Cooperative Game Model Research Articles

Multi-Attribute Vertical Handover Decision-Making Algorithm in a Hybrid VLC-Femto System

Due to the complementary natures of visible light communication (VLC) and radio frequency, a combined application is regarded as a promising approach of supporting both hyperspeed data transmission and reliable signal connectivity. Vertical handover (VHO) is critical for guaranteeing seamless service in such a heterogeneous network. This letter employs a family hybrid VLC-Femto system and proposes a VHO algorithm based on decision selection. Our approach considers multiple attributes, including dynamic network parameters and actual traffic preferences by utilizing analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Additionally, it can compensate for the weakness of classic AHP in comparing the criteria values of different candidates by applying a two-person cooperative game (CG) model. Finally, the rationality degree (RD) of each decision is calculated by combining the results of AHP and CG, and the decision with the higher RD is selected. The simulation results validate the superiority of the proposed AHP-CG VHO algorithm over existing schemes under various circumstances.

Allocation of control rights in the PPP Project: a cooperative game model

Reasonable allocation of control rights is the key to the success of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects. PPP are services or ventures which are financed and operated through cooperation between governmental and private sector actors and which involve reasonable control rights sharing between these two partners. After professional firm with capital and technology as a shareholder participating in PPP project firms, the PPP project is diversified in participants and input resources. Meanwhile the allocation of control rights of PPP project tends to be complicated. According to the diversification of participants and input resources of PPP projects, the key participants are divided into professional firms and pure investors. Based on the cost of repurchase of different input resources in markets, the cooperative game relationship between these two parties is analyzed, on the basis of which the allocation model of the cooperative game for control rights is constructed to ensure optimum allocation ration of control rights and verify the share of control rights in proportion to the cost of repurchase.

A task scheduling algorithm considering game theory designed for energy management in cloud computing

With the increasing popularity of cloud computing products, task scheduling problem has become a hot research topic in this field. The task scheduling problem of cloud computing system is more complex than the traditional distributed system. Based on the analysis of cloud computing in related literature, we established a simplified model for task scheduling system in cloud computing.Different from the previous research of cloud computing task scheduling algorithm, the simplified model in this paper is based on game theory as a mathematical tool. Based on game theory, the task scheduling algorithm considering the reliability of the balanced task is proposed. Based on the balanced scheduling algorithm, the task scheduling model for computing nodes is proposed. In the cooperative game model, game strategy is used for the task in the calculation of rate allocation strategy on the node. Through analysis of experimental results, it is shown that the proposed algorithm has better optimization effect.

Non-zero-sum cooperative access control game model with user trust and permission risk

In access control, there exists a game between an application system and its user, in which both the system and the user try to maximize their own utility. Establishing a reasonable, general purpose access control game model of cost-benefit analysis is a non-trivial research issue. Considering the practical existence and involvement of user trust and permission risk, we construct a non-zero-sum game model for access control, choosing trust, and risk or cost as metrics in players’ payoff functions. We analyze the optimal strategies for the application system, the user, and also the Pareto efficient strategy from the viewpoint of both the application system and the user. A Nash equilibrium emerges that improves the rationality of access control decision-making under uncertain situations. In addition, we propose a proper risk estimation method. We also solve the risky permission set problem originated from access control constraints by utilizing optimal strategy in a finite multi-stage game.

A cooperative negotiation embedded NSGA-II for solving an integrated product family and supply chain design problem with remanufacturing consideration

Product family design is a popular approach adopted by manufacturers to increase their product varieties in order to satisfy the needs of various markets. In recent years, because of increasing environmental concerns in societies and strict regulations of environmental protection, quite a number of manufacturers adopted remanufacturing strategy in their product development in response to the challenges. Remanufacturing of used products unavoidably involves a closed-loop supply chain system. To achieve the best outcomes, the supply chain design should be considered in product family design process. In this research, a multi-objective optimization model of integrated product family and closed loop supply chain design is formulated based on a cooperative game model for minimizing manufacturer’s total cost and maximize suppliers’ total payoffs. Since the optimization problem could be a large- scale one and involves mixed continuous-discrete variables, a new version of nondominated sorting genetic algorithm-II (NSGA-II), namely cooperative negotiation embedded NSGA-II (NSGA-CO), is proposed to solve the optimization model. Simulation tests are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed NSGA-CO. The test results indicate that the proposed NSGA-CO outperforms NSGA-II in solving various scale of multi-objective optimization problems in terms of convergence. With the formulated optimization model and the proposed NSGA-CO, a case study of integrated product family and supply chain design is conducted to investigate the effects of environmental penalty, quantity of demand and marginal cost of remanufacturing on used product return rate, manufacturers’ and suppliers’ profits and joint payoff.

