bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spin relaxation rate for baryons in a thermal pion gas
Authors: Hidaka Yoshimasa , Hongo Masaru , Stephanov Mikhail A. , Yee Ho-Ung
Published: May 2024

We study the relaxation dynamics of the spin polarization of baryons (nucleon and Λ baryon), in a thermal pion gas as a simple model of the hadronic phase of the QCD plasma produced in relativistic heavy-ion collisions. For this purpose, we formulate the quantum kinetic theory for the spin density matrix of baryons in the leading order of the gradient expansion. Considering the baryon-pion elastic scattering processes as the dominant interaction between baryons and thermal pions, we compute the spin relaxation rate of nucleons and Λ baryons in a pion gas up to temperature 200 MeV. In the case of nucleons, we evaluate the spin relaxation rate in the s-channel resonance approximation, based on the known experimental data on Δ resonances. We also estimate the spin relaxation rate for Λ baryons, based on experimental inputs and theoretical models for the low-energy Λπ scattering, including the chiral perturbation theory.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Island of Reissner-Nordström anti–de Sitter black holes in the large
D
limit
Authors: Tong Chen-Wei , Du Dong-Hui , Sun Jia-Rui
Published: May 2024

We study the information paradox of Reissner-Nordström anti–de Sitter black holes in the large dimension limit by using the island formula. The entanglement entropy of Hawking radiation is calculated both for the nonextremal and the extremal cases, in which the boundary of the radiation region is close to the outer horizon. For the nonextremal case, the entanglement entropy of Hawking radiation obeys the Page curve, i.e., the entanglement entropy of Hawking radiation increases with time and reaches saturation about twice Bekenstein-Hawking entropy at the Page time. For the extremal case, the entanglement entropy of Hawking radiation becomes ill defined in the absence of the island due to the appearance of the singularity at the origin of the radial coordinate, while when the island exists, the entanglement entropy is found to be equal to the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy. In addition, for the case where the boundary of the radiation region is close to the horizon, there are some obvious constraints required by the existence of the island solution for both nonextremal and extremal cases, which can be utilized to put constraints on the size of the black hole. These results reveal new features of the semiclassical large D black holes from the island perspective.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Optimizing one-axis twists for variational Bayesian quantum metrology
Authors: Thurtell Tyler G. , Miyake Akimasa
Published: May 2024

Quantum metrology and sensing seek advantages in estimating an unknown parameter of some quantum state or channel, using entanglement such as spin squeezing produced by one-axis twists or other quantum resources. In particular, qubit phase estimation, or rotation sensing, appears as a ubiquitous problem with applications to electric field sensing, magnetometry, atomic clocks, and gyroscopes. By adopting the Bayesian formalism to the phase estimation problem to account for limited initial knowledge about the value of the phase, we formulate variational metrology and treat the state preparation (or encoding) and measurement (or decoding) procedures as parameterized quantum circuits. It is important to understand how effective various parametrized protocols are as well as how robust they are to the effects of complex noise such as spatially correlated noise. First, we propose a family of parametrized encoding and decoding protocols called arbitrary-axis twist ansatzes, and show that it can lead to a substantial reduction in the number of one-axis twists needed to achieve a target estimation error. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the estimation error associated with these strategies decreases with system size in a faster manner than classical (or no-twist) protocols, even in the less-explored regimes where the prior information is limited. Last, using a polynomial-sized tensor network algorithm, we numerically analyze practical variational metrology beyond the symmetric subspace of a collective spin and find that quantum advantage persists for the arbitrary-axis twist ansatzes with a few one-axis twists and smaller total twisting angles for practically relevant noise levels.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Charting the financial odyssey: a literature review on history and evolution of investment strategies in the stock market (1900–2022)
Authors: Jagirdar Sharneet Singh , Gupta Pradeep Kumar
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The present study reviews the literature on the history and evolution of investment strategies in the stock market for the period from 1900 to 2022. Conflicts and relationships arising from such diverse seminal studies have been identified to address the research gaps.

Design/methodology/approach

The studies for this review were identified and screened from electronic databases to compile a comprehensive list of 200 relevant studies for inclusion in this review and summarized for the cognizance of researchers.

Findings

The study finds a coherence to complex theoretical documentation of more than a century of evolution on investment strategy in stock markets, capturing the characteristics of time with a chronological study of events.

Research limitations/implications

There were complications in locating unpublished studies leading to biases like publication bias, the reluctance of editors to publish studies, which do not reveal statistically significant differences, and English language bias.

