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The authors of the present article pose and consider in detail the highly relevant issue of whether capitalism has a future or whether it will be replaced by some new system. And if it does have a future, then what future will it be? These questions are nothing new, but in the recent few years, just like a hundred years ago, they have acquired exceptional importance, since not only the Left but also the representatives of the largest financial capital started speaking about the end of capitalism. The present article considers the following aspects: what is capitalism as an economic sector and as an economic system? How did capitalism evolve? What are its potentialities? The authors also make some forecasts for the next 50–100 years. Various scenarios for the future of capitalism are considered: from maintaining its leading role to its reduction to a sector. It is assumed that in the coming decades, the development of capitalism may proceed in different ways in developed and developing countries, which may result in a complex continuum of types, transitions, combinations, and forms of capitalism. In some countries, the development of capitalism has reached a level when it has already exhausted itself and needs transformations; meanwhile, there are countries where full-fledged market relations have not yet emerged. The authors analyze two main types of capitalism. The developed countries are likely to experience a shift toward strengthening of distributive institutions. In their turn, the developing countries that continue the processes of economic and socio-political modernization are likely to proceed toward strengthening of capitalist market institutions, though with some important restrictions preventing exploitation and environmental degradation. The authors believe that capitalism will be inevitably transformed in one way or another, but such transformations can vary greatly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The affine formation maneuver (AFM) control problem using the zero-sum differential game is studied for a second-order multi-agent system (MAS) against cyber-injection attacks on the actuators. First and foremost, the distributed control signals and the cyber-injected attack signals are viewed as two competing teams. Then, the leader-follower tracking error system is established where the followers aim to track the AFMs of the leaders. The leader-follower distributed optimal control policies and the cyber-attack attenuation policies are derived from the Nash equilibrium solution of the Hamilton-Jacobi-Isaac (HJI) equation. The solution of the HJI equation is estimated with the aid of the critic neural network. The weights of the critic system are learned online based on the adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) scheme. The uniformly ultimately bounded stability of the closed-loop system under the formulated zero-sum differential game control strategy has been proven by the Lyapunov stability theorem. A simulation example illustrates that the presented control method can attenuate cyber-injection attacks on the actuators and maintain the AFMs of the agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper endeavours to directly establish the observability inequality of backward stochastic heat equations involving a Lévy process for measurable sets. As an immediate application, we attain the approximate controllability of forward stochastic heat equations featuring a Lévy process. Subsequently, we embark upon the formulation of a nuanced optimization problem, encompassing both the determination of an optimal actuator location and its associated minimum norm control. This formulation is elegantly cast as a two-person zero-sum game problem. We then proceed to articulate a set of conditions–both sufficient and necessary–required for optimizing the solution through the prism of a Nash equilibrium. At last, we prove that the relaxed optimal solution is an optimal actuator location for the classical problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development and wide application of sensing devices and communication networks, the traditional power system has transformed into a cyber physical power system (CPPS) gradually. The constant interaction of information flow and power flow exposes the grid to potential cyber-attack risks. In this paper, the defense strategy selection approaches are proposed based on incomplete information game against false data injection attack (FDIA) in different scenarios. Firstly, the attack-defense tree model containing economic indicators and a measure of attack is established, and the expected revenues of both attacker and defender are calculated in detail. Secondly, the static Bayesian attack-defense game model in which the defender grasps incomplete information is constructed, considering two cases of low-tech attacker and high-tech attacker. Then, the zero-sum attack-defense game model in which the attacker masters incomplete information is structured, considering the changing attack space. Finally, the simulations are carried out on the IEEE 30-bus system, and the optimal defense strategies in the case of two incomplete information are obtained by solving the equilibrium point. