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Keywords = endogenous timing game

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18 pages, 2832 KiB  
Article
Effects of Grape Seed Extract-Modified Etchants on Collagenolytic Activity, Interface Formation, and Bonding Longevity of Adhesive–Dentin Interfaces
by Viviane Hass, Xiaomei Yao and Yong Wang
Materials 2025, 18(11), 2416; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18112416 - 22 May 2025
Viewed by 502
Abstract
This study investigated the effects of acid etching with grape seed extract (GSE)-modified etchants, varying phosphoric acid (PA) concentrations, on endogenous collagenolytic activity of etched dentin, adhesive–dentin (A/D) interfacial formation, and bond strength over time. Three PA concentrations (5%, 10%, and 20%) were [...] Read more.
This study investigated the effects of acid etching with grape seed extract (GSE)-modified etchants, varying phosphoric acid (PA) concentrations, on endogenous collagenolytic activity of etched dentin, adhesive–dentin (A/D) interfacial formation, and bond strength over time. Three PA concentrations (5%, 10%, and 20%) were combined with 2% GSE (5PA/GSE, 10PA/GSE, and 20PA/GSE) and compared to a control (CT) group using 32% PA gel (3M Universal Scotchbond etchant). Seventy-four caries-free human third molars were sectioned to expose dentin surfaces, which were etched and analyzed. In situ zymography with confocal laser microscopy was used to assess endogenous collagenolytic activity in etched dentin specimens. For A/D interfacial morphology and bond strength, etched dentin was bonded with Adper Single Bond Plus adhesive (3M ESPE) and composite buildup. The interfacial morphology of A/D specimens was evaluated using either Goldner’s trichrome staining under light microscopy after microtomy sectioning or scanning electron microscopy. A/D specimens were stored in either TESCA buffer or collagenase solution and tested immediately (IM) or at multiple time points over one year using the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) test. Data were analyzed by one- or three-way ANOVA followed by Games–Howell or Tukey’s tests (α = 0.05). GSE-modified etchants significantly reduced endogenous collagenolytic activity (p < 0.05). Although GSE-modified etchants resulted in thinner A/D interfaces, the bond strength remained unaffected (p > 0.05). Bond strength stability was prolonged up to one year with 5PA/GSE and 10PA/GSE (p < 0.001), while CT or 20PA/GSE showed significant degradation by 17 weeks (p < 0.01). Storage in the more aggressive collagenase solution did not further reduce the bond strength compared to TESCA buffer (p = 0.966). Acid etching with GSE-modified etchants effectively inhibits endogenous MMP-mediated collagenolytic activity. At 5% and 10% PA, this approach enhances the stability of the A/D bond strength, offering a promising modification for dentin bonding protocols. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials for Oral Applications)
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45 pages, 1018 KiB  
Article
Stochastic Differential Game of Sustainable Allocation Strategy for Idle Emergency Supplies in Post-Disaster Management
by Lingfei Li, Jingyu Wu, Minting Zhu, Mancang Wang and Yaoyuan Li
Sustainability 2024, 16(22), 10003; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162210003 - 16 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1344
Abstract
This study aims to explore allocation strategies for idle emergency supplies in a “demander–platform–supplier” supply chain system along with government regulation during the post-disaster recovery period. Allocation of emergency supplies is a complex task that encompasses resource allocation before and after disasters. It [...] Read more.
