NlewsLErrcR July 1995 No.37 2Toocopies
Editor-in-Chief: Gerhard Chroust c/o Systemtechnik und Automation, Johannes Kepler University Linz, 4040 LinlAustria,
e-mai I : CH ROU ST @ S EA. IJN I -Ll NZ.AC.AT, Tel :+43-7 32-2468-865, Fax:+43-732-2468-878
Dear fo:aders!
Again I fiaoe to apobgize for a [etay in tfik fuftus[ettet I fiaae 6een interciae{y irno[tte[ in 6otfi tfu Conference an[ tfuEuropean'ESlPltl yrojut (see bsi[e) . I ang[a[ to report tfrat part of tfu tast grQus[etter (fu.36) uas snrcessfu[[y pinte[ in tfu '[1SA an[ [istributel frotn tfure. It saoes manE an[ sfiouf[ ena6[e a prompter le[iaery of tfu fousbtter to our or)erseas members. eart of tfu leky of tfu fiQustetter b a[so fiu to tfie aery sbw subntission oJ topics suitab[e for 'fiQu Trends', Iftis issue's 'furu'Trenls' are conceraed tuitfi a aery interuting EUROCAST on the Rocks proS[em in autonomous ro1otics. Wfun I started tfu '9@u From left to right: Trends' afumn I fiopel to preseflt a ztieu of ruear& Prof. Sato, Japan, Prof. Pichler, Austria, Prof. [irectioru tfiat is as 6roal as possi6k. Anforatnatety I fiaae Takahara, Japan, Prof. Candela-Sola, Spain. rut rueioel many suitaS[e submissbtu. Q[ease re-meru\er trtat EUROCAST'gs. I am ahtays boftng for interatitrg antri|utiors fo, 'fuu trends'. Is your subjut nat wortfiy to 6e presentel? sth lnt. Workshop on Computer Aided I uou[d ogoin remind you tfiat tfu nQusb*er (an[ some Systems Technology (CAST) otfur interating pieus oJ infornation are aaaikSfe ofl May 22-25, 1 995, lnnsbruck, Austria IFSKI 'WW,l-pagu,'Lfu outss is aia tfu A\L @niform fosource Locator) The Fifth lnternational Conference on Computer place the fittp : / / unwtt.s e a. uni- finz. ac. at / fs I Aided Systems Technology took at finatty I uou[[ tifo to uisfi you a p[eosant fio[i[ay *ason Conference Center of lnnsbruck in Tyrol / Austria and fiope to fuarfromyou in Sepaniel f rom May 22 - 25, 1995, under co-sponsorship of IFSR.
Qerfinrd Cfuoust Sy s tcmtufinifr unf Automation More than 100 scientists from about 20 countries lofiaraus ftp[er'tlniaersial Linz, 4040 Lita, Austrin including US and Japan coming from Universities and lndustries discussing new results in the area of Systems Theory, Systems I contri.6 utbn ! fSKuan* /our Engineering, Design Science and Computer We are interested to an et)en estefi-t in naftng tfie treater Science and its application to important fields l&ws{etter a infornation intercfiange. We forum for such as Engineering (lnformation Systems, tfurefore asfr you to senl us sfiort rEorts on refeaant Signal Processing, Control, Robotics and others) anferenccs/mutittgs, aflnoun&fiicnts of cnnferenus or Ecology, Management and Sociology. The main rettiews of interuting 6oofu. can reacfi us 6y mait, /ou Ja4 goal of the conference is the provision of e-mai[. E-maif suimissioru are preferred! promise a 'lile fairQ computerized tools for modelling on systems s fio rt turn- aro ufl[ tifie !, level.
IMPRESSUM: Mediuminhaber, Herausgeber, Satz und Professional highlights were the invited lectures Layout: Int. Federation for Systems Research. by Prof. G. Gottlob, Vienna, on "Reactive Logic: Fiir den Inhalt verantwortlich: Prof. G. Chroust, Iohannes Approaches ro Knowledge Base Revision and Kepler Universitiit Linz. 4040 Linz, Druck: Druckerei Bad Update", Prof. S. Rinaldi, ltaly, on "Chaos and Leonfelden Ges.mb.H. & Co. KG, Bad Leonfelden. Complexity" and Prof. W. Wymore, USA, on "Systems Engineering, Systems Theory and Complex Systems". The social programme offered a trip by cable-way to the mountain-area of the Hafelekar where more than 50 people Eurocast '97 is planned again for Las Palmas, assembled happily for an informal gathering on Canary lslands, Spain, in February 1997. the high sealevel attitude of about 2.334 m.
