Estuarine processes are key in modulating the riverine input of particle-reactive trace elements to the ocean. An important, but still under-utilized member of these elements is beryllium-9 (9Be) that together with cosmogenic 10Be has been suggested to serve as a quantitative tracer of present and past continental weathering flux. This study investigates different pathways of terrigenous 9Be through coastal areas into the ocean, based on dissolved 9Be concentrations in surface and bottom waters together with corresponding particulate 9Be concentrations along the salinity gradient in the Changjiang Estuary. Dissolved 9Be in the Changjiang Estuary shows a non-conservative behavior: At low to mid-salinity where water is well-mixed, 9Be is removed from both surface and bottom waters at low salinity and then released back into the water column at mid-salinity. At high salinity where water is stratified, dissolved 9Be is removed from surface waters, but is released back into bottom waters.
In combination with hydrochemical (e.g., dissolved oxygen) and particulate 9Be data obtained from different extracted phases, we attribute the removal of dissolved 9Be at low salinity to salt-induced colloidal flocculation, whereas in surface waters at high salinity, we ascribe the removal to biological scavenging facilitated by phytoplankton blooms. The release of 9Be into mid- and high-salinity bottom waters is likely dominated by benthic processes, including porewater diffusion and/or submarine groundwater discharge. The contribution from desorption of 9Be from suspended particulate matter is negligible throughout the entire estuary. We propose that the release of 9Be through benthic processes potentially presents the most important contributor to the marine 9Be budget, where this benthic flux of 9Be is likely enhanced by hypoxic conditions in coastal bottom waters.
View lessWe consider the impact that temporal correlations in the measurement statistics can have on the achievable precision in a sequential metrological protocol. In this setting, and for a single quantum probe, we establish that it is the transitions between the measurement basis states that plays the most significant role in determining the precision, with the resulting conditional Fisher information being interpretable as a rate of information acquisition. Projective measurements are shown to elegantly demonstrate this in two disparate estimation settings. Firstly, in determining the temperature of an environment and, secondly, to ascertain a parameter of the system Hamiltonian. In both settings we show that the sequential estimation approach can provide a useful method to enhance the achievable precision.
View lessStrongly differing static dipole moments of the trans and cis isomers of photochromic azobenzene allow for optical switching of the work function of azobenzene-functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). We apply these properties in a fundamental experiment to manipulate the area size of the switched SAM. Azobenzene molecules were excited by ultraviolet laser illumination, and the transient isomerization profile of the SAM was spatially resolved recording photoemission electron microscopy images. Thereby, we demonstrate the spatial tuning of the SAM's work function and discuss the role of the laser spot profile in generating sharp edges or gradual changes of the work function.
View lessFuture changes in extratropical cyclone structure and dynamics may lead to important impacts but are not yet fully understood. In the first part of this study, we have applied a composite approach together with potential vorticity (PV) inversion to study such changes in the dynamics of North Atlantic cyclones. Here, this is complemented with the help of a Lagrangian perspective, making use of air parcel trajectories to investigate the causes of altered PV anomalies as well as the role that cyclone airstreams play in shaping these changes. Intense cyclones in the extended winter seasons of two periods, 1990–2000 and 2091–2100, are studied in Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble (CESM-LE) simulations, and backward trajectories are calculated from the cyclone area as a basis to construct cyclone-centered composites of Lagrangian tendencies and their projected future changes. Our results show that diabatic processes on a timescale of 24 h shape the cyclones' low-level PV distribution and corroborate that the increasing moisture content along with enhanced ascent in warm conveyor belts leads to amplified latent heat release and larger low- and mid-level PV anomalies near the cyclone center in a warmer climate. In contrast, projected upper-level PV changes are due to a combination of several processes. These processes include cloud diabatic PV changes, anomalous PV advection, and likely also radiative PV generation in the lower stratosphere above the cyclone center. For instance, enhanced poleward advection is the primary reason for a projected decrease in upper-level PV anomalies south of the cyclone center. Warm conveyor belt outflow regions are projected to shift upward, but there is not robust change in the associated upper-level PV anomalies due to compensation between enhanced low-level PV generation and upper-level PV destruction. In summary, our two-part study points to future changes in the relative importance of different processes for the dynamics of intense North Atlantic cyclones in a warming climate, with important consequences for the near-surface wind pattern. In particular, a larger role of cloud diabatic processes is projected, affecting the cyclones through PV production in the lower troposphere. The role of other mechanisms, in particular radiative changes near the tropopause, should be investigated in more detail in future studies.
