Reflected Backward Stochastic Difference Equations and Optimal Stopping Problems under g-expectation

In this paper, we study reflected backward stochastic difference equations (RBSDEs for short) with finitely many states in discrete time. The general existence and uniqueness result, as well as comparison theorems for the solutions, are established under mild assumptions. The connections between RBSDEs and optimal stopping problems are also given. Then we apply the obtained results to explore optimal stopping problems under $g$-expectation. Finally, we study the pricing of American contingent claims in our context.Comment: 29 page

An Exploration of Perceived Risk in Young Chinese Consumers' Internet Banking Services Decision Making

This thesis explores how perceived risk, which has been primarily developed in Western contexts, may help understand consumers' action in relation to the Chinese Internet banking services market. This market is new and acknowledged as having great potential, but there is insufficient information regarding potential consumers and their perceptions or decision-making. The theory of perceived risk is a key construct influencing Western consumers' decision making; whether it is applicable in the current context is unknown. A wider customer perspective is therefore important to improve both our understanding of perceived risk theory and its usefulness in the Chinese Internet banking services market. The thesis reviews the major research perspectives on perceived risk within consumer behaviour literature. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the concept itself, to identify research gaps, and also develops a research model to evaluate consumers' risk perception within the context of Chinese Internet banking services. This research is conducted through the application of a critical realist approach, utilizing mixed methods. This approach enables the research to address a main controversy in the perceived risk field by evaluating the two common measurement models. It also develops an understanding of Chinese consumers' risk perceptions and how consumers' perceptions are formed and influenced by considering a range of contextual issues. This approach highlights the importance of obtaining social and cultural meanings to understand the measurement of risk perception- this is seldom addressed in the majority of perceived risk research. Results are thoroughly analysed, compared and contrasted to relevant Western research. Perceived risk, as a construct, is meaningful in helping to understand potential Chinese Internet banking services users. The principle risk dimensions identified in this research are consistent with those detailed in Western studies. However, the underlying relationships between the risk variables are different. Such differences can be attributed to the specific The measurement of risk is best operationalised through the application of one of the commonly used models - the multiplicative. This model produces results that are more consistent with the qualitative patterns derived from the application of mixed methods research. Whilst this research advocates the use of the multiplicative model, it also contends that future researchers should evaluate both common models- as the impact of context needs to be addressed sensitively,and this would also be consistent with the application of a critical realist perspective. Further, when considering perceived risk measurement, this research has found that the application of multiple variables is useful to test validity and reliability. These two issues are seldom considered or evaluated in previous perceived risk studies. This application also lends itself to the development of greater depth in data analysis, and therefore provides a more specific perspective to understand risk perceptions through detailed measurement. Future research in perceived risk should also address risk evaluation by considering the purchase stages, as consumers risk perceptions may be influenced and subject to change at different stages. Without such an approach results generated may be misleading, and may not provide an adequate basis for understanding consumers and developing appropriate marketing strategies to meet these concerns

Mercado interno de Uluses Árticos de Sakha (Yakutia) en el Área Macro del Distrito Federal del Lejano Oriente

This study reviews and compares the market potential of two macro-areas in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in the AZRF (Arctic zone of the Russian Federation) and the FEFD (Far Eastern Federal District. Moreover, this work shows that a significant part of supply and demand in municipalities' domestic markets is concentrated in the FEFD. Until recently, the AZRF and the FEFD were not considered by the State as a single government body. Transferred powers to the Ministry of the Russian Federation for the development of the Far East and the Arctic has allowed the territory of the Arctic uluses of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) to be included in the social and economic development of the FEFD.Este estudio revisa y compara el potencial de mercado de dos macro áreas en la República de Sakha (Yakutia) en la AZRF (zona ártica de la Federación de Rusia) y el FEFD (Distrito Federal del Lejano Oriente. Además, este trabajo muestra que una parte significativa de la oferta y la demanda en los mercados internos de los municipios se concentra en el FEFD. Hasta hace poco, el Estado no consideraba al AZRF y al FEFD como un solo organismo gubernamental. Se transfirieron competencias al Ministerio de la Federación de Rusia para el desarrollo de la El Lejano Oriente y el Ártico han permitido que el territorio de los uluses árticos de la República de Sakha (Yakutia) se incluya en el desarrollo social y económico del FEFD

