Permanent Adaptation Research Articles

Lupus Disease with Lupus Nephritis - 14 Years of Clinical-Biological Observations

Abstract We present the case of a female patient diagnosed in 2004 with systemic lupus erythematosus, initially with joint and hematological damage complaint, for which she was treated with Methylprednisolone for 6 months. Subsequently, symptomatology and paraclinical screening raised the suspicion of renal impairment, a pulse therapy with Solumedrol and Cyclophosphamide was initiated, a total of 6 pulses. She is in the database of our Clinic since March 2008, when a renal biopsy was performed, revealing a class IV lupus nephritis, initiating treatment with Mycophenolate mofetil and Prednisone until 2010, when the dose of Prednisone is progressively reduced until cessation at the time of remission. Subsequently she presented two relapse episodes, recovered by pulse therapy with Methylprednisolone and Cyclophosphamide, followed by maintenance therapy with Mycophenolate mofetil and Prednisone with a good clinical evolution. In 2017 the patient has a pregnancy with favorable evolution (under treatment with Azathioprine), presenting normal values of cDNA, C3, C4 during the 9 months, but with a persistent nephrotic-range proteinuria; in these conditions gives birth physiologically at 37 weeks. During 2019 apparent remission is maintained (stationary nitrogen retention, anti-dsDNA antibodies within normal range), but with moderate anaemia and persistent, but diminished proteinuria (being under treatment with reduced dose Prednisolone and Mycophenolate mofetil); along the way proteinuria is accentuated again and it is decided to return to reduced dose Azathioprine treatment, with good clinical evolution. Conclusion. The presented case reinforces the idea of systematic monitoring of patients with SLE and the need for permanent adaptation of treatment especially when there is an increased risk of relapse. Pregnancy, paradoxically well tolerated, increases subsequently the risk of reactivation of lupus nephritis.

Algorithms, Artificial Intelligence, and Posthuman Adaptation: Adapting as Cultural Technique

Abstract The paper discusses hybrid writing practices which emerge as a consequence of digital coding in electronic media and therefore also transform the materiality of ‘classic’ media. It argues that practices of adaptation have been re-shaped by digital advances that have not been taken into consideration by adaptation studies. The interconnected digital world holds large quantities of available data and it is conceived as an ever-changing space of permanent copy and constant adaptation. It is marked by fluid, textual recombination (e.g., remix, mashup, intermedia trailer, remediation, remake, and fanfiction). The focus in this essay will be on automated writing practices executed through artificial neural networks or deep-learning applications that algorithmically recognize and imitate writing patterns as further typical manifestations of aesthetic practices in an information-rich society. It assesses these algorithmic writing practices as digital art, in relation to modernist, surrealist, and Dadaist avant-garde experimentation with automated writing. In addition, the essay raises the question of the present role and function of adaptation as a genre, and adaptations as texts, as quite separate from adapting as a human cultural technique (Kulturtechnik) in the context of newly defined modalities and cultural literacies. Advocating a wide notion of adaptation, the contribution launches a definition of posthuman adaptation that applies Actor-Network Theory to adaptation studies.

The impact of information and communication technologies in fish consumption in Portugal: building a support for the coming generations

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are powerful tools in an extremely unstable and turbulent world, being a vital weapon in an era of electronic communication, full of unpredictability and entropy. Portugal is Europe's leader in consumption of fish and ranks third in the world. It is with this historical, economic and food galaxy interpretation of the world that we have decided to study the fish consumption supply chain in Portugal, distributing and analyzing 2 different surveys on purchase and consumption behaviors. 1393 respondents participated in surveys, one survey being for the general of the population and another one specifically for generations Y and Z. Being ICTs so vital to young people and being generation Y and Z the future in consumption, we have focused our study on how to build a support for the coming generations. To do that we have design communication strategies for fishing sector, including point-of-sale communication, underlining the issue of shopping experience, which in the case of young consumers is, very closely linked to ICT, based on creating sustained value for society underpinned by a relation of cooperation and proximity. Following Toffler's permanent adaptation survival rule, it is vital to the food supply chain (in our case, fish) to rapidly understand that the future of consumption is in the hands of the "Z/Post-Millennials" generation, meaning that product, place, price and promotion have been replaced by Ettenson's Solutions, Access, Value and Education.

