Information Retrieval List Digest 073 (July 14, 1991) URL = http://hegel.lib.ncsu.edu/stacks/serials/irld/irld-073 IRLIST Digest July 14, 1991 Volume VIII, Number 30 Issue 73 ********************************************************** I. NOTICES A. Meeting Announcements/Calls for Papers 1. Applications of AI X: Knowledge-Based Systems B. Publications 1. A new book; a special issue on emergence; preprint available II. QUERIES A. Questions and Answers 1. WAIS ********************************************************** I. NOTICES I.A.1. Fr: Gautam Biswas Re: Applications of AI X: Knowledge-Based Systems APPLICATIONS OF AI X: KNOWLEDGE-BASED SYSTEMS April 20-24 1992 Marriott's Orlando World Center Resort and Convention Center Orlando, FL. U.S.A. SPONSORED BY: SPIE -- The Society for Optical Engineering IN COOPERATION WITH: IEEE Computer Society IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society CONFERENCE CHAIR: Gautam Biswas, Vanderbilt University (biswas@vuse.vanderbilt.edu) PROGRAM COMMITTEE: Ray Bareiss, Northwestern University; James Bezdek, University of West Florida; Wray Buntine, NASA Ames Research Center; Doug Fisher, Vanderbilt University; Paul Fishwick, University of Florida; David Franke, MCC; Ashok Goel, Georgia Tech.; Larry Hall, University of South Florida; Yumi Iwasaki, Stanford University; Ethan Scarl, Boeing Computer Services; Jude Shavlik, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Prakash Shenoy, University of Kansas; Evangelos Simoudis, Lockheed Aerospace; Jon Sticklen, Michigan State University; Sam Uthurusamy, GM Research Labs This year we will focus on techniques and applications that deal with reasoning and problem solving in complex situations. Topics of interest include but are not limited to: 1. Case-Based Reasoning 2. Functional Reasoning 3. Model-Based and Qualitative Reasoning 4. Machine Learning 5. Multi-level and Integrated Reasoning Systems 6. Knowledge Based Systems: Knowledge Acquisition and Refinement 7. Knowledge Based Systems: Verification and Validation 8. Manufacturing Systems 9. Planning and Scheduling 10. Diagnosis 11. Design 12. Training and Tutoring Systems 13. Intelligent Interfaces, Natural Language Processing, Hypermedia Applications 14. Intelligent Pattern Recognition 15. Parallel Architectures and Next Generation Applications In addition there will be 2-3 plenary sessions, and one or more panel discussions. We also solicit suggestions for special sessions (e.g., Case-Based Tutoring, Reactive Planning in Space Missions). A one-page description of such a suggestion should be sent to the Conference Chair, who will then forward it to appropriate members of the Program Committee for evaluation. Selection will be based on how well the topic relates to the general theme of the conference, and the level of interest it is likely to generate. To submit a paper, send four copies of a 2000 word extended abstract by September 23, 1991 to: Applications of AI X SPIE, P.O. Box 10 Bellingham, WA 98225. Shipping address is: Applications of AI X SPIE 1000 20th Street Bellingham, WA 98225. Tele: (206)-676-3290; Telefax: (206)-647-1445. Each paper should be accompanied by a 50-100 word biography of each of the authors. Submissions will be reviewed by two members of the program committee and reviews will be returned to the authors. It is important that each paper clearly state the problem which is being addressed, the contribution that has been made, and the relation to the current state of the art. The program committee and conference chairs will make a selection of the best papers accepted, and these authors will be invited to submit a revised version of their paper to one or more special issues of journals in AI (to be decided later). AUTHOR BENEFITS: Authors and coauthors who attend the conference will be accorded a reduced-rate registration fee, a complimentary one-year non-voting membership in SPIE (if never before a member), and other special benefits. IMPORTANT DATES: 2000 WORD ABSTRACTS DUE: September 23, 1991. ACCEPT/REJECT LETTERS SENT BY: November 20, 1991 FULL PAPERS (4000-5000 words) DUE: January 27, 1992. CONFERENCE DATES: April 20-24, 1992. Further questions may be directed to : Dr. Gautam Biswas Dept. of Computer Science Box 1688, Station B Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN 37235. Tele: (615)-343-6204; Telefax: (615)-343-8006. ********** I.B.1. Fr: Kampis Gyorgy Re: 1) A New Book; 2) Special Issue on Emergence; 3) Preprint Available 1. THE BOOK: George Kampis. SELF-MODIFYING SYSTEMS IN BIOLOGY AND COGNITIVE SCIENCE: a New Framework for Dynamics, Information and Complexity (Oxford-New York: Pergamon; March 1991), 546pp with 96 Figures. ABOUT THE BOOK: The main theme of the book is the possibility of generating information by a recursive self-modification and self- redefinition in systems. The book offers technical discussions of a variety of systems (Turing machines, input-output systems, synergetic systems, connectionist networks, nonlinear dynamic systems, etc.) to contrast them with the systems capable of self-modification. What in the book are characterized as 'simple systems' involve a fixed definition of their internal modes of operations, with variables, parts, categories, etc. invariant. Such systems can be represented by single schemes, like computational models of the above kind. A relevant observation concerning model schemes is that any scheme grasps but one facet of material structure, and hence to every model there belongs a complexity excluded by it. In other words, to every simple system there belongs a complex one that is implicit. Self-modifying systems are 'complex' in the sense that they are characterized by the author as ones capable to access an implicate material complexity and turn it into the information carrying variables of a process. An example for such a system would be