View lessIn our combined experimental, theoretical, and numerical work, we study the out-of-equilibrium deformations in a shrinking ring of optically trapped, interacting colloidal particles. Steerable optical tweezers are used to confine dielectric microparticles along a circle of discrete harmonic potential wells, and to reduce the ring radius at a controlled quench speed. We show that excluded-volume interactions are enough to induce particle sliding from their equilibrium positions and nonequilibrium zigzag roughening of the colloidal structure. Our work unveils the underlying mechanism of interfacial deformation in radially driven microscopic discrete rings.
View lessNachhaltigkeitsthemen sind mit vielschichtigen Problemstellungen, komplexen Zusammenhängen und einer Fülle an Informationen verbunden. Das macht es schwer, Entscheidungen zu treffen und persönlich sowie gesellschaftlich zu handeln. Oft gibt es kein klares Richtig oder Falsch, vielmehr geht es um Abwägungsprozesse und darum, eine eigene Position zu entwickeln. Das kann zu Verunsicherung und Überforderung führen, die einem motivierten, zielgerichteten Handeln im Wege stehen. Hier setzt das Projekt an. Es möchte Schülerinnen und Schüler (Altersgruppe 10-16) dabei unterstützen, auch in Komplexität und Unsicherheit handlungsfähig zu sein. In der handlungsorientierten und alltagsnahen Beschäftigung mit Facetten des jeweiligen Themenbereichs erwerben die Schülerinnen und Schüler Kompetenzen, die bislang in BNE-Bildungsmaterialien erst wenig vermittelt werden – den Umgang mit Dilemmasituationen und Unsicherheit. Die Auseinandersetzung mit Dilemmasituationen in Bezug auf (nicht) nachhaltige Entwicklungen erfolgt durch Lernmaterialien zu 5 Themenbereichen mit Biodiversitätsbezug. Die Materialien enthalten Vorschläge für die Gestaltung der Lerneinheiten sowie vielfältige Info- und Arbeitsblätter.
View lessThe current Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development test guideline number 487 (OECD TG No. 487) provides instruction on how to conduct the in vitro micronucleus assay. This assay is one of the gold standard approaches for measuring the mutagenicity of test items; however, it is directed at testing low molecular weight molecules and may not be appropriate for particulate materials (e.g. engineered nanoparticles [ENPs]). This study aimed to adapt the in vitro micronucleus assay for ENP testing and underpins the development of an OECD guidance document. A harmonized, nano-specific protocol was generated and evaluated by two independent laboratories. Cell lines utilized were human lymphoblastoid (TK6) cells, human liver hepatocytes (HepG2) cells, Chinese hamster lung fibroblast (V79) cells, whole blood, and buffy coat cells from healthy human volunteers. These cells were exposed to reference ENPs from the Joint Research Council (JRC): SiO2 (RLS-0102), Au5nm and Au30nm (RLS-03, RLS-010), CeO2 (NM212), and BaSO4 (NM220). Tungsten carbide-cobalt (WC/Co) was used as a trial particulate positive control. The chemical controls were positive in all cell cultures, but WC/Co was only positive in TK6 and buffy coat cells. In TK6 cells, mutagenicity was observed for SiO2- and both Au types. In HepG2 cells, Au5nm and SiO2 showed sub-two-fold increases in micronuclei. In V79 cells, whole blood, and buffy coat cells, no genotoxicity was detected with the test materials. The data confirmed that ENPs could be tested with the harmonized protocol, additionally, concordant data were observed across the two laboratories with V79 cells. WC/Co may be a suitable particulate positive control in the in vitro micronucleus assay when using TK6 and buffy coat cells. Detailed recommendations are therefore provided to adapt OECD TG No. 487 for testing ENP.
