1,543 research outputs found
Conflict and Uncertainty: A Dynamic Approach
Most of the conflict theory papers have used a one-shot game set-up. This does not correspond to reality and is certainly incapable of modeling real conflict situations. We propose a dynamic model with N-agents in an infinite time frame which allow us to adequately analyze conflicts. The dynamic aspects of the conflict come at least from two sources: first, the preferences on the good in dispute are not static; second, agentsin conflict can influence the future of the conflict by making investment in conflict's technology. We use a simple deterministic rule that defines the evolution of the subjective valuation for the good in dispute according to the results obtained by the agents in the recent past. During each period the realization of stochastic variables of the nature's states induces uncertainty in the game. The model is a theoretical approach that can be applied to evaluate the role of uncertainty and valuations' evolution on the optimal choices of forward-looking economic agents that seek to appropriate a share of a divisible resource.Conflict Theory, Dynamic Economic Model, Uncertainty
Strategic Behaviour, Resource Valuation and Competition in Electricity Markets
By means of a suitable Bayesian game we study spot electricity markets from a structural point of view. We address the problem of individual and aggregate eficciency and we show how to value water from market observables. We compare the former to engineering methods and apply our methodology to Colombian spot electricity market. Our results show that big gas and small hydro plants overbid, resources are undervalued by engineering costs and aggregate costs would have been considerably smaller if agents had played optimally. Revealed costs show a substantial gain in eficciency in the Vickrey auction compared to the actual uniform auction.Multi-unit auctions, Oligopoly, electricity markets
Identities For Homogeneous Utility Functions
Using a homogeneous and continuous utility function that represents a household's preferences, this paper proves explicit identities between most of the different objects that arise from the utility maximization and the expenditure minimization problems. The paper also outlines the homogeneity properties of each object. Finally, we show explicit algebraic ways to go from the indirect utility function to the expenditure function and from the Marshallian demand to the Hicksian demand and vice versa, without the need of any other function, thus simplifying the integrability problem avoiding the use of differential equations.Identities, homogeneous utility functions and household theory.
The role of personal involvement and responsibility in dictatorial allocations: A classroom experiment
Paper was revised on 2009-11-11.-- Published as article in: Rationality and Society (2009), 21(2), 1-24.fairness, dictator game, moral cost
A Note on Unparticle Decays
The coupling of an unparticle operator O_U to Standard Model particles opens
up the possibility of unparticle decays into standard model fields. We study
this issue by analyzing the pole structure (and spectral function) of the
unparticle propagator, corrected to account for one-loop polarization effects
from virtual SM particles. We find that the propagator of a scalar unparticle
(of scaling dimension 1 < d_U < 2) with a mass gap m_g develops an isolated
pole, m_p^2-i m_p Gamma_p, with m_p^2 < m_g^2 below the unparticle continuum
that extends above m_g (showing that the theory would be unstable without a
mass gap). If that pole lies below the threshold for decay into two standard
model particles the pole corresponds to a stable unparticle state (and its
width Gamma_p is zero). For m_p^2 above threshold the width is non zero and
related to the unparticle decay rate into Standard Model particles. This
picture is valid for any value of d_U in the considered range.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figure
Ruthenium molecular complexes immobilized on graphene as active catalysts for the synthesis of carboxylic acids from alcohol dehydrogenation
Ruthenium complexes containing N-heterocyclic carbene ligands functionalized
with different polyaromatic groups (pentafluorophenyl, anthracene, and pyrene) are
immobilized onto the surface of reduced graphene oxide. The hybrid materials composed of
organometallic complexes and graphene are obtained in a single-step process. The hybrid
materials are efficient catalysts for the synthesis of carboxylic acids from the dehydrogenation
of alcohols in aqueous media. The catalytic materials can be recycled up to ten times without
significant loss of activity. The catalytic activity of the pyrene derivative, Pyr-Ru (3) is enhanced
when the ruthenium complex is anchored onto the surface of graphene. The carbonaceous
material limits the degradation of the ruthenium complex resulting in increased activity and
requiring lower catalyst loadings. The catalytic process of the pyrene hybrid material is
heterogeneous in nature due to the strong interaction between the pyrene and graphene. The
catalytic process of the anthracene and pentafluorophenyl hybrid materials is governed by the
so-called ‘boomerang effect’. The ruthenium molecular complex is released from and returned
to the graphene surface during the catalytic reaction. Mechanistic insight has been obtained
experimentally and theoretically. The energy profile suggests that the rate-determining step is the water nucleophilic attack to a coordinated aldehyde complex to form a gem-diolate
complex.The authors thank the financial support from MINECO (CTQ2015-69153-C2-2-R and CTQ2015-
67461-P), Generalitat Valenciana (AICO/2015/039), Universitat Jaume I (P1.1B2015-09) and
Universidad de Zaragoza (UZ2014-CIE-01)
Do experimental subjects favor their friends?
