ALBERT

Notes: Abstract On the basis of a previous general formulation (Bull. Math. Biophysics,15, 21–29, 1953a) a discussion is given of the error in the approximation method of N. Rashevsky. This error, inherent in the method when the metabolic rate is different at each point in the cell, is discussed in detail and numerical values are presented for two particular cases: the rate proportional to the concentration and the rate a prescribed function of the spatial coordinates. It is shown that the formulation for the first case also applies to several other cases, that the error is negligible provided the rate is sufficiently small, and that the error is fairly sensitive to the cell size. If the rate depends upon the coordinatesalone a small rate is not sufficient to insure a negligible error. The relations between the exact method, the standard approximate method, an earlier approximate method (Physics,7 260, 1936), and a more recent refinement (Bull. Math. Biophysics,10, 201, 1948) of the standard method are discussed.

Notes: Abstract It is shown on the basis of (1) conservation of mass, (2) positive concentrations, and (3) the principle of detail balancing that periodic reactions cannot occur in a closed system described bylinear differential equations. The matrix,A, of the rate equations must be such that |A|=0,a ij〉0 fori≠j,a ii〈0, andVAV −1=B, whereV is diagonal andB is symmetric. These properties ofA imply that the latent roots are real and non-positive and that neither catalysis nor inhibition can be described bylinear equations. It is further shown that periodic reactions cannot occur in anopen system for which the matrix associated with the chemical reactions has the above properties and in which thesimple law of diffusion is obeyed. The relation of these results to Onsager's reciprocal relations and to previous work on periodic and cyclic chemical reactions is discussed. The utility of certain of these results for the treatment of isotope kinetics is indicated.

Notes: Abstract It is demonstrated that an explanation of the small radius effect or the so-called sigma phenomenon may be obtained by noting that one of the effects of the presence of suspended particles in a flowing fluid is to increase the velocity of flow near the wall over that existing in the absence of particles. This effect may be considered equivalent to relaxing the boundary conditions at the wall. An expression for the viscosity is compared with data and fit is found to be good.

Notes: Abstract The solution for the spatial distribution of ions in a Donnan equilibrium has been given by J. H. Bartlett and R. A. Kromhout (1952). The present note gives an explicit solution for the case in which the length of the region containing the membrane is large; in biological situations this requires only that the length considered should be greater than a few hundred Ångstrom units. The Donnan equilibrium may be considered to be a special case of a situation in which forces other than electrical act upon the ions; in particular, it represents the case in which only one ion is acted upon and the energy difference on the two sides of the membrane is infinite. An expression is given for the difference in energy of theith in terms of the electrical potential and of the ion concentrations. As an illustration, the results are applied to nerve membrane potentials.

Notes: Abstract A mechanism is described which accounts for the active transport of Na+ ions through a membrane. It is assumed that at one side of the membrane the ion combines with a carrier ion, the resulting carrier compound then diffuses through the membrane and decomposes at the other side of the membrane. The free diffusion of the ions is also taken into account. The time rate of accumulation of the ion in question at the latter side of the membrane is calculated in terms of the concentrations of the ion at both sides of the membrane.

Notes: Abstract The recent extension of the approximation method is applied to enable us to arrive at the time course of the concentrations at both sides of a membrane. From the differential equations which govern these, the steady-state solution is obtained in terms of the parameters, which are determined by the thickness of the diffusion layers, the chemical composition and reactions, and the diffusion constant of the membrane.

Notes: Abstract An equation is derived from the spread of a “state” by contact through a thoroughly mixed population, in which the probability of transmission depends both on the over-all duration of the process and on the time an individual has been in the “state.” Cases in which this probability is a function of only one or the other of the two “times” are worked out. It is shown that in the case of dependence on “private time” alone the asymptotic value of the fraction of the population effected is the same as that derived by the random net approach.

Notes: Abstract The reflection of pressure waves in a fluid enclosed within a tube with an elastic wall is studied for the case of a localized change in diameter of the tube. The concept of impedance is introduced. The relation of the reflection characteristics of the parts of the tube at either side of the change is derived on the basis of the continuity of pressure and mass flow at the site of the change. This relations is used to derive the expression for the ratio of the pressure oscillations measured in front of, and behind, the constriction in terms of the constants of the system. As a result, a method is indicated to locate the coarctation from measurements of the pressures in front of, and behind it.