Enhancing the Quality of Life in Young Persons with SEN through Swimming Exercises in the New Era of Mobile Technologies

This study highlights the sustainability of using the mobile computerized technologies (MCT) in monitoring the physical activities (PA) for enhancing the quality of the life to the young persons with special education needs (QLYPSEN). In this study we have established programme by physical activities specific of swimming (PASS) permanently monitored by MCT and the application of research methods showed the sustainability of MCT in enhancing QLYPSEN. This fact will allow a connection with the help of the modern means and an implication in the generation of behaviors adapted to the modern society, the connection between the new technologies and the basic technique specific to the swimming highlighting the need for change and a permanent attention paid to the interdisciplinary use of the training valences. The human evolution, capable of a permanent adaptation, regardless of the existential conditions, makes it possible to anchor, and at the same time, the transfer to a continuous relationship with others. The psychological and motor behavioural development of YPSEN by PA of swimming realizes quickly and correctly using MCT, motivating them and gaining self-confidence as well as contributing to rendering their social behaviour more efficient and the increase QLYPSEN.

Adapting the planning and management of Norway spruce forests in mountain areas of Romania to environmental conditions including climate change

In Romania, natural Norway spruce forests are spread across upper mountain slopes (1300–1800 m). They perform multiple functions, being especially recognised for their economic value. However, where planted forests extend beyond the spruce's naturally occurring areas, they are frequently exposed to deleterious environmental factors. In Romania, forest planning is based on typological studies that were carried out between 1950 and 1970, and the regulations are applied in a somewhat flexible manner. In the context of the potential threats from climate change that could amplify induced destabilising phenomena, the risks to which these forests are becoming exposed can only be mediated through flexible management and the permanent adaptation of forest planning. For this reason, the purpose of this study was to develop a strategy for adapting forest management plan guidelines, with a view to improving ecosystem stability. A Norway spruce forest was chosen from the south-eastern Carpathians, which is included in the Natura 2000 Fagaras Mountains site. The models on which we based our current stand compositions resulted from long-term monitoring and analysis of species and stand structures. Stand structure - and forest structure, in general - is key to the continuous existence of stand functions and ecosystem services. Through design decisions, we promote biodiversity and the natural, better adapted, regeneration of local provenances. We highlight the rationale behind forest management planning and its regulations, with respect to the sustainable management of Norway spruce forests, which are vulnerable to potential changes in their structure as a result of climate change. Based on our findings, we propose the adaptation of measures used in forest management planning for Norway spruce forests to include protective functions that can be applied to all man-made Norway spruce forests introduced in former beech forest regions, and mixed coniferous/beech forests, that are vulnerable to changing environmental factors.

Fight Against Crime - Criminological Perspective

The fight against crime aims to prevent the impact on social values. This preventive approach must be based on the principle of legality and should be carried out on the basis of pre-established procedures. At present, criminality has a diverse typology that implies not only a permanent adaptation and diversification of procedures, but also a rigorous definition that must reflect as accurately as possible the hypothesis, disposition and sanction for each type of crime. From a criminological perspective, a series of concepts such as high crime, organized crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, or trafficking in human beings can easily highlight defective definitions. However, there are a number of concepts and philosophies surrounding these types of crime. We propose a review of how crime is defined in order to assess to what extent the identified operational definitions can or must imperatively be improved.

ADAPTIVE TESTING AS A TOOL FOR MANAGING QUALITY OF EDUCATION

The article presents the results of the use of adaptive testing in higher education institutions with the example of the LMS Stimul implemented in Polzunov Altai State Technical University. The advantages and disadvantages of testing as an assessment method are considered. On the base of analysis of modern educational trends, the conclusion is made about the relevance of the issue of adaptive testing, taking into account the personal mastering of the material by the student. A description of a testing system that making a permanent adaptation of the test to customize the test for the knowledge of a particular student is given. The variant of the adaptive testing algorithm is given. A comparison of the results obtained using the conventional test and the adaptive test is described. Analysis of the test results is carried out in the context of topics, categories and types of questions. Based on the given examples, a conclusion is made on the effectiveness of adaptive testing.

Oscillatory Cortical Activity in an Animal Model of Dystonia Caused by Cerebellar Dysfunction.