This study aims to explore allocation strategies for idle emergency supplies in a “demander–platform–supplier” supply chain system along with government regulation during the post-disaster recovery period. Allocation of emergency supplies is a complex task that encompasses resource allocation before and after disasters. It is essential to reduce losses in disaster-stricken areas and support development during post-disaster recovery. However, there is often an excessive supply of emergency materials and a mismatch between supply and demand sides in downstream supply chains, which may lead to severe waste and difficulties in recovering surplus materials. This paper takes idle emergency resource sharing level and corporate social responsibility goodwill as endogenous variables. The allocation approaches are dynamically evaluated by incorporating random elements that influence the endogenous variables. Three stochastic differential games are introduced to examine the interactions between the players. The centralized decision-making satisfies the consistency of overall and individual rationalities at any time in the emergency material allocation process, promoting the optimal sharing levels of emergency materials and overall profits. The decentralized decision-making with cost-sharing contracts achieves local optima and increases the dual marginal effect of the emergency industry chain. This paper incorporates the sharing economy into emergency management, showing how technology-driven sharing platforms can optimize resource utilization. The results suggest introducing cost-sharing contracts between demanders and suppliers can enhance collaboration and effort, leading to better resource allocation and increased efficiency. It contributes to sustainability by promoting efficient resource utilization through idle emergency resource sharing. By optimizing allocation strategies and enhancing corporate social responsibility, the study fosters the long-term viability and resilience of the supply chain system in post-disaster management. Full article
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17 pages, 523 KiB  
Review
Neural Stem Cell Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease: A-State-of-the-Art Review
by Abdul Jalil Shah, Mohammad Younis Dar, Bisma Jan, Insha Qadir, Reyaz Hassan Mir, Jasreen Uppal, Noor Zaheer Ahmad and Mubashir Hussain Masoodi
J. Dement. Alzheimer's Dis. 2024, 1(2), 109-125; https://doi.org/10.3390/jdad1020008 - 6 Nov 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 6009
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a brain disorder that is more prevalent in developed nations and remains one of most intractable conditions so far. It is characterized by a gradual onset, a prolonged progression, and an unclear pathophysiology. At the present time, there are [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a brain disorder that is more prevalent in developed nations and remains one of most intractable conditions so far. It is characterized by a gradual onset, a prolonged progression, and an unclear pathophysiology. At the present time, there are no effective treatments available for the disease. However, human neural stem cells (hNSCs) have the capacity to substitute lost neurons in a functional manner, strengthen synaptic networks that have been compromised, and repair the damaged brain. Due to the unavailability of restorative therapeutics, there is a significant global burden on the economy. When it comes to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, NSCs provide a potentially game-changing approach to treating Alzheimer’s disease. Through the delivery of trophic factors that promote the viability and regeneration of lost neurons in experimental animals suffering from neurodegenerative disorders, these treatments have the potential to facilitate beneficial recuperation. Positive restorative outcomes may be achieved in a variety of ways, including the replacement of lost cells, the combining of cells, the secretion of neurotrophic factors, the formation of endogenous stem cells, and transdifferentiation. Conversely, there are obstacles that need to be overcome before NSC-based treatments can be used in clinical settings. This review article discusses current developments in the use of neural stem cells (NSCs) for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In addition, we highlight the difficulties and opportunities that are involved with the use of neural stem cell transplant treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Therapies for Neurodegenerative Disorders)
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28 pages, 4056 KiB  
Article
How Do “One-Time Bidding, Average Price Win” Land Auction Rules Affect Land Prices: A Quasinatural Experiment in Suzhou, China
by Duo Chai, Shunru Li and Pengyuan Zhang
Land 2024, 13(11), 1740; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13111740 - 23 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1472
Abstract
The land price reflects the supply and demand relationship in the land market and plays an important role in regulating land use. Improving land auction rules is of great significance for avoiding abnormal fluctuations in the land market and promoting the sustainable use [...] Read more.
The land price reflects the supply and demand relationship in the land market and plays an important role in regulating land use. Improving land auction rules is of great significance for avoiding abnormal fluctuations in the land market and promoting the sustainable use of land resources. To regulate the abnormal fluctuations in the state-owned land use rights’ auction prices, Chinese local governments have implemented a “sealed one-time bidding, average price wins” rule. However, limited theoretical and empirical research that assesses its policy impact exists. This study examines the policy motivations behind this rule, constructing three game models; namely, static complete information, static incomplete information, and multiperiod repeated games. By deducing bidding strategies and equilibrium results, hypotheses are formulated. A baseline difference-in-differences (DID) and a dynamic policy effect model are designed, and the Python crawler is used to obtain 1182 microland auction samples in Suzhou. This study evaluates the impact of the one-time bidding rule on the starting prices, transaction prices, and premium rates. The empirical results underwent multiple robustness tests, eliminating potential endogeneity issues and biases. The results show that while the policy is effective in restraining the premium rate, indicating the bidding intensity in single-land auctions, it proves challenging to curb the long-term rise in land prices through continuous bidding auctions. Moreover, the policy may stimulate local governments to increase auction starting prices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Commons Governance and Sustainable Land Use)
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20 pages, 2274 KiB  
Article
Optimal Timing Strategies in the Evolutionary Dynamics of Competitive Supply Chains
by Yongjae Kim
Systems 2024, 12(4), 114; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12040114 - 28 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1445
Abstract
This study investigates the dynamics of endogenous order placement timing among competing retailers within a single period, driven by the evolution of demand-forecast information. Despite the critical role of accurate market trends and demand forecasts in determining firm success during selling seasons, the [...] Read more.
