What Is a Complex System?

What Is a Complex System?

Author: James Ladyman

Publisher: Yale University Press

Published: 2020-08-05

Total Pages: 182

ISBN-13: 0300251106

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A clear, concise introduction to the quickly growing field of complexity science that explains its conceptual and mathematical foundations What is a complex system? Although "complexity science" is used to understand phenomena as diverse as the behavior of honeybees, the economic markets, the human brain, and the climate, there is no agreement about its foundations. In this introduction for students, academics, and general readers, philosopher of science James Ladyman and physicist Karoline Wiesner develop an account of complexity that brings the different concepts and mathematical measures applied to complex systems into a single framework. They introduce the different features of complex systems, discuss different conceptions of complexity, and develop their own account. They explain why complexity science is so important in today's world.


Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Agroecosystems

Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Agroecosystems

Author: Mario Giampietro

Publisher: CRC Press

Published: 2003-11-24

Total Pages: 474

ISBN-13: 9780849310676

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Ecologists, agronomists, and others who may question the validity of current models for determining sustainable growth of agroecosystems, need a new set of analytical tools that more effectively address the complex nature of related processes. Those who challenge traditional assumptions of optimization and static factors in agricultural modeling demand new methods beyond differential equations and traditional statistical tests. Multi-Scale Integrated Analysis of Agroecosystems explores alternative ways to study agricultural sustainability, presenting new approaches to organizing data and applying complex systems theory to actual cases. This innovative text recognizes the changing dynamics of the multiple processes and cross-relations within an environment, proposing a clearer analysis of agroecosystems than that which can be provided by rigid, reductionist methods. Main concepts, new vocabulary and narratives, and practical examples open the book, followed by technical chapters that provide a more detailed explanation of concepts. The final section of the book presents a tool kit based on these concepts, resulting in strong support of empirical observations that challenge traditional notions regarding the sustainability of farming systems, food systems, and agroecosystems.


Social Complexity and Complex Systems in Archaeology

Social Complexity and Complex Systems in Archaeology

Author: Dries Daems

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

Published: 2021-02-22

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 1000344673

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Social Complexity and Complex Systems in Archaeology turns to complex systems thinking in search of a suitable framework to explore social complexity in Archaeology. Social complexity in archaeology is commonly related to properties of complex societies such as states, as opposed to so-called simple societies such as tribes or chiefdoms. These conceptualisations of complexity are ultimately rooted in Eurocentric perspectives with problematic implications for the field of archaeology. This book provides an in-depth conceptualisation of social complexity as the core concept in archaeological and interdisciplinary studies of the past, integrating approaches from complex systems thinking, archaeological theory, social practice theory, and sustainability and resilience science. The book covers a long-term perspective of social change and stability, tracing the full cycle of complexity trajectories, from emergence and development to collapse, regeneration and transformation of communities and societies. It offers a broad vision on social complexity as a core concept for the present and future development of archaeology. This book is intended to be a valuable resource for students and scholars in the field of archaeology and related disciplines such as history, anthropology, sociology, as well as the natural sciences studying human-environment interactions in the past.


Teaching and Learning about Climate Change

Teaching and Learning about Climate Change

Author: Daniel P. Shepardson

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2017-02-17

Total Pages: 287

ISBN-13: 1317245245

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Responding to the issues and challenges of teaching and learning about climate change from a science education-based perspective, this book is designed to serve as an aid for educators as they strive to incorporate the topic into their classes. The unique discussion of these issues is drawn from the perspectives of leading and international scholars in the field. The book is structured around three themes: theoretical, philosophical, and conceptual frameworks for climate change education and research; research on teaching and learning about global warming and climate change; and approaches to professional development and classroom practice.


Investigating Complex Phenomena: Bridging between Systems Thinking and Modeling in Science Education

Investigating Complex Phenomena: Bridging between Systems Thinking and Modeling in Science Education

Author: Tom Bielik

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Published: 2023-11-15

Total Pages: 186

ISBN-13: 2832539017

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Understanding the complexity of the natural world and making sense of phenomena is one of the main goals of science and science education. When investigating complex phenomena, such as climate change or pandemic outbreaks, students are expected to engage in systems thinking by considering the boundaries of the investigated system, identifying the relevant components and their interactions, and exploring system attributes such as hierarchical organization, dynamicity, feedback loops, and emergence. Scientific models are tools that support students’ reasoning and understanding of complex systems, and students are expected to develop their modeling competence and to engage in the modeling process by constructing, testing, revising, and using models to explain and predict phenomena. Computational modeling tools, for example, provide students with the opportunity to explore big data, run simulations and investigate complex systems. Therefore, both systems thinking and modeling approaches are important for science education when investigating complex phenomena.


