Time Inconsistency Research Articles

Fairness, ambiguity and dynamic consistency

Abstract Considerations of dynamic inconsistency have figured prominently in debates over the rationality of preferences that violate the separability conditions characteristic of expected utility theory. These debates have mostly focused on risk- and ambiguity averse preferences, but analogous considerations apply to preferences for fairness. We revisit these debates in the context of a specific hypothesis regarding the violations of separability by such preferences, namely that they are potentially both explained and rationalised by non-instrumental attitudes to the chances of the various possibilities involved. Our main aim is to argue that, first, when these violations of static separability are motivated by such non-instrumental attitudes to chances, then they need not result in dynamically inconsistent behaviour. Second, and more generally, considerations of dynamic consistency do not, we argue, undermine the rationality of non-instrumental attitudes towards the distribution of chances, despite the fact that such attitudes give rise to violations of the static separability assumptions of expected utility theory.

Impact of antibiotic prophylaxis on gut microbiota in colorectal surgery: insights from an Eastern European stewardship study

IntroductionAntibiotic overuse is driving a global rise in antibiotic resistance, highlighting the need for robust antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) initiatives to improve prescription practices. While antimicrobials are essential for treating sepsis and preventing surgical site infections (SSIs), they can inadvertently disrupt the gut microbiota, leading to postoperative complications. Treatment methods vary widely across nations due to differences in drug choice, dosage, and therapy duration, affecting antibiotic resistance rates, which can reach up to 51% in some countries. In Romania and the Republic of Moldova, healthcare practices for surgical antibiotic prophylaxis differ significantly despite similarities in genetics, culture, and diet. Romania's stricter healthcare regulations result in more standardized antibiotic protocols, whereas Moldova's limited healthcare funding leads to less consistent practices and greater variability in treatment outcomes.MethodsThis study presents the results of a prospective cross-border investigation involving 86 colorectal cancer patients from major oncological hospitals in Romania and Moldova. We analyzed fecal samples collected from patients before and 7 days post-antibiotic treatment, focusing on the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene.ResultsOur findings indicate that inconsistent antibiotic prophylaxis policies—varying in type, dosage, or therapy duration—significantly impacted the gut microbiota and led to more frequent dysbiosis compared to stricter prophylactic antibiotic practices (single dose, single product, limited time).DiscussionWe emphasize the need for standardized antibiotic prophylaxis protocols to minimize dysbiosis and its associated risks, promoting more effective antimicrobial use, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

VIETNAM’S COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL REFORM

This study evaluates the progress of Vietnam’s educational reform, initiated under Resolution No. 29-NQ/TW in 2013, which aimed to align the nation’s education system with socio-economic objectives such as industrialization, modernization, and global integration. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative analyses, the research examines achievements, challenges, and limitations across key areas such as learner-centered education, digital transformation, teacher development, and internationalization. Significant progress has been observed, including the universalization of preschool education, improvements in teacher qualifications, and the integration of digital tools, positioning Vietnam as a regional leader in education. However, challenges remain, including insufficient preparation of financial and human resources, inconsistent policy implementation, and the lack of a cohesive educational philosophy. Persistent inequities, outdated teaching methodologies, and limited alignment with labor market demands further constrain reform efforts. The findings emphasize the importance of targeted investments in teacher training, infrastructure, and governance, alongside fostering stronger international partnerships. This study highlights Vietnam’s potential to establish a globally competitive education system and provides actionable recommendations for addressing systemic barriers. The results contribute to global discussions on educational reform in developing nations, offering lessons for sustainable and equitable transformation.

Why Don’t We Sleep Enough? A Field Experiment among College Students

Abstract This study investigates the mechanisms affecting sleep choice and explores whether commitment devices and monetary incentives can be used to promote healthier sleep habits. To this end, we conducted a field experiment with college students, providing them incentives to sleep and collecting data from wearable activity trackers, surveys, and time-use diaries. Monetary incentives were effective in increasing sleep duration with some evidence of persistence after the incentive was removed. We uncover evidence of demand for commitment. Our results are consistent with partially sophisticated time-inconsistent preferences and overconfidence and have implications for the effectiveness of information interventions on sleep choice.