A cooperative game with envy

This paper proposes an envy-incorporated cooperative game model and investigates the envy effects on players' coalition-forming and payoff-allocating decisions. A player's utility depends on her/his own payoff and the envy toward other players, inside and outside the same coalition, with higher payoffs. Envy core is defined to characterize stable coalition structures and payoff allocations of this new game. Conditions for the envy core to be nonempty are provided. The relative significance of in-coalition envy and out-coalition envy is shown to be a key factor to the form of the envy core. Application to a simple game shows that envy may significantly change players' decisions.

Industrial land price between China’s Pearl River Delta and Southeast Asian regions: Competition or Coopetition?

The planned economy system’s previous form of industrial land market control in China has led to current market failure because of a large amount of industrial land being sold at a very low price, causing extensive overuse of land and negative effects on land management. As the “World Factory”, the Pearl River Delta (PRD) is well known for its rapid urbanization largely driven by Foreign Direct Investment in labor-intensive industries. A low-land price strategy has been commonly adopted by the local government in order to attract industrial investment. In the past decade, the PRD has increasingly faced the increasing competition from its neighboring competition from its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia that have established preference policies to attract FDI and foreign enterprises. Despite a growing body of literature on the internal forces of industrial land in China, little is known of the external forces involved except for the importance of FDI and the intensity of interregional competition between China and other countries in attempting to attract foreign investment. This research fills the knowledge gap by modeling the situation in the form of an international cooperative game model aimed at revealing the industrial land price formation mechanism between the PRD region and Southeast Asian regions. The conditions of industrial land in the area and several Southeast Asian countries are first analyzed for their industrial land price movements in recent years. A game theoretic model is then built that exhibits similar characteristics. The result indicates that the governments’ low land price strategy and the competition between the PRD and its neighboring countries have created unnecessarily high social and environmental costs. Policy suggestions are made to encourage a more appropriate use of industrial land in China, and the most important being the need for a mindset shift from competition towards coopetition between the PRD and Southeast Asian regions.

Discounted tree solutions

This article introduces a discount parameter and a weight function in the classical model of cooperative games with restrictions on cooperation, represented by a tree. We provide axiomatic characterizations of solutions that are inspired by the hierarchical outcomes.

Research on the Cooperative Game Model of Internet of Things Based on Mobile Node-to-Mobile Node Communication

Research on the Cooperative Game Model of Internet of Things Based on Mobile Node-to-Mobile Node Communication

Optimal coordination strategy of dynamic supply chain based on cooperative stochastic differential game model under uncertain conditions

The optimal coordination strategy is achieved when the dynamic supply chain profit is maximized. The profit of dynamical supply chain is decided by the corresponding effort level of each node enterprise. This paper presents a cooperative stochastic differential game model to research the optimal coordination strategy of a dynamic supply chain under uncertain conditions and studies how to coordinate the effort level of node enterprise to maximize supply chain profit. For this purpose, a cooperative stochastic differential game model of the enterprises’ effort level is constructed, and the optimal solution of the model is solved by converting it to the solution of the equivalent stochastic partial differential equation. As a result, the optimal strategy of a local node enterprise is achieved. Considering the gap between the independent decision of each node enterprise and the optimal decision of the supply chain system, the coordination mechanisms of the dynamic supply chain, including the temporary static allocation mechanism and the compensation mechanism, are given to narrow the gap to achieve the optimal coordination strategy under uncertain conditions.

Cooperative Infrastructure and Spectrum Sharing in Heterogeneous Mobile Networks

To accommodate the ever-growing traffic load and bandwidth demand generated by mobile users, mobile network operators (MNOs) need to frequently invest in high spectral efficiency technologies and increase their hold of spectrum resources; MNOs have then to weigh between building individual networks or entering into network and spectrum sharing agreements. We address here the problem of radio access network and spectrum sharing in 4G mobile networks by focusing on a case when multiple MNOs plan to deploy small cell base stations in a geographical area in order to upgrade their existing network infrastructure. We propose two cooperative game models (with and without transferable utility) to address the proposed problem: for given network (user throughput, MNO market, and spectrum shares) and economic (coalition cost and mobile data pricing model) settings, the proposed models output a cost division policy that guarantees coalition (sharing agreement) stability.

