This second edition in just two years offers a considerably revised second chapter, in which information behavior replaces analogies to purely physical systems, as well as practical applications of the authors' theory. Attention is also given to a hierarchical theory of ecosystem behavior, taking note of constraints on local ecosystem members resul.

Enormous advances in science led to compartmentalization of knowledge into specializations and super specializations so much so that a specialist in one area refuses to look into the other area. Interdisciplinary research is mainly in the applied areas. On the other hand some scientists are enthusiastically exploring less traveled paths. Plant neurobiology and Plant intelligence are the areas that are now being rediscovered. Consciousness is yet another field that is making its way into science from spiritual philosophies. How many of us know that the subject of Human Thermodynamics is being explored though by a small group as of now? The area of Epigenetics is expanding. What caused Human evolution? Can selected random [generally explained as accidental] causes result into the formation of a highly ordered / programmed systems as complex as Human beings in the absence of any drive? Is not natural selection a control/filtering mechanism? What is the meaning of “evolutionary forces” or “selection pressure”? Are the concepts of Statistical Process Control, that deal with the random/nonrandom variations, applicable to the process of evolution by natural selection? What causes the evolution of organized societies? Is poverty less, civil human society viable? These are some of the questions that demand interaction among and across the disciplines, which is often delimited by the boundaries and semantics of disciplines. Humanity, after reaping the harvest of Integrated Technologies, is ushering into an era of Converging Technologies which would necessitate communication bridges between Science and Philosophy, Biology, Physics, Agriculture, Medical Sciences, Engineering and Informatics and other diverse areas of knowledge; and that too with escalated openness. In order to encourage such transdisciplinary interactions, forums were launched at www.network.nature.com and http://knol.google.com/k/arvind-kumar-purohit/ and after post publication open review of tangible ideas the works have been published as Transcience Transactions.

This book contains a series of outstanding contributions on ecodynamics that appeared in limited editions before the emergence of the International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics, which has now become the primary focus for this area of research.The aim of ecodynamics is to relate ecosystems to evolutionary thermodynamics, which can lead to appropriate solutions for sustainable development. The contributions published in this volume relate to all aspects of ecosystems and sustainable development, ranging from physical sciences to economics and epistemology.The world of ecosystems has been dominated by the towering personality of Ilya Prigogine to whom this volume is dedicated. The first article is an extract from his autobiography written shortly before he died.Prigogine's ideas are directly reflected in many of the contributions in this volume. He helped set up numerous research groups all around the world, including that at Siena University headed by the late Enzo Tiezzi. He also influenced the work of Sven Jorgensen, Bernard Patten, Robert Ulanowicz, Simone Bastianoni, Nadia Marchettini, Ricardo Pulselli, T-S Chon, to name just a few amongst the many authors contributing to this volume.This compilation of influential papers currently unavailable in the open literature will make an important contribution to the field of ecodynamics.

Proceedings of the International Conference on Cybernetics and Informatics (ICCI 2012) covers the hybridization in control, computer, information, communications and applications. ICCI 2012 held on September 21-23, 2012, in Chongqing, China, is organized by Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing University, Nanyang Technological University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Hunan Institute of Engineering, Beijing University, and sponsored by National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). This two volume publication includes selected papers from the ICCI 2012. Covering the latest research advances in the area of computer, informatics, cybernetics and applications, which mainly includes the computer, information, control, communications technologies and applications.

While innovative ideas and creative works increasingly drive economic success, the historic approach to encouraging innovation and creativity by granting property rights has come under attack by a growing number of legal theorists and technologists. In Laws of Creation, Ronald Cass and Keith Hylton take on these critics with a vigorous defense of intellectual property law. The authors look closely at the IP doctrines that have been developed over many years in patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret law. In each area, legislatures and courts have weighed the benefits that come from preserving incentives to innovate against the costs of granting innovators a degree of control over specific markets. Over time, the authors show, a set of rules has emerged that supports wealth-creating innovation while generally avoiding overly expansive, growth-retarding licensing regimes. These rules are now under pressure from detractors who claim that changing technology undermines the case for intellectual property rights. But Cass and Hylton explain how technological advances only strengthen that case. In their view, the easier it becomes to copy innovations, the harder to detect copies and to stop copying, the greater the disincentive to invest time and money in inventions and creative works. The authors argue convincingly that intellectual property laws help create a society that is wealthier and inspires more innovation than those of alternative legal systems. Ignoring the social value of intellectual property rights and making what others create and nurture âeoefreeâe would be a costly mistake indeed.

This is the first book on spatial entropy in the scientific literature. It links spatial entropy with landscape analysis, landscape diversity and geo-information. It gives all the essential tools that a researcher needs in order to study the spatial entropy of physical as well as artificial landscapes (created with artificial life, swarm intelligence etc). This book explores the fascinating world of the interplay between spatial entropy, spatial information, self-organization and emergence and gives geographers and landscape scientists several alternative mathematical methods to study them, i.e. Shannon's formula, measures from non-extensive thermodynamics, from directional statistics and network theory. An essential book for researchers in landscape analysis and geo-informatics.

