bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Micro‐Morphometrical Assessment of the Effect of Harpagophytum procumbens Extract on Articular Cartilage in Rabbits with Experimental Osteoarthritis using Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Wachsmuth L. , Lindhorst E. , Wrubel S. , Hadzhiyski H. , Hudelmaier M. , Eckstein F. , Chrubasik S.
Published: February 2011

In vitro effects indicate a putative beneficial effect of Harpagophytum procumbens on cartilage turnover, however, in vivo protective effects on cartilage have yet to be demonstrated. A 7.1T MRI scanner was used to derive measurements of thickness, surface area and volume of the tibial condylar cartilage and to assess their precision (in the case of volume also accuracy) against the volumes of dissected cartilage measured by water displacement. Quantitative measurements were made in 16 rabbits, 6 months after unilateral medial meniscectomy and transection of the anterior cruciate ligament, after which eight of these were given a proprietary extract of Harpagophytum procumbens (HP). A semiquantitative MRI‐based grading of the tibial cartilage was also compared with a ‘macroscopic’ grading based on direct visual inspection of dissected joints. The test–retest precision for MRI‐based measurement was ≤6.4%. MRI‐based measurements correlated well with volumes of surgically resected cartilage (r = 0.97, pair‐wise random difference 4.2%). The medial tibial cartilage thickness and volume were about 35% smaller in the operated knees than in the non‐operated contralateral knees (p < 0.05). The findings suggest that MRI is a precise and accurate tool for evaluating cartilage in a rabbit model of OA. The difference between the intact and operated knee in thickness and volume of the medial tibial cartilage was slightly but not significantly smaller in the HP‐treated group than in the non‐treated group. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Meteorological observations on Dun Fell, a mountain station in Northern England
Authors: Manley Gordon
Published: February 2011

Meteorological observations have been kept lor three years 1937–40 on the exposed summit of Dun Fell in the Northern Pennines, including a continuous record of temperature. In a semi‐maritime climate this mountain station at 2,735 ft. is well above the tree‐line and conditions are at times severe. Estimates of the longer‐period averages are made for several climatic elements and compared with those from summit stations elsewhere. It is emphasised that over longer periods of time considerable variations in the upland climate are likely to occur as a result of small changes in the average distribution of pressure and that these will react considerably upon the vegetation. Although this record was initiated for other reasons and is unpretentious in scope it may be added that this is the first series of “mountain” observations to become available in England.
Condensation caused by mixing
Authors: Petterssen Sverre
Published: February 2011

The rǒle of mixing in the production of fogs and clouds has been the subject of frequent discussions, and many authors contend that turbulent mixing is an important factor in the formation of fog. This result is derived from the well‐known Bezold effect and supported by observations showing that fogs sometime occur together with winds of considerable strength. The writer (1939, 1940, 1941) has maintained that turbulent mixing tends to prevent fogs from forming and dispel existing fogs. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the amounts of condensation caused by mixing under various atmospheric conditions. Throughout it will be assumed that the air contains a sufficient amount of condensation nuclei, with the result that no appreciable supersaturation can be maintained.
The problem of auto‐correlation of meteorological time series, illustrated by examples from some South African stations
Authors: Schumann T. E. W. , Hofmeyer W. L.
Published: February 2011

The main object of this paper is to present a number of characteristic values of the auto‐correlation coefficient as actually computed from observed series of temperature and pressure. For this purpose the temperature and pressure records of some South African stations were selected.

In the case of temperatures, it was found that, provided any daily or seasonal fluctuations are first eliminated and the standard deviation is constant, the coefficient of auto‐correlation R' has the analytic form R' = e‐ky, in which k is a constant and y is the time‐lag. If, however, there is a marked variation in the standard deviation, such as is nearly always present in hourly values of temperature, R' is a function not only of the time‐lag, but also of the actual times marking the beginning and end of the time‐lag under consideration.

In the case of a series of pressure readings R' is not a simple exponential function, but may contain one or more damped harmonic terms.
Measurement of 13C and 15N isotope labeling by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry to study amino acid fluxes in a plant–microbe symbiotic association
Authors: Molero Gemma , Aranjuelo Iker , Teixidor Pilar , Araus José Luis , Nogués Salvador
Published: February 2011

