Hasil untuk "Balance of trade"

Hyunsik Yang, Jinhyun Pi, Soyoon Park et al.

Heat exchangers are central to energy and process industries, yet performance is bounded by the trade-off between higher heat transfer and greater pressure drop. This review targets indirect-type heat exchangers and organizes bioinspired strategies through a multi-scale lens of surface, texture, and network scales. It provides a structured comparison of their thermo-hydraulic behaviors and evaluation methods. At the surface scale, control of wettability and liquid-infused interfaces suppresses icing and fouling and stabilizes condensation. At the texture scale, microstructures inspired by shark skin and fish scales regulate near-wall vortices to balance drag reduction with heat-transfer enhancement. At the network scale, branched and bicontinuous pathways inspired by leaf veins, lung architectures, and triply periodic minimal surfaces promote uniform distribution and mixing, improving overall performance. The survey highlights practical needs for manufacturing readiness, durability, scale-up, and validation across operating ranges. By emphasizing analysis across scales rather than reliance on a single metric, the review distills design principles and selection guidelines for next-generation bioinspired heat exchangers.

Hanyang Ge

A range of liberalisation programmes were introduced in New Zealand in 1984 as part of an economy-wide reform. For the agriculture sector, reforms included the removal of price support for sheep and wool, and the removal of input subsidies, resulting in production shifts away from sheep and wool production towards dairying. The changing production patterns generated productivity gains and reduced environmental pressures, as erosion-prone hill country was taken out of sheep grazing and forested instead. Since that time, and unrelated to subsidies, these trends have slowed with relatively more intensive, but still pasture-based, dairying, causing environmental problems such as challenges in relation to the use of fertilisers and greenhouse gas emissions. This is the first paper that examines key economic and environmental indicators of New Zealand’s agricultural sector four decades after the reform. I conclude that while the agricultural sector in New Zealand shows resilience in responding to world markets and price volatility, low levels of public investment mean that agricultural productivity growth is constrained. While subsidy removal boosted economic resilience, persistent challenges in the use of soil resources, such as nutrient management practices, necessitate the need for balanced policy. The New Zealand story could help inform a broader discussion about future approaches to agricultural subsidies reform as it advances global discourse about sustainability in agriculture and free trade. The findings from this study will function as a useful reference tool for policymakers, along with researchers and industry stakeholders, who need to find the correct balance between economic growth and environmental stewardship through market-based agricultural sustainability models.

Luis Arribas, Javier Domínguez, Michael Borsato et al.

The deployment of utility-scale hybrid wind–solar PV power plants is gaining global attention due to their enhanced performance in power systems with high renewable energy penetration. To assess their potential, accurate estimations must be derived from the available data, addressing key challenges such as (1) the spatial and temporal resolution requirements, particularly for renewable resource characterization; (2) energy balances aligned with various business models; (3) regulatory constraints (environmental, technical, etc.); and (4) the cost dependencies of the different components and system characteristics. When conducting such analyses at the regional or national scale, a trade-off must be achieved to balance accuracy with computational efficiency. This study reviews existing experiences in hybrid plant deployment, with a focus on Spain, identifying the lack of national-scale product cost models for HPPs as the main gap and establishing a replicable methodology for hybrid plant mapping. A simplified example is shown using this methodology for a country-level analysis.

Mirko Pečarič

Purpose: This article critically examines the interplay between individualism and collectivism in legal systems. It argues that the law remains disproportionately focused on individual rights and duties, even though group dynamics demonstrably shape behaviour. The paper therefore calls for the formal recognition of informal groups and the integration of collective responsibility to reflect current social realities more accurately. Methodology: Employing a historical-legal and interdisciplinary lens, the study traces the evolution of individualism from Roman law to modern legal frameworks. It combines comparative legal analysis, theoretical critique, and normative analysis to propose legal reforms that reconcile individual autonomy with collective accountability. Findings: Historically, legal systems have privileged individualism and underestimated the influence of groups. As a result, informal collectives often lack protection and meaningful participation in legal processes. This over-emphasis on the individual hampers effective responses to systemic discrimination, environmental harm, and labour rights violations. Although certain branches—such as corporate and environmental law—implicitly recognise collective responsibility, explicit mechanisms to balance individual and group interests are still required. Flexible legal models can integrate group accountability without eroding personal rights. Practical implications: Conferring limited legal personality on informal groups would enable them to assert rights without full formalisation. A calibrated balance between individual and collective liability would enhance the law’s capacity to address problems that demand shared responsibility. Strengthening collective legal tools—such as class actions, trade unions, and community governance—would improve legal representation, while the use of AI-enabled digital platforms could foster participatory law-making and deliver fairer legal structures.

