Characterization of equilibrium strategies in a class of difference games

We formulate a class of N player difference games and derive open—loop and Markov equilibria. It turns out that both types of equilibria can be characterized by a set of difference equations that describe the equilibrium dynamics. We analyze the stability properties of the difference equations that correspond to an equilibrium and find that in both the open—loop and the Markov game there is convergence towards a steady state equilibrium     

One-dimensional stochastic differential equations with generalized and singular drift

Introducing certain singularities, we generalize the class of one-dimensional stochastic differential equations with so-called generalized drift. Equations with generalized drift, well-known in the literature, possess a drift that is described by the semimartingale local time of the unknown process integrated with respect to a locally finite signed measure ν$\nu$. The generalization which we deal with can be interpreted as allowing more general set functions ν$\nu$, for example signed measures which are only σ$\sigma$-finite. However, we use a different approach to describe the singular drift. For the considered class of one-dimensional stochastic differential equations, we derive necessary and sufficient conditions for existence and uniqueness in law of solutions.     

Decomposition of Picolyl Radicals at High Temperature: A Mass Selective Threshold Photoelectron Spectroscopy Study

The reaction products of the picolyl radicals at high temperature were characterized by mass-selective threshold photoelectron spectroscopy in the gas phase. Aminomethylpyridines were pyrolyzed to initially produce picolyl radicals (m/z=92). At higher temperatures further thermal reaction products are generated in the pyrolysis reactor. All compounds were identified by mass-selected threshold photoelectron spectroscopy and several hitherto unexplored reactive molecules were characterized. The mechanism for several dissociation pathways was outlined in computations. The spectrum of m/z=91, resulting from hydrogen loss of picolyl, shows four isomers, two ethynyl pyrroles with adiabatic ionization energies (IE_ad) of 7.99 eV (2-ethynyl-1H-pyrrole) and 8.12 eV (3-ethynyl-1H-pyrrole), and two cyclopentadiene carbonitriles with IE′s of 9.14 eV (cyclopenta-1,3-diene-1-carbonitrile) and 9.25 eV (cyclopenta-1,4-diene-1-carbonitrile). A second consecutive hydrogen loss forms the cyanocyclopentadienyl radical with IE′s of 9.07 eV (T₀) and 9.21 eV (S₁). This compound dissociates further to acetylene and the cyanopropynyl radical (IE=9.35 eV). Furthermore, the cyclopentadienyl radical, penta-1,3-diyne, cyclopentadiene and propargyl were identified in the spectra. Computations indicate that dissociation of picolyl proceeds initially via a resonance-stabilized seven-membered ring.     

K-Carrageenan Stimulates Pre-Osteoblast Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation: A Potential Factor for the Promotion of Bone Regeneration?

Current cell-based bone tissue regeneration strategies cannot cover large bone defects. K-carrageenan is a highly hydrophilic and biocompatible seaweed-derived sulfated polysaccharide, that has been proposed as a promising candidate for tissue engineering applications. Whether κ-carrageenan can be used to enhance bone regeneration is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether κ-carrageenan has osteogenic potential by testing its effect on pre-osteoblast proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in vitro. Treatment with κ-carrageenan (0.5 and 2 mg/mL) increased both MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast adhesion and spreading at 1 h. K-carrageenan (0.125–2 mg/mL) dose-dependently increased pre-osteoblast proliferation and metabolic activity, with a maximum effect at 2 mg/mL at day three. K-carrageenan (0.5 and 2 mg/mL) increased osteogenic differentiation, as shown by enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity (1.8-fold increase at 2 mg/mL) at day four, and matrix mineralization (6.2-fold increase at 2 mg/mL) at day 21. K-carrageenan enhanced osteogenic gene expression (Opn, Dmp1, and Mepe) at day 14 and 21. In conclusion, κ-carrageenan promoted MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast adhesion and spreading, metabolic activity, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation, suggesting that κ-carrageenan is a potential osteogenic inductive factor for clinical application to enhance bone regeneration.     

Laser ultrasonic receivers based on organic photorefractive polymer composites

We present two laser ultrasonic receivers based on organic photorefractive polymer composites with 2-[4-bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminobenzylidene]malononitrile (AODCST) or 2-dicyanomethylen-3-cyano-5,5-dimethyl-4-(4′-dihexylaminophenyl)-2,5-dihydrofuran nonlinear optical chromophores. Experimental results show sensitivities of the ultrasonic receivers of ~9.5 × 10^?8 nm (W/Hz)^0.5 for both composites, and a faster response time (~60 ms) for the AODCST-based laser ultrasonic receiver. We show that such LUS detectors are highly suitable for contactless thickness measurements of aluminum, steel sheets and defect detection with an accuracy of 100 μm.