Power Measures and Solutions for Games Under Precedence Constraints

Games under precedence constraints model situations, where players in a cooperative transferable utility game belong to some hierarchical structure, which is represented by an acyclic digraph (partial order). In this paper, we introduce the class of precedence power solutions for games under precedence constraints. These solutions are obtained by allocating the dividends in the game proportional to some power measure for acyclic digraphs. We show that all these solutions satisfy the desirable axiom of irrelevant player independence, which establishes that the payoffs assigned to relevant players are not affected by the presence of irrelevant players. We axiomatize these precedence power solutions using irrelevant player independence and an axiom that uses a digraph power measure. We give special attention to the hierarchical solution, which applies the hierarchical measure. We argue how this solution is related to the known precedence Shapley value, which does not satisfy irrelevant player independence, and thus is not a precedence power solution. We also axiomatize the hierarchical measure as a digraph power measure.     

Abadie Constraint Qualifications for Convex Constraint Systems and Applications to Calmness Property

In this paper, we mainly study concepts of Abadie constraint qualification and strong Abadie constraint qualification for a convex constraint system defined by a closed convex multifunction and a closed convex subset. These concepts can cover Abadie constraint qualifications for the feasible region of convex optimization problem and the convex multifunction. Several characterizations for these Abadie constraint qualifications are also provided. As applications, we use these Abadie constraint qualifications to characterize calmness properties of the convex constraint system.     

Reflected Brownian Motion in a Convex Polyhedral Cone: Tail Estimates for the Stationary Distribution

Consider a multidimensional obliquely reflected Brownian motion in the positive orthant, or, more generally, in a convex polyhedral cone. We find sufficient conditions for existence of a stationary distribution and convergence to this distribution at an exponential rate, as time goes to infinity, complementing the results of Dupuis and Williams (Ann Probab 22(2):680–702, 1994) and Atar et al. (Ann Probab 29(2):979–1000, 2001). We also prove that certain exponential moments for this distribution are finite, thus providing a tail estimate for this distribution. Finally, we apply these results to systems of rank-based competing Brownian particles, introduced in Banner et al. (Ann Appl Probab 15(4):2296–2330, 2005).     

Compositional and electrical properties of Cr,Nb, Cr/Nb,CrNbN, and CrN/NbN multilayers grown using the d.c. magnetron sputtering technique

Cr, Nb, Cr/Nb, CrN_x, NbN_x, CrNbN, and (CrN/NbN)_n structures were produced on Si and glass substrates, using the d.c. magnetron sputtering technique. Compositional analysis, based on binding energies of Cr, Nb, and N, was carried out by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Through Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), depth profiles were obtained, allowing to demonstrate the multilayers production. Surface morphological characteristics, as roughness and grain size, were evaluated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), revealing very smooth surfaces, that is a consequence of the deposition parameters used in the synthetization experiments. Finally, for different configurations, conductivity measurements were carried out, revealing the influence of nitrogen content and temperature on electron transport. It was found that substoichiometric nitrides (CrN_0.35 and NbN_0.12) exhibited the highest conductivity, because the nitrogen atoms act as donor of electrons.     

Optical Properties of Fullerenated Poly(epoxy propyl carbazole)

Sincethedevelopmentofmethodslformassproductionoffullerenes,therehasbeengTeatinterestinit-Manyresearchgroups'havepaidgreatattentiontothefiJllerene-dopedpolymersinceWang'discoveredinl992thatfullerene-dopedPVKhasanapparentlyincreasingphotoconductivity.WehavereportedthechendcalattachmentofCcocagestothecarbazolegroupsonpoly(epoxypropylcarbazole)(PEPC)chainsbyFriedel-Craftstypereaction'.Here,theopticalpropertiesoffullerenatedPEPCwereinvestigated,whichwillshowitsgoodphotoconductivepropeFtiesbe…     

Effect of the alkylaluminum cocatalyst on ethylene polymerization by a nickel–diimine complex

