A cutting-edge survey of formal methods directed specifically at dealing with the deep mathematical problems engendered by the study of developing systems, in particular dealing with developing phase spaces, changing components, structures and functionalities, and the problem of emergence. Several papers deal with the modelling of particular experimental situations in population biology, economics and plant and muscle developments in addition to purely theoretical approaches. Novel approaches include differential inclusions and viability theory, growth tensors, archetypal dynamics, ensembles with variable structures, and complex system models. The papers represent the work of theoreticians and experimental biologists, psychologists and economists. The areas covered embrace complex systems, the development of artificial life, mathematics, computer science, biology and psychology.

Inhalt

Preface. Acknowledgements. Workshop Photograph. Workshop Participants. Formal Descriptions of Developing Systems; J.B. Nation. 1: Global Systems. The Statistical Theory of Global Population Growth; S.P. Kapitza. Maximum Reliancy as a Determinant of Food Web Behavior; E.A. Laws. Thermodynamic Approach to the Problem of Economic Equilibrium; V.M. Sergeev. 2: Biological Systems. Programmed Cell Death Phenomena at Various Levels of Development of the Living Systems; V.P. Skulachev. Development of Motor Control in Vertebrates; J. Stollberg. Disclocations in the Repetitive Unit Patterns of Biological Systems; B. Zagorska-Marek, D. Wiss. The Description of Growth of Plant Organs: A Continuous Approach Based on the Growth Tensor; J. Nakielski, Z. Hejnowicz. Using Deterministic Chaos Theory for the Analysis of Sleep EEG; J.D. Rand, H.P. Collin, L.E. Kauniai, D.H. Crowell, J. Pearce. 3: Emergence. How Does Complexity Develop? J. Cohen. Adaptive Evolution of Complex Systems under Uncertain Environmental Constraints: A Viability Approach; J.-P. Aubin. Archetypal Dynamics: An Approach to the Study of Emergence; W.H. Sulis. 4: Modelling. Sociability, Diversity and Compatibility in Developing Systems: EVS Approach; I.N. Trofimova. Tetrahymena and Ants- Simple Models of Complex Systems; W.A.M. Brandts. Embryogenesis as a Model of a Developing System; O.P. Melekhova. 5: Presentations for Discussion. Vagal Tone Chronology in Gulf War Veteran's Illnesses and in Acute Stress Reactions; H.A. Bracha. Limits of Developing a National System of Agricultural Extension; F.H. Arion. An Accumulation Model for the Formation of Mini BlackHoles; G.D. Esmer. Subject Index.