The synchronization of neuronal activity in the sensorimotor cortices is crucial for motor control and learning. This synchrony can be modulated by upstream activity in the cerebello-cortical network. However, many questions remain over the details of how the cerebral cortex and the cerebellum communicate. Therefore, our aim is to study the contribution of the cerebellum to oscillatory brain activity, in particular in the case of dystonia, a severely disabling motor disease associated with altered sensorimotor coupling. We used a kainic-induced dystonia model to evaluate cerebral cortical oscillatory activity and connectivity during dystonic episodes. We performed microinjections of low doses of kainic acid into the cerebellar vermis in mice and examined activities in somatosensory, motor and parietal cortices. We showed that repeated applications of kainic acid into the cerebellar vermis, for five consecutive days, generate reproducible dystonic motor behavior. No epileptiform activity was recorded on electrocorticogram (ECoG) during the dystonic postures or movements. We investigated the ECoG power spectral density and coherence between motor cortex, somatosensory and parietal cortices before and during dystonic attacks. During the baseline condition, we found a phenomenon of permanent adaptation with a change of baseline locomotor activity coupled to an ECoG gamma band increase in all cortices. In addition, after kainate administration, we observed an increase in muscular activity, but less signs of dystonia together with modulations of the ECoG power spectra with an increase in gamma band in motor, parietal and somatosensory cortices. Moreover, we found reduced coherence in all measured frequency bands between the motor cortex and somatosensory or parietal cortices compared to baseline. In conclusion, examination of cortical oscillatory activities in this animal model of chronic dystonia caused by cerebellar dysfunction reveals a disruption in the coordination of neuronal activity across the cortical sensorimotor/parietal network, which may underlie motor skill deficits.

Development of the budgetary expenditures planning system in Ukraine

The subject of the study is the theoretical and practical issues of the development of the budget planning system in Ukraine. The purpose of the study is to reveal the theoretical and methodological principles of planning budget expenditures as a tool for influencing the social development of the country. Research methods. The paper uses a set of scientific methods and approaches, including systematic, structural, comparative, factor methods, which allowed to realize the conceptual unity of the research. Results of work. The economic essence of budget expenditures is disclosed. Peculiarities of formation of budget expenditures in conditions of economy transformation are analyzed. It has been determined that the use of budget expenditures as a tool for regulation of socio-economic development of the country has certain features during the period of transformational changes in the economy, its structural adjustment, which consists in ensuring the macroeconomic equilibrium, creating a favorable financial and economic environment for the development of market relations, support of strategic sectors of the economy, including those aimed at domestic consumption. The main objective of strengthening the qualitative level of budget expenditure planning is to ensure long-term macroeconomic and social stability in the state. At the present time, it is important to deepen the theoretical and methodological principles of forming budget expenditures as a component of the regulatory mechanism of financial policy of the country, which will enable to strengthen the relationship of financial regulation with the dynamics of socio-economic development. The field of application of the results of work. Budget. Budgetary regulation of social development. Budget expenditures. Conclusions. Financial resources of the budget influence economic growth, structural transformations in the branches of economy, equalization of regional disproportions, development of human capital and increase of a high level of social protection of the population. During the years of Ukraine's emergence as an independent state, the underlying foundations and corresponding mechanisms for functioning of a sufficiently effective system of forming budget expenditures as one of the conditions for conducting a consistent fiscal policy aimed at economic growth have been formed. The budget process, depending on the changes in internal and external economic factors, the development of financial and economic relations, the increase of the quality requirements, the provision of state services of public services inherent permanent adaptation mechanisms that affect the need to improve the management of budget resources, which will provide the opportunity to ensure the effectiveness of economic transformations, sustainability budgetary system, increase the quality of budget planning and forecasting, and the efficiency of using budget funds. It is advisable to further strengthen systemicity and consistency in the implementation of state policy in the area of budget expenditures planning, to determine the optimal structure and content of budget programs, their correspondence to indicators of development of economic sectors in the short and medium term and directions of social and economic development of the country.

Evolución financiera y perspectivas de la planta municipal en España

La planta municipal española viene caracterizada por ser una realidad en permanente adaptación a las circunstancias y excepcionalidades de su heterogénea estructura. Es necesario analizar el comportamiento de la Administración local en su plano normativo y financiero durante los últimos años; comprobar si se han conseguido los objetivos marcados en la cuestionada reforma local; ver en qué situación económico-financiera está la planta local y qué necesidades y retos se plantean para el futuro de estos entes territoriales.

Cardiovascular response to prescribed detraining among recreational athletes.

