Nationalism today interacts in complicated ways with advanced information and communication systems, regularly leading to unanticipated consequences. Popular online nationalism in the People's... Show moreNationalism today interacts in complicated ways with advanced information and communication systems, regularly leading to unanticipated consequences. Popular online nationalism in the People's Republic of China (PRC) is a case in point: In the PRC, digital nationalism has become a central feature of political discourse and decision-making, at times powerfully shaping the state's policy efforts. This article explores a missing puzzle piece in how state-led and popular nationalism interact in Chinese politics: the role that advanced information and communication technologies play in such processes. This is a question that is not only relevant to scholars of China but also to anyone interested in the role that digital media and communication play in the formation and spread of contemporary nationalism. How do interactions in complex sociotechnical systems affect nationalism today? To answer this question, the article analyses and traces interaction and feedback loops in Chinese digital environments during Sino-Japanese disputes over the East China Sea. It shows how the interactions between humans, organisations and technologies create unexpected variations in outcome that resonate through China's internet and create the conditions from which digital nationalism can powerfully emerge to shape legitimation and policy-making processes. Show less
An algorithm is discussed to compute the exponential representation of principal units in a finite extension field F of the p-adic rationals. Also is discussed the computation of roots of unity... Show moreAn algorithm is discussed to compute the exponential representation of principal units in a finite extension field F of the p-adic rationals. Also is discussed the computation of roots of unity contained in F and a special kind of principal unit, which is called a distinguished unit. The properties of norm residue symbols are given and also an algorithm to compute the norm residue symbol. Moreover a strongly distinguished unit is defined and an algorithm is given to compute such a unit. All the algorithms are polynomial time algorithms. Show less
The importance and character of exchange in the Carolingian period has long been a subject of academic debate. There is much discussion on the relative importance of local, regional and... Show moreThe importance and character of exchange in the Carolingian period has long been a subject of academic debate. There is much discussion on the relative importance of local, regional and international exchange, the role of various groups of actors, and the nature of exchange. What is largely lacking is a consideration of non-elite rural dwellers as constitutive elements in the economy. The present study focusses on the role of rural communities in the development of exchange systems during the Carolingian period. To what extent did the consumptive preferences of rural communities influence the flow of goods at a regional and interregional level? This is examined by cataloguing the finds from Carolingian sites in the Netherlands and comparing their distributions between regions. It can be demonstrated that rural dwellers indeed played a part in developments in the production and distribution of goods. At the same time the conducted analyses do not allow the establishment of a single model of how rural dwellers participated in exchange networks of the period. In fact, this study contends that there is little meaning in determining the relative importance of different groups in society for the establishment and maintenance of exchange networks at any one time. Show less
Why should we look at art when we talk about nuclear power? Nuclear power, military and civilian, has been framed as a solution many times: a solution to end war and sustain global peace, a... Show moreWhy should we look at art when we talk about nuclear power? Nuclear power, military and civilian, has been framed as a solution many times: a solution to end war and sustain global peace, a solution for growing energy demands in rich countries, and more recently, a solution to climate change. All of these solutions soon produced a number of new problems, or turned into problems themselves, contributing to the wicked complexity of the techno-human condition. Yet, it is a mistake to turn away from complexity and seek answers in the form of certainties. After all, the ‘solutions’ listed above are a product of creating certainties where there are none, of trying to overcome complexity and ambiguity.In this study, I argue that art is relevant to the nuclear debate not despite, but because the answers it offers to the societal questions raised by nuclear technologies suggest other problems. Drawing on Braden R. Allenby and Daniel Sarewitz’s notion of ‘intelligent muddling’ as a strategy to navigate the techno-human condition, I show through a series of close readings of recent artistic responses to nuclear energy production and its ‘by-products’ that art points towards ways of muddling through nuclear complexity. Show less
Uleman, J.F.; Melis, R.J.F.; Quax, R.; Zee, E.A. van der; Thijssen, D.; Dresler, M.; ... ; Rikkert, M.G.M.O. 2020
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex, multicausal disorder involving several spatiotemporal scales and scientific domains. While many studies focus on specific parts of this system, the complexity... Show moreAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex, multicausal disorder involving several spatiotemporal scales and scientific domains. While many studies focus on specific parts of this system, the complexity of AD is rarely studied as a whole. In this work, we apply systems thinking to map out known causal mechanisms and risk factors ranging from intracellular to psychosocial scales in sporadic AD. We report on the first systemic causal loop diagram (CLD) for AD, which is the result of an interdisciplinary group model building (GMB) process. The GMB was based on the input of experts from multiple domains and all proposed mechanisms were supported by scientific literature. The CLD elucidates interaction and feedback mechanisms that contribute to cognitive decline from midlife onward as described by the experts. As an immediate outcome, we observed several non-trivial reinforcing feedback loops involving factors at multiple spatial scales, which are rarely considered within the same theoretical framework. We also observed high centrality for modifiable risk factors such as social relationships and physical activity, which suggests they may be promising leverage points for interventions. This illustrates how a CLD from an interdisciplinary GMB process may lead to novel insights into complex disorders. Furthermore, the CLD is the first step in the development of a computational model for simulating the effects of risk factors on AD. Show less
