M. Lloret‐Climent and P.F. Esteve‐Calvo
This paper seeks to analyze ecological networks from a different viewpoint, using the concepts of orbits, coverage, invariant sets, etc.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to analyze ecological networks from a different viewpoint, using the concepts of orbits, coverage, invariant sets, etc.
Design/methodology/approach
A very simple view of ecosystems is presented, without delving into their multiple properties. Specifically, an ecosystem will be considered a system containing living and non‐living entities whose interrelationships include those of predator‐prey and competition. On interpreting that orbits are associated with ecosystems' direct and indirect paths, it is possible to present a much more conceptual design of ecological networks.
Findings
An ecosystem's two most important relationships, those of predator‐prey and competition, appear to be interconnected with the concepts of coverage, invariance and orbit, with multiple properties.
Originality/value
There are many interesting analyses of ecological networks' indirect effects that develop the quantitative and qualitative theory of ecological networks. What is new in this study is that it is the first dealing with orbits in the field of ecosystems.
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M. Lloret‐Climent, P.F. Esteve‐Calvo and E. Almenara‐Carmona
Based on knowledge of the variables of a link system and their interrelation, the purpose of this paper is to show how it is possible to specify all the objects relating to…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on knowledge of the variables of a link system and their interrelation, the purpose of this paper is to show how it is possible to specify all the objects relating to dependency chains of a discrete system which are essential in systemic analysis of any system.
Design/methodology/approach
An algorithm is designed based on previously developed theoretical concepts which enables the discovery of the aforementioned objects.
Findings
A tool has been developed which is able to analyse any system with given variables and dependencies in a fast and economical manner.
Practical implications
These results can be applied to a number of cases. For example, in the case of an ecosystem, the structural function associated with each species of the ecosystem can be determined, it could be ascertained whether a group of species covered another group of species, whether there is an invariant group of species can be determined, and the orbit of each species analysed.
Originality/value
The algorithm presented in this paper is innovative in that it is a direct transfer of the theoretical results presented in recent publications, and therefore presupposes a different treatment of the qualitative analysis of the system.
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José Luis Usó Doménech, Josué Antonio Nescolarde-Selva, Miguel Lloret-Climent, Kristian Alonso and Hugh Gash
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate mathematically the impossibility of achieving a utopian society. Demonstrate that any attempt to correct deviations from a hypothetical…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate mathematically the impossibility of achieving a utopian society. Demonstrate that any attempt to correct deviations from a hypothetical trajectory whose ultimate goal is the utopia, increasingly demands more work, including measures that lead to terror, which may even be absolute, leading to the horrible paradox that in seeking paradise hell is constructed.
Design/methodology/approach
Scientific tools that the authors have used are: the theory of the system linkage, alysidal algebra, kinematic theory and vector analysis.
Findings
Myths are the substrate of some complex systems of beliefs and utopia is its ultimate goal. The use of the combination of the theory of trajectories, belonging to the alysidal algebra, the theorem of unintended effects and kinematics theory provides an approximation to deviations suffering utopian ideological currents and their corrections.
Originality/value
This paper is a continuation of other previous papers developing the theory of complex societies.
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Pasqual Francesc Esteve‐Calvo and Miguel Lloret‐Climent
Based on some of the results and definitions provided in the paper “system linkage: structural functions and hierarchies” and adding new definitions that are in keeping with the…
Abstract
Purpose
Based on some of the results and definitions provided in the paper “system linkage: structural functions and hierarchies” and adding new definitions that are in keeping with the spirit of the same paper, new results have been obtained that explore the utility of the structural input‐output function.
Design/methodology/approach
Our approach is based principally on the application of graph theory to the study of relationships between variables using specific set theory concepts.
Findings
A result such as the fact that A covers B, for example, can be interpreted in terms of the latter set being formed of direct influences from elements in the former set in relation to one or more than one relationships. Analogously, the invariant set concept may be interpreted as the set maintaining its structure and status, remaining constant with respect to any possible relationships.
Originality/value
From a practical point of view, in the context of the study of networks within an ecosystem, authors (such as Patten et al. and Patten) have demonstrated that indirect effects between the variables of an ecosystem outweigh direct effects. This is the notion that the present authors have borne in mind in order to extend previous results to indirect influences from a discrete perspective.
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Pasqual Esteve‐Calvo and Miguel Lloret‐Climent
Previous articles have studied the basic behaviour and structure of the systems‐linkage from several points of view and were interested primarily in the different objects which…
Abstract
Purpose
Previous articles have studied the basic behaviour and structure of the systems‐linkage from several points of view and were interested primarily in the different objects which compose a system‐linkage and the properties generated by the iterations of the associated structural function. Some of these properties raised the idea of the existence of order within a system‐linkage, but that idea was only semantic. There was not any formal definition of order within a system‐linkage. The purpose of this paper is to define more precisely what is understood to be an “ordered” system‐linkage, as well as studying before one of the main cases of disorder in these systems: turbulences.
Design/methodology/approach
First, a reminder is given of all the concepts and proved results that readers need for understanding the paper. Then, two new and important definitions are given: definition of ordered system‐linkage and the definition of turbulence. The paper proves several questions linking this definition with the main objects which appear within a system‐linkage. Several examples of turbulences will be showed using graphs.
Findings
The definition of turbulence presented, basically refers to the dependent relationship between two subsets disjoint from the M set of variables, once the associated structural function operates on them. It is a good example of disorder within a system‐linkage and, moreover, it is a good example of how the initial conditions, in a lot of cases, do not allow to see the real relationships between the variables or sets of them of a system‐linkage.
Originality/value
It is the first time that an ordered system‐linkage is formalized. Moreover, the situation of turbulence, under the qualitative point of view, is also shown for the first time.