Search Results (322)

Given the great proportion of CO₂ emissions from electricity generation in total energy-related CO₂ emissions, this article constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model consisting of vertical governments and power generation groups (PGGs), where the vertical governments include the central government (CG) and local governments (LGs), considering the externalities of different power generation modes on energy security and the environment. This article analyzes the stable strategies of the three players through replicator dynamics equations, draws the evolutionary phase diagrams, and analyzes the asymptotic stability of equilibrium points by using Jacobian matrices. To validate and broaden the results, this article also provides a numerical simulation. This article concludes that (1) a reduction in the supervision, enforcement, or low-carbonization costs of the CG, LGs, or PGGs motivates it or them to choose “supervision”, “enforcement”, or “low-carbonization” strategies; (2) an increase in penalty incomes or expenses encourages the CG or LGs to choose the “supervision” or “enforcement” strategies; (3) a rise in extra tax expenses motivates PGGs to choose the “low-carbonization” strategy; (4) a change in the externalities of energy security or the environment has no impact on the CG’s strategy. The above conclusions offer the CG and LGs with references for making effective low-carbon policies and provide PGGs with references for choosing an appropriate power generation mode. Full article

Objectives: Emerging evidence suggests that propolis possesses significant anti-obesity properties. While gut hormones and microbiota are known to play crucial roles in obesity development, the specific mechanisms through which propolis exerts its effects via the gut hormone axis remain poorly characterized. Methods: A high-fat diet (HFD) rat model was established to investigate the regulatory effects of propolis. After 10 weeks of intervention, blood serum, liver, colon tissues, and luminal contents were analyzed for metabolic parameters, gene expression of gut hormones and AMPK pathway markers, microbial community structure, and short-chain fatty acid production. Results: Propolis effectively mitigated HFD-induced metabolic disturbances, including excessive weight gain, adipose tissue accumulation, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic dysfunction. These improvements were associated with significant upregulation of the AMPK pathway. Importantly, propolis enhanced intestinal barrier integrity and differentially modulated gut hormone expression by increasing the mRNA levels of Cck, Gip, and Ghrl, and decreasing Lep and Gcg levels. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that propolis administration selectively enriched butyrate- and propionate-producing bacterial species. Correlation analysis further identified the Eubacterium brachy group as a pivotal microbial mediator in the propolis-modulated gut microbiota–gut hormone–liver AMPK axis. Conclusions: Our findings establish that propolis ameliorates obesity-related metabolic disorders by orchestrating crosstalk among gut microbiota, enteroendocrine hormones, and hepatic AMPK signaling. These results elucidate a novel mechanistic pathway in rodents; however, their direct translatability to humans requires further clinical investigation. This tripartite axis offers a mechanistic foundation for developing microbiota-targeted anti-obesity therapies. Full article

Dendritic cell-cytokine-induced killer (DC-CIK) therapy faces limitations due to antigenic heterogeneity and suboptimal immune activation. In this study, we developed a multi-antigen-loaded DC-CIK (Ag-DC-CIK) system that co-targets Wilms’ tumor 1 (WT1), mucin-1 (MUC1), and the TLR3 agonist poly(I:C) to improve therapeutic outcomes. Utilizing umbilical cord blood-derived DC and CIK cells, we demonstrated that Ag-DC-CIK significantly enhanced cytotoxicity, as evidenced by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, and increased apoptosis induction, indicated by elevated Bax and reduced Bcl-2 expression, in various tumor cell lines (HeLa, HCT116, MKN45) and organoids generated from a gastric cancer patient. Furthermore, Ag-DC-CIK effectively suppressed tumor cell migration and reduced the viability of the organoid. In MKN45 xenograft models, Ag-DC-CIK treatment inhibited tumor growth without inducing systemic toxicity, as shown by decreased Ki67 cell proliferation. This tripartite strategy synergistically enhances DC-CIK therapy by expanding antigen recognition and augmenting immune responses, presenting a promising translational approach for the treatment of gastric cancer. Full article