We describe a formal notation for DNA molecules that may contain nicks and gaps. The resulting DNA expressions denote formal DNA molecules. Different DNA expressions may denote the same molecule.... Show moreWe describe a formal notation for DNA molecules that may contain nicks and gaps. The resulting DNA expressions denote formal DNA molecules. Different DNA expressions may denote the same molecule. Such DNA expressions are called equivalent. We examine which DNA expressions are minimal, which means that they have the shortest length among all equivalent DNA expressions. Among others, we describe how to construct a minimal DNA expression for a given molecule. We also present an efficient, recursive algorithm to rewrite a given DNA expression into an equivalent, minimal DNA expression. For many formal DNA molecules, there exists more than one minimal DNA expression. We define a minimal normal form, i.e., a set of properties such that for each formal DNA molecule, there is exactly one (minimal) DNA expression with these properties. We finally describe an efficient, two-step algorithm to rewrite an arbitrary DNA expression into this normal form. Show less
The modern-day Caribbean is a stunningly diverse but also intricately interconnected geo-cultural region, resulting partly from the islands__ shared colonial histories and an increasingly... Show moreThe modern-day Caribbean is a stunningly diverse but also intricately interconnected geo-cultural region, resulting partly from the islands__ shared colonial histories and an increasingly globalizing economy. Perhaps more importantly, before the encounter between the New and Old World took place, the indigenous societies and cultures of the pre-colonial Caribbean were already united in diversity. This work seeks to study the patterns of this pre-colonial homogeneity and diversity and uncover some of their underlying processes and dynamics. This approach and theoretical framework is tested in four case studies dealing with lithic distribution networks, site assemblages as ego-networks, indigenous political networks, and the analysis of artefact styles in 2-mode networks. These were selected for their pertinence to key research themes in Caribbean archaeology, in particular the current debates about the nature of ties and interactions between culturally different communities in the region, and the structure and dynamics of pre-colonial socio-political organisation. The outcomes of these case studies show that archaeological network approaches can provide surprising new insights into longstanding questions about the patterns of pre-colonial connectivity in the region Show less
Throughout this research the focus has been on unraveling of the factors and relations that link different aspects of collaborative workflow to strategic performance management. However, the same... Show moreThroughout this research the focus has been on unraveling of the factors and relations that link different aspects of collaborative workflow to strategic performance management. However, the same issues that applied to strategic performance management of supply chains also apply to other areas of strategic performance in business. The following (to be - tested) recommendations, organized along the lines of the "expected managerial contributions" therefore apply both to strategic performance management of supply chains and other strategic business processes. a) The SPI (Strategic Performance Inhibitor) Model will enable an integrated approach to (i) Problem structuring (ii) Problem solving and (iii) Learning for managers on potential threats and problem to strategic performance of supply chains. b) The SPI classification will provide a systematic and structured manner of communicating and addressing potential problems and risk to strategic performance of supply chains. Once classified, each class will have its own type of impact on strategic performance of supply chains and consequently the resolution for it. c) Collaborative Workflow will enable inventory (i.e. right quantity at the right time and right place) to be substitutes by Information (i.e. the right information at the right time and the right place) resulting in cost reduction. Show less
The author addresses a recent force employment concept called effects-based operations, which first appeared during the 1991 war against Iraq. The attributes of effects-based operations can be... Show moreThe author addresses a recent force employment concept called effects-based operations, which first appeared during the 1991 war against Iraq. The attributes of effects-based operations can be grouped around three common, but interrelated elements such as effects focus, advanced technology, and systems thinking. However, the characteristics upon which the common elements are built, such as causality/deduction for effects focus, intangibles/control for advanced technology, and categorisation/analysis for systems thinking bear dangerous simplifications regarding the nature of war. These characterictics are in sharp contrast with war__s frictional nature as outlined by Clausewitz, who stated that effects in war cannot be traced back to single causes, as several concurrent causes are normally at work. Novelty must always be expected in war as friction dims expectations in terms of causality and the ability to achieve desired effects. The author suggests an organic approach to address the challenge posed by war. According to him the emphasis must shift towards learning and adaptation, instead of planning for desired effects. Friction indicates that often it is more important in war how we do things than what things we do, which has a clear practical limitation for the concept of effects-based operations. Show less