Resource Provisioning for Cloud-Assisted Software Defined Wireless Sensor Network

Due to the significant advancement of wireless and mobile technology, the applications targeted for these are getting more and more complex and demanding of high power and resources. The cloud-assisted software-defined wireless sensor networking (CSDWSN) paradigm has emerged as a promising solution to perform these highly demanding tasks with the help of powerful cloud servers. However, due to the dynamic variation in sensor users demands, it is becoming challenging for a single CSDWSN provider to always provide a sufficient amount of computing resources to fulfill users needs. This paper exhibits an approach of resource and revenue sharing with coalition development among CSDWSN providers. The proposed method models the collaborations among the CSDWSN providers as a coalition game. As opposed to existing methodologies, the game model goes for amplifying the individual revenue of CSDWSN providers with minimum energy consumption by analyzing their internal users demand and dynamic pricing strategy. In addition, the proposed game enables a socially optimal and stable coalition structure, which leads to both increased total profit of a federation and improved equality among participating CSDWSN providers. Various simulation experiments were completed to demonstrate the viability of the proposed cooperative game model.

A capable wife: couple’s joint decisions on labor supply and family chores

This study investigates how spousal employment status affects personal employment decisions and the division of family chores. We apply Bresnahan and Reiss (J Econom 48(1):57–81, 1991) empirical cooperative game model to estimate household aggregate preference for a dual-earner family, extending their model to identify the individual preferences of husbands and wives by using the share of family chores as an empirical proxy for individual indirect disutilities. Using data from Taiwan, we show that an average household in the sample does not prefer a dual-earner family. The estimates of individual preferences indicate that this aversion comes mainly from the husbands. These results suggest that the gender gap in labor force participation and earnings has reduced at a faster rate than the social norm change toward the role of women in Taiwan.

Group bargaining based bitcoin mining scheme using incentive payment process

AbstractBitcoin is a digital cryptocurrency that has generated considerable public interests through a fully decentralised network with an inherently independence from governments or any central authorities. Although its short history has been volatile, the Bitcoin maintains a core group of committed users. In this study, we look at the Bitcoin complex structure and design a new Bitcoin mining protocol while developing a novel incentive payment process. To effectively implement an incentive payment mechanism, we adopt the concept of the group bargaining solution by considering a peer‐to‐peer relationship, and it is practically applied to a distributed computation network system. Based on the cooperative game model, we explore an efficient solution that can maximise Bitcoin users' rewards. Through system level simulations, the proposed scheme is evaluated and compared with other existing schemes. The simulation results show that our group bargaining game approach outperforms the existing Bitcoin schemes in providing a better fair‐efficient system performance. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

An optimization-based cooperative game approach for systematic allocation of costs and benefits in interplant process integration

The use of process integration (PI) tools in industrial ecology (IE) applications, particularly industrial symbiosis (IS), can lead to greater sustainability gains than is possible for single plants or companies. Such integration is facilitated by the advent of eco-industrial parks (EIPs) which use geographic clustering to promote sustainable exchange of materials and energy streams among different plants and companies. In particular, PI methods have been developed for total site integration and successfully implemented in documented industrial cases. However, one aspect of interplant integration is not easily done using classical PI methods, since each potential partner company will participate in a symbiosis scheme specifically with the motivation of increasing its own profits. The self-interest of each partner thus results in conflict of interest which, if not resolved, may result in the failure of the initiative. To address this problem, it is necessary to use an approach based on cooperative game theory which involves pooling the benefits, and then subsequently developing a rational and defensible scheme for sharing the incremental profits among the partners. In this work, we propose the application of a linear programming (LP) cooperative game model to allocate benefits that accrue from interplant integration in an EIP. The approach is first demonstrated using a literature case study, and the results are compared with those determined via alternative cooperative game techniques. Two industrial case studies on interplant integration in palm-based biomass processing complex and sago-based biorefinery (SBB) are then solved to further illustrate the applicability of this technique to problems of more realistic scale.

Analysis of implementation of Tradable Green Certificates system in a competitive electricity market: a game theory approach

This paper investigates three models to implement Tradable Green Certificates (TGC) system with aid of game theory approach. In particular, the competition between thermal and renewable power plants is formulated in three models: namely cooperative, Nash and Stackelberg game models. The price of TGC is assumed to be determined by the legislative body (government) which is fixed. Numerical examples presented in this paper include sensitivity analysis of some key parameters and comparison of the results of different models. In all three game models, the parameters that influence pricing of the TGC based on the optimal amounts are obtained. The numerical examples demonstrate that in all models: there is a reverse relation between the price of electricity and the TGC price, as well as a direct relation between the price of electricity and the share of green electricity in total electricity generation. It is found that Stackelberg model is an appropriate structure to implement the TGC system. In this model, the supply of electricity and the production of green electricity are at the highest level, while the price of electricity is at the lowest levels. In addition, payoff of the thermal power plant is at the highest levels in the Nash model. Hence this model can be an applicatory structure for implementation of the TGC system in developing countries, where the number of thermal power plants is significantly greater than the number of renewable power plants.