Emerging hybrid governance models are transforming conventional approaches to land-use regulation by simultaneously enabling urban–rural development and enforcing ecological safeguards. This study investigates the regulatory mechanisms underpinning China’s urban–rural land-use policies through an innovative mixed-methods approach, integrating systematic text analysis and the Institutional Grammar Tool (IGT). Drawing on a comprehensive dataset of 62 national policy documents (2012–2024), we employ textual coding and thematic clustering to identify seven core policy pathways, ranging from territorial spatial planning to ecological protection. These pathways are further deconstructed using IGT to assess their regulatory intensity, revealing a tripartite governance model: (1) flexible AIC-strategies (e.g., land market mechanisms), which enable local experimentation by specifying actors, aims, and conditions without rigid obligations; (2) adaptive ADIC-norms (e.g., collective land reforms), which balance central directives with localized discretion through conditional deontic rules; and (3) rigid ADICO-rules (e.g., ecological redlines), which enforce absolute compliance through binding sanctions. Through systematic analysis of land use policy regulations, we reveal how China’s hybrid governance system operationalizes a tripartite institutional logic—maintaining rigid regulatory control (ADICO-rules) in ecologically critical zones, adaptive policy experimentation (ADIC-norms) in transitional areas, and flexible market-based instruments (AIC-strategies) in development zones—thereby dynamically reconciling environmental conservation with socioeconomic diversification. The study advances both institutional theory through its grammatical analysis of policy instruments and governance theory by transcending the traditional command-and-control versus flexible governance dichotomy. Practically, the research offers actionable insights for policymakers in emerging economies, emphasizing spatially differentiated regulation, dynamic monitoring system, and strategic coupling of binding rules with flexible implementation mechanisms. Full article

The body–soul relationship serves as a crucial entry point for exploring the intersection of Plato’s dialogues with ancient Greek religious thought, particular Orphic doctrines. In critically inheriting and reconstructing core elements of Orphism, Plato initiates a paradigm shift from mythos to logos—transitioning from mythic narrative to philosophical reasoning. In the context of Greek religious history, Orphism was the first to articulate a dualism between soul and body, depicting the body as a “prison” that confines the divine soul. While Plato frequently references this framework in his dialogues, he simultaneously exposes its inherent contradictions. By distinguishing between the soul’s pure and embodied states, Plato rejects the Orphic notion of bodily impurity. Instead, he reinterprets the body’s negativity not as religious “original sin,” but as the interference of sensory experience and desire in rational life. He affirms that the soul maintains its rational autonomy even in embodiment, with desire and thymos (spirit) emerging naturally from this process, thereby disclosing the soul’s intrinsic structure. In place of a strict dualism, Plato introduces a tripartite model of the soul, positioning thymos as the mediating force between reason and desire. The ambiguity of thymos functions as a self-regulating mechanism that enables the soul to maintain dynamic balance. In this moral psychology, virtue is no longer defined as the soul’s rejection of the body, but as the soul’s harmonious order and natural growth within it. Plato thus adopts a complex and cautious stance toward Orphism, ultimately transcending its passive ethical outlook and transforming a mythical doctrine into a rational philosophical system. Full article

Urban community renewal is an important direction for sustainable urban development in the era of building stock. Unlike traditional construction projects, the deeper involvement of residents in community renewal leads to more complex stakeholder relationships and new conflict-of-interest issues, requiring collaboration for the development of sustainable human settlements. Grounded in collaborative governance theory, this study constructed a tripartite evolutionary game model and employed simulations to analyze the evolutionary paths and key influencing factors to improve collaboration. The findings suggest that there are three main scenarios of urban community renewal: government-led, market-led, and multi-participation, and that the realization of sustainable collaboration is determined by the creation of collaborative advantages, the magnitude of speculative benefits for companies, and the regulatory costs incurred by the government. In conclusion, this study reveals the strategic choices and necessary conditions for each subject under different scenarios. It is necessary to improve the top-level design of the collaborative governance of urban community renewal, strengthen the construction of information sharing and feedback channels of urban community renewal, and establish the whole process supervision system of urban community renewal. Full article

In the severe context of global warming and the energy crisis, the low-carbon economy has become an inevitable trend in global development. This paper focuses on the logistics industry, a significant domain of carbon emissions, and regards the promotion of new energy logistics vehicles as a crucial breakthrough for the industry to achieve energy savings and emission reductions. From the perspective of an evolutionary game involving the government, logistics vehicle enterprises, and logistics enterprises, a practical and feasible strategy for promoting new energy logistics vehicles is proposed. Firstly, a tripartite evolutionary game model was developed under the dual-credit policy and auxiliary policies, and its strategy of asymptotic stability and Jacobian matrix analysis was conducted. Then, system dynamics (SD) was employed to simulate the model, aiming to explore the impact of key decision variables on the evolutionary outcomes. The results show that: (1) Appropriate auxiliary policy support can encourage logistics vehicle enterprises to produce new energy logistics vehicles and promote the transformation of the logistics industry to a low-carbon direction; (2) Through the optimization of the dual-credit policy and the enhancement of the value of points trading, logistics enterprises can be motivated to produce more new energy vehicles; (3) The promotion of cost reduction of new energy logistics vehicles and the enhancing of market competitiveness can improve the willingness of logistics enterprises to use new energy logistics vehicles; (4) The government should encourage logistics enterprises to use new energy logistics vehicles in multiple dimensions. Full article

