The evolution of economic systems: The dialectics of regress

Subject. We herein examine, sort out and integrate economic knowledge to analyze systemic contradictions, which constitute necessary and sufficient conditions for the evolution of macrosystems. In this research, we draw upon the cognitive potential of the dialectical systemic-historical approach. Objectives. We examine the gradual transformation of complex subjects with weak structure and the qualitative representation of the regress dialectics in terms of the logic of the evolution of economic systems. Methods. The study draws upon the cognitive potential of the dialectical method, the method of ascending from the abstract to the concrete, with some elements of the formation approach added, which helped definitely determine and capture systemic traits and principles of the regress dialectics of old systems, and their possible development trajectories. Results. The article sets forth systemic contradictions, qualities and traits of the regress dialectics, referring to the evolutionary phases of economic systems. To display the regress dialectics properly, we formulated respective principles for studying mutated forms, demonstrating the inevitability of their self-reproduction, and revealing the real, though concealed, substance. Conclusions. The article sorts out key conclusions. The findings may underlie the scientific basis for comprehending the evolution of complex subjects with weak structure and macrosystems.

Unloading Response Characteristics of Cross Fault Caverns: Effect of Fault Angles

The research of unloading response characteristics of caverns with weak structure has important engineering value for the development and construction of underground space. In this paper, firstly, the cross fault cavity model is established based on particle flow code (PFC) software, considering different fault dip angles. The parallel bond model (PBM) is used in the cavern model and the smooth joint model (SJM) is used in the fault model. Then, the mechanical, acoustic emission (AE), energy response characteristics and failure modes of the cavern model with different fault angles are explored. The research result show that the fault angle has a great influence on the stress distribution and failure modes of surrounding rock.The existence of faults does not change the overall law of AE evolution curve, that is, the number of AE hits increases first and then decreases. However, the existence of faults changes the maximum number of AE hits and the duration of AE. When the cavern is unloaded, the strain energy of the model first decreases and then increases.

On Soft Separation Axioms and Their Applications on Decision-Making Problem

In this work, we introduce new types of soft separation axioms called p t -soft α regular and p t -soft α T i -spaces i = 0,1,2,3,4 using partial belong and total nonbelong relations between ordinary points and soft α -open sets. These soft separation axioms enable us to initiate new families of soft spaces and then obtain new interesting properties. We provide several examples to elucidate the relationships between them as well as their relationships with e -soft T i , soft α T i , and t t -soft α T i -spaces. Also, we determine the conditions under which they are equivalent and link them with their counterparts on topological spaces. Furthermore, we prove that p t -soft α T i -spaces i = 0,1,2,3,4 are additive and topological properties and demonstrate that p t -soft α T i -spaces i = 0,1,2 are preserved under finite product of soft spaces. Finally, we discuss an application of optimal choices using the idea of p t -soft T i -spaces i = 0,1,2 on the content of soft weak structure. We provide an algorithm of this application with an example showing how this algorithm is carried out. In fact, this study represents the first investigation of real applications of soft separation axioms.

The Effect of pH and Concentration on the Textural and Rheological Properties of Egg Albumin Foams

The effect of different concentrations (i.e. 0.1% - 1%) and pH (7.0 and 4.0) on the textural/physical and rheological properties of egg albumin foams was investigated. The findings indicated that the stability and overrun of the foams were higher in the case of the foams made at pH = 4.0 and with the highest concentration of egg albumin (1%). The apparent viscosity of the albumin solution was significantly (p<0.05) higher at pH = 4.0 and in the presence of the higher concentrations of egg albumin (0.5% - 1%). All of the rheological parameters in amplitude sweep test indicated a weak structure of the foam made at pH = 7.0 and in the presence of a low concentration of egg albumin (0.1%). Regardless of the pH, the values for tan (δ) in the frequency sweep test indicated a weak biopolymer foam structure in the case of all samples. Yield stress was greater in the sample manufactured at pH = 4.0. Overall, the findings suggested that both protein concentration and pH had substantial effects on the rheological and physical properties of egg albumin foams.