Bilateral photoplethysmography analysis for arteriovenous fistula dysfunction screening with fractional-order feature and cooperative game-based embedded detector.

The bilateral photoplethysmography (PPG) analysis for arteriovenous fistula (AVF) dysfunction screening with a fractional-order feature and a cooperative game (CG)-based embedded detector is proposed. The proposed detector uses a feature extraction method and a CG to evaluate the risk level for AVF dysfunction for patients undergoing haemodialysis treatment. A Sprott system is used to design a self-synchronisation error formulation to quantify the differences in the changes of blood volume for the sinister and dexter thumbs' PPG signals. Bilateral PPGs exhibit a significant difference in rise time and amplitude, which is proportional to the degree of stenosis. A less parameterised CG model is then used to evaluate the risk level. The proposed detector is also studied using an embedded system and bilateral optical measurements. The experimental results show that the risk of AVF stenosis during haemodialysis treatment is detected earlier.

Coalition Graph Game for Robust Routing in Cooperative Cognitive Radio Networks

This paper mainly studies on the problem of robust multi-hop routing selection in Cooperative Cognitive Radio Networks (CCRNs). Our objective is to improve the throughput of Primary Users (PUs) while increase the opportunity that Secondary Users (SUs) can access the licensed spectrum. We combine the multi-hop routing selection problem with the graph-based cooperative game and bipartite graph model. A novel effective multi-hop routing selection algorithm called GBRA is proposed for CCRNs. The effect of relays to the routing path on throughput is considered. A novel method is introduced to divide coalition. A fair allocation rule to allocate the total profits of one coalition to its members is also introduced. Finally, based on the proposed coalition division method and the proposed profits allocation scheme in one coalition, the stability of the multi-hop routing path selected by GBRA is proved. Theoretical analysis and performance evaluation show that both PUs and SUs can improve their communication performance when they cooperate with each other.

An interprovincial cooperative game model for air pollution control in China

The noncooperative air pollution reduction model (NCRM) that is currently adopted in China to manage air pollution reduction of each individual province has inherent drawbacks. In this paper, we propose a cooperative air pollution reduction game model (CRM) that consists of two parts: (1) an optimization model that calculates the optimal pollution reduction quantity for each participating province to meet the joint pollution reduction goal; and (2) a model that distribute the economic benefit of the cooperation (i.e., pollution reduction cost saving) among the provinces in the cooperation based on the Shapley value method. We applied the CRM to the case of SO2 reduction in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region in China. The results, based on the data from 2003–2009, show that cooperation helps lower the overall SO2 pollution reduction cost from 4.58% to 11.29%. Distributed across the participating provinces, such a cost saving from interprovincial cooperation brings significant benefits to each local government and stimulates them for further cooperation in pollution reduction. Finally, sensitivity analysis is performed using the year 2009 data to test the parameters’ effects on the pollution reduction cost savings.Implications: China is increasingly facing unprecedented pressure for immediate air pollution control. The current air pollution reduction policy does not allow cooperation and is less efficient. In this paper we developed a cooperative air pollution reduction game model that consists of two parts: (1) an optimization model that calculates the optimal pollution reduction quantity for each participating province to meet the joint pollution reduction goal; and (2) a model that distributes the cooperation gains (i.e., cost reduction) among the provinces in the cooperation based on the Shapley value method. The empirical case shows that such a model can help improve efficiency in air pollution reduction. The result of the model can serve as a reference for Chinese government pollution reduction policy design.

Economic evaluation of batteries planning in energy storage power stations for load shifting

The rapid charging or discharging characteristics of battery energy storage system is an effective method to realize load shifting in distribution network and control the fluctuations of load power substantially. However, the type selection and capacity configuration of the batteries will be directly related to the economy of energy storage system for load shifting in the distribution network. An optimized model of hybrid battery energy storage system based on cooperative game model is proposed in this paper, in which lead-acid battery, lithium ion battery and vanadium redox flow battery are respectively regarded as the participants of the cooperative game model, the cost and benefit models are established in their corresponding game strategy spaces. The Nash equilibrium solutions of each game model obtained by genetic algorithm are applied to the planning and design of battery energy storage station with the most economical types of the batteries and the optimal capacity configuration of energy storage station. The simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed method and provide a theoretical basis for the planning and design of battery energy storage station.