Notes: Abstract The question is raised concerning the possible causes of abnormally small standard deviations found in counting samples in which particles are distributed at random (e.g., blood cells, fat globules in milk, etc.). The effect of discarding abnormal samples is discounted inasmuch as small standard deviations occur even when all samples are counted. An approximation method is used to calculate the effect of finite particle size, of known repulsive forces between particles and of convection currents. This calculation shows that neither finite size nor the known repulsive forces are sufficient to account for the observed abnormality of standard deviation, but that convection currents can possibly account for it. The possible presence of long-range repulsive forces cannot, however, be excluded.

Notes: Abstract The effect of finite particle size on the standard deviation in sample counts is computed for the one-dimensional case. To a first order of approximation the correction is found to be identifical with that found by H. de Vries (1953) using a general approximation method.

Notes: Abstract A critical examination of the “classical” theories of photoreception in view of more recent experimental findings yields the result that these theories do not possess the property to describe all the more significant phenomena of photoreception correctly, and to some extent suffer the lack of more general applicability. The basis for a new and presumably more general theory of photoreception based on dynamical aspects is laid out. Emphasis is put on the time course of afferent and efferent excitation in the photoreception model, consisting of a receptor element, an afferent and an efferent neuron of the one-factor Rashevsky-type, and an effector organ.

Notes: Abstract A mathematical model for the development of human society, beginning with the earliest stages of urban cultures, is outlined. In the early stages of history, behavior was characterized largely by adherence to a number of beliefs and prejudices of diffeirent kinds, which were accepted on faith and not subject to critical rational analysis. Due to psychobiological variability a very small number of individuals spontaneously appear at all times who challenge the accepted beliefs and prejudices and do not follow the accepted patterns of social behavior. The effect of these individuals upon the rest of the society, especially upon the younger generation, depends on the facilities with which information spreads in society. In earliest societies, when modern methods of mass communication were unknown, the channels of communication were practically identical with the channels of economic transport. The latter in its turn depended on the nature of the roads, and especially on the presence of waterway, which facilitated transportation. The sizes of the earliest cities and the distances between them were largely determined by relative ease of transporation. Expressions are derived for the average size of the earliest cities and for the average distance between them. The calculated average populations of the earliest cities are of the order of 103; the distance of the order of 102 km. Both are in agreement with some archaeological findings. An expression for the time spaon required for the development from the earliest stages of urban cultures to the present time is derived and shown to depend on the specific shoreline of the country, that is, the length of the shorline divided by the area of the country. It is pointed out that western Europe's specific shoreline, including land bordering both seas and rivers, is ten times as large as the shoreline area of other parts of the world. It is shown that this greater specific shoreline may account quantitatively for the faster social and technological development of western Europe in the last few centuries. The calculated total span of time of development from earliest urban cultures to our days is found to be of the order of magnitude of ten thousand years. It is shown that the model accounts for the existence at the present time of primitive cultures. A number of suggestions is made in regard to other possible applications of mathematics to history.

Notes: Abstract The assumptions latent in the derivation of the integral equation of Branson are rendered explicit and discussed. It is shown that the equation is valid only for systems in which the substance disappears according to a linear rate law.

Notes: Abstract It is shown that the validity of Branson's integral description of metabolizing systems is subject to severe limitations. The validity is insured only in cases where the reaction is of first order, or quasi of first order. In all other cases Branson's equation has to be modified to insure general applicability. The consequences of a different definition of the metabolizing functionF have also been investigated. With the new definitionF describes the pure effect of metabolization. It is found that in this case the integral equation is only capable of describing first-order reactions. With a slight modification of the integral equation it is possible to describe metabolites “with age”, which do not have reactions of definite order, but which satisfy the superposition principle.

Notes: Abstract A problem in probability is stated with included the problem of the distribution of bacterial mutants as a special case. This problem is solved exactly but since the resulting expressions are too complicated for practical use, various approximate expressions for the distribution are considered, especially for the bacterial mutation case.