Exercise-induced cardiac remodeling (EICR) and the attendant myocardial adaptations characteristic of the athlete's heart may regress during periods of exercise reduction or abstinence. The time course and mechanisms underlying this reverse remodeling, specifically the impact of concomitant plasma volume (PV) contraction on cardiac chamber size, remain incompletely understood. We therefore studied recreational runners ( n = 21, age 34 ± 7 yr; 48% male) who completed an 18-wk training program (~7 h/wk) culminating in the 2016 Boston Marathon after which total exercise exposure was confined to <2 h/wk (no single session >1 h) for 8 wk. Cardiac structure and function, exercise capacity, and PV were assessed at peak fitness (10-14 days before) and at 4 wk and 8 wk postmarathon. Mixed linear modeling adjusting for age, sex, V̇o2peak, and marathon finish time was used to compare data across time points. Physiological detraining was evidenced by serial reductions in treadmill performance. Two distinct phases of myocardial remodeling and hematological adaptation were observed. After 4 wk of detraining, there were significant reductions in PV (Δ -6.0%, P < 0.01), left ventricular (LV) wall thickness (Δ -8.1%, <0.05), LV mass (Δ -10.3%, P < 0.001), and right atrial area (Δ -8.2%, P < 0.001). After 8 wk of detraining, there was a significant reduction in right ventricle chamber size (end-diastolic area Δ = -8.0%, P < 0.05) without further concomitant reductions in PV or LV wall thickness. Abrupt reductions in exercise training stimulus result in a structure-specific time course of reverse cardiac remodeling that occurs largely independently of PV contraction. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Significant reverse cardiac remodeling, previously documented among competitive athletes, extends to recreational runners and occurs with a distinct time course. Initial reductions in plasma volume and left ventricular (LV) mass, driven by reductions in wall thickness, are followed by contraction of the right ventricle. Consistent with data from competitive athletes, LV chamber volumes appear less responsive to detraining and may be a more permanent adaptation to sport.

Myth and Music - Enhancers of Balance. Between Tradition and Modernity

Abstract Along with literature, music, through the suggestiveness of the means of expression, manages to render in different compositional forms and genres the specific atmosphere and traits of the mythical universe. The Romanian musical creation has been dynamically asserted in an original manner over time, through the diversification of artistic means and a permanent adaptation of musical language to the aesthetic requirements of each compositional period. Skillfully wielding the processes of modern musical language, composers George Enescu, Aurel Stroe and Cornel Țăranu have given the contemporary public artistic masterpieces which impress by the personal manner of transposing into modernity the transcendent message of the myths of Oedipus and Orestes. The richness of the compositional means employed by the three composers creates bridges between antiquity and modernity, between the imaginary and the real universe.

On-line self-adaptive framework for tailoring a neural-agent learning model addressing dynamic real-time scheduling problems

The dynamic nature and time-varying behavior of actual environments provide serious challenges for learning models. Thus, changes may deteriorate the constructed control policy over time, which requires permanent adaptation strategies. Changes usually appear as an evolution in the relationship between instance variables composing stream data, known in machine learning under the term concept drift. Several adaptation strategies have been performed to tackle concept drifting data streams, always assuming that arrived instances are labeled, either completely or partially. However, this assumption is violated in many application areas, especially in the manufacturing field. We propose, in this paper, a new framework called Labeling Extraction from the current Model (LEM). LEM is adapted to retrieve learning labels, relying uniquely on unlabeled received instances and without any external supervision, which has never been previously addressed. Hence, to the best of our knowledge, there has been no effort addressing scheduling manufacturing problems for adaptation to data streams with concept drifts. Experiments are conducted to show the effectiveness of LEM. The obtained results demonstrate the ability of LEM to maintain the stability and efficiency of the control policy approximated by the learning model, by significantly improving its prediction performance, compared to its use without adaptation.

Una reflexión ex post facto sobre la conducción de estudios multicaso para la construcción de teoría en ciencias de gestión

Los estudios de caso único y múltiple han mostrado, en la práctica, su contribución potencial para la construcción de teoría en ciencias de gestión. Diversos investigadores, convencidos de esta afirmación, recurrimos a la conceptualización y orientaciones de ejecución propuestas por Yin (1994, 2014) y Stake (2006), especialmente; ellos se han convertido en referente frecuente de los trabajos de investigación basados en estudios de caso. Una experiencia de planeación, ejecución y análisis de un estudio multicaso, en circunstancias de limitación de investigadores y de inexistencia de modelos iniciales preconcebidos, es empleada para ilustrar una ruta específica conducente a la búsqueda de construcciones teóricas sobre el fenómeno en cuestión. Al final, se verifica que el desarrollo de este tipo de estudios no siempre obedece a una planeación inicial deliberada, ni puede seguir la lógica de la replicación, y que los informes de estudios de caso son el resultado de un proceso de racionalización posterior, que oculta u omite las dudas, los cambios de dirección y de enfoque, los ensayos fracasados, las particularidades del ambiente de cada empresa y de cada participante en el estudio, y las adaptaciones permanentes a situaciones imprevistas. Un conjunto de lecciones aprendidas es propuesto para concretar algunas recomendaciones transferibles a otras situaciones de investigación.

