after a 4-week intervention (day 28), and a 2-week-follow-up period (day 42). Our results showed that both pasteurized fermented milks improved sleep quality and alleviated sub-health symptoms, with no significant added benefit from inulin. Fecal metagenome analysis revealed post-interventional changes in gut microbial composition, including increased Bifidobacterium longum and decreased potentially pro-inflammatory bacteria (Blautia sp. and Dorea sp.). Changes in Blautia sp. and B. longum correlated significantly with SHMS and PSQI scores, respectively. Fecal and serum metabolite analysis showed post-interventional modulation of fecal short-chain fatty acids, anti-inflammatory bioactive metabolites, and serum neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric and serotonin hydrochloride. In conclusion, pasteurized fermented milk intake alleviated sub-health symptoms, affected the gut microbiome, metabolome, and serum metabolites. These findings highlight the potential of pasteurized fermented milk for mitigating sub-health conditions.

MAN/PERSONALITY, ANTHROPOCENE, ANTHROPOCENE MODELING OF HUMAN NATURE

The article substantiates the view that in the conditions of transition to a new geological era - noosphere/anthropocene, there is a transition/clash from/to the “traditional” formation of the human personality through socialization and education to/and the anthropocene modeling of man through modern scientific technologies, in which an attempt is made to point out some of the most important trends in the development of the world that question the natural/divine “human nature” since the beginning of the 21st century.

The Role of Two Models of Thermal Radiation and Variable Properties on Thermal Explosion Critical and Transition Conditions of the Optically Thin Droplets

ABSTRACT Determining the criticality and disappearance of optically thin droplets (gas phase) by thermal explosions is crucial for maintaining thermal stability in various industrial and nonindustrial applications. The governing nonlinear ordinary differential equations of this problem make use of two distinct approximation models for thermal radiation loss, which were completed by Cogley et al. and Sohrab et al. Two methods of solving the problem – the Semenov method and the inflection point method – are used to identify the circumstances of criticality and disappearance of criticality (transition conditions). The governing equations utilize the use of the temperature-dependent Arrhenius frequency factor of the reaction and the thermal conductivity of the gas. The analytical solution of the equations yields the transitional values of the distinctive parameters at various initial conditions. Numerical methods are used to determine the equation’s exact solution. At specific initial conditions, the impact of θo, θa, γSh,F, and αSh,F on the temperature-time histories of ignition (supercritical region), non-ignition (subcritical region), and the critical boundary between them is derived. Notable effects on the ignition, non-ignition, and critical temperatures and times include the changing frequency of the reaction, the gas thermal conductivity, and two approximation models of radiation heat loss. The two radiation heat loss approximation models of the analytical and numerical findings are compared.

Social and spatial determinants of energy ageism: Calibrating social policy towards older people under the conditions of energy transition in Polish society

The article aims to identify the problems and challenges faced by senior citizens in the context of energy transition and also to develop a framework of social policy that would respond to senior citizens' concerns and is necessary for the effective implementation of the goals of the European Union's (EU) climate and energy policy. The authors focus on the analysis of the challenges of energy transition faced by older people who live in Poland in various types of buildings and use different sources of home heating. The article shows how various types of buildings constructed using different technologies and in different historical periods and located in various social and geographical spaces divide people in terms of class and also create challenges for older people related to home heating. The type of building and its place in the urban space may be a determinant of the energy poverty of its inhabitants, and the area where specific types of buildings are clustered together may affect the air quality in this part of a city. The authors suggest taking specific local and national actions as part of social policy towards older people during energy transition. The material was collected in the winter of 2024 using focus group interviews for eight groups of senior citizens differing in place of residence, type of building inhabited and source of home heating.