Notes: Abstract Simple reaction and discrimination reaction, under the influence of imitation, are considered for the situation in which the stimulus or the stimuli vary slowly with time. The result is analogous to hysteresis under certain conditions. The calculations are facilitated by the solution of $$x = \int_{ - \infty }^{a + \beta x} {g\left( \xi \right)d} \xi ,$$ g(ξ) being the normal error function. Values ofx(α, β) are given in a table.

Notes: Abstract On the basis of simple physical considerations the blood flow in a branching circulatory system is studied. The case of two groups of parallel vessels is treated. The vessels of the same group are supposed to be identical. The resistance of each group is determined by the resistance of each vessel in the group and by the number of vessels in the group. From the dependence of the resistance of each vessel on its radius an expression is obtained for the blood flow through each group of vessels in terms of the numbers and sizes of the vessels in each group. The number of open vessels in an organ and the radius of each of those vessels are assumed to depend on the metabolic rate of that organ. The relations so obtained, together with the expression above, are applied to derive the blood flow through an organ as a function of the metabolic rate of that organ. It is indicated that the relations obtained might describe the shifting of blood from one organ to another if the activity of one of them changes. A way is pointed out to treat neural regulation of this phenomenon.

Notes: Abstract A stochastic model of population growth is treated using the Bellman-Harris theory of agedependent stochastic branching processes. The probability distribution for the population size at any time and the expectation are obtained when it is assumed that there is probability (1−σ), 0≤σ〈1, of the organism dividing into two at the end of its lifetime, and probability σ that division will not take place.

Notes: Abstract In a previous paper, in which a possible mathematical approach to history was outlined, it was shown that urbanization plays an important part in the propagation of new ideas. The rate of such propagation influences the rate of historical developments. The present paper deals in more detail with possible mechanisms of formation of earliest cities. Equations are derived which give the limiting size of such cities and their rate of growth. Of particular importance for the spread of new ideas is the spread of information. The latter largely depends on the fraction of individuals who travel between city and country. Expressions for this quantity are derived. An approach is outlined to the mathematical study of the earliest social classes, which may have been formed as a result of military, religious, or economic stratifications.

Notes: Abstract The velocity of propagation of a disturbance wave in a liquid flowing in a distensible tube is computed. The mathematical model is more general than those used in previous analyses: the tube wall properties are realistic; the convective part of the axial inertia forces is taken into account; radial inertia forces of both the fluid and tube wall are present; viscous stresses are present. Four parameters influencing the velocity of propagation are obtained and discussed. Curves are plotted illustrating the effects of the parameters. Contrary to the results of previous analyses, viscous effects are shown to be appreciable in blood flow. It is also shown that radial inertia effects can be important in laboratory set-ups.

Notes: Abstract A general theory of the drying of frozen tissue is developed and applied to the measurement of the drying rate of frozen guinea pig liver. It is shown that for a given temperature of the subliming ice crystals the mininum drying time of a piece of guinea pig liver is greater than the minimum sublimation time of a piece of ice of the same size and shape by a factor of the order of one thousand. This fact has many implications in the design of freeze-dry apparatus which will be developed in a following paper.

Notes: Abstract The equations governing the time course of the exchange of substances between the blood in the capillaries and the extracellular space are solved for the case of substances which do not penetrate the cells. The equations given relate the time course of the exchange process to the various tissue and circulation parameters such as the specific capillary wall area, the pore area, the inter-capillary distance, the size of the extra-vascular, extra-cellular space, the diffusion coefficient in this space, and the velocity of blood in the capillaries. Some experimental work on capillary exchange is discussed in relation to the theory and estimates are made of the relative importance of the various tissue and circulation parameters in the exchange of substances in different tissues.

Notes: Abstract Non-steady-state equations for kidney models are stated. General conservation relations for these equations are derived. Transient equations for the central core model of the renal medulla are developed. Solution of the equations by Laplace transform methods for time invariant volume flows is discussed. The general theory of solving models with time dependent flows by finite difference methods is developed.