Issues of Organizational Culture in Romania – A Case Study

Abstract The present paper analyzes, through a case study, the organizational culture of a typical Romanian company from the textile industry. The company resulted from the privatization process, being a successful example in its field. The initial, socialist enterprise from which the analyzed company was created, had a long history prior to 1989; thus, although the newly created company has about 20 years of evolution, actually, the mother-company from which it was privatized has more than a decade of tradition. In order to collect data, we used two methods: direct, non-participative observation, together with a sociological survey based on a semi-structured interviewing technique. The interviews were conducted with the top managers - the strategic management and the managers from the human resources department, sales and purchasing departments. The observation and the interviews were undertaken during the period 2011-2012. For the analysis of the collected data, we used a systemization method and a theme-based organization of answers (specific to content analysis). The identification and analysis criteria for the typologies of the organizational culture were those used by Sonnenfeld (1988) and Quinn (1991). A protocol was established for all stages, including exploration, description of the situation, data analysis, typological classification of the organizational culture and interpretation. We conclude that the analyzed company has a mixed personality and hesitates between rigorous control and permanent adaptation, between the real and ideal image, between independent action and the need to wait for directions and reassuring control, a rather general characteristic of the Romanian culture. Although the managers seem to be in favor of a permanent and free adaptation to the threatening environment, control is always used as a precautionary measure. Moreover, the strategy of the company seems to privilege the maintaining of its structure and procedures and not the adaptation to the environment. The company is placed in different categories, for both models, at stated level comparing to the actual one, oscillating between Club and Baseball (for the Sonnenfeld typology) and between Hierarchical and Innovative (for the Quinn typology of organizational culture).

Developing an integrated and comprehensive training strategy for public sector leaders

Because of their tasks and their high level of responsibilities, leadership aptitudes, besides managerial competences, are key for civil servants who will occupy top positions. The institutions in charge of their training and education must not only provide the leaders of tomorrow with the knowledge and skills they need to do their current job properly; they must also ensure that the leaders have the qualities required for the exercise of their responsibilities at all stages of their professional career. Based on the experience of the French national school of public administration (ENA) and its key role as the training organisation both for pre-service and lifelong learning for French public sector executives, this paper presents the different elements of the French approach for training future government administrative leaders. This comprehensive and integrated strategy takes into consideration the challenges of training for leadership and the needs for a permanent adaptation to the evolution of the administrative environment.

Presentation of an Exerciser Applicable in the Scapholunate Instability Rehabilitation

Introduction: The predynamic (partial) and dynamic (total) injury of the scapholunate ligamentous complex conditions the normal kinetics and kinematics of the carpal bone in the performance of everyday activities. Considering this, we have designed an exerciser that allows the active flex extension of the wrist to work in a specific progressive and global way in the sagittal plane within the permanent adaptation sector I (up to 20°) and the usual movement sector II (up to 40°) of N. Kuhlmann. Materials and Methods: The instrument has been designed in rigid plastic with the support and subjection of the forearm and mobile distal handle, which moves within a mechanical blocked guide that allows the movement of the wrist flex extension in N. Kuhlmann I and II sectors. It is also possible to apply resistance in the movement according to the rehabilitation criteria. Outcome: The design of an exerciser that allows the active flex extension of the wrist has been accomplished for the treatment of the scapholunate ligamentous complex injury. Conclusions: The application of the exposed exerciser for the rehabilitation of the scapholunate instability restricts the joint excursion to a protected rank, avoiding the exposure to ligamentous or muscular tensions that may aggravate the pathology.