Ideally we would like subjects of experiments to be perfect strangers so that the situation they face at the lab is not just part of a long run interaction. Unfortunately, it is not easy to reach those conditions and experimenters try to mitigate any effects from those out-of-the-lab relationships by, for instance, randomly matching subjects. However, even if this type of procedure is used, there is a positive probability that a subject may face a friend or an acquaintance. We find evidence that social proximity between subjects is irrelevant to experiment results in dictator games. Thus, although ideal conditions are not met, relations between subjects do not contaminate the results of experiments.friendship effect, dictator game, experimental procedures, fairness
La revisión sistemática de la relación indirecta entre la pertenencia social frustrada y la sensación de ser una carga en el suicidio
Joiner's Interpersonal-Psychological Theory of Suicide (IPTS) considers the interpersonal variables of low social belonging and the perception of being a burden on others as drivers of suicidal ideation. This study has sought to review the empirical evidence on this prediction. In all, 40 studies were found. The findings report a major mediator and moderator role of perceived burdensomeness (PB) and thwarted belongingness (TB) in the relationship between the propensity toward suicide and psychological, social, and environmental factors. As the theory predicts, expecting to find that the interaction of both of these variables would be more closely linked to suicidal ideation, this does not appear to have been fully supported, generally finding a greater significance when they were integrated into separate models. It seems that attributing other forms of relationship with suicide for the variables identified by Joiner would provide IPTS with greater empirical support.La teoría interpersonal psicológica del suicidio de Joiner considera las variables interpersonales de baja pertenencia social y la
percepción de ser una carga para los demás como impulsores de la ideación suicida. Este estudio revisa la evidencia empírica
sobre esta predicción. En total, se han encontrado 40 estudios. Los hallazgos descubren un importante papel mediador
y moderador de la carga percibida y la pertenencia frustrada en la relación entre la propensión al suicidio y los factores
psicológicos, sociales y ambientales. Como predice la teoría, esperando encontrar que la interacción de ambas variables
estaría más estrechamente ligada a la ideación suicida, esto no parece haber sido totalmente respaldado, encontrando
generalmente una mayor significación cuando estas se integraron en modelos separados. Parece que atribuir otras formas
de relación con el suicidio para las variables identificadas por Joiner proporcionaría a la teoría interpersonal psicológica del suicidio un mayor apoyo empíric
Catalytic Dehydrogenative Coupling of Hydrosilanes with Alcohols for the Production of Hydrogen On-demand: Application of a Silane/Alcohol Pair as a Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier
The compound [Ru(p-cym)(Cl)2(NHC)] is an effective catalyst for the room-temperature coupling of silanes and alcohols with the concomitant formation of molecular hydrogen. High catalyst activity is observed for a variety of substrates affording quantitative yields in minutes at room temperature and with a catalyst loading as low as 0.1 mol %. The coupling reaction is thermodynamically and, in the presence of a Ru complex, kinetically favourable and allows rapid molecular hydrogen generation on-demand at room temperature, under air, and without any additive. The pair silane/alcohol is a potential liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) for energy storage over long periods in a safe and secure way. Silanes and alcohols are non-toxic compounds and do not require special handling precautions such as high pressure or an inert atmosphere. These properties enhance the practical applications of the pair silane/alcohol as a good LOHC in the automotive industry. The variety and availability of silanes and alcohols permits a pair combination that fulfils the requirements for developing an efficient LOHC
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