Complexity: learning to muddle through

The articles in this special issue are placed in the context of the literature of general systems theory. The focus is on the complexity (or requisite variety) of complex work domains and the implications for control. Following the insights of Ashby’s law of requisite variety, it is concluded that classical hierarchical or servomechanism-type control systems are inadequate as a basis for dealing with the unanticipated variability endemic to complex work domains. Alternative types of control (e.g., self-organizing systems) and alternative images of cognition are suggested as a theoretical context for modeling performance in complex work domains.     

INVERSE HEAT CONDUCTION PROBLEM OF SIMULTANEOUSLY ESTIMATING SPATIALLY VARYING THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY AND HEAT CAPACITY PER UNIT VOLUME

An inverse heat conduction method for simultaneously estimating spatially varying thermal conductivity and heat capacity per unit volume under the conditions of a flash method type of experiment is developed. The unknown thermal properties are assumed to vary only in the space dimension normal to the slab sample and are modeled with piecewise linear representations. Lacking in the literature are specific requirements that must be satisfied by the number of measurements in the spatial domain in order to ensure uniqueness of the inverse solution. We prepared a series of numerical experiments to provide a better understanding of this issue. Multiple temperature sensors are shown to be necessary to determine spatially varying properties. The effectiveness of the method is illustrated through simulated experimental applications of the method.     

Proteins Marking the Sequence of Genotoxic Signaling from Irradiated Mesenchymal Stromal Cells to CD34+ Cells

Non-targeted effects (NTE) of ionizing radiation may initiate myeloid neoplasms (MN). Here, protein mediators (I) in irradiated human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) as the NTE source, (II) in MSC conditioned supernatant and (III) in human bone marrow CD34+ cells undergoing genotoxic NTE were investigated. Healthy sublethal irradiated MSC showed significantly increased levels of reactive oxygen species. These cells responded by increasing intracellular abundance of proteins involved in proteasomal degradation, protein translation, cytoskeleton dynamics, nucleocytoplasmic shuttling, and those with antioxidant activity. Among the increased proteins were THY1 and GNA11/14, which are signaling proteins with hitherto unknown functions in the radiation response and NTE. In the corresponding MSC conditioned medium, the three chaperones GRP78, CALR, and PDIA3 were increased. Together with GPI, these were the only four altered proteins, which were associated with the observed genotoxic NTE. Healthy CD34+ cells cultured in MSC conditioned medium suffered from more than a six-fold increase in γH2AX focal staining, indicative for DNA double-strand breaks, as well as numerical and structural chromosomal aberrations within three days. At this stage, five proteins were altered, among them IQGAP1, HMGB1, and PA2G4, which are involved in malign development. In summary, our data provide novel insights into three sequential steps of genotoxic signaling from irradiated MSC to CD34+ cells, implicating that induced NTE might initiate the development of MN.     

The effects of timing jitter in sampling systems

Timing jitter generally causes a bias (systematic error) in the amplitude estimates of sampled waveforms. Equations are developed for computing the bias in both the time and frequency domains. Two principle estimators are considered: the sample mean and the so-called Markov estimator used in some equivalent-time sampling systems. Examples are given using both real and simulated data. It is shown that the bias that results from using the sample mean as an estimator can be approximated in the frequency domain by a simple filter function. The Markov estimator is shown to asymptotically converge to the population median. It is therefore an unbiased estimator for monotonic waveforms sampled with jitter distributions having a median of zero     

The complex role of perceptual organization in visual display design theory.

Two experiments were performed to test and extend the current 'emergent features' approach to display design for dynamic failure detection tasks. It was predicted that a display whose emergent features were well-mapped to goal-relevant task invariants would lead to better failure detection performance than either of two alternative displays. Contrary to prediction. Experiment 1 showed no differences in failure detection speed or accuracy across displays. The reason for this may have been that subjects did not discover the mapping between the mathematical properties of the task and the emergent feature, so in Experiment 2 subjects were explicitly instructed about the mapping and were advised on how to use the display geometry to help their performance. A significant difference in failure detection speed emerged, but the display supporting fastest performance was not the one with the well-mapped emergent feature. These results suggest that alternative perceptual organizational factors were at work which overpowered the intended effect. The results also underscore the difficulty of developing a theory of display design, and their impact on current theories is outlined.     

A process model for nonisothermal photopolymerization with a laser light source. I: Basic model development

A mathematical model for a laser-induced photopolymerization process has been developed. This model simulates important aspects of stereolithography, a rapid prototyping process used for the production of three-dimensional plastic parts. The model consists of a set of coupled partial differential equations and considers irradiation, chemical reaction, and heat transfer in a small zone of material exposed to a stationary UV laser source. Numerical techniques are used for an approximate solution of the model equations, and the output includes spatial and temporal variations in the conversion of monomer to polymer, depletion of photoinitiator, and local variations of temperature in and around the region contacted by the laser light. Maximum conversions of approximately 60% and peak temperature rises of approximately 35° C were calculated for the cylindrical exposed region. Results have provided insights concerning laser dwell time, depth penetration, and the uniformity of polymer formed during the stereolithography process.     

Fluorescein oropharyngoscopy

To evaluate patency of the lacrimal system, fluorescein was instilled in the conjunctival cul-de-sac and the posterior oropharynx was examined with ultraviolet light. In 20 normal patients fluorescein was evident in one to 30 minutes. In cases of complete nasolacrimal duct blockage no fluorescein appeared after two hours.     

ILP turns 20

Inductive Logic Programming (ILP) is an area of Machine Learning which has now reached its twentieth year. Using the analogy of a human biography this paper recalls the development of the subject from its infancy through childhood and teenage years. We show how in each phase ILP has been characterised by an attempt to extend theory and implementations in tandem with the development of novel and challenging real-world applications. Lastly, by projection we suggest directions for research which will help the subject coming of age.