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of complexity, then perhaps this world is not precisely that of
Candide. One counter measure is to use mathematical tools
to construct models of ‘pieces of nature’, then study them as
if they were scientifi c hypotheses to be tested and eventually
accepted or rejected. Since the model is simpler than nature,
if the model results are accepted, a step in the direction of
decreasing complexity is made. However, there are many ways
models can be used in research, and IMMSIM has been applied
to many problems over its lifetime. When one describes, as
in this publication, the functions of the immune system, it is
amusing to note how many distinct ...