Achievement Of Consensus Research Articles

A nonlinear Perron–Frobenius approach for stability and consensus of discrete-time multi-agent systems

In this paper we propose a novel method to study stability and, in addition, convergence to a consensus state for a class of discrete-time Multi-Agent System (MAS) where agents evolve with nonlinear dynamics, possibly different for each agent (heterogeneous local interaction rules). In particular, we focus on a class of discrete-time MASs whose global dynamics can be represented by positive, sub-homogeneous and type-K order-preserving nonlinear maps. This paper generalizes results that apply to linear MASs to the nonlinear case by exploiting nonlinear Perron–Frobenius theory. We provide sufficient conditions on the structure of the nonlinear local interaction rules to guarantee stability of a MAS and an additional condition on the topology of the network ensuring the achievement of consensus as a particular case. Two examples are provided to corroborate the theoretical analysis. In the first one we consider a susceptible–infected–susceptible (SIS) model while in the second we consider a novel protocol to solve the max-consensus problem.

Collaborative workshop and community participation: A new approach to urban regeneration in China

Public participation has been widely playing a very critical role in facilitating urban regeneration. However, the public frequently lacks a channel to participate in urban regeneration practices in developing countries in China, the government is paying more attention to public participation in urban regeneration, and the public is also concerning the participation for their interests. By taking Shenjing village in Guangzhou, China as a case study, this study develops a community participation model and a collaborative workshop toolbox; analyzes how multiple stakeholders are unutilized through a collaborative workshop to participate in decision-making; explores how collaborative workshop was successfully carried out in the achievement of consensus; and argues the need for a new planning scheme. The roles played by the government and planners are changing and become the catalysts for community participation. As a combination of top-down and bottom-up methods, the collaborative workshop is a useful model for community participation in urban regeneration, which promotes the co-action of the government and the public through consultation and negotiation. The collaborative workshop ensures the appeal of stakeholders' interests and the equal allocation of resources. Also, a supplementary planning system is necessary for promoting community planners for China and other developing countries.

Resilient Cooperative Source Seeking of Double-Integrator Multi-Robot Systems Under Deception Attacks

The resilient cooperative source seeking problem of double-integrator multi-robot systems under d-local deception attacks is investigated. In this article, we first propose a resilient cooperative control algorithm and present a necessary and sufficient condition for its achievement of resilient consensus. Then, through applying the particle swarm optimization algorithm to the resilient cooperative control algorithm, a resilient cooperative source seeking algorithm is proposed. We show that this algorithm can solve the source seeking problems under d-local deception attacks with an additional potential of addressing the multiple local extrema case. Finally, the feasibility of the proposed algorithms is illustrated by simulation and experimental results.

Economic Policy, Social Identity and Social Consensus

The paper discusses neoliberalism’s success in the achievement of consensus despite its negative consequences in terms of growth performance, income distribution and overall precarious living conditions. It contends that there is more to the issue than ideology. Its main contention is that (neoliberal) policy feeds back on how people view the economy, society and themselves. It changes the way they self-identify and their salient identities. It ultimately affects how voters choose policy makers. Over the past decades this process reinforced social consensus for neoliberal policies even though those policies did not make people better off. Contrary to idealized views of democracy, it reflected a reduction of the capabilities that should allow people to choose how to conduct their lives. From a methodological perspective, this suggests that economic policy does not consist in the mere application of theory to reality, in that policy goals depend on an envisaged future that theory helps to understand but cannot fully systematize. From a policy perspective, it calls for a more active role of intermediate collective agents in the determination of those goals.

