The Second International Symposium on Tilapia in Aquaculture

Proceedings of the symposium held in 1987 in Bangkok, Thailand, by tilapia scientists to discuss strategies for future research and development in the tilapia industry worldwide. Contains 82 full papers, 17 poster abstracts and author and species indexes. The full papers were presented under 7 sessions: culture systems, management and production; pathology; genetics and reproduction; nutrition, physiology; biology and ecology; and economics and socioeconomics.Tilapia culture, Conferences

The Epigenetic Research Program (EPR): a transdisciplinary approach for the dynamics of knowledge, society - and beyond

'Mit dem 'epigenetischen Zugang' wurde ein einheitliches Forschungsprogramm aufgebaut, das zur Analyse von 'wissensbasierten Prozessen' in einer Unzahl von Bereichen dient. Konkret wurde mit dem epigenetischen Programm bislang auf der einen Seite ein anspruchsvolles 'transdisziplinäres Forschungsprogramm' konstruiert und auf der anderen Seite eine Reihe von Anwendungen im Bereich von Organisationsanalysen oder auch 'Nationalen Innovationssystemen' durchgeführt. Darüberhinaus erlaubt das epigenetische Programm, sich jenseits der gegenwärtig diskutierten Merkmale von 'Wissensgesellschaften' wie der Diffusion von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien oder der Ausweitung in den traditionellen Stätten der Wissensproduktion - Universitäten und Forschungsinstitute - zu bewegen. Zu guter Letzt sei der Hinweis angebracht, daß gerade die neue Architektur von Wissens- und Informationsgesellschaften innovative Schlaglichter auf Fragen der gesellschaftlichen Ungleichheit wirft und gegenwärtige Problemfelder in diesem Bereich scharf zu akzentuieren vermag.' (Autorenreferat)'With the 'epigenetic approach', an entire research program has been set up which is devoted to the study of 'knowledge-based processes' in human societies - and beyond. More concretely, an epigenetic approach has been built up in which two different areas are addressed and dealt with simultaneously, namely theoretical foundations for the analysis of 'knowledge based processes' and a comparatively large number of empirical applications, ranging from the study of organizations to the level of 'National Innovation Systems'. Moreover, the emphasis on 'knowledge and information societies' is not motivated by current reconfigurations via communication and information technologies or the expansion of 'knowledge generating capacities' beyond the confines of traditional universities or research institutes. Likewise, 'knowledge and information societies' are not conceptualized as a stage beyond socio-economic inequality, contrasting it, for example, to traditional 'class societies', but, once again, as a theoretical approach which offers new insights into the basic structure of current societal disparities.' (Autorenreferat)

The landscape ecology of butterflies in traditionally managed Norwegian farmland

The modernisation of agriculture has lead to changes in Norwegian farming landscapes that have consequences for butterfly distribution and abundance. Particularly important is the abandonment of traditionally managed grasslands and the consequent increase in potential barriers of scrub and trees in the landscape. In this thesis I use a landscape ecological perspective to explore the effects of abandonment on butterfly dispersal. I demonstrate that landscape elements influence butterfly movement behaviour: tall structures were significant barriers for a range of species and even low features, such as roads, elicited significant behavioural responses which shaped the movement patterns of butterflies. Behavioural differences between species were related to ecological and physiological characteristics. Movement patterns of Scarce Coppers (Lyceana virgaureae) were recorded by mark-release- recapture (MRR) techniques. Of 1711 recorded displacements, over 90 % were under 150 m. Exchange rates between meadows were dependent upon distance and the structure of intervening vegetation. A simple spatial model, parameterised with data from the behavioural experiments, was validated using MRR observations. This confirmed that the behaviour of individuals responding to single landscape elements has consequences at the level of populations and entire landscapes. The life history and movement behaviour of the endangered Apollo (Parnassius apollo), were examined using MRR. The butterfly is well adapted to a mosaic landscape structure; however, inter-meadow movement declined exponentially with increasing distance between meadows. Abandonment of hay meadows on steep slopes, with consequent forest succession, will adversely affect the Apollo by increasing the distances between open habitat. Genetic analyses support the findings of MMR studies and add a wider spatial and temporal perspective. As a conservation management priority, I recommend population mapping to identify key sites in regional networks of populations. Finally, I consider the links between empirical studies, modelling and the practical application of theory, and discuss the implications of landscape change for the butterflies of Norwegian farmland

Investigations into distributed artificial intelligence techniques for design with applications to instruments

This Thesis is concerned with the application of Distributed Artificial Intelligence techniques for the design of instruments. In this thesis it is argued that, the early stages of the design process can be automated by the use of Distributed Artificial Intelligence systems that are contractual in their communication and control. A Distributed Problem Solver is proposed, and implemented, for the purpose of conceptual design of instruments. The system consists of a community of knowledge-based agents, with expertise on design of instrument sub-systems. The agents, use a task-sharing form of cooperation for dynamic problem decomposition and sub-problem distribution phases of the design problem solving. New design concepts are generated by suitable combination of partial solutions. To incorporate learning capabilities into our Distributed Problem Solver, we have proposed the use of Classifier System Modules as inductive knowledge-based agents. The application of Classifier Systems and Genetic Algorithms in the context of a number of concrete instrument design problems is investigated. A normalized formulation is applied to the multi-modal design optimization of a Linear Variable Differential Transformer. A number of important proposals for the application of classifier systems to the design automation of instruments are detailed. In particular, an implemented classifier system is used for the purpose of design heuristic extraction for corrugated diaphragms, using a set of dimensionless curves. In this application, the classifier system has produced a set of useful design heuristics by direct interactions with the specified mathematical model