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed method is effective in cyber security defense system, and can provide guiding ideology and theoretical basis for operators to deploy defense measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article has its roots in the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity, a Chinese innovation aimed at realizing the development and prosperity of human societies. This concept rests on an exploration, based in Marxism and sinicized Marxism, of how world history has evolved, and embodies six global initiatives as fundamental measures to respond to the real needs of world development at the current stage. Specifically, the Belt and Road Initiative, based on a new pattern of cooperation, strives to build a new model of common prosperity in both economic and cultural terms for countries around the world. The Global Development Initiative aims to upgrade the development agenda and formulate new guidelines for the common socio-economic development of all countries. The Global Security Initiative seeks to eliminate the old-style mentality formed by the zero-sum game thinking of the Cold War epoch, and to formulate a new conception of shared security for the international community. The Global Civilization Initiative sets out to disprove the myths of Western civilization and to develop a new concept of mutual learning between civilizations, while the Global AI Governance Initiative aims to build consensus and on that basis, to shape the common governance of scientific and technological progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an optimisation problem for the monotone mean-variance (MMV) criterion is considered from the perspective of the insurance company. The MMV criterion is an amended version of the classical mean-variance (MV) criterion which guarantees the monotonicity of the utility function. With this criterion we study the optimal investment and reinsurance problem which is formulated as a zero-sum game between the insurance company and an imaginary player. We apply the dynamic programming principle to obtain the corresponding Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman–Isaacs (HJBI) equation. As the main conclusion of this paper, by solving the HJBI equation explicitly, the closed forms of the optimal strategy and the value function are obtained. Moreover, the MMV efficient frontier is also provided. At the end of the paper, a numerical example is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased use of social media has triggered a visual shift in digital political communication. One central strategy is visual (self-) personalization and many studies have analyzed why and to what extent political communication is focused on individuals. Yet, most research has concentrated on personalization, leaving aside the question of whether it comes at the expense of policy issues or whether people are brought into focus as facilitators of such issues. We fill this research gap by analyzing how visual (self-) personalization on Instagram pages of parties and politicians during election campaigns has changed over time and whether it comes at the cost of addressing policy issues. We use data from three quantitative content analyses of Instagram posts published by parliamentary parties (n = 7) and top candidates (n = 18) in the 'hot phases' before three national German elections (N = 2313), covering all nationwide elections since Instagram has become a common campaign tool. It is shown that personal depictions are very common in Instagram campaigns of parties and candidates while addressing policy issues in posts varies between elections. Using a multilevel binomial regression model, we show that addressing policy issues is negatively related to personalization but further analysis shows that it is not a zero-sum game at the cost of addressing policy issues. Our results provide insights into how the presentation of politics might change when image- and video-based platforms continue to gain importance in political communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the Target–Attacker–Defender (TAD) pursuit-evasion game. This is a two team, zero-sum differential game consisting of the aforementioned three agents obeying simple motion. The game terminates at the first time t f when the Attacker achieves point capture of either the Target or Defender. The Attacker chases the Target in such a manner as to minimise the distance between itself and the Target, minus the distance between itself and the Defender at termination time; and the Target and Defender work as a team to achieve the exact opposite goal. This paper introduces and verifies the most elegant characterisation of the state-feedback Nash equilibrium. Whereas previous methods in the literature segregated the state space into at least three separate regions, we introduce a new unifying paradigm given by the Holographic Principle, and conjecture that this principle is more broadly applicable to a large class of simple motion pursuit-evasion games. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How would human players negotiate a spatial array with a randomly behaving partner? In an interactive, online, zero-sum grid game, we tested whether and how players create areas and place sequences by coloring-in places in a 20 × 20 matrix (261 human adults, 261 machine partners, N = 522). Several indicators showed that human players followed an intentional strategy rather than coloring in places ad libitum. First, human players built a larger largest cluster from places than the machine. Second, they were sensitive to task instructions and could modify their strategy accordingly. When instructed to build an area, they built a bigger one. When set under time pressure, they colored-in faster and only had time to build a smaller cluster from places. Third, the most compelling human strategy to create an area was lining up pathways (place