Concept Of Consensus Research Articles

Symmetry induced group consensus.

There has been substantial work studying consensus problems for which there is a single common final state, although there are many real-world complex networks for which the complete consensus may be undesirable. More recently, the concept of group consensus whereby subsets of nodes are chosen to reach a common final state distinct from others has been developed, but the methods tend to be independent of the underlying network topology. Here, an alternative type of group consensus is achieved for which nodes that are "symmetric" achieve a common final state. The dynamic behavior may be distinct between nodes that are not symmetric. We show how group consensus for heterogeneous linear agents can be achieved via a simple coupling protocol that exploits the topology of the network. We see that group consensus is possible on both stable and unstable trajectories. We observe and characterize the phenomenon of "isolated group consensus," where one or more clusters may achieve group consensus while the other clusters do not.

Evolution interpretation and the European consensus before the European court of human rights

The interpretation of the European convention on human rights has been shaped by rich jurisprudence of the European Court of human rights which on several occasions had to resort to so-called evolutive interpretation based on the concept of European consensus. This article focuses on basic elements of the interpretation of the Convention ant its position in the application of conventional rights. It gives first a general historical presentation, then deals with different perspectives playing a role for a better understanding of evolutive interpretation and finishes with a general presentation of European consensus which is a key element for evolutive interpretation.

A Novel Group Decision-Making Method for Interval-Valued Intuitionistic Multiplicative Preference Relations

In this paper, we propose a consistency and consensus-based method to solve the group decision-making (GDM) problems within the framework of interval-valued intuitionistic multiplicative preference relations (IVIMPRs). First, we introduce a similarity measure that expresses the similarity between two decision makers (DMs). Then, a similarity-based consensus index is offered to evaluate closeness between individuals' judgments. Based on the consensus index, the concept of acceptable consensus for IVIMPRs is presented. In the sequel, a consistency and consensus improvement model that aims at retaining original opinions of the DMs is introduced to make consistency and consensus of IVIMPRs acceptable. Moreover, the DMs' comprehensive weights are obtained by combining their subjective weights and objective weights. Afterward, to derive priority weights of alternatives, a programming model is established and solved by three approaches considering DMs' different risk attitudes. Finally, a GDM method with IVIMPRs is offered, and its application to select the partners is offered.

MRI-based interstitial brachytherapy for vaginal tumors: A multi-institutional study on practice patterns, contouring, and consensus definitions of target volumes

PurposeInterstitial brachytherapy (ISBT) can be effective for vaginal tumors due to its ability to deliver conformal treatment with 3D planning. As there is no consensus for 3D vaginal brachytherapy (BT) contouring, the goals of this study are to evaluate the variability in practices and contouring, and to develop consensus concepts on target definitions. MethodsA survey/contouring study was conducted with 16 radiation oncologists from 10 Canadian academic centers. The study included three vaginal ISBT cases. Participants were provided staging, prebrachytherapy (pre-BT), and BT MRIs. Participants responded to a questionnaire and contoured on the provided images. Agreement between contours was analyzed. A meeting was held to develop consensus definitions of targets. ResultsMedian ISBT experience was 3.5 years. All 16 participants regularly contour with MRI, whereas three also plan on MRI. For the three cases, there was variation into how CTVHR and CTVIR was defined. Kappa statistics showed higher agreement with bulky tumors (mean 0.59) as compared with small residual tumors (mean 0.29). For all cases, kappa was highest in pre-BT GTVres as compared with BT GTVres (mean 0.58, 0.46). Consensus concepts to define targets were developed. ConclusionsVariations exist in how ISBT targets are defined for vaginal tumors. Highest contouring variability was seen with small residual at BT. Contouring is more consistent on pre-BT MRI as compared with BT MRI suggesting a needle distortion effect. Consensus CTVHR and CTVIR definitions have been developed and further work is warranted to establish international standards.