We have developed a method based on a double labeling with stable isotopes and gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS) analyses to study amino acid exchange in a symbiotic plant–microbe association. Isotopic precision was studied for 21 standards including 15 amino acid derivatives, three N‐protected amino acid methyl esters, three amines and one international standard. High correlations were observed between the δ13C and δ15N values obtained by GC/C/IRMS and those obtained by an elemental analyzer (EA) coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (R2 = 0.9868 and 0.9992, respectively). The mean precision measured was 0.04‰ for δ13C and 0.28‰ for δ15N (n = 15). This method was applied in vivo to the symbiotic relationship between alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and N2‐fixing bacteria. Plants were simultaneously labeled over 10 days with 13C‐depleted CO2 (12CO2), which was assimilated through photosynthesis by leaves, and 15N2 fixed via nodules. Subsequently, the C and N isotope compositions (i.e. δ13C and δ15N) of free amino acids were analyzed in leaves and nodules by GC/C/IRMS. The method revealed the pattern of C and N exchange between leaves and nodules, highlighting that γ‐aminobutanoic acid and glycine may represent an important form of C transport from leaves to the nodules. The results confirmed the validity, reliability and accuracy of the method for assessing C and N fluxes between plants and symbiotic bacteria and support the use of this technique in a broad range of metabolic and fluxomic studies. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Absorption and translocation of nitrogen in rhizomes of Leymus chinensis
Authors: Liu Hongsheng , Liu Huajie , Song Youhong
Published: February 2011

Leymus chinensis is a dominant species in the Inner Mongolia steppe, northern China. Plant growth in northern China grassland is often limited by low soil nitrogen availability. The objective of this study is to investigate whether rhizomes of Leymus chinensis are involved in the contribution of N uptake. The N concentration, 15N concentration and 15N proportion in roots, rhizomes and shoots after 48 h exposure of roots (Lroot) and rhizomes (Lrhizo) separately and roots and rhizomes together (Lr+r) to 0.1 mM 15NHNO3 solution were measured using root‐splitting equipment and stable isotope (15N) techniques, respectively. The N content and dry mass were not affected by the labeling treatment. In contrast, the 15N concentration in shoots, rhizomes and roots was significantly increased by the labeling in rhizomes, indicating that the inorganic nitrogen was absorbed via rhizomes from the solution and can be transported to other tissues, with preference to shoots rather than roots. Meanwhile, the absolute N absorption and translocation among compartments were also calculated. The N absorption via rhizomes was much smaller than via roots; however, the uptake efficiency per surface unit via rhizomes was greater than via roots. The capacity and high efficiency to absorb N nutrient via rhizomes enable plants to use transient nutrient supplies in the top soil surface. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Charging megadalton poly(ethylene oxide)s by electrospray ionization. A charge detection mass spectrometry study
Authors: Doussineau Tristan , Kerleroux Michel , Dagany Xavier , Clavier Christian , Barbaire Marc , Maurelli Jacques , Antoine Rodolphe , Dugourd Philippe
Published: February 2011

Ions from compounds of megadalton (MDa) molecular weight were produced in an electrospray ionization source from solutions of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) samples with average molecular weights ranging from 1 000 000 to 7 000 000 Da. Charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS) has been used to determine the mass of the MDa PEOs. Simultaneous measurement of the charge and velocity of individual ions allows the mass determination of the ion, after calibration of the instrument with independent samples. In addition to the mass spectra, CDMS generates charge‐versus‐mass plots, which allow investigation of the charging of electrosprayed ions over a broad range of masses. The experimental charging capacity of MDa PEOs is compared with a simple model based on the affinity of alkali cations for oxygen sites and on the electrostatic potential energy of the charged polymer. The charging capacity of PEOs was also investigated as a function of the concentration of and the type of alkali ions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Attack countermeasure trees (ACT): towards unifying the constructs of attack and defense trees
Authors: Roy Arpan , Kim Dong Seong , Trivedi Kishor S.
Published: February 2011

Attack tree (AT) is one of the widely used non‐state‐space models for security analysis. The basic formalism of AT does not take into account defense mechanisms. Defense trees (DTs) have been developed to investigate the effect of defense mechanisms using measures such as attack cost, security investment cost, return on attack (ROA), and return on investment (ROI). DT, however, places defense mechanisms only at the leaf nodes and the corresponding ROI/ROA analysis does not incorporate the probabilities of attack. In attack response tree (ART), attack and response are both captured but ART suffers from the problem of state‐space explosion, since solution of ART is obtained by means of a state‐space model. In this paper, we present a novel attack tree paradigm called attack countermeasure tree (ACT) which avoids the generation and solution of a state‐space model and takes into account attacks as well as countermeasures (in the form of detection and mitigation events). In ACT, detection and mitigation are allowed not just at the leaf node but also at the intermediate nodes while at the same time the state‐space explosion problem is avoided in its analysis. We study the consequences of incorporating countermeasures in the ACT using three case studies (ACT for BGP attack, ACT for a SCADA attack and ACT for malicious insider attacks). Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MSN: mutual secure neighbor verification in multi‐hop wireless networks
Authors: Khalil Issa M. , Awad M. , Bouktif S. , Awwad F.
Published: February 2011

