Incoprea Research

Original Theories Volume XXVI · science index

105 retained entries from the original 129. Original entry numbers are preserved. These are working hypotheses, not findings or proofs.

Addiction cycle

• Theory 37 · Escalation Needs a Reward Ratio
  Escalation of use begins above a threshold in the ratio of drug reward to natural reward, so availability of alternatives protects.
• Theory 38 · Progression Is Goal to Habit
  The transition to compulsive use is set by the rate at which control shifts from goal-directed to habitual, so fast shift produces compulsion without escalation.
• Theory 39 · Cessation Is Extinction Against Cue
  Abstinence persists while the ratio of extinction learning to cue exposure intensity stays above one, so a strong cue environment defeats extinction.

Agricultural growing cycle

• Theory 112 · Sowing Follows a Temperature Sum
  Sowing begins above a threshold in accumulated temperature relative to the crop's requirement, so calendar date misleads across years.
• Theory 113 · Growth Is Radiation Against Water
  Crop growth rate is set by the ratio of intercepted radiation to water supply, so the same radiation yields differently across moisture regimes.
• Theory 114 · Maturity Is a Senescence Threshold
  The cycle ends when the ratio of senescence to grain fill exceeds one, so harvest timing is a balance rather than a date.

Infrastructure lifecycle

• Theory 103 · Ageing Begins on a Stress Ratio
  An asset begins to degrade when the ratio of service stress to design resistance exceeds a threshold, so identical assets age differently on different routes.
• Theory 104 · Condition Is Maintenance Against Decay
  Asset condition is set by the ratio of maintenance interval to degradation rate, so a well-maintained asset of any age can outperform a younger neglected one.
• Theory 105 · Replacement Is Cost Against Risk
  An asset is replaced when the ratio of failure risk to replacement cost exceeds one, so replacement is a risk threshold rather than a condition threshold.

Battery charge cycle

• Theory 121 · Charging Starts on an Overpotential
  Intercalation begins when the ratio of applied overpotential to activation barrier exceeds one, so charging at low temperature requires more voltage.
• Theory 122 · Progression Is Coulombic Efficiency
  Capacity fade per cycle is set by the ratio of parasitic side reactions to reversible intercalation, so the same chemistry degrades differently at different rates.
• Theory 123 · Termination Is a Voltage Cutoff
  A charge ends when the ratio of cell voltage to cutoff voltage reaches one, so the same capacity corresponds to different states depending on rate.

Bone remodelling

• Theory 22 · Remodelling Starts on Damage
  A remodelling cycle begins above a threshold in accumulated microdamage, so bone with light load cycles through fewer cycles per year.
• Theory 23 · Balance Is Resorption Against Formation
  Net bone change per cycle is set by the ratio of resorption depth to formation refill, so a small uncoupling compounds over years.
• Theory 24 · Termination Is Signalled by Strain
  A remodelling cycle ends when the ratio of local strain to osteocyte sensitivity returns to normal, so the cycle closes on function rather than time.

Carbon cycle

• Theory 58 · Uptake Begins on a Light Threshold
  The growing-season carbon sink begins above a threshold in the ratio of light to temperature limitation, so an early warm spring without light adds little uptake.
• Theory 59 · Turnover Is Input Against Residence
  Carbon storage changes at a rate set by the ratio of input change to residence time, so a slow pool responds over decades regardless of the input.
• Theory 60 · Sink Saturates on a Ratio
  A carbon sink stops growing when the ratio of fertilisation benefit to nutrient limitation falls to one, so nitrogen supply caps the response.

Cardiac cycle

• Theory 04 · Onset Is Pacemaker Drift
  Heart rate is set by the rate of spontaneous depolarisation in the pacemaker, not by autonomic tone alone.
• Theory 05 · Progression Is Conduction Velocity
  The duration of ventricular activation is set by conduction velocity relative to path length, so a dilated heart activates more slowly.
• Theory 06 · Termination Is Repolarisation Reserve
  Whether a cycle completes depends on the ratio of repolarisation reserve to action potential duration, so a shortened reserve permits re-entry.