Dynamic Inconsistency in Risky Choice: Evidence from the Lab and Field

We document a robust dynamic inconsistency in risky choice. Using a unique brokerage dataset and a series of experiments, we compare people's initial risk-taking plans to their subsequent decisions. Across settings, people accept risk as part of a loss-exit strategy—planning to continue taking risk after gains and stopping after losses. Actual behavior deviates from initial strategies by cutting gains early and chasing losses. More people accept risk when offered a commitment to their initial strategy. Our results help reconcile seemingly contradictory findings on risk-taking in static versus dynamic contexts. We explore implications for theory and welfare. (JEL D81, G13, G24, G41)

Incorporating ChatGPT as an automated written corrective feedback tool into L2 writing class

This review focuses on the use of automated written corrective feedback (AWCF) tools, particularly ChatGPT, in second language (L2) writing instruction. Writing is essential but challenging for L2 learners, and feedback plays a crucial role in enhancing writing skills. However, traditional teacher-provided written corrective feedback (WCF) faces challenges such as time constraints, cognitive overload, and inconsistency, especially in large classes. AWCF tools like Grammarly, Criterion, and ChatGPT help overcome these limitations by providing immediate and comprehensive feedback. The review begins by discussing the role of WCF in L2 writing, while highlighting the challenges associated with traditional feedback provision methods. It then explores the benefits and limitations of AWCF tools based on existing studies, noting their ability to offer instant feedback, reduce teachers’ workload, and motivate learners. Focusing on ChatGPT, the review highlights its ability to generate contextually appropriate and personalized feedback. ChatGPT offers several advantages, including promoting learner autonomy, enhancing feedback literacy, and improving writing quality by providing immediate corrections and suggestions. Learners have also shown positive perceptions of ChatGPT’s feedback in addressing grammatical errors and improving writing complexity.

Higher Carbon Tax Rates More Effective in Reducing Emissions in G20 Countries?

This study investigates the impact of carbon tax policies on carbon emission reductions in G20 countries to support the achievement of the Net Zero Emissions target by 2060. As the G20 collectively accounts for a significant share of global greenhouse gas emissions, effective policy interventions in these nations are pivotal to addressing the climate crisis. The research employs the Pearson correlation test to quantify the statistical relationship between carbon tax rates and emission levels, alongside a content analysis of sustainability reports from G20 countries to evaluate policy implementation and outcomes. The results reveal a moderate yet statistically significant negative correlation (r = −0.30, p < 0.05), indicating that higher carbon taxes are associated with lower emission levels. Content analysis further demonstrates that countries with high and consistently enforced carbon taxes, such as Japan and South Korea, achieve more substantial emissions reductions compared to nations with lower tax rates or inconsistent policy implementation. The findings emphasize that while carbon taxes serve as an effective instrument to internalize the social costs of carbon pollution, their impact is maximized when integrated with broader strategies, including investments in renewable energy, advancements in energy efficiency, and technological innovation. This research contributes to the understanding of carbon tax effectiveness and offers policy recommendations to strengthen fiscal measures as part of comprehensive climate action strategies toward achieving global sustainability targets.

A Comparative Analysis of Offshore Wind Energy Industries in China and the United States: Policy, Supply Chain, and Development Pathways

This paper provides an in-depth comparison of the development status of the offshore wind industry in China and the United States up to 2023. Given the critical role of offshore wind in the global transition to renewable energy, this paper focuses on the comparative progress of the two countries in this area and the drivers behind it. The research methods cover the technical capability, policy environment and supply chain construction of offshore wind energy. The results of the study show that China has demonstrated significant advantages in the offshore wind energy sector, mainly due to strong state support and systematic development planning. In contrast, the United States has lagged in this area, with major obstacles including policy inconsistencies and supply chain problems. Based on these findings, this paper provides insights and recommendations for China and the United States to enhance their offshore wind capacity and jointly contribute to the global goal of carbon neutrality.