General Patterns and National Features of the Identity Formation in the Post-Soviet Space: the Experience of Moldova

The article discusses the processes of searching for the national identity of the Republic of Moldova during the post-communist transit. The conditions in which the reforms took place in the country and the factors that influenced the directions and priorities of the development of Moldavian society are analyzed. It is shown that the processes of the formation of a political nation in the Republic proceeded in an environment of socio-political crises and conflicts, fluctuations in domestic and foreign policy and had a non-linear wave-like character. The search for national identity in Moldova was accompanied by the emergence of ideological, political and value splits in the political elite and among the masses of Moldavian society, which intensified and softened with a certain frequency. It is stated that the Republic of Moldova is practically the only country in Europe where identification differences were a determining factor in the polarization of political forces, and identity conflicts became a significant factor in political mobilization. It is noted that the incompleteness of the process of national self-identification in Moldova is largely determined by external factors, as a result of which the state acts as an object of influence of more significant subjects of international politics. It is concluded that although the political system of the Republic of Moldova supports the existence of democratic trends, the achievement of value consensus through the creation of a broad dialogue in the public space and general civil discourse remains an urgent task for the national elites.
 The experience of the political transit of the Republic of Moldova has confirmed the fact that during the formation of political nations there are frequent cases when the confrontation of symbols, meanings and historical dates does not occur between different states, but takes place within society itself. Moldova has become a classic example of an identification split that divides the country into East and West, North and South, whose residents appeal to different versions of national history.

What guides information consensus Approaching the reduction of equivocality in process innovations

This study investigates the achievement of information consensus and the reduction of equivocality in process innovations. Drawing on the operations management literature, a new framework to guide information consensus in the reduction of equivocality in process innovations is proposed. The analysis is based on a real-time case study in the heavy vehicle industry. The results show that information consensus is not achieved by a single event, but active work towards this goal is necessary, and a clear set of pre-requisites is needed for achieving information consensus. The concepts of strategic objective, decision areas, and external and internal fit are identified as pre-requisites for achieving information consensus about the purpose, characteristics, and functionalities of process innovations. [Submitted 28 February 2018; Accepted 18 March 2019]

Asynchronous Consensus Dynamics for Group of High-Order Agents Under Switching Topologies and Time-Varying Delays

This paper investigates the consensus problem of high-order multi-agent systems (MASs) under multiple communication constraints, including asynchronous communication, arbitrary switching topologies and time-varying delays. In the scenario of asynchronous communication, each agent only receives its neighbors’ states information at the time instants when it needs to adjust the state. For each agent, an distributed control protocol involving its own all-order state information and its neighbors’ first-order delayed state information is designed. With the help of state vector transformation technology, the high-order consensus problem under multiple communication constraints can be equivalently transformed into a convergence problem of products of nonnegative matrices. The related knowledge of nonnegative matrix theory is used to solve this convergence problem, and further establish a sufficient algebraic condition of achieving high-order consensus. Finally, the achievement of high-order consensus is demonstrated through a numerical example.

What guides information consensus Approaching the reduction of equivocality in process innovations

This study investigates the achievement of information consensus and the reduction of equivocality in process innovations. Drawing on the operations management literature, a new framework to guide information consensus in the reduction of equivocality in process innovations is proposed. The analysis is based on a real-time case study in the heavy vehicle industry. The results show that information consensus is not achieved by a single event, but active work towards this goal is necessary, and a clear set of pre-requisites is needed for achieving information consensus. The concepts of strategic objective, decision areas, and external and internal fit are identified as pre-requisites for achieving information consensus about the purpose, characteristics, and functionalities of process innovations. [Submitted 28 February 2018; Accepted 18 March 2019]

Decentralization in Ukraine: Problems, Ways to Solve them

Decentralization that began in 2014 had positively to influence on economic development of country, corresponding reforms – to envisage the redistribution of plenary powers and functions between a center and local authorities, change of administrative-territorial device. But all questions are decided not, but some are even not clearly regulated, that is why this problem is actual, needs certain researches and stipulates the necessity of development and introduction of urgent anti-crisis events, including corresponding suggestions in relation to continuation of decentralization of power taking into account world experience. There are certain problems that brake decentralization. In particular, the actual is remained by a skilled problem, also extremely need to modernisation of industry of country in the conditions of decentralization of power. Decentralization of public management remains actual in Europe and to this time. Lately the reforms sent to the further redistribution of state plenary powers in already decentralizing countries are conducted in European Union. Europe now balances between decentralization and recentralization. In recent year scientists began to pay attention organization of public power in the countries of Asia, especially in those countries that showed successes with the economic development. A basic accent in alteration of economy of these countries was done not on decentralization of power, but on: industrialization on the basis of the newest scientific and technical achievements with an orientation to the foreign market, general availability and high level of education in a country and maximal use of foreign capital. Ukraine on the second stage of decentralization needs to take into account not only experience of Europe but also countries of Asia, also it follows to define optimal distribution of plenary powers between the branches of power for maximally effective work of organs of local self-government in relation to socio-economic development of territories. Local and regional authorities must be attracted in the process of making decision as an equal in rights partner for the achievement of consensus and providing of quality standard of living of their habitants.