Creative cities and the reflexivity of the urban creative economy

The paper addresses the abundant literature on the creative city that has been generated following publication in 2002 of Richard Florida’s work on the creative class. In particular, it is maintained that the discussion should be based more on a robust social economic analysis of urban economies. The paper starts with a brief review of the polarized debate on the creative city in which either the optimist obsession with a new growth sector is stressed or there is a focus of attention on its negative impact on urban society. Building on the idea of cultural production as a reflexive economic activity and on three empirical vignettes about how culture, the economy and the city interact, it argues that cultural production is an adaptable activity which is, however, permanently forced into a state of adaptation. Urban space and society have an ambivalent role here. On the one hand, the city offers adaptability: on the other hand, however, because this is the case, it fosters the need for permanent adaptation.

Face aux dilemmes éthiques, quelle démarche ? À propos d’une alimentation entérale chez un enfant polyhandicapé

The clinical condition of a young 15-year old patient with multiple disabilities, gradually deteriorated: atrophy, vicious attitudes, weight loss… The meals, which lasted a very long time, were “an ongoing battle” exhausting for the young patient, staff and parents. We, caregivers, considered the interest of a gastrostomy. What to do or not, what decision to make? What level of support is considered not to be in an unreasonable obstinacy? When a child cannot speak for himself or herself, who owns the decision: parents, caregivers? Ethics entails the permanent adaptation of moral values to the needs of society, allowing it to keep its humanity, especially towards the weakest and sickest. It is convened in our questioning; it is not simple: what is the “right action”, the “good care”, whose “own good” do we want? Our care should focus on both the young patient who expresses neither desire nor need, nor satisfaction and his family. What to do when caring for the patient might disrupt the care of the family? Moreover, does taking into consideration the family's word guarantee the respect for the patient? Facing this clinical situation where uncertainty prevails, the ethical approach, genuine area of authorization of thought, can give meaning to the practices and facilitate making the least bad decision possible. In this article, first the ethical dilemma is identified (to perform, or not, a gastrostomy), then the clinical situation of the young patient is analysed by a dual approach: classic technical – medical, ethical, legally and innovative – ethical principles by convening autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence and justice.

Adaptive and on-line learning in non-stationary environments

It is important that the update of model parameters and structure be achieved without a “catastrophic forgetting”. Therefore, a balance between continuous learning and “forgetting” is necessary to deal with non-stationary environments. A considerable body of research has been previously devoted to the design of models (e.g. classifiers, cluster models, time-series models) whose operating environments are supposed to be static—there, the system behavior and operating conditions/modes in static environments does not change over time. However, this is a quite strong restriction as usually the characteristics of systems and environmental conditions change, evolve over time. A typical example of changing environments is the spam detection and filtering. The descriptions of the two classes “spam” and “nonspam” evolve over time due to the changes of user preferences and “spammers” techniques to trick spam classifiers. Another example is the behavior of human beings, which may be affected by different experiences, moods, daily conditions etc.—mimicking their cognitive capabilities in form of neural models thus require a permanent adaptation and regulation of the induced networks. In case of condition monitoring systems employing multi-sensor networks, new sensors may be added whose measured variables or classes should be ideally integrated on-the-fly into a large networks of identified models describing the relations and dependencies being present within the system. In many applications, the models rely on off-line training cycles from historic data samples, which are often costly to obtain or need to be pre-annotated to establish an initial model (e.g. in case of classifiers), especially when intending to guarantee a sufficient coverage of the feature space—issues which are cost-intensive for companies and thus decreasing the applicability and attraction of data-driven models in industrial and healthcare systems. Training the models on The computerization of many life activities and the advances in data collection and storage technology lead to obtain mountains of data. They are collected to capture information about a phenomena or a process behavior. These data are rarely of direct benefit. Thus, a set of techniques and tools are used to extract useful information for decision support, prediction, exploration and understanding of phenomena governing the data sources. Learning methods use historic data points about a process past behavior to build a predictor (classifier, regression model, time-series model). The latter is used as an old experience to predict the process future behavior. However, the predictor needs to adjust itself (self-correction or adaptation) as new events happen or new conditions/system states occur (e.g. during on-line operations). The goal is to ensure an accurate prediction of process behavior according to the changes in new incoming data characteristics. This requires a continuous learning over long period of time with the ability to evolve new structural components on demand and to forget data becoming obsolete and useless. Incremental and sequential learning are essential concepts in order to avoid time-intensive re-training phases and account for the systems dynamics/changing data characteristics with low computational effort and virtual memory usage (enhancing on-line performance). This is because data is processed in sample-wise and single-pass manner.