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Some advances in cooperative game theory: indivisibilities, externalities and axiomatic approach
No full textThis article reviews some contributions on cooperative games where the Journal of Mathematical Economics has been influential, namely the games with non-transferable utility and some market games with indivisibilities. Additionally, it presents some more recent advances on two aspects of the theory of cooperative games: the introduction of externalities in the worth of the coalitions and the axiomatic characterization of solutions
Import Competition and Labor Regulation: Worker-Level Evidence
No full textHow does labor regulation shape worker adjustment to import competition? We estimate the effect of collective agreements on French workers’ earnings during the rise of Chinese import competition. Using a nationally-representative matched employer-employee panel and collective agreements data, we document that the negative effect of Chinese competition on workers’ earnings is stronger in more regulated industries. In addition, we find that this exacerbation effect is concentrated among workers in low-wage occupations, such as technical staff and skilled production workers
Passivation of galvanized and carbon steels in phosphate mortarsmanufactured with alternative MgO sources
No full textMagnesium potassium phosphate cements (MKPCs) are cementitious materials that harden simplywith water and are very useful for repairing damaged concrete structures. However, obtainingMgO implies high CO2 emissions. In the present study, the MgO is obtained from two differentindustrial by-products (cyclone dust during the industrial calcination of magnesite and tundishdeskulling waste generated in the steel manufacturing), as they can be an ecological alternative tomanufacture mortars. The properties of these innovative mortars still deserve further research.Moreover, if the MKPCs need to be used for repairs of reinforced building structures or for applicationsthat could involve embedded metal bars, the ability of these mortars to passivate themetal is another key point that is investigated in the present research. The characteristics of thealternative MKPC mortars, such as curing shrinkages, mechanical properties, porosities and pHs,are compared with those of conventional ordinary Portland cement mortar. Ribbed carbon steeland galvanized steel bars were used as reinforcements. Six different types of reinforced mortarsamples were exposed to high relative humidity (RH) for four months and their electrochemicalperformances were monitored. Both carbon and galvanized steels embedded in the highlyecological MKPC mortars manufactured with MgO from tundish wastes are able to be passive inenvironments with high RH. However, galvanized and carbon steel bars are not able to reach astable passivity in mortars made with cyclone dust MgO. Analysis of the pore solutions obtainedafter pore pressing enable these results to be understood
Planetary urbanization and retail-less cities
No full text[eng] The chapter examines commercial desertification in Catalonia as a local expression of the planetary urbanization hypothesis. Drawing on interviews and territorial data, it explains the steady decline of retail activity driven by capital concentration, digitalization, financialization, and changing consumption habits. It contrasts the “New Urban Era,” based on simplified discourses of sustainability and proximity, with the more structural and critical approach of planetary urbanization. The text argues that retail-less cities are a result of the recurrent crises of global capitalism and calls for new urban policies addressing property ownership, land markets, and corporate oligopolies to counter retail desertification.[spa] El capítulo analiza la desertización comercial en Cataluña como expresión local de la hipótesis de la urbanización planetaria. A partir de entrevistas y datos territoriales, explica la pérdida sostenida del comercio minorista causada por la concentración del capital, la digitalización, la financiarización y los cambios en los hábitos de consumo. Contrasta la “Nueva Era Urbana”, centrada en discursos simplificadores sobre sostenibilidad o proximidad, con el enfoque más estructural y crítico de la urbanización planetaria. Argumenta que las retail-less cities son resultado de las crisis recurrentes del capitalismo global y propone políticas urbanas que actúen sobre la propiedad del suelo y los oligopolios para revertir la desertización comercial.[cat] El capítol analitza la desertització comercial a Catalunya com a expressió local de la hipòtesi de la urbanització planetària. A partir d’entrevistes i dades territorials, s’explica la pèrdua sostinguda de comerç minorista provocada per la concentració del capital, la digitalització, la financiarització i el canvi d’hàbits de consum. Es contrasta la “Nova Era Urbana”, que promou discursos simplificadors sobre sostenibilitat o proximitat, amb l’enfocament més estructural i crític de la urbanització planetària. El text argumenta que les retail-less cities són una conseqüència de les crisis recurrents del capitalisme global i reclama noves polítiques urbanes que intervinguin sobre la propietat, el sòl i els oligopolis per revertir la desertització comercial