Mercado interno de Uluses Árticos de Sakha (Yakutia) en el Área Macro del Distrito Federal del Lejano Oriente

Este estudio revisa y compara el potencial de mercado de dos macro áreas en la República de Sakha (Yakutia) en la AZRF (zona ártica de la Federación de Rusia) y el FEFD (Distrito Federal del Lejano Oriente. Además, este trabajo muestra que una parte significativa de la oferta y la demanda en los mercados internos de los municipios seconcentra en el FEFD. Hasta hace poco, el Estado no consideraba al AZRF y al FEFD como un solo organismo gubernamental. Se transfirieron competencias al Ministerio de la Federación de Rusia para el desarrollo de la El Lejano Oriente y el Ártico han permitido que el territorio de los uluses árticos de la República de Sakha (Yakutia) se incluya en el desarrollo social y económico del FEF

¿El ciclo hidrológico o el ciclo de atención mediática? Estudio empírico de los encuadres noticiosos del AGUA en la prensa española

Este estudio se basa en los análisis de contenido de las noticias sobre el agua publicadas en la prensa española en el período de 1960-2004, con el fin de examinar la forma en que los temas hidrológicos con tradición más arraigada han incorporado temas modernos o han cedido a ellos durante los últimos 45 años de la historia. De este modo, se puede observar si se ha impulsado la agenda de nuevos temas del agua o, si se emplean encuadres peculiares para atribuir a los temas existentes ideas innovadoras

Culture Shock Hanban Teachers Encounter in American Classroom Teaching

Hanban teachers have made important contributions to the spreading of Chinese language and culture in the US. They also experience great cultural shocks during their teaching, which greatly challenge their life, work and even their physical and mental health. What are those cultural shocks? What are the causes of them? Can we find out some methods to prevent or deal with them? The present study, by employing classroom observation, interview, and self-reflection approaches, investigates the cultural shocks Hanban teachers commonly encounter during their teaching in K-12 schools in the State of Ohio, and conducts analysis of the causes of these cultural shocks from aspects of Sino-US differences in values，role definitions between teachers and students, evaluation systems, etc. The study also lists coping strategies for Hanban teachers to improve their knowledge and skills to deal with cultural shocks

Do I mean what I say and say what I mean? A cross cultural ap-proach to the use of emoticons & emojis in CMC messages

The use of emoticons and emojis among online messaging users has achieved a globalized level. This article aims at examining how certain emojis and emoticons are chosen by message senders to regular the intensity of emotions in their messages. Or, by means of using them, message senders wish to blur textual rigidity and show interaction empathy during the communication process. This study analyzes the use of these symbols and graphic elements in message exchange through CMC and SNS, where users from different culture background convey their feeling. For it, two empirical studies of a methodological design were carried out: One pilot study was intended for the research instrument validation. The second was a survey study. By testing online messaging habit, this study enabled the researchers to observe whether the senders inclined to linguistic text use only, or they preferred including an additional emoticon or emoji in their message to communicate their feelings. Results of this research show that, at a certain extent, massage senders’ different culture background could influence on their emotional expressivity level.El uso de los emojis y emoticonos entre los usuarios de mensajería online es un fenómeno global y generalizado. El presente estudio analiza las preferencias entre los usuarios de unos emojis y emoticonos sobre otros con el fin de adecuar mejor la expresión de sus mensajes con la emoción que contienen. Lo hacen así para intensificar o difuminar la rigidez textual. También, para manifestar su propia empatía durante las interacciones del proceso comunicativo. Este trabajo analiza el uso de estos símbolos y elementos gráficos en el intercambio de mensajes online por medios sociales; a través de ellos los usuarios, según su diferente procedencia cultural, van a trasmitir aquellos estados emocionales que más se sientan afectados. Para ello, se han llevado a cabo estudios empíricos basados en un diseño metodológico que consta de dos fases de investigación: Un estudio piloto para la validación del instrumento investigador y un segundo estudio basado en encuesta. Los resultados observados indican que la procedencia cultural podría influir, hasta cierto punto, en el grado de expresividad de su gente a la hora de elegir entre 1) el uso de texto verbal único, 2) los elementos de signo en el teclado, 3) la inclusión de un emoticono o, 4) un emoji facial expresivo, cuando utilizan la mensajería online de medios y redes sociales para comunicar sus sentimientos o emociones