The object-oriented paradigm as an implementation of systems theory in IS

Classical General Systems Theory (GST) is rich with fundamental concepts relating to the explanation of how systems behave and operate. The new concept of object-oriented techniques and methodologies was found to be closely aligned with most of the fundamental theories of GST. This article presents these alignments and similarities and clearly shows that object-oriented techniques provide a better fit to GST than older design methodologies

From modularity to emergence: a primer on the design and science of complex systems

Electrical networks, flocking birds, transportation hubs, weather patterns, commercial organisations, swarming robots... Increasingly, many of the systems that we want to engineer or understand are said to be ‘complex’. These systems are often considered to be intractable because of their unpredictability, non-linearity, interconnectivity, heterarchy and ‘emergence’. Such attributes are often framed as a problem, but can also be exploited to encourage systems to efficiently exhibit intelligent, robust, self-organising behaviours. But what does it mean to describe systems as complex? How do these complex systems differ from the more easily understood ‘modular’ systems that we are familiar with? What are the underlying similarities between different systems, whether modular or complex? Answering these questions is a first step in approaching the design and science of complexity. However, to do so, it is necessary to look beyond the specifics of any particular system or field of study. We need to consider the fundamental nature of systems, looking for a common way to view ostensibly different phenomena. This primer introduces a domain-neutral framework and diagrammatic scheme for characterising the ways in which systems are modular or complex. Rather than seeing modularity and complexity as inherent attributes of systems, we instead see them as ways in which those systems are characterised by those who are interested in them. The framework is not tied to any established mode of representation (e.g. networks, equations, formal modelling languages) nor to any domain-specific terminology (e.g. ‘vertex’, ‘eigenvector’, ‘entropy’). Instead, it consists of basic system constructs and three fundamental attributes of modular system architecture, namely structural encapsulation, function-structure mapping and interfacing. These constructs and attributes encourage more precise descriptions of different aspects of complexity (e.g. emergence, self-organisation, heterarchy). This allows researchers and practitioners from different disciplines to share methods, theories and findings related to the design and study of different systems, even when those systems appear superficially dissimilar

A New Replicator: A theoretical framework for analysing replication

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Replicators are the crucial entities in evolution. The notion of a replicator, however, is far less exact than the weight of its importance. Without identifying and classifying multiplying entities exactly, their dynamics cannot be determined appropriately. Therefore, it is importance to decide the nature and characteristics of any multiplying entity, in a detailed and formal way.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Replication is basically an autocatalytic process which enables us to rest on the notions of formal chemistry. This statement has major implications. Simple autocatalytic cycle intermediates are considered as non-informational replicators. A consequence of which is that any autocatalytically multiplying entity is a replicator, be it simple or overly complex (even nests). A stricter definition refers to entities which can inherit acquired changes (informational replicators). Simple autocatalytic molecules (and nests) are excluded from this group. However, in turn, any entity possessing copiable information is to be named a replicator, even multicellular organisms. In order to deal with the situation, an abstract, formal framework is presented, which allows the proper identification of various types of replicators. This sheds light on the old problem of the units and levels of selection and evolution. A hierarchical classification for the partition of the replicator-continuum is provided where specific replicators are nested within more general ones. The classification should be able to be successfully applied to known replicators and also to future candidates.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This paper redefines the concept of the replicator from a bottom-up theoretical approach. The formal definition and the abstract models presented can distinguish between among all possible replicator types, based on their quantity of variable and heritable information. This allows for the exact identification of various replicator types and their underlying dynamics. The most important claim is that replication, in general, is basically autocatalysis, with a specific defined environment and selective force. A replicator is not valid unless its working environment, and the selective force to which it is subject, is specified.</p

Carinus Nursing College : an historical study of nursing education and management using the general systems approach, 1947-1987