Practical implications

Practitioners can refine investment strategies by incorporating behavioral finance insights and recognizing the influence of psychological biases. Strategies span value, growth, contrarian, or momentum indicators. Mitigating overconfidence bias supports effective risk management. Social media sentiment analysis facilitates real-time decision-making. Adapting to evolving market liquidity curbs volatility risks. Identifying biases guides investor education initiatives.

Originality/value

This paper is an original attempt to pictorially depict the seminal works in stock market investment strategies of more than a hundred years.
Innovative technology for converting automobile tire waste bead wires into recycled steel fibers for sustainable concrete composites: insights for the Al-Kharj Governorate construction industry
Authors: Amran Mugahed
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The initiative for sustainability in the construction industry has led to the innovative utilization of automobile tire waste, transforming it into value-added products, toward decarbonization in the construction industry, aligning with the development and sustainability goals of Al-Kharj Governorate. However, the disposal of these materials generates significant environmental concerns. As a payoff for these efforts, this study aims to contribute to a fruitful shift toward eco-friendly recycling techniques, particularly by studying the transformation of tire waste bead wires into recycled steel tire fibers (RSTFs) for sustainable concrete composites.

Design/methodology/approach

This research delves into how this technological transformation not only addresses environmental concerns but also propels sustainable tire innovation forward, presenting a promising solution for waste management and material efficiency in building materials. Recent studies have highlighted the superior tensile strength of RSTFs from discarded tires, making them suitable for various structural engineering applications. Recently, there has been a notable shift in research focus to the use of RSTFs as an alternative to traditional fibers in concrete. In this study, however, efforts have paid off in outlining a comprehensive assessment to investigate the viability and efficacy of repurposing tire bead wires into RSTFs for use in concrete composites, as reported in the literature.

Findings

This study examined the Saudi waste management, the geometrical properties of RSTFs, and their impact on the strength properties of concrete microstructure. It also examined the economic, cost, and environmental impacts of RSTFs on concrete composites, underscoring the need for the construction industry to adopt more sustainable and adaptable practices. Furthermore, the main findings of this study are proposed insights and a blueprint for the construction industry in Al-Kharj Governorate, calling for collective action from both public and private sectors, and the community to transform challenges into job opportunities for growth and sustainability.

Originality/value

This study pointed to thoroughly demonstrate the technological advancement in converting tire waste to reinforcing fibers by evaluating the effectiveness, environmental sustainability, and practicality of these fibers in eco-friendly concrete composites. Besides, the desired properties and standards for RSTFs to enhance the structural integrity of concrete composites are recommended, as is the need to establish protocols and further study into the long-term efficacy of RSTF-reinforced concrete composites.
Elderly clothing upgrading in product-service system design using extended Kansei Engineering methodology
Authors: Wang Mingrun , Shaari Nazlina , Abidin Sazrinee Zainal , He Yan
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to integrate fall-protection function into the elderly clothing to meet both the daily life and fall-protection needs of the elderly people, thereby upgrading the performance of elderly clothing.

Design/methodology/approach

This study identified the design strategies of elderly clothing using an Extended Kansei Engineering methodology. Extended Kansei Engineering methodology is a new design framework developed from the traditional Kansei Engineering methodology to meet the design requirements of the product-service system. This study focuses on the product section of product-service system design. According to the product design process of the Extended Kansei Engineering methodology, this study first collected and organized the design elements and Kansei words of elderly clothing. Then a questionnaire was designed using Semantic Differential Scale. Finally, the questionnaire survey was conducted and the collected data was analysed to understand the consumption preferences of elderly people. A total of 399 elderly people aged 65 and older provided valuable design insights for this survey.

Findings

The research findings include the product design strategies for the development of elderly clothing, as well as a product prototype canvas and a product prototype elderly clothing developed based on the design strategies.

Practical implications

The research findings can provide competitive design strategies for the development of elderly clothing, thereby upgrading the performance of elderly clothing.

Social implications

This elderly clothing integrates fall-protection function to reduce the risk of injury for elderly people due to falls, thereby helping society alleviate the medical and healthcare pressure caused by falls for elderly people.

Originality/value

The research findings can provide competitive design strategies for the development of elderly clothing. Furthermore, the Extended Kansei Engineering methodology introduced in this study can provide product and service designers with design methods that are more in line with the development trend of modern product-service system business models.
Can smart supply chain bring agility and resilience for enhanced sustainable business performance?
Authors: Sharma Mahak , Antony Rose , Sharma Ashu , Daim Tugrul
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Supply chains need to be made viable in this volatile and competitive market, which could be possible through digitalization. This study is an attempt to explore the role of Industry 4.0, smart supply chain, supply chain agility and supply chain resilience on sustainable business performance from the lens of natural resource-based view.