Semi-Culture Phenomenon: Linguo-Communicative Aspect

Introduction. At present, there is no doubt that during its historical development, different communities interact with one another or another, which necessarily implies parallelism of language contacts. Modern globalization processes require individuals to adapt to a rapidly changing socio-cultural environment, which implies the ability to interpret cultural phenomena in different linguistic and cultural contexts. Particular attention should be paid to the analysis of the communicative competence of the "interpreter", whose view on culture, its phenomena and forms of being determines the depth of understanding of historical realities and current practices. The aim is to analyze the phenomenon of semi-language as a negative consequence of cultural interference. The tasks are: 1) to characterize the situation of semi-language as an inconsistency or the imposition of one code of one language system on another in terms of intercultural communication; 2) to investigate the peculiarities of the loss of linguistic normality at the macro- and micro- levels. Research methods used in the article, reflect its interdisciplinary character. Research methods include proper linguistic and philosophical methods of analysis. The system-cultural, typological approaches are used in the research. Research results: analysis of the linguistic situation in modern society suggests that no bilingual bearer can have absolutely equal experience of contact with different linguistic groups, because, using certain words, he cannot control the social context. Semi-culture, as we understand it here, is a conflict situation in which the individual finds himself as a result of breaking the tradition. In favorable circumstances, a "semi-cultural" situation is temporal, and in unfavorable circumstances, it becomes a permanent factor, which can lead an individual to become a semi-linguistic one. Semi-language is the inability of an individual who has grown up in a bilingual environment to express his or her thoughts clearly in any language, to adhere to linguistic norms. Insufficient language development is not the only one that threatens the individual in the context of forced bilingualism. The specificity of voluntare (based on contract, consensus, dialogue) communication implies a reflexive interconnection of its subjects. Discussion. The lack of linguistic communication competence of native speakers undermines the rational form of organization of public space, which presupposes the achievement of public consensus. The extent to which the peoples are able to cope with this task is a serious question. Conclusion. Analysis of intercultural communication suggests that differences in culture and language of social groups in contact give rise to the phenomenon of semi-culture as a state of forced existence of personality in two cultures. The functioning of a semi-culture generates a semi-language with the rejection of stylistic, etiquette, etc. norms of differentiation of codes of different language systems. Micro-level code mixing manifests itself in the loss of the linguistic-communicative register, which is easily accessible to the developed "linguistic personality". Macro-level integration processes under half-life conditions lead to the formation of a reduced rather than a single and enriched culture. Semi-formalism in the formal presence of democratic institutions counteracts dialogue practices as the most cooperative form of communicative interaction based on reflective role-sharing.

Event-Triggered Consensus of Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Multiagent Systems With Jointly Connected Switching Topologies.

This paper investigates the distributed event-based consensus problem of switching networks satisfying the jointly connected condition. Both the state consensus of homogeneous linear networks and the output consensus of heterogeneous networks are studied. Two kinds of event-based protocols based on local sampled information are designed, without the need to solve any matrix equation or inequality. Theoretical analysis indicates that the proposed event-based protocols guarantee the achievement of consensus and the exclusion of Zeno behaviors for jointly connected undirected switching graphs. These protocols, relying on no global knowledge of the network topology and independent of switching rules, can be devised and utilized in a completely distributed manner. They are able to avoid continuous information exchanges for either controllers' updating or triggering functions' monitoring, which ensures the feasibility of the presented protocols.