Ali Rhouma, Nikolaos Mellios, Floor Brouwer et al.

Optimizing agricultural inputs at the farm scale requires a holistic understanding of water, energy, food, and ecosystem (WEFE) interdependencies. This study develops a composite Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystem Nexus Indicator (WEFENI) and applies System Dynamics Modelling (SDM) to assess vineyard sustainability in northern Spain. This study is the first to introduce WEFENI at a fine spatial resolution, applying it at the grape variety and small-plot level to capture sustainability differences within a single farm. Five key indicators water footprint, carbon footprint, energy footprint, income, and productivity were selected based on their relevance to environmental and socio-economic performance. Primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and field measurements, complemented by secondary data from meteorological and governmental databases. The indicators were normalized, weighted using the CRiteria Importance Through Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method, and aggregated into a composite WEFENI. The dynamic model was constructed to simulate monthly interactions within the WEFE nexus, enabling scenario-based analysis and capturing feedback-driven behaviour across resource systems.Results show substantial variation in WEFENI scores across agro-climatic zones and grape varieties. The Low Zone achieved the highest score (0.739) due to gravity-fed irrigation and low energy demand, while the High Zone scored lowest (0.556) because of energy-intensive pumping. At the variety level, 15 grape varieties demonstrated a balance between high sustainability and profitability demonstrating the added value of WEFENI in identifying optimal crop choices. Scenario analysis revealed that precision agriculture produced the greatest improvement in WEFENI (+0.102), followed by improved energy efficiency (+0.056), whereas reduced precipitation decreased the score (−0.056).The proposed framework enhances the replicability of farm-level sustainability assessments by explicitly defining indicator selection, system boundaries, and calculation procedures. The integration of WEFENI with SDM enables dynamic, scenario-based evaluation of trade-offs and synergies, providing a robust decision-support tool for sustainable resource management in agriculture.

Susanne Gäde, Michael Klauser

Abstract In 2024, the EU ETS was extended to international shipping in order to reduce the sector’s growing emissions and contribute to the EU’s climate targets. Previous studies of shipping emissions have mainly focused on the greenhouse gas emissions of individual ships, in specific areas, or on specific trade routes. However, this does not allow conclusions to be drawn on the emissions balance of the goods transported. This study attempts to fill this gap by presenting a simulation method that can be used to allocate emissions to global trade flows with the EU. It thereby contributes to the field of sustainable maritime supply chain management by offering a means to create carbon transparency along maritime supply chains. In this way, the emissions emitted between the port of origin and the port of destination can be estimated independently of the transshipment of goods along the route. The principle is illustrated by the flow of goods to and from the port of Hamburg.

Magdalena Kowalska, Anna Misztal

Sustainable development in logistics involves integrating economic, social, and environmental goals within transport and storage. In practice, it means reducing greenhouse gas emissions through eco-friendly fleets and green storage solutions. In the context of the EU Green Deal and the "Fit for 55" package, analyzing macroeconomic factors influencing sustainable logistics (SDLog) is crucial. This study compares six EU countries between 2008–2023: three developed (France, Germany, the Netherlands) and three transition economies (Czech Republic, Poland, Romania). A synthetic SDLog index was built from 18 variables covering environmental, economic, and social dimensions. The analysis followed two stages: OLS regression for each country and fixed-effect panel models for the two groups. Results show GDP has a universally positive effect on sustainable logistics. In developed economies, inflation and growth dynamics also matter, while in transition economies, wages and trade balance are more significant. The findings underline the importance of tailoring public policies and logistics strategies to country-specific macroeconomic conditions. Future research should expand the analysis to include institutional and technological factors, as well as apply dynamic models to capture long-term development paths.