Design/methodology/approach

The study tests the proposed model using a covariance-based structural equation modelling and further investigates the ranking of each construct using the artificial neural networks approach in AMOS and SPSS respectively. A total of 234 respondents selected using purposive sampling aided in capturing the industry practices across supply chains in the UK. The full collinearity test was carried out to study the common method bias and the content validity was carried out using the item content validity index and scale content validity index. The convergent and discriminant validity of the constructs and mediation study was carried out in SPSS and AMOS V.23.

Findings

The results are overtly inferring the significant impact of Industry 4.0 practices on creating smart and ultimately sustainable supply chains. A partial relationship is established between Industry 4.0 and supply chain agility through a smart supply chain. This work empirically reinstates the combined significance of green practices, Industry 4.0, smart supply chain, supply chain agility and supply chain resilience on sustainable business value. The study also uses the ANN approach to determine the relative importance of each significant variable found in SEM analysis. ANN determines the ranking among the significant variables, i.e. supply chain resilience > green practices > Industry 4.0> smart supply chain > supply chain agility presented in descending order.

Originality/value

This study is a novel attempt to establish the role of digitalization in SCs for attaining sustainable business value, providing empirical support to the mediating role of supply chain agility, supply chain resilience and smart supply chain and manifests a significant integrated framework. This work reinforces the integrated model that combines all the constructs dealt with in silos so far in prior literature.
Marketisation, ownership and digitalisation strategies in the sport industry – generic insights and future research
Authors: Venkitachalam Krishna , Schwartz Birgitta , Söderman Sten
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The motivation for this paper is to provide a deeper understanding of some of the important and trending topics in the sport industry. Besides this, to consider the changing landscape of ownership, strategies and organisation of several types of sports in the contemporary environment, there is a need for deeper contextual knowledge of how different sport/s, leagues, clubs, associations, teams etc. own, organise and strategise at local to national to regional to international contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces the special issue on the sport industry that welcomes three interesting contributions of focusing on the important themes related to the sport industry. They include (1) digital transformation and needed capabilities, (2) fan engagement in a digital way using social media and finally (3) the relevance and relation of social capital in the organisational strategy of sports organisations.

Findings

Four generic insights related to the themes and emerging trends in marketisation, ownership and digitalisation strategies in the sport industry are introduced in this paper. The first insight is that sports digitalisation and politicisation significantly impact the strategising, organising and networking activities of sports owners to foster value capture. Secondly, owners’ performance duality of marketisation of their sports clubs and vested business interests unravels the paradoxes of idealism and profit-maximisation. Thirdly, individual sports stars position themselves as an influential platform of value creation through on-field performance, social engagement and self-interests. Finally, the fourth insight is that the dual aims of sporting on-field success and profit making of large capital-funded sports clubs endanger the autonomy and governance of sports bodies/associations and an equitable sporting competition environment.

Originality/value

This paper provides an overview and reflections on the contributions of the papers in this special issue. The papers give different perspectives on how sport has been influenced by the development in society (1) with increasing digitalisation influencing organising of sport clubs and strategies for engaging fans, and (2) the influence of marketisation and politics in ownership strategies. As such, four insightful reflections are developed based on the originality of the contributions and the related extant literature presented on the themes of marketisation, ownership and digitalisation of the sport industry.
The investigation of employee voice behavior – from the perspective of social media use in China
Authors: Ding Xiaoyan
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Enterprises use social media for their daily work. The use of social media in the workplace is crucial for social connections, the growth and evolution of the enterprise, and it opens up new avenues for voice behavior. Employee voice involves the expression of ideas or opinions towards enterprise and is beneficial for employee work and enterprise development. Extant studies of voice behavior usually focus on the leadership and employee factors. However, the internal mechanism of voice behavior, especially the interrelationship between different kinds of social media use and voice behavior has not been well investigated. To fill that research gap, this study analyzes the internal mechanism of voice behavior, taking the effects of social media use and social capital into consideration.

Design/methodology/approach

Using structural equation model, this study collected data from employees using social media and analyzed the data using the software of Smartpls 3.0, SPSS and AMOS, in order to analyze the internal mechanism of voice behavior among employees.

Findings

Based on social capital theory, this study investigates the relationship between social media use, social capital and voice behavior, and provides some insights into the mechanism of voice behavior. The social media use, social capital and voice behavior are divided into several kinds in order to clarify the internal mechanism of voice behavior more comprehensively. The empirical results show that: (1) Social media use for both work and social-related purposes could positively affect employees’ promotive and prohibitive voice behaviors. (2) Social capital mediates the relationship between social media use and voice behavior. (3) In the process of social media use influencing employees’ voice behavior, employees of different genders and ages show significant differences in social capital and voice behavior.

