Generalized solution concepts in games with possibly unaware players

Most work in game theory assumes that players are perfect reasoners and have common knowledge of all significant aspects of the game. In earlier work (Halpern and Rêgo 2006, arxiv.org/abs/0704.2014), we proposed a framework for representing and analyzing games with possibly unaware players, and suggested a generalization of Nash equilibrium appropriate for games with unaware players that we called generalized Nash equilibrium. Here, we use this framework to analyze other solution concepts that have been considered in the game-theory literature, with a focus on sequential equilibrium.     

Effect of sorbitan-based surfactants on glass transition temperature of cellulose esters

Thermal behavior of mixtures composed of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), carboxymethylcellulose acetate butyrate (CMCAB), or cellulose acetate phthalate (CAPh), and sorbitan-based surfactants was investigated as a function of mixture composition by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Surfactants with three different alkyl chain lengths, namely, polyoxyethylenesorbitan monolaurate (Tween 20), polyoxyethylenesorbitan monopalmitate (Tween 40), and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate (Tween 60) were chosen. DSC measurements revealed that Tween 20, 40, and 60 act as plasticizers for CAB, CMCAB, and CAPh (except for Tween 60), leading to a dramatic reduction of glass transition temperature (T _g). The dependence of experimental T _g values on the mixture composition was compared with theoretical predictions using the Fox equation. Plasticization was strongly dependent on mixture composition, surfactant hydrophobic chain length, and type of cellulose ester functional group.     

Design of hierarchical porous aluminas by using one-pot synthesis and different calcination temperatures

Hierarchical aluminas with pore sizes ranging from a few nanometers to micrometers were obtained using an one-pot sol?Cgel synthesis. The aluminas were synthesized under acid conditions from aluminum isopropoxide in presence of poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer template and decahydronaphthalene as emulsifier agent. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, nitrogen physisorption isotherms and mercury intrusion porosimetry provided evidences of porous structure at different hierarchical levels. The produced aluminas possess hierarchical structure composed of different family of pores that coexist in form of cylinders, pyramids and stacking of platelets. The morphology observed by electron microscopy suggests that the cylindrical pores result from the stacking platelets and that the cylinders and pyramidal pores form the walls of macropores of circular section. These aluminas with hierarchical porous architecture present large surface areas (ca. 435?m² g^?1) and pore volumes (ca. 2.1?cm³ g^?1), tunable pore-size distributions and good thermal stability.     

Convenient synthesis and characterization of molecules containing multiple β-keto ester units

Three compounds containing two β-keto ester units and one containing three were obtained in good yields from sebacyl, terepthaloyl, isophthaloyl, and trimesoyl chlorides. In this one pot procedure the acid chlorides were first treated with ethyl acetoacetate and barium oxide and then with ethyl alcohol. The aliphatic ester exists mainly as keto ester with a very small amount of the enol tautomer. In the case of aromatic esters, all possible tautomers were found in considerable concentrations in deuterochloroform solution. Theoretical chemical shifts were estimated from GIAO/WP04/aug—cc-pVDZ/SCRF calculations, for a probable signal assignation for the corresponding tautomeric species. Our theoretical results are in agreement with experimental findings and account for negligible stability differences between the tautomers of each aromatic compound.     

On the topology of the double spherical pendulum

This paper studies the topology of the constant energy surfaces of the double spherical pendulum.     

Sulfur speciation by capillary zone electrophoresis: conditions for sulfite stabilization and determination in the presence of sulfate, thiosulfate and peroxodisulfate

Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) was used for the separation of the sulfur species SO₃ ^2–, SO₄ ^2–, S₂O₃ ^2– and S₂O₈ ^2–. Using an electrolyte system with 9.5 mmol L^–1 potassium chromate as UV-absorbing probe and 1 mmol L^–1 diethylenetriamine (DETA) as electroosmotic flow modifier, various possibilities for the stabilization of sulfite and electrophoretic separation of the sulfur anions were investigated. By adding 5% propanol as a stabilizer to both the working electrolyte and the sample solution, a good stabilization for sulfite and a separation of the sulfur anions in a short analysis time (4 min) was achieved. The advantages by using propanol instead of other stabilizers often used in analytical techniques are discussed. The electrophoretic separation of the sulfur anions was optimized with respect to the pH of the working electrolyte and concentration of the electroosmotic flow modifier (DETA). The detection limits achieved for SO₃ ^2–, SO₄ ^2–, S₂O₃ ^2– and S₂O₈ ^2– were 0.35, 0.25, 0.78 and 0.80 mg L^–1, respectively. Received: 16 December 1999 / Revised: 7 March 2000 / Accepted: 14 March 2000     

Effect of Wood Content on The Thermal Behavior and on The Molecular Dynamics of Wood/Plastic Composites

Summary: In the last decades, the growing environmental awareness has resulted in a renewed interest in the use of natural materials for different applications. In this context, the use of wood in plastic to obtain composites has grown significantly. In the present work, heartwood and sapwood from Angelim Pedra (Hymenolobiun petraeum) were used to prepare PVC/wood composites. To study the composites with different wood types and filler contents the molecular dynamic was investigated through low field NMR by poton spin- lattice relaxation time measurements (T₁H) and the thermal behavior was characterized by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) focusing the glass transition temperature and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) observing the changes in the thermal stability. It was found that increasing addition of wood flour (sapwood and heartwood) caused a small but progressive improvement of the decomposition temperature of the composites, whereas the glass transition temperature remains practically unchanged. In the molecular dynamic behavior, a gradual decrease in T₁H values was observed with increasing sapwood and heartwood content, indicating that the composites became less rigid. The distribution curves of the domains showed a better interaction and phase dispersion between the composite components with higher filler content.     

A Computer Simulation Insight into the Formation of Apocarotenoids: Study of the Carotenoid Oxygenases BCO1 and BCO2 and Their Interaction with Putative Substrates

Carotenoids are isoprenoid pigments, and sources of vitamin A in humans. The first metabolic pathway for their synthesis is mediated by the enzymes β,β-carotene-15,15′-dioxygenase (BCO1) and β,β-carotene-9′,10′-dioxygenase (BCO2), which cleave carotenoids into smaller compounds, called apocarotenoids. The objective of this study is to gain insight into the interaction of BCO1 and BCO2 with carotenoids, adding structural diversity and importance in the agro-food and/or health sectors. Homology modeling of BCO1 and BCO2, and the molecular dynamics of complexes with all carotenoids were performed. Interaction energy and structures were analyzed. For both enzymes, the general structure is conserved with a seven beta-sheet structure, and the β-carotene is positioned at an optimal distance from the catalytic center. Fe²⁺ forms in an octahedral coordination sphere with four perfectly conserved histidine residues. BCO1 finds stability in a structure in which the β-carotene is positioned ready for enzymatic catalysis at the 15–15′ bond, and BCO2 in positioning the bond to be cleaved (C9–C10) close to the active site. In BCO1 the carotenoids interact with only seven residues with aromatic rings, while the interaction of BCO2 is much more varied in terms of the type of interaction, with more residues of different chemical natures.     

Survey on chemical,physical, and thermal prediction behaviors for sequential chemical treatments used to obtain cellulose from Imperata Brasiliensis

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - The effects of chemical treatment sequences on the chemical, physical, and mainly the thermal properties of Imperata Brasiliensis grass in the process...