Multiscale Analysis of Complex Time Series

Multiscale Analysis of Complex Time Series

Author: Jianbo Gao

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2007-12-04

Total Pages: 368

ISBN-13: 0470191643

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The only integrative approach to chaos and random fractal theory Chaos and random fractal theory are two of the most important theories developed for data analysis. Until now, there has been no single book that encompasses all of the basic concepts necessary for researchers to fully understand the ever-expanding literature and apply novel methods to effectively solve their signal processing problems. Multiscale Analysis of Complex Time Series fills this pressing need by presenting chaos and random fractal theory in a unified manner. Adopting a data-driven approach, the book covers: DNA sequence analysis EEG analysis Heart rate variability analysis Neural information processing Network traffic modeling Economic time series analysis And more Additionally, the book illustrates almost every concept presented through applications and a dedicated Web site is available with source codes written in various languages, including Java, Fortran, C, and MATLAB, together with some simulated and experimental data. The only modern treatment of signal processing with chaos and random fractals unified, this is an essential book for researchers and graduate students in electrical engineering, computer science, bioengineering, and many other fields.


Modeling and Managing Interdependent Complex Systems of Systems

Modeling and Managing Interdependent Complex Systems of Systems

Author: Yacov Y. Haimes

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2018-10-02

Total Pages: 530

ISBN-13: 1119173655

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A comprehensive guide to the theory, methodology, and development for modeling systems of systems Modeling and Managing Interdependent Complex Systems of Systems examines the complexity of, and the risk to, emergent interconnected and interdependent complex systems of systems in the natural and the constructed environment, and in its critical infrastructures. For systems modelers, this book focuses on what constitutes complexity and how to understand, model and manage it.Previous modeling methods for complex systems of systems were aimed at developing theory and methodologies for uncoupling the interdependencies and interconnections that characterize them. In this book, the author extends the above by utilizing public- and private- sector case studies; identifies, explores, and exploits the core of interdependencies; and seeks to understand their essence via the states of the system, and their dominant contributions to the complexity of systems of systems. The book proposes a reevaluation of fundamental and practical systems engineering and risk analysis concepts on complex systems of systems developed over the past 40 years. This important resource: Updates and streamlines systems engineering theory, methodology, and practice as applied to complex systems of systems Introduces modeling methodology inspired by philosophical and conceptual thinking from the arts and sciences Models the complexity of emergent interdependent and interconnected complex systems of systems by analyzing their shared states, decisions, resources, and decisionmakers Written for systems engineers, industrial engineers, managers, planners, academics and other professionals in engineering systems and the environment,this text is the resource for understanding the fundamental principles of modeling and managing complex systems of systems, and the risk thereto.


Smart Technology Trends in Industrial and Business Management

Smart Technology Trends in Industrial and Business Management

Author: Dagmar Cagáňová

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2019-02-15

Total Pages: 490

ISBN-13: 3319769987

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This book presents current developments in smart city research and application regarding the management of manufacturing systems, Industry 4.0, transportation, and business management. It suggests approaches to incorporating smart city innovations into manufacturing systems, with an eye towards competitiveness in a global environment. The same pro-innovative approach is then applied to business and cooperation management. The authors also present smart city transportation solutions including vehicle data processing/reporting system, mobile application for fleet managers, bus drivers, bus passengers and special applications for smart city buses like passenger counting system, IP cameras, GPS system etc. The goal of the book is to establish channels of communication and disseminate knowledge among researchers and professionals working on smart city research and application. Features contributions on a variety of topics related to smart cities from global researchers and professionals in a wide range of sectors; Presents topics relating to smart cities such as manufacturing, business, and transportation; Includes expanded selected papers from EAI International Conference on Management of Manufacturing Systems (MMS 2016), EAI Industry of Things and Future Technologies Conference – Mobility IoT 2016 and International Conference on Smart Electric Vehicles and Vehicular Ad-hoc NETworks (SEVNET).


Enterprise Risk Management in Today’s World

Enterprise Risk Management in Today’s World

Author: Jean-Paul Louisot

Publisher: Emerald Group Publishing

Published: 2024-10-28

Total Pages: 348

ISBN-13: 1836083920

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Enterprise Risk Management in Today’s World examines enterprise risk management in its past, present and future, exploring the role that directors and leaders in organizations have in devising risk management strategies, analysing values such as trust, resilience, CSR and governance within organizations.