Originality/value

This study explored the internal mechanism of voice behavior, which could help to elicit the relationship between social media use and voice behavior. By integrating the roles of social capital, individual differences, this study could uncover the deep internal mechanism of employee voice behavior more comprehensively, broadening social capital theory and enriching the researches of voice behavior among employees.
Carry‐over effects of seasonal migration on reproductive success through breeding site retention in a partially migratory bird
Authors: Morinay Jennifer , Daunt Francis , Morley Tim I. , Fenn Sarah R. , Burthe Sarah J. , Reid Jane M.
Published: May 2024

Understanding the maintenance and dynamics of phenotypic polymorphisms requires unpicking key ecological mechanisms shaping the fitness costs and benefits of expressing alternative phenotypes, generating selection. Seasonal migration versus year‐round residence expressed in partially migratory populations represents one common polymorphism that can experience strong selection through differential reproductive success. Yet, key hypothesised pathways that could generate such selection remain to be empirically tested.

One hypothesis is that migratory tactics affect subsequent reproductive success through carry‐over effects on breeding site retention and resulting breeding dispersal. By remaining in breeding areas all year round, residents could retain their preferred breeding site between years, and consequently have higher reproductive success. Conversely, migrants that escape harsh non‐breeding season conditions could return in better condition, with high resource holding potential, and outcompete residents to retain their site. Such effects could further depend on migration timing and vary between years. Yet, such pathways have not been quantified, precluding empirical parameterisation of partial migration theory.

We used 4 years of breeding and non‐breeding season data from partially migratory European shags (Gulosus aristotelis) to test whether the three most frequent migratory tactics in this population (full resident, early migrant departing soon after breeding, and late migrant departing in late autumn) differed in their breeding site retention; whether site retention predicted reproductive success; and hence whether effects of migratory tactic on reproductive success were explicable through site retention.

Overall, residents were much more likely to retain their breeding site between years than both early and late migrants, and site retention was associated with increased reproductive success. Yet, these effects varied somewhat among years: late migrants were always least likely to retain their site but had variable relative reproductive success. Path analyses revealed that effects of migratory tactic on reproductive success were only partly attributable to breeding site retention.

These results indicate that multiple mechanisms underlie reproductive selection on migratory tactics, potentially contributing to maintaining behavioural polymorphisms. Yet, the clear associations between migratory tactics and local breeding dispersal reveal that these movements can be strongly interlinked across seasons, shaping overall spatioseasonal dynamics in partially migratory systems.
The climate crisis, policy distraction and support for fuel taxation
Authors: GENSCHEL PHILIPP , LIMBERG JULIAN , SEELKOPF LAURA
Published: May 2024

The climate crisis looms but support for fuel taxation is low. How to boost support? The obvious way is to make the connection to the climate crisis explicit. Many observers fear, however, that policy myopia renders this strategy ineffective: As the consequences of the climate crisis are long‐term and insecure, people are loath to pay for costly countermeasures in the short term. We look at policy distraction as a second potential drag. We argue that climate crisis‐induced support for fuel taxation can also be undermined by other salient events which divert attention. To test our argument, we conduct a large‐scale survey experiment with more than 21,000 respondents in 17 European countries. Our results show that a simple climate crisis prime raises support for fuel taxation by 12 percentage points. The effect decreases but remains substantial when stressing the long time horizon of the climate crisis. It almost disappears when other current crises (COVID‐19 and Russian military aggression) are mentioned. Thus, distraction by concurrent events is a serious impediment to mobilising support for fuel taxation.
How political and social constituent traits affect the responsiveness of legislators: A Comparative Field Experiment
Authors: SCHAKEL WOUTER , BAUMANN MARKUS , BOLET DIANE , CAMPBELL ROSIE , LOUWERSE TOM , ZITTEL THOMAS
Published: May 2024

