From exaptation to radical niche construction in biological and technological complex systems

Biological adaptation assumes the evolution of structures toward better functions. Yet, the roots of adaptive trajectories usually entail subverted—perverted—structures, derived from a different function: what Gould and Vrba called “exaptation.” Generally, this derivation is regarded as contingent or serendipitous, but it also may have regularities, if not rules, in both biological evolution and technological innovation. On the basis of biological examples and examples from the history of technology, the authors demonstrate the centrality of exaptation for a modern understanding of niche, selection, and environment. In some cases, biological understanding illuminates technical exaptation. Thus, the driver of exaptation is not simply chance matching of function and form; it depends on particular, permissive contexts. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 18: 7–14, 2013     

Hidden Markov models approach to the analysis of array CGH data

The development of solid tumors is associated with acquisition of complex genetic alterations, indicating that failures in the mechanisms that maintain the integrity of the genome contribute to tumor evolution. Thus, one expects that the particular types of genomic alterations seen in tumors reflect underlying failures in maintenance of genetic stability, as well as selection for changes that provide growth advantage. In order to investigate genomic alterations we are using microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH). The computational task is to map and characterize the number and types of copy number alterations present in the tumors, and so define copy number phenotypes and associate them with known biological markers.To utilize the spatial coherence between nearby clones, we use an unsupervised hidden Markov models approach. The clones are partitioned into the states which represent the underlying copy number of the group of clones. The method is demonstrated on the two cell line datasets, one with known copy number alterations. The biological conclusions drawn from the analyses are discussed.     

Approximate controllability of impulsive semilinear stochastic system with delay in state

Many practical systems in physical and biological sciences have impulsive dynamical behaviors during the evolution process that can be modeled by impulsive differential equations. This article studies the approximate controllability of impulsive semilinear stochastic system with delay in state in Hilbert spaces. Assuming the conditions for the approximate controllability of the corresponding deterministic linear system, we obtain the sufficient conditions for the approximate controllability of the impulsive semilinear stochastic system with delay in state. The results are obtained by using Banach fixed point theorem. Finally, two examples are given to illustrate the developed theory.     

Agent-based and multi-agent simulations: coming of age or in search of an identity?

The promise of agent-based for explicating properties of social systems has not yet been fully realized. Agent models sometimes provide only a veneer of, rather than substantive engagement with, social behavior. The problem will be illustrated with Axelrod’s model for evolution of ethnocentrism (a biological model) versus Schelling’s model for spatial segregation based on preferences (a cultural model). The examples show the need to incorporate both the biological and cultural basis for behavior through a schema that includes behavior based on cultural/cognitive processing of information and behavior based on biological/cognitive processing of information. An example of an agent-based model that implements decision making in this manner is discussed. The model accounts for heterogeneity in behavior outcomes and leads to two main predictions: (1) small scale, hunter-gatherer societies in resource scarce environments will have stable adaptations less affected by variation in resource abundance in comparison to groups in resource rich regions where inter-group conflict is more likely and (2) the relationship between community size, population size and administrative complexity will have two distinct patterns, one for patrilineally organized societies and the other for matrilineally organized societies. Both predictions have been verified empirically.     

基于强互惠理论的企业合作创新行为演化研究

基于强互惠理论构建了企业合作创新行为演化模型,将企业分成投机、纯合作与强互惠三种类型,对基本的演化博弈模型进行了分析,利用复制动态方程求出基本模型的两个演化稳定均衡解,并通过仿真方法对放松约束后的演化模型做进一步分析,发现了新的系统均衡状态并给出解释。研究结果表明:强互惠行为可以通过演化生成,并抑制企业合作创新中的投机行为,与其他两种类型企业共同发展,并形成企业合作创新系统的演化稳定均衡。研究结果为企业合作创新组织的管理提供了决策依据,同时有助于推动企业合作创新理论的深入发展。     

Decision-making on the deployment of new technology — A practical approach

This paper reviews Bell Canada's approach to and experience in managing the orderly deployment of new technology throughout its territory. The approaches used to establishing the direction and speed of technological change are reviewed. The techniques which are specifically used in deciding on the application of new technology are discussed, with typical examples. Appropriate conclusions are drawn with regard to the evolution and deployment of major new technology within a large operating telephone company such as Bell Canada.     