Aproximación al proceso de mediación concursal. Algunas distinciones respecto al modelo de mediación civil y mercantil de la Ley 5/2012, de 6 de julio
Get PDFLa presencia de la mediación en el ordenamiento jurídico español, ha adquirido especial relevancia en los últimos años debido, especialmente, a su celeridad a la hora de resolver conflictos, en comparación con la situación que podemos encontrar en los procesos judiciales
Social and solidarity economy and shared knowledge: facilitating and integrating the collaborative adoption of digital commons in Catalan coops
Get PDFWhile centralised digital infrastructures and corporate platform ecosystems continue to dominate the digital landscape, raising concerns around data governance and dependency, various initiatives within the Social and Solidarity Economy (SSE) are exploring alternative pathways. These efforts do not offer a wholesale emancipation from mainstream systems, but rather introduce modular, context-specific adaptations grounded in Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) and shared digital commons. This article presents a case study of the Catalan multi-stakeholder cooperative femProcomuns, which since 2017 has facilitated the adoption of ethical digital tools among SSE entities, particularly through its cloud service SomNúvol (CommonsCloud). Drawing on our experience as practitioners and researchers, we analyse the adoption of the Enterprise Resource Planning and Customer Relationship Management (ERP-CRM) tool Dolibarr by various cooperatives from the SSE sector, representing diverse organisational models, including service provision, production, and consumer distribution. Our participatory action research methodology combines digital activism, collaborative documentation, and ethnography. By foregrounding shared knowledge practices in collaborative sessions and facilitation processes, we trace strategies that enable commons-based governance and strengthen digital intercooperation. Our findings contribute to debates on alternatives to platform capitalism and highlight how SSE actors can scale digital infrastructures without compromising ethical or democratic values. This case demonstrates the potential of FLOSS and commons-oriented approaches to support the growth of digital solidarity economies while fostering sustainable, self-managed, and replicable models of technological development
Early Upper Paleolithic cultural variability in the Southern Levant: New evidence from Nahal Rahaf 2 Rockshelter Judean Desert Israel
Get PDFThe Levantine Early Upper Paleolithic (ca. 45e30 ka) has been a focus of research because of its unique position as a conduit of human, flora, and fauna species between Africa and Eurasia. Studies have mainly focused on the Early Ahmarian and Levantine Aurignacian, two entities, the former endemic and the latter foreign, which are considered to have coinhabited the region during that period. However, other cultural entities, such as the Atlitian in the Mediterranean region and the Arkov-Divshon in the arid regions of the southern Levant received less attention, and accordingly, suffer from broad definitions and chronological insecurity. These cultures hold potential insights regarding nuanced adaptations, recip- rocal influences, and diachronic assimilation processes. The recently discovered site of Nahal Rahaf 2 Rockshelter in the Judean Desert provides integral information on one of these entitiesdthe Arkov- Divshon. Two excavation seasons revealed a sequence of archaeological layers, with lithic assemblages in which laterally carinated items were prominent. Alongside rich faunal assemblages, other components of the material culture include perforated marine shells and bone tools, marking the first association of these elements with Arkov-Divshon and implying some degree of contact with the Mediterranean re- gions of the Levant. Good preservation of organic materials allowed radiocarbon dating of the human occupation at the site to ca. 37.5e34.0 ka cal BP, indicating chronological overlap with the Levantine Aurignacian, and possibly also with the latest phases of the Early Ahmarian. Thus, challenging the val- idity of the widely accepted ‘Two Tradition’ Model of the Levantine Upper Paleolithic. Lithic analyses suggest the use of one main reduction sequence and the primary production of bladelets from carinated items. Faunal remains suggest targeted hunting of ibex and gazelle. Botanical remains and sedimentary analyses suggest roughly similar environmental conditions, with a possible woodier environment in the surroundings of the site
