A partial folk theorem for games with private learning

The payoff matrix of a finite stage game is realized randomly, and then the stage game is repeated infinitely. The distribution over states of the world (a state corresponds to a payoff matrix) is commonly known, but players do not observe nature’s choice. Over time, they can learn the state in two ways. After each round, each player observes his own realized payoff (which may be stochastic, conditional on the state), and he observes a noisy public signal of the state (whose informativeness may vary with the actions chosen). Actions are perfectly observable. The result is that for any function that maps each state to a payoff vector that is feasible and individually rational in that state, there is a sequential equilibrium in which patient players learn the realized state with arbitrary precision and achieve a payoff close to the one specified for that state. That result extends to the case where there is no public signal, but instead players receive very closely correlated private signals of the vector of realized payoffs.Repeated games, learning, folk theorem

Wage strikes in 1880s America: A test of the war of attrition model

By relating strike outcomes and durations to the value of the disputed wage change and to the cost to each side of continuing the strike, this paper tests the hypothesis that the war of attrition with asymmetric information model of strikes accurately describes the characteristics of strikes over wages in the United States in the early to middle part of the 1880s. That hypothesis is not rejected by linear, probit, or nonparametric kernel estimation. Specifically, variables that decrease a side’s cost of striking or increase its opponent’s cost are shown to increase its maximum holdout time, and vice versa, and strike duration increases with the value of the prize in dispute and with uncertainty about the outcome. Alternative game theoretic models of strikes – signaling and screening models, and models with ongoing negotiations – do not fit the data as well. We also explore why the strikes took the form of wars of attrition, and why later strikes did not. Our results have implications for modern union behavior in the face of globalization

Intergovernmental Mediation : a Technique for Successful Local Government Partnerships

Problem. Statement Local government officials are faced with ever-increasing citizens\u27 demands and unfunded Federal and State mandates while competing with neighboring governments for dwindling federal and state monies. Both of these tend to fuel intergovernmental conflicts. Research is necessary, therefore, to determine the most effective ways of addressing the alarming rate at which intergovernmental conflict is occurring in order to meet the needs of local government officials. Methodology. This study examined the relationship between local government organizations in terms of intergovernmental mediation, conflict resolution, and the sharing of revenues and resources. Data were collected from county commissioners in Ohio, township trustees, appointed local government officials, and citizens at large. Conclusion. Too few local governments employ intergovernmental mediation as a method to address conflict and intergovernmental disputes. Only 32% of those surveyed had any experience with intergovernmental mediation. In addition, many of the local government officials who employed mediation were not using a neutral third party. In examining Defiance County government’s intergovernmental mediation practices, it was discovered that intergovernmental mediation does help to reduce the potential of intergovernmental conflict In addition, there was a positive relationship between intergovernmental conflict mediation and timely solutions at a relatively low cost

A Simple Model of Optimal Hate Crime Legislation

We present a simple model of the effects of hate crime legislation. It shows that even if the direct harm to victims of hate crime is the same as for other crimes, because of other differences in the effects it may still be optimal to exert more law-enforcement effort to deter or prevent hate crime. These differences also have previously unrecognized effects on the optimal level of effort by potential hate crime victims to avoid being victimized, thus affecting the efficiency of government policies that encourage or discourage such effort. We discuss the implications of these results for optimal hate-crime policy, as well as for policy toward other similar crimes, such as terrorism.

Federal Rule of Evidence 803(3) and the Criminal Defendant: The Limits of the Hillmon Doctrine

This Note has examined the use of the common-law Hillmon doctrine and rule 803(3) in a limited context. Several approaches are available to a court that considers whether to admit a Hillmon statement. A court in a jurisdiction that still applies the common-law hearsay rule may adhere to the status quo. Ample authority exists to permit this approach. Nevertheless, because admission of a Hillmon statement risks certain inherent dangers, a common-law court should avoid a perfunctory application of the exception. Instead, the court must examine carefully each Hillmon statement to ensure that it does not prejudice the defendant\u27s right to a fair trial. Part V suggested that such an analysis includes consideration of (1) the past/future distinction; (2) the statement\u27s relevance to a material issue in the case; (3) the existence of corroborative evidence; and (4) the risk of potential prejudice. Although most courts likely will resolve these questions in favor of admissibility,the analysis provides a court bound by a jurisdictional rule through stare decisis a basis upon which to exclude certain Hillmon statements when the facts of the case warrant it. All courts must impose the Shepard limitation on Hillmon statements; both common law and rule 803(3) mandate confining the exception to statements of intention that point only toward future conduct. The continued vitality of the rule against hearsay necessitates strict compliance with this requirement

Potential in vitro competitive inhibition of Bacillus spp. strains with possible bioactive additives against a Salmonella pathogen strain via well diffusion

There were two objectives set for this research project. The first objective of this experiment was to determine potential competitive inhibition between different strains of Bacillus spp. and pathogenic bacteria. The experiment was designed to observe how effectively a probiotic (Bacillus spp.) might inhibit the growth of a pathogenic species. Probiotics are microorganisms that possess no pathogenic characteristics or effects, and can potentially be utilized to inhibit the growth of microbial pathogenic species while also boosting metabolism of the host. The method used in the experiment was well diffusion. Pathogen species Salmonella enterica serovar Muenchen (SE) and Shiga Toxin Producing Escherichia coli were isolated, cultivated and then used to inoculate individual Tryptic Soy Agar (TSA) media. After the pathogenic TSA had been incubated, they were immediately poured into empty plates, respectively. Once the media had solidified, a metal borer was used to cut three wells into the agar. Aseptic technique was observed. All wells were filled for B0 spp. and BC spp. respectively. The plates were left upright and incubated for 16 hours. After incubation, the plates were removed for observation and measurement. The second objective of this experiment was to add a bioactive molecule, propolis, to potentially enhance or limit the effectiveness of competitive inhibition the Bacillus spp. could have on the SE species. The techniques used during this experiment were similar to those used in the first, but modified to potentially produce more viable results. The results did produce some evidence of competitive inhibition. As the search for healthier and more effective means of combating the presence of pathogenic microorganisms goes on, further research should be devoted towards probiotics and bioactive compounds. Probiotics serve as a natural competitor to pathogenic species and show signs of inhibitory success, as seen in this study. More research and experiments are required to support this evidence. As for bioactive compounds, specifically propolis, they have also become renowned for their antimicrobial activity. Results from this study suggest that the bioactive molecule propolis, in small concentrations, can be used as an additive to specific probiotic species to inhibit the growth of pathogenic species