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(R)Evolution : Organizations and the Dynamics of the Environment
Investigates the possible changes needed for industrial organizations to adapt to and remain competitive in their ever evolving environment. (R)Evolution’s main area of contribution to these very complex issues is embedded in the work’s ambitious attempt to borrow from evolutionary biology and genetics not only metaphors but also concepts and models to be adapted to the management of business organizations. The work provides us with a comprehensive vision of adaptation and variation in the business community, integrating various intellectual inputs which are based on an evolutionary vision of economic behavior. Using an extensive study of the literature in management science, and applying new models and methodologies in numerous case studies, Dekkers draws many insightful conclusions including the claim that companies often evolve slower than generally expected. Furthermore the research calls into question the effectiveness of the common practice of corporate reorganization. Embracing and merging most major contemporary developments in the theories of change into a comprehensive integrated approach, (R)Evolution is an invaluable resource for researchers specializing in the management of technological change.
Mathematical Modeling of Complex Biological Systems : A Kinetic Theory Approach
This book describes the evolution of several socio-biological systems using mathematical kinetic theory. Specifically, it deals with modeling and simulations of biological systems—comprised of large populations of interacting cells—whose dynamics follow the rules of mechanics as well as rules governed by their own ability to organize movement and biological functions. The authors propose a new biological model for the analysis of competition between cells of an aggressive host and cells of a corresponding immune system.Because the microscopic description of a biological system is far more complex than that of a physical system of inert matter, a higher level of analysis is needed to deal with such complexity. Mathematical models using kinetic theory may represent a way to deal with such complexity, allowing for an understanding of phenomena of nonequilibrium statistical mechanics not described by the traditional macroscopic approach. The proposed models are related to the generalized Boltzmann equation and describe the population dynamics of several interacting elements (kinetic population models).The particular models proposed by the authors are based on a framework related to a system of integro-differential equations, defining the evolution of the distribution function over the microscopic state of each element in a given system. Macroscopic information on the behavior of the system is obtained from suitable moments of the distribution function over the microscopic states of the elements involved. The book follows a classical research approach applied to modeling real systems, linking the observation of biological phenomena, collection of experimental data, modeling, and computational simulations to validate the proposed models. Qualitative analysis techniques are used to identify the prediction ability of specific models.
Managing Complexity : Insights, Concepts, Applications
Each chapter in Managing Complexity focuses on analyzing real-world complex systems and transferring knowledge from the complex-systems sciences to applications in business, industry and society. The interdisciplinary contributions range from markets and production through logistics, traffic control, and critical infrastructures, up to network design, information systems, social conflicts and building consensus. They serve to raise readers' awareness concerning the often counter-intuitive behavior of complex systems and to help them integrate insights gained in complexity research into everyday planning, decision making, strategic optimization, and policy.
Low-Cost Approaches to Promote Physical and Mental Health : Theory, Research, and Practice
Most physical and mental health professionals will agree that their time, space, and funds are generally in short supply, even under optimal conditions. Their participants (clients or patients), too, will admit to similar deficits of time and patience, even with optimal motivation. Overburdened mental health facilities are trying to cope with limited budgets and overworked and underpaid personnel. Low-Cost Approaches to Promote Physical and Mental Health addresses both sides of this shortfall by offering either self-administered or easily administered verbal and non-verbal interventions designed to promote positive health behaviors while requiring little or no outside funding.
LMI Approach to Analysis and Control of Takagi-Sugeno Fuzzy Systems with Time Delay
A fuzzy system is, in a very broad sense, any fuzzy logic-based system where fuzzy logic can be used either asthebasisfor the representation of different forms of system knowledge or the model for the interactions and relationships among the system variables. Fuzzy systems have proven to be an important tool for modeling complex systems for which, due to complexity or imprecision, classical tools are unsuccessful. There have been diverse fields of applications of fuzzy technology from medicine to management, from engineering to behavioral science, from vehicle control to computational linguistics, and so on. Fuzzy modeling is a conjunction to understand the s- tem’s behavior and build useful mathematical models. Different types of fuzzy models have been proposed in the literature, among which the Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy model is a rule-based one suitable for the accurate approximation and identi?cation of a wide class of nonlinear systems.
Linear Systems
Linear systems theory plays a broad and fundamental role in electrical, mechanical, chemical and aerospace engineering, communications, and signal processing. A thorough introduction to systems theory with emphasis on control is presented in this self-contained textbook. The book examines the fundamental properties that govern the behavior of systems by developing their mathematical descriptions. Linear time-invariant, time-varying, continuous-time, and discrete-time systems are covered. Rigorous development of classic and contemporary topics in linear systems, as well as extensive coverage of stability and polynomial matrix/fractional representation, provide the necessary foundation for further study of systems and control.
Linear and Nonlinear Programming
"Linear and Nonlinear Programming" is considered a classic textbook in Optimization. While it is a classic, it also reflects modern theoretical insights. These insights provide structure to what might otherwise be simply a collection of techniques and results, and this is valuable both as a means for learning existing material and for developing new results. One major insight of this type is the connection between the purely analytical character of an optimization problem, expressed perhaps by properties of the necessary conditions, and the behavior of algorithms used to solve a problem. This was a major theme of the first and second editions. Now the third edition has been completely updated with recent Optimization Methods. Yinyu Ye has written chapters and chapter material on a number of these areas including Interior Point Methods.