A growing body of literature investigates whether legislators show biases in their constituency communication contingent upon constituent traits. However, we know little about whether and how findings of unequal responsiveness generalize across countries (beyond the United States) and across different traits. We address both issues using a pre‐registered comparative field experiment conducted in Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands, in which fictitious citizens (varied by ethnicity, social class and partisan affiliation) inquired about legislators’ policy priorities regarding the COVID‐19 pandemic. Our pooled analysis reveals that co‐partisanship and class both increase the responsiveness of legislators while we find no effect for ethnicity. The effect sizes we find are small, but comparable to earlier studies and also noteworthy in view of our hard test design. Our exploratory analyses further corroborate the lack of discrimination against ethnic minority constituents in showing no intersectionality effects, that is, interactions between ethnic‐minority and low‐class identities. This exploratory step also addresses the country specific differences that we find. We speculate about plausible underlying party system effects that we, however, cannot substantiate due to statistical limitations. This important issue requires further attention in future research.
Analysis of unknown (unlabeled/mislabeled) drug products for active pharmaceutical ingredients and related substances by an international mail facility satellite laboratory equipped with rapid screening devices
Authors: Lanzarotta Adam , Kern Sara , Batson JaCinta , Collins Melissa , Patel Anvi , Altaf Muhammad , Arrecis Julio , Boyd Brian , Gonzalez Illan Fernando , Griffin Kelsey M. , Howe Gregory , Hudson‐Davis Morgan , Kimani Martin , LaGarde Donna , Laguerre David , Loh Mark , Lorenz Lisa , Morales‐Garcia Flavia , Sterling Megan E. , Reimer Allison M. , Thatcher Michael , Wetherby Anthony E.
Published: May 2024

Two chemists employed a three‐device rapid screening “toolkit” consisting of a handheld Raman spectrometer, transportable mass spectrometer, and portable Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectrometer at an international mail facility (IMF) satellite laboratory to examine unknown (unlabeled/mislabeled) products for the presence of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Phase I of this project previously demonstrated that this toolkit was the most effective collection of instruments for identifying APIs in product types collected at IMFs during a nationwide mail blitz and Phase II of this project previously demonstrated that results generated using the toolkit during a satellite laboratory pilot program were as reliable as those generated by a full‐service library when two or more of these instruments identify an API. This study (Phase III) described the results of the satellite laboratory toolkit during production mode and encompassed the period ranging from June 2021 through December 2022. During this study, a total of 858 products were examined on‐site at the IMF. The satellite laboratory yielded conclusive results for 726 (84.6%) products, which were used to support regulatory action, and identified 132 (15.4%) products that required additional full‐service laboratory analyses due to inconclusive results. The satellite and full‐service laboratory verified/confirmed at least one API/related substance in 617 (71.9%) products. A total of 709 APIs/related substances were found in the 617 products, and 202 of these 709 compounds were unique/different. Overall, during Phases I through III of this program, 350 different substances have been identified in products collected at IMFs.
Efficiency of therapeutic plasma exchange in critically ill systemic rheumatologic diseases: A single‐center 9‐year experience
Authors: Guo Jing , Huang Xiaolong , Li Jianhua , Zhang Xiaorong , Zhong Ping , Lu Guiyang , Wang Xinxin , Luo Weiyuan , Ning Yaogui
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE), an effective method to eliminate harmful soluble mediators associated with tissue injury, serves as a crucial intervention for systemic rheumatologic diseases (SRDs). However, its value in critically ill SRDs remains uncertain. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy of TPE in SRDs.

Methods

Critically ill SRD patients admitted to the department of intensive care unit of a large tertiary hospital receiving TPE from January 2011 to December 2019 were included.

Results

A total of 91 critically ill SRD patients received TPE were enrolled. Their mean age was 47.67 ± 16.35 years with a female predominance (n = 68). Significant decrease in SOFA score post‐TPE treatment was observed (p < 0.05). There were no TPE‐related fatalities. Improvement was observed in 64 (70.32%) patients.

Conclusion

This study shows favorable clinical outcomes. TPE may be an acceptable treatment option for critically ill SRD patients.
Steam distillation process for flavor enhancement of milk coffee: Effects of condensation temperature on volatile compounds and flavor characteristics
Authors: Shinichiro Hatakeyama , Masayuki Akiyama , Takuya Yamaguchi , Daisho Yoshihara , Atsushige Fujita , Kana Takahashi , Miki Maruya , Mito Kokawa , Yutaka Kitamura
Published: May 2024

To enhance the flavor characteristics of milk coffee, steam distillation was applied to roasted ground coffee to obtain extracts that were then added to the hot water extract of the residue. The effects of different condensation temperatures for steam distillation on the volatile compounds of condensates and the flavor characteristics of the milk coffees prepared with each condensate were investigated. The volatile compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the mean peak areas of the volatiles that showed significant differences between the samples. The five types of milk coffees prepared with/without condensates were evaluated by consumer panelists using the check‐all‐that‐apply question combined with the milk coffee flavor lexicon. The results showed that the concentration of volatile compounds tended to be higher in response to decreasing condensation temperature in steam distillation. The volatile compounds were grouped into four patterns based on their concentration in the condensates, which was affected by the volatility of the compounds and the duration of the condensation process in steam distillation. PCA clarified the characteristic volatile compounds that contribute to differences between the three condensates. The check‐all‐that‐apply results indicated that the samples prepared with the condensates enhanced some specific coffee flavors, although acceptances for them were not enhanced. Implementing a steam distillation step in the milk coffee production process could lead to enhancing the coffee flavor strength of milk coffee products, and changing the condensation temperature for steam distillation was effective for providing different flavor characteristics of milk coffee.