Building innovation ecosystems for circularity: Start-up business models in the food and construction sectors in the Netherlands

The circular economy is a resource-efficient production model that is believed by many policymakers, business leaders, and academics to promote sustainability. Academic literature suggests that circularity is achievable across business scales and types, from multinational corporations to start-ups. One condition for circular transition is the presence of a thriving market and a policy context that supports development and uptake of circular innovations. This study is among the first to analyze the business models of circular-focused start-ups from a systems-based perspective on technological innovation. Examining the Dutch food and construction sectors, the study compares business activities that foster innovation ecosystems. Based on 53 interviews with start-up founders and actors, we examine how firms respond to financial, cultural, and market drivers based on their respective industries' market structures, cultural norms, and growth histories. The results also indicate variability in the practical impacts of circular strategies. While there is some evidence of strategic impact among food start-ups, impacts among construction start-ups are potentially undermined by power imbalances between start-ups and incumbents and by the sector's relatively conservative culture. This comparison is used to develop recommendations for start-ups and policymakers to accelerate circular transition through the development of innovation ecosystems.

Microcrystalline and nanocrystalline structure of diamond films grown by MPCVD with nitrogen additions: Study of transitional synthesis conditions

This research explores the complex influence of nitrogen concentration and substrate temperature on the resultant properties of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) films grown by microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD). In particular, we investigated the growth parameters to find the exact conditions for changing the morphology of the resulting film from microcrystalline (MCD) to nanocrystalline (NCD). A series of 2 µm-thick polycrystalline diamond films was grown on Si substrates in methane-hydrogen–nitrogen gas mixtures with varied: (i) nitrogen concentration (0–2 %) and (ii) substrate temperature (700–1050 °C). Comprehensive characterization techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), micro-Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction, were employed to assess the morphological, structural, and spectroscopic properties of the films. The study reveals that even minor additions of nitrogen significantly modulate secondary nucleation, impacting both film morphology and phase composition. Furthermore, substrate temperature emerges as another critical parameter, influencing the growth kinetics and crystallite size. The comparison of the characteristics of grown PCD films allowed us to find conditions for the formation of NCD films with minimal surface roughness and maximal growth rate: nitrogen concentration [N2] ≈ 0.2–0.5 % and temperature T ≈ 850–900 °C. These findings can be used to optimize the CVD synthesis parameters of PCD films for applications as protective or friction-reducing layers, as well as for superhard cutting tools and optical devices.

Правосознание и юридическая аномия

The article is devoted to the problem of the reverse influence of the state of legal culture on the state of individual and public legal consciousness. In conditions of transit, which the domestic political regime began to undergo since the mid-80s of the 20th century, the legal culture of Russian society was also under constant pressure from changes occurring at the state level. Such a “transitional” form of legal culture can be revealed through the concept of legal anomie.

Study on the critical conditions for ductile-brittle transition in ultrasonic-assisted grinding of SiC particle-reinforced Al-MMCs

High volume fraction (45 %) silicon carbide particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites (SiCp/Al-MMCs) play a significant role in various engineering fields due to their outstanding performance. However, damages characterized by SiC particle fracture during machining lead to poor surface integrity, which severely affects the fatigue performance of SiCp/Al composite structural components. Ultrasonic-assisted grinding (UAG) is acknowledged as beneficial for promoting ductile grinding in hard and brittle materials. This study focuses on the critical conditions for ductile-brittle transition in ultrasonic-assisted grinding of SiCp/Al composites and develops a mechanism and data driven model of critical undeformed chip thickness (UCT) for ductile grinding to accurately predict the material removal mode. The model thoroughly integrates considerations of chip morphology, removal mode transition mechanism, and grinding surface damage characteristics. Response surface methodology (RSM) and genetic algorithms (GA) were utilized to correct the impact of processing parameters on the removal regime. Experiments on ultrasonic-assisted side and end grinding were conducted to thoroughly discuss the effects of different undeformed chip thicknesses, grinding speeds and ultrasonic vibration amplitude on surface damage and the critical conditions for the ductile-brittle transition. The findings corroborate the experimental data with the predicted values. Ultrasonic vibration can effectively reduce the brittle fracture of SiC particles in SiCp/Al composites. Appropriately increasing the grinding speed and reducing the chip thickness can enhance the critical chip thickness for ductile grinding and decrease the proportion of brittle surfaces, thereby achieving a balance between surface integrity and grinding efficiency. This research provides guidance for high-performance machining of SiCp/Al composites.