sequencing). Despite these differences, the resulting spatial field structure was similar in human and machine players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To eliminate the requirement of the precise model for model-based control methods, an improved modelfree H∞ control method is designed for batch processes with unknown dynamics and disturbances. Firstly, both the zero-sum game value function and the Q-function are presented as two-dimensional (2D) forms, and their relation is analyzed to obtain the model-free Bellman equation. Secondly, an on policy 2D game Q-learning method is proposed for learning the optimal gains of the designed H∞ controller. On this basis, the behavior control policy and the behavior disturbance policy are individually applied by developing an off-policy 2D game Q-learning method. Subsequently, the strict proof about the convergence and the unbiasedness of the off-policy approach are given. Finally, the simulation results of injection velocity manifest the validity and effectivity of the proposed algorithm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in the Journal of Museum Education, explores the concept of engaging critically with and learning from the past, particularly in the context of Holocaust education. It discusses the debates surrounding the singularity of the Holocaust and its relevance in today's society, as well as the tension between the specific horrors of the Holocaust and the universal lessons that can be learned from it. The article also addresses the challenges faced by educators in discussing the Holocaust and other forms of hatred and prejudice in a productive and inclusive manner. Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of open dialogue, questioning assumptions, and engaging with the public in difficult discussions about history and structures of hatred. [Extracted from the article]

Witnessing the pro-Western shifts in the post-Soviet countries, Russia has failed to develop policies that would attract the former Soviet satellites without keeping them in its sphere of influence via hard-power. On the other hand, Western values, political influence and institutions have penetrated Eurasian countries causing Russia's relative decline. This structural dynamic not only entraps Russia in a zero-sum game with the West but also triggers Russian threat perceptions on the unit level. Russian strategic culture emphasizes anxieties about loss of sovereignty or power shifts in the Russian regime that could mean the end of the current establishment, border security, and great power status resurrection. A combination of these threat perceptions and structural shifts manifests in the Thucydides Trap, an ancient dilemma behind the preventive war, in the post-Soviet space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En antologi om natursyn og natur i Danmark: edited by Anne Katrine Gjerløff and Karsten Elmose Vad, Odense, Biologiforbundet, 2021, 200 pp., DKK 250 (pbk), ISBN: 87-91659-04-3 To counter biodiversity loss, it seems more realistic that an appeal to a more abstract feeling of the value of species that one will never encounter and to a sadness at the thought of their disappearance will gather support for more wild nature also in Denmark. In this Danish anthology on nature and views on nature, "Which Nature?". [Extracted from the article]

In this paper, we consider a two-person zero-sum differential game with incomplete information on the initial state, namely, the first player has a private information while the second player knows only a probability distribution on the initial state, and obtain the existence of its value functions. The main novelty lies in the method for which we apply a generalized weak contraction for dynamic systems and terminal cost functions instead of the Lipschitz contractive condition on a partially ordered metric space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patterns of news consumption are changing drastically. Citizens increasingly rely on social media such as Facebook to read and share political news. With the power of these platforms to expose citizens to political information, the implications for democracy are profound, making understanding what is shared during elections a priority on the research agenda. Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, no study has yet explicitly explored how elections transform news sharing behaviour on Facebook. This study begins to remedy this by (a) investigating changes in news coverage and news sharing behaviour on Facebook by comparing election and routine periods, and by (b) addressing the 'news gap' between preferences of journalists and news consumers on social media. Employing a novel data set of news articles (N = 83,054) in Mexico, findings show that during periods of heightened political activity, both the publication and dissemination of political news increases, the gap between the news choices of journalists and consumers narrows, and that news sharing resembles a zero-sum game, with increased political news sharing leading to a decrease in the sharing of other news. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider zero-sum stochastic games for controlled continuous time Markov processes on a general state space with risk-sensitive discounted cost criteria. The transition and cost rates are possibly unbounded. Under a stability assumption, we prove the existence of a saddle-point equilibrium in the class of Markov strategies and give a characterization in terms of the corresponding Hamilton-Jacobi-Isaacs (HJI) equation. Also, we illustrate our results and assumptions by an example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an effective vehicle, uncertainty theory is applicable for handling subjective indeterminacy. Based on uncertainty theory, the Hurwicz model of the zero-sum uncertain differential game with jump is formulated, in which the dynamic system is portrayed by an uncertain differential equation satisfying both the canonical Liu process and V-jump uncertain process. An equilibrium equation for solving the saddle-point of the above game is proposed. In addition, the game with a linear dynamic system and the quadratic objective function is further analysed. At last, a resource extraction problem using our theoretical results is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventionally, as the system dynamics is known, the finite-horizon optimal control of zero-sum games relies on solving the time-varying Riccati equations. In this paper, with unknown system dynamics being considered, a Q-function-based finite-horizon control method is introduced to approximate the solutions of the time-varying Riccati equations. First, a time-varying Q-function explicitly dependent on the time-varying control and disturbance is defined. Then the defined time-varying Q-function is utilised to represent the time-varying control and disturbance which are equivalent to the solutions of the time-varying Riccati equations by relaxing the system dynamics. Finally, a model-free method is introduced to approximate the defined time-varying Q-function. Simulation studies are conducted to demonstrate the validity of the developed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article we consider zero and non-zero sum risk-sensitive average criterion games for semi-Markov processes with a finite state space. For the zero-sum case, under suitable assumptions we show that the game has a value. We also establish the existence of a stationary saddle point equilibrium. For the non-zero sum case, under suitable assumptions we establish the existence of a stationary Nash equilibrium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay argues that within competitive sport zero-sum logic and the theory of mutualism are compatible and complementary. Drawing on Robert Simon’s theory of mutualism and Scott Kretchmar’s argument for zero-sum logic, this article shows how athletes can strive for a clear-cut victory and shared benefits such as athletic excellence fully and wholeheartedly at the same time. This paper will also consider how acknowledgment of this dynamic could advance understandings for ethical theories for sport. It will then conclude by describing a subjective approach that will make the affinity of zero-sum logic and mutualism more accessible for sports people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel prespecified finite-time and overshoot-restrained fault-tolerant tracking control scheme to compensate the intermittent faults in linear uncertain systems. Starting from the system tracking error dynamics model, we design a speed excitation function to improve the response speed of the control. A finite-time performance index function is established in the zero-sum game framework for the fault-free H ∞ optimal control policy. Based on Lyapunov stability theory, a fault compensation oriented fault estimation and diagnosis method is proposed to ensure the uniformly ultimately bounded stability of tracking errors. It is noteworthy that the proposed speeding fault-tolerant control can accelerate the trajectory tracking, narrow the upper bound of tracking errors and restrain the overshoot. Numerical and practical experiments fully illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is concerned with the secure H ∞ control problem for cyber-physical systems (CPSs) under time-delay attacks, which cause the systems' information to be received with delays. Through transforming the H ∞ control problem to a two-player zero-sum game problem, the H ∞ controller can be obtained by solving the saddle point for the game. Due to the unknown system parameters, a model-free reinforcement learning (RL) method is applied, and the measurement feedback controller is designed based on the historical inputs and the tracking errors. To obviate the requirement of the initial admissible policy, the value iteration (VI) of the adaptive dynamic program (ADP) algorithm is proposed to solve the approximate saddle point. Moreover, the convergence of the proposed algorithm is proved. Finally, a networked circuit system is employed to show the effectiveness of the proposed methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial markets have a social history. In the 19th century, birth of capital markets led to the birth of the stock exchange novel, which inspired H de Balzac, E Zola, etc. During the 1980s, the financialization of the economy saw the cinema captured this change through the financial thriller. Oliver Stone's Wall Street (1987) inaugurates a list of recent movies that deals with the stock exchange. The film Wall Street shows us that financial activity allows rapid social ascension. The stock market activity is presented as a zero-sum game. Money simply passes from one pocket to another by the virtue of magic. The dynamic of capitalism thus finds part of their source in the greed of the individuals that it exploits. The market is the place where another form of economic rationality unfolds in the form of an instinct for predation which is not burdened by morality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper designs a novel adaptive robust optimal sliding mode control (SMC) strategy