In a wireless network, mutual secure neighbor verification (MSN) is defined as the capability of a node (verifier) to verify the claim by another node (claimer) that it exists within a certain physical distance from the verifier. This problem has received great attention because it has numerous practical applications. Current state‐of‐the‐art approaches to solve this problem, such as the use of time of flight, signal strength, and angle of arrival, suffer from impracticality in terms of application and computation cost. In this work, we propose two algorithms to mitigate the MSN problem during the incremental deployment phase of static senor networks. Each node should announce its location and the power level it uses for transmission. Cooperative and base station verifications are used to detect nodes that lie about their locations. The simulation results show that we can achieve high detection (>90%) of nodes that forge their location information using either high power transmission or by colluding with other malicious nodes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Smoothing across time in repeated cross‐sectional data
Authors: Lockwood J. R. , McCaffrey Daniel F. , Setodji Claude Messan , Elliott Marc N.
Published: February 2011

Repeated cross‐sectional samples are common in national surveys of health like the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Because population health outcomes generally evolve slowly, pooling data across years can improve the precision of current‐year annual estimates of disease prevalence and other health outcomes. Pooling over time is particularly valuable in health disparities research, where outcomes for small groups are often of interest and pooling data across groups would bias disparity estimates. State‐space modeling and Kalman filtering are appealing choices for smoothing data across time. However, filtering can be problematic when few time points are available, as is common with annual cross‐sectional data. Problems arise because filtering relies on estimated variance components, which can be biased and imprecise when estimated with small samples, especially when estimated in tandem with linear trends. We conduct a simulation study showing that even when trends and variance components are estimated poorly, smoothing with these estimates can improve the mean squared error (MSE) of estimated health states for multiple racial/ethnic groups when the variance components are estimated with the pooled sample. We consider frequentist estimators with no trends, one common trend across groups, and separate trends for every group, as well as shrinkage estimators of trends through a Bayesian model. We show that the Bayesian model offers the greatest improvement in MSE, and that Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC)‐based model averaging of the frequentist estimators with different trend assumptions performs nearly as well. We present empirical examples using the NHIS data. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Health indicators: Eliminating bias from convenience sampling estimators
Authors: Hedt Bethany L. , Pagano Marcello
Published: February 2011

Public health practitioners are often called upon to make inference about a health indicator for a population at large when the sole available information are data gathered from a convenience sample, such as data gathered on visitors to a clinic. These data may be of the highest quality and quite extensive, but the biases inherent in a convenience sample preclude the legitimate use of powerful inferential tools that are usually associated with a random sample. In general, we know nothing about those who do not visit the clinic beyond the fact that they do not visit the clinic. An alternative is to take a random sample of the population. However, we show that this solution would be wasteful if it excluded the use of available information. Hence, we present a simple annealing methodology that combines a relatively small, and presumably far less expensive, random sample with the convenience sample. This allows us to not only take advantage of powerful inferential tools, but also provides more accurate information than that available from just using data from the random sample alone. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimizing the response to surveillance alerts in automated surveillance systems
Authors: Izadi Masoumeh , Buckeridge David L.
Published: February 2011

Although much research effort has been directed toward refining algorithms for disease outbreak alerting, considerably less attention has been given to the response to alerts generated from statistical detection algorithms. Given the inherent inaccuracy in alerting, it is imperative to develop methods that help public health personnel identify optimal policies in response to alerts. This study evaluates the application of dynamic decision making models to the problem of responding to outbreak detection methods, using anthrax surveillance as an example. Adaptive optimization through approximate dynamic programming is used to generate a policy for decision making following outbreak detection. We investigate the degree to which the model can tolerate noise theoretically, in order to keep near optimal behavior. We also evaluate the policy from our model empirically and compare it with current approaches in routine public health practice for investigating alerts. Timeliness of outbreak confirmation and total costs associated with the decisions made are used as performance measures. Using our approach, on average, 80 per cent of outbreaks were confirmed prior to the fifth day of post‐attack with considerably less cost compared to response strategies currently in use. Experimental results are also provided to illustrate the robustness of the adaptive optimization approach and to show the realization of the derived error bounds in practice. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Variable selection using the optimal ROC curve: An application to a traditional Chinese medicine study on osteoporosis disease
Authors: Zhou X. H. , Chen B. , Xie Y. M. , Tian F. , Liu H. , Liang X.
Published: February 2011

