scholarly journals Measuring complexity in organisms and organizations

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Rebout ◽  
Jean-Christophe Lone ◽  
Arianna De Marco ◽  
Roberto Cozzolino ◽  
Alban Lemasson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complex Systems ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Social Organizations ◽  
Complexity Index ◽  
Research Programmes ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Definition Of

While there is no consensus about the definition of complexity, it is widely accepted that the ability to produce uncertainty is the most prominent characteristic of complex systems. We introduce new metrics that purport to quantify the complexity of living organisms and social organizations based on their levels of uncertainty. We consider three major dimensions regarding complexity: diversity based on the number of system elements and the number of categories of these elements; flexibility which bears upon variations in the elements; and combinability which refers to the patterns of connection between elements. These three dimensions are quantified using Shannon's uncertainty formula, and they can be integrated to provide a tripartite complexity index. We provide a calculation example that illustrates the use of these indices for comparing the complexity of different social systems. These indices distinguish themselves by a theoretical basis grounded on the amount of uncertainty, and the requirement that several aspects of the systems be accounted for to compare their degree of complexity. We expect that these new complexity indices will encourage research programmes aiming to compare the complexity levels of systems belonging to different realms.

Psychometric Definition of Rorschach Determinant Component Structure

1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 116-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond M. Costello
Keyword(s):  
Lower Order ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Comprehensive System ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Component Structure ◽  
Exner's Comprehensive System ◽  
Factor Analytic ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Components Analysis ◽  
Definition Of

This is an empirical examination of Experienced Stimulation (es) and Experience Actual (EA) from Exner's Comprehensive System (CS) for Rorschach's Test, spurred by Kleiger's theoretical critique. Principal components analysis, Cronbach's α, and inter-item correlational analyses were used to test whether 13 determinants used to code Rorschach responses (M, FM, m, CF+C, YF+Y, C'F+C', TF+T, VF+V, FC, FC', FV, FY, FT) are best represented as a one, two, or more-dimensional construct. The 13 determinants appear to reflect three dimensions, a “lower order” sensori-motor dimension (m + CF+C + YF+Y + C'F+C' + TF+T + VF+V) with a suggested label of Modified Experienced Stimulation (MES), a “higher order” sensori-motor dimension (FM + FV + FY + FT) with a suggested label of Modified Experience Potential (MEP), and a third sensori-motor dimension (M+FC+FC') for which the label of Modified Experience Actual (MEA) is suggested. These findings are consistent with Kleiger's arguments and could lead to a refinement of CS constructs by aggregating determinants along lines more theoretically congruous and more internally consistent. A RAMONA model with parameters specified was presented for replication attempts which use confirmatory factor analytic techniques.

¿Quién soy yo? Reflexiones teórico sistémicas acerca de la indentidad individual

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-31
Author(s):  
Francisco Xavier Morales
Keyword(s):  
Identity Construction ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
Social Contexts ◽  
Individual Identity ◽  
Contemporary Society ◽  
Self Identity ◽  
Moral Communication ◽  
Identity Based ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Individual

The problem of identity is an issue of contemporary society that is not only expressed in daily life concerns but also in discourses of politics and social movements. Nevertheless, the I and the needs of self-fulfillment usually are taken for granted. This paper offers thoughts regarding individual identity based on Niklas Luhmann’s systems theory. From this perspective, identity is not observed as a thing or as a subject, but rather as a “selfillusion” of a system of consciousness, which differentiates itself from the world, event after event, in a contingent way. As concerns the definition  of contents of self-identity, the structures of social systems define who is a person, how he or she should act, and how much esteem he or she should receive. These structures are adopted by consciousness as its own identity structures; however, some social contexts are more relevant for self-identity construction than others. Moral communication increases the probability that structure appropriation takes place, since the emotional element of identity is linked to the esteem/misesteem received by the individual from the interactions in which he or she participates.

scholarly journals The Hidden Charm of Life

Life ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Porcar
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Genetic Engineering ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Living Organisms

Synthetic biology is an engineering view on biotechnology, which has revolutionized genetic engineering. The field has seen a constant development of metaphors that tend to highlight the similarities of cells with machines. I argue here that living organisms, particularly bacterial cells, are not machine-like, engineerable entities, but, instead, factory-like complex systems shaped by evolution. A change of the comparative paradigm in synthetic biology from machines to factories, from hardware to software, and from informatics to economy is discussed.

The Continuing Problem of Special Districts in American Government

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Larita Killian
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Census Bureau ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
The Public ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Special Districts ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Policy Alignment ◽  
Definition Of

ABSTRACT Due to fiscal constraints and demands for increased accountability, scholars and public officials are reviewing the structure and reporting practices of local governments. These efforts are often incomplete, however, because they bypass special districts, which now comprise over 40 percent of all local governments. The proliferation of special districts has the potential to increase government costs, redirect the allocation of scarce resources, remove debt and expenditure practices from the public eye, and reduce democratic controls over elected officials. This paper highlights some of the public interest concerns related to these entities to inform future, localized research. For decades, scholars have approached special districts from two opposing theoretical perspectives: institutional reform and public choice. Literature from these opposing perspectives is used to analyze special districts along three dimensions: efficiency and economy of operations, policy alignment and allocation of resources, and democratic accountability. This paper uses the U.S. Census Bureau definition of special districts, though alternative definitions are discussed. Efforts by four states (Florida, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and New York) to improve local government, and their varying approaches to special districts, are reviewed, leading to the conclusion that the complex issues related to special districts must be resolved within state contexts.