Les vérités du cancer : Partager l'information, installer la relation = The truths about cancer : Sharing information, building the relationship
Les médecins et les équipes soignantes perçoivent comme une nouvelle pression la nécessité de transmettre le diagnostic de cancer et de discuter des options thérapeutiques avec un patient qui n’est pas toujours prêt à s y confronter. Bien que l’on puisse saluer le partage de l’information et encourager la transparence, le médecin prend le risque du blocage de dialogue, d’une indifférence, au pire d’un traumatisme. L’idée d’une diminution d’un certain pouvoir médical s’insinue dans le « dispositif » d’annonce qui renvoie la clinique à des apprentissages techniques. Au contraire, certains médecins cherchent à s’inscrire dans un mouvement plus démocratique. Ils constatent que pour le malade, savoir n’est pas choisir, et que dans les cas difficiles, ils restent encore décideurs. Cet ouvrage fait le point sur les changements obtenus par les lois et leurs conséquences sur les pratiques et incite à une réflexion philosophique sur la vérité et les vérités des interlocuteurs de la scène médicale.
Learning to Diagnose with Simulations : Examples from Teacher Education and Medical Education
Presents 8 novel approaches to measure and improve diagnostic competences with simulation. The book compares the effects of interventions on these diagnostic competences in both teacher and medical education. It includes analyses showing that important aspects of diagnostic competences and effects of instructional interventions aiming to facilitate them are comparable for teachers and doctors.
Learning in cultural context : Family, peers, and school
What events take place at the intersection of cultural identity, education, and experience? How can they be measured, replicated? How can teachers use such personal phenomena to enhance student performance?
Lattice Boltzmann Modeling : An Introduction for Geoscientists and Engineers
Lattice Boltzmann models have a remarkable ability to simulate single- and multi-phase fluids and transport processes within them. A rich variety of behaviors, including higher Reynolds numbers flows, phase separation, evaporation, condensation, cavitation, buoyancy, and interactions with surfaces can readily be simulated. This book provides a basic introduction that emphasizes intuition and simplistic conceptualization of processes. It avoids the more difficult mathematics that underlies LB models. The model is viewed from a particle perspective where collisions, streaming, and particle-particle/particle-surface interactions constitute the entire conceptual framework. Beginners and those with more interest in model application than detailed mathematical foundations will find this a powerful "quick start" guide. Example simulations, exercises, and computer codes are included. Working code is provided on the Internet.
Language Production
This comprehensive text presents an up-to-date overview of the key topics in the field, providing important theoretical and empirical challenges to the traditional and accepted modal view of language production. Each chapter explores in detail a different aspect of language production, covering traditional methods including written and signed production alongside emerging research on joint action production. Emphasizing the neurobiological underpinnings of language, chapter authors showcase research that moves from a monologue-only approach to one that that considers production in more ecologically valid circumstances.
La mente medica : Che significa "umanizzazione" della medicina? = The Medical Mind : What does "humanization" of medicine mean?
Il presente testo intende chiarire misconoscimenti e riduzionismi che paralizzano il pur auspicato mutamento della medicina e le sue articolazioni in differenti professionalità. La Psicologia Clinica si pone come chiave per leggere la mentalità collettiva che sottende l’attuale cultura sanitaria medicalizzante, che si scontra con le esigenze della persona umana, negando, oltretutto, quanto la psicosomatica oggi ci dice circa la costante modulazione psichica di tutti i processi organici, nella salute così come in tutte le malattie. L’umanizzazione della medicina non è un surplus eticamente giusto per il malato: è un indispensabile agente terapeutico. La sua mancanza è iatrogena.
Knowledge and Action
Explores interdependencies between knowledge, action, and space from different interdisciplinary perspectives. Some of the contributors discuss knowledge as a social construct based on collective action, while others look at knowledge as an individual capacity for action. The chapters contain theoretical frameworks as well as experimental outcomes.
Knowing, Knowledge and Beliefs : Epistemological Studies across Diverse Cultures
Bringing together prominent educators and researchers, this book focuses on conceptual and methodical issues and state-of-the-art theoretical understanding on epistemological beliefs from educational and psychological perspectives. It is a critical and specialized source that describes recent advances in conceptualization and epistemological studies across diverse cultures.
Kinship and Demographic Behavior in the Past
This book examines the role of kinship and the family’s influence on the health outcomes of their children, their children’s selection of marriage partners, couples having higher order births or reduced fertility, individual migration and origins of populations. Mortality patterns are examined to determine the influence of fertility patterns on parents’ mortality, the contribution of parents’ longevity to their children’s lifespan, and the whether a family history of disease affects the risk of dying from that same disease.This volume emphasizes the importance of studies that include and compare other factors related to social organization with information on multi-generational families. The authors elucidate previous explanations and provide provocative new results. Such intergenerational research is crucial in understanding long term demographic trends and processes.
Composite Materials : Properties as Influenced by Phase Geometry
This book deals with the mechanical and physical behavior of composites as influenced by composite geometry. This monograph provides a comprehensive introduction for researchers and students to modern composite materials research with a special emphasis on the influence of geometry to materials properties. Composite Materials enables the reader to a better understanding of the behavior of natural composites, improvement of such materials, and design of new materials with prescribed properties.
Complicities : A theory for subjectivity in the psychological humanities
The book examines how we might develop a more socially just psychological theory and practice, which is both systems work and intra-psychological work. In bringing together ways of thinking developed in the humanities with clinical psychotherapeutic practice, this book offers one interdisciplinary take on key questions of social and emotional efficacy in action-oriented psychotherapy work.
Complexity Explained
This book explains why complex systems research is important in understanding the structure, function and dynamics of complex natural and social phenomena. It illuminates how complex collective behavior emerges from the parts of a system, due to the interaction between the system and its environment.
Complex dynamics : Advanced system dynamics in complex variables
Complex Dynamics: Advanced System Dynamics in Complex Variables is a graduate-level monographic textbook. It is designed as a comprehensive introduction into methods and techniques of modern complex-valued nonlinear dynamics with its various physical and non-physical applications.
