Date :

 January 12-13, 2004

Place :

 The First Meeting Room, 5F, Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica (Taipei)

Schedule :

 12 January (Monday)

10:00-10:50

Simulations of Met-Enkephalin with Solvent-Accessible Area Parameterizations

Dr. Hsiao-Ping Hsu (John-von-Neumann Institute for Computing, Germany)

11:00-11:50

Exact multi-leg correlation functions for lattice branching polymers with a logarithmic multiplier

Professor E. V. Ivashkevich (Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, JINR, Russia, & Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica)

The Scientific Study of Societal Conflict Processes

Dr. Monty G. Marshall (Center for International Development and Conflict Management, Univ. of Maryland, USA)

Social Forms : Integration and Disintegration in Societal Systems

Dr. Monty G. Marshall (Center for International Development and Conflict Management, Univ. of Maryland, USA)

 13 January (Tuesday)

A Growth-based Optimization Algorithm for Lattice and Off-lattice Protein Toy Models

Dr. Hsiao-Ping Hsu (John-von-Neumann Institute for Computing, Germany)

11:00-11:50

Singularity and Instantaneous Frequency Detection from Modulus Maxima of Continuous Wavelet Transforms

Professor Wen-Liang Hwnag  (Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica)

Lunch

Through the Interaction of Neutral and Adaptive Mutations, Evolutionary Search Finds a Way

Dr. Gwoing Tina Yu (Chevron Texaco Information Technology Company, San Ramon, CA)

Social Connectivity and Societal Systems Development

Dr. Monty G. Marshall (Center for International Development and Conflict Management, Univ. of Maryland, USA)

Global Systems Analysis: Discontinuities and Risk Surfaces

Dr. Monty G. Marshall (Center for International Development and Conflict Management, Univ. of Maryland, USA)

Independence amid the Coercion of Endogenous Networks

Dr. Shyhfang Ueng (Institute of Economy, Academia Sinica)

 Speakers' contact information and lecture abstracts:  (ordered by speakers' last names)

 Dr. Hsiao-Ping Hsu (John-von-Neumann Institute for Computing, Germany)

                                E-mail: h.p.hsu@fz-juelich.de

Simulations of Met-Enkephalin with Solvent-Accessible Area Parameterizations
     We investigate the solvent-accessible area method by means of Metropolis simulations of the brain peptide Met-Enkephalin at 300K. For the energy function ECEPP/2 nine atomic solvation parameter (ASP) sets are studied that had been proposed by previous authors. The simulations are compared with one another, with simulations with a distance dependent electrostatic permittivity e(r), and with vacuum simulations ( e=2 ). Parallel tempering and the biased Metropolis techniques RM₁ are employed and their performances are evaluated. The measured observables include energy and dihedral probability densities (pds), integrated autocorrelation times, and acceptance rates. Two of the ASP sets turn out to be unsuitable for these simulations. For all other systems selected configurations are minimized in search of the global energy minima, which are found uniquely for the vacuum and the e(r) system, but not for any of the ASP models. Other observables show a remarkable dependence on the ASPs. In particular, three ASP sets have much smaller autocorrelations at 300K than the vacuum simulations, opening the possibility that simulations can be speeded up vastly by judiciously choosing details for the force field.

A Growth-based Optimization Algorithm for Lattice and Off-lattice Protein Toy Models
     Two improved versions of the pruned-enriched-Rosenbluth method (PERM) are proposed and tested on simple models of lattice heteropolymers. Both are found to outperform not only the previous version of PERM, but also all other fully blind stochastic algorithms which have been employed on this problem. In nearly all test cases they are faster in finding low-energy states, and in many cases they found new lowest energy states missed in previous papers. We also employ the same method on an off-lattice protein toy model with two species of monomers interacting through modified Lennard-Jones interactions. For 2 dimensions we found states with lower energy than previously proposed putative ground states, for all chain lengths ³13. This indicates that PERM has the potential to produce native states also for more realistic protein models. For d=3, where no published ground states exist, we present some putative lowest energy states for future comparison with other methods.

 Professor Wen-Liang Hwnag (Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica)

                                            E-mail: whwang@iis.sinica.edu.tw

January 13

Singularity and Instantaneous Frequency Detection from Modulus Maxima of Continuous Wavelet Transforms

     Many problems in signal processing, image processing, and pattern recognitions use wavelet transform to detection local features. Among them, the most important features may be singularity and instantaneous frequency. Singularity measures the local irregularity of a signal and instantaneous frequency measures the local dominant variations. Singularity can be detected from the modulus maxima of a real-valued wavelet, while the instantaneous frequency can be obtained from that of complex-valued wavelets. We proof that isolated singularity can be detected from modulus maxima of complex-valued wavelets. Thus, using complex-valued wavelet transform, one is about to simultaneously detection isolated singularity and instantaneous frequency from its modulus. We will also show applications in which shape are derived from texture variations measured by instantaneous frequencies in textured images

Professor E. V. Ivashkevich  (Laboratory of Theoretical Physics, JINR, Russia, & Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica)

                                             E-mail: ivashkevich@hotmail.com

January 13

Exact multi-leg correlation functions for lattice branching polymers with a logarithmic multiplier

     We consider branching polymers on the planar square lattice with open boundary conditions and calculate exactly k-leg correlation functions for odd number of legs k. We find that besides the standard power law factor the leading term also has a logarithmic multiplier.
　