NEW TRENDS
lrurecnerED NAvrcATtoN Sysrena FoR Low-Gosr MoetLe Roeors
Rudolf Bauer Siemens AG, Corporate Research and Development, 81730 Milnchen, Germany
email : Rudolf . Baue r @ zfe.sie mens. de
defined mission, localization and map building) Introduction uses a three-layer system consisting of For a mobile robot operating autonomously in an unknown, unprepared environment it is essential . "Global (position Path Planning": Based on the user's to know its configuration and mission and a global on-line grid map of the orientation) while executing a user defined environment, a very fast geometrical global mission. rough estimation robot's A of the path planner produces a "rough" path configuration possible data is with odometric consisting of a set of intermediate goal points. (speed path length), to and but due . "lntegrated Path Planning": The global path is unpredictable slippage of the wheels and other used, together with information about the physical imprecisions, estimated the current landmark map, the robot configuration configuration deteriorates large due to a and its uncertainty and local obstacles, to cumulative error. To reduce the uncertainty and plan a more detailed local path. error, localization techniques additionally are . and "Robust Obstacle Avoidance": This local based on sensor data (e.9. sonar) and a gradual path is then sent to the robot's pilot level, development of a map of the environment. The which autonomously executes the path, while resultant configuration error mainly depends on guaranteeing robust obstacle avoidance. the amount and quality of the incoming sensor Each of the layers uses a limited level of know- data. The quality these critically of data is ledge of the robot environment, thus acting with dependant on the path chosen by the robot. well-defined competence and responsibility. A novel dynamic and integrated path planning Suitable ldyer interaction provided by an approach is used to concurrently support the intelligent scheduler leads to the desired data acquisition for estimating the location and behavior of the overall system. identifying new natural landmarks in an a-priori unknown environment. This creates the following While executing the path, the behavior of boot-strapping problem. update and To important system states (e.9. configuration continuously correct its configuration, the robot uncertainty) is monitored. ln the case of needs an adequate landmark map. On the other considerable deviations, which might occur in an hand the robot needs to know its configuration a-priori unknown and dynamic environment, the very accurately so as to identify old and new execution is stopped and the integrated land-marks. This process may become unstable navigation scheduler is informed, which might if the robot travels in a way by which its sensors then restart the cycle. cannot adequately recognize previously identified landmarks. Therefore, a compromise Experiments must be found between keeping the The following experiments were performed on configuration uncertainty low, identifying new the Siemens mobile platform Roamer (Robust landmarks and fulfilling a user defined mission. Autonomous Mobile Experimental Robot). lt has 24 Polaroid lntegrated Navigation System ultrasonic sensors that are arranged in two horizontal layers around the robot. A general hierarchical architecture for mediating between different robot goals (fulfilling a user ln both simulated test runs (see Fig. 1 and 2), landmarks the angular visibility range is indicated the robot had no a-priori knowledge of it's in Fig. 2). Arriving at target point B the robot had workspace other than the gray shaded an absolute positional error of just about '15 cm rectangular outline of the workspace and two afler 25 m of traveled distance. - linetype landmarks (a, b) at the starting point A. " '. '',1 -*. .B
A
Fig. 1: Traveling directly from A towards B with Fig. 2: Traveling from A to B, using identified reactive obstacle avoidance. The mission was intermediate landmarks interrupted because of the significant configuration uncertainty. This approach dynamically plans local paths, in "user Because the robot has no knowledge of the order to integrate the different robot tasks "self-localization" "land- obstacles in its workspace (see Fig. 1), the robot defined mission", and estimated starts to travel from A directly towards the target mark building" by analyzing the point B. After a few meters the first obstacle benefits and costs ol each. comes "in sight" which is avoided by moving to Bauer, R. et al. (1994). Steer Angle Fields: An the right. After leaving the visibility regions of the Approach to Robust Maneuvering in