Catalyst cycle

• Theory 118 · Deactivation Starts on a Coke Threshold
  Catalyst deactivation begins when the ratio of coke deposition to burn-off exceeds one, so a low-severity operation never fouls.
• Theory 119 · Activity Loss Is Site Against Access
  Activity falls at a rate set by the ratio of site poisoning to pore blockage, so two catalysts with the same coke load differ in decay.
• Theory 120 · Regeneration Is Burn Against Sintering
  Regeneration succeeds when the ratio of coke burn rate to sintering rate is high, so aggressive regeneration destroys the catalyst it cleans.

Cell division cycle

• Theory 01 · Commitment Is a Size Threshold
  A cell commits to division only above a size threshold set by the ratio of biosynthetic capacity to the volume added per cycle.
• Theory 02 · Progression Is Fork Against Damage
  Cycle duration is set by the ratio of replication fork rate to the rate at which damage slows it, so a slow fork under damage arrests.
• Theory 03 · Exit Needs Checkpoint Satisfaction
  Cycle exit is set by the ratio of checkpoint signal to checkpoint noise, so a weak but consistent signal holds the cycle where a strong noisy one does not.

Circadian oscillator

• Theory 13 · Phase Is Set by Entrainment Rate
  The phase of the circadian clock is set by the rate at which light advances it relative to the free-running period, so weak light still entrains if applied consistently.
• Theory 14 · Period Is a Network Property
  The free-running period is set by the ratio of transcription to degradation rates in the core loop, not by any single component.
• Theory 15 · Rhythm Dies by Damping
  A rhythm is lost when the ratio of coupling strength to noise falls below one, so desynchrony precedes any change in mean level.

Engine cycle

• Theory 124 · Ignition Needs a Compression Ratio
  Combustion begins when the ratio of compressed temperature to fuel ignition temperature exceeds one, so compression ratio sets the ignition timing.
• Theory 125 · Work Is Expansion Against Loss
  Work extracted per cycle is set by the ratio of expansion ratio to heat loss, so a fast cycle loses less to the walls.
• Theory 126 · Termination Is Pressure Equalisation
  The cycle ends when the ratio of cylinder to exhaust pressure reaches one, so back pressure sets when the exhaust valve can open.

Fermentation cycle

• Theory 115 · Fermentation Starts on an Inoculum Ratio
  A fermentation begins when the ratio of active biomass to competing flora exceeds one, so a small healthy inoculum beats a large contaminated one.
• Theory 116 · Rate Is Conversion Against Inhibition
  Fermentation rate is set by the ratio of substrate conversion to product inhibition, so product accumulation slows the cycle before substrate runs out.
• Theory 117 · Termination Is Substrate Exhaustion
  Fermentation ends when the ratio of remaining substrate to maintenance demand falls below one, so the endpoint depends on the organism's upkeep.

Fever cycle

• Theory 40 · Onset Is a Set-Point Shift
  Fever begins when the rate of pyrogen-driven set-point change exceeds the rate of heat gain, so the patient feels cold before the temperature rises.
• Theory 41 · Plateau Is Production Against Loss
  The height of a fever plateau is set by the ratio of heat production to heat loss at the new set point, so the same pyrogen gives different heights in different conditions.
• Theory 42 · Defervescence Is Clearance
  Fever ends when the ratio of pyrogen clearance to production falls below one, so resolution is a clearance phenomenon and can be abrupt.

Fire regime

• Theory 46 · Ignition Needs a Dryness Threshold
  A fire starts only above a threshold in the ratio of fuel dryness to ignition energy, so the same lightning strike ignites one year and not another.
• Theory 47 · Spread Is Fuel Against Weather
  Fire spread rate is set by the ratio of fuel continuity to wind-driven cooling, so a broken fuel bed stops a front that wind would otherwise carry.
• Theory 48 · Termination Is Fuel Exhaustion
  A fire stops when the ratio of available fuel to the heat needed to sustain combustion falls below one, not when it meets a barrier.