Couple-Group Consensus for Cooperative-Competitive Heterogeneous Multiagent Systems: Hybrid Adaptive and Pinning Methods

In this article, the problem of couple-group consensus for the heterogeneous multiagent systems (MASs) composed of first-order and second-order agents are investigated by hybrid pinning and adaptive control methods, respectively. A novel distributed control protocol of group consensus is proposed via the cooperative-competitive relationship between the agents. Based on algebraic graph theory, matrix analysis and Lyapunov stability theorem, the sufficient conditions and corresponding pinning strategies for the heterogeneous MASs with the weakly connected topology are obtained. In addition, we find that the value of pinning gain should meet a certain condition for guaranteeing the achievement of group consensus. Finally, the validity of our results is verified by some simulated examples.

Dynamic leader-following consensus for asynchronous sampled-data multi-agent systems under switching topology

This paper investigates the leader-following consensus problem for asynchronous sampled-data multi-agent systems with an active leader and under switching topology, in which the asynchrony means that each agent’s update actions are independent of the others’. First, the dynamic leader-following consensus problem for asynchronous sampled-data systems is transformed into the convergence problem of products of infinite general sub-stochastic matrices (PIGSSM), where the general sub-stochastic matrices are matrices with row sum no more than 1 but their elements are not necessarily nonnegative. We develop a method to cope with the corresponding convergence problem by matrix decomposition. In particular, we split the general sub-stochastic matrix into a sub-stochastic matrix which is a nonnegative matrix with row sum no more than 1, and a matrix with negative elements and row sum 0. Then based on a graphical approach and matrix analysis technique, we present a sufficient condition for the achievement of dynamic leader-following consensus in the asynchronous setting. Finally, simulation examples are demonstrated to verify the theoretical results.

Expert assessment method in foresight studies

Purpose of the study. The main goal of this research is to identify key aspects of expert assessments and offer high-quality recommendations for their improvement.Materials and methods. Foresight is built on the basis of expert assessment method, includes: active formation of the image of the future instead of its probabilistic prediction, focus on identifying key development priorities, participation in the study of key stakeholders, the relationship with the management decision-making process. The methods of analysis used in the work suggest methods of theoretical research in the form of analysis and modeling. In the course of the research, the following tasks were solved: firstly, the Expert model was formed based on the necessary and sufficient criteria for selecting respondents to the foresight study; secondly, the main characteristics of the Delphi method for consensus decisions in expert groups were identified. The research work considers various sources of information, which became the basis for the further development of the Expert model, based on an integrated approach based on the statistical, sociological and economic fields of science.Results. On the basis of bibliometric analysis, important criteria for the selection of experts were highlighted: a practical component, a theoretical component, a creative component, an assessment of belonging to a field of study, an assessment of work in a study, an adjustment of results. The relevance of the selection of an expert greatly influences the result of the foresight, therefore, there is a need for a balanced selection of respondents to the study. Foresight studies have a distinctive feature from other areas in that the result is the achievement of consensus between experts in the subject area. Decision makers are drawn from three areas of activity business, government, science. In this regard, criteria for the selection of respondents were formed, which imply the necessary and sufficient conditions. The necessary criteria are understood as such parameters, without which the characteristics of the expert do not allow the respondent to be an expert for this study. A sufficient condition for the participation of the decision maker in the foresight analysis implies such selection criteria, which are complementary characteristics of the expert, which do not need to prove that the expert is a suitable expert for a specific study. As a result, four necessary criteria for the selection of experts for groups were identified, as well as individual sufficient criteria for each group. The process of carrying out the Delphi method is considered, the advantages and disadvantages are determined, on the basis of which the resulting indicator is proposed the foresight research reliability index.Conclusion. The method of selection of experts allows a comprehensive approach to the problem in the field of formation of expert groups based on the introduction of digital technologies that improves the qualitative characteristics of foresight research. The confidence index, as a result indicator, determines the objectivity of the study based on expert assessments.