Exact integration formulas for the finite volume element method on simplicial meshes

This article considers the technological aspects of the finite volume element method for the numerical solution of partial differential equations on simplicial grids in two and three dimensions. We derive new classes of integration formulas for the exact integration of generic monomials of barycentric coordinates over different types of fundamental shapes corresponding to a barycentric dual mesh. These integration formulas constitute an essential component for the development of high‐order accurate finite volume element schemes. Numerical examples are presented that illustrate the validity of the technology. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2007     

Uncertain insurance risk process with multiple classes of claims

Traditionally, an insurance risk process describes an insurance company’s risk through some criteria using the historical data under the framework of probability theory with the prerequisite that the estimated distribution function is close enough to the true frequency. However, because of the complexity and changeability of the world, economical and technological reasons in many cases enough historical data are unavailable and we have to base on belief degrees given by some domain experts, which motivates us to include the human uncertainty in the insurance risk process by regarding interarrival times and claim amounts as uncertain variables using uncertainty theory. Noting the expansion of insurance companies’ operation scale and the increase of businesses with different risk nature, in this paper we extend the uncertain insurance risk process with a single class of claims to that with multiple classes of claims, and derive expressions for the ruin index and the uncertainty distribution of ruin time respectively. As the ruin time can be infinite, we propose a proper uncertain variable and the corresponding proper uncertainty distribution of that. Some numerical examples are documented to illustrate our results. Finally our method is applied to a real-world problem with some satellite insurance data provided by global insurance brokerage MARSH.     

Numerical simulation and linear well-posedness analysis for a class of three-phase boundary motion problems

We investigate the linear well-posedness for a class of three-phase boundary motion problems and perform some numerical simulations. In a typical model, three-phase boundaries evolve under certain evolution laws with specified normal velocities. The boundaries meet at a triple junction with appropriate conditions applied. A system of partial differential equations and algebraic equations (PDAE) is proposed to describe the problems. With reasonable assumptions, all problems are shown to be well-posed if all three boundaries evolve under the same evolution law. For problems involving two or more evolution laws, we show the well-posedness case by case for some examples. Numerical simulations are performed for some examples.     

Agent-based analysis of technological diversification and specialization in electricity markets

This paper develops a model-based analysis of technological market structure evolution in electricity markets. This is done through the development of a power plant trading game that, via computational learning, simulates how players coordinate their behaviour in buying and selling power generation assets. In particular, we look at the question of how market performance depends upon the different technological types of plant owned by the generators, and whether, through the strategic adaptation of their power plant portfolios, there is a tendency for the market to evolve into concentrations of specialized or diversified companies.     

遗传算法在林木采伐作业信息管理中的应用

遗传算法是基于生物学进化原理的一种新的优化算法，本文介绍了遗传算法在林木采伐信息管理上的应用，通过林木采伐生产作业的衔接紧密的实际例子，论述了该方法在生产任务安排，降伐运输成本及劳力分配等信息管理中的作用。     

DP/MIS and OR: what was,what is,what could be

It has been three decades since electronic computers were first introduced into the business community. The application of computers to business functions and business information problems has led to profound changes in the way that businesses operate. OR began to penetrate the business community at roughly the same time that the first large-scale DP applications began to appear.The computer has had a significant impact on OR as an “enabling device”, at least. The OR community has not, however, paid particular attention to the evolution of the computer, its use in business information applications, nor the management problems associated with effective use. The explosive growth of computer technology, the utilization of the computer in new business areas such as office automation, and the evolving awareness of concepts such as Information Resources Management provide a renewed opportunity for OR to contribute substantially.The objectives of this review paper are to describe this new opportunity area for OR, to place it in an appropriate historical and technological context, and to suggest ways in which the OR community might take up this important challenge.     

Comparison Method of Stability Analysis of Semilinear Time-Delay Stochastic Evolution Equation

Abstract

In this paper, we set up the comparison theorem between the mild solution of semilinear time-delay stochastic evolution equation with general time-delay variable and the solution of a class (1-dimension) deterministic functional differential equation, by using the Razumikhin–Lyapunov type functional and the theory of functional differential inequalities. By applying this comparison theorem, we give various types of the stability comparison criteria for the semilinear time-delay stochastic evolution equations. With the aid of these comparison criteria, one can reduce the stability analysis of semilinear time-delay stochastic evolution equations in Hilbert space to that of a class (1-dimension) deterministic functional differential equations. Furthermore, these comparison criteria in special case have been applied to derive sufficient conditions for various stability of the mild solution of semilinear time-delay stochastic evolution equations. Finally, the theories are illustrated with some examples.     