View lessComparative perspectives are crucial in the study of human development, yet longitudinal comparisons of humans and other primates are still relatively uncommon. Here, we combined theoretical frameworks from cross-cultural and comparative psychology, to study maternal style in 10 mother–infant pairs of German urban humans (Homo sapiens) and 10 mother–infant pairs of captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), during the first year of infants’ development. We conducted focal observations of different behaviours (i.e. nursing, carrying, body contact, touching, grooming, restraining, approaching, leaving, rejection, aggression, mutual gaze, object stimulation), during natural interactions. Analyses revealed a more distal maternal style in WEIRD humans than in captive chimpanzees, with different behaviours being generally more common in one of the two species throughout development. For other behaviours (i.e. nursing), developmental trajectories differed between WEIRD humans and captive chimpanzees, although differences generally decreased through infants’ development. Overall, our study confirms functional approaches as a valid tool for comparative longitudinal studies.
View lessWinter windstorms belong to the most damaging meteorological events in the extra-tropics. Their impact on society makes it essential to understand and improve seasonal forecasts of these extreme events. Skilful predictions on a seasonal timescale have been shown in previous studies by investigating hindcasts from various forecast centres. This study aims to explain storm forecast skill based on relevant dynamical factors. Therefore, a number of factors which are known to influence either windstorms directly or their synoptic relevant systems, mid-latitude cyclones, are investigated. These factors are analysed for their relation to windstorm forecast performance based on a reanalysis (ERA5) and the seasonal hindcast of the UK Met Office (Global Seasonal forecasting system version 5, GloSea5).
Within GloSea5, relevant dynamical factors are (1) validated with respect to their physical connections to windstorms, (2) investigated with respect to the seasonal forecast skill of the factors themselves, and (3) assessed on the relevance and influence of their forecast performance to and on windstorm forecast skill. Although not all investigated factors reveal a clear and consistent influence on windstorm forecast skill over Europe, core factors like mean sea level pressure gradient, sea surface temperature, equivalent potential temperature and Eady growth rate show consistent results within these three steps: their physical connection is well represented in the model; these factors are skilfully predicted in storm-relevant regions, and, consequently, this skill leads to increased forecast skill of winter windstorms over Europe. This study thus explains existing forecast skill in winter windstorms but also indicates potential for further model developments to improve seasonal winter windstorm predictions.
View lessBackground
The German Xenotransplantation Consortium is in the process to prepare a clinical trial application (CTA) on xenotransplantation of genetically modified pig hearts. In the CTA documents to the central and national regulatory authorities, that is, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI), respectively, it is required to list the potential zoonotic or xenozoonotic porcine microorganisms including porcine viruses as well as to describe methods of detection in order to prevent their transmission. The donor animals should be tested using highly sensitive detection systems. I would like to define a detection system as the complex including the actual detection methods, either PCR-based, cell-based, or immunological methods and their sensitivity, as well as sample generation, sample preparation, sample origin, time of sampling, and the necessary negative and positive controls. Lessons learned from the identification of porcine cytomegalovirus/porcine roseolovirus (PCMV/PRV) in the xenotransplanted heart in the recipient in the Baltimore study underline how important such systems are. The question is whether veterinary laboratories can supply such assays.
Methods
A total of 35 veterinary laboratories in Germany were surveyed for their ability to test for selected xenotransplantation-relevant viruses, including PCMV/PRV, hepatitis E virus, and porcine endogenous retrovirus-C (PERV-C). As comparison, data from Swiss laboratories and a laboratory in the USA were analyzed. Furthermore, we assessed which viruses were screened for in clinical and preclinical trials performed until now and during screening of pig populations.
Results
Of the nine laboratories that provided viral diagnostics, none of these included all potential viruses of concern, indeed, the most important assays confirmed in recent human trials, antibody detection of PCMV/PRV and screening for PERV-C were not available at all. The situation was similar in Swiss and US laboratories. Different viruses have been tested for in first clinical and preclinical trials performed in various countries.
Conclusion
Based on these results it is necessary to establish special virological laboratories able to test for all xenotransplantation-relevant viruses using validated assays, optimally in the xenotransplantation centers.
View lessDedicated to the memory of Pnina Werbner, this essay revisits Werbner’s ethnographic and conceptual work on the relationship between diaspora and religion through a close reading of her book on Imagined Diasporas among Manchester Muslims and her later engagements with the concept of diaspora with respect to religion and the background of her work on African and Filipino labour diasporas in the West. It argues that many of Werbner’s insights remain pertinent today, not least because in many European contexts Muslim-background citizens and non-citizens remain excluded from full belonging and are still forced to engage in constant perspectival manoeuvring similar to Werbner’s earlier interlocutors. While the notion of diaspora has lost much of its earlier conceptual verve, in its Werbnerian reading, I argue, it may still offer a scholarly tool for analysing the multiple imaginations, belongings, and ambiguities of migrants’ and religious minorities’ self-representations and complex lives.
View lessDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the early emergence of viral variants repeatedly undermined the effects of vaccination. Our aim here is to explore strategies for improving spike vaccine gene antigenicity by merging mutations from different variants of concern (VOCs) in a single vaccine gene. To this end, newly developed recombinant vaccine genes were designed, cloned into adenoviral vectors, and applied to C57BL/6 mice; then, serum-neutralizing antibodies against the wildtype SARS-CoV-2 strains were determined in neutralization assays. The merger of mutations from different variants of concern (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta) in a single recombinant spike-based vaccine gene provided a substantial improvement in neutralizing immunity to all variants of concern, including the omicron strains. To date, only unmodified spike genes of the original SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain (B.1) or dominant variants (BA.1, BA.5, and XBB.1.5) have been used as vaccine genes. The employment of unmodified vaccine genes is afflicted by limited cross-protection among variant strains. In contrast, recombinant vaccine genes that combine mutations from different strains in a single gene hold the potential to broaden and improve immune protection and might help to reduce the need for frequent vaccine adaptations in the future.
View lessSomatoform disorders (SD), commencing during adolescence, represent a major problem in health care systems. While literature underlines the high presence of mental health problems among children and adolescents afflicted by somatic symptoms in the general population, limited evidence is available on the prevalence of comorbid somatic symptoms in child and adolescent psychiatric populations. We assessed the prevalence of somatic symptoms, depression, and anxiety by validated questionnaires in an inpatient cohort. We further screened for the presence of SD. Out of 434 inpatients aged 11–17 years, 371 were included and a total of n = 288 (77.6%) children and adolescents participated in the study. A total of 93.8% of the inpatients reported somatic symptoms within the past six months and still almost half (45.7%) of the sample reported at least one somatic symptom within the last seven days prior to inquiry. Relating to the past six months, 59.5% were positively screened for SD, and 44.6% reported symptoms eligible for positive screening within the past seven days prior to the survey. Somatoform symptomatology was highly associated with anxiety and depression scores, but functional decline was amenable to the number of somatic symptoms only. We provide evidence that somatic symptoms are frequent in children and adolescents being treated in child and adolescent psychiatry and are relevant to everyday functioning. Screening for somatic symptoms should be introduced in the routine diagnostic procedures for early detection of SD in the commencing stages.
View lessAcute haemorrhagic diarrhoea is a common complaint in dogs. In addition to causes like intestinal parasites, dietary indiscretion, intestinal foreign bodies, canine parvovirus infection, or hypoadrenocorticism, acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (AHDS) is an important and sometimes life-threatening differential diagnosis. There is some evidence supporting the link between Clostridium perfringens toxins and AHDS. These toxins may be partially responsible for the epithelial cell injury, but the pathogenesis of AHDS is still not fully understood. Recent studies have suggested that severe damage to the intestinal mucosa and associated barrier dysfunction can trigger chronic gastrointestinal illnesses. Besides bloodwork and classical markers for AHDS such as protein loss and intestinal bacterial dysbiosis, we focused mainly on the plasma-proteome to identify systemic pathological alterations during this disease and searched for potential biomarkers to improve the diagnosis. To accomplish the goals, we used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. We compared the proteomic profiles of 20 dogs with AHDS to 20 age-, breed-, and sex-matched control dogs. All dogs were examined, and several blood work parameters were determined and compared, including plasma biochemistry and cell counts. We identified and quantified (relative quantification) 207 plasmatic proteins, from which dozens showed significantly altered levels in AHDS. Serpina3, Lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, several Ig-like domain-containing proteins, Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and Serum amyloid A were more abundant in plasma from AHDS affected dogs. In contrast, other proteins such as Paraoxonase, Selenoprotein, Amine oxidases, and Apolipoprotein C-IV were significantly less abundant. Many of the identified and quantified proteins are known to be associated with inflammation. Other proteins like Serpina3 and RPLP1 have a relevant role in oncogenesis. Some proteins and their roles have not yet been described in dogs with diarrhoea. Our study opens new avenues that could contribute to the understanding of the aetiology and pathophysiology of AHDS.