Comparative Analysis of Antibiotic Prophylaxis Guidelines in Cardiac Surgery: A Survey in Czechia and Slovakia.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) in cardiac surgery significantly impact patient outcomes. This study examines cardiac antimicrobial prophylaxis guidelines in Czech and Slovak hospitals, crucial for reducing SSI incidence. An electronic survey was conducted across cardiac surgery departments in both countries, focusing on surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) protocols, antibiotic choices, dosages, timing, and postoperative infection rates. Responses were collected over three months, ensuring a comprehensive overview. Most surveyed hospitals (79 %) implement SAP, but guidelines exhibit notable variability. Cefazolin dominates as the primary prophylactic choice, with varying dosing regimens. Challenges include timing inconsistencies and prolonged prophylaxis durations, particularly in implant-related procedures. Regular guideline revisions are reported in 18 % of hospitals within the last year, emphasizing the need for updated practices. This study shows the importance of standardizing SAP practices, aligning them with evolving evidence, and implementing regular guideline revisions. The observed variations highlight opportunities for enhanced SSI prevention strategies in cardiac surgery, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes.

Bridging Distances and Enhancing Care: A Comprehensive Review of Telemedicine in Surgery.

Telemedicine in surgical care has undergone rapid advancements in recent years, leveraging technologies such as telerobotics, artificial intelligence (AI) diagnostics, and wearable devices to facilitate remote evaluation and monitoring of patients. These innovations have improved access to care, reduced costs, and enhanced patient satisfaction. However, significant challenges remain, including technical barriers, limited tactile feedback in telesurgery, and inequities arising from digital literacy and infrastructure gaps. The rapid integration of telemedicine in surgical care necessitates a comprehensive understanding of its advancements, challenges, and implications. This review aims to consolidate existing knowledge, identify gaps, and highlight future research directions. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored telemedicine's potential, accelerating its adoption across healthcare systems worldwide. Despite these advancements, issues such as inconsistent reimbursement policies and challenges in integrating telemedicine into existing healthcare systems hinder its widespread adoption. Future research should prioritize the integration of AI, advancements in telepresence, and solutions to socioeconomic barriers to solidify telemedicine's role in global surgical care and enhance patient safety.

Review of penetration and impact of utility solar installation in developing countries: policy and challenges

This review examines the penetration and impact of utility-scale solar installations in developing countries, focusing on the policy landscape and challenges associated with their adoption. Solar energy has emerged as a vital component of the global shift towards renewable energy, offering substantial potential for alleviating energy poverty and fostering sustainable development in regions with abundant solar resources. Despite these opportunities, the penetration of utility-scale solar in developing countries faces several barriers. These include financial constraints, inconsistent policy frameworks, technological challenges, and social acceptance issues. This review explores the current status of solar energy adoption, highlighting regional trends and key countries such as Kenya, India, and South Africa, which have made significant strides in solar deployment. It assesses the economic, social, and environmental impacts of utility solar projects, emphasizing their role in job creation, electrification, and climate change mitigation. However, challenges such as high initial costs, limited access to financing, weak grid infrastructure, and regulatory bottlenecks continue to impede broader adoption. Policy and regulatory support are critical to overcoming these challenges. This review outlines the national and international frameworks that influence solar energy penetration, as well as the incentives, subsidies, and financing mechanisms available. Recommendations include streamlining regulatory processes, improving access to finance through innovative models, and enhancing grid infrastructure. Finally, the review discusses future trends, including advancements in solar technology, energy storage, and smart grid integration, which could accelerate the growth of solar installations in developing countries. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive strategies that address policy, financial, and social challenges to fully realize the potential of solar energy in these regions.

