Evolved transistor array robot controllers

For the first time a field programmable transistor array (FPTA) was used to evolve robot control circuits directly in analog hardware. Controllers were successfully incrementally evolved for a physical robot engaged in a series of visually guided behaviours, including finding a target in a complex environment where the goal was hidden from most locations. Circuits for recognising spoken commands were also evolved and these were used in conjunction with the controllers to enable voice control of the robot, triggering behavioural switching. Poor quality visual sensors were deliberately used to test the ability of evolved analog circuits to deal with noisy uncertain data in realtime. Visual features were coevolved with the controllers to automatically achieve dimensionality reduction and feature extraction and selection in an integrated way. An efficient new method was developed for simulating the robot in its visual environment. This allowed controllers to be evaluated in a simulation connected to the FPTA. The controllers then transferred seamlessly to the real world. The circuit replication issue was also addressed in experiments where circuits were evolved to be able to function correctly in multiple areas of the FPTA. A methodology was developed to analyse the evolved circuits which provided insights into their operation. Comparative experiments demonstrated the superior evolvability of the transistor array medium

The evolution of handedness: why are ant colonies left- and right-handed?

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The fairness, predictive validity and acceptability of multiple mini interview in an internationally diverse student population--a mixed methods study

BACKGROUND: International medical students, those attending medical school outside of their country of citizenship, account for a growing proportion of medical undergraduates worldwide. This study aimed to establish the fairness, predictive validity and acceptability of Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) in an internationally diverse student population. METHODS: This was an explanatory sequential, mixed methods study. All students in First Year Medicine, National University of Ireland Galway 2012 were eligible to sit a previously validated 10 station MMI. Quantitative data comprised: demographics, selection tool scores and First Year Assessment scores. Qualitative data comprised separate focus groups with MMI Assessors, EU and Non-EU students. RESULTS: 109 students participated (45% of class). Of this 41.3% (n = 45) were Non-EU and 35.8% (n = 39) did not have English as first language. Age, gender and socioeconomic class did not impact on MMI scores. Non-EU students and those for whom English was not a first language achieved significantly lower scores on MMI than their EU and English speaking counterparts (difference in mean 11.9% and 12.2% respectively, P<0.001). MMI score was associated with English language proficiency (IELTS) (r = 0.5, P<0.01). Correlations emerged between First Year results and IELTS (r = 0.44; p = 0.006; n = 38) and EU school exit exam (r = 0.52; p<0.001; n = 56). MMI predicted EU student OSCE performance (r = 0.27; p = 0.03; n = 64). In the analysis of focus group data two overarching themes emerged: Authenticity and Cultural Awareness. MMI was considered a highly authentic assessment that offered a deeper understanding of the applicant than traditional tools, with an immediate relevance to clinical practice. Cultural specificity of some stations and English language proficiency were seen to disadvantage international students. Recommendations included cultural awareness training for MMI assessors, designing and piloting culturally neutral stations, lengthening station duration and providing high quality advance information to candidates. CONCLUSION: MMI is a welcome addition to assessment armamentarium for selection, particularly with regard to stakeholder acceptability. Understanding the mediating and moderating influences for differences in performance of international candidates is essential to ensure that MMI complies with the metrics of good assessment practice and principles of both distributive and procedural justice for all applicants, irrespective of nationality and cultural background

Reactivity of a Dinuclear PdIComplex [Pd2(μ-PPh2)(μ2-OAc)(PPh3)2] with PPh3 : Implications for Cross-Coupling Catalysis Using the Ubiquitous Pd(OAc)2/nPPh3Catalyst System