This study investigates the dynamics of endogenous order placement timing among competing retailers within a single period, driven by the evolution of demand-forecast information. Despite the critical role of accurate market trends and demand forecasts in determining firm success during selling seasons, the existing literature lacks a comprehensive understanding of how firms strategically adjust their order timing with imperfect and evolving information landscapes. By leveraging resources such as predictive analytics systems operated by big data and social media, firms tend to enhance their market demand precision as the selling season approaches, aligning with market practices. With this background, we aim to address the strategic behaviors of competing retailers in timing their orders, filling the aforementioned research gap. We construct a non-cooperative game-theoretical model to analyze the strategic behaviors of competing retailers in timing their orders. The model incorporates factors such as imperfect and evolving information landscapes, considering how firms leverage resources to enhance their market demand precision as the selling season approaches. Our analysis shows two primary equilibria, each shedding light on distinct strategic choices and their implications. First, the better-informed firm decides to execute early orders, capitalizing on the first mover’s advantage, particularly when initial information imprecision exceeds a specific threshold. Conversely, a second equilibrium emerges when the better-informed firm delays its orders, yielding the first mover’s advantage to the less-informed competitor. These equilibria highlight the correlation between order timing strategies and the trajectory of information evolution within the competitive landscape. Additionally, our study extends beyond equilibrium analysis to investigate these strategic choices on supply-chain performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Supply Chain Management)
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18 pages, 373 KiB  
Article
Analyzing the Influence of Wine and Beer Drinking, Smoking, and Leisure Time Screen Viewing Activity on Body Weight: A Cross-Sectional Study in Germany
by Elena Raptou and Georgios Papastefanou
Nutrients 2021, 13(10), 3553; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13103553 - 11 Oct 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3411
Abstract
The increasing global prevalence of overweight and obesity highlights an urgent need to explore modifiable obesogenic factors. This study investigated the impact of lifestyle factors, such as beer and wine drinking, cigarette smoking, and leisure time screen viewing activities, on body weight and [...] Read more.
The increasing global prevalence of overweight and obesity highlights an urgent need to explore modifiable obesogenic factors. This study investigated the impact of lifestyle factors, such as beer and wine drinking, cigarette smoking, and leisure time screen viewing activities, on body weight and the development of obesity. Individual level data were selected from a random sample of 3471 German adults using a two-stage disproportionate random sampling procedure. The empirical analysis employed a two-stage equations system and combined the endogenous treatment effects model with the quantile regression technique. Our estimations showed that the decisions to smoke and consume wine and beer were positively interrelated, especially in women. Frequent beer/wine drinkers of normal weight were found to have a lower BMI in the male subsample. Quantile regression estimates indicated a significant influence of smoking on BMI in both genders, with smokers’ BMI following an upward trend, especially in the upper quantiles of the distribution. Leisure time screen activity was found to have a major impact on females’ BMI. Prolonged television viewing and regular computer gaming had a strong relationship with weight increase in overweight women, whereas internet surfing was inversely correlated with the BMI of normal weight and slightly overweight female participants. Nutrition and health policies should direct individuals toward alternative recreational activities in order to substitute screen usage and reduce sedentary time. This study also raised doubts about the general belief that smokers have a lower body weight. As unhealthy behaviors usually co-occur or cluster together, obesity prevention interventions might also contribute to a decrease in smoking. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Public Health)
15 pages, 362 KiB  
Article
Price Competition and Setup Cost
by Rui Ota and Hiroshi Fujiu
Mathematics 2021, 9(3), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/math9030289 - 1 Feb 2021
Viewed by 2630
Abstract
Few studies analyze the endogenous emergence of price competition in a new product market. This paper analyzes two differentiated products, an existing product and a newly introduced substitutable product, and investigates conditions under which a price competition endogenously emerges in a new product [...] Read more.
