The annular-link degree conjecture for Rudolph polynomials

Let $A(K,f)$ be a framed link, where $K$ is its underlying link and $f$ is its framing. Let $\{K,f\}$ denote the framed-link polynomial used in the source, and let $F_K$ be the Kauffman polynomial of $K$. The annular-link degree conjecture.

$$\max\deg_z\{K,f\}=2\max\deg_x F_K.$$

The paper introduces this as a variant of the Kidwell–Stoimenow conjecture that also applies to links; the supplied text gives no evidence that it has been resolved.