Addressing the challenges of insufficient incentives, weak constraints, and superficial adoption in promoting human–robot collaboration (HRC) in the construction industry, this study develops a tripartite evolutionary game model among government, contractors, and on-site teams under bounded rationality. Lyapunov stability analysis and numerical simulation are employed to conduct parameter sensitivity analyses. The results show that a strategy profile characterized by flexible regulation, deep adoption, and high-effort collaboration constitutes a stable evolutionary outcome. Moderately increasing government incentives helps accelerate convergence but exhibits diminishing returns under fiscal constraints, indicating that subsidies alone cannot sustain genuine engagement. Reducing penalties for contractors and on-site teams, respectively, induces superficial adoption and low effort, whereas strengthening penalties for bilateral violations simultaneously compresses the space for opportunistic behavior. When the payoff advantage of deep adoption narrows or the payoff from perfunctory adoption rises, convergence toward the preferred steady state slows markedly. Based on the discussion and simulation evidence, we recommend dynamically matching incentives, sanctions, and performance feedback: prioritizing flexible regulation to reduce institutional frictions, configuring differentiated sanctions to maintain a positive payoff differential, reinforcing observable performance to stabilize frontline effort, and adjusting policy weights by project stage and actor characteristics. The study delineates how parameter changes propagate through behavioral choices to shape collaborative performance, providing actionable guidance for policy design and project governance in advancing HRC. Full article

In the current soil erosion control efforts, the lack of collaboration among multiple stakeholders is a major problem that restricts governance performance. Based on carbon trading and the Public–Private Partnership model, this paper constructs a tripartite differential game model involving the government, enterprises, and farmers, focusing on the government subsidy and the enterprise–farmer benefit-sharing mechanism. It systematically analyzes the dynamic evolution process of multi-stakeholder collaborative governance behavior under the collaborative mechanism. Through numerical simulation, the impacts of key variables such as benefit-sharing ratio, synergy effect of measures, and unit carbon sequestration on the optimization of enterprise governance measures, effort level, government fiscal expenditure, and tripartite benefits were analyzed. The results indicate that (1) the benefit-sharing ratio has a significant bidirectional regulatory effect on the system, with both excessively high and excessively low ratios weakening the collaborative governance effect; (2) the synergistic effect between governance measures significantly enhances the enthusiasm of enterprise governance and promotes the allocation of resources towards measure with better carbon sequestration benefits; and (3) the unit carbon sequestration significantly affects governance structure and government subsidy strategies, with the government being more sensitive to carbon sink responses of afforestation measures. The research results provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the ecological governance system under the “dual carbon” goal and also provide policy references for promoting the transformation of governance model from “government-led” to “multi-stakeholder collaboration”. Full article

To elucidate the mechanism by which soil disturbance affects tillage performance during subsoiling remediation of northeastern primary sodic saline–alkali soil, this study established a mathematical prediction model linking subsoiler configuration parameters with draft force and soil porosity based on the soil dynamic equation and the fourth strength theory. Discrete element simulation and field experiments demonstrated the model’s accuracy in predicting draft force and soil looseness (error < 5%). Among three configuration patterns evaluated, the “W”-type arrangement was selected for further simulation testing and predictive analysis through parameter adjustment. The simulation results aligned with the prediction results. Particle flow analysis revealed a quadratic relationship between subsoiler spacing variation, draft force, and soil looseness. At the particle scale, soil particle movement patterns were found to govern macroscopic effects, where soil clogging and repeated disturbances emerged as primary drivers of nonlinear variations in draft force and soil porosity. Finally, field experiments and simulations were performed using the parameter combinations predicted by the mathematical model, confirming the accuracy of these parameters. Through a tripartite validation approach combining mathematical modeling, DEM simulation, and field trials, this study systematically elucidates the complete mechanism whereby subsoiler arrangement parameters influence the tillage performance of sodic saline–alkali soil via soil–tool interactions, providing theoretical foundations for optimizing subsoiling equipment design and reducing energy consumption in saline–alkali land cultivation. Full article