Cluttered, given landmarks a and b, the configuration Unknown Environments, Robotics and Autonomous grows motion uncertainty dramatically. During Systems, vol. 1 2, pp. 209-212, 1994. the configuration uncertainty grows rapidly due Bauer, R. (1995). Dynamic Path Planning lntegrating to an assumed 5% slippage of the wheels Self-Localisation and Landmark Extraction, Proc. of Using the novel approach (Fig. 2) of integrated IAS-4: lnt. Conf. on lntelligent Autonomous path planning, the robot mediates between three Systems, pp. 42O-426, Karlsruhe, 1995. subtasks: Bauer, R. and Rencken, W.D. (1995). Sonar Feature . - traveltowards point B, Based Exploration, to appear in: IEEE/IRJ Conf. on 5-9, . - keep configuration uncertainty low, lntelligent Robots and Sysfems, Aug. . - identify new landmarks Pittsburgh, 1995. ln Fig.2 the robot has found a number of natural landmarks, that are concurrently used to improve the configuration estimate (For point type
The systems sciences appear to have three Pno.lecr Rrponrs interrelated tasks: discerning of the integrative "wisdom" stored in biological organisms after several billion years of evolution; integrating Some pathways to integrative knowledge and understanding; applying the study, education, and thought insights obtained to problems of human and Joseph Engelberg ecological existence. The approach is necessarily integrative rather than disciplinary or UHrvensrv oF KENTucKY, CoLLEGE oF inter-disciplinary, interdisciplinarity being taken to MeordNe, LExtNGToN, Kerurucxv 40536-0084, limit disciplines become invisible, USA. the so that the not even referred to. email: ENGELBEJ @ UKLANS.UKY.EDU, powerful methods to Tel: (606)323-5563, Fax: (606) 323-1070. Specialists have developed ,meet their objectives. They include_..the propa- gation of their ideas and results via numerous boundaries, in place of the multitude of specialized journals and monographs; lectures dispersed, fragmented texts which on special subjects followed by brief periods of characterizes the areas of specialization, the discussion; special languages; etc. These possibility of a single, communal, archival text methods are effective when dealing with parts or might be considered. aspects of systems; however, they tend to be . Thirdly, it would seem desirable for the inimical and counterproductive to undertakings of scholarly interaction in the systems sciences an integrative nature. Yet, they are presently the (at professional meetings, in the classroom) principal means of discourse in the systems to take the form of structured dialogues rather sciences. Can the systems sciences fully flower than lectures. ln these dialogues padicipants until alternative forms of study and communi- ponder insights; they pedorm integrative cation are developed and adopted? tasks; they turn away from their areas of Here are some thoughts: specialization, bringing instead their whole life First, as systems scientists we cannot afford experience to bear upon the process. the luxury of devoting many words to the see also'News from the Book market'. description of each of the numerous aspects of complex systems. Concision would appear CORRIGENDUM: to be a necessary property of our texts -- with insights encapsulated in a few words, Dictionary of Systemics and Cybernetics Anfortunatety in r\b. 36 I gaae an oH ailrus Cfiar[es sentences or equations. The resulting for statements need to be evocative -- have the franois. t{ere is tfu carrect otu: power to evoke chains of far-reaching ideas. Charles Francois, The fundamental texts of the systems LiberladT42 sciences are likely to turn out to be integrated 1 640 MARTINEZ, Argentina chains of aphorisms. :792-71 Secondly, since integrative thinking cannot be confined within conventional academic
ConreneNcE REPoRTS software producing unit according to one of the ceftification models (e.9. 1SO9000, BOOT- EUROCAST and ESPITI STRAP, TICKIT, CMM). (A) May 23, 1995, lnnsbruck A key for ensuring conformance to the process is an automatic suppofi/control of the process via a computer. Access to tools can be combined with the enactment of the process. lf this arrangement is completed with a central data base for intermediate and final results and a common user interface a software engineering environment has effectively been createde. many ways the problems and solutions ESPlTl, the European Software Process In proposed for software development are largely lmprovement Training lnitiative is a Europe-wide paralleling the research done in CAST. effort sponsored by the European Commission. Some of the more parallels It aims at raising the awareness for high quality obvious are: o The definition process