a tape recorder which spontaneously accesses new modes of information processing (e.g. bits represented as knots on the tape). A thesis discussed in the book is that unlike current technical systems, many natural systems know how to do that trick, and make it their principle of functioning. The book develops the mathematics, philosophy and methodology for dealing with such systems, and explains how they work. A constructive theory of models is offered, with which the modeling of systems can be examined in terms of algorithmic information theory. This makes possible a novel treatment of various old issues like causation and determinism, symbolic and nonsymbolic systems, the origin of system complexity, and, finally, the notion of information. The book introduces technical concepts such as information sets, encoding languages, material implications, supports, and reading frames, to develop these topics, and a class of systems called 'component-systems', to give examples for self-modifying systems. As an application, it is discussed how the latter can be applied to understand aspects of evolution and cognition. FROM THE FOREWORD OF JOHN CASTI: In this thought-provoking volume, George Kampis argues (among other things) that the Turing-Church Thesis is false, at least for the kinds of physical systems that concern developmental biologists, cognitive scientists, economists, and other of that ilk. [...] This book represents an exciting point of departure from ho- hum traditional works on the philosophy of modeling, especially noteworthy being the fact that instead of offering mere complaints against the status quo, Kampis also provides a paradigm holding out the promise of including both the classical systems of the physicist and engineer and the neoclassical processes of the biologist and psychologist under a single umbrella. As such, the ideas in this pioneering book merit the attention of all philosophers and scientists concerned with the way we create reality in our mathematical representations of the world and the connection those representation have with the way things "truly are". HOW TO ORDER IF INTERESTED: Order from: Pergamon Press plc, Headington Hill Hall, Oxford OX3 0BW, England or a local Pergamon office ISBN 0-08-0369790 100 USD/ 50 pound sterlings Hotline Service: USA (800) 257 5755 elsewhere (+44) 865 743685 FAX (+44) 865 743946 2. A SPECIAL ISSUE ON EMERGENCE AND CREATIVITY (forthcoming): It's a Special Issue of: (G. Kampis, Guest Editor), World Futures: The Journal of General Evolution (Gordon & Breach), to appear August 1991. Title: CREATIVE EVOLUTION IN NATURE, MIND AND SOCIETY. Individual copies will be available (hopefully), at a special rate (under negotiation). LIST OF CONTENTS: Kampis, G. Foreword Rustler, E.O. "On Bodyism" (Report 8-80 hta 372) Salthe, S. Varieties of Emergence Csanyi, V. Societal Creativity Kampis, G. Emergent Computations, Life and Cognition Cariani, P. Adaptivity and Emergence in Organisms and Devices Fernandez,J., Moreno,A. and Etxeberria, A. Life as Emergence Heylighen, F. Modelling Emergence Tsuda, I. Chaotic Itinerancy as a Dynamical Basis for Hermeneutics in Brain and Mind Requardt, M. Godel, Turing, Chaitin and the Question of Emergence as a Meta-Principle of Modern Physics. Some Arguments Against Reductionism 3. PREPRINT FROM THE SPECIAL ISSUE ON EMERGENCE: George Kampis (Evolutionary Systems Group, Dept. of Ethology, L. Eotvos University of Budapest, Hungary and Department of Theoretical Chemistry, University of Tubingen, D-7400 Tubingen, FRG). EMERGENT COMPUTATIONS, LIFE AND COGNITION. ABSTRACT: This is a non-technical text discussing general ideas of information generation. A model for emergent processes is given. Emergence is described in accordance with A.N. Whitehead's theory of 'process'. The role of distinctions and variable/observable definitions is discussed. As applications, parallel computations, evolution, and 'component-systems' are discussed with respect to their ability to realize emergence. KEYWORDS: emergence, distinctions, modeling, information set, evolution, cognitive science, theory of computations. AVAILABLE FROM: the author at h1201kam@ella.hu - or - h1201kam@ella.uucp - or - by mail at H-1122 Budapest Maros u. 27. ********************************************************** II. QUERIES II.A.1. Fr: Bruce E. Nevin Re: WAIS Just saw your announcement of beta on IRLIST Digest VIII 26.69 (6/19/91). If you posted a prior high-level overview of what a WAIS is, who its intended classes of users are, and what uses they would make of it, I missed it. Could you post something like that, please? Bruce Nevin Can anyone out there supply us with pertinent information? (the moderator) ********************************************************** IRLIST Digest is distributed from the University of California, Division of Library Automation, 300 Lakeside Drive, Oakland, CA. 94612-3550. Send subscription requests to: LISTSERV@UCCVMA.BITNET Send submissions to IRLIST to: IR-L@UCCVMA.BITNET Editorial Staff: Clifford Lynch lynch@postgres.berkeley.edu or calur@uccmvsa.bitnet Nancy Gusack ncgur@uccmvsa.bitnet Mary Engle engle@cmsa.berkeley.edu or meeur@uccmvsa.bitnet The IRLIST Archives will be set up for anonymous FTP, and the address will be announced in future issues. To access back issues presently, send the message INDEX IR-L to LISTSERV@UCCVMA.BITNET. To get a specific issue listed in the Index, send the message GET IR-L LOG ***, where *** is the month and day on which the issue was mailed, to LISTSERV@UCCVMA.BITNET. These files are not to be sold or used for commercial purposes. Contact Nancy Gusack or Mary Engle for more information on IRLIST. The opinions expressed in IRLIST do not represent those of the editors or the University of California. Authors assume full responsibility for the contents of their submissions to IRLIST.