The purpose of this dissertation is to research aspects of the historical development of Nursing Education and Nursing Management at the Carinus Nursing College from 1949 to 1987; to determine and explain how the College has adapted and coped with historical change and to determine whether proposals for the future can be made. Research has been done by applying the general systems theory and by using the standard methods of historical analysis. Data has been collected by means of oral history, literature search and documentation. The variables isolated are the College as a system; the government or influential super systems; resources such as financial, personnel and students and material inputs; and throughput or processing the work in the output, which leads to the professional nurse. The models used are Bucheles' organizational system, Sharma's flow chart pattern, Mintzberg's parts of organizational systems, and power flows and as shown in Emery, Feibleman and Friends relations and rules of interaction in systems thinking. Parsons' "imperatives of maintenance of a system" as well as Alvin Toffler's "second and third wave phenomena as responses to change" were two further models that were used. By using Robert Buchele's model, the work is divided into four parts: - i) the College as a system ii) the super systems iii) the resources iv) the throughput or processing. A further design that emerged was that two eras could be distinguished, within which three historical phases: - Early, Middle and Late are developed

Performative Energies and Cultures: Ornament and (as) Structure

Recently a great concern and interest has risen on ornament, which pushes us to render back its genesis, its worse times and its new frontiers. This paper will be presented through a methodology which employs historical, theoretical and cultural implications of ornament in Architecture, as well as the present interest and developments on it, in the scope of advances in design and emerging technologies. A key figure in this discourse is the 19th century German architect Gottfried Semper. His interest in ornament, textile and tectonics through searching the origins of Art and Architecture, provides us with crucial facts for the new frontiers of ornament in relation to structure. The theoretical background that Semper laid will be used to scrutinize the elaboratio n and the importance of textile and patterning in the articulation of Architecture as cultural performance. Following this line, an interesting theoretical and aesthetic approach will be set in the cultural meaning and use of patterning and ornament in the Islamic Architecture and its potentials for new frontiers – ornament becoming autogenic. The new biological paradigm on advanced design, sees building components as systems that act upon each other, where; material, structure, form, function and surface articulation / ornamentation are interconnected, similar to natural / biological systems with high performative energies. This paradigm provides new insights on ornament as structure itself, ornament as outcome of form, function and materialisation, far away from a mere superficial decoration. Further, natural/ biological systems grow highly hierarchical and optimized structures by using brittle and cheap materials, where the patterning of this structure serves their overall energetic performance. Finally, this paper scrutinizes that the role of cutting-edge computational and production technologies is extremely evident in the materialisation of patterned and ornamented aesthetics and in the increased effectiveness of transfers of patterns from nature and biology into engineering and architecture. As a result, the significant emphasis on the structuring logic of tectonic is resulting in a ‗new structuralism‘ in design, which, in turn emphasizes the role of performative cultures and energies of structuring architecture

Fault tolerant clos network

Multistage interconnection networks, or MINs, provide paths between functional modules in multiprocessor systems. The MINs are usually segmented into several stages. Each stage connects inputs to appropriate links of the next stage so that the cumulative effect of all the stages satisfies input-output connection requirements. This thesis deals with a fault tolerant Clos network. The fault tolerance technique involves addition of extra switches per stage to compensate for any switch failure The reliability analysis of both ordinary and fault tolerant Clos networks is presented. The optimal number of extra switches required to get the best reliability results has been analyzed

Multimission Aircraft Design Study, Payload

It is proposed that a Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) be prepared to combine some or all the functions of the aging AWACS, JSTARS, RIVET JOINT, COMPASS CALL, and AECCC fleet. Three different thesis studies have been developed by three Air Force Institute of Technology GSE students to show the feasibility of replacing the current aging fleet with one or more MMA platforms. This is the thesis in which the payload issuer have been examined. Within this thesis, two different alternative architectures, which are One Tail Number and Different Tail Numbers including nine different configurations, have been considered. Estimated payload characteristics of these alternatives have been compared to those of Boeing 767-400ER, which is the aircraft selected as the baseline for MMA platform. Reduced life cycle cost, increased measure of aircraft specifications, and minimum risk are the main objectives pursued by means of several systems engineering and aircraft design methodologies