In biomedical studies, there are multiple sources of information available of which only a small number of them are associated with the diseases. It is of importance to select and combine these factors that are associated with the disease in order to predict the disease status of a new subject. The receiving operating characteristic (ROC) technique has been widely used in disease classification, and the classification accuracy can be measured with area under the ROC curve (AUC). In this article, we combine recent variable selection methods with AUC methods to optimize diagnostic accuracy of multiple risk factors. We first describe one new and some recent AUC‐based methods for effectively combining multiple risk factors for disease classification. We then apply them to analyze the data from a new clinical study, investigating whether a combination of traditional Chinese medicine symptoms and standard Western medicine risk factors can increase discriminative accuracy in diagnosing osteoporosis (OP). Based on the results, we conclude that we can make a better diagnosis of primary OP by combining traditional Chinese medicine symptoms with Western medicine risk factors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
System analysis in different social settings
Authors: Chen Kan
Published: February 2011

A one‐year project was conducted jointly in 1981‐2, between the University of Michigan and Qinghua University, with participation from the Shanghai Environmental Protection Bureau (EPB), to compare and improve system analysis methodologies and utilization in the different social settings of the United States and China. The research was done in the context of the comprehensive planning for water pollution control of the Huangpu River in Shanghai. Four system analysis methodologies were applied in an interrelated manner to the case study:

—water quality modeling

—cost minimization of wastewater treatment

—cost‐benefit analysis

—decision analysis.

Attention was also given to both the de jure and the de facto decision processes, especially in regard to knowledge utilization and technology transfer in these processes. The first two methodologies are more physically and instrumentally oriented than the latter two. Therefore the first two were easily adapted to different social settings although their proper use required close cooperation. The third, cost‐benefit analysis, is anchored more upon economic theory. It was more difficult to adapt, especially to a nonmarket economy or a mixed (planned and market) economy, in which many important prices are administered. The fourth, decision analysis, is basically culturally independent. However, the specific techniques for its practical applications requires a style of interpersonal skills and relationships which are predicted on certain Western traditions. The adaption of decision analysis techniques to the Oriental culture remains a great challenge.
An application of ashby's law to the skewness of income and output distributions
Authors: De Raadt J. D. R.
Published: February 2011

Ashby's homeostat model and Ashby's law of requisite variety are applied to an organizational situation involving insurance agents. It is argued that Ashby's model may explain the skewness found in the output distribution of work. An empirical study using sales figures of insurance agents is included.
A dynamic living‐systems model of work motivation
Authors: Tracy Lane
Published: February 2011

Although there are many theories of motivation, none of them is comprehensive and each is couched in different terms that obscure possible links between them. Furthermore, although motivation is clearly a dynamic process, many of the existing theories are static. A dynamic model is presented here which integrates several existing theories of motivation. The model is developed within a framework of living‐systems concepts; thus it is applicable to all living systems. Motivational interaction between systems is discussed and some implications are drawn for further research.
Problems of increasing competence
Authors: De Zeeuw Gerard
Published: February 2011

Societies maintain many systems that help order individuals' activities. Some are technical, some economical, etc. Systems designed to remove or prevent social ills form a special class. They restrict or enhance certain types of collective competence: To help solve, variedly and flexibly, individuals' problems. Finding ways for systematic enhancement turns out to be difficult. In this paper the concept of a support system is described, as a research tool to strengthen such collective competence. The concept focuses on the users of systems. How can they achieve or increase specific forms of collective competence—either by themselves, or helped by research? The paper stresses a design point of view in research, which is user‐oriented and application‐driven.
The future of general systems research: Obstacles, potentials, case studies
Authors: Troncale L. Raphael
Published: February 2011

This paper attempts to provide an evaluative and prescriptive overview of the young field of systems science as exemplified by one of its ‘specialties’ general systems theory (GST). Subjective observation and some data on seven vital signs are presented to measure the progress of the field over the last two decades. Thirty‐three specific obstacles inhibiting current research in systems science are presented. Suggestions for overcoming these obstacles are cited as a prescription for improved progress in the field. A sampling of some of the potential near‐term developments that may be expected in the three rather distinct areas of research on systems isomorphies, improvement of systems methodologies, and the utility of systems applications are illustrated with mini‐case studies. Throughout, there is an attempt to identify ‘key’ questions and practical mechanisms that might serve as a stimulus for research. Finally, a set of criteria defining a general theory of systems is suggested and illustrated with a case study. The paper concludes with a projection of the long‐term contributions that systems science may make toward a resolution of the growing chasm between high‐tech solutions and high‐value needs in human systems.
Measurement and the structure of scientific analysis
Authors: Kinston Warren
Published: February 2011