Practical Application

Changing the condensation temperature for steam distillation is effective in differentiating the flavor characteristics of milk coffee. Increasing the condensation temperature resulted in decreased concentrations of volatile compounds, which enhanced the milk and rich flavor. Decreasing the condensation temperature resulted in increased concentrations of volatile compounds, which provided a stronger coffee flavor to the milk coffee, possibly leading to a reduction in the use of coffee for milk coffee production. The check‐all‐that‐apply question combined with the milk coffee flavor lexicon could effectively evaluate consumers’ perceptions of the milk coffee flavor characteristics and their acceptances in a single survey.
Anticontract
Authors: Waddilove D. P.
Published: May 2024

Should a court ever second‐guess a contract, ignoring what the parties said and imposing something different? Contractual purists insist that the answer is no. But the messy nature of reality counsels otherwise. We have long appreciated that creating a “complete” contract, one that efficiently treats every potentially relevant contingency, is impossible. In particular, systematic risks that affect the entire economy fall beyond contract's realistic reach. When such events occur, they upset contractual frameworks, leaving parties shackled with obligations suited to a world that never came to be. At least in that context, second‐guessing is vital. And that second‐guessing can be understood according to a concept called anticontract. When systematic risks fundamentally upend contractual frameworks, this inversion of contract's basic principles paradoxically fulfills contract's goals. Anticontract does the opposite of all that contract law does: it adjusts rather than enforces; it looks ex post rather than ex ante; it prioritizes the public rather than the parties; and it provides no general rules, only particular results. It operates, in short, irregularly rather than regularly. In the face of realized systematic risks, anticontract thus paradoxically fulfills contract's goals by doing contract's opposite. In so doing, it redistributes losses to those most able to bear them at the microlevel, curing macroeconomic ills at their source. In essence, it creates social insurance for systematic risks that private contract cannot manage. In all this, anticontract can be understood as an instance of a broader phenomenon, the completion of law through equity. Anticontract thus represents an important way to understand the limits of contract and when to violate the principles of contract law.
Generalist southern African temperate forest canopy tree species have distinct pollinator communities partially predicted by floral traits
Authors: Swart Rudi Crispin , Geerts Sjirk , Pryke James Stephen , Coetzee Anina
Published: May 2024

Forest canopies provide important resources for insect communities via flowers. Yet, pollination systems of tall forest trees are poorly studied, resulting from the difficulties in observing pollinator activity at the canopy level and great temporal variation in flower production. In temperate forest canopies of the southern hemisphere, small, whitish and generalist flowers seem to dominate. Here, we observed insect flower visitors, at the canopy level, to four southern Afrotemperate forest tree species bearing small, white to green flowers in a large, indigenous forest. Additionally, we quantified flower traits and collected pollen from representative insect visitors. A total of 105 insect species, from 48 families and 7 orders, were observed visiting flowers. In terms of total flower visits, the generalist Cape honey bee (Apis mellifera capensis) made up ca. 57% of all flower visits. A third of the total observation time covered crepuscular to nocturnal flower visits; yet only 12.68% of total visits took place during this time. Interestingly, despite both trees and insects being largely generalist in their interactions with one another (supported by the presence of conspecific and heterospecific pollen on most flower visitors), some insect species showed strong preferences for specific species of tree, driving dissimilar, interspecific assemblages of flower visitors. The pollinator community disparity may be explained through the unique and dissimilar floral traits for each tree species, both in flower size and in petal reflectance. We conclude that within generalist pollination systems, distinct and non‐random mutualisms can develop between different species of plants and a diverse suite of pollinators, and that floral traits could partially predict such interactions.
Impact of plant diversity and management intensity on magnitude and stability of productivity in North American grazing lands
Authors: Sonnier Grégory , Augustine David J. , Paudel Shishir , Porensky Lauren M. , Silveira Maria , Toledo David , Azad Shefali , Boughton Raoul K. , Browning Dawn M. , Clark Patrick E. , Fay Philip A. , Kaplan Nicole , Thibault Kate M. , Swain Hilary M. , Veum Kristen S. , Boughton Elizabeth H.
Published: May 2024

Questions

Grasslands provide important provisioning services worldwide and their management has consequences for these services. Management intensification is a widespread land‐use change and has accelerated across North America to meet rising demands on productivity, yet its impact on the relationship between plant diversity and productivity is still unclear. Here, we investigated the relationship between plant diversity and grassland productivity across nine ecoclimatic domains of the continental United States. We also tested the effect of management intensification on diversity and productivity in four case studies.