Vertical alliances within agricultural supply chains serve as critical institutional vehicles for deepening triple-sector integration (primary–secondary–tertiary) in rural economies, driving agricultural modernization, and advancing rural revitalization. However, sustaining alliance stability constitutes a complex dynamic process wherein inadequate stakeholder engagement and collaborative failures frequently precipitate alliance instability or even dissolution. Existing scholarship exhibits limited systematic examination of the micro-mechanisms and regulatory pathways through which multi-agent strategic interactions affect alliance stability from a dynamic evolutionary perspective. To address this gap, this research focuses on China’s core agricultural innovation vehicle—the Agricultural Industrialization Consortium—and examines the tripartite structure of “Leading Enterprise–Family Farm–Integrated Agricultural Service Providers.” We construct a tripartite evolutionary game model to systematically analyze (1) the influence mechanisms governing cooperative strategy selection, and (2) the regulatory effects of key parameters on consortium stability through strategic stability analysis and multi-scenario simulations. Our key findings are as follows: Four strategic equilibrium scenarios emerge under specific conditions, with synergistic parameter optimization constituting the fundamental driver of alliance stability. Specific mechanisms are as follows: (i) compensation mechanisms effectively mobilize leading enterprises under widespread defection, though excessive penalties erode reciprocity principles; (ii) strategic reductions in benefit sharing ratios coupled with moderate factor value-added coefficients are critical for reversing leading enterprises’ defection; (iii) dual adjustment of cost sharing and benefit sharing coefficients is necessary to resolve bilateral defection dilemmas; and (iv) synchronized optimization of compensation, cost sharing, benefit sharing, and value-added parameters represents the sole pathway to achieving stable (1,1,1) full-cooperation equilibrium. Critical barriers include threshold effects in benefit sharing ratios (defection triggers when shared benefits > cooperative benefits) and the inherent trade-off between penalty intensity and alliance resilience. Consequently, policy interventions must balance immediate constraints with long-term cooperative sustainability. This study extends the application of evolutionary game theory in agricultural organization research by revealing the micro-level mechanisms underlying alliance stability and providing a novel analytical framework for addressing the ‘strategy–equilibrium’ paradox in multi-agent cooperation. Our work not only offers new theoretical perspectives and methodological support for understanding the dynamic stability mechanisms of agricultural vertical alliances but also establishes a substantive theoretical foundation for optimizing consortium governance and promoting long-term alliance stability. Full article

Background/Objectives: Emotional competence is a crucial skill in nursing education, yet it remains underdeveloped in academic curricula. This study aims to (1) propose and preliminarily apply the TRI-COM model as a conceptual and educational framework to operationalize the definition of emotions within nursing contexts, and (2) explore the multidimensional structure of emotional competence among nursing students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 233 nursing students (M_age = 23.79, SD = 5.19) from various Italian universities, with 82.8% identifying as female. The participants completed an online questionnaire including the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy—Health Profession Student (JSE-HPS) version. Descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson’s correlation analyses were performed. Results: The overall mean TAS-20 score was 60.36 (SD = 11.22), which is close to the clinical threshold (cut-off = 61). The EOT subscale showed the highest mean (M = 26.48, SD = 3.16), suggesting a tendency toward externally oriented thinking. The mean JSE-HPS total score was 87.05 (SD = 7.88), with higher scores for Perspective Taking (M = 60.95, SD = 7.42) than Compassionate Care (M = 18.92, SD = 6.40). A significant gender difference was found in Perspective Taking (female: M = 61.54, male: M = 58.10; p = 0.007). The ANOVA results showed no significant differences in empathy across academic years, but the DIF subscale of TAS-20 showed a trend near significance (p = 0.053). Significant negative correlations were observed between age and TAS-20 scores (e.g., age–TAS-20 total: r = −0.23, p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings suggest a general tendency toward rationalization and emotional detachment among students, possibly as a coping strategy in emotionally demanding contexts. The TRI-COM model—an original pedagogical framework inspired by tripartite theories of emotion—was used as a conceptual lens, providing a preliminary framework to interpret emotional competence in nursing education. Further research is needed to validate its educational relevance and explore practical applications within curricula. Full article