Examination of the objectives of measurement reveals it to be part of a series or system of interlocking purposeful activities required to describe the world. The system is analysed as a five‐level hierarchical structure which is complete in that the fifth level is reflective. This model may be useful in the social sciences where much measurement is either not believable or not socially relevant. In particular, the model emphasizes the need for adequate conceptualization, observation, assignment of quantity, and appreciation of relations in association with measurement; and restates the truism that measurement depends on the choice of a universally applicable natural unit with an appropriate relation to the phenomenon under study.
Toward the application of general systems theory in humanistic psychology
Authors: Krippner Stanley , A. James  , Engelman Suzanne R. , Granger Dennis L.
Published: February 2011

Humanistic psychology arose in reaction to the restrictive paradigms of behaviorism and orthodox psychoanalysis. However, humanisitic psychology has yet to provide a consistent philosophical and methodological framework for the development and evaluation of models, methods, research, theories and therapies. Additionally, there exists no commonly shared structure for the translation and communication of intuitive recognitions and clinical findings. General systems theory offers a comprehensive methodology, rooted in the natural sciences, which may be applied to clarify and communicate many aspects of humanistic psychology. This paper demonstrates the common philosophical perspectives of general systems theory and humanistic psychology, describes general systems theory in terms of the challenges to humanistic psychology, and presents the concerns expressed by humanistic psychologists regarding the use of general systems theory. Selected areas are discussed in detail: The unity of mental and physical processes; the phenomenologically‐based views of experience that encompass conscious, unconscious and transpersonal dimensions; and the growth paradigms of personal change described by such concepts as equifinality, anamorphosis and differentiation. Also, the humanistic psychologist is urged to be wary of inappropriate methodologies that complicate, rather than clarify, the issues at hand, and directions for future research are outlined.
Flexible quality control system—theory and application
Authors: Furukawa Osamu , Ikeshoji Hideomi , Ishizu Syohei
Published: February 2011

This paper is a study of quality control systems with flexible adaptivity in the presence of new kinds of uncertainty, due to the changes of the environment as well as a higher aspiration of systems performance. The uncertainties lead both to the diversity of quality and engineering information and to that of quality control activities, and the essential problems there are how to manipulate diversified information and how to coordinate diversified activities. In this paper we introduce the concept of common items of information in order to manipulate diversified quality and engineering information and propose a coordination system which integrates diversified quality control activities. We also present a successful application of the coordination system to a company in heavy industry.
Strategic planning for research and management of the albacore tuna fishery
Authors: Mackett David J.
Published: February 2011

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) employed the principles of interactive management, supported by consensus building techniques for facilitating meetings, to produce a strategic plan for research on and management of an important fishery. A technically oriented task force aided by a planner was assigned the task of facilitating the production of the plan; an important first step was the production of a probable future scenario of the fishery. Interested citizens, informed by the scenario, were invited to state their goals for the fishery and to list what they considered desirable future trends and events. An options field for the research and management strategy consisting of 17 design categories was produced by the task force and knowledgeable members of NMFS management. The pros and cons for including each option in the NMFS strategy were discussed in a meeting of NMFS Headquarters, Regional and Laboratory management. A set of options was chosen by consensus to represent the NMFS strategic plan for its research and management of the north Pacific albacore fishery.
Some experiences with fluid modeling of economic systems
Authors: Rupnik Viljem
Published: February 2011

This paper deals with a new approach to modeling of economic systems, called fluid modeling. The main feature of this approach amounts to a revised concept of dynamics. After having established a set of requirements towards economic modeling we represent a practical example on fluid dynamic modeling of a particular macroeconomic system and discuss the extent to which the basic requirements of fluid modeling have been fulfilled.
A “physical” model of world politics
Authors: Williamson Paul R.
Published: February 2011

This article sketches a geometric model of international relations and uses it to derive an empirically testable relationship connecting dominant‐dependent ties between nations to internal development within them. Nations are idealized as objects located in a continuum and as exerting forces on each other. A characteristic modern structure of pairwise behavior between nations is hypothesized and empirical evidence is offered to support it. Specific concepts and mathematical elements are used to idealize this characteristic structure in the geometric terms of the model. The concept of a dominant‐dependent tie is identified with this same geometric structural abstraction. Internal national development is idealized, also, in geometric terms. Dominant and dependent nations are distinguished and an approximate estimate of the number of dimensions of the geometric continuum is inferred from the number of the former. Additional propositions of the power transition theory, including the capacity of national development to polarize the system into opposing blocs, are inferred from the resulting geometric framework. Certain novel propositions are also inferred. The ability, within the model, to plausibly infer the empirically observed structure of pairwise behavior as a consequence of internal development is taken as the deciding criterion in concluding that this model warrants attention.
The hierarchy of objectives: Toward an integrating construct in systems science
Authors: Rahmatian Sasan
Published: February 2011

