Origin of the imbalance between energy cascade and dissipation in turbulence

It is shown in direct numerical simulations of homogeneous isotropic non-stationary turbulence that there is a systematic and significant imbalance between the non-linear energy cascade to fine scales and its dissipation. This imbalance stems from the power required to induce or annihilate fine-scale motions in order to change the level of dissipation. The imbalance is present regardless of transfer time-lags and is applicable to a wide range of Reynolds numbers.