View lessA flash flood is one of the hazardous phenomena, especially in dry regions. In Saudi Arabia, Jazan Province experiences data scarcity especially historical hydrological data and a lack of studies related to flash flood analysis and the rainfall and runoff interrelationship. Thus, this research aims to study the rainfall-runoff inter-relation, predict flash floods, and to map the risk areas in Jazan Province by the geological, geomorphological, and hydrogeological characteristics along with digital elevation model (DEM), watershed modeling system (WMS) and HEC-HMS models. Jazan Province encompasses 25 drainage basins, receiving a considerable amount of rainfall (ranging from 100 to 500 mm) (August, October-November, March) which intermittently cause strong and destructive flash floods. The DEM was used for delineating the catchment (drainage basins) parameters. Physiographic parameters of the catchments have been analyzed for mapping the hazard degree of the flash flood strength. Further, basins with high hazard degrees of flash floods were selected to assess rainfall-runoff inter-relation using the HEC-HMS models, GIS, and morphometric parameters. Forty %, 8%, 52% of the study area are high, medium, and low hazard degrees of flash floods, respectively. The groundwater recharge in the study area was calculated through the integration of satellite image analysis, SWAT and GIS techniques and it ranges from 0.002 mm/km2/year to 8 mm/km2/year with an average of 2.5 mm/km2/year. Rainfall-runoff inter-relation of study basins, assessed based on the integration of WMS and HEC-HMS models, indicates that the resulting runoff volume ranges from 18.5 × 106 m3 to 473.1 × 106 m3 at a recurrence period of 5 and 100 years at rainfall events of 65 mm and 116.8 mm, respectively.
View lessDie Kunsthalle in der Lichtentaler Allee in Baden-Baden ist durch die großzügige Spende des Malers Robert Engelhorn und weiterer Förderer 1909 entstanden. Nach den Kunsthallen in Karlsruhe und Mannheim war sie die dritte, den bildenden Künsten gewidmete Einrichtung im damaligen Großherzogtum Baden. Während die zuerst genannten Kunsthallen über einen Sammlungsbestand verfügten, war die Kunsthalle ausschließlich für Wechselausstellungen vorgesehen - somit dem Stiftungszweck der Förderung der zeitgenössischen Kunst entsprechend.
Während der Jahrzehnte vor und nach dem Ersten Weltkrieg entstanden neue Stilrichtungen, zunächst der Impressionismus, dann der Expressionismus, nach der Desillusion des verlorenen Kriegs der Stil der neuen Sachlichkeit. Aus den oft erbitterten Auseinandersetzungen über "traditionelle" und "moderne" Stile innerhalb der Künstlerverbände spalteten sich die "Sezessionen" ab, die häufigen Austritte der Künstler und Neugruppierungen, im Land Baden 1927 die Badische Sezession. Der 1887 geborene Maler Erwin Heinrich übernahm die Vorbereitung der Ausstellungsprojekte der Gruppe.
Sowohl der badische Künstlerverband wie auch die badische Sezession wurden im Verlauf der nationalsozialistischen Gleichschaltung aufgelöst, nach dem Krieg neugegründet. Nordbaden gehörte zur amerikanischen Zone, Südbaden zur französischen, somit auch Baden-Baden nun Standort der französischen Militärverwaltung. Die Kunsthalle wurde als Bibliothèque de Garnison requiriert. 1952 restituiert. Dem zur Leitung berufenen Erwin Heinrich gelang es, innerhalb kürzester Zeit Ausstellungen zu ermöglichen. Aufgrund seines Alters war sein personalrechtlicher Status jedoch ungesichert, hinzu kam die Gegnerschaft des konkurrierenden Künstlerverbandes, der nach der Gründung des Landes Baden-Württemberg eskalierte. 1956 verstarb er während einer Sitzung des Beirats der Kunsthalle.
In dieser Schrift werden diese im Ergebnis dramatischen Vorgänge auf der Grundlage der Akten im Staatsarchiv Baden-Württemberg nachvollzogen, dies auch unter dem Gesichtspunkt, dass das Aufbauwerk Erwin Heinrichs in der offiziellen Präsentation der Kunsthalle nicht gewürdigt wird.
