Mechanistic Explanations and Models in Molecular Systems Biology

Mechanistic models in molecular systems biology are generally mathematical models of the action of networks of biochemical reactions, involving metabolism, signal transduction, and/or gene expression. They can be either simulated numerically or analyzed analytically. Systems biology integrates quantitative molecular data acquisition with mathematical models to design new experiments, discriminate between alternative mechanisms and explain the molecular basis of cellular properties. At the heart of this approach are mechanistic models of molecular networks. We focus on the articulation and development of mechanistic models, identifying five constraints which guide the articulation of models in molecular systems biology. These constraints are not independent of one another, with the result that modeling becomes an iterative process. We illustrate the use of these constraints in the modeling of the mechanism for bistability in the lac operon.     

充分利用现代信息技术开展科技名词工作

科技新词的收集、审定、试用、发布是科技名词工作的重要组成部分。全国科学技术名词审定委员会天文学名词审定分委员会近年来充分利用包括数据库、邮件列表、维基技术在内的一系列现代信息技术手段开展科技新词工作,取得了显著成绩。文章介绍天文学名词委近年来利用信息技术开展新词工作所取得的一些经验。     

复杂系统的隐喻描述与模型描述

由隐喻描述走向模型描述是复杂性科学成熟的标志.本文重点介绍了复杂系统的两种模型描述方法:形式化系统模型与关联论模型,并比较它们各自的优缺点.两种模型是从不同的角度对复杂系统的描述,在复杂系统的理论研究与实际运用中都有着重要的、不可替代的意义.复杂系统的未来研究方向并不是对于两种模型的"整合",而是两种模型交替并用,以多元视角科学地揭示复杂系统的本质.     

Emergence,Computation and the Freedom Degree Loss Information Principle in Complex Systems

We consider processes of emergence within the conceptual framework of the Information Loss principle and the concepts of (1) systems conserving information; (2) systems compressing information; and (3) systems amplifying information. We deal with the supposed incompatibility between emergence and computability tout-court. We distinguish between computational emergence, when computation acquires properties, and emergent computation, when computation emerges as a property. The focus is on emergence processes occurring within computational processes. Violations of Turing-computability such as non-explicitness and incompleteness are intended to represent partially the properties of phenomenological emergence, such as logical openness, given by the observer’s cognitive role; structural dynamics where change regards rules rather than only values; and multi-modelling where multiple non-equivalent models are required to model such structural dynamics. In this way, we validate, from an epistemological viewpoint, models and simulations of phenomenological emergence where the sequence of events constitutes the natural, analogical non-Turing computation which a cognitive complex system can reproduce through learning. Reproducibility through learning is different from Turing-like computational iteration. This paper aims to open a new, non-reductionist understanding of the conceptual relationship between emergence and computability.     

Reality,Systems and Impure Systems

Impure systems contain Objects and Subjects: Subjects are human beings. We can distinguish a person as an observer (subjectively outside the system) and that by definition is the Subject himself, and part of the system. In this case he acquires the category of object. Objects (relative beings) are significances, which are the consequence of perceptual beliefs on the part of the Subject about material or energetic objects (absolute beings) with certain characteristics.The IS (Impure System) approach is as follows: Objects are perceptual significances (relative beings) of material or energetic objects (absolute beings). The set of these objects will form an impure set of the first order. The existing relations between these relative objects will be of two classes: transactions of matter and/or energy and inferential relations. Transactions can have alethic modality: necessity, possibility, impossibility and contingency. Ontic existence of possibility entails that inferential relations have Deontic modality: obligation, permission, prohibition, faculty and analogy. We distinguished between theorems (natural laws) and norms (ethical, legislative and customary rules of conduct).     

Taxonomy Based Models for Reasoning: Making Inferences from Electronic Road Sign Information

Taxonomy Based modeling was applied to describe drivers’ mental models of variable message signs (VMS’s) displayed on expressways. Progress in road telematics has made it possible to introduce variable message signs (VMS’s). Sensors embedded in the carriageway every 500m record certain variables (speed, flow rate, etc.) that are transformed in real time into “driving times” to a given destination if road conditions do not change. VMS systems are auto-regulative Man-Machine (AMMI) systems which incorporate a model of the user: if the traffic flow is too high, then drivers should choose alternative routes. In so doing, the traffic flow should decrease. The model of the user is based on suppositions such as: people do not like to waste time, they fully understand the displayed messages, they trust the displayed values, they know of alternative routes. However, people also have a model of the way the system functions. And if they do not believe the contents of the message, they will not act as expected. We collected data through interviews with drivers using the critical incidents technique (Flanagan, 1985). Results show that the mental models that drivers have of the way the VMS system works are various but not numerous and that most of them differ from the“ideal expert” mental model. It is clear that users don’t have an adequate model of how the VMS system works and that VMS planners have a model of user behaviour that does not correspond to the behaviour of the drivers we interviewed. Finally, Taxonomy Based Modeling is discussed as a tool for mental model remediation.     

