Breakout Session at the International Conference on Complex Systems:
Multi level selection and the structure of biological systems
The hierarchical nature of biological systems creates the
opportunity for selection to act simultaneously at different
levels of organization. Classical population genetics deals with
this by averaging over the effects of selection at different
levels and assigning a 'fitness' to genotypes or alleles. While
this approach makes for simple models, it obscures some phenomena
and makes it impossible to study others altogether. This session
will focus on the practical and philosophical consequences of
modeling selection at different levels and on those biological
systems that demand such an approach.
This is one of several sessions related to evolution.
Others include a general session on self-organization.
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Announcement, Including Call for Papers
(note registration dates)
Second International Conference
on
COMPLEX SYSTEMS
Nashua, NH
October 25-30, 1998
Host: New England Complex Systems Institute
http://necsi.orgnecsi at necsi.org
Conference Chairman: Yaneer Bar-Yam
This is the second conference with two major aims: first,
to investigate those properties or characteristics
that appear to be common to the very different complex
systems now under study; and second, to encourage
cross fertilization among the many disciplines
involved.
PEDAGOGICAL SESSION: The conference will include
pedagogical sessions on Sunday, Oct. 25 covering
fundamental knowledge in concepts, simulation,
and analysis tools relevant to complex systems.
NECSI CORPORATE COMMUNITY MEETING: The conference
will be followed immediately by the first NECSI
Corporate Community Meeting on Oct. 30-Nov. 1:
Subject:
Beyond Model and Metaphor toward Practical Application
Meeting Chair: Michael Lissack, lissack at necsi.org
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ICCS SUBJECT AREAS: UNIFYING THEMES IN COMPLEX SYSTEMS
Sessions will be structured around both themes and systems.
The themes are:
EMERGENCE, STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION: substructure, the
relationship of component to collective behavior, the
relationship of internal structure to external influence.
INFORMATICS: structuring, storing, accessing, and
distributing information describing complex systems.
COMPLEXITY: characterizing the amount of information
necessary to describe complex systems, and the dynamics
of this information.
DYNAMICS: time series analysis and prediction, chaos,
temporal correlations, the time scale of dynamic processes.
SELF-ORGANIZATION: Pattern formation, evolution,
development and adaptation.
The system categories are:
FUNDAMENTALS, PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL SYSTEMS: Spatio-
temporal patterns and chaos, fractals, dynamic scaling,
non-equilibrium processes, hydrodynamics, glasses,
non-linear chemical dynamics, complex fluids,
molecular self-organization, information and
computation in physical systems.
BIO-MOLECULAR & CELLULAR SYSTEMS: protein and DNA
folding, bio-molecular informatics, membranes, cellular
response and communication, genetic regulation, gene-
cytoplasm interactions, development, cellular
differentiation, primitive multicellular organisms,
the immune system.
PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS: Nervous system, neuro-muscular
control, neural network models of brain, cognition,
psychofunction, pattern recognition, man-machine
interactions.
HUMAN SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS: Corporate and social
structures, markets, the global economy, the Internet.
ENGINEERED SYSTEMS: Product and product manufacturing,
nano-technology, modified and hybrid biological
organisms, computer based interactive systems, agents,
artificial life, artificial intelligence, and robots.
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REGISTRATION:
Conference attendance is limited to about
250 participants. Applications will be accepted
on a first-come, first-served basis from
those active or interested in becoming active
in the study of complex systems.
If you are interested in presenting a paper or
simply attending the conference, please apply to
iccs at necsi.org
and provide the following information:
Name
Affiliation
Address
Telephone number
Fax number
E-mail address
AND (if you wish to present a paper)
--an abstract (no more than 500 words) of a presentation
to be given at the conference
OR (if you do not wish to present a paper)
--a description of your research interests.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS August 25
------------------------------------------------
DATES:
Applications Due: August 25
Early Registration: September 1
Registration: September 20
Satelite Conferences October 23-25
--Managing the Complex
--Statistical Physics of Complex Systems
ICCS Conference: October 25-30
Corporate Community October 30-Nov. 1
------------------------------------------------
REGISTRATION:
Registration fees: Regular(member) Student(member)
Early Registration: Sept. 1 $350($300) $175($150)
Registration: Sept. 20 $450($400) $275($250)
An additional $100 penalty will be charged for those
who register at the conference site.
Payment information will be sent out with notification of
application acceptance.
For NECSI membership information see
http://necsi.org/member.html
Annual Membership Dues: Student $20, Academic $50, Other $100
We anticipate having some funds available to assist conferees
according to need. Application to the conference organizers
(iccs at necsi.org) may be made for this financial support.
Members of the Corporate Community are allocated spaces
in ICCS without charge. see http://necsi.org/cc.html
Please identify who will be attending by October 1.
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LOCATION AND ACCOMMODATIONS:
The conference will be held at the Sheraton Tara
in Nashua, New Hampshire, on the Massachusetts
New Hampshire border 40 minutes from Boston by car.
www.sheraton.com/sheraton/html/Properties/Hotels_and_Resorts/826
.html
Rooms must be reserved directly with the hotel at:
tel: (800) 843-8272 (THE-TARA)
tel: (603) 888-9970
fax: (603) 891-4179
A block of rooms has been reserved at a conference
discount rate of $105 per night (single or double) for
the week of the conference (including a two day margin).
These rooms are available on a first-come, first-served
basis. To receive the discount rate identify yourself as
a member of the New England Complex Systems Institute
Convention. Cancellations may be made up to 48 hours in
advance without penalty.
A block of rooms has also been reserved at a conference
discount rate of $54.99 per night (up to four in a room)
at the Red Roof Inn: (800) 843-7663 / (603) 888-1893
e-mail: i0122 at redroof.comhttp://www.redroof.com
which is the closest alternative accommodation to
the conference. To receive the discount rate identify
yourself as a member of the NECSI Convention
or room block #B112000076
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PLEASE NOTE:
If you want to receive future announcements about
this conference, and other NECSI activities please
send e-mail to research at necsi.org
Include:
Your name: ________________________________________
Preferred e-mail address: _________________________
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