Resilient Consensus of Discrete-Time Complex Cyber-Physical Networks Under Deception Attacks

This article considers the resilient consensus problems of discrete-time complex cyber-physical networks under $F$ -local deception attacks. A resilient consensus algorithm, where extreme values received are removed by each node, is first introduced. By utilizing the presented algorithm, a necessary and sufficient condition to ensure resilient consensus in the absence of trusted edges is then provided by means of network robustness. We further generalize the notion of network robustness and present the necessary and sufficient condition for the achievement of resilient consensus in the presence of trusted edges. In addition, we show that through appropriately assigning the trusted edges, the resilient consensus can be reached under arbitrary communication network. Finally, the validity of the theoretical findings is demonstrated by simulation examples.

ІДЕЇ КОНСЕНСУСУ Й КОМПРОМІСУ В ЄВРОПЕЙСЬКІЙ ПОЛІТИЦІ: ПРИКЛАД ДЛЯ УКРАЇНИ

У статті проаналізовано ідеологічну платформу європейської політики, в основу якої покладено такі цінності, як консенсус, компроміс, толерантність. Ураховуючи позитивний європейський досвід публічного управління, беремо до уваги базові цінності для української політики. Розглянуто особливості реалізації європейських цінностей у контексті демократизації українського суспільства. Європейські цінності проаналізовано як систему нових можливостей для сталого розвитку українського суспільства. Ураховано освітні зміни (прозорість та публічність влади, розвиток громадських ЗМІ й ін.). Розглянуто сутність політичних вимог щодо встановлення консенсусу для легітимації транзитивних політичних режимів. З’ясовано результативність політичного консенсусу в умовах масштабних політичних криз. Визначено значення етапів досягнення політичного консенсусу для нових демократій, до яких належить і сучасна Україна. Установлено зміст політичного консенсусу та його предмет, діяльність суб’єктів та об’єктів політичного консенсусу, які вступають між собою у взаємодію. Охарактеризовано також рівень загальної політико-правової культури консенсусних відносин, яка складається в кожному трансформаційному суспільстві. Виявлено особливості співвідношення політико-інституційного забезпечення політичного компромісу й політичного консенсусу, оскільки консенсус передбачає погодження всіх і вироблення спільної позиції. А тут про спільність говорити зарано, тому що сам механізм опрацювання цих рішень передбачає відмову від конфліктних питань.

Simulation curricular content in postgraduate emergency medicine: A multicentre Delphi study

There is increasing evidence to support integration of simulation into medical training; however, no national emergency medicine (EM) simulation curriculum exists. Using Delphi methodology, we aimed to identify and establish content validity for adult EM curricular content best suited for simulation-based training, to inform national postgraduate EM training. A national panel of experts in EM simulation iteratively rated potential curricular topics, on a 4-point scale, to determine those best suited for simulation-based training. After each round, responses were analyzed. Topics scoring <2/4 were removed and remaining topics were resent to the panel for further ratings until consensus was achieved, defined as Cronbach α ≥ 0.95. At conclusion of the Delphi process, topics rated ≥ 3.5/4 were considered "core" curricular topics, while those rated 3.0-3.5 were considered "extended" curricular topics. Forty-five experts from 13 Canadian centres participated. Two hundred eighty potential curricular topics, in 29 domains, were generated from a systematic literature review, relevant educational documents and Delphi panellists. Three rounds of surveys were completed before consensus was achieved, with response rates ranging from 93-100%. Twenty-eight topics, in eight domains, reached consensus as "core" curricular topics. Thirty-five additional topics, in 14 domains, reached consensus as "extended" curricular topics. Delphi methodology allowed for achievement of expert consensus and content validation of EM curricular content best suited for simulation-based training. These results provide a foundation for improved integration of simulation into postgraduate EM training and can be used to inform a national simulation curriculum to supplement clinical training and optimize learning.