Different chlorine-free alkylaluminum compounds were active cocatalysts for ethylene polymerization in the presence of 1,4-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-acenaphthenediimine-dichloronickel (II) (1). The combination of 1 with trimethylaluminum or triisobutylaluminum produced catalytically active species that polymerized ethylene with productivities up to 469 kg_polymer/(mol_Ni · h). The activity of the catalytic system and the properties of the polymeric materials were influenced strongly by the reaction temperature. The polymers had a high molecular weight (up to 642 × 10³ g · mol⁻¹), and the molecular weight increased with the reaction time. The polyethylenes were branched, and the branching could be modulated by the proper choice of reaction parameters. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4656–4663, 1999     

Self‐Sufficient Formaldehyde‐to‐Methanol Conversion by Organometallic Formaldehyde Dismutase Mimic

The catalytic networks of methylotrophic organisms, featuring redox enzymes for the activation of one‐carbon moieties, can serve as great inspiration in the development of novel homogeneously catalyzed pathways for the interconversion of C₁ molecules at ambient conditions. An imidazolium‐tagged arene–ruthenium complex was identified as an effective functional mimic of the bacterial formaldehyde dismutase, which provides a new and highly selective route for the conversion of formaldehyde to methanol in absence of any external reducing agents. Moreover, secondary amines are reductively methylated by the organometallic dismutase mimic in a redox self‐sufficient manner with formaldehyde acting both as carbon source and reducing agent.     

Effect of Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria Associated with Halophytic Weed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Psoralea corylifolia</Emphasis> L) on Germination and Seedling Growth of Wheat Under Saline Conditions

Halotolerant bacteria associated with Psoralea corylifolia L., a luxuriantly growing annual weed in salinity-affected semi-arid regions of western Maharashtra, India were evaluated for their plant growth-promoting activity in wheat. A total of 79 bacteria associated with different parts viz., root, shoot and nodule endophytes, rhizosphere, rhizoplane, and leaf epiphytes, were isolated and grouped based on their habitat. Twelve bacteria isolated for their potential in plant growth promotion were further selected for in vitro studies. Molecular identification showed the presence of the genera Bacillus, Pantoea, Marinobacterium, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, and Sinorhizobium (LC027447-53; LC027455; LC027457, LC027459, and LC128410). The phylogenetic studies along with carbon source utilization profiles using the Biolog® indicated the presence of novel species and the in planta studies revealed promising results under salinity stress. Whereas the nodule endophytes had minute plant growth-promoting (PGP) activity, the cell free culture filtrates of these strains enhanced seed germination of wheat (Triticum aestivum L). The maximum vigor index was monitored in isolate Y7 (Enterobacter sp strain NIASMVII). Indole acetic acid (IAA) production by the isolates ranged between 0.22 and 25.58 μg mL^?1. This signifies the need of exploration of their individual metabolites for developing next-generation bio-inoculants through co-inoculation with other compatible microbes. This study has potential in utilization of the weed-associated microbiome in terms of alleviation of salinity stress in crop plants.     

Determination of zearalenone with a glassy carbon electrode modified with nanocomposite consisting of palladium nanoparticles and a conductive polymeric ionic liquid

A glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with polymeric nanocomposite consisting of palladium nanoparticles and a conductive polymeric ionic liquid was prepared. The modified GCE was applied to sensitive and fairly selective electrochemical determination of the mycotoxin zearalenone. Electrocatalytic oxidation is performed in a solution containing 20 % (V/V) acetonitrile and 80 % (V/V) of 1 M perchloric acid. Cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry revealed a well-defined electrocatalytic peak current at overpotential of +0.69 V versus Ag/AgCl. Under optimized experimental conditions, there is a linear relationship between anodic peak current and zearalenone concentration in the range from 0.03 to 35 ng?mL￣¹, and the detection limit is 0.01 ng?mL￣¹. The method was successfully applied to the analysis of zearalenone in spiked food samples and gave recoveries between 95.6 and 104.0 %.

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Graphical abstract The nanocomposite (PdVC-PIL) was prepared by polymerization of ionic liquid monomer (PIL) in presence of Pd nanoparticles on Vulcan XC-72R carbon (PdVC). The solution containing nanocomposite was placed on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The voltammetry activity of modified electrode (PdVC-PIL/GCE) was compared to a bare GCE for zearalenone determination.