Finite-time stability for uncertain differential equations: a first investigation on a new class of multi-agent systems

In this paper, we discuss a new kind of stability, that is, finite-time stability, for uncertain differential equations, by formalizing some properties. As a possible application, we define a new class of uncertain multi-agent systems, according to the Liu’s uncertainty theory, as a counterpart of stochastic multi-agent systems. We formalize the governing equations, driven by canonical process, which is a type of uncertain process with stationary and independent increments. The concept of finite-time consensus in the context of uncertainty theory is consequently derived. A numerical procedure to estimate the settling time is proposed. The case with proportional delay was also considered.

KONFLIK DAN KONSENSUS PEMERINTAHAN LOKAL : PEMILIHAN RUKUN TETANGGA (RT) 15 KELURAHAN KEBUN BUNGA KECAMATAN SUKARAMI DI KOTA PALEMBANG

Rukun tetangga (RT) in sub district government system is the lowest or the unit of government holder who are directly connected to people. This means the last unit which is directly connected to people it, not sub district administration, district administration and so forth. RT plays the main role in accomplishing government functions, such as function of service, development, empowering, and regulation. That is why the more conducive the RT status is, the more conducive the government functions. Reversely, if the situation is not conducive, in this case, there is a conflict, then the function run will not be successfully accomplished. The conflict happened in the election of leader RT 15 Kebun Bunga sub district. The factors causing this conflict were the goal of this research. The data used were primer and secondary data. Those data then were analyzed using descriptive analysis which involved theories included concept of government, concept of conflict and consensus. From the analysis done, it was found out that factors causing the conflict included (a) the periode of incumbent - RT’s position had ended, (b) there was no good communication among RW, district chief and people (c) the seizure of economic sources in that area. It was suggested that (a) RW and district chief have a good communication to the people in that area, (b) all staff in sub district government take their parts maximally, and (c) the centre of economic area should be developed in that area.Keywords : Rukun tetangga, sub district, conflict, consensus

ITEMAS ontology for healthcare technology innovation

BackgroundThe Platform for Innovation in Medical and Health Technologies (ITEMAS) is a network of 66 healthcare centres focused on fostering innovation in medical and health technologies as an essential tool for increasing the sustainability of the Spanish healthcare system. The present research is focused on defining a formal representation that details the most relevant concepts associated with the creation and adoption of innovative medical technology in the Spanish healthcare system.MethodsThe methodology applied is based on the methontology process, including peer-review identification and selection of concepts from the ITEMAS innovation indicators and innovation management system standards. This stage was followed by an iterative validation process. Concepts were then conceptualised, formalised and implemented in an ontology.ResultsThe ontology defined describes how relationships between employees, organisations, projects and ideas can be applied to generate results that are transferrable to the market, general public and scientific forums. Overall, we identified 136 concepts, 138 object properties and 30 properties in a five-level hierarchy. The ontology was tested and validated as an appropriate framework for calculating the ITEMAS innovation indicators.ConclusionsThe consensus concepts were expressed in the form of an ontology to be used as a single communication format between the members of the ITEMAS network. Healthcare centres can compare their innovation results and obtain a better understanding of their innovation context based on the reasoning techniques of artificial intelligence. As a result, they can benefit from advanced analytical capabilities to define the most appropriate innovation policies for each centre based on the common experience of the large number of healthcare centres involved. The results can be used to create a map of agents and knowledge to show capabilities, projects and services provided by each of the participating centres. The ontology could also be applied as an instrument to match needs with existing projects and capabilities from the community of organisations working in healthcare technology innovation.

The Postition of Village Peace Judges in the Resolution of Traditional Offences within the Tolaki Community in South-East Sulawesi

This research is aimed at finding the appropriate method for Tribe Leaders (as Judges), guardians of local wisdom in resolving conflicts of interest particularly for indigenous people (Tolakinese) in Southeast Sulawesi. Legally speaking, this effort is essential in gaining legitimacy, hence based on customary law (Adat Law); village judges effectively resolve conflict in a faster, simpler and cheaper ways that are accepted by the community compared to the national criminal justice system. Nowadays, various conflicts often arise in communities, which cause economic, political, religious, ethnic, and self-esteem complications leading to conflicts of interest. Sadly, the Tolaki community is not exempted from this reality. This study seeks to offer an appropriate method of resolving conflict by using a consensus based approach to reach decision so as to create peace for the parties. This concept of consensus in deliberation has been practiced in Tolakinese society for a long time. This study found weaknesses and obstacles in its application of the substantial aspects; i.e. the role of village judges is limited by positive law; as well as from a structural aspect: the lack of institutional strengthening. The application of such methods can create a holistic and integrated policy in controlling and optimizing the source of collective strategic resources for the greatest benefit for greatest number of people.

