Existence of Berge equilibrium in conflicts under uncertainty

The main tool for conflict resolution (equilibration) is the equilibrium strategy. Among the torrent of publications in this field, including the seven Nobel prize winners of 1994–2012, the Nash equilibrium is the fundamental one. Such equilibrium. however, does not necessarily exist. In this case, it is only natural to introduce a new notion of equilibrium, that of Berge. It was discussed in the paper which established existence of the Berge equilibrium in the mixed strategies and proposed sufficient conditions reducible to determination of the saddle point of a special Germeier convolution of the gain functions.     

Segmentation modeling algorithm: a novel algorithm in data mining

Many enterprises have accumulated a large amount of data over time. To achieve competitive advantages, enterprises need to find effective ways to analyze and understand the vast amounts of raw data they have. Different methods and techniques have been used to reduce the data volume to a manageable level and to help enterprises identify the business value from the data sets. In particular, segmentation methods have been widely used in the area of data mining. In this paper, we present a new algorithm for data segmentation which can be used to build time-dependent customer behavior models. The proposed model has the potential to solve the optimization problem in data segmentation.     

Responsive Spiral Photonic Structures for Visible Vapor Sensing,Pattern Transformation and Encryption

Two photon polymerisation using direct laser writing is a burgeoning field of research, with recent focus being placed on bringing added value to microstructures, by incorporating soft, responsive polymers. Moving to the micron-scale can have a profound impact on such stimuli-responsive materials, whose speed of actuation can be increased many-fold compared to their mm-scale counterparts. Here, the fabrication of submicron 2D photonic structures, based on a vapor-responsive photoresist with a refractive index <1.55, in the visible wavelength range. The fabricated concentric spiral arrays are evaluated for their feasibility as vapor sensors by testing spectral and structural color reproducibility and reversibility under water, ethanol, isopropanol, and acetone vapors. This approach allows for the realization of predictable uniform color displays that can be modulated upon stimuli response. The transmitted colour in the dry and hydrated states can be accurately modelled. This knowledge is used to design and demonstrate structures for cloaking and image transformation. Such capability can be used for encryption and anti-counterfeiting applications.     

Understanding the Role of Alumina (Al2O3), Pentalithium Aluminate (Li5AlO4), and Pentasodium Aluminate (Na5AlO4) Coatings on the Li and Mn-Rich NCM Cathode Material 0.33Li2MnO3·0.67Li(Ni0.4Co0.2Mn0.4)O2 for Enhanced Electrochemical Performance

The active role of alumina, pentalithium aluminate (Li₅AlO₄, Li-aluminate), and pentasodium aluminate (Na₅AlO₄, Na-aluminate) as the surface protection coatings produced via atomic layer deposition on Li and Mn-rich NCM cathode materials 0.33Li₂MnO₃·0.67LiNi_0.4Co_0.2Mn_0.4O₂ is discussed. A notable improvement in the electrochemical behavior of the coated cathodes has been found while tested in Li-coin cells at 30 °C. Though all the coated cathodes demonstrate enhanced electrochemical cycling and rate performances, Na-aluminate coated cathodes exhibit exemplary behavior. Prolonged cycling and rate capability testing demonstrate that after more than 400 cycles at 1 C rate, the uncoated cathode delivers only 63 mAh g⁻¹, while those with alumina, Li-aluminate, and Na-aluminate coatings exhibit approximately two times higher specific capacities. The coated cathodes display steady average discharge potential and lower evolution of the voltage hysteresis during prolonged cycling compared to the uncoated cathode. Importantly, Na-aluminate coated cathode shows a lowering in gases (O₂, CO₂, H₂, etc.) evolution. Post-cycling analysis of the electrodes demonstrates higher morphological integrity of the coated cathode materials and lower transition metals dissolution from them. The coatings mitigate undesirable side reactions between the electrodes and the electrolyte solution in the cells.     

Effects of Aqueous Dispersions of C60, C70 and Gd@C82 Fullerenes on Genes Involved in Oxidative Stress and Anti-Inflammatory Pathways

Background: Fullerenes and metallofullerenes can be considered promising nanopharmaceuticals themselves and as a basis for chemical modification. As reactive oxygen species homeostasis plays a vital role in cells, the study of their effect on genes involved in oxidative stress and anti-inflammatory responses are of particular importance. Methods: Human fetal lung fibroblasts were incubated with aqueous dispersions of C₆₀, C₇₀, and Gd@C₈₂ in concentrations of 5 nM and 1.5 µM for 1, 3, 24, and 72 h. Cell viability, intracellular ROS, NOX4, NFκB, PRAR-γ, NRF2, heme oxygenase 1, and NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 expression have been studied. Results & conclusion: The aqueous dispersions of C₆₀, C₇₀, and Gd@C₈₂ fullerenes are active participants in reactive oxygen species (ROS) homeostasis. Low and high concentrations of aqueous fullerene dispersions (AFD) have similar effects. C₇₀ was the most inert substance, C₆₀ was the most active substance. All AFDs have both “prooxidant” and “antioxidant” effects but with a different balance. Gd@C₈₂ was a substance with more pronounced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, while C₇₀ had more pronounced “prooxidant” properties.     

Novel sorbents of ethanol “salt confined to porous matrix” for adsorptive cooling

In this paper a new family of sorbents, specifically designed for ethanol sorption, is presented. The composites were synthesized by a dry impregnation of matrices with an aqueous solution of various salts. The ethanol sorption capacity of the composites, under conditions typical for adsorptive air conditioning cycle, has been measured by using an express method based on the Polanyi principle of temperature invariance. Results obtained show that the best novel composites have the ethanol sorption ability which is higher than that of known ethanol sorbents. The composite LiBr(30 wt.%)/SiO₂ appears to show the highest sorption capacity and an uptake variation Δw = 0.56 and 0.40 g/g for air conditioning and ice making cycles, respectively. They are much larger than those obtained for conventional adsorbents. The correspondent cooling coefficient of performance (COP) was estimated to be 0.66 and 0.61, which is comparable with the COP of the best water sorbents.