Few studies analyze the endogenous emergence of price competition in a new product market. This paper analyzes two differentiated products, an existing product and a newly introduced substitutable product, and investigates conditions under which a price competition endogenously emerges in a new product market in the context of a choice between engaging in price competition and holding price leadership. We demonstrate that Bertrand price competition emerges when the setup cost for the new product is high enough. This result implies that government policies reducing setup costs such as subsidies could change the type of competition to price leadership in a new product market. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economic Modelling: Theory, Methods and Applications)
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14 pages, 1559 KiB  
Article
Determinants of Dribbling and Passing Skills in Competitive Games of Women’s Basketball
by Tomáš Vencúrik, Jiří Nykodým, Dominik Bokůvka, Tomislav Rupčić, Damir Knjaz, Vedran Dukarić and Ivan Struhár
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(3), 1165; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18031165 - 28 Jan 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5070
Abstract
This work aimed to identify the influence of selected endogenous (internal load) and exogenous (possession duration, game quarter, and defensive pressure) factors in natural game conditions on the efficiency of dribbling and passing skills. Dribbling and passing skills were assessed during four games [...] Read more.
This work aimed to identify the influence of selected endogenous (internal load) and exogenous (possession duration, game quarter, and defensive pressure) factors in natural game conditions on the efficiency of dribbling and passing skills. Dribbling and passing skills were assessed during four games of U19 female basketball players and five games of senior (2nd division) female basketball players. In total, 551 dribbling and 914 passing executions were evaluated. Binary logistic regression identified defensive pressure of the opponent as a predictor of dribbling and passing skills effectivity. When the defensive pressure of the opponent was medium, the chances for the ineffective pass were 1.997 times more likely (95% CI; 1.179–3.383), as it is at the minimum defensive pressure. When the defensive pressure of the opponent was high, the chances for ineffective dribbling were 7.45 times more likely (95% CI; 3.672–15.113) and for ineffective pass were 8.419 times more likely (95% CI; 4.6–15.409), as it is at minimum defensive pressure. The game quarter and the internal load were not identified as the predictors influencing the dribbling and passing effectivity. Possession duration was also an insignificant predictor of dribbling and passing skills effectivity. However, the passing skill effectivity decreases when the shot clock is winding down. These findings confirm the importance of transferring game situations into the training process. Coaches should take into account these factors when they want to stimulate determinants of player performance in a balanced and systematic way. Full article
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18 pages, 893 KiB  
Article
Stochastic Bilevel Program for Optimal Coordinated Energy Trading of an EV Aggregator
by Yelena Vardanyan and Henrik Madsen
Energies 2019, 12(20), 3813; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12203813 - 9 Oct 2019
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3172
Abstract
Gradually replacing fossil-fueled vehicles in the transport sector with Electric Vehicles (EVs) may help ensure a sustainable future. With regard to the charging electric load of EVs, optimal scheduling of EV batteries, controlled by an aggregating agent, may provide flexibility and increase system [...] Read more.
Gradually replacing fossil-fueled vehicles in the transport sector with Electric Vehicles (EVs) may help ensure a sustainable future. With regard to the charging electric load of EVs, optimal scheduling of EV batteries, controlled by an aggregating agent, may provide flexibility and increase system efficiency. This work proposes a stochastic bilevel optimization problem based on the Stackelberg game to create price incentives that generate optimal trading plans for an EV aggregator in day-ahead, intra-day and real-time markets. The upper level represents the profit maximizer EV aggregator who participates in three sequential markets and is called a Stackelberg leader, while the second level represents the EV owner who aims at minimizing the EV charging cost, and who is called a Stackelberg follower. This formulation determines endogenously the profit-maximizing price levels constraint by cost-minimizing EV charging plans. To solve the proposed stochastic bilevel program, the second level is replaced by its optimality conditions. The strong duality theorem is deployed to substitute the complementary slackness condition. The final model is a stochastic convex problem which can be solved efficiently to determine the global optimality. Illustrative results are reported based on a small case with two vehicles. The numerical results rely on applying the proposed methodology to a large scale fleet of 100, 500, 1000 vehicles, which provides insights into the computational tractability of the current formulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progresses in Advanced Research on Intelligent Electric Vehicles)
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12 pages, 667 KiB  
Article
Conflict without an Apparent Cause
by Timothy Mathews and Aniruddha Bagchi
Games 2019, 10(4), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/g10040039 - 2 Oct 2019
Viewed by 4786
Abstract
A game-theoretic model of repeated interaction between two potential adversaries is analyzed to illustrate how conflict could possibly arise from rational decision-makers endogenously processing information, without any exogenous changes to the fundamentals of the environment. This occurs as a result of a convergence [...] Read more.