Development and Evolution surveys and illuminates the key themes of rapidly changing fields and areas of controversy that the redefining the theory and philosophy of biology. It continues Stanley Salthe's investigation of evolutionary theory, begun in his influential book Evolving Hierarchical Systems, while negating the implicit philosophical mechanisms of much of that work. Here Salthe attempts to reinitiate a theory of biology from the perspective of development rather than from that of evolution, recognizing the applicability of general systems thinking to biological and social phenomena and pointing towards a non-Darwinian and even a postmodern biology.

This book presents the derivation of the fluctuation theorems with divergent entropy production and their application to fundamental problems in statistical physics. It explores the two basic aspects of the fluctuation theorems: i) Applicability in extreme situations with divergent entropy production, concluding that the fluctuation theorems remain valid under the notion of absolute irreversibility, and ii) utility in the investigation of classical enigmas in the framework of statistical physics, i.e., Gibbs and Loschmidt paradoxes. The book offers readers an overview of the research in fundamental statistical physics. Firstly it briefly but skillfully reviews the modern development of fluctuation theorems to found the key theme of the book. Secondly it concisely discusses historical issues of statistical physics in chronological order, along with the key literature in the field. They help readers easily follow the key developments in the fundamental research of statistical physics.

In "The Symphony of Entropy," author David Guillot takes readers on an enchanting journey to explore the universal concept of Optimally Dissipative Configuration (ODC). Rooted in the intricate dance of non-equilibrium thermodynamics, ODC unveils the hidden secrets of how nature organizes and evolves complex systems, from the marvel of life itself to the vastness of the cosmos. From a young age, Guillot's inquisitive mind yearned for unifying answers that could bridge the gap between human intelligence and the intelligence of the cosmos. Unsatisfied with conventional explanations, the author embarked on a quest to discover overarching laws that govern everything in the universe, leading to the profound insights of non-equilibrium thermodynamics and the revolutionary unifying concept of ODC. At its core, ODC emerges from the foundational principles of the second law of thermodynamics—the principle that dictates the inevitable increase of disorder, captured as entropy production, within isolated systems. But ODC goes beyond traditional interpretations of entropy, revealing a mesmerizing possibility: the harnessing of entropy production to give rise to purposeful, directed structures within a system. Through the pages of "The Symphony of Entropy," readers are invited to explore the intricate interplay between dissipative processes and intricate arrangements. This symphony of transformations orchestrates the flow of energy, maximizing entropy production in a coordinated and purposeful manner, creating awe-inspiring complexity (including us) amidst apparent chaos. The book weaves a captivating narrative across diverse disciplines, including physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, and the social sciences. It reveals that ODC transcends disciplinary boundaries, serving as a unifying force that unravels the fundamental truths behind the astonishing diversity of systems and phenomena surrounding us. With vivid examples from everyday life and natural wonders, "The Symphony of Entropy" illuminates how ODC operates in biological organisms, weather patterns, and societal structures. It challenges conventional wisdom surrounding the origins of life, encouraging readers to contemplate a natural evolutionary process rather than relying on divine intervention. Delving into the historical and scientific influences that shaped ODC, the book addresses controversies and debates, offering a new direction for exploring the mysteries of life and the universe. It fosters a profound sense of interconnectedness, nurturing a quest for knowledge, meaning, and a deeper understanding of the cosmos. Through its harmonious fusion of science and spirituality, "The Symphony of Entropy" challenges conventions, ignites debates, and invites readers to contemplate their place within the grand tapestry of time. Embracing the transformative power of ODC, readers will unveil the awe-inspiring wisdom that orchestrates the universe's symphony of entropy. Join David Guillot on a journey that will forever change the way you perceive the world and your place within it. This book promises to inspire curiosity, spark wonder, and nurture a deeper appreciation for the marvels of existence. Whether you are an avid explorer of science or a seeker of profound truths, "The Symphony of Entropy" beckons you to embrace the transformative magic of Optimally Dissipative Configuration (ODC) and embark on an unforgettable quest for understanding and enlightenment.

This book is the first all-encompassing exploration of the role of demons in philosophical and scientific thought experiments. In Part I, the author explains the importance of thought experiments in science and philosophy. Part II considers Laplace’s Demon, whose claim is that the world is completely deterministic. Part III introduces Maxwell’s Demon, who - by contrast - experiences a world that is probabilistic and indeterministic. Part IV explores Nietzsche’s thesis of the cyclic and eternal recurrence of events. In each case a number of philosophical consequences regarding determinism and indeterminism, the arrows of time, the nature of the mind and free will are said to follow from the Demons’s worldviews. The book investigates what these Demons - and others - can and cannot tell us about our world.