The field of systems suffers from theoretical fragmentation. Different researchers and practitioners seem to understand and use the phrase “systems approach” in somewhat unrelated senses. This state of affairs bothers the theoreticians who themselves preach integration and unity. It disturbs the practitioners who are confused about which version of the approach to employ in a given situation. Finally, it gives the enemies of the systems approach a potent weapon to use against it. This paper offers a conceptual synthesis. First, it identifies the various concepts of the systems approach found in the literature. Emphasis is placed on those concepts which emerge from various applications of the systems approach. These concepts are classified into three broad categories, with examples from each category cited. The notion of the hierarchy of objectives is then explicated, and it is argued that the proposed framework is capable of integrating the various approaches to the systems approach.
Towards new epistemological foundations for information systems
Authors: Le Moigne Jean Louis
Published: February 2011

The practices used to design information systems reveal the weaknesses of present scientific theories which justify them (information theory, automata theory, cybernetic theory, mathematical logic, decision‐making theory). The study of a specific information processing science shows the acuteness of the contemporary crisis of epistemology, and the relevance of questions brought up by information theory and computation theory. Three promising areas of development to improve the quality of “practices” are discussed: An epistemology of a science of design, a development of research in logic (particularly deontic and self‐referential), and a systematic consideration of memorization processes, in order to integrate, in the modeling process, both the functions (synchronic) and the transformations (diachronic) of organizational information systems.
Giving back some freedom to the system designer
Authors: De Cindio F. , De Michelis G.
Published: February 2011

Organizational abstraction is proposed, together with functional abstraction, as a suitable means for disciplining concurrent system design by means of Superposed Automata (SA) nets, a subclass of Petri nets.

Organizational abstraction is based on the notion of EB‐equivalence, a less restrictive derivative of Milner's Observation Equivalence, and allows to disregard the internal organization of a system, taking into account the behaviour it exhibits to its environment only.

Using both functional and organizational abstraction, it is possible to design a concurrent system without imposing any order in the way the subsequent SA net models are designed. The designed system in fact is independent, under very general conditions, from the intermediate steps that have been followed.
Comments on “distributed computation by graph reduction” by r. m. keller: Response to distributed computation by graph reduction
Authors: Hoevel Lee W.
Published: February 2011

Robert Keller's “Distributed Computation by Graph Reduction” promotes the use of distributed graph reduction to implement functional languages on highly parallel computers. In examining the potential for parallelism in FEL, however, the paper appeals to terminology and ideas associated with: Graph reduction theory, lambda calculus, distributed processing, computer architecture, and parallel machine organization. The suggested tie between functional paradigms and parallel machine organizations is sometimes obscured by the density of italicized terms and concepts. Those “only familiar with Fortran‐like languages” may find it challenging reading indeed.
A hierarchical information processing model for adaptation to technology change
Authors: Zeigler Bernard P. , Reynolds Robert G.
Published: February 2011

A model for relating corporate structure and organization to environmental information processing demands is presented. The environment is modelled as presenting a series of opportunities (problems) which must be capitalized upon (solved) within limited time windows. The rate of opportunity arrival and the size of the window are parameters hypothetically related to the growth phase of the industry (in which the firm is engaged) and the intensity of competition it encounters. Technological discontinuity is represented as a change in the problem type to be solved. The model proposes certain locally applicable transformations to the firm's hierarchical structure as mediating its adaptive response. Policies are then examined for selecting such transformations so as to adapt to environmental parameter changes. Some empirically testable predictions of the model are deduced and future directions are discussed.
Comments on “a hierarchical information processing model for adaptation to technological change”: Respondent's notes niv ahituv
Authors: Zeigler B. P. , Reynolds R. G.
Published: February 2011

Zeigler and Reynold's paper attempts to cope with a very serious problem: How organizations should adjust their information processing capacity in order to respond to a rapidly changing technology? The basic assumption is that organizations wish to survive, and to fulfil this they have to modify their information system so they can react on time to questions introduced by the environment.
Aging of cities, corporations and civilizations
Authors: Hershey Daniel
Published: February 2011