[PdI2(μ-PPh2)(μ2-OAc)(PPh3)2] is the reduction product of PdII(OAc)2(PPh3)2, generated by reaction of ‘Pd(OAc)2’ with two equivalents of PPh3. Here, we report that the reaction of [PdI2(μ-PPh2)(μ2-OAc)(PPh3)2] with PPh3results in a nuanced disproportionation reaction, forming [Pd0(PPh3)3] and a phosphinito-bridged PdI-dinuclear complex, namely [PdI2(μ-PPh2){κ2-P,O-μ-P(O)Ph2}(κ-PPh3)2]. The latter complex is proposed to form by abstraction of an oxygen atom from an acetate ligand at Pd. A mechanism for the formal reduction of a putative PdIIdisproportionation species to the observed PdIcomplex is postulated. Upon reaction of the mixture of [Pd0(PPh)3] and [PdI2(μ-PPh2){κ2-P,O-μ-P(O)Ph2}(κ-PPh3)2] with 2-bromopyridine, the former Pd0complex undergoes a fast oxidative addition reaction, while the latter dinuclear PdIcomplex converts slowly to a tripalladium cluster, of the type [Pd3(μ-X)(μ-PPh2)2(PPh3)3]X, with an overall 4/3 oxidation stateperPd. Our findings reveal complexity associated with the precatalyst activation step for the ubiquitous ‘Pd(OAc)2’/nPPh3catalyst system, with implications for cross-coupling catalysis

THE NATURAL WAY TO EVOLVE HARDWARE

Artificial evolution can automatically derive the configuration of a reconfigurable hardware system such that it performs a given task. Individuals of the evolving population are evaluated when instantiated as real circuits, so if constraints inherent to human design (but not to evolution) are dropped, then the natural physical dynamics of the hardware can be exploited in new ways. The notion of an artificially evolving `species&apos; (SAGA) allows the open-ended incremental evolution of complex circuits. Theoretical arguments are given, as well as the real-world example of an evolved hardware robot controller

Toward Wireless Fronthaul for Cloud RAN Architectures

The application of wireless backhaul is widely adopted in commercial mobile networks as a cost effective alternative to fibre. However, the practical use of wireless transport to support new centralised RAN architectures is not well studied. This paper presents proof of concept results which extend evolving Ethernet based mobile fronthaul concepts to wireless transport solutions. An Open Air Interface (OAI) software base station is utilised where the option 8 fronthaul interface requirements are evaluated and the operational performance assessed over an Ethernet based E-band (71-86GHz) mmWave point to point radio link. Experimental measurements highlight the potential of high capacity wireless transport solutions to meet basic requirements of Ethernet based fronthaul interfaces. Findings also emphasise however, that the anticipated jitter performance requirements of higher configuration massive MIMO radio units (RU) cannot be supported without exploitation of higher layer functional split transport interfaces or new wireless transport spectrum assets such as D-band (130-174.8GHz)

Evaluating the validity of an integrity-based situational judgement test for medical school admissions

BACKGROUND: While the construct of integrity has emerged as a front-runner amongst the desirable attributes to select for in medical school admissions, it is less clear how best to assess this characteristic. A potential solution lies in the use of Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs) which have gained popularity due to robust psychometric evidence and potential for large-scale administration. This study aims to explore the psychometric properties of an SJT designed to measure the construct of integrity. METHODS: Ten SJT scenarios, each with five response stems were developed from critical incident interviews with academic and clinical staff. 200 of 520 (38.5 %) Multiple Mini Interview candidates at Dundee Medical School participated in the study during the 2012–2013 admissions cycle. Participants were asked to rate the appropriateness of each SJT response on a 4-point likert scale as well as complete the HEXACO personality inventory and a face validity questionnaire. Pearson’s correlations and descriptive statistics were used to examine the associations between SJT score, HEXACO personality traits, pre-admissions measures namely academic and United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) scores, as well as acceptability. RESULTS: Cronbach’s alpha reliability for the SJT was .64. Statistically significant correlations ranging from .16 to .36 (.22 to .53 disattenuated) were observed between SJT score and the honesty-humility (integrity), conscientiousness, extraversion and agreeableness  dimensions of the HEXACO inventory. A significant correlation of .32 (.47 disattenuated) was observed between SJT and MMI scores and no significant relationship with the UKCAT. Participant reactions to the SJTs were generally positive. CONCLUSIONS: Initial findings are encouraging regarding the psychometric robustness of an integrity-based SJT for medical student selection, with significant associations found between the SJTs, integrity, other desirable personality traits and the MMI. The SJTs showed little or no redundancy with cognitive ability. Results suggest that carefully-designed SJTs may augment more costly MMIs