Methods

We acquired remotely sensed gross primary productivity data (GPP, 1986–2018) and plant diversity data measured at different spatial scales (1, 10, 100, 400 m2), as well as climate variables including the Palmer drought index from two ecological networks. We used general linear mixed models to relate GPP to plant diversity across sites. For the case study analysis, we used linear mixed models to relate plant diversity to management intensity, and tested if the management intensity influenced the relationship between GPP (mean and temporal variation) and drought.

Results

Across all sites, we observed positive relationships among species richness, productivity, and the temporal stability of mean annual biomass production. These relationships were not affected by the scale at which species richness was observed. In three out of the four case studies, we observed that management effects on species richness were only significant at broader scales (i.e., ≥10 m2) with no clear effect found at the commonly used 1‐m2 quadrat scale. In one case study, species‐poor, intensively managed pastures presented the highest productivity but were more sensitive to dry conditions than less intensified pastures. However, in other case studies, we did not observe significant effects of management intensity on the magnitude or stability of productivity.

Conclusions

Generalization across studies may be difficult and require the development of intensification indices general enough to be applied across diverse management strategies in grazilands. Understanding how management intensification affects grassland productivity will inform the development of sustainable intensification strategies.
The impacts of undetected nonadherence in phase II, III and post‐marketing clinical trials: An overview
Authors: Le Flohic Elise , Vrijens Bernard , Hiligsmann Mickaël
Published: May 2024

Aims

This research aims to provide an overview of the consequences of undiagnosed nonadherence (noninitiation, suboptimal implementation, nonpersistence) in randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

Methods

This research was conducted by combining a literature review and qualitative semistructured interviews with key opinion leaders. Based on this groundwork, the consequences of undiagnosed nonadherence in RCTs were summarized and reported in a figure. This study focused on phases II, III and post‐marketing in ambulatory settings across a variety of therapeutic areas and indications.

Results

Various consequences of nonadherence in RCTs were investigated. In phase II, drug efficacy may be underestimated, variability in the outcomes may be high and a distorted picture of side effects could be reported, resulting in an uncertain impression of the investigational product's profile and complicating decision‐making. The sponsor may need to increase the sample size of the upcoming phase III study to improve its power, representing additional costs, or even terminate the study. In phase III, similar phenomena may be observed, making demonstration of efficacy to the regulatory bodies more difficult. Lastly, after commercialization, a distortion in pharmacometrics may occur: the drug may underperform, prescriptions may be refilled less often than expected or extra expenses may be incurred by the payers. This can result in post‐marketing dose reduction, new competitors coming into the market and, eventually, product withdrawal.

Conclusions

This research highlighted the many potential adverse consequences of undiagnosed nonadherence in RCTs, including additional costs. Collecting accurate data appeared to be crucial for decision‐making throughout the drug development process.
Montelukast improves disease outcome in SOD1G93A female mice by counteracting oligodendrocyte dysfunction and aberrant glial reactivity
Authors: Raffaele Stefano , Nguyen Nhung , Milanese Marco , Mannella Francesca C. , Boccazzi Marta , Frumento Giulia , Bonanno Giambattista , Abbracchio Maria P. , Bonifacino Tiziana , Fumagalli Marta
Published: May 2024

Background and Purpose

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor neuron (MN) loss and consequent muscle atrophy, for which no effective therapies are available. Recent findings reveal that disease progression is fuelled by early aberrant neuroinflammation and the loss of oligodendrocytes with neuroprotective and remyelinating properties. On this basis, pharmacological interventions capable of restoring a pro‐regenerative local milieu and re‐establish proper oligodendrocyte functions may be beneficial.

Experimental Approach

Here, we evaluated the in vivo therapeutic effects of montelukast (MTK), an antagonist of the oligodendroglial G protein‐coupled receptor 17 (GPR17) and of cysteinyl‐leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLT1R) receptors on microglia and astrocytes, in the SOD1G93A ALS mouse model. We chronically treated SOD1G93A mice with MTK, starting from the early symptomatic disease stage. Disease progression was assessed by behavioural and immunohistochemical approaches.

Key Results

Oral MTK treatment significantly extended survival probability, delayed body weight loss and ameliorated motor functionalityonly in female SOD1G93A mice. Noteworthy, MTK significantly restored oligodendrocyte maturation and induced significant changes in the reactive phenotype and morphological features of microglia/macrophages and astrocytes in the spinal cord of female SOD1G93A mice, suggesting enhanced pro‐regenerative functions. Importantly, concomitant MN preservation has been detected after MTK administration. No beneficial effects were observed in male mice, highlighting a sex‐based difference in the protective activity of MTK.