Md. Monirul Islam, Md. Idris Ali, Md. Moniruzzaman

The trade of CO2 emissions encompasses the balance of exports and imports related to goods that contribute to carbon dioxide emissions. However, energy technologies, whether clean or carbon-intensive, significantly influence this trade. We investigate the impact of decomposed energy technologies, both clean and fossil fuel-based, on the export of CO2 emitting goods from the world’s top energy-intensive countries during the period from 1990 to 2022. Given the heterogeneity and endogeneity inherent in the data, we employ quantiles via moments and high-dimensional fixed effects linear regression techniques, respectively. Our findings reveal a monotonic positive impact of clean energy technologies in reducing the export of goods associated with CO2 emissions. In contrast, fossil fuel technologies tend to increase the export of such goods. Interestingly, the interaction between sustainable and fossil fuel technologies contributes to a reduction in these exports, highlighting the significant role of sustainable technological development. However, when considering the interaction between both types of technologies (clean and fossil fuel) and governance practices, we observe an increase in the exports of goods associated with CO2 emissions. This underscores the substantial influence of governance practices on increasing the export of these goods. Our results suggest that advancing sustainable energy technologies and proactive governance can lessen the export of CO2-emitting goods, promoting environmental safety.

Qiang Wang, Xiaowei Wang, Rongrong Li et al.

Abstract Environmental degradation has profoundly impacted both human society and ecosystems. The environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) illuminates the intricate relationship between economic growth and environmental decline. However, the recent surge in trade protectionism has heightened global economic uncertainties, posing a severe threat to global environmental sustainability. This research aims to investigate the intricate pathways through which trade protection, assessed by available trade openness data, influences the nexus between economic growth and environmental degradation. Leveraging comprehensive global panel data spanning 147 countries from 1995 to 2018, this study meticulously examines the non-linear dynamics among trade, economy, and the environment, with a particular emphasis on validating the EKC hypothesis. This study encompasses exhaustive global and panel data regressions categorized across four income groups. The research substantiates the validity of the EKC hypothesis within the confines of this investigation. As income levels rise, the impact of economic growth on environmental degradation initially intensifies before displaying a diminishing trend. Additionally, trade protection manifests as a detriment to improving global environmental quality. The ramifications of trade protectionism display nuanced variations across income strata. In high-income nations, trade protection appears to contribute to mitigating environmental degradation. Conversely, within other income brackets, the stimulating effect of trade protection on environmental pressure is more conspicuous. In other words, trade protectionism exacerbates environmental degradation, particularly affecting lower-income countries, aligning with the concept of pollution havens. The study’s results illuminate nuanced thresholds in the relationship between trade, economic growth, and environmental degradation across income groups, emphasizing the heterogeneous impact and underlying mechanisms. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, urging collaborative efforts among nations to achieve a harmonious balance between economic advancement and environmental preservation on a global scale.

Qian Zhang, Lu Chen, Mingwen Shao et al.

Instance segmentation is a challenging task in computer vision, as it requires distinguishing objects and predicting dense areas. Currently, segmentation models based on complex designs and large parameters have achieved remarkable accuracy. However, from a practical standpoint, achieving a balance between accuracy and speed is even more desirable. To address this need, this paper presents ESAMask, a real-time segmentation model fused with efficient sparse attention, which adheres to the principles of lightweight design and efficiency. In this work, we propose several key contributions. Firstly, we introduce a dynamic and sparse Related Semantic Perceived Attention mechanism (RSPA) for adaptive perception of different semantic information of various targets during feature extraction. RSPA uses the adjacency matrix to search for regions with high semantic correlation of the same target, which reduces computational cost. Additionally, we design the GSInvSAM structure to reduce redundant calculations of spliced features while enhancing interaction between channels when merging feature layers of different scales. Lastly, we introduce the Mixed Receptive Field Context Perception Module (MRFCPM) in the prototype branch to enable targets of different scales to capture the feature representation of the corresponding area during mask generation. MRFCPM fuses information from three branches of global content awareness, large kernel region awareness, and convolutional channel attention to explicitly model features at different scales. Through extensive experimental evaluation, ESAMask achieves a mask AP of 45.4 at a frame rate of 45.2 FPS on the COCO dataset, surpassing current instance segmentation methods in terms of the accuracy–speed trade-off, as demonstrated by our comprehensive experimental results. In addition, the high-quality segmentation results of our proposed method for objects of various classes and scales can be intuitively observed from the visualized segmentation outputs.

