Pooling or Fooling? An Experiment on Signaling

This paper reports the evidence from an experiment which takes advantage of the rich informational structure of the so-called Chinos Game, a traditional parlour game played in many countries. In the experiment subjects receive a binary private signal and have to guess the sum of these signals. We compare two constant-sum versions of the Chinos Game. In one version, which we call Preemption Scenario, the first player who guesses right wins the prize. In the alternative version, called the Copycat Scenario, the last player who guesses right wins the prize. While it is straightforward to see that the Preemption Scenario has a unique and fully revealing equilibrium, in all the equilibria of the Copycat Scenario first movers optimally hide their private information. However, our experimental evidence shows that subjects \u201clie\u201d in the Copycat Scenario (i.e., systematically distort behavior relative to equilibrium play) and they are successful at doing it, despite that benefits from lying are diminishing as the game proceeds

TOI-1055 b: Neptunian planet characterised with HARPS, TESS, and CHEOPS

Context. TOI-1055 is a Sun-like star known to host a transiting Neptune-sized planet on a 17.5-day orbit (TOI-1055 b). Radial velocity (RV) analyses carried out by two independent groups using nearly the same set of HARPS spectra have provided measurements of planetary masses that differ by ∼2σ. Aims. Our aim in this work is to solve the inconsistency in the published planetary masses by significantly extending the set of HARPS RV measurements and employing a new analysis tool that is able to account and correct for stellar activity. Our further aim was to improve the precision on measurements of the planetary radius by observing two transits of the planet with the CHEOPS space telescope. Methods. We fit a skew normal function to each cross correlation function extracted from the HARPS spectra to obtain RV measurements and hyperparameters to be used for the detrending. We evaluated the correlation changes of the hyperparameters along the RV time series using the breakpoint technique. We performed a joint photometric and RV analysis using a Markov chain Monte Carlo scheme to simultaneously detrend the light curves and the RV time series. Results. We firmly detected the Keplerian signal of TOI-1055 b, deriving a planetary mass of Mb = 20.4-2.5+2.6 MO (∼12%). This value is in agreement with one of the two estimates in the literature, but it is significantly more precise. Thanks to the TESS transit light curves combined with exquisite CHEOPS photometry, we also derived a planetary radius of Rb = 3.490-0.064+0.070 RO (∼1.9%). Our mass and radius measurements imply a mean density of ρb = 2.65-0.35+0.37 g cm-3 (∼14%). We further inferred the planetary structure and found that TOI-1055 b is very likely to host a substantial gas envelope with a mass of 0.41-0.20+0.34 MO and a thickness of 1.05-0.29+0.30 RO. Conclusions. Our RV extraction combined with the breakpoint technique has played a key role in the optimal removal of stellar activity from the HARPS time series, enabling us to solve the tension in the planetary mass values published so far for TOI-1055 b

Coordination in Evolving Networks with Endogenous Decay

This paper studies an evolutionary model of network formation with endogenous decay, in which agents benefit both from direct and indirect connections. In addition to forming (costly) links, agents choose actions for a coordination game that determines the level of decay of each link. We address the issues of coordination (long-run equilibrium selection) and network formation by means of stochastic stability techniques. We find that the long-run behavior of the system depends on a fine interplay of the link cost and the trade-off between efficiency and risk-dominance

Error cascades in observational learning: An experiment on the Chinos game

The paper reports an experimental study based on a variant of the popular Chinos game, which is used as a simple but paradigmatic instance of observational learning. There are three players, arranged in sequence, each of which wins a \ufb01xed price if she manages to guess the total number of coins lying in everybody\u2019s hands. Our evidence shows that, despite the remarkable frequency of equilibrium outcomes, deviations from optimal play are also signi\ufb01cant. And when such deviations occur, we \ufb01nd that, for any given player position, the probability of a mistake is increasing in the probability of a mistake of her predecessors. This is what we call an error cascade, which we measure by evaluating the (heterogeneous) Quantal Response Equilibrium which better suits our data. We also check the robustness of our \ufb01ndings when we allow for belief heterogeneity by applying K\ufcbler and Weizs\ue4cker\u2019s (2004) cognitive frame of limited depth of reasoning

EXPERIMENTAL GAMES ON NETWORKS: UNDERPINNINGS OF BEHAVIOR AND EQUILIBRIUM SELECTION

In this paper, we describe a series of laboratory experiments that implement specific examples of a general network structure. Specifically, actions are either strategic substitutes or strategic complements, and participants have either complete or incomplete information about the structure of a random network. Since economic environments typically have a considerable degree of complementarity or substitutability, this framework applies to a wide variety of settings. We examine behavior and equilibrium selection. The degree of equilibrium play is striking, in particular with incomplete information. Behavior closely resembles the theoretical equilibrium whenever this is unique; when there are multiple equilibria, general features of networks, such as connectivity, clustering, and the degree of the players, help to predict informed behavior in the lab. People appear to be strongly attracted to maximizing aggregate payoffs (social efficiency), but there are forces that moderate this attraction: (1) people seem content with (in the aggregate) capturing only the lion's share of the efficient profits in exchange for reduced exposure to loss, and (2) uncertainty about the network structure makes it considerably more difficult to coordinate on a demanding, but efficient, equilibrium that is typically implemented with complete information