Особенности саморегуляции социокультурных девиаций молодежи

In the youth environment in transition conditions, processes related to the rethinking of life goals and ways of achieving them become more active. In social reality, deviant ways of achieving goals are presented in the form of meaningsjudgements, reflecting the principles of separation and self-assertion at the expense of others. In the article they are understood as sociocultural deviations. Their formation in social reality is conditioned by the contradictions forming in society. The selfregulation of sociocultural deviations is understood as a conscious choice by young people in their own self-determination of the principles of dissociation and selfaffirmation as optimal, from their point of view, in the emerging conditions of the ways of achieving the goals of life activity. Based on empirical research by the Centre for Sociology of Youth (Institute of Social and Political Research, Federal Research Centre for Sociology, Russian Academy of Sciences), the author considers the peculiarities of self-regulation of socio-cultural deviations of young people depending on their age, place of residence, religious identification, family and trust factor. Young people aged 15-17 are more often oriented in their life activities towards the choice in favour of sociocultural deviations than young people from older age groups. Respondents from low-income groups are more willing to use physical force in a dispute with opponents. In groups in which respondents conceptualise family as an instrumental value, young people are more likely to assert themselves at the expense of others and show disrespect for adults in order to achieve their goals than in groups in which family is conceptualised as a terminal value. Young people who do not trust others are more likely to focus on socio-cultural deviations to achieve their life goals, compared to respondents who build relationships with others on trust.

Концептуальные аспекты противодействия электоральному экстремизму

Manifestation of extremism elements in the course of preparation for and holding of elections and referendums can trigger destructive consequences irreversible for the state and society: from social upheavals and "orange revolutions" to disruption of the constitutional order and forced seizure of power. The electoral system of any civilized state not only creates conditions for the democratic transition of power in accordance with the will of the people but is also aimed at maintaining stability and law and order in complicated conditions of the transitional electoral cycle including combating manifestations of extremism in the course of electoral procedures and prevention of election of extremists to positions of authority. Extremism that is most aggressively, strongly and dangerously manifested in electoral procedures requires government authorities to take precise and coordinated action to assure and protect electoral rights and freedoms of citizens from illegal encroachments. Legally consolidated authorities and functions of election organizers in the extremism combating issue give an opportunity to suggest a new form of manifestation of political extremism during preparation for and holding of elections and referendums, which is electoral extremism. In this publication, the author makes an attempt at conceptual justification of electoral extremism and giving an author’s definition thereof for the purpose of further analysis of ways of combating electoral extremism to assure free elections and electoral sovereignty of the state from encroachments of political radicals who are often sponsored by intelligence services of hostile foreign states.

A simplicial SSIS epidemic model with the outgoing pressure

A new simplicial epidemic model that considers the pressure of out-going is proposed to describe the characteristics of clustering on disease transmission more accurately. In addition, the probability evolution equations of nodes in each state are obtained by the quenched mean-field method. Furthermore, we analyze the conditions of the existence and the stability of the equilibrium points. Subsequently, the sensitivity analysis of the parameters is investigated, and it can be concluded that the degree about pairwise transmission rate has great impact on the propagation threshold. Our simulation results indicate that the system produces forward bifurcation or backward bifurcation via the one-parameter bifurcation diagram, and the bistable state of the system appears under certain conditions. Meanwhile, we obtain the transition conditions of the system from the disease-free equilibrium state to the bistable state through the divisional diagram. It is also noticed that the pressure of out-going plays a crucial role in the spreading process of diseases. On the one hand, the increasing of the pressure of out-going leads to the decreasing of the disease transmission threshold and a faster outbreak of disease. On the other hand, an increase in the individuals without the pressure of out-going causes the increasing of transmission threshold and a slower outbreak of disease.

The transcription factor RppA regulates chlorophyll and carotenoid biosynthesis to improve photoprotection in cyanobacteria.