Nuclear fuel cycle

• Theory 127 · Fissile Content Sets Onset
  A reactor can start when the ratio of fissile to fertile content exceeds the criticality requirement, so enrichment sets feasibility.
• Theory 128 · Burnup Is Fission Against Poisoning
  Achievable burnup is set by the ratio of fission rate to poison accumulation, so reactivity loss limits the cycle before fuel is consumed.
• Theory 129 · Closure Is Recovery Against Loss
  Whether a fuel cycle closes is set by the ratio of recovered fissile material to process losses, so a small loss rate makes recycling pointless.

Glacial cycle

• Theory 73 · Glaciation Starts on a Summer Threshold
  A glacial cycle begins when summer insolation falls below a threshold set by the ratio of ablation to accumulation, so the same orbital forcing acts differently at different latitudes.
• Theory 74 · Growth Is Accumulation Against Flow
  Ice sheet growth rate is set by the ratio of accumulation to ice discharge, so a fast-flowing margin prevents growth despite heavy snowfall.
• Theory 75 · Termination Is a Melt Threshold
  Deglaciation runs to completion once the ratio of melt to accumulation exceeds one by enough to survive a full year, so the end is abrupt.

Hair follicle cycle

• Theory 25 · Anagen Starts on a Signal Ratio
  A follicle enters growth above a threshold in the ratio of dermal papilla signal to inhibitory factor, so the same follicle cycles on a schedule set by that balance.
• Theory 26 · Growth Rate Is Matrix Division
  Fibre elongation rate is set by the ratio of matrix cell division to keratinisation rate, so growth slows when differentiation outpaces division.
• Theory 27 · Catagen Is Programmed Retraction
  Growth ends when the ratio of apoptotic signal to survival signal crosses a threshold, and the club hair forms regardless of fibre length.

Immune response

• Theory 16 · Activation Needs an Antigen Threshold
  An immune response starts above a threshold in the ratio of antigen density to receptor affinity, so low-density antigen is ignored regardless of affinity.
• Theory 17 · Expansion Is Division Against Death
  Clonal expansion rate is set by the ratio of division rate to death rate, so a response can look flat while both are fast.
• Theory 18 · Contraction Follows Antigen Loss
  The response contracts when the ratio of antigen to survival signal falls below a threshold, so contraction is a consequence of success.

Inventory cycle

• Theory 88 · Restocking Starts on a Stock Ratio
  Restocking begins when the ratio of inventory to sales falls below a threshold, so the trigger is a stockout risk rather than an order increase.
• Theory 89 · Amplification Is a Bullwhip Ratio
  Order amplification is set by the ratio of lead time to demand smoothing, so longer lead times amplify variability more.
• Theory 90 · Termination Is a Glut Threshold
  The cycle turns when the ratio of inventory to sales crosses a threshold, triggering order cuts that overshoot in the other direction.

Menstrual cycle

• Theory 28 · Onset Is Follicle Recruitment
  A cycle begins when the ratio of FSH to follicular reserve exceeds a threshold, so the same hormone level produces different recruitment at different reserves.
• Theory 29 · Phase Length Is Luteal Fixed
  Follicular phase length varies while luteal length is set by the ratio of corpus luteum lifespan to luteolytic sensitivity, so cycle variability comes from one phase.
• Theory 30 · Termination Is Luteolysis
  The cycle ends when luteolysis reduces progesterone below a threshold relative to endometrial support, so the end is a ratio rather than a time.

Metapopulation

• Theory 52 · Occupancy Rises With Colonisation
  A metapopulation grows when the ratio of colonisation rate to extinction rate exceeds one, so the same landscape supports or loses a species depending on connectivity.
• Theory 53 · Turnover Is Extinction Against Rescue
  Local turnover rate is set by the ratio of extinction to rescue effect, so well-connected networks turn over faster without losing species.
• Theory 54 · Collapse Is a Connectivity Threshold
  A network collapses when connectivity falls below a threshold, and the collapse is abrupt because extinction and colonisation both weaken.