Protecting fundamental values through the global human rights sanction regime: China's challenges to the EU's normative power

ABSTRACT In 2021, the European Council, implementing the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, imposed sanctions on four Chinese officials and one entity believed to be responsible for human rights violations in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. These sanctions marked the EU's resumption of a hard normative approach towards China, which responded with strong countermeasures. The exchange of sanctions and countersanctions, along with the ensuing debates, offered a valuable opportunity to observe the EU's normative power in international politics. A qualitative content analysis of documents from both China and the EU reveals that while the EU aims to uphold its moral objectives, it faces significant internal and external challenges. The EU's ability to effectively counter China is limited by institutional weaknesses, inconsistent policies, and diminished credibility. Furthermore, the EU is institutionally unprepared for the consequences of imposing sanctions on such a powerful partner and competitor. On the other hand, China has become increasingly assertive in defending its political system and values, responding to EU sanctions with strong countermeasures, thereby complicating the EU's efforts to maintain leverage in this diplomatic struggle..

Cannabis Care: Intellectual Humility and Instructional Strategies

The challenge healthcare faculty are encountering when discussing cannabis education with students is the effect that misperceptions, media influence, and lack of evidence can have regarding cannabis care. This article shares an innovative teaching strategy and qualitative results based on increasing intellectual humility using the Collective Rethinking Model. The instructional design of this study included three assignments: a role and responsibility analysis, a more nuanced conversation about cannabis, mental health, and athletes, and promoting student curiosity using a virtual cannabis field trip. Each assignment consisted of a cannabis-related activity followed by a written response (n=99). These responses were coded, and thematic analysis was confirmed by the research team. For the role and responsibility analysis assignment, themes reflected existing stigmas and a new awareness of evolving cannabis research. For the nuanced conversation assignment about cannabis, mental health, and athletes, the results identified three themes: concern for the ethics of the suspension, the need for more research regarding cannabis and PTSD care, and an increased awareness of the inconsistencies in drug policies from a global perspective. The last assignment designed to promote cannabis curiosity used a virtual cannabis field trip. It demonstrated curiosity across a broad spectrum of cannabis industry topics and issues. The results demonstrate today's healthcare students have curiosity about their potential role in cannabis care. The lessons learned from this study have implications for designing nursing and interprofessional health curricula that rigorously and creatively engage students in the practice of cannabis care, mental health promotion, ethics, regulation, and industry.

An in-depth analysis of factors influencing small-scale cattle farmers' participation in livestock markets in Western Province of Zambia: navigating challenges and barriers.

The low participation of small-scale farmers in livestock markets in sub-Saharan Africa, including Zambia, is a major inhibitor to private sector investment in the livestock subsector. Despite the immense potential of the livestock industry to bolster the economic development of countries in this region, several socioeconomic, environmental, and cultural factors contribute to this hindrance. This study was conducted in the Western Province of Zambia and adopted a qualitative research approach to understand the challenges and barriers affecting livestock markets among smallholder cattle farmers. In-depth interviews were conducted with 23 key informants and focus group discussions involving key actors in the dairy and beef value chains. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the gathered data. Four themes, including socioeconomic, cultural, market dynamics, and policy and regulatory factors, emerged from this analysis. The sub-themes for socioeconomic factors included access to capital, infrastructure challenges, limited technical knowledge, and inadequate veterinary services. Cultural factors included traditional practices, social norms, and perceptions of livestock, and subthemes for market dynamics included price volatility, lack of market information, and middlemen exploitation. The sub-themes for policy and regulatory factors included policy inconsistencies, land tenure issues, and inadequate government support. By identifying and understanding these factors, policymakers and stakeholders can develop effective and sustainable targeted interventions and policies to encourage smallholder cattle farmers' participation in the livestock sector.