The CAPE1 peptide confers resistance against bacterial wilt in tomato
Get PDFBacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most destructive bacterial diseases for which no effective treatment exists. There is an urgent need to understand the basis of resistance against this pathogen in order to engineer efficient strategies in the field. We previously demonstrated that resistant tomato plants limit bacterial movement in the apoplast and the xylem. As a first step to dissect the underlying mechanisms, we analysed the apoplast proteome upon challenge with R. solanacearum in the susceptible tomato cultivar Marmande and the resistant cultivar Hawaii 7996. Here, we described the xylem proteome in these same cultivars and compared it with the apoplastic proteome, revealing variety-dependent and infection-dependent changes. This proteomic analysis led to the identification of pathogenesis-related 1 (PR1) proteins as highly induced upon infection. Since PR1b was the most abundant PR1 protein in both the apoplast and the xylem, we concentrated on this family member to study the role of PR1s in the interaction between tomato and R. solanacearum. Surprisingly, lack of PR1b resulted in enhanced resistance to R. solanacearum in tomato, which could be due to an up-regulation of homologous genes in a compensatory effect as has been reported before. PR1 processing by an unknown protease in tomato results in the generation of the CAPE peptide. Treatment of tomato plants with the CAPE1 peptide resulted in restriction of R. solanacearum growth, via defence gene reprogramming. Future work in the lab will help determine which tomato secreted proteases cleave PR1s to generate CAPEs
Temperature-Driven Changes in the Polymorphism, Microstructure and Thermal Properties of Cocoa Butter/Shea Butter Stearin Blends
Get PDFThe increasing application of cocoa butter alternatives in confectionery products requires a deep understanding of their crystallization behavior in order to maintain and promote desirable quality attributes. Through the combination of X-ray diffraction, microscopic, and thermal analysis techniques, this study explored the polymorphic, microstructural, and melting properties of cocoa butter and shea butter stearin blends with varying compositions. Results showed a more complex polymorphic behavior in blends than in the pure fats, with the coexistence of β′-2L and β′-3L forms, whose occurrence was strongly influenced by both the cocoa butter/shea stearin ratio and the thermal treatments applied. The solid fat content analysis evidenced, at all the analyzed samples, an abrupt falling typical for CB-like melting profile, which occurred between 30 and 35 °C in CB, and shifted to above 35 °C in ShS. Blends with increasing amounts of shea stearin showed a higher thermal resistance, a smoother thermal profile and a delayed β-phase development under isothermal conditions. Moreover, moderate variations of the composition modified the microstructure of the blends, which suggests potential impacts on the texture and sensory perception of products including this fat system
A deficit in semantic word learning in Huntington's disease
Get PDFPrevious studies investigating language deficits in Huntington's disease (HD) have reported relatively preserved lexical and semantic systems. Nevertheless, some aspects such as semantic word learning have never been previously explored. With this aim, in two experiments we used a well-known contextual word-learning paradigm to study two groups of early-stage HD patients with matched controls. The task required participants to infer the meaning of new words by extracting and integrating semantic cues from different sentences in a selfpaced reading paradigm. The results showed that patients displayed difficulties to learn the meaning of new words from the context of the sentences (Exp. 1), which was reflected as more errors and null responses compared to controls, as well as increased reading times in conditions where meaning had to be integrated. Besides, we explored to which degree these learning differences could be attributed to working memory (WM) deficits. In Exp. 2 we ruled out this hypothesis, showing that semantic word learning was still impaired when reducing WM load. As a control condition, we also reported that these deficits remained even though patients had no impairment accessing synonyms or semantically related words of real words. These results strongly suggest a semantic learning impairment despite apparently preserved semantic processing abilities in HD patients. This research adds to growing evidence on the existence of subtle language-related impairments in HD patients, more specifically in complex language learning tasks