Artificially making Lifeform

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 1290-1295
Author(s):  
Souvik Das
Keyword(s):  
Medical Community ◽  
Programming Algorithm ◽  
The Public ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Not For Profit ◽  
Funding Agencies ◽  
Proper Definition ◽  
Inanimate Matter ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Definition Of

Abstract: The word ‘life’ is a mysterious word with a chart of attributes that have neither been completed nor has been agreed upon by the race of humans. Probably the proper definition of life is impossible to identify for humans (the proof for this claim is given later) but the handbook to the secret shall be updated till the end, thanks to the inquisitive attitude of humans. For this piece, we shall adopt the description from the professional medical community of today. Though this topic falls midway between science and philosophy, this project is strictly technical. To quote dictionary.com, Life is the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects and dead organisms, being manifested by growth through metabolism, reproduction and the power of adaptation to environment- through changes originating internally; cambridge.com teaches Life is the period between birth and death, or the experience or state of being alive; medicaldictionary.thefreedictionary.com states Life is the property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment originating from within the organisms. There are several other definitions but to summarize, we can safely state that though the concept is somewhat vague, we could indeed point out some common principles. We shall, in this project, try to replicate the characteristics so as to attain life in medical terms. (The order does not base upon importance of the listed character since the characters, all of them are absolute essentials and cannot possibly be categorized as more or less important). 1) Metabolism 2) Growth 3) Adaptability 4) Birth 5) Death 6) Self-stimulated response to environment 7) Reproduction 8) Can sustain self without foreign intervention Keywords: artificial, life, intelligence, computer, programming, algorithm This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

WHITE NOISE ANALYSIS: SOME APPLICATIONS IN COMPLEX SYSTEMS, BIOPHYSICS AND QUANTUM MECHANICS

2012 ◽  
Vol 26 (29) ◽  
pp. 1230014 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHRISTOPHER C. BERNIDO ◽  
M. VICTORIA CARPIO-BERNIDO
Keyword(s):  
Quantum Mechanics ◽  
Probability Density Function ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
White Noise ◽  
Noise Analysis ◽  
Social Systems ◽  
White Noise Analysis ◽  
The Past ◽  
White Noise Calculus ◽  
With Memory

The white noise calculus originated by T. Hida is presented as a powerful tool in investigating physical and social systems. Combined with Feynman's sum-over-all histories approach, we parameterize paths with memory of the past, and evaluate the corresponding probability density function. We discuss applications of this approach to problems in complex systems and biophysics. Examples in quantum mechanics with boundaries are also given where Markovian paths are considered.

Flow Velocity Coefficient Research on the Coexistence of Pipe Flow and Flow around Pipe

2011 ◽  
Vol 204-210 ◽  
pp. 746-749
Author(s):  
Hong Bing Gao ◽  
Nan Sun ◽  
Liao Yang ◽  
Yu Ma
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Flow Simulation ◽  
Flow Speed ◽  
Test Rig ◽  
Flow Problems ◽  
Relative Roughness ◽  
Velocity Coefficient ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Test Result

Based on Darcy - Weisbach route losses equation, this test is focused on the mixed-flow problems at low speed in big flow field, designing the experiment scheme, introducing its principle, and setting up the test rig. According to the test result data, we put forward the definition of flow speed coefficient and draw its curves, and described some related issues, such as reverse pressure phenomenon，reliability of flow simulation, roughness, and so on. The results showed that the flow speed in the pipe will get higher with the flow field increasing, and smaller relative roughness pipes. The flow speed coefficient x≤1 and its curves is monotone decreasing function and will be closer to a fixed value at last with V0’s increasing. This test will provide theoretical basis for increasing fluid energy’s utilization.

scholarly journals Situační analýza a role diskurzů v sociálněvědním výzkumu

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-52
Author(s):  
Markéta Košatková
Keyword(s):  
Social Reality ◽  
Situational Analysis ◽  
Situation Analysis ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Social Organizations ◽  
Collective Actors ◽  
Micro Level ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Insight Into

The article introduces situation analysis (cf. Clarke 2005) as an epistemologicalontological basis for science freed of the positivistic paradigm. Situation analysis in a broader perspective dives into present discourses as well as discourses that have been concealed. At the meso-level, the analysis offers insight into social and discursive arenas formed by collective actors, key material elements, social organizations and institutions. At the micro-level it is aimed at the position of individual actors in a situation. Situational analysis provides multidimensional research resonating marginalized discourses and supports the everydayness of knowledge in a socially engaged, emic research of social reality. The focus on language constructions in the humanities allows for the re-definition of one’s own entities, formulas, and rules. Their (im)possible transgression is a necessary response to the accelerated and diverse shape of the recent globalized and particularized society.

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