81 research outputs found
Jamming Model for the Extremal Optimization Heuristic
Extremal Optimization, a recently introduced meta-heuristic for hard
optimization problems, is analyzed on a simple model of jamming. The model is
motivated first by the problem of finding lowest energy configurations for a
disordered spin system on a fixed-valence graph. The numerical results for the
spin system exhibit the same phenomena found in all earlier studies of extremal
optimization, and our analytical results for the model reproduce many of these
features.Comment: 9 pages, RevTex4, 7 ps-figures included, as to appear in J. Phys. A,
related papers available at http://www.physics.emory.edu/faculty/boettcher
Learning, evolvability and exploratory behaviour: extending the evolutionary reach of learning
Traditional accounts of the role of learning in evolution have concentrated upon its capacity as a source of fitness to individuals. In this paper I use a case study from invasive species biologyâthe role of conditioned taste aversion in mitigating the impact of cane toads on the native species of Northern Australiaâto highlight a role for learning beyond thisâas a source of evolvability to populations. This has two benefits. First, it highlights an otherwise under-appreciated role for learning in evolution that does not rely on social learning as an inheritance channel nor âspecialâ evolutionary processes such as genetic accommodation (both of which many are skeptical about). Second, and more significantly, it makes clear important and interesting parallels between learning and exploratory behaviour in development. These parallels motivate the applicability of results from existing research into learning and learning evolution to our understanding the evolution of evolvability more generally.23 page(s
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