26,572 research outputs found
Credence Goods Markets with Conscientious and Selfish Experts
I study credence goods markets when there are both selfish and conscientious experts. The selfish expert is a profit maximizer. The conscientious expert wants to maximize profit and repair the consumer's problem. There are two classes of equilibria: uniform-price equilibria and nonuniform-price equilibria. A consumer cannot infer the expert's type from his price list in a uniform-price equilibrium but can do that in a nonuniform-price equilibrium. When the fraction of the conscientious expert is small, the selfish expert will be honest about the severity of the consumer's problem. When the fraction of the conscientious expert is large, the selfish expert will cheat the consumer; overcharging the consumer whenever he offers to repair the problem. Finally, more conscientious experts may result in a larger social loss. When the fraction of the conscientious expert is close to one of the two extremes, 0 and 1, more conscientious experts will result in smaller social loss. When the fraction of the conscientious expert is in a middle range, more conscientious experts may result in a larger social loss.credence goods markets; conscientious experts; selfish experts; social loss
Credence Goods Markets with Conscientious and Selfish Experts
I study credence goods markets when there are both selfish and conscientious experts. The selfish expert is a profit maximizer. The conscientious expert wants to maximize profit and repair the consumer's problem. There are two classes of equilibria: uniform-price equilibria and nonuniform-price equilibria. A consumer cannot infer the expert's type from his price list in a uniform-price equilibrium but can do that in a nonuniform-price equilibrium. When the fraction of the conscientious expert is small, the selfish expert will be honest about the severity of the consumer's problem. When the fraction of the conscientious expert is large, the selfish expert will cheat the consumer; overcharging the consumer whenever he offers to repair the problem. Finally, more conscientious experts may result in a larger social loss. When the fraction of the conscientious expert is close to one of the two extremes, 0 and 1, more conscientious experts will result in smaller social loss. When the fraction of the conscientious expert is in a middle range, more conscientious experts may result in a larger social loss.credence goods markets; conscientious experts; selfish experts; social loss
Neural Mechanism of Language
This paper is based on our previous work on neural coding. It is a
self-organized model supported by existing evidences. Firstly, we briefly
introduce this model in this paper, and then we explain the neural mechanism of
language and reasoning with it. Moreover, we find that the position of an area
determines its importance. Specifically, language relevant areas are in the
capital position of the cortical kingdom. Therefore they are closely related
with autonomous consciousness and working memories. In essence, language is a
miniature of the real world. Briefly, this paper would like to bridge the gap
between molecule mechanism of neurons and advanced functions such as language
and reasoning.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figure
A Quantitative Neural Coding Model of Sensory Memory
The coding mechanism of sensory memory on the neuron scale is one of the most
important questions in neuroscience. We have put forward a quantitative neural
network model, which is self organized, self similar, and self adaptive, just
like an ecosystem following Darwin theory. According to this model, neural
coding is a mult to one mapping from objects to neurons. And the whole cerebrum
is a real-time statistical Turing Machine, with powerful representing and
learning ability. This model can reconcile some important disputations, such
as: temporal coding versus rate based coding, grandmother cell versus
population coding, and decay theory versus interference theory. And it has also
provided explanations for some key questions such as memory consolidation,
episodic memory, consciousness, and sentiment. Philosophical significance is
indicated at last.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure
A Unified Quantitative Model of Vision and Audition
We have put forwards a unified quantitative framework of vision and audition,
based on existing data and theories. According to this model, the retina is a
feedforward network self-adaptive to inputs in a specific period. After fully
grown, cells become specialized detectors based on statistics of stimulus
history. This model has provided explanations for perception mechanisms of
colour, shape, depth and motion. Moreover, based on this ground we have put
forwards a bold conjecture that single ear can detect sound direction. This is
complementary to existing theories and has provided better explanations for
sound localization.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figure
Motor Learning Mechanism on the Neuron Scale
Based on existing data, we wish to put forward a biological model of motor
system on the neuron scale. Then we indicate its implications in statistics and
learning. Specifically, neuron firing frequency and synaptic strength are
probability estimates in essence. And the lateral inhibition also has
statistical implications. From the standpoint of learning, dendritic
competition through retrograde messengers is the foundation of conditional
reflex and grandmother cell coding. And they are the kernel mechanisms of motor
learning and sensory motor integration respectively. Finally, we compare motor
system with sensory system. In short, we would like to bridge the gap between
molecule evidences and computational models.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure
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