On $$\psi _{{\mathcal{H}}}( . )$$-operator in weak structure spaces with hereditary classes

Weak structure space (briefly, wss) has master looks, when the whole space is not open, and these classes of subsets are not closed under arbitrary unions and finite intersections, which classify it from typical topology. Our main target of this article is to introduce $$\psi _{{\mathcal {H}}}(.)$$ ψ H ( . ) -operator in hereditary class weak structure space (briefly, $${\mathcal {H}}wss$$ H w s s ) $$(X, w, {\mathcal {H}})$$ ( X , w , H ) and examine a number of its characteristics. Additionally, we clarify some relations that are credible in topological spaces but cannot be realized in generalized ones. As a generalization of w-open sets and w-semiopen sets, certain new kind of sets in a weak structure space via $$\psi _{{\mathcal {H}}}(.)$$ ψ H ( . ) -operator called $$\psi _{{\mathcal {H}}}$$ ψ H -semiopen sets are introduced. We prove that the family of $$\psi _{{\mathcal {H}}}$$ ψ H -semiopen sets composes a supra-topology on X. In view of hereditary class $${\mathcal {H}}_{0}$$ H 0 , $$w T_{1}$$ w T 1 -axiom is formulated and also some of their features are investigated.

On the optimum catalyst for structure sensitive heterogeneous catalytic reactions

Reaction rates in a two-step catalytic sequence, when plotted vs adsorption energy of the key or the most abundant surface intermediate, result in volcano shaped curves. In the current work, the optimal catalyst is discussed for structure sensitive reactions, which display dependence of activity on the cluster size of the active catalytic phase. An expression is derived relating the Gibbs energy for formation of the intermediate with the Gibbs energy changes in the overall reaction, difference in adsorption thermodynamics on edges and terraces and the cluster size. The kinetic expressions display dependence of activity vs the Gibbs energy of the adsorbed intermediate formation. Numerical analysis demonstrates that when the overall equilibrium constant K is high and the reaction is thermodynamically very favorable, the maxima in the rates vs the adsorption constant for the optimal catalyst are much broader being less dependent on the cluster size. When structure sensitivity is pronounced, there are smaller differences in the rates for the optimum and less optimal catalysts in comparison with reactions showing weak structure sensitivity.

Teachers’ Perceptions of Developing Writing Skills in the EFL Classroom

Despite the fact that English is taught as a foreign language in schools from an early age, students often face difficulties when it comes to the development of their writing skills. This paper aims at exploring teachers’ perceptions regarding the development of the writing skills of elementary and secondary school EFL learners. Altogether, 85 Kosovar teachers were included in the survey. Even though the teachers believe that writing is important, they do not give the same emphasis to developing it as to other skills. According to their responses, some common difficulties learners experience while writing are a lack of vocabulary, writing anxiety, lack of ideas, mother tongue interference, grammar difficulties, weak structure organization and poor spelling. The teachers suggest that these difficulties might stem from a lack of reading and writing practice, ineffective teaching methods and low motivation for writing. We recommend various actions, such as teacher development courses to help them acquire more effective strategies of teaching writing, increased writing practice in the classroom, and the use of different learning strategies to meet all students’ needs.

Barriers to Cooperatives Growth as Social Entrepreneur

Cooperative is conventionally known an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise (International Cooperative Alliance,2014). Despite of having a long tradition of cooperatives movement evidenced by the vast numbers of cooperatives (14,094 in June 2018) in Malaysia, cooperatives are still left far behind to become more competitive in order to not only satisfy their cooperators but also to the societies. The emphasis on transformation of cooperatives as social entrepreneurship is clearly outlined in the third strategic thrust of National Entrepreneurship Framework 2018. Thus, the current study aims to identify barriers that hinder cooperatives from safeguarding member’s wellbeing and further provide service to the communities. A set of questionnaire which consists of two sections namely background of cooperative and barriers to social entrepreneur were distributed to the registered cooperatives who participated in Konvensyen Pemerkasaan Koperasi 2019. Among barriers uncovered were lack of capital, involve in only conventional activities, weak structure, absence of good governance, lack of cooperation between cooperatives, lack of managerial talent and lack of integrity among the management and members in cooperatives. Conclusions and recommendations were discussed.