an software by improving the'software process', i.e. of a model is abstraction of past processes. by improving the way software is developed. Concentrating on the software production . A process model is a template for further processes, process and its improvement in all so-called development which are usually process 'software producing units' (The term includes instantiated from the model. software houses and departments within other . Any reasonable process needs computer organizations which produce software as a support for the administration/control of both performed subsidiary product) . This improvement has to be the multitude of activities to be and partial based on a clear definition of the process via a the intermediate, and final results. so-called 'process model'. At the same time it o The actual design tasks must be supported must be ensured that the defined process is by computer programs (usually called 'CASE- provably followed and applied by everybody tools'). involved in the process. ln the long run this leads . Both CAST and software development are to a certification of appropriate so-called often concerned with large, complex and highly dynamic systems. . ln both areas a holistic, systemic view is o Fuzzy Systems, Approximate Reasoning and necessary if excellent results are to be Knowledge-Based Systems (C.Carlsson, expected. Finland, K.-P.Adlassnig, Austria, E.P. Klement, Therefore it was quite natural to place some of Austria) the papers presented at the EUROCAST'95 . Designing and Systems, and Their Education congress in an ESPITI-oriented session. (B.Banathy, USA, W.Gasparski, Poland, Under the ESPITI-program (lasting till May 1996) G.Goldschmidt, lsrael) meetings, workshops and training courses will . Humanity, Architecture and Conceptualization be conducted in all European countries. (G.Pask, UK, E.Prem, Austria) For details contact Gerhard Chroust . Biocybernetics and Mathematical Biology (L.M.Ricciardi, ltaly) . Cybernetics and lnformatics in Medicine and CorureneNcE ANNoUNcEMENTS Psychotherapy (M.Okuyama, Japan, G. For contacts, etc. see Calendar of Events. Porenta, Austria) o Cybernetics of Socio-Economic Systems and (K.Balkus, 13th European Meeting on of Country Development USA, P.Ballonoff, USA, S.A.Umpleby, USA) Cybernetics and Systems Research . Systems, Management and Organization ( EMCSR 1ee6) (G.Broekstra, Netherlands, R.Hough, USA) April9 - 12, 1996 . Communication and Computers (A M.Tjoa, University of Vienna Austria) r Theories and Metaphors of Cyberspace (F. Cybernetics - "the study of communication and Heylighen, Belgium, S.A. Umpleby, USA) control in the animal and the machine" . Knowledge Discovery in Databases (N.Wiener) - has recently returned to the (Y.Kodratotf, France) forefront, not only in cyberpunk and cyberspace, . Artificial Neural Networks and Adaptive but, even more important, contributing to the Systems (G.Palm, Germany, G.Dorffner, consolidation of various scientific theories. Austria) Additionally, an ever increasing number of r Theory and Applications of Artificial lntelli- research areas, including social and economic gence (V.Marik, Czech Flepublic, theories, theoretical biology, ecology, computer E. Buchberger, Austria) science, and robotics draw on ideas from second order cybernetics. Artificial intelligence, evolved SCHOLARSHIPS: IFSR ana OSOX are willing to directly from cybernetics, has not only provide a limited number of scholarships for technological and economic, but also important colleagues from weak currency countries. social impacts. With a marked trend towards Applications should be sent to the Conference interdisciplinary cooperation and global Secretariat before October 12, 1995. perspectives, this important role of cybernetics is expected to be further strengthened over the For an electronic version of this CfP (and next years. information whenever it becomes available)see: Since 1972, lhe biennial European Meetings on hftp ://www. ai. u n ivi e. ac. at/e mcs r/e mcs r. htm I Cybernetics and Systems Research (EMCSR) have served as a forum for discussion of converging ideas and new aspects of different scientific disciplines. As on previous occasions, lnt. Symposium and Workshop on a number of sessions providing wide coverage of Engineering of Computer Based the rapid developments will be arranged, Systems (ECBS) complemented with daily plenary meetings, March 11 - 15, 1996 where eminent speakers will present latest Friedrichshafen, Germany research results. The symposium is the ninth in a series of inter- Sessions and session chairpersons: national meetings dedicated to formulating and . GeneralSystems Methodology (G.J.Klir, USA) advancing