Eco‑evo‑devo and iterated learning : towards an integrated approach in the light of niche construction

In this paper we argue that ecological evolutionary developmental biology (ecoevo-devo) accounts of cognitive modernity are compatible with cultural evolution theories of language built upon iterated learning models. Cultural evolution models show that the emergence of near universal properties of language do not require the preexistence of strong specific constraints. Instead, the development of general abilities, unrelated to informational specificity, like the copying of complex signals and sharing of communicative intentions is required for cultural evolution to yield specific properties, such as language structure. We argue that eco-evo-devo provides the appropriate conceptual background to ground an account for the many interconnected genetic, environmental and developmental factors that facilitated the emergence of an organic system able to develop language through the iterated transmission of information. We use the concept of niche construction to connect evolutionary developmental accounts for sensory guided motor capacities and cultural evolution guided by iterated learning models. This integrated theoretical model aims to build bridges between biological and cultural approaches

Contributions of formal language theory to the study of dialogues

For more than 30 years, the problem of providing a formal framework for modeling dialogues has been a topic of great interest for the scientific areas of Linguistics, Philosophy, Cognitive Science, Formal Languages, Software Engineering and Artificial Intelligence. In the beginning the goal was to develop a "conversational computer", an automated system that could engage in a conversation in the same way as humans do. After studies showed the difficulties of achieving this goal Formal Language Theory and Artificial Intelligence have contributed to Dialogue Theory with the study and simulation of machine to machine and human to machine dialogues inspired by Linguistic studies of human interactions. The aim of our thesis is to propose a formal approach for the study of dialogues. Our work is an interdisciplinary one that connects theories and results in Dialogue Theory mainly from Formal Language Theory, but also from another areas like Artificial Intelligence, Linguistics and Multiprogramming. We contribute to Dialogue Theory by introducing a hierarchy of formal frameworks for the definition of protocols for dialogue interaction. Each framework defines a transition system in which dialogue protocols might be uniformly expressed and compared. The frameworks we propose are based on finite state transition systems and Grammar systems from Formal Language Theory and a multi-agent language for the specification of dialogue protocols from Artificial Intelligence. Grammar System Theory is a subfield of Formal Language Theory that studies how several (a finite number) of language defining devices (language processors or grammars) jointly develop a common symbolic environment (a string or a finite set of strings) by the application of language operations (for instance rewriting rules). For the frameworks we propose we study some of their formal properties, we compare their expressiveness, we investigate their practical application in Dialogue Theory and we analyze their connection with theories of human-like conversation from Linguistics. In addition we contribute to Grammar System Theory by proposing a new approach for the verification and derivation of Grammar systems. We analyze possible advantages of interpreting grammars as multiprograms that are susceptible of verification and derivation using the Owicki-Gries logic, a Hoare-based logic from the Multiprogramming field

Evolutionary algorithms : concepts and applications

Evolutionary algorithms are a family of stochastic problem-solving techniques, within the broader category of what we might call \u201cnatural-metaphor models\u201d, together with neural networks, ant systems, etc. They find their inspiration in biology and, in particular, they are based on mimicking the mechanisms of what we know as \u201cnatural evolution\u201d. During the last twenty-five years these techniques have been applied to a large number of problems of great practical and economic importance with excellent results. This paper presents a survey of these techniques and a few sample applications

Desarrollode un simulador de redes de procesadores que evolucionan (NEPS) en la nube (SPARK)

