Towards a Descriptive Model of Agent Strategy Search

It is argued that due to the complexity of most economic phenomena, the chances of deriving correct models from a priori principles are small. Instead are more descriptive approach to modelling should be pursued. Agent-based modelling is characterised as a step in this direction. However many agent-based models use off-the-shelf algorithms from computer science without regard to their descriptive accuracy. This paper attempts an agent model that describes the behaviour of subjects reported by Joep Sonnemans as accurately as possible. It takes a structure that is compatible with current thinking cognitive science and explores the nature of the agent processes that then match the behaviour of the subjects. This suggests further modelling improvements and experiments

The Constructability of Artificial Intelligence (as defined by the Turing Test)

The Turing Test, as originally specified, centres on the ability to perform a social role. The TT can seen as a test of an ability to enter into normal human social dynamics. In this light it seems unlikely that such an entity can be wholly designed in an `off-line' mode, but rather a considerable period of training in situ would be required. The argument that since we can pass the TT and our cognitive processes might be implemented as a TM that, in theory, an TM that could pass the TT could be built is attacked on the grounds that not all TMs are constructable in a planned way. This observation points towards the importance of developmental processes that include random elements (e.g. evolution), but in these cases it becomes problematic to call the result artificial

SU(N) Wigner-Racah algebra for the matrix of second moments of embedded Gaussian unitary ensemble of random matrices

Recently Pluhar and Weidenmueller [Ann. Phys. (N.Y.) Vol 297, 344 (2002)] showed that the eigenvectors of the matrix of second moments of embedded Gaussian unitary ensemble of random matrices generated by k-body interactions (EGUE(k)) for m fermions in N single particle states are SU(N) Wigner coefficients and derived also an expression for the eigenvalues. Going beyond this work, we will show that the eigenvalues of this matrix are square of a SU(N) Racah coefficient and thus the matrix of second moments of EGUE(k) is solved completely by SU(N) Wigner-Racah algebra.Comment: 16 page

Experiences of Autism Diagnosis: Parental Experiences and Interpretations of the Process of Having a Child Diagnosed with Autism

The experience of having a child diagnosed with ASD is known to be challenging for parents, and research on this has been increasing over the past decade. This study provides a thematic analysis of the lived experience of having a child diagnosed with ASD, based on interviews with seven parents (aged 35 to 52 years) of six children (aged 7 to 13) who had received a diagnosis of ASD within five years of starting primary school. Parents described the experience of having a child diagnosed with ASD as raising questions and issues in four interconnected areas of concern: “seeing the child”, “navigating the professional system”, “accommodating the needs of the child in balance with the needs of the whole family” and “helping the child find a way of being in the world”. For parents, receiving a diagnosis of ASD involved a challenge of “meaning” – a challenge of integrating the information about their child provided in the diagnosis with their sense of who their child is. Parents were particularly appreciative of professionals who assisted them with this task and who showed an appreciation of the unique qualities of their children. The experiences of these parents have implications for how professionals might communicate with parents and families, as well as how they can provide clear and definite information, address some core practical concerns of parents and families and at all times show an appreciation of the child

Cosmological rotating black holes in five-dimensional fake supergravity

In recent series of papers, we found an arbitrary dimensional, time-evolving and spatially-inhomogeneous solutions in Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton gravity with particular couplings. Similar to the supersymmetric case the solution can be arbitrarily superposed in spite of non-trivial time-dependence, since the metric is specified by a set of harmonic functions. When each harmonic has a single point source at the center, the solution describes a spherically symmetric black hole with regular Killing horizons and the spacetime approaches asymptotically to the Friedmann-Lema\^itre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) cosmology. We discuss in this paper that in 5-dimensions this equilibrium condition traces back to the 1st-order "Killing spinor" equation in "fake supergravity" coupled to arbitrary U(1) gauge fields and scalars. We present a 5-dimensional, asymptotically FLRW, rotating black-hole solution admitting a nontrivial "Killing spinor," which is a spinning generalization of our previous solution. We argue that the solution admits nondegenerate and rotating Killing horizons in contrast with the supersymmetric solutions. It is shown that the present pseudo-supersymmetric solution admits closed timelike curves around the central singularities. When only one harmonic is time-dependent, the solution oxidizes to 11-dimensions and realizes the dynamically intersecting M2/M2/M2-branes in a rotating Kasner universe. The Kaluza-Klein type black holes are also discussed.Comment: 24 pages, 2 figures; v2: references added, to appear in PR