methodologies and techniques for . New Developments in Mathematical Systems engineering of computer based systems (ECBS). Theory (Y.Rav, France, F.Pichler, Austria) This emerging discipline is devoted to design, o Complex Systems Analysis and Design development, deployment, and analysis of (J.W.Rozenblit, USA, H.Praehofer, Austria) complex systems comprising heterogeneous, distributed, software, hardware, communication, and other components. lt aims at integrating - Codesign systems engineering and engineering fields like - Reengineering and Reuse software, electronics or communications into a - Development Processes total engineering discipline for computer based - Process Optimization systems. - lnformation Management and Traceability Contributions (Proceedings will be published with - System Assessment, Testing and Metrics the IEEE) are sought primarily in the follo-wing - Systems Simulation (and in related) areas: - Case Studies - Standards - Requirements Elicitation and Analysis - Reliability, Safety, Dependability - Systems Analysis and Modeling - ECBS lnfrastructures (Tools, Components, - Systems Design and lnter{ace Management Environments) - Architectures and Design Templates - Training and Education - Domain Modeling and Analysis
Ornen Socrenes Felix Geyer and Johannes van der Zouwen, !{ere we report ofl otficr socicties in rte sysams area, fioptrg discussed in an afticle in Cybernetics, vol 2016, to create interut an[ perfiaps kar acquire neu.t mcm.hers. 1991 the penetration of systems and cyber- netics, as conceptual possibilities, in the main- IGEL: lnternationalSociety for the Empirical stream sociological thinking: Study of Literature "The empirical social science research The aim of the Society, founded in 1987, is the increasingly utilizes methods taken from systems advancement of the systemic and empirical methodology; that social science theory, on the approach to literature (SEAL) through other hand, still barely uses the conceptual international and interdis-ciplinary co-operation. scheme of GST/cybernetics; that the most The principal objectives of the Society are: theoretical studies stimulated by the 1) to support systemic and empirical literature sociocybernetic approach are generally fertile research projects through information and co- and thought-provoking; operation; 2) to further the application of the framework and The Thematic Group feels that the time seems to methodology of the systemic and empirical be finally ripe for introducing the sociocyber- approach in the study of literature; 3) to support netics/systems approach in mainstream socio- students and junior researchers in the field. of logical thinking." systemic and empirical literary research; ".... the times seems to be changing. ln an 4) to further personal contact in all areas of increasingly complex and interdependent world, research supported by the Society; sociologi$ts are confronted by increasingly 5) to organize international conferences. complex problems, for the solution of which the usual social paradigms often do not suffice, but The Society issues an annual Newsletter and indeed an extremely interdisciplinary approach is holds international biannual conferences. The needed. An approach of this kind is offered by next conference: August 21 - 26, 1996, in Banff, what Prigogine has termed the Emerging Alberta Canada. sciences of complexity', in which socio- cybernetics certainly play a central role." President: Steven Tot6sy de Zepetnel, Research lnstitute for Comparative Literature, University of This panorama is now the main concern of the Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta Canada TOG 2E6 Thematic Group 02'Sociocybernetics and Social (Ph.: 403-492-4776: Fax: 403-492-5662; System Theory' for planning its participation in
I ntemet: stotosyagpu :srv. Ualberta.ca). the 1988 MontrealWorld Congress of Sociology. Membership fees: US$ 20.00, US$ 10.00 for student, unemployed, retired. President: Kenneth D. Bailey Vice-President: Richard L. Henshel Cybemetics & Systems in theSociological World Past president: Francisco Parra Luna Secretary-treasurer: Felix Geyer A new board of the Thematic Group 02 Newsletter editor: Elohim J.L. "Sociocybernetics and Social System Theory" of ISA has been elected. Translated from the ltalian by Alfonso Montouri News FRoM rne Boor Mlnxer lsBN 2-88449-123-6 1994 - 202 pages, US$ 40,00