Máster Universitario en Investigación e Innovación en Tecnologías de la Información y las Comunicaciones (i2-TIC)The natural-inspired computing has becomeone of the most frequently used techniques to handle complex problems such as the NP-Hard optimization problems. This kind of computing has several advantages over traditional computing, including resiliency, parallel data processing, and low consumptionof power. One of the active research areas of the natural-inspired algorithms is Network of Evolutionary Processors (NEPs). A NEP consists of several cells that are attached together; at the same time the edges of the graph are to transfer data between the nodes in system, while cells are representing the nodes.In this thesis we construct a NEPs system which is implemented over the Hadoop spark environment. The use of the spark platform is essential in this work due to the capabilities supplied by this platform. It is a suitable environment used solving some complicated problems. Using the environment is a possible choice in order to design the NEPs system. For this reason, in this thesis, we detailed on how to install, design and operate this system on the Apache the spark environment is used because it has the capability to implement the NEPs system in a distributed manner. The NEPs simulation is delivered in this work. An analysis of system’s parameters was also provided in this work for the system performance evaluation via the examination of each single factor affecting the performance of the NEPs individually. After testing the system, it become clear that using NEPs on the decentralize cloud eco-system can be thought as an effective method to handle data of different formats and also to execute optimization problems such as Adelman, 3-colorabilty and Massive-NEP problems. Moreover, this scheme is also robust that can be adaptable to handle data which might be scaled up to be big data which is characterized by its volume and heterogeneity. In this context heterogeneity might be referring to collecting data from different sources. Moreover, the utilization of the spark environment as a platform to operate the NEPs system has it is prospects. This environment is characterized by its fast task handing chunks of data to Hadoop architecture that is used to implement the spark system which is mainly based on the map and reduce functions. Thus, the task is distributed on NEPs system using the cloud based environment system made it possible to have logical result in all of the three examples investigated and examined in this method

Frontiers of Membrane Computing: Open Problems and Research Topics

This is a list of open problems and research topics collected after the Twelfth Conference on Membrane Computing, CMC 2012 (Fontainebleau, France (23 - 26 August 2011), meant initially to be a working material for Tenth Brainstorming Week on Membrane Computing, Sevilla, Spain (January 30 - February 3, 2012). The result was circulated in several versions before the brainstorming and then modified according to the discussions held in Sevilla and according to the progresses made during the meeting. In the present form, the list gives an image about key research directions currently active in membrane computing

Embedded, Embodied, Adaptive: Architecture and Computation

This catalogue of work marks the second year of the MSc Adaptive Architecture and Computation, UCL Bartlett\'s one-year taught MSc in the field of digital design. Bringing together research at the Bartlett with cutting edge practice, this course aims to give students a solid theoretical and technical foundation for the use of computation as a means to realise their designs, understand the built environment, and create architecture. Themes of investigation include how the built environment can be adapted to its occupants; how form may be generated or evolved parametrically; how the experience of space can be enhanced through the integrated use of new media. In each case, computational methods are sought to improve the design and use of architecture, rather than simply be a mechanical tool for its representation. With this in mind, students are taught the fundamental theory and skills necessary to manipulate their technology at a sophisticated level. Studio time is dedicated to learning scripting and programming within a series of workshops conceived especially for designers

The Epistemology of Simulation, Computation and Dynamics in Economics Ennobling Synergies, Enfeebling 'Perfection'

Lehtinen and Kuorikoski ([73]) question, provocatively, whether, in the context of Computing the Perfect Model, economists avoid - even positively abhor - reliance on simulation. We disagree with the mildly qualified affirmative answer given by them, whilst agreeing with some of the issues they raise. However there are many economic theoretic, mathematical (primarily recursion theoretic and constructive) - and even some philosophical and epistemological - infelicities in their descriptions, definitions and analysis. These are pointed out, and corrected; for, if not, the issues they raise may be submerged and subverted by emphasis just on the unfortunate, but essential, errors and misrepresentationsSimulation, Computation, Computable, Analysis, Dynamics, Proof, Algorithm

The Impact of Agent-Based Models in the Social Sciences after 15 Years of Incursions

This paper provides an overview on the impact of agent-based models in the social sciences. It focuses on the reasons why agent-based models are seen as important innovations in the recent decades. It is aimed to evaluate the impact of this innovation on various disciplines, such as economics, sociology, anthropology, and behavioural sciences. It discusses the advances it contributed to achieve and illustrates some comparatively new fields to which it gave rise. Finally, it emphasizes some research issues that need to be addressed in the future