Surfactant-induced migration of a spherical drop in Stokes flow

In Stokes flows, symmetry considerations dictate that a neutrally-buoyant spherical particle will not migrate laterally with respect to the local flow direction. We show that a loss of symmetry due to flow-induced surfactant redistribution leads to cross-stream drift of a spherical drop in Poiseuille flow. We derive analytical expressions for the migration velocity in the limit of small non-uniformities in the surfactant distribution, corresponding to weak-flow conditions or a high-viscosity drop. The analysis predicts that the direction of migration is always towards the flow centerline.Comment: Significant extension with additional text, figures, equations, et

Merit based selection and performance assessment for mineworkers

While objective selection and assessments are an accepted part of employing managers and other staff, they have had only a limited place when selecting mineworkers in Australia. Wambo Mining Corporation has used occupational testing as part of its recruitment process since 1994. For managers and staff in particular, it is considered this has contributed significantly to a 95 % fit of those appointees. In 1997 when Wambo undertook development of a new on site subsidiary underground mine called Wollemi Services, they wanted to select the most appropriate people in terms of skill and on the job performance. To achieve this they reviewed and improved their recruitment processes to facilitate selection and transfer of an initial intake of almost 50 staff and mineworkers. One of the issues for Human Resource Management was to provide an environment where employees could let go of previously held (but not necessarily individually believed) entrenched views about individual performance and assessment. It needed to be emphasised that performance could be objectively and fairly assessed. More importantly, the performance being assessed was the application of skills and that new skills could be learnt and individuals could choose to change behaviour. A process was agreed between management, employees and their local representatives to select and transfer people on merit from within shift groups. In the f lrst intake, three supervisors and thirty-nine production workers were selected from an existing workforce of over two hundred. Part of the process to ensure validity and to help people feel comfortable was an objective job analysis for positions. From a computer-based analysis, person specifications were developed and appropriate test batteries identified to facilitate selection. A combination of a self-report occupational personality or work styles questionnaire and several ability tests were used. In addition, each employee and two supervisors completed an assessment of the employee\u27s current work performance. Candidates were provided with individual feedback about their self-assessments, performance feedback from supervisors and asked to respond to a number of questions about their interest in and potential contribution to the new operation. When selecting employees, assessments of skills and additional competencies were also considered. The validity of the self-report assessments has since been confinned in a correlation analysis of the results with supervisor feedback on performance. In addition the results have been analysed to identify development needs for all candidates. It was essential that the overall process was confidential so that people would be prepared to participate and the vast majority of people took up the competitive challenge. In the four months since the process, there has been a significant breakdown of restrictive practices. As expected, there was a productivity improvement at the new site. In addition, at the existing mine there has been a significant realignment of individual performance with many individuals being dynamic, progressive and showing real responsibility in their work

Study protocol: Delayed intervention randomised controlled trial within the Medical Research Council (MRC) Framework to assess the effectiveness of a new palliative care service

Background: Palliative care has been proposed to help meet the needs of patients who suffer progressive non-cancer conditions but there have been few evaluations of service development initiatives. We report here a novel protocol for the evaluation of a new palliative care service in this context. Methods/Design: Using the MRC Framework for the Evaluation of Complex Interventions we modelled a new palliative care and neurology service for patients severely affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS). We conducted qualitative interviews with patients, families and staff, plus a literature review to model and pilot the service. Then we designed a delayed intervention randomised controlled trial to test its effectiveness as part of phase II of the MRC framework. Inclusion criteria for the trial were patients identified by referring clinicians as having unresolved symptoms or psychological concerns. Referrers were advised to use a score of greater than 8 on the Expanded Disability Scale was a benchmark. Consenting patients newly referred to the new service were randomised to either receive the palliative care service immediately (fast-track) or after a 12-week wait (standard best practice). Face to face interviews were conducted at baseline (before intervention), and at 4–6, 10–12 (before intervention for the standard-practice group), 16– 18 and 22–24 weeks with patients and their carers using standard questionnaires to assess symptoms, palliative care outcomes, function, service use and open comments. Ethics committee approval was granted separately for the qualitative phase and then for the trial. Discussion: We publish the protocol trial here, to allow methods to be reviewed in advance of publication of the results. The MRC Framework for the Evaluation of Complex Interventions was helpful in both the design of the service, methods for evaluation in convincing staff and the ethics committee to accept the trial. The research will provide valuable information on the effects of palliative care among non-cancer patients and a method to evaluate palliative care in this context