Migraine cycle

• Theory 34 · Onset Is a Susceptibility Threshold
  A migraine attack begins when the ratio of cortical excitability to inhibitory reserve exceeds a threshold, which is why the same trigger affects people differently.
• Theory 35 · Aura Is a Spread Rate
  The aura duration is set by the ratio of cortical spreading depression velocity to the extent of cortex involved, so aura length maps to spread.
• Theory 36 · Pain Ends on Trigeminal Sensitisation
  Headache resolution is set by the ratio of central sensitisation to descending inhibition, so the attack ends when inhibition recovers the balance.

Nitrogen cycle

• Theory 61 · Fixation Starts on a Need Threshold
  Biological nitrogen fixation begins when the ratio of nitrogen demand to available supply exceeds a threshold, because fixation is expensive.
• Theory 62 · Nitrification Is a Rate Bottleneck
  Nitrogen loss rate is set by the ratio of nitrification to plant uptake, so a fast nitrifier community leaks nitrogen even in a fertile soil.
• Theory 63 · The Cycle Closes on Anoxia
  Denitrification completes the cycle only above a threshold in the ratio of anoxia to nitrate supply, so well-aerated soils retain nitrogen.

Predator-prey

• Theory 49 · Cycles Start on a Growth Ratio
  A predator-prey cycle begins when the ratio of prey growth rate to predator attack rate exceeds one, allowing prey to escape control.
• Theory 50 · Period Is Set by the Lag
  Cycle period is set by the ratio of the numerical response lag to the generation time, so slow predators produce long cycles.
• Theory 51 · Damping Comes From Refuges
  Oscillations damp when the ratio of refuge availability to predation pressure is high enough to cap the prey's low-density escape.

Respiratory cycle

• Theory 07 · Onset Is a CO2 Threshold
  Each breath is triggered above a threshold in arterial CO2 relative to the chemoreceptor gain, so the same CO2 drives different breathing in different people.
• Theory 08 · Progression Is Dead Space
  Effective ventilation rate is set by the ratio of tidal volume to dead space, so rapid shallow breathing wastes work.
• Theory 09 · Off-Switch Is Hysteretic
  Expiration ends at a different threshold than the one that started inspiration, so the cycle has hysteresis set by lung compliance.

Rock cycle

• Theory 67 · Weathering Starts on a Reaction Ratio
  Rock breakdown begins when the ratio of reaction rate to erosion rate is high enough for chemistry to outpace removal.
• Theory 68 · Burial Is Load Against Buoyancy
  Sediment turns to rock when the ratio of burial pressure to pore pressure exceeds a threshold, expelling water and compacting grains.
• Theory 69 · Exposure Requires Uplift Over Erosion
  Rock reaches the surface only while the ratio of uplift to erosion exceeds one, so a rising range exposes old rock and a stable one does not.

Seizure cycle

• Theory 31 · Onset Is Excitation Against Inhibition
  A seizure begins above a threshold in the ratio of excitation to inhibition, so identical excitation produces a seizure only when inhibition is low.
• Theory 32 · Spread Is a Propagation Rate
  How far a seizure spreads is set by the ratio of propagation velocity to the time available before termination, so fast termination limits spread regardless of origin.
• Theory 33 · Termination Is Inhibitory Exhaustion
  A seizure ends when the ratio of inhibitory drive to excitatory drive recovers above one, which occurs through exhaustion rather than active braking.

Sleep-wake cycle

• Theory 10 · Onset Is Pressure Against Clock
  Sleep onset occurs when homeostatic pressure exceeds the circadian wake signal, so the same sleep debt can leave a person alert at one hour and asleep at another.
• Theory 11 · Architecture Follows Pressure Decay
  The proportion of deep sleep is set by the ratio of pressure at sleep onset to the rate it dissipates, so a sleep-deprived night is deep early and light late.
• Theory 12 · Waking Is an Arousal Threshold
  Awakening occurs above a threshold in the ratio of external stimulus to arousal threshold, and the threshold varies with sleep stage.