团队心智模型和交互记忆系统：两种团队知识表征方式

团队是知识创造和创新的主体,其认知特征和管理模式越来越引起人们的关注。团队认知与管理的基础在于团队知识的表征方式。在认知科学的视角下,团队心智模型和交互记忆系统这两种主要的团队知识表征方式有其特定的概念内涵,它们之间存在复杂的内在联系。在研究团队行为时需要越过具体的行为本身,探究团队知识表征的内在逻辑和意义。     

Abstraction and Insight: Building Better Conceptual Systems to Support More Effective Social Change

When creating theory to understand or implement change at the social and/or organizational level, it is generally accepted that part of the theory building process includes a process of abstraction. While the process of abstraction is well understood, it is not so well understood how abstractions “fit” together to enable the creation of better theory. Starting with a few simple ideas, this paper explores one way we work with abstractions. This exploration challenges the traditionally held importance of abstracting concepts from experience. That traditional focus has been one-sided—pushing science toward the discovery of data without the balancing process that occurs with the integration of the data. Without such balance, the sciences have been pushed toward fragmentation. Instead, in the present paper, new emphasis is placed on the relationship between abstract concepts. Specifically, this paper suggests that a better theory is one that is constructed of concepts that exist on a similar level of abstraction. Suggestions are made for quantifying this claim and using the insights to enable scholars and practitioners to create more effective theory.     

基于技术与组织适应性的信息技术绩效模型探讨

本文通过分析国外有关信息技术与组织绩效关系的研究模型,从使用者、采用过程和组织三个层面研究信息技术所产生的绩效.在模型回顾与评价的基础上提出一个信息技术采用的综合视角:即在企业信息化的过程中,提高信息技术与组织绩效的关键在于注重提高技术与企业组织复杂系统之间的适应性.     

"看见光线"法与"看见光源"法——无意识研究的两类方法

无意识的研究由来已久.它在心理学中的地位也是起起落落,直至20世纪60年代信息加工心理学发展起来时,无意识研究才随意识研究重新回到心理学的主流中.本文重在从信息方法的角度,提出"看见光线"法与"看见光源"法两个新概念,对现有无意识研究进行梳理、归纳并做出评析,以期为无意识研究提供新的思路.     

技术思考的主要维度:技术、自然、社会、人

现代技术以其无孔不入的渗透性,塑造并影响着人类的生活世界。对于技术的思考与认知,也从近代以前的边缘状态转向认知的中心并成为哲学的事业。而且,当前任何一个研究领域都无法回避对技术的思考。围绕技术进行思考的维度主要有技术、自然、社会和人。这四个方面构成技术思考的主要框架并有机联系在一起,每个方面又充斥着各种已经被思考、需要再思考和需要继续深入思考的问题,从而构成技术思考的图景。技术思考的最终归宿是获得人之为人的真实存在。     

宋代金银的开采冶炼技术

宋代<舆地纪胜>记载了脉金矿的开采过程,<本草图经>、<龙泉县 志>等书记载了银矿生产中灰吹法、火爆法等技术的应用.这些记载不仅印证 了宋代矿业生产具有兴盛发展的技术基础,而且为探讨中国古代矿业开采冶炼 技术的发展历程提供了真实可信的凭证.     

Distance Models for Three-Way Tables and Three-Way Association

p similarity function, the L _p -transform and the Minkowski-p distance. For triadic distance models defined by the L _p -transform we will prove that they do not model three-way association. Moreover, triadic distance models defined by the L _p -transform are restricted multiple dyadic distances, where each dyadic distance is defined for a two-way margin of the three-way table. Distance models for three-way two-mode data, called three-way distance models, do succeed in modeling three-way association.     

信息、文化与文化信息主义

信息与文化具有紧密的联系,在信息时代,信息与文化还一体化为"信息文化"。信息文化是当代文化转型的产物,我们在走向信息文化的同时,也面临文化信息主义的可能性。从信息文化走向文化信息主义具有一定的合理性,但也具有一定的局限性,这就是有可能将信息文化建设成为一种片面的科技文化,因此需要自觉地将信息文化构建为科技文化与人文文化的结合。     

无线传感网络的基础理论及关键技术研究

中国在经济持续高速发展的同时,也面临着一系列严重的社会及环境问题,比如煤矿安全、环境污染以及交通阻塞等。低成本无线传感器网络（wireless sensor network,WSN）的出现针对这些问题和挑战提供了良好的解决方案。国家重点基础研究发展计划项目“无线传感网络的基础理论及关键技术研究”已于2006年9月正式启动。该项目立足实际应用,采用系统化的研究方法,试图解决中国社会所面临的现实问题。虽然是一项基础研究,但该研究的长远目标是解决实际问题并挖掘其中的商业应用价值。可以预见,该研究的成功将极大地促进中国经济和社会的持续发展。