for constrained input missile system with uncertain input and unknown disturbance. First, a smooth function is employed to map the constrained input. Based on SMC theory, a fast adaptive SMC scheme is designed to reduce the effects of unknown input and approximate error which has two advantages. One is that the proposed scheme is independent of the uncertain information. The other is that the proposed scheme forces the states to converge with exponential rate as they are far away from the sliding mode surface, and the states move with linear rate when they are closed to the sliding mode surface. Then, a zero-sum differential games strategy-based adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) technique is employed to obtain the optimal performance of sliding mode dynamics system. The loop-system and estimation weight error can be proved stable by utilising Lyapunov theory. Finally, the missile autopilot system is used to indicate the effectiveness of the designed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a zero-sum game Nash equilibrium computation problem with event-triggered communication is investigated under an undirected weight-balanced multi-agent network. A novel distributed event-triggered projection subgradient algorithm is developed to reduce the communication burden within the subnetworks. In the proposed algorithm, when the difference between the current state of the agent and the state of the last trigger time exceeds a given threshold, the agent will be triggered to communicate with its neighbours. Moreover, we prove that all agents converge to Nash equilibrium by the proposed algorithm. Finally, two simulation examples verify that our algorithm not only reduces the communication burden but also ensures that the convergence speed and accuracy are close to that of the time-triggered method under the appropriate threshold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Model-free learning for multi-agent stochastic games is an active area of research. Existing reinforcement learning algorithms, however, are often restricted to zero-sum games and are applicable only in small state-action spaces or other simplified settings. Here, we develop a new data-efficient Deep-Q-learning methodology for model-free learning of Nash equilibria for general-sum stochastic games. The algorithm uses a locally linear-quadratic expansion of the stochastic game, which leads to analytically solvable optimal actions. The expansion is parametrized by deep neural networks to give it sufficient flexibility to learn the environment without the need to experience all state-action pairs. We study symmetry properties of the algorithm stemming from label-invariant stochastic games and as a proof of concept, apply our algorithm to learning optimal trading strategies in competitive electronic markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nonnegative tensor I A i is I hyperstochastic i if Graph HT ht for all I i i , I j i . Let Graph HT ht be a I k i -tensor. For Graph HT ht and Graph HT ht , we denote by Graph HT ht the sum of the I i i th slice in the I j i th direction. [Extracted from the article]

We explicitly solve the nonlinear PDE that is the continuous limit of dynamic programing equation of the expert prediction problem in finite horizon setting with N = 4 experts. The expert prediction problem is formulated as a zero sum game between a player and an adversary. By showing that the solution is C 2 , we are able to show that the comb strategies, as conjectured by Gravin et al., form an asymptotic Nash equilibrium. We also prove the "Finite vs Geometric regret" conjecture proposed in arXiv:1409.3040 for N = 4, and show that this conjecture in fact follows from the conjecture that the comb strategies are optimal for all N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zero-sum aspects of sport have generated a number of ethical concerns and a similar number of defenses or apologetics. The trick has been to find a middle position that neither overly gentrifies sport nor inappropriately emphasizes the significance of winning and losing. One such position would have us focus on the process of trying to win over the fact of having one. It would also ameliorate any harms associated with defeat by pointing out that benefits like achievement, excellence, and moral development are available to winner and loser alike. Relying on the notion of ‘frame’ introduced by Polanyi, I argue that this approach underplays the poignant drama of sport (including the sting of defeat) and thus, seeks redemption at too high a cost. I argue for a version of red-blooded competition that is justified more by transcendence than mitigation, more by a willingness to play again tomorrow than civility during any single contest. I analyze sport in terms of its receptivity to such repetition and find that epistemological uncertainty, enhanced by the presence of chance in sport, renders repeat engagements both sensible and attractive. I conclude that sport verdicts, unlike outcomes in war, business, and love, do not settle things. Rather they invite both winner and loser alike to ‘play again tomorrow’. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article presents an adaptation from the book "They're So Smart ‘Cause We're So Stupid: A Medievalist Guide" by Richard Landes discussing lack of analysis of the honor-shame paradigm by makers of the Oslo Agreement. Topics include ignorance of zero sum tendencies, failure of the peace process due to cognitive egocentrism, and flaws of the logic of positive-sum principle of an exchange of land for peace.