Gulsher A. Qalandarshoev

Research deals with the issues of trade cooperation between Tajikistan and China. In order to determine the place of China in the foreign trade turnover of Tajikistan, a general statistical analysis of trade cooperation between two countries is given. Changes in the dynamics and structure of the Tajik-Chinese trade since the first years of trade cooperation are presented and the main reasons for these changes are indicated. Based on the analysis of the export-import operations of two countries over the past few years, the main influencing factors on bilateral trade in goods were identified and the existing shortcomings were indicated. It is noted that, despite the inequality of economic opportunities and potential, China pays special attention to its neighbor and strives to improve trade and economic cooperation. It is shown that China, along with other major powers in the region, has managed to strengthen its position in the developing economy of Tajikistan. The purpose of this research is to analyze trade relations between Tajikistan and China, determine the importance of this cooperation for Tajikistan, identify the influencing factors and existing problems, the solution of which could improve this cooperation in the future. The theoretical basis for this study was the work of Tajik, Russian and other foreign authors on Tajik-Chinese trade cooperation. In conclusion, the ways of increasing Tajikistan’s exports are shown, which in the long term can change the dynamics and structure of Tajikistan’s trade with China and other countries.

Grace Chan, Andrew Y. Gracey, Edwin Solares et al.

The intertidal sea mussel Mytilus californianus inhabits the Pacific coastline of North America. As a sessile organism it must cope with daily fluctuations of the marine and terrestrial environments. Organisms in stressful environments are commonly faced with energetic trade-offs between somatic and reproductive growth and stress management. Although, this energetic theory is generally accepted for mussels as well, the spectrum of mechanisms underlying this framework have not been widely investigated. In the current study we hypothesized that mussels acclimated to a cyclical moderately warm aerial environment would display enhanced transcript abundance of genes related to metabolism and exhibit resilient digestive enzyme activity (energy acquisition). Following acclimation to simulated tidal regimes in the laboratory we observed higher gene-expression of citrate synthase (CS), citrate lyase (ACLY), and mammalian target of rapamycin (MTOR) in heat stressed mussels. The expression of CS and MTOR was not elevated under acute thermal stress, suggestive that repeated stress is required for robust expression of these genes given that all other environmental variables are constant. We also observed reduced activity of the digestive enzyme, amylase in heat-shocked acclimated mussels (a proxy for energy acquisition). Our results suggest that mussels that settle high on shore not only face the challenge of thermal stress repair and limited access to food but may also be compromised by reduced digestive performance. Mussels may have adapted to cyclical energetic stress by overexpressing particular energy-related genes that can mitigate the disturbance to energy balance once the abundant transcripts are translated into functional proteins.

Oanh Tran Thi Kim, Tra Huong Thi Le, Michael J. Shin et al.