Living systems trace the birth, growth, maturity, sensecence and death sequence. So‐called inanimate systems such as cities, corporations and civilizations also evolve and age and may die if corrective measures are not instituted. Beyond a certain size, uncontrolled growth and gigantism become a burden, which contribute to the malfunction of the system. In this paper questions are raised about size vs function and the forces which drive a system from its stationary state to other emerging, nonequilibrium states. These forces may be economic, entropic, or in the case of civilizations, be the uncreative malaise which settles in after the bureaucracy becomes too firmly entrenched.
Morphology: A knowledge tool
Authors: Shurig Russ
Published: February 2011

Morphology is the study of forms and structures but also of the underlying interconnections and continuity of forms and structures. The academically recognized tools of deductive and inductive logic, and mathematics are often insufficient for interdisciplinary research. Morphology was resuscitated by Goethe two centuries ago for the study of total organisms as an alternative to reductionistic and mechanistic description and explanation. The morphological approach to description or explanation complements the genealogical mode. Since Goethe's time, morphology has had numerous applications to the Hydro/lithosphere (the material forms of the world), the Biosphere (the world of lifeforms), and the Noosphere. Explanation of the meaning and use of morphology, and recent, classical, and original examples of its use are presented.
Evolution ex machina
Authors: Fedanzo A. J.
Published: February 2011

Arguments and evidence are presented demonstrating the presence of Darwinian evolution within large public and private organizations by virtue of their use of advanced computerized data base systems. A brief synopsis of modern evolutionary theory and data processing as practiced in public and private organizations is presented to display the underlying information processing basis of each. Key functional equivalences in both kinds of systems are noted and their implications for understanding the behavior of both individuals and nations in light of the spread of computerized data base technology is assessed.
Letter to the editor
Authors: Henshaw Philip F.
Published: February 2011

In the Ross Ashby Memorial Lecture [3] Robert Rosen raises valuable questions about the mechanistic representations of natural causes found in conventional systems theory and the physical sciences. While I applaud his frustration with the often simplistic representations of nature offered by physics and systems theory, I rather, doubt that adding a new level of complexity to mathematical descriptions will solve the problem. Any reformulation of the mathematical representation of nature would still seem to incorporate the most radical oversimplification of the Neutonian model, the implication that causality in the natural world is of the same form as the abstract relations we use to describe and predict it.
Using systems theory to provide an empirical focus for political science
Authors: Miller Trudi C.
Published: February 2011

The systems theoretic concept of emergent properties provides a useful empirical and theoretical focus for political science. Significant political events, such as treaties, reforms and wars, involve super‐ and sub‐additive changes in performance—changes that cannot be accounted for by simple aggregations or projections of prior trends. These events are poorly represented by common empirical methods, such as regression and other quasi‐experimental designs; and this mismatch explains some past failures of basic and applied research. Happily, more appropriate quantiative representations, which I usually call capacity expansion (contraction) models, are available and in use.
Purposes and the translation of values into action
Authors: Kinston Warren
Published: February 2011

Purpose, a fundamental concept for organized activity and mental functioning, is currently without developed and accepted theory. This paper offers an important component of any practical theory of purpose. The framework has been elaborated and tested in the process of action research. It reveals the structural foundations of purpose to be a five‐level hierarchical system whose function is the translation of values into action. The levels (each of which is a form of purpose) are labelled: Banner goal, mission, political aim, strategic objective and tactical objective. These levels are defined, their operation illustrated, their expression in social forms described and the relations of the levels to each other clarified. Examples of organizational dysfunction directly attributable to deficiency at each level are provided. Further implications and applications of the theory are suggested, and the limitation of its scope is noted.
System stability principles
Authors: Watt Kenneth E. F. , Craig Paul P.
Published: February 2011

Principles of system instability in the literature fall into seven categories, distinguished by the nature of the system's strategic response to potential sources of instability. Each of the principles is illustrated using various cases, including the Industrial Revolution. The principles suggest an optimal design of quick‐response teams for coping with major social surprises, and seven early‐warning indicators of impending socio‐economic‐environmental surprises.
Succession as an alternative to the concept of product life cycle
Authors: Joseph Sirgy M. , Giles Robert H.
Published: February 2011

Product life cycle (PLC) is shown to be a special case of a more general concept, ecological succession, itself a special case of general succession. The attributes of ecological succession are described in both biological and social—economic spheres. PLC behavior is analyzed using attributes of ecological succession and it is demonstrated to be a special case of succession.
Accounting information systems in the framework of living systems theory and research
Authors: Swanson G. A. , Miller James Grier
Published: February 2011