The most recent overview of white and grey markets in the zero-day trade was published in 2015 and much new evidence has since emerged. By examining data from bug bounty platforms, newly published pricelists and Russian language reporting, I aim to produce an updated picture of prices, market dynamics and policy implications. Analysis of the white market indicates that generally higher supply and demand is increasing prices, as more zero-days are found and organisations become more aware of the costs of breaches. Nevertheless, factors other than supply and demand shape the market, crucially the impetus among researchers to work for non-monetary rewards. Prices in the grey market also seem to be increasing, with comparisons of public price lists showing that zero-days affecting mobile operating systems, particularly iOS, were most valuable. Furthermore, recent evidence implies the existence of a grey market in Russia which is analysed below. Finally, this paper proposes three policy recommendations to mitigate the risk from zero-days, particularly as the Internet of Things comes to fruition. Secure software development, improving vulnerability disclosure legislation and establishing mechanisms for governments to decide what to do with the zero-days they find are all vital to reducing the current threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we consider the order of strongly starlikeness for functions in Silverman's class ɡb and in the generalized Mocanu's class M(α, β1, &#946,2). Some previous results are improved [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is a relationship in which individuals agree that romantic or sexual relationships with others are permissible or desirable (e.g. polyamory or open relationships). Although anti-CNM prejudice is prevalent, it is not well understood. We propose that one of the bases of anti-CNM prejudice iszero-sum thinkingabout love – the perception that one person’s love gained is another’s love lost. We outline our theory and then present three studies that test our predictions. In these studies, participants read a vignette that depicted characters who were in a CNM or monogamous relationship, and then judged aspects of the characters and their relationship. In Study 1, participants who read the CNM vignette judged the protagonist’s love for their initial romantic partner before and after they became involved with a second partner. Zero-sum thinking was operationally defined as the within-subject change in love ratings. In Studies 2 and 3, participants rated their agreement with items from a new preliminary measure ofzero-sum romantic beliefs. We measured CNM devaluation by asking for ratings of the relationships and of individuals in the relationships. Supporting our predictions, in all three studies we found that zero-sum thinking about love was associated with increased CNM devaluation. We end by briefly discussing the implications of our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a hybrid method developed for solving an equality-constrained optimization problem. This method combines the co-evolutionary augmented Lagrangian method with the hybrid evolution strategy technique to overcome two major disadvantages of the evolutionary algorithm,i.e.poor constraint handling and a low convergence rate. Parameter and multiplier groups are evolved simultaneously to solve a zero-sum game transformed from a parameter optimization problem with equality constraints by the augmented Lagrangian method. Gradient individuals of parameters and multipliers are propagated by Newton’s method, and they play an important role in accelerating the speed of convergence. Ten test problems are solved to indicate that the proposed hybrid method supplies more accurate solutions with faster convergence than the co-evolutionary augmented Lagrangian method. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Finally, Paul and Mukhopadhyay examine the research productivity of marketing scholars in marketing departments across the globe. In Paul, Ponnam, and Bagchi's work, they introduce "The Game of Stores", a retail site simulation that tests students' analytical skills in optimizing retail location choice and profitability. Specifically, they discuss the process of metacognition (thinking about their thoughts) to lead students toward higher-order thinking; they discuss how metacognition extends critical thinking to help with learning processes, learning goals, and goal attainment. [Extracted from the article]

Like most of Ontroerend Goed's work, Fight Night (2013) exploits the formation of an audience community - in this case so as to raise questions about democracy. Fight Night is 'an interactive performance about what makes you vote': spectators are invited to plot themselves demographically by entering personal information such as income bracket using a keypad that we receive on entering the theatre. This information is used to analyse each round of voting, as we move toward electing a leader to represent us. We see the candidates cynically mutate according to the results of the previous votes. The essay considers Fight Night as a cautionary satire of the ways in which designated opportunities to participate are circumscribed by an optics-driven economy of legibility. Such an economy, it is argued, coerces us to follow the rules of a zero-sum, electoral game. Using the metaphor of bubbles – individual, private spaces and semi-public spaces such as theatrical events and polling stations - the essay moves on to suggest that certain forms of 'both/and' participatory performance can help to temper the 'either/or' logic of an optics-driven regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zero sum gains data envelopment analysis models (ZSG-DEA models) are non-linear. In this paper, we first show that the ZSG-DEA models can be transformed to linear or parametric linear models and discuss the feasible domains of the parameters. Second, we show that the linear formulations of ZSG-DEA models under the equal output reduction strategy and the proportional output reduction strategy in a single output case are equivalent to the output-oriented super-efficiency model under variable returns-to-scale (VRS) assumption. As a matter of course, the models may encounter infeasibility. Third, we propose the linear transformations of ZSG-DEA models under constant returns-to-scale (CRS) assumption and compare them with the VRS models. In the end, we evaluate the participant countries at the Olympic Games by the linear equivalent models with multiple outputs under different weight restrictions. Our results are compared with the efficiencies obtained from the original ZSG-DEA model with an aggregated output under both CRS and VRS assumptions. It is found that the original method with aggregated output tends to underestimate the efficiencies of DMUs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]