Notes: Abstract The behavior of large systems of randomly-interacting variables is examined using an intentionally simplified model. The stable positive solutions are found to exhibit to a significant degree some well-known properties of ecological systems. This resemblance (including for example the predominance of “predator-prey” interactions) is all the more striking in view of the lack of biological “data” at the input end. The findings suggest it advisable to distinguish two kinds of properties in ecosystems. One kind would depend on specifically biological mechanisms; the other would characterize a wide class of persistent systems, and arise from the need for a dynamic balance between positive and negative feedback.

Notes: Abstract For the tumor model of Skipper and Zubrod, which has been analyzed previously for the theoretical FLM function and the effect of chemotherapy against tumors of known or assumed kinetic characteristics, the theoretical continuous labeling (CL) function is derived by considering an equivalent tumor (in terms of unlabeled cell populations) in which the density function of phase duration of cells inS-phasef 2(a 2)=δ(a 2−∞) and the loss functionL 2(t)=0. This mathematical concept of blocking is applied to the analysis of synchronization in tumor growth and blocking effects in cancer chemotherapy. These effects of chemical agents on the cell cycle progression are being incorporated into a previously written computer simulation program for cancer chemotherapy. Whereas, a program is written and used to simulate the CL functions for L1210 leukemia, and primary and metastatic Lewis lung carcinoma.

Notes: Abstract Global stability is established in a class of prey-predator models. This includes a prey-predator model in which the predator has Type 2 functional response and no intraspecific interactions. Two simple examples demonstrate that Kolmogoroff’s theorem does not apply to some members of this class of models.

Notes: Abstract The skeletal muscle is regarded as a periodically deformed plate. An equation of energy for the biological tissue in the system is used in the Lagrange variables. With the heat exchange through the above tissues to the exterior media and also with account of some relations between the physiological factors the approximate analytical solution for this equation is obtained and compared with the physiological data.

Notes: Abstract One of Bobisud's (1976) models for the evolution, of cannibalism is discussed. His analysis is criticised for not being based on the principle of individual selection. Assuming the operation of that principle, we show by simulating his model that cannibals may establish themselves in a noncannibal population. This will happen both in cases where Bobisud concluded cannibalism to be optimal and in cases where he concluded cannibalism not to be optimal.

Notes: Abstract The D'Arcy Thompson concept of biological transformations is developed in a form analogous to such physical concepts as the Law of Corresponding States in thermodynamics, and the Principles of Similitude found in engineering. We find that such concepts depend on a distinction between fundamental and derived quantities, in which the values assigned to the fundamental quantities set the natural scales for the derived ones. Among other things, we see that critical phenomena, such as phase transitions, arise as an immediate consequence of this distinction. In a biological context, we explore the implications of Thompson's hypothesis that closely related organisms are phenotypically similar, assuming that the organisms we see are the result of selection processes operating on phenotypes.

Notes: Abstract If information is coded in the combination of activities of many neurons operating in parallel, then information present in a network can be defined by the correlation of present network activity with the activity which had been elicited by a stimulus in the past; a high correlation indicates the presence of the previously encoded stimulus. Information is distributed in the network because coding is dependent upon the activities of all cells. A model based on Hartline-Ratliff lateral inhibition with a time delay shows that lateral inhibition can distribute information across a parallel network, reduce output noise, and also briefly store information. With no changes in model parameters, and the use of a correlation measure for recognition, the model can stimulate psychophysical results in eleven variations of the metacontrast masking paradigm.

Notes: Abstract A theory is derived to calculate the regional and total deposition of aerosol particles in the nasal passages during inhalation. The particle size studied range from 0.2 to 10.0 μm diameter. The deposition is calculated in five regions; (I) the region filled with nasal hair, (II) the nasal valve, (III) the expansion region, (IV) the turbinate region and (V) the posterior bend. Equations are derived to determine the deposition caused by direct impaction on the nasal hairs and bends of the passages. The calculations show the deposition due to direct impaction does not account for the amount or location of deposited particles measured in experiments. Secondary flows have been speculated to exist in the expansion region after the nasal valve and an equation is derived to estimate the deposition caused by the secondary flows. The calculated deposition, due to direct impaction and secondary flows, shows general agreement with the experiment as to the predicted amount and location of deposited particles.