Solar cycle

• Theory 76 · Cycle Starts on a Flux Threshold
  A solar cycle begins when the ratio of toroidal to poloidal field strength exceeds a threshold, so the timing depends on the field configuration rather than on time.
• Theory 77 · Amplitude Follows the Source Rate
  Cycle amplitude is set by the ratio of flux emergence rate to flux decay, so a long rise builds a stronger maximum.
• Theory 78 · Cycle Ends on Field Reversal
  A cycle ends when the ratio of poloidal to toroidal field crosses one in the opposite sense, so the termination is a topological event rather than a decline.

Forest succession

• Theory 43 · Succession Starts on a Disturbance Threshold
  Succession begins only above a threshold in disturbance severity, below which the existing canopy merely closes gaps without reorganising.
• Theory 44 · Rate Is Colonisation Against Competition
  Successional rate is set by the ratio of colonisation to competitive exclusion, so a fast-colonising but poor competitor maintains early dominance.
• Theory 45 · Climax Is Canopy Closure
  Succession ends when the ratio of canopy closure to gap formation stabilises, so the endpoint is a dynamic balance rather than a fixed community.

Supply chain cycle

• Theory 109 · Reordering Starts on a Stock Ratio
  A supply chain reorders when the ratio of stock to lead-time demand falls below one, so the trigger is coverage rather than level.
• Theory 110 · Progression Is Throughput Against WIP
  Cycle time is set by the ratio of work in progress to throughput, so a chain can speed up by reducing WIP rather than by adding capacity.
• Theory 111 · Collapse Is a Buffer Threshold
  A chain fails when the ratio of buffer stock to disruption duration falls below one, so resilience is measured in time covered.

Lake turnover

• Theory 55 · Mixing Starts on a Density Threshold
  Lake mixing begins when the ratio of wind energy to density difference exceeds a threshold, so a calm autumn delays turnover.
• Theory 56 · Mixing Rate Is Depth Against Stability
  The time to fully mix is set by the ratio of depth to the square root of stability, so deep stable lakes mix for weeks.
• Theory 57 · Re-Stratification Follows Heat Input
  Mixing ends when the ratio of surface heating to mixing energy exceeds one, so early ice cover locks in a mixed or stratified state.

Water cycle

• Theory 64 · Rain Needs a Saturation Threshold
  Precipitation begins above a threshold in the ratio of condensation to evaporation within a rising parcel, so warm humid air can hold more before raining.
• Theory 65 · Transit Is Storage Against Flux
  The residence time of water in a catchment is set by the ratio of storage to throughput, so a large aquifer delays the cycle by decades.
• Theory 66 · Return Is Evaporation Against Supply
  The cycle returns water at a rate set by the ratio of evaporative demand to surface supply, so a dry surface limits its own evaporation.

Wilson cycle

• Theory 70 · Rifting Starts on a Strength Threshold
  Continental rifting begins above a threshold in the ratio of extensional stress to lithospheric strength, so a hot thin plate rifts where a cold thick one does not.
• Theory 71 · Spreading Is a Rate Balance
  Ocean opening rate is set by the ratio of mantle upwelling to plate resistance, so a wide ocean opens more slowly than a narrow one.
• Theory 72 · Closure Needs a Density Threshold
  An ocean closes when the ratio of slab density to mantle density exceeds one, because subduction becomes the only path.

Wound healing

• Theory 19 · Haemostasis Is a Rate Race
  Clot formation succeeds when the rate of fibrin polymerisation exceeds the rate of flow removal, so the same injury clots or does not depending on shear.
• Theory 20 · Closure Is Granulation Against Contraction
  How a wound closes is set by the ratio of granulation tissue formation to myofibroblast contraction, so the same wound closes differently in different sites.
• Theory 21 · Closure Stops on Contact
  Keratinocyte migration ceases when the ratio of free edge to contact inhibition falls to zero, so closure terminates by contact rather than by signal.

Index narrowed to the focused science collection. Biological and ecological population dynamics, genetics, physiology and engineering are retained. Source numbering remains historical; no remaining hypothesis has been promoted to a finding.