 Dr. Monty G. Marshall (Center for International Development and Conflict Management, Univ. of Maryland, USA)

                                    E-mail: mmarshall@cidcm.umd.edu

Societal Systems Analysis: Understanding Complex Conflict and Development Dynamics in Self-Organizing and Self-Actuating Societal Systems

     This symposium comprises four, separate, one-hour presentations; each presentation in the series is informed by, and builds upon, the previous presentation(s) in the series. The societal systems approach was created and developed in order to account for complexity, diversity, inter-connectivity, and evolution among human beings organized in social identity groups. As such, this approach challenges many of the core assumptions of predominant theories in Western political science as these theories are predicated on a severe ecological fallacy that claims group behavior is simply an extension, or approximation, of the “ideal individual” (nation-state system: power, privilege, and assimilationist themes derived from the Western Christian tradition). Technological development progressively empowers and invigorates complexities in social organization schemes that are rendering ideal notions of “unitary and unifying states” obsolete in empirical research. The principle of universality derives from the existential “common predicament” of the human (physical) condition, qualifies visions of the human “ideal,” and critically informs organizational theory. “Conceptual visualization” models, based in formal theory (Q methodology) of strategic choices, are presented to explain conflict and development processes and integration dynamics in complex societal systems (both positive and negative effects). The models inform quantitative research and facilitate applied research (and public policy) in the social sciences.

Part 1: The Scientific Study of Societal Conflict Processes

    Establishes the research context, that is, places societal systems theory and analysis within the broader context of Western social science research.
　

Recommended reading(s):
Monty G. Marshall. 1998. The Scientific Study of International Conflict Processes: Postcards at the Edge of the Millennia. Monograph (National Science Foundation, contract #B22456A-00-0). Severn, MD: Center for Systemic Peace. (http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/inscr/papers/icpmgm.pdf)
　

Part 2: Social Forms: Integration and Disintegration in Societal Systems

    Discusses the general theory of social identity group formation, the progressive evolution of complex, organic, social systems, problems of societal development, and critical systemic disruption.

Recommended reading(s):
Monty G. Marshall. 1999. Third World War: System, Process, and Conflict Dynamics. Boulder, CO: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers; chapters 1-3. (Full text: Chp1, Chp2, Chp3)
　

Part 3: Social Connectivity and Societal Systems Development

    Continues the discussion of general theory of social conflict, societal development, and systems analysis by emphasizing critical transaction (communication and exchange) networks.

Recommended reading(s):
Monty G. Marshall. 1999. Third World War: System, Process, and Conflict Dynamics. Boulder, CO: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers; chapters 4-6.  (Full text: Chp4)
　

Part 4: Global Systems Analysis: Discontinuities and Risk Surfaces

     Reviews practical research applications of societal systems theory, mainly centered on our “state failure” and “peace and conflict” analyses.

Recommended reading(s):
Ted Robert Gurr, Monty G. Marshall, and Deepa Khosla. 2000. Peace and Conflict 2001: A Global Survey of Armed Conflicts, Self-Determination Movements, and Democracy. College Park, MD: Center for International Development and Conflict Management, University of Maryland. (http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/inscr/peace.htm)

Jack A. Goldstone, Ted Robert Gurr, Barbara Harff, Marc A. Levy, Monty G. Marshall, Robert H. Bates, David L. Epstein, Colin H. Kahl, Pamela T. Surko, John C. Ulfelder, and Alan N. Unger in consultation with Matthew Christenson, Geoffrey D. Dabelko, Daniel C. Esty, and Thomas M. Parris. 2000. State Failure Task Force Report: Phase III Findings. McLean, VA: Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). (http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/inscr/stfail/SFTF Phase III Report Final.pdf)

Monty G. Marshall. 2002. Global Terrorism: An Overview and Analysis. Study commissioned by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, contract #7577 UN/DESA/DSPD/SIB. (http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/inscr/papers/GlobalTerrorismmgm.pdf)

Monty G. Marshall and Ted Robert Gurr. 2003. Peace and Conflict 2003: A Global Survey of Armed Conflicts, Self-Determination Movements, and Democracy. College Park, MD: Center for International Development and Conflict Management, University of Maryland. (http://www.cidcm.umd.edu/inscr/peace.htm)
　

Dr. Shyhfang Ueng (Institute of Economy, Academia Sinica)

                              E-mail: sueng@econ.sinica.edu.tw

January 13

Independence amid the Coercion of Endogenous Networks

     Democratic societies institute independents to be the judicial factors. Their mission is to select the best alternatives for the society amid conflicting interests. Nonetheless, to survive or pursue maximum payoffs, independents may compromise their verdict in the face of bribes or persecution. This paper studies equilibria of links and coalitions among interest groups which enable them to dominate the verdict of an independent in a period. Assuming the judicial authority of the independent decreases with past deceits, this paper then examines how the equilibria among networks adapt with such decay. The equilibria and their dynamic adaptation in this study provide an explanation for how an independent is coerced to lie and yet his transcending social value is prevented from complete ruin in the long run.

Reference: Independence amid the Coercion of Endogenous Networks. ( Full text )

 Dr. Gwoing Tina Yu (Chevron Texaco Information Technology Company, San Ramon, CA)

                                E-mail: gwoing_yu@yahoo.com

Through the Interaction of Neutral and Adaptive Mutations, Evolutionary Search Finds a Way

     Evolutionary algorithms are heuristic search algorithms where the search process is directed by fitness: only solutions that have competitive fitness are considered in the solution population pool. With strong Darwinian influences, most evolutionary algorithms encode the solutions in ways that only advantageous genes (units in the solution) are selected and propagated for reproduction. There is no consideration of non-functional genes and how to incorporate them in the evolutionary search process.
     This talk presents an evolution model where the solution representation contains non-functional genes. Mutations on non-functional genes are neutral while on functional genes are adaptive. Moreover, neutral and adaptive mutations interactive with each other during the evolutionary search process. Experimental results on a Boolean function and needle-in-haystack problems show that this model allows the evolutionary search to find better solutions faster.