Chlorophyll is an essential photosynthetic pigment but also a strong photosensitizer. Excessive free chlorophyll and its precursors can cause oxidative damage to photosynthetic organisms. Cyanobacteria are the oldest oxygenic photosynthetic organisms and the ancestors of the chloroplast. Owing to their complex habitats, cyanobacteria require precise regulation of chlorophyll synthesis to respond to environmental factors, especially changes in light. Chlorophyll synthase, encoded by chlG, is the enzyme catalyzing the final step of chlorophyll biosynthesis, which is closely related to photosynthesis biogenesis. However, the transcriptional regulation on chlG remains unclear. Here, the transcription factor, regulator of photosynthesis and photopigment-related gene expression A (RppA) was identified to bind to the chlG promoter by screening a yeast one-hybrid library in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The rppA knock-out mutant showed a phenotype of slow growth and severe oxidative damage under dark-light transition conditions. The up-regulated transcriptional expression of chlG was significantly higher and more chlorophyll and its precursors accumulated in the rppA knock-out mutant than those in the wild-type strain during the transition from darkness to light, indicating RppA represses the expression of chlG in Synechocystis. Meanwhile, RppA could synchronously promote the transcription of carotenoids biosynthesis-related genes to enhance carotenoids synthesis during the dark-light transition. These results reveal synergistic regulation of chlorophyll and carotenoids biosynthesis in cyanobacteria in response to frequent dark-light transitions, which slows down chlorophyll biosynthesis while promoting carotenoids biosynthesis to avoid oxidative damage caused by excessive reactive oxygen species accumulation.

Effect of water temperature on the beginning of active feeding of tugun and nelma larvae

Temperature conditions of transition to active feeding of tugun Coregonus tugun (Pallas, 1814) and nelma Stenodus leucichthys nelma (Pallas, 1773) larvae to substantiate elements of artificial reproduction biotechniques were studied experimentally. We added live food (Artemia nauplii) and placed larvae a day after the transition to the first stage of the larval period in aquaria with different constant temperatures. The proportion of larvae that started feeding consistently increased in the temperature range 0.2–10 °C reaching 100% at daily exposure of experiments. The 50% level of transition to active feeding was observed at 6 °C. The ability of larvae with preliminary feeding experience to consume food at a temperature 1–5 °C lower than that of larvae that had not fed before was found. The individual duration of larvae transition to active feeding varied significantly from 1 to 8–9 days in a series of experiments at a stable low temperature (0.2 °C). Delayed initiation of exogenous feeding due to the limiting effect of low temperatures is physiologically equivalent to larval starvation. This may negatively affect the subsequent development of larvae. Species specificity was not significantly revealed in all series of experiments. We recommend keeping the water temperature at least 10°C from the time of embryo transition to larval development when rearing juveniles under intensive technologies to reduce the diversity of planting material in terms of size parameters. In this case, the duration of the time interval necessary for the beginning of active feeding of all larvae will be maximally reduced.

Multiple complex developmental disorder (MCDD): Did we throw the baby out with the bathwater too fast? A systematic review

Background Multiple complex developmental disorder (MCDD) manifests as early-onset impairment across different domains. Although it could appear as a transitional condition between autism and childhood-onset schizophrenia, interest in MCDD has progressively waned. This study attempts to discern MCDD current relevance to avoid “throwing the baby out with the bathwater” too fast. Methods All available studies published up to January 2024 were retrieved and evaluated following on the PRISMA guidelines for systematic reviews using the term “multiple complex developmental disorder” or “MCDD”, without any filter for study design nor year of publication. Results Only 16 studies were included and analyzed. Overall, a variable heterogeneity was observed in terms of country of investigation, study design, and clinical groups. Most of the included studies explored the construct of MCDD in developmental age, comparing MCDD mostly with autistic patients, and observing how the former group had higher levels of paranoia, illusions, and psychotic thoughts, whereas the latter showed more frequently difficulties in social interactions and stereotypical behaviors. Conclusion Overall, these results showed how progressive changes in diagnostic criteria over time led MCDD to be abandoned as nosographic construct, leaving perhaps a diagnostic void between autism and psychotic disorders that needs to be further studied. A systematic review on the Multiple Complex Developmental Disorder (MCDD): a forgotten diagnosis between autism and schizophrenia.