Als Verfasser dieser Schrift bin ich insofern involviert, als ich in der Hausmeisterwohnung der Kunsthalle aufgewachsen bin, insofern ein, wenn auch damals noch jugendlicher Zeitzeuge bin.
Es wird vorgeschlagen, 2027 - hundert Jahre nach Gründung der Badischen Sezession - eine der Geschichte der Kunsthalle, ihrem Stifter Robert Engelhorn und der Generation der vergessenen Künstler gewidmete Ausstellung vorzusehen.
View lessIn recent years, several jurisdictions have lowered the voting age, with many more discussing it. Sceptics question whether young people are ready to vote, while supporters argue that allowing them to vote would increase their specific engagement with politics. To test the latter argument, we use a series of register-based surveys of over 10,000 German adolescents. Knowing the exact birthdates of our respondents, we estimate the causal effect of eligibility on their information-seeking behaviour in a regression discontinuity design. While eligible and non-eligible respondents do not differ in their fundamental political dispositions, those allowed to vote are more likely to discuss politics with their family and friends and to use a voting advice application. This effect appears to be stronger for voting age 16 than for 18. The right to vote changes behaviour. Therefore, we cannot conclude from the behaviour of ineligible citizens that they are unfit to vote.
View lessIt is unclear to what extent quantum algorithms can outperform classical algorithms for problems of combinatorial optimization. In this work, by resorting to computational learning theory and cryptographic notions, we give a fully constructive proof that quantum computers feature a super-polynomial advantage over classical computers in approximating combinatorial optimization problems. Specifically, by building on seminal work by Kearns and Valiant, we provide special instances that are hard for classical computers to approximate up to polynomial factors. Simultaneously, we give a quantum algorithm that can efficiently approximate the optimal solution within a polynomial factor. The quantum advantage in this work is ultimately borrowed from Shor’s quantum algorithm for factoring. We introduce an explicit and comprehensive end-to-end construction for the advantage bearing instances. For these instances, quantum computers have, in principle, the power to approximate combinatorial optimization solutions beyond the reach of classical efficient algorithms.
View lessAmidst tremendous changes in the worlds of work in light of digitalization, non-attachmental work designs, where individuals gain income without being bound by a fixed administrative attachment to an employer, hold promises of self-actualization along with threats of insecurity. Today’s technology boom and the consequent flexibility and uncertainty it brings into workers’ lives may translate into inspiring growth opportunities or overloading pressure, contingent upon mental health and wellbeing impacts. This paper first provides a conceptualization of the non-attachmental work designs of the 21st century, before proceeding to an extensive mapping of literature at their intersection with psychological health. This involves a machine-learning-driven review of 1094 scientific articles using topic modeling, combined with in-depth manual content analyses and inductive-deductive cycles of pattern discovery and category building. The resulting scholarly blueprint reveals several tendencies, including a prevalence of positive psychology concepts in research on work designs with high levels of autonomy and control, contrasted with narratives of disempowerment in service- and task-based work. We note that some psychological health issues are researched with respect to specific work designs but not others, for instance neurodiversity and the role of gender in ownership-based work, self-image and digital addiction in content-based work, and ratings-induced anxiety in platform-mediated task-based work. We also find a heavy representation of ‘heroic’ entrepreneurs, quantitative methods, and western contexts in addition to a surprising dearth of analyses on the roles of policy and technological interventions. The results are positioned to guide academics, decision-makers, technologists, and workers in the pursuit of healthier work designs for a more sustainable future.
View lessThis paper explores the impact of state antiquity (the length of established statehood) on capitalism. We argue that extractive institutions may prevail in societies with ancient roots and offer the in-depth analysis of one particular channel through which these institutions may impair economic growth: the finance-growth nexus. We propose that in countries with ancient statehood, the financial sector might be captured by powerful economic and political elites leading to a distorted finance-growth relationship. We build a model in which the equilibrium relationship between companies and banks depends on elites' entrenchment and the length of established statehood. To validate our argument, we run panel-threshold regressions on a global sample between 1975 and 2014. The results show that financial development—measured by the amount of credit—is indeed negative for growth in states with ancient institutional origins, while it is positive in relatively younger ones. Based on firm-level data, we also find that corruption in lending increases with antiquity.
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