A study in the pragmatics of persuasion: a game theoretical approach

A speaker wishes to persuade a listener to take a certain action. The conditions under which the request is justified, from the listener’s point of view, depend on the state of the world, which is known only to the speaker. Each state is characterized by a set of statements from which the speaker chooses. A persuasion rule specifies which statements the listener finds persuasive. We study persuasion rules that maximize the probability that the listener accepts the request if and only if it is justified, given that the speaker maximizes the probability that his request is accepted. We prove that there always exists a persuasion rule involving no randomization and that all optimal persuasion rules are ex-post optimal. We relate our analysis to the field of pragmatics.Persuasion, mechanism design, hard evidence, pragmatics

Kinematic and dynamic vortices in a thin film driven by an applied current and magnetic field

Using a Ginzburg-Landau model, we study the vortex behavior of a rectangular thin film superconductor subjected to an applied current fed into a portion of the sides and an applied magnetic field directed orthogonal to the film. Through a center manifold reduction we develop a rigorous bifurcation theory for the appearance of periodic solutions in certain parameter regimes near the normal state. The leading order dynamics yield in particular a motion law for kinematic vortices moving up and down the center line of the sample. We also present computations that reveal the co-existence and periodic evolution of kinematic and magnetic vortices

A one-dimensional model for superconductivity in a thin wire of slowly varying cross-section

Using formal asymptotics, a one–dimensional Ginzburg–Landau model describing superconductivity in a thin wire of arbitrary shape and slowly varying cross-section is derived. The model is valid for all magnetic fields and for temperatures T, such that the thickness of the wire is much less than the coherence length ξT. The model is used to calculate the normal–superconducting transition curves for closed wire loops of different cross-sections, as functions of temperature and the magnetic flux cutting the loop. This shows a periodic dependence on flux, superimposed on a parabolic background

The mixed boundary condition for the Ginzburg Landau model in thin films

The mixed boundary condition for the Ginzburg Landau model of superconductivity is considered in thin films. A simplified model is derived in the asymptotic limit of very small thickness. We also show that under certain conditions there is no nucleation of superconductivity at al

Classification of phase transitions in thin structures with small Ginzburg-Landau parameter

Thin superconducting structures are considered. We compute the limit where the thickness and the Ginzburg-Landau parameter tend simultaneously to zero with a preferred scaling. The new equations enable us to divide the parameter space into regimes of first order or second order phase transition. The results are discussed in light of recent experiments

Wide field-of-view bifocal eyeglasses

7 págs.; 4 figs.; 1 app.When vision is affected simultaneously by presbyopia and myopia or hyperopia, a solution based on eyeglasses implies a surface with either segmented focal regions (e.g. bifocal lenses) or a progressive addition profile (PALs). However, both options have the drawback of reducing the field-of-view for each power position, which restricts the natural eye-head movements of the wearer. To avoid this serious limitation we propose a new solution which is essentially a bifocal power-adjustable optical design ensuring a wide field-of-view for every viewing distance. The optical system is based on the Alvarez principle. Spherical refraction correction is considered for different eccentric gaze directions covering a field-of-view range up to 45degrees. Eye movements during convergence for near objects are included. We designed three bifocal systems. The first one provides 3 D for far vision (myopic eye) and -1 D for near vision (+2 D Addition). The second one provides a +3 D addition with 3 D for far vision. Finally the last system is an example of reading glasses with +1 D power Addition. © (2015) COPYRIGHT Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE).This work was supported by grants FIS2012-30820Peer Reviewe

Novel agents for resistant Gram-positive infections—a review

AbstractGram-positive infections have increased in recent years, particularly those that are of nosocomial origin, leading to a broad use of agents with activity against these pathogens. Concomitantly, antimicrobial resistance of these pathogens also became widespread. Among the most common Gram-positive resistant pathogens are: Streptococcus pneumoniae, resistant to penicillin and macrolides, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), glycopeptide-intermediately-resistant S. aureus (GISA), methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis, glycopeptide-resistant enterococci and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). The response of the pharmaceutical industry to this challenge was the development of new antibiotics active against these pathogens. Among these antibiotics, this review will focus on: linezolid, an oxazolidinone; GAR-936, a tetracycline derivative; daptomycin, a lipopeptide; and ortivancin (LY333328), a glycopeptide related to vancomycin. Except for linezolid, which has been recently launched in many countries, all other agents referred to in this review are still at various developmental stages. It is hoped that in the near future most of these agents will be approved and thus the grim outlook of patients infected with resistant Gram-positive bacteria may improve