With the increasing number of electric vehicles, deploying fixed charging stations (FCSs) has been a widely adopted solution for providing charging services to EVs. However, the charging requirement of EVs being near overload FCSs and/or in areas of inadequate charging infrastructures such as highways and rural areas will surpass the capabilities of FCSs. To address this challenge, the realized peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading between electric vehicles (EVs) and mobile charging stations (MCSs) can be utilized to relieve the overload on FCSs, leverage under-utilized energy resources among cities and achieve trading benefits. By deploying this energy trading model, EVs purchase available energy from MCSs instead of FCSs to fulfill their charging demands. However, such an energy trade requires an incentive mechanism to ensure fair trading and prevent personal gain, which motivates us to study the incentive mechanism design for the energy trading model. In this paper, first, we consider an energy trading system involving multiple MCSs and EVs. Then, we formulate the incentive mechanism between MCSs and EVs as an auction game, in which the MCSs are auctioneers and EVs are bidders. In the formulated problem, each EV secretly submits its bid to MCSs, and each MCS distributively decides the winners without the knowledge of other MCSs. To achieve this, we design a distributed action-based energy trading mechanism that ensures fairness of providing charging service, validity in trading price’s resource determination, and nothing incentivizing the EVs to cheat on payment decisions. The proposed energy trading scheme achieves certain critical properties, including truthfulness, individual rationality, budget balance, and computational efficiency for both buyers and sellers. Finally, we perform simulation experiments to verify the proposed scheme’s effectiveness compared with the baseline in the literature.

Meike Siegner, J. Pinkse, R. Panwar

M. Mihaylov, Sergio Jurado, N. Avellana et al.

Quinissa Putrirezhy

The rise of the US-led Quad alliance in 2017 will be a test for ASEAN. Southeast Asia is at the center of a simmering strategic rivalry between the two world superpowers, the US and China. China's meteoric economic ascendence on the global stage has shifted the balance of global power in today's geopolitics. This article seeks to examine the potential of how the Quad may shake the ASEAN's unity and centrality as a result of China's rise. Beijing has expanded its influence throughout Southeast Asia and is by now easily ASEAN's largest trading partner, while at the same time it has aggressively asserted its pseudohistorical irredentist claims in the South China Sea, a vital route for regional trade, creating territorial disputes with some ASEAN member countries. This article found that the geopolitical situation in Southeast Asia is likely to grow more difficult, perhaps affecting Southeast Asia's policy of non-alignment. Some argue that the Quad will bring balance in the Asia Pacific; however, this view will inevitably change if some ASEAN countries in favor of FOIP decide to join the Quad, either formally or informally, and work together to attempt to counterbalance China, which would leave ASEAN itself torn apart.

Tittonell Pablo, Hara Sofía M., Álvarez Valeria E. et al.

Pastoral systems worldwide secure rural livelihoods in the harshest environments on Earth. Their low productivity per area unit or head makes them the subject of much criticism with regard to their environmental impact, particularly in relation to global warming, desertification and land degradation. Such is the case of the traditional pastoral systems of Patagonia, a vast and isolated region where sedentary and mobile pastoralism coexist and contribute to shape landscapes and cultures. We argue that pastoral systems provide a wide range of ecosystem services that may compensate for their negative impact on the environment. We review the scarcely available evidence from Patagonia to identify ecosystem services and disservices associated with pastoralism, and pay special attention to the carbon balance: with C footprints between 10 to 40 kg CO2-eq.kg−1 carcass, pastoral systems in dry Patagonia are below or within the range of semi-extensive livestock systems worldwide (35–45 CO2-eq. kg−1 carcass). To inform development and policy, the assessment of trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services needs to incorporate the intertwined social and ecological dynamics of complex pastoral systems, along resource regenerative trajectories.

Mohammad Majid al-Rifaie

The trade off between exploration and exploitation is one of the key challenges in evolutionary and swarm optimisers which are led by guided and stochastic search. This work investigates the exploration and exploitation balance in a minimalist swarm optimiser in order to offer insights into the population’s behaviour. The minimalist and vector-stripped nature of the algorithm—dispersive flies optimisation or DFO—reduces the challenges of understanding particles’ oscillation around constantly changing centres, their influence on one another, and their trajectory. The aim is to examine the population’s dimensional behaviour in each iteration and each defined exploration-exploitation zone, and to subsequently offer improvements to the working of the optimiser. The derived variants, titled unified DFO or uDFO, are successfully applied to an extensive set of test functions, as well as high-dimensional tomographic reconstruction, which is an important inverse problem in medical and industrial imaging.

M. Lenzen, Lise-Lotte Pade, J. Munksgaard

Tomoko Ishikawa