A game-theoretic model of repeated interaction between two potential adversaries is analyzed to illustrate how conflict could possibly arise from rational decision-makers endogenously processing information, without any exogenous changes to the fundamentals of the environment. This occurs as a result of a convergence of beliefs about the true state of the world by the two players. During each period, each adversary must decide to either stage an attack or not. Conflict ensues if either player chooses to initiate an attack. Choosing to not stage an attack in a given period reveals information to the player’s rival. Thus, over time, beliefs about the true state of the world converge. Depending upon the true state of the world, we can ultimately have either of the two adversaries initiating an attack (either with or without regret) after an arbitrarily long period of tranquility. When this happens, it is as if conflict has suddenly arisen without any apparent cause or impetus. Alternatively (again, depending upon the true state of the world), we could possibly have beliefs converge to a point where neither adversary wants to initiate conflict. Full article
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34 pages, 583 KiB  
Article
Explaining Cooperative Behavior in Public Goods Games: How Preferences and Beliefs Affect Contribution Levels
by Kurt A. Ackermann and Ryan O. Murphy
Games 2019, 10(1), 15; https://doi.org/10.3390/g10010015 - 15 Mar 2019
Cited by 32 | Viewed by 13166
Abstract
There is a large body of evidence showing that a substantial proportion of people cooperate in public goods games, even if the situation is one-shot and completely anonymous. In the present study, we bring together two major endogenous factors that are known to [...] Read more.
There is a large body of evidence showing that a substantial proportion of people cooperate in public goods games, even if the situation is one-shot and completely anonymous. In the present study, we bring together two major endogenous factors that are known to affect cooperation levels, and in so doing replicate and extend previous empirical research on public goods problems in several important ways. We measure social preferences and concurrently elicit beliefs on the individual level using multiple methods, and at multiple times during the experiment. With this rich set of predictor variables at the individual level, we test how well individual contribution decisions can be accounted for in both a one-shot and a repeated interaction. We show that when heterogeneity in people’s preferences and beliefs is taken into consideration, more than 50% of the variance in individual choice behavior can be explained. Furthermore, we show that people do not only update their beliefs in a repeated public goods game, but also that their social preferences change, to some extent, in response to the choices of other decision makers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Social Norm and Risk Attitudes)
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19 pages, 392 KiB  
Article
Price and Treatment Decisions in Epidemics: A Differential Game Approach
by Andrea Di Liddo
Mathematics 2018, 6(10), 190; https://doi.org/10.3390/math6100190 - 2 Oct 2018
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2676
Abstract
We consider a pharmaceutical company that sells a drug that is useful in the treatment of an infectious disease. A public authority buys the drug to heal at least a portion of the infected population. The authority has an overall budget for all [...] Read more.
We consider a pharmaceutical company that sells a drug that is useful in the treatment of an infectious disease. A public authority buys the drug to heal at least a portion of the infected population. The authority has an overall budget for all health care costs in the country and can only allocate a (small) part of the budget to the purchase of the drug. The government chooses the amount of drug to be purchased in order to minimize both the number of infectious people and the perceived cost of the operation along a given time horizon. This cost can be modeled through a linear or quadratic function of the monetary cost (as generally happens in the literature) or through a specific function (blow-up) that makes the budget constraint endogenous. The pharmaceutical company chooses the price of the drug in order to maximize its profit and knowing the budget constraints of the buyer. The resulting differential game is studied by supposing the simplest possible dynamics for the population. Two different games are proposed and their solutions are discussed: a cooperative game in which the two players bargain for the price of the drug and the quantity is purchased with the aim of maximizing the overall payoff and a competitive game in which the seller announces a price strategy to the buyer and binds to it; the buyer reacts by choosing the quantity to be purchased. In the case of linear or quadratic costs, the solution provided (for budget levels is not high enough) that the government spends the entire budget to purchase the drug. This drawback does not occur when the blow-up cost function is used. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mathematical Game Theory)
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