CHALLENGES FACING SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

The concept of sustainable entrepreneurship is becoming an increasingly pivotal area of focus in the global effort to address a range of pressing challenges, including climate change, resource scarcity, and social inequality. Entrepreneurs who integrate economic, environmental, and social goals into their business models can serve as pivotal agents in achieving both profitability and societal well-being. Nevertheless, despite the growing interest in sustainable business models, entrepreneurs encounter considerable obstacles that impede the scalability and success of their ventures. This study focuses on the identification and analysis of the principal obstacles across five key dimensions: economic, regulatory, social, technological, and environmental. The aim of this research is to examine the difficulties encountered by those engaged in sustainable entrepreneurship and to suggest strategies for surmounting these challenges. Methodologically, the study employs a multi-dimensional approach, with each challenge examined through qualitative analysis. The economic challenges, including the high initial costs and difficulties in accessing funding, are identified as some of the most significant barriers. The presence of regulatory challenges, such as inconsistent environmental policies and the absence of governmental incentives, serves to further complicate the business landscape. Furthermore, social challenges, such as consumer reluctance to pay higher prices for sustainable products and resistance to adopting new, eco-friendly habits, also play a crucial role in hindering the success of sustainable ventures. Furthermore, the absence of access to sophisticated green technologies and the requisite expertise to deploy them constitutes a substantial technological impediment for entrepreneurs. The results of the study indicate the existence of several potential avenues for addressing these challenges. For example, the increasing consumer demand for environmentally friendly products and services, in conjunction with technological advancements, presents a substantial opportunity for sustainable entrepreneurship. The practical value of the research lies in its strategic recommendations, which encourage collaboration between policymakers, businesses, and investors. Such collaborative endeavours can facilitate the creation of an enabling environment for sustainable entrepreneurship, thereby reducing economic and regulatory burdens while simultaneously promoting technological advancements. In conclusion, the study emphasises the necessity of a coordinated approach in order to overcome the barriers faced by sustainable entrepreneurs. By capitalising on emerging opportunities and cultivating a supportive ecosystem, entrepreneurs can simultaneously achieve financial success and a positive impact on society and the environment.

From time-inconsistency to time-consistency for optimal stopping problems.

For optimal stopping problems with time-inconsistent preference, we measure the inherent level of time-inconsistency by taking the time required to turn the naive strategies into the sophisticated ones. In particular, when in a repeated experiment, the naive agent can observe her actual sequence of actions that is inconsistent with what she has planned at the initial time, and she would then choose her immediate action based on the observations of her later actual behavior. The procedure is repeated until her actual sequence of actions is consistent with her plan at any time. We show that for the preference value of cumulative prospect theory, in which the time-inconsistency is due to the probability distortion, the higher the degree of probability distortion, the more severe the level of time-inconsistency, and the more time required to turn the naive strategies into the sophisticated ones.

Understanding the Impact of Visual and Kinematic Information on the Perception of Physicality Errors

Errors that arise due to a mismatch in the dynamics of a person’s motion and the visualized movements of their avatar in virtual reality are termed “physicality errors” to distinguish them from simple physical errors, such as footskate. Physicality errors involve plausible motions, but with dynamic inconsistencies. Even with perfect tracking and ideal virtual worlds, such errors are inevitable in virtual reality whenever a person adopts an avatar that does not match their own proportions or lifts a virtual object that appears heavier than the movement of their hand. This study investigates people’s sensitivity to physicality errors to understand when they are likely to be noticeable and need to be mitigated. It uses a simple, well-understood exercise of a dumbbell lift to explore the impact of motion kinematics and varied sources of visual information, including changing body size, changing the size of manipulated objects, and displaying muscular strain. Results suggest that kinematic (motion) information has a dominant impact on perception of effort, but visual information, particularly the visual size of the lifted object, has a strong impact on perceived weight. This can lead to perceptual mismatches that reduce perceived naturalness. Small errors may not be noticeable, but large errors reduce naturalness. Further results are discussed, which inform the requirements for animation algorithms.

ASSESSMENT OF SMALL HOLDERS FARMERS' ADOPTION OF CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE PRACTICES IN BORNO STATE, NIGERIA

