Stochastic Coalitional Better-response Dynamics and Strong Nash Equilibrium

We consider coalition formation among players in an n-player finite strategic game over infinite horizon. At each time a randomly formed coalition makes a joint deviation from a current action profile such that at new action profile all players from the coalition are strictly benefited. Such deviations define a coalitional better-response (CBR) dynamics that is in general stochastic. The CBR dynamics either converges to a strong Nash equilibrium or stucks in a closed cycle. We also assume that at each time a selected coalition makes mistake in deviation with small probability that add mutations (perturbations) into CBR dynamics. We prove that all strong Nash equilibria and closed cycles are stochastically stable, i.e., they are selected by perturbed CBR dynamics as mutations vanish. Similar statement holds for strict strong Nash equilibrium. We apply CBR dynamics to the network formation games and we prove that all strongly stable networks and closed cycles are stochastically stable

Diversity, abundance and pollination efficiency of insect pollinators of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Miller) and effect of abiotic factors on insect pollinator activity

Biodiversity of insect pollinators on fennel cv. HF-143 (Foeniculum vulgare Miller), was studied in Hisar, Haryana, India. Twenty-five insect species belonging to fifteen families of five orders were recorded from fennel flowers, in which, seven belong to order Lepidoptera, nine to Hymenoptera, five to Diptera, three to Coleoptera and one to Odonata. Among the insect pollinators, Apis florea F., A. cerana indica F., A. mellifera L. and A. dorsata F. were the most frequent visitors. Among different bee species, the maximum mean population observed in case of A. florea (9.23 bees/m2/5 min) followed by A. mellifera (3.62 bees/m2/5 min) and A. dorsata (3.21 bees/m2/5 min), whereas, the least abundance was observed in case of A. cerana indica, i.e., 1.82 bees/m2/5 min. The pollination index of A. dorsata was highest (19715210) followed by A. florea (13888381), A. mellifera (13845052) and A. cerana (5586381). Hence, it was observed that A. dorsata was the most efficient pollinator followed by A. florea, A. mellifera and A. cerana on fennel cv. HF-143 flowers under agro ecological conditions of Hisar (Haryana). Hence, insect pollinators were essential to get good returns in this seed crop. The activity of different bee species on fennel varied with different abiotic factors and had significantly positive correlation with bright sun shine hours (BSS) and temperature (TEMP) in different hours of the day during foraging but had negative correlation with relative humidity (RH). It was observed that the effect of wind velocity on foraging of different bee species was not significant. Thus, the impact of abiotic environmental factors may decide the foraging activity of different insect pollinators

Technology Trends and Future Opportunities in Development of NBC Protective Clothing

This article reviews a detailed and timely evolution of Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) protective clothing. The increased threat of NBC weapons underlines the need for NBC protective clothing for first responders, service personnel as well as civilians. The material selection criteria for protective clothing have been changed considerably with the development of advance technical fibers to sustain the threat of CWA and fulfill precisely need for the NBC suits. Because of advancement, in the use and delivery of Chemical Warfare Agent (CWA), the evolution of the NBC suit is presented. The chemical protection of NBC protective clothing needs to be precisely evaluated and thereby related standard test methods are also duly accommodated. This review documented the journey of the NBC suit right from charcoal based to activated carbon spheres (ACS), and recent developments on the materials aspects of various protective clothing

Variational inequality formulation for the games with random payoffs

International audienc

A Characterization of Nash Equilibrium for the Games with Random Payoffs

International audienc

Stochastic Coalitional Better-Response Dynamics for Finite Games with Application to Network Formation Games

International audienceIn a repeated play of a strategic game over infinite horizon, a Nash equilibrium that is played in the long run depends on an initial action profile as well as the way all the players choose their actions at each time