Достижение консенсуса между профессионалами и обществом в условиях совершенствования национальной системы органного донорства (Achievement of Consensus Between Professionals and Society in the Context of Improving the National System of Organ Donation)

Russian Abstract: Развитие трансплантационной медицины в России на протяжении уже длительного периода времени сталкивается с серьезными проблемами, главная из которых – хроническая нехватка донорских органов, не позволяющая врачам-трансплантологам обеспечить повышение доступности медицинской помощи нуждающимся пациентам с тяжелыми формами хронических заболеваний жизненно важных органов методом трансплантации органов. English Abstract: The development of transplantation medicine in Russia for a long time has been faced with serious problems, the main of which is a chronic shortage of donor organs, which does not allow transplant physicians to increase the availability of medical care to patients in need with severe forms of chronic diseases of vital organs using organ transplantation.

LO43: Simulation curricular content in postgraduate emergency medicine: a multicenter delphi study

Introduction: There is increasing evidence to support the integration of simulation into medical training; however, no national emergency medicine (EM) simulation curriculum currently exists. Using Delphi methodology, we aimed to identify and establish content validity evidence for EM curricular content best suited for simulation-based training to inform national postgraduate EM training. Methods: A national panel of experts in EM simulation-related education iteratively rated potential curricular topics, on a 4-point scale, to determine those best suited for simulation-based training. After each round, responses were analyzed and topics scoring &amp;lt;2/4 were removed. Remaining topics were resent to the panel for further ratings until consensus was achieved, defined as Cronbach α ≥ 0.95. At conclusion of the Delphi process, topics that were rated ≥3.5/4 were considered core curricular topics, while those rated 3.0-3.5 were considered extended curricular topics. Results: Forty-four experts from 13 Canadian centres participated. Two hundred and eighty potential curricular topics, in 29 domains, were generated from a systematic review of the literature, analysis of relevant educational documents and a survey of Delphi panelists. Three rounds of Delphi surveys were completed before consensus was achieved, with response rates ranging from 93-100%. Twenty-eight topics, in 8 domains, reached consensus as core curricular topics. An additional 35 topics, in 14 domains, reached consensus as extended curricular topics. Conclusion: Delphi methodology allowed for achievement of expert consensus and content validation of EM curricular content best suited for simulation-based training. These results provide a foundation for improved integration of simulation into postgraduate EM training and can be used to inform a national simulation curriculum to supplement clinical training and optimize learning.

Osteological Re-Assessment and Taxonomic Revision of "Tanius laiyangensis" (Ornithischia: Hadrosauroidea) from the Upper Cretaceous of Shandong, China.

Tanius is the earliest named ornithischian genus from China. Since 1929, three species of this genus, namely T. sinensis (the type species), "T. chingkankouensis" and "T. laiyangensis", have been reported based on remains from the Wangshi Group of Shandong, China, and were previously recognized as hadrosaurines. Following the recent achievement of consensus on the phylogenetic placement of T. sinensis outside Hadrosauridae, the assignments of the "T. chingkankouensis" and "T. laiyangensis" material of hadrosaurid origin to the genus Tanius become problematic. Related taxonomic issues of "T. laiyangensis" therefore need re-appraisals. Here, we provide an overall taxonomic revision of "T. laiyangensis" from the Jingangkou Formation of northeast Shandong, by means of approaches of comparative anatomy, phylogeny and geometric morphometrics. Our osteological comparisons confirm the hadrosaurine affinity of "T. laiyangensis", given the presence of a suite of characters largely typical of Hadrosaurinae in the single specimen (i.e., a nearly complete sacrum and a partial right ilium), including a dorsoventrally narrow central plate of the ilium with the depth/length ratio <0.80. In the proposed phylogenetic framework, "T. laiyangensis" is inferred to be a member of Kritosaurini within Hadrosaurinae, as the sister taxon to Secernosaurus koerneri. The relative warp analysis on the lateral outline of the supraacetabular process also reveals a close resemblance of shape between the two species. Based on these different lines of evidence and considering no identification of any diagnostic characters from the specimen, we argue that the "T. laiyangensis" material comes from an indeterminate kritosaurin hadrosaurine in Asia. Anat Rec, 303:790-800, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.