Zhenyuan Wang, George J. Klir Hanif Shah and Sharon Dingley Fuzzy Measure Theory Information Systems State University of New York at Binghamton The lnterdisciplinary Reality 341pp., $69.50 Depaftment of Computer Science and Applied Plenum Publishing Corp., Mathematics 233 Sprint St., New York, NY 10013-1578 Aston University, Birmingham, 84 7ET, UK tel: (212) 620-8000; lax(2'12) 463-0742 ISBN 0471 94296 0 (hardback) May 1994, 416 pages, €24.95/$39.95 G.J. Dalenoort (ed.) The Paradigm of Self-Organization ll Volume 24 of Studies in Cybernetics Steven T6tosy ISBN: 2-88124-976-0 Bibliography of Works in the 272pages, $ 65.00 lE42.OO /ECU 54.00 Systemic and Empirical Approach to Literature Bernd Schiemens (ed.) 1,400 titles selected f rom the early 1980s to lnteraktion present available on diskette (DOS Wordperfect Modellierung, Kommunikation in und Lenkung 5.1, see'New Societies') komplexen Organisationen Duncker & Humboldt, Berlin lsBN 3-428-08200-1 Joseph Engelberg pages, 289 DM 76,00 The Nature of lntegrative Study New Forums Press, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA Mauro Ceruti (1 ee4). Constraints and Possibilities for details see section 'Project Reports" The Evolution of Knowledge and Knowledge of Evolution
News News from from the the IFSR IFSR
arrangement has been made with John Wiley & Sons. Later, in a letter from the EC published in An lnformal Annual Report from Your the July Newsletter, an amitious agenda was set Executive Committee forth for the overall program of IFSR. This included a new approach to the development of Following the '94 Board Meeting, your Executive the Newsletter, membership development, Committee (EC) initiated work on severalfronts. invitation to participation in a co-ordinated The Fuschl meeting of IFSR (April 1994), system research program, the extension of the attended by Bela Banathy and Gerhard Chroust Fuschl Conversations, and a proposal for the and several representatives of member establishment of IFSR working committees. organisations, provided a fine opportunity for detailed addressing of IFSR objectives. Top Taking advantage of travel unrelated to IFSR, priority was given to finding a new publisher and there have been further planning and co- developing a long-range program for the ordination meetings. Bela Banathy met Gerhard publication of Systems Research. Under Mike's Chroust for a one.day planning session in leadership this objective was achieved by Vienna in Septbmber. Mike Jackson and Bela August. A most favorable contractual Banathy were invited to address the Third European School of Systems Sciences in Fnona ouR MEMBER SocrETrES Valencia, Spain in October 1994. Gerhard Chroust and Mike Jackson met in England in The Polish Systems Society September 1994 in connection with a conference which Gerhard Chroust attended. ln the area of ln 1995 the basic form of the PSS activities membership development, we are pleased to will be debating seminars (conversatorial) on report that our continuing work has resulted in multidisciplinary methodology and practice the admission of three new organizations; the concerning systems inquiry, connected with Associazone ltalian per la Ricerca sui Systemi; information technology, the seminars being the Korean Society for Systems Science, and organized quarterly. the Polish Systems Society. Work is continuing ln the framework of the activities of PSS, a to involve systems organizations from Bulgaria, Bulletin will be published, containing Japan, Slovenia and South Africa. information on the program and achievements of the Society. A brochure is in preparation which portrays IFSR PSS is patronizing the publication of a objectives, Programmes and member organi- common, English/Polish book entitled zations. The December double issue of the IFSR "Methodological Foundations of Human Newsletter introduced the program of Systems Activity Systems and lnformatics". plan Research and set out a for the involvement PSS is a substantial co-organisor of the 17th of member organizations. Gerhard Chroust lnternational Scientific ISAT School "Systems developed and mailed out to member lnquiry - lnformation Activity Systems and organizations a detailed memorandum which Technology" (September 25-30, 1995, addressed programmatic issues, membership Szklarska Poreba, Poland) with the following development and proposals and topics for the research area: methodological foundations of '96 meeting of the IFSR Board. Your EC invites human activity systems inquiry and your comments and suggestions that might informatics, inquiry engineering and guide us to advance the program of IFSR. distributed artificial intelligence methods, The next meeting of the EC will be in Vienna on integration of networking and connectionism your Sept. 21 and 22, 1995. Any comments from oriented approaches in in-formation and side can be discussed there! decision making processes and systems Rektsanatrty evolution. PSS currently has 60 members.