Variable neighborhood search for minimum sum-of-squares clustering on networks

Euclidean Minimum Sum-of-Squares Clustering amounts to finding p prototypes by minimizing the sum of the squared Euclidean distances from a set of points to their closest prototype. In recent years related clustering problems have been extensively analyzed under the assumption that the space is a network, and not any more the Euclidean space. This allows one to properly address community detection problems, of significant relevance in diverse phenomena in biological, technological and social systems. However, the problem of minimizing the sum of squared distances on networks have not yet been addressed. Two versions of the problem are possible: either the p prototypes are sought among the set of nodes of the network, or also points along edges are taken into account as possible prototypes. While the first problem is transformed into a classical discrete p-median problem, the latter is new in the literature, and solved in this paper with the Variable Neighborhood Search heuristic. The solutions of the two problems are compared in a series of test examples.     

Social and Biological Evolution (2)

A previous paper presented a mathematical model of evolution which applies to social and biological systems alike, and offered two practical case studies as evidence of its validity. This paper offers two further case studies which provide an even more stringent test of the model.     

The Myerson Value and Superfluous Supports in Union Stable Systems

In this paper, the set of feasible coalitions in a cooperative game is given by a union stable system. Well-known examples of such systems are communication situations and permission structures. Two games associated with a game on a union stable system are the restricted game (on the set of players in the game) and the conference game (on the set of supports of the system). We define two types of superfluous support property through these two games and provide new characterizations for the Myerson value. Finally, we analyze inheritance of properties between the restricted game and the conference game.     

存在借贷资金的随机资金预算问题研究

讨论了企业运用自有资金及银行贷款进行投资时的资金预算问题,与以往的研究不同,本文假设投资支出、年投资收益以及银行贷款都为随机变量,而且,文章的研究并不要求待选的投资项目具有相同的投资期或具有相同的寿命周期.给出了随机环境下净现值收益的期望值模型及期望值目标规划模型,并设计了基于随机模拟的遗传算法,给出了模型的一般解决方法,此外,还提供了两个数值例子,用以说明建模思想,并例证算法的有效性.     

Quantum mechanics formalism for biological evolution

We study the evolution of sexual and asexual populations in fitness landscapes compatible with epistatic interactions. We find intriguing relations between the mathematics of biological evolution and quantum mechanics formalism. We give the general structure of the evolution of sexual and asexual populations which is in general an off-equilibrium process that can be expressed by path integrals over phylogenies. These phylogenies are the sum of linear lineages for asexual populations. For sexual populations, instead, each lineage is a tree of branching ratio two and the path integral describing the evolving population is given by a sum over these trees. Finally we show that the Bose–Einstein and the Fermi–Dirac distributions describe the stationary state of biological populations in simple cases.     

On the stability of evolutionary dynamics in games with incomplete information

In an interaction it is possible that one agent has features it is aware of but the opponent is not. These features (e.g. cost, valuation or fighting ability) are referred to as the agent’s type. The paper compares two models of evolution in symmetric situations of this kind. In one model the type of an agent is fixed and evolution works on strategies of types. In the other model every agent adopts with fixed probabilities both types, and type-contingent strategies are exposed to evolution. It is shown that the dynamic stability properties of equilibria may differ even when there are only two types and two strategies. However, in this case the dynamic stability properties are generically the same when the payoff of a player does not depend directly on the type of the opponent. Examples illustrating these results are provided.     

On the stability of evolutionary dynamics in games with incomplete information

In an interaction it is possible that one agent has features it is aware of but the opponent is not. These features (e.g. cost, valuation or fighting ability) are referred to as the agent’s type. The paper compares two models of evolution in symmetric situations of this kind. In one model the type of an agent is fixed and evolution works on strategies of types. In the other model every agent adopts with fixed probabilities both types, and type-contingent strategies are exposed to evolution. It is shown that the dynamic stability properties of equilibria may differ even when there are only two types and two strategies. However, in this case the dynamic stability properties are generically the same when the payoff of a player does not depend directly on the type of the opponent. Examples illustrating these results are provided.