Deliberation after Consensus: Introduction to the Symposium

This editorial introduction presents an overview of the themes explored in the symposium on Deliberation after Consensus. For all the talk of its obsolescence and irrelevance, the concept of consensus still remains centrally contested through generations of deliberative democracy scholarship. In face of criticism for being neither empirically feasible nor normatively desirable, some deliberative theorists have moved away from consensus-oriented teleology and argued in favor of other legitimate outcomes of deliberations. Other theorists have resisted this move, claiming that the aim of deliberation implies that consensus should remain as a regulative ideal for deliberative outcomes. Engaging with these debates about the role of consensus in theories of deliberative democracy, this symposium brings together a selection of innovative, original research articles that raise novel questions about the role consensus could and should play in democratic deliberation and in a deliberative democracy. This introduction offers an overview of the debate over consensus drawing on the notion of successive generations of deliberative democracy research. Our aim is to demonstrate that the view of consensus has changed during generations of deliberative scholarships, but also that some scholars still defend the normative importance of the meaning of consensus once developed by the first generation. Consequently, there are tendencies of both change and continuity in the debate over consensus in deliberative theory. We conclude this introduction by providing a brief synopsis of each paper.

Weighted Consensus Problem for Multiagent Systems with Edge‐ and Node‐Weighted Directed Graphs

In this paper, the concept of consensus is generalized to weighted consensus, by which the conventional consensus, the bipartite consensus, and the cluster consensus problems can be unified in the proposed weighted consensus frame. The dynamics of agents are modeled by the general linear time‐invariant systems. The interaction topology is modeled by edge‐ and node‐weighted directed graphs. Under both state feedback and output feedback control strategies, the weighted consensus problems are transformed into the equivalent conventional consensus problems. Then, some distributed state feedback and output feedback protocols are proposed to solve the weighted consensus problems. For output feedback case, a unified frame to construct the state‐observer‐based weighted consensus protocols is proposed, and different design approaches are discussed. As special cases, some related results for bipartite consensus and cluster consensus can be obtained directly. Finally, a simple example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed approaches.

Revealing Gene Function and Transcription Relationship by Reconstructing Gene-Level Chromatin Interaction

Chromatin is hierarchically organized in human interphase nuclei. Dynamic chromatin interactions are thought to influence gene transcription and cell fate determination. A consensus concept is that genes may form transcription factories within nucleus by spatially interaction. However, it is still not well known whether the function-related genes co-locate in three-dimensional (3D) space for co-transcription. Especially, there is a lack of visualization method that directly reflect the relationship between gene spatial interaction, gene function and co-transcription. In this study, we constructed three kinds of matrices based on gene ontology annotations, high-through chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C) data and RNA-seq data from twenty human tissues and cell lines. The comparative analysis for gene pairs revealed that 3D genome organization influences gene transcription predominantly at local scale. We found that the local genes within family clusters have similar transcription patterns. We also found that spatial reorganization of a histone gene cluster could control gene transcription. These observations suggest that function-related genes are close in space and activated or repressed together. Our work provided a framework for genome-wide studying the relationship between gene function, co-transcription and spatial interaction.

Blockchain-Based Traffic Event Validation and Trust Verification for VANETs

Sharing traffic information on the vehicular network can help in the implementation of intelligent traffic management, such as car accident warnings, road construction notices, and driver route changes to reduce traffic congestion earlier. In the future, in the case of autonomous driving, traffic information will be exchanged more frequently and more immediately. Once the exposed traffic incident is incorrect, the driving route will be misleading, and the driving response may be in danger. The blockchain ensures the correctness of data and tampers resistance in the consensus mechanism, which can solve such similar problems. This paper proposes a proof-of-event consensus concept applicable to vehicular networks rather than proof-of-work or proof-of-authority approaches. The traffic data are collected through the roadside units, and the passing vehicles will verify the correctness when receiving the event notification. In addition, a two-phase transaction on blockchain is introduced to send warning messages in appropriate regions and time periods. The simulation results show that the proposed mechanism can effectively feedback the correctness of traffic events and provide traceable events with trust verification.