IFSR goes WWW! ln the last few months we have set up a World Wide Web server with information about the IFSR. You can reach the home page by URL:
://www. sea. u n i -l i nz. ac. aVif s r/ From the Secretarv/Treasure .Dear 1t{ertersl I ant proud to state tfiat IfSKruu is goittg to use staa-of-tfu-art u improae i* 1usituss: We are on %)WW! Afiitiorut{y I pkn u itrc[ule some infornatbn a6out IfSK an[ rte ktut lfS*9&wsbtters ptus infonnation a6out aff our member societics, I a{so fieficae tfiat tfie fwcfil'Iatfu witt 5e eoen more pro[rut'ne: ue support it wirt some contputer support in order n get rautts more quicfrQ andmore umpfete[y, A view of the Technical University of Wroclaw And pbase join in creatittg a tioety society - your are actua[ society, tfie f4uutiae Canfiritttz can on{y giae Board of the PSS: initiatioe anl futp. President: Prof. Mieczyslaw Bazewicz, Technical finatty I fiaoe tfie pbasure in rEo*ing tfiat tfu Arutian University of Wroclaw qooemncnt fias again proo'tdel a siza6[c su6si[y for Vice-Presidents: Prof. Wojciech Sitek, University 1995 actaitits. of Wroclaw, /ours sirccre[y, Prof. Dionizy Dudek, Technical University of Cfimrct Wroclaw Secretary: Dr. Franciszek W. Przystupa Students' Scientific Movement Jacek Zabawa Wnlr's NEW tN "SYSTEMS The Value of a Systems Approach for Enhancing RESEARCH"? the Co-Evolution of Ethnic Cultures with the Rapidly Changing Society The quarterly Systems Research, the official GregoryV.LaPointe journal of the IFSR, is published by John Wiley and Sons. Papers for publication and The Peace/Development Process at La lndia, subscription requests should be sent to: Colombia Professor M.C. Jackson Ernesto Lleras and A Sanz de Jantamaria U n ive rsity of H u mbers ide Cottingham Road Chairs Hull. HU6 7RT, lJnited Kingdom Ron Hornsby tel: +44 1482 440550 Ext.3720 fax: +44 1482 445715 Contents of vol. 12, no.2 (June 1995):
Contents of vol. 12,no.1 (March 1995): Synergy and Self-Organization in the Evolution of Complex Systems A new Beginning Peter A. Corning Bela H. Banathy Molecular Approach to Living Systems Spreadthink: Explaining lnneffective Groups Lane Tracy John N. Wafield A Survey of Applied Systemology Values, Science and the Quest for Demarcation Donald H. McNeil Gerard de Zeeuw Understanding the Nature of System Change: An Beyond the Fads: Systems Thinking for lnterdisciplinary Approach Managers Francis Stickland and Lawrence P. Reavill Mike C. Jackson The Systems Thinker as Revolutionary "Whole-lng" The Pafts and Righting the Wrongs Kenyon B. de Greene Russel L. Ackoff A Futurist Look at Systems Science ModelValidation in Soft Systems Practice Joseph F. Coates Peter Checkland
Calendar of Events
Title Date and Place Fufiher lnformation Abbreviations: CfP, CfA: Call f.Papers/Abstract, FP: Final Paper due,
EUROMICRO'9S : Design of Sept 4-7, 1995, Como, I Krzysztof Kuchcinksi, Linkoping Univ., Dept. Hardware/Software Systems CfP: expired of Computer and lnfo Sciences, S-58183 Linkoping, Sweden, tel +46 13-281883, email:kku @ ida.liu.se NIewsLErrsR
Xll lnternational Conference on Systems Sept. 12-15, 1995 Wroclaw J. Swiatek, Techn. Univ. of Wroclaw, Science Poland \N ybrzeze Wyspianskieg o 27, P L- 50-37 0
FP: Jan 15. 1996: WWW: http://i50s 1 f . ira. uka.de/ecbs96. html 13th European Meeting on Cybernetics and Apr. 9-12, 1996, Vienna, R. Trappl, Dept. of Med. Cybernetics & Al, Systems Research, Vienna Austria Univ. of Vienna, Freyung 6/2, A-1010
www: http : //www. ai. u n ivi e. ac. aVe mcs r/e mcs r html Fuschl-Talks 1996 Apr. 14-19, 1996, Fuschl B. Banathy,25781 Morse Dr., CARMEL, CA
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