Notes: Abstract The paper reviews a series of models for circadian clocks and discusses their conclusions and predictions. Attention is focused on Pittendrigh's empirical model, two mathematical models by the author and Winfree's work.

Notes: Abstract From a model of facilitated ionic transport across axonal membranes proposed by McIlroy (1975), the equipotentials and electric field distributions in the vicinity of a potassium conducting pore and of a sodium conducting pore are computed and presented as two-dimensional mappings. The model is then extended to include the effect of impurity ions in the conducting pores viz. of potassium ions in a sodium pore and of sodium ions in a potassium pore. The ionic selectivities and permeabilities of the transported species are discussed in relation to the extended model. Bounds are deduced for the ionic selectivity coefficients for both the sodium and potassium current-carrying systems in squid giant axons and the electric-field distributions in the vicinities of the pores are computed for the extended model and compared with the impurity-free fields first calculated. Finally the permeability coefficients defined in terms of the extended model are shown to reconcile the results of attempts to measure permeability by means of radioactive tracer techniques, with the classical description of the resting nerve.

Notes: Abstract The partial differential equations describing transcapillary exchange and subsequent removal of solutis from an idealized liver sinusoid are amenable to solution by similarity analysis. The power and utility of this technique, which is not widely appreciated as a method for solving biological models, is illustrated here for a system whose Laplace transforms is difficult to invert.

Notes: Abstract The phenomenological theory for the chemotaxis and consumption of oxygen by motile aerobic bacteria is shown to yield a remarkably simple one-dimensional steady-state solution for a congregation of bacteria close to the surface of an oxygen-depleted aqueous medium.

Notes: Abstract In this paper biological compartmental models are considered which take into account the intrinsic randomness of the transport rate parameters and their possible variability in time. An identification procedure is presented for the estimation of the stochastic processes representing the transport rate parameters of a compartmental model from a noisy input-output experiment. The problem is formulated in terms of nonlinear filtering. A simple model is discussed for the case in which the transport rate parameters are independent of each other. The possibility of testing possible important features of the behavior of the transport rate parameters is also evidenced.

Notes: Abstract For any essentially nonlinear system of reaction-diffusion equations of the generic form ∂ci/∂t=Di∇2ci+Qi(c,x,t) supplemented with Robin type boundary conditions over the surface of a closed bounded three-dimensional region, it is demonstrated that all solutions for the concentration distributionn-tuple function c=(c 1(x,t),...,c n (x,t)) satisfy a differential variational condition. Approximate solutions to the reaction-diffusion intial-value boundary-value problem are obtainable by employing this variational condition in conjunction with a Galerkin-Ritz procedure. It is shown that the dynamical evolution from a prescribed initial concentrationn-tuple function to a final steady-state solution can be determined to desired accuracy by such an approximation method. The variational condition also admits a systematic Galerkin-Ritz procedure for obtaining approximate solutions to the multi-equation elliptic boundary-value problem for steady-state distributions c=−c(x). Other systems of phenomenological (non-Lagrangian) field equations can be treated by Galerkin-Ritz procedures based on analogues of the differential variational condition presented here. The method is applied to derive approximate nonconstant steady-state solutions for ann-species symbiosis model.

Notes: Abstract The results of an earlier effort to provide a geometrical analysis of Hutchinsonian niche space are extended. The concept of diversity of a species in niche space is introduced and the maximization of this diversity provides a rationale for a within-niche fitness distribution which is Gaussian. Niche expansion is seen as a consequence of diffusion in niche space, and an evolutionary version of the Volterra competition equations is proposed as a way to relate niche geometry with population dynamics. Applications to topics in community evolution, species packing and the statistical fitting of species abundance data are mentioned.

Notes: Abstract In this paper we use marginal probabilities to derive expressions for the means, variances and covariances ofm-compartment systems. We also present an efficient algorithm for the estimation of the parameters of the system using time series data when measurements are available fromk of them compartments. An application of the analysis and parameter estimation procedure for a model representing the results of a cancer treatment follow-up study is given.