ПРОБЛЕМАТИКА ІСТИНИ У СВІТОВІЙ ЕКОНОМІЧНІЙ НАУЦІ

У статті розглядається актуальна проблематика істини, її змісту та видів в контексті еволюції світової класичної, некласичної та постнекласичної науки. Дана критична характеристика кореспондентської, прагматичної, когерентної, конвеціальної та консенсусної концепцій істини. Запропонована і обґрунтована концепція цільної істини. Зроблено акцент на її універсумному характері, складній організації, будові та структурі.Цілісна істина визначається як n-вимірна відповідність економіко-універсумного знання надскладному людинорозмірному економічному темпоральному простору (об'єкту) в його (відповідності) співвіднесеності з людською життєдіяльністю, її сферами та елементами. "Внутрішній світ", будова цілісної істини, яка саме таким чином розуміється, у першому наближенні можуть бути представлені трьома взаємозв'язаними складовими: науковою, позанауковою і синтетичною.Наукова складова цілісної істини – складна система співвіднесеностей, з одного боку, відношення наукового економічного знання до об'єкта, а з іншого – відношень знання до суб'єкта, умов, процесу, результату тощо, наукової та практичної економічної діяльності, а також відношень економічного знання до самого себе. Елементами позанаукової складової цілісної істини можуть бути співвіднесеності відносин: 1) позанаукових економічних знань до різних феноменів відповідного виду осягнення та відображеної ним реальності в універсумному контексті; 2) позанаукового знання до самого себе і до знань – результатів інших видів пізнання. Синтетична складова цілісної істини являє собою поєднання і синергію наукової та позанаукової складових. Кількість таких комбінацій не піддається короткому описанню, оскільки повинні бути співвіднесені різні відношення багатьох видів осягнення та пізнання як між собою, так і з їх відношеннями до численних феноменів людської життєдіяльності.Таким чином, у сучасній науці поряд з ускладненням наукової істини і процесу її набуття зріє розуміння неможливості останнього поза зверненням до цілісної істини та опануванням нею. Необхідно навчитися визначати міру і відповідність цілісної істини, жорсткі умови, передумови і межі, в яких економіко-універсумне знання відповідає тій чи іншій сфері надскладного людинорозмірного об'єкта.

Sampling-based self-triggered coordination control for multi-agent systems with application to distributed generators

ABSTRACTThis work investigates the coordination control problem for multiple distributed generation (DG) units with a hierarchical control structure. At the secondary control level, an event-triggered power sharing strategy based on the concept of multi-agent consensus has been proposed for the DG coordination control. Unlike existing consensus-based DG control approaches, the proposed control algorithm is based on sampled data. Thus the event triggering and controller updating actions can only be executed at the sampling time instants. To further reduce the amount of communication among DGs, the proposed event-triggered algorithm is extended to a self-triggered algorithm, where the inter-agent communication transmission is no longer required to be executed at each sampling time instant. The case study results show that the self-triggered algorithm can achieve nearly the same performance on DG coordination as that of the event-triggered algorithm, while significantly reduces the amount of communication.

Optimal Cooperative Guidance Law for Salvo Attack: An MPC-Based Consensus Perspective

In this paper, a model-predictive-control (MPC)-based cooperative guidance law is presented to perform a salvo attack against a stationary target, which guarantees that multiple missiles hit the target simultaneously. Inspired by the concept of consensus in the multiagent systems, the impact time coordination is reformulated as a consensus on the ranges and range rates of the missiles, leading to a solution without explicitly exploiting the time-to-go or its estimate. By the virtue of an MPC framework, constraints on the normal acceleration and field-of-view are also addressed, and the finite-horizon optimality is guaranteed. Three numerical simulation cases are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Consensus design for improved thermostability of lipoxygenase from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120