This paper suggests that general living systems theory (GLST) may provide a conceptual framework to guide practical research on accounting information systems. The accounting information system is described as a subset of the information processing subsystems of GLST, thus demonstrating that research based on GLST may enhance the quality of research on accounting information systems.
Methodological criticism
Authors: Aulin Arvid
Published: February 2011

It is pointed out that a strategy of generalizing proofs underlies the fundamental mathematical theories of exact sciences, as an essential element leading to the accumulation of theoretical knowledge. This element is neglected by the ultra‐empiricists (Popper, Lakatos, Kuhn, Feyerabend, von Bertalanffy), with bad consequences for their followers in the sciences and in systems research.
Complexity in natural and cultural systems
Authors: Serra Roberto , Zanarini Gianni
Published: February 2011

The physics of complex macroscopic systems is developing new concepts and techniques to describe self‐organization and chaotic phenomena. The relevance of these concepts for the study of cultural systems is discussed in this paper. There are at least two levels at which physical concepts may be used for this purpose: One is the metaphorical and analogical level, where physical concepts provide ‘lenses’ through which cultural systems may also be analyzed; the other is the ‘operational’ level where, in certain cases, the same mathematical techniques can be employed. Both are discussed extensively, and a particular example is studied in detail, namely the formation of public opinion through cooperative effects.

The major points stressed in the paper are the need to use different description levels in dealing with complex systems, and the relationships among these description levels.
Man as a hierarchical and purposeful intelligent system
Authors: Paritsis Nicholas C.
Published: February 2011

Man's intelligence is analyzed as a hierarchical system with five levels. The first level (L1) realizes mainly input and output transformations and is placed between the rest of the intelligent system on the one side and (a) the rest of the organism and (b) its environment on the other side. The second level (L2) is the motivational one and the third level (L3) is the cognitive one. Both L2 and L3 have a structure similar to the classical control systems with the difference that, instead of having a comparator, they have an integrator. The fourth level (L4) observes the regularities of the events in L2 and L3 and achieves a model of functioning of these levels and a model of the world as it is perceived by the human intelligent system. The fifth level (L5) is the linguistic and cultural level which communicates with L4, transcribes it into human language terms and communicates it and contrasts it with the description of (a) L4 and (b) other humans, with the function of forming a model of itself, of others and of the world as it is socially and culturally accepted.
Complexity: A definition by construction of a conceptual framework
Authors: Flood R. L.
Published: February 2011

This paper is concerned with the development of a transportable conceptual framework (a definition) of complexity which will contribute to its understanding in a wide variety of contexts. To achieve this, the concept of complexity is related to both systems and people. Complexity is shown to be related to systems via the number of elements and relationships, and later via non‐linearity, asymmetry and non‐holonomic constraints. Complexity is also shown to be related to people via their notions and perceptions, and interests and capabilities. The paper then ties the ideas of two‐dimensional science, hierarchy and emergence, and a new development of Weaver's three ranges of complexity, to this framework.
Analysis of soft trends in systems thinking
Authors: Kijima Kyoichi , Mackness John
Published: February 2011

This paper aims to investigate characteristics of recent ‘soft’ problem solving approaches in OR as well as in systems science. A general scheme is first developed in which the inquiry processes of systems approaches are discussed. This scheme also reveals the essential ingredients of a systems approach which determine the ‘softness’. Then, three soft systems approaches are analyzed, i.e. hypergame analysis, cognitive mapping analysis and soft systems methodology. Finally, the properties, in terms of general systems theory and cybernetics, of these soft systems approaches are discussed assuming that their inquiry processes are directed at producing improvement as well as explanation and accommodation to the real world situation.
Matching design methods to system type
Authors: Banathy Bela H.
Published: February 2011

The basic premise of this paper is that when engaging in design in the context of human activity systems, the design methods chosen should match the type and characteristics of the system we are designing. The presentation is grounded in a general theory of human systems, a systems approach to design, experience in designing design inquiry, and carrying out design in the context of human activity systems. The paper is developed in three interdependent components that jointly constitute the argument for the need to select design methods that are appropriate to the type of system we are designing. These components are as follows.

1. The construction of a map that will enable us to make distinctions among the various types of human activity systems and their systemic characteristics.

2. The implications of the different system types and characteristics in the construction of criteria in selecting design methods that are appropriate to various system types and match their characteristics.

3. The examination of the implications of the findings of the exploration introduced in this paper to: (a) design inquiry, (b) design education, and (c) design research.

An example highlights the issue of selecting design methods that match system type and systemic characteristics.

The focus of this article is on the exploration of the relationship between design methods and system types, which is only one of the aspects of the richness of considerations one has to contemplate in design inquiry.