Multi-player stopping games with redistribution of payoffs and BSDEs with oblique reflection

We examine the connections between a novel class of multi-person stopping games with redistribution of payoffs and multi-dimensional reflected BSDEs in discrete- and continuous-time frameworks. Our goal is to provide an essential extension of classic results for two-player stopping games (Dynkin games) to the multi-player framework. We show the link between certain multi-period m$m$-player stopping games and a new kind of m$m$-dimensional reflected BSDEs. The existence and uniqueness of a solution to continuous-time reflected BSDEs are established. Continuous-time redistribution games are constructed with the help of reflected BSDEs and a characterization of the value of such stopping games is provided.     

Reciprocal supply chain with intention

The traditional hypothesis of “rationality” is far from perfect. Models of fairness solely based on consequence cannot explain why the same consequence of an action is perceived and reciprocated differently. A reciprocity model which accounts for both consequence and its underlying intention is presented in this paper to illustrate the effect of intention in a traditional dyadic channel where one supplier plays a Stackelberg-like game with one retailer. This research aims to investigate how reciprocity may affect the members’ decisions and the channel’s coordination. In this study, two scenarios are discussed: (1) the retailer has a preference for reciprocity while the supplier does not and (2) both the retailer and the supplier have a preference for reciprocity. Results for acrimonious supply chain (γμ>1$\gamma \mu >1$) and harmonious supply chain (γμ?1$\gamma \mu ?1$) are analyzed. Furthermore, we derive equilibria under the two scenarios and prove the existence and the uniqueness of the equilibria. The results show that intention plays an important role in decision making of the supply chain and will significantly change the equilibria. Moreover, an acrimonious supply chain can be coordinated with a simple wholesale-price contract under certain conditions, which can never happen in a traditional channel. A harmonious supply chain, however, cannot be coordinated in any way.     

Penalty mechanism design

Penalty is a crucial approach to maintain society in order in both the legal and the political philosophies. How to establish a rational and efficient penalty mechanism is exceedingly important in practice in economics and politics and this paper explores the optimal mechanism design of penalty. A penalty under monopoly mechanism design theory is established and developed in this piece of work. By establishing the penalty mechanism design model, this paper finds that stricter punishment can efficiently deter violation of the regulations but can decrease the profits of the monopoly firm at the same time. Furthermore, penalty increases the concavity of the monopoly firm’s profit function, which makes it easier for the firm to make decisions and which means strict penalty results in optimal decisions. We also show that punishment is in general costly, which is highly consistent with the phenomena in practice.     

ON THE EXISTENCE AND UNIQUENESS OF THE SOLUTIONS OF STOCHASTIC DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH RESPECT TO SEMIMARTINGALES

Papers [1, 2] deal with the problem of the existence and uniqueness of the solutions of two different stochastic differential equations with respect to semimarting?ales. The equation discussed in this paper unifies the equations in papers [1, 2]. This paper gives us the sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of its solutions, so that the results in papers [1,2] can be obtained by theorem 1 and theorem 1; of this paper respectively.     

Surface valence states and stoichiometry of non-superconducting and superconducting FeTe films

We report the surface electronic structure and stoichiometry of FeTe films following the incorporation of oxygen by three different methods: air exposure, dry oxygen exposure and low temperature oxygen annealing. X-ray photoemission experiments show that oxygen incorporation changes the initial valence state of Fe from 0 to mainly 3+. We also observe that the Te changes valence from initially 0 to mixed 0 and 4+. The rate of valence changes is seen to depend on the method of incorporation. In addition, it is observed that the surface of the FeTe films is left in a Te deficient state following any type of exposure to oxygen.     

Generation of a Genuine Four-Atom Entangled State in Cavity QED

We present a scheme for the generation of a genuine four-atom entangled state in Cavity QED. This state has many interesting entanglement properties and wide applications in quantum information processing and fundamental tests of quantum physics. Our scheme is insensitive to both the cavity decay and the thermal field.     

Configuration and conformation of taibaihenryiin T isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phlomis umbrosa</Emphasis>

Taibaihenryiin T was isolated for the first time from Phlomis umbrosa Turcz, and its structure was elucidated on the basis of IR and NMR spectra analysis. Its molecular configuration, conformation, and crystal structure were also characterized by X-ray structure analysis. The infrequency of the C–O–O–C group is manifested in this molecular configuration, and hydrogen bonding assembles the molecules into a three-dimensional networking structure in the crystal.     

Photoinitiation mechanism of free radical photopolymerization in the presence of cyclic acetals and related compounds

The behavior of six cyclic acetals and related compounds in the photoinitiation step of a radical photopolymerization was investigated. As shown by the photopolymerization kinetic data obtained from FTIR spectroscopy, most of them are efficient coinitiators in the presence of benzophenone (BP) with efficiencies close to a reference amine coinitiator (ethyl dimethylaminobenzoate, EDB). Laser flash photolysis and ESR spin trapping technique were used to study the photochemical mechanisms of the production of initiating radicals and explain the differences in reactivity. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2010