Conclusions and Implications

Our results provide the first preclinical evidence indicating that repurposing of MTK, a safe and marketed anti‐asthmatic drug, may be a promising sex‐specific strategy for personalized ALS treatment.
Incidence and predictors of posttraumatic epilepsy and cognitive impairment in patients with traumatic brain injury: A retrospective cohort study in Malaysia
Authors: Ngadimon Irma Wati , Mohan Devi , Shaikh Mohd. Farooq , Khoo Ching Soong , Tan Hui Jan , Chamhuri Nor Syazwani , Cheong Wing Loong , Aledo‐Serrano Angel , Yong Li Ling , Lee Yu Mey , Fadzil Farizal , Thanabalan Jegan
Published: May 2024

Objective

Posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) significantly impacts morbidity and mortality, yet local PTE data remain scarce. In addition, there is a lack of evidence on cognitive comorbidity in individuals with PTE in the literature. We sought to identify potential PTE predictors and evaluate cognitive comorbidity in patients with PTE.

Methods

A 2‐year retrospective cohort study was employed, in which adults with a history of admission for traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 2019 and 2020 were contacted. Three hundred one individuals agreed to participate, with a median follow‐up time of 30.75 months. The development of epilepsy was ascertained using a validated tool and confirmed by our neurologists during visits. Clinical psychologists assessed the patients’ cognitive performance.

Results

The 2‐year cumulative incidence of PTE was 9.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 5.9–12.7). The significant predictors of PTE were identified as a previous history of brain injury [hazard ratio [HR] 4.025, p = .021], and intraparenchymal hemorrhage (HR: 2.291, p = .036), after adjusting for other confounders. TBI patients with PTE performed significantly worse on the total ACE‐III cognitive test (73.5 vs 87.0, p = .018), CTMT (27.5 vs 33.0, p = .044), and PSI (74.0 vs 86.0, p = .006) than TBI patients without PTE. A significantly higher percentage of individuals in the PTE group had cognitive impairment, compared to the non‐PTE group based on ACE‐III (53.6% vs 46.4%, p = .001) and PSI (70% vs 31.7%, p = .005) scores at 2 years post‐TBI follow‐up.

Significance

This study emphasizes the link between TBI and PTE and the chance of developing cognitive impairment in the future. Clinicians can target interventions to prevent PTE by identifying specific predictors, which helps them make care decisions and develop therapies to improve patients’ quality of life.
Regulatory competition and cross‐fertilization in bank performance in the US banking markets
Authors: Tirtiroglu Dogan , Tanyeri‐Günsür Basak , Tirtiroglu Ercan
Published: May 2024

This paper examines empirically cross‐fertilization in the productivity growth of banks between a state and its neighbouring and non‐neighbouring states (i) before (i.e. 1971–1977) the interstate multibank holding company (IMBHC) deregulations and (ii) during (i.e. 1982–1995) the IMBHC deregulations, which, through cross‐border bank M&As mainly among neighbouring states, could inject new blood, awaken the market for corporate control and enhance cross‐fertilization in bank performance among neighbouring states. Further, the 1978–1981 period offers a natural experiment to examine Baumol's Contestable Markets Hypothesis (CMH). The legislature of Maine made the first IMBHC deregulatory move in 1978. There was no reciprocity until New York and Alaska made their moves in 1982. Under CMH, Maine's move should inject a competitive spirit and alter bank performance for better across all—neighbouring or non‐neighbouring – banking markets during this period. Theoretically, Kane's regulatory equilibrium framework provides guidance to address these matters and Tiebout's people vote with their feet framework extends and supplements this guidance. Empirically, FDIC's annual banking data, aggregated at the state level, constitute the main input in computing the productivity growth indices for each of the 48 contiguous sample states between 1971 and 1995. Estimations of a novel spatially driven fixed effects model that uses these indices produce empirical results. The empirical model exploits the proximity of one sample state to its neighbouring states while also embracing a set of randomly chosen non‐neighbouring states as a control sample. Results show that cross‐fertilization in bank performance, observed among neighbouring states before the introduction of the IMBHC deregulations during 1971–1977, gets stronger in response to the dynamically evolving IMBHC deregulations during 1982–1995 and that improvements in banks' productivity growth during 1978–1981 support Baumol's CMH. Overall, our results demonstrate the importance and influence of cross‐fertilization, as a matter of proximity of subjects, on banks' performance and suggest promise for future research that embraces the spatial dimension of banking markets and data.