A complex singlet extension of the Standard Model with a singlet fermion dark matter

We examine a complex singlet scalar extension of the Standard Model (CxSM) with an extra singlet fermion. Both the singlet scalar and fermion are dark matter (DM) candidates. It is known that although the scalar potential in the CxSM can realize strong first-order electroweak phase transition, the scalar DM included in the model gives only a tiny amount of the relic density compared to the observed one. Therefore, a fermion DM is introduced to compensate for the lack of relic density. We find that the scattering of the fermion DM and nucleons is sufficiently suppressed when the masses of scalar mediators are degenerate, as is the case of the scalar DM. We show the range of a combination of the mass and the Yukawa coupling of the fermion DM, which satisfies both the observed relic density and conditions of strong first-order electroweak phase transition.

Effect of micro-diamond and nano-polycrystalline diamond interfacial microstructure on OLC phase transition

The interfacial microstructure of micro-diamond and nano-polycrystalline diamond (nPCD), as well as their effect on the phase transition of complete structure onion-like carbon (OLC), were investigated using molecular dynamics simulations and experimental methods under high pressure and temperature (HPHT). Introducing micro-diamond disrupted the symmetric equilibrium structure of complete structure OLC, reduced the diamond nucleation process, and formed a coherent interface ((111)CD // (002)Gr), where cubic diamond (111) crystal plane was parallel to graphite (002) crystal plane. This transformed the initial diffusionless phase transition path of complete structure OLC into a low potential path for phase transition along the graphite crystal direction [002] by (111)CD // (002)Gr, thereby reducing the phase transition conditions. Additionally, due to different stacking orders or breakages in the graphite layers of the complete structure OLC, micro-diamond, and nPCD formed four interfacial microstructures containing twin boundaries (TB), cubic diamond, stacking fault (SF), and amorphous grain boundary (aB). Furthermore, under HPHT effects, numerous TBs and SFs were generated inside micro-diamonds as well as at their edges, resulting in a Vickers hardness of 167 GPa for polycrystalline diamond (PCD) composite. This simple yet effective method reduces synthesis conditions for OLC precursors while producing high-performance PCD composites with promising applications.

A path planner enabling second-order continuity across multiple motion modes of the generalized bicycle model

In mobile robotics, the generalized bicycle model is notable for its agility and diverse motion capabilities. However, current path planning methods often overlook its potential for multiple motion modes, leading to impractical paths and collision risks in complex environments. To address this, our study introduces a novel path planning algorithm that utilizes the generalized bicycle model and ensures second-order continuity, crucial for smooth and safe navigation. We establish rigorous second-order continuity conditions for seamless motion mode transitions and derive criteria for each mode. Our algorithm integrates these conditions with the rapidly exploring random tree concept to generate optimal paths that accommodate the model’s mode-changing capabilities. Through tests in challenging environments, our method demonstrates improved performance, especially in narrow passages, enhancing path planning safety and efficiency for mobile robots. This advancement significantly contributes to the field of robotic path planning by offering a more dynamic and reliable approach to autonomous navigation.

Dynamic magnetic characteristics of the kinetic Ising model under the influence of randomness.

In this paper, we propose to solve the issues of long-range or next-neighbor interactions by introducing randomness. This approach is applied to the square lattice Ising model. The Monte Carlo method with the Metropolis algorithm is utilized to calculate the critical temperature T_{C}^{*} under equilibrium thermodynamic phase transition conditions and to investigate the characterization of randomness in terms of magnetization. In order to further characterize the effect of this randomness on the magnetic system, clustering coefficients C_{p} are introduced. Furthermore, we investigate a number of dynamic magnetic behaviors, including dynamic hysteresis behaviors and metamagnetic anomalies. The results indicate that noise has the effect of destabilizing the system and promoting the dynamic phase transition. When the system is subjected to noise, the effect of this noise can be mitigated by the addition of a time-oscillating magnetic field. Finally, the evolution of anomalous metamagnetic fluctuations under the influence of white noise is examined. The relationship between the bias field corresponding to the peak of the curve h_{b}^{peak} and the noise parameter σ satisfies the exponential growth equation, which is consistent with other results.