BackgroundLipoxygenase (LOX) from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 (Ana-rLOX) offers important applications in the food industry, especially for improving aroma and dough rheological properties. However, industrial applications of LOXs have been limited by their poor thermostability. Herein, we report a bioinformatics-based consensus concept approach for the engineering of thermostable Ana-rLOX.ResultsA series of mutations (N130D, G260A, S437T, N130D/G260Q, N130D/S437Y) showed higher thermostability and activity than the wild-type enzyme. Thus, N130D/G260Q exhibited a 6.6-fold increase in half-life and 2.45 °C increase in unfolding temperature; N130D/S437Y showed a 10 °C increase in optimal temperature. The secondary structure did not change much that contributed to improved thermostability were investigated in detail using circular dichroism. Homology modeling suggested that enhanced thermostability and specific activity may result from favorable hydrophobic interactions.ConclusionsA series of mutations were achieved, showing higher thermostability and activity than the wild-type enzyme by semi-rational mutagenesis with limited structure information. Our findings provide important new insights into molecular modifications aimed at improving Ana-rLOX thermostability and activity.

Trajectory Tracking by Multiple Agents in Formation With Collision Avoidance and Connectivity Assurance

This paper is concerned with the trajectory tracking by multiple agents in formation. Each agent is modeled as a double-integrator system. The proposed algorithm works on a connected graph instead of a fully connected graph that requires lesser communication and computation. The three aspects of the control scheme—connectivity assurance, collision avoidance, and formation have been ensured by the design of the novel control law consisting of four terms. A novel bounded potential function has been introduced that ensures interagent collision avoidance through the innovative design of critical parameters associated with this potential function. Another novel bounded potential function has been designed to ensure the connectivity in the group. The concept of consensus has been used to acquire and maintain the desired formation pattern with velocity agreement among agents. The proposed control scheme is further extended to the problem of trajectory tracking while achieving other control objectives. Both the schemes have been shown to be convergent using Barbalat's Lemma. Detailed theoretical analysis of the algorithms has been carried out including boundedness of the control actions. The performance of proposed algorithms has been demonstrated through extensive simulations in 2-D and 3-D environments using 6 and 60 agents, respectively.

Speculative prototyping, frictions and counter-participation: A civic intervention with homeless individuals

This article reflects on the possibilities that speculative prototyping offers for rethinking forms of participatory design, generating spaces of friction and counter-participation. Based on a case of urban hacking conducted with homeless people in Santiago de Chile, the study deploys a critique of our current understanding of Smart urbanism, which is focused on aseptic and universal solutions. We describe the capacities of speculative prototyping to go beyond the logic of ‘solutionism’ present in the Smart City narrative and in some PD strategies, precipitating forms of participation-in-prototyping based on differences and dissensus. Specifically, we argue that the permeability of prototyping can evoke forms of counter-participation in which frictions are not limited under the concept of consensus, but rather used in an inventive manner to explore the issues at hand, inviting to reimagine the notion of participation trough prototyping.

Un algoritmo de planificación en una clase de sistemas de eventos discretos

En este artículo, nosotros proponemos un enfoque para generar una planificación fundamentada en los conceptos de k-interacción y consenso, mostrando para ello un algoritmo que acopla la planta con dichos conceptos. En este sentido, se reducirán los modelos resultantes y en consecuencia la complejidad computacional.

Paz religiosa, libertad religiosa: la apuesta por el pacifismo de Pedro Ximénez en el <em>Dialogus de pace</em> (1579)

Pedro Ximénez (Petrus Ximenius, 1524-1595) es un personaje muy poco conocido actualmente, a pesar del gran prestigio del que gozó en vida. La reciente identificación del anónimo Dialogus de pace como obra suya permite estudiar su avanzada postura ante el habitual uso de la coerción para imponer la unidad religiosa, en concreto en el marco de la conferencia de paz de 1579 en Colonia. En esta obra, marcadamente pacifista, incide en los conceptos de amnistía, consenso y restitución, con un desarrollo que puede ponerse en parangón con las aportaciones de otros españoles sobre el mismo asunto, como las de Fadrique Furio Ceriol.