Showing papers on "Adaptation (computer science) published in 1975"

Animal Physiology: Adaptation and Environment

Abstract: in dogs lasting up to 40 days following moderate doses of 1600 rads in eight treatments of X-irradiation. There is a discussion of the difficulties encountered in attempting to irradiate gastric mucosa with radioactive sources placed directly within the stomach. The techniques of external beam treatment used at the University of Chicago are described in detail. Finally, the clinical results and complications are presented for this rather considerable experience, over 3000 patients treated during a 35-yr period. The treatment of benign ulcer disease with X-irradiation is certainly controversial and has not been widely accepted for general use in most medical centers. The results of this considerable clinical experience are difficult to assess because of the variability in the natural history of this condition. Most encouraging are the results of a randomized prospective study carried out by Erwin Levin with 68 patients, all of whom were treated with intensive medical management, half of whom were randomly selected to receive approximately 2000 rads to the fundus and body of the stomach in about ten total treatments. The control group had significantly more failures in therapy than the irradiated group. In a 5-yr period over 70% of the nonir-radiated patients had recurrent ulcers compared to only 11 % in the irradiated group. The irradiated patients showed decreased levels of basal and Histalog stimulated free acid excretion. Particular emphasis is placed on the examination of the possibility of radiation induced neoplasia. Careful followup of the patients treated at the University of Chicago gives no indication that this is a significant complication. A number of criticisms may be offered. The general format of the book, a number of small independently written chapters, leads to disorganization, fragmentation, and needless repetition. In many instances the details of the radiation technique and the suggested mechanisms of action are not up to the standards of modern radiation therapy and radiobiology. This will be more annoying to radiation therapists than other readers. When describing what is clearly a nonuniversally accepted treatment, it might have been useful to include a brief presentation by a gastroenterologist not enthusiastic about this technique. In a very brief chapter, five pages, Dr. Melvin Griem, one of the country's leading radiation therapists and Director of the Tumor Institute at the University of Chicago, describes the techniques and dosimetry used at that institution in great detail, but conspicuously fails to discuss the usefulness of the treatment and …

Some experience in interactive system development and application

Abstract: Minicomputers pgoggammed in a high-level interactive language form a very attractive basis fog the development of systems involving close man-computer collaboration. This paper is based on a wide range of experience of interactive minicomputer systems in commercial, medical, industrial, and scientific applications. It is first argued that the development of systems fog effective man-computer collaboration requires not only interactive system use but also interactive system depelopment. The designer needs to be able to tailor the system to user requirements at least partially as an experimental dialogue at a terminal with a user. There follows a critique of certain features of central computer utilities that limit their effectiveness in interactive apllications, leading to a proposal fog the use of minicomputer-based systems programmed, and used, interactively. We then give a number of case histories of our own experience in developing and using such systems in commercial, medical, and scientific appllications. From this experience, we have extracted a number of rules for programming interaction between the user and computer system which are outed. Finally, the main features of the software technology underlying these systems are briefly described.

Adaptive Processes and Economic Theory

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter discusses adaptive processes and economic theory. Adaptive economics is defined as the study of economic processes using concepts of adaptation. The chapter explains that the theory of adaptation must begin with a breakdown of reality into two parts, one representing the behavior of a part of the process of special interest called agent, and one representing the other parts of reality called environment. The agent may be a person, a household, a firm, a group of firms, or even an entire economy, depending on the purpose at hand. The chapter presents a formally precise framework of definitions. It discusses how economizing or optimizing must be construed if it is to have adaptive content. A general model of adaptive economizing is posed, a model that incorporates strategic considerations of the dynamic programming genre, but which is based on the behavioral principle of bounded rationality. The chapter also discusses how economic theory has incorporated one or another of the several concepts of adaptation.

Learning and adaptation

Abstract: Some characteristics of model reference adaptive control systems are described with a special attention to the learning aspects in adaptation. Learning aspects in adaptation does not necessarily require an explicit identification scheme as demanded in most of the published research literature.

General Systems Theory Approaches to Organizations: Some Problems in Application.

Abstract: General Systems Theory appears to have been uncritically accepted as the leading paradigm within administrative theory. This paper examines systems formulations and concludes that they overemphasize growth and show little appreciation for intra-organizational conflict, diversity of values, and political processes within organizations. Neglect of these factors pose limitations for realistic system design, integration, and adaptation. However, the limitations of G.S.T. formulations within administrative theory seem to be more due to the users of G.S.T. than to weaknesses inherent in G.S.T.

Biological Systems as Paradigms for Adaptation

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter describes biological systems as paradigms for adaptation. Adaptive behavior is the most prominent in biological organisms, and in populations of these organisms. However, it is equally of the essence in engineering technology, where the fabrication of adaptive control systems dominates whole fields. Most importantly for humans in the long run, it is at the center of the technologies that are required to control the human institutions, especially in the economic and political realm. The chapter discusses how concepts arising from biology that is the study of the class of complex systems can be formulated in such a way that they can be a source of insight into man's social systems. Such an approach has been suggested, from a variety of points of view, by many biologists of past and present generations. The term adaptive, like so many other functional or behavioral terms which dominate the study of complex systems, is employed in a bewildering number of different ways. The chapter presents some general strategic principles for dealing with broad, ambiguous systemic concepts like adaptation. It also discusses some generalities regarding adaptive mechanisms in biology. These adaptive mechanisms are then classified according to their flexibility and generality.

Learning, Adaptation and Evolution of the Environment—Ecosystem Couple

Abstract: With Margalef [13], we believe that the usual approach to the study of ecological systems is open to criticism [19].

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the Stockholm Conference: A case of institutional non-adaptation

Abstract: This article considers how an established international organization with responsibility for programs of pure and applied science adapts its organizational format and purposes to newly defined tasks. It examines the institutional response of IOC (the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission) to the specification of new obligations in the environmental field as stipulated by the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, and as developed by the Environmental Program that the Conference established. Its main theme is the place of specialized knowledge, and the role of experts at the various stages of policy formation, within national governments and international forums. In analyzing the adaptation of IOC through expert and non-expert activities, our aim is to determine whether new programs and initiatives are fiUed to the existing framework, or produce new structures and institutional arrangements.

Adaptation and Survival: New Meanings in Old Age

Abstract: Evidently new skills based on new knowledge will have to be developed which will help old people adapt to necessary changes in the living environment. Living conditions such as long term care institutions can be designed both physically and socially which reduce the demand on adaptation capabilities.

Patterns and Problems of Export-Oriented Product Adaptation: With Special Reference to Engineering Goods

Abstract: The preceding two decades of India's performance in overseas trade witnessed a significant shift in emphasis from the traditional range of industrial raw materials and semi-finished products such as tobacco, jute manufactures, tea, cotton fabrics, spices and leather to non-traditional products like engineering goods, electronic components, chemicals and marine products. This shift has been deliberately introduced by the Govt. of India in order to maximise the realisation of foreign exchange through domestic value adding, taking advantage of the relatively less expensive labour and an improved technological infrastructure developed in the course of the last two decades of economic pfanning.1

Problems in using computers for electrical/electronic system installation design

Abstract: The background regarding the design information required to accomplish Electrical/Electronic System Installation and the problem areas of the Designer and the Craftsman as computer users and that of conflicts resulting from the lack of firm Management guidance are discussed. Conclusions regarding the adaptation of the total organization to computer applications are presented.