Driven by the urgent need to decarbonize the logistics sector—where conventional vehicles exhibit high energy consumption and emissions, posing significant environmental sustainability challenges—electrification represents a pivotal strategy for reducing emissions and achieving sustainable urban freight transport. Despite rising global electric vehicle sales, the penetration rate of electric logistics vehicles (ELVs) remains comparatively low, impeding progress toward sustainable logistics objectives. Battery-swapping mode (BSM) has emerged as a potential solution to enhance operational efficiency and economic viability, thereby accelerating sustainable adoption. This model improves ELV operational efficiency through rapid battery swaps at centralized stations. This study constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model involving government, consumers, and BSM-ELV manufacturers to analyze market dynamics under diverse strategies. Key considerations include market scale, government environmental benefits, battery leasing/purchasing costs, lifecycle cost analysis (via discount rates), and resource efficiency (reserve battery ratio $\lambda$). MATLAB-2021b-based simulations predict participant strategy evolution paths. Findings reveal that market size and manufacturer expectations significantly influence governmental and manufacturing strategies. Crucially, incorporating discount rates demonstrates that battery leasing reduces consumer enterprises’ initial investment, enhancing economic sustainability and cash flow while offering superior total cost of ownership. Furthermore, gradual reduction of government subsidies effectively stimulates market self-regulation, incentivizes leasing adoption, and bolsters long-term economic/operational sustainability. Market feedback can guide policy adjustments toward fiscally sustainable support mechanisms. This study proposes the following management implications for advancing sustainable logistics: 1. Governments should phase out subsidies systematically to foster market resilience; 2. Manufacturers must invest in BSM R&D to improve efficiency and resource circularity; 3. Consumer enterprises can achieve economic benefits and emission reductions by adopting BSM-ELVs. Full article

(1) Background: Traditional logistics training faces challenges like high costs, limited scalability, and safety risks. Virtual Reality Movie Training (VRMT) enhances operational accuracy, safety, and accessibility through immersive simulation. However, adoption faces barriers including high equipment costs, immature technology, and coordination challenges among logistics enterprises, design companies, and government entities. This study explores strategic interactions to optimize VRMT adoption. (2) Methods: A tripartite evolutionary game model was used to analyze strategic interactions between logistics enterprises, design companies, and government. (3) Results: System stability occurs when logistics enterprises adopt VRMT, design companies deliver high-quality solutions, and government provides active support. Simulations reveal stronger adoption coefficients through increased employee acceptance and enhanced training quality. Government incentives and brand premiums significantly influence quality design provision, though excessive subsidies may reduce governmental willingness to support initiatives. (4) Conclusions: Cost minimization and accessibility improvement require batch hardware purchasing, optimized training cycles, and shared platforms at logistics enterprises. Design companies should optimize content development for cost-effectiveness while maintaining quality standards to leverage brand benefits. Governments should establish VRMT quality certification, invest in public VR platforms for SMEs, and convert accident savings into fiscal supplements. This tripartite collaboration enables efficient, safe, and sustainable logistics training transformation. Full article

As large language model (LLM) tutors evolve from scripted helpers into adaptive educational partners, their capacity for self-regulation, ethical decision-making, and internal monitoring will become increasingly critical. This paper introduces the Needs-Driven Consciousness Framework (NDCF) as a novel, integrative architecture that combines Dennett’s multiple drafts model, Damasio’s somatic marker hypothesis, and Tulving’s tripartite memory system into a unified motivational design for synthetic consciousness. The NDCF defines three core regulators, specifically Survive (system stability and safety), Thrive (autonomy, competence, relatedness), and Excel (creativity, ethical reasoning, long-term purpose). In addition, there is a proposed supervisory Protect layer that detects value drift and overrides unsafe behaviours. The core regulators compute internal need satisfaction states and urgency gradients, feeding into a softmax-based control system for context-sensitive action selection. The framework proposes measurable internal signals (e.g., utility gradients, conflict intensity Ω), behavioural signatures (e.g., metacognitive prompts, pedagogical shifts), and three falsifiable predictions for educational AI testbeds. By embedding these layered needs directly into AI governance, the NDCF offers (i) a psychologically and biologically grounded model of emergent machine consciousness, (ii) a practical approach to building empathetic, self-regulating AI tutors, and (iii) a testable platform for comparing competing consciousness theories through implementation. Ultimately, the NDCF provides a path toward the development of AI tutors that are capable of transparent reasoning, dynamic adaptation, and meaningful human-like relationships, while maintaining safety, ethical coherence, and long-term alignment with human well-being. Full article