The study assessed smallholder farmers’ adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture practices in Borno State, Nigeria. Identified socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, assessed the respondents’ adoption of climate-smart agriculture practices and investigated the constraint by respondents in adopting climate-smart agriculture practices. Both primary and secondary sources were used. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select 200 respondents as the sample size. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation and likert type scale were used. The findings indicated that, majority (67.5%) of the respondents were within the prime working age of 20-49 years with a mean age of 43 years. Majority (75.5%) were male, 63.5% married with 43.0% had 7-9 persons per household. However, more than half (56%) of the respondents had no formal education, and 56% earn less than 50,000 Naira annually. The study also found that 58% had more than 10 years of farming experience, but only 30% were members of association. Conservation agriculture practices such as reduced tillage, crop residue management, and crop rotation/intercropping were rated 1st with the highest (x = 4.29) implying strong agreement to adoption of conservation agriculture practices. The climate smart agricultural practices highly adopted by the respondents include; water retention and erosion control technique (89%) and efficient fertilizer application technique (79.5%), moderately adopted practices; home garden (63%) and compost making/green manuring (58%), whereas least adopted practices; early warning system (20.0%) and use of more efficient cooking stove (17%). The most severe constraint identified include lack of awareness and limited information about climate smart agriculture practices (x=1.87), as well as limited access to credit (x=1.80). High cost of labor for climate smart agriculture and policy inconsistencies (x=1.32, 1.44) were identified as not severe constraint compared to others. The study recommended that Extension agents and Research institute should create more awareness on impact of adopting Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices and improve easy accessibility to weather and climate information through provision of mobile-based platforms or community radio broadcasts that deliver timely and relevant information.

Using a Quality-Controlled Dataset From ViSi Mobile Monitoring for Analyzing Posture Patterns of Hospitalized Patients: Retrospective Observational Study.

ViSi Mobile has the capability of monitoring a patient's posture continuously during hospitalization. Analysis of ViSi telemetry data enables researchers and health care providers to quantify an individual patient's movement and investigate collective patterns of many patients. However, erroneous values can exist in routinely collected ViSi telemetry data. Data must be scrutinized to remove erroneous records before statistical analysis. The objectives of this study were to (1) develop a data cleaning procedure for a 1-year inpatient ViSi posture dataset, (2) consolidate posture codes into categories, (3) derive concise summary statistics from the continuous monitoring data, and (4) study types of patient posture habits using summary statistics of posture duration and transition frequency. This study examined the 2019 inpatient ViSi posture records from Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. First, 2 types of errors, record overlap and time inconsistency, were identified. An automated procedure was designed to search all records for these errors. A data cleaning procedure removed erroneous records. Second, data preprocessing was conducted. Each patient's categorical time series was simplified by consolidating the 185 ViSi codes into 5 categories (Lying, Reclined, Upright, Unknown, User-defined). A majority vote process was applied to remove bursts of short duration. Third, statistical analysis was conducted. For each patient, summary statistics were generated to measure average time duration of each posture and rate of posture transitions during the whole day and separately during daytime and nighttime. A k-means clustering analysis was performed to divide the patients into subgroups objectively. The analysis used a sample of 690 patients, with a median of 3 days of extensive ViSi monitoring per patient. The median of posture durations was 10.2 hours/day for Lying, 8.0 hours/day for Reclined, and 2.5 hours/day for Upright. Lying had similar percentages of patients in low and high durations. Reclined showed a decrease in patients for higher durations. Upright had its peak at 0-2 hours, with a decrease for higher durations. Scatter plots showed that patients could be divided into several subgroups with different posture habits. This was reinforced by the k-means analysis, which identified an active subgroup and two sedentary ones with different resting styles. Using a 1-year ViSi dataset from routine inpatient monitoring, we derived summary statistics of posture duration and posture transitions for each patient and analyzed the summary statistics to identify patterns in the patient population. This analysis revealed several types of patient posture habits. Before analysis, we also developed methodology to clean and preprocess routinely collected inpatient ViSi monitoring data, which is a major contribution of this study. The procedure developed for data cleaning and preprocessing can have broad application to other monitoring systems used in hospitals.

The separation theorem for mean-field linear quadratic optimal control problem with partial information

Abstract We investigate the separation principle for a class of mean-field stochastic optimal control problems with partial information, where the linear stochastic dynamic system is observed through a linear noisy channel. In our model, the time inconsistency caused by the mean-field terms makes the dynamic programming principle (DPP) inapplicable, which immediately leads to difficulties in deriving the separation principle. Utilizing the optimal filtering equations in several dimensions, we can transform the stochastic optimal control problem with partial information into one with complete details. Subsequently, the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equation that can solve the optimal control is obtained with the support of the dynamic programming principle. The separation principle for solving the optimal control of the original problem is derived.