Carora cattle shows high variability at \u3b1Sl-casein

The objective of this study was to analyze the genetic variability of milk proteins of the Carora, a short-horned Bos taurus cattle breed in Venezuela and in other Southern American countries that is primarily used for milk production. A total of 184 individual milk samples were collected from Carora cattle in 5 herds in Venezuela. The milk protein genes \u3b1s1-casein (CN) (CSN1S1), \u3b2-CN (CSN2), \u3ba-CN (CSN3), and \u3b2-lactoglobulin (LGB) were typed at the protein level by isoelectrofocusing. It was necessary to further analyze CSNlSl at the DNA level by a PCR-based method to distinguish CSN1S1*G from B. Increased variation was found in particular at the CSN1S1 gene, where 4 variants were identified. The predominant variant was CSN1S1*B (frequency = 0.8). The second most common CSN1S1 variant was CSN1S1*G (0.101), followed by CSN1S1*C (0.082). Moreover, a new isoelectrofocusing pattern was identified, which may result from a novel CSN1S1 variant, named CSN1S1*I, migrating at an intermediate position between CSN1S1*B and CSN1S1*C. Six cows carried the variant at the heterozygous condition. For the other loci, predominance of CSN2*A 2 (0.764), CSN3*B (0.609), and LGB*B (0.592) was observed. Haplotype frequencies (AF) at the CSN1S1-CSN2-CSN3 complex were also estimated by taking association into account. Only 7 haplotypes showed AF values >0.05, accounting for a cumulative frequency of 0.944. The predominant haplotype was B-A2-B (frequency = 0.418), followed by B-A 2-A (0.213). The occurrence of the G variant is at a rather high frequency, which is of interest for selection within the Carora breed because of the negative association of this variant with the synthesis of the specific protein. From a cheese-making point of view, this variant is associated with improved milk-clotting parameters but is negatively associated with cheese ripening. Thus, milk protein typing should be routinely carried out in the breed, with particular emphasis on using a DNA test to detect the CSN1S*G variant. The CSN1S*G allele is likely to have descended from the Brown Swiss, which contributed to the Carora breed and also carries this allele

Dosimetric analysis of the contribution of Radionuclides Coproduced through natV(p,x)47Sc reaction route in Cyclotron Irradiation

Scandium presents different radionuclides with good imaging and therapeutic properties for the development of theranostic radiopharmaceuticals. In particular, 47Sc (t1/2= 3.35 d) has suitable features both for SPECT imaging, thanks to the 159 keV \u3b3-ray emission, and for treatment of small-size tumours, thanks to the intense \u3b2 12 emission (mean \u3b2 12 energy: 162.0 keV). Its efficacy has been demonstrated at preclinical stage, but its low availability has however limited the application of 47Sc-based radiopharmaceuticals to the clinic. Among the different proposed production routes, the natV(p,x)47Sc nuclear reaction is of particular interest, due to the low-cost and easy availability of the target material, as well as the widespread availability of medium-energy cyclotrons. However, the nuclear cross section of this reaction is quite low and small amounts of Sc radioactive contaminants are co-produced. The aim of this work is to evaluate the contribution of Sc-contaminants to the patient radiation dose

Spruce xylan/HEMA-SBA15 hybrid hydrogels as a potential scaffold for fibroblast growth and attachment

A hybrid hydrogel (GHC-SBA15) based on spruce xylan (HC), 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), and mesoporous silica (SBA15) was prepared with the intended use of fibroblast attachment and growth. Xylan was functionalized with acryloyl chloride to introduce vinyl groups and was crosslinked by radical polymerization with HEMA in presence of SBA15. Infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance confirmed the copolymerization of HEMA with xylan. Up to 20 wt.% addition, SBA15 was homogenously incorporated in the structured hydrogel network as observed by SEM. Moreover, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, small angle X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy indicated that the mesoporous SBA15 framework was maintained and that the hybrid hydrogel was a physical mixture of SBA15 with the copolymer HC/HEMA. Rheological analysis revealed that addition of 20% w/w SBA15 into hydrogel enhanced significantly the mechanical properties. In addition, we demonstrate that fibroblast L929 cells grew and spread on GHC-SBA15. Cell viability was within the expected range