Notes: Abstract The self-organizing properties of an ensemble of interconnected units are studied by linear stability analyses. Small perturbations of a uniform steady-state may result in bifurcations to other solutions that exhibit spatial or temporal order. We show that increasing the number of connections that a unit makes with its neighbors changes the nature of these solutions and tends to destroy spatiotemporal patterns. If an unconnected system is orginally stable, the formation of multiple interconnections can never induce temporal periodicity but may, under certain circumstances, allow the emergence of stationary spatial patterns. We have verified the predictions of the linear stability analysis on a model system and comment on the implications of these results for multicellular ensembles.

Notes: Abstract A performance criterion and weighting factors for the optimal cardiac assistance are investigated by applying Tellegen's network theorem and tolerance analysis on animal experimental data for left ventricular (LV) bypass on the failing heart. Two major factors with respect to cardiac assistance (total power delivered to the peripheral circulatory system, and changes in temporal pattern of ventricular contraction) are represented by two performance criteria,J 1 andJ 2 whereJ 1 relates to the sum of LV and pump power, andJ 2 relates to the “peakedness” factor of LV power. The total performance index (J) is determined as the weighted sum ofJ 1 andJ 2;J=w 1J1+w2J2. The weighting factors,w 1 andw 2, are computed as inverses of the tolerance in the performance contours with respect to improvement of stroke work per minute from pre- to post-bypass condition.

Notes: Abstract In treating the Volterra-Verhulst prey-predator system with time dependent coefficients, we ask how far this deterministic system represents or approximates the dynamics of the population evolving in a realistic environment which is stochastic in nature. We consider a stochastic system withsmall Gaussian noise type fluctuations. It is shown that the higher moments of the deviation of the deterministic system from the stochastic approach zero as the strength δ of the perturbation decays to zero. For any δ〉0 and allT〉0, ε〉0, the sample population paths that stay within ε distance from the deterministic path during [0,T] form a collection of positive probability. In comparing the stationary distributions of the two systems, we show that the weak limits of those of the stochastic system form a subset of those of the deterministic system. This is in analogy with a result of May connected with the stability of the two systems. Plant and rodent populations possess periodic parameters andexhibit periodic behaivor. We establish theoretically this periodicity under periodicity conditions on the coefficients and perturbing random forces. We also establish a central limit property for the prey-predator system.

Notes: Abstract Adaptation of repetitively firing sensory neurons and nerve models is correlated with specific inhibitory feedback phenomena—an electrogenic sodium pump, and post synaptic self inhibition. The quality of the adaptive responses depends on the excitation properties of the neuron in the interspike interval, or the description of these properties by the underlying impulse encoder model. THis model dependence is demonstrated by comparisons of the behavior of two classes of models; the “leaky integrator models” which assume a passive neural membrane, and the “variable-γ models”, for which the neural state of excitation varies according to first order differential equations. The complexity inherent in the variable-γ models is effectively boiled down to mathematically simple relationships which are derived from studies of the neural- and model frequency responses to small amplitude sinusoidal stimuli. It is argued, and supported with examples, that these relationships hold for impulse frequency transients resulting from more general stimulus conditions. Expressions are then derived which permit feedback parameters to be determined from impulse frequency data. In this connection, recent studies of neural dynamics are brought to bear to resolve ambiguities in data interpretation.

Notes: Abstract A setQ(n) of noncongruent connected shapes, constructed from a fixed numbern of congruent regular hexagons laid edge to edge, is defined. Various measures of shape are applied toQ(n) and the results are numerically analyzed in the special casesn≦9. The concept of spatial entropy is introduced which affords a measure of the “complexity” of shape. Possible biological applications include the analysis of ecological cover,stigmergy or the complex nest-building activities of social insects and morphogenesis. Essentially any comparative study of shape, regardless of the specific application, might be carried out along the lines suggested in the paper.

Notes: Abstract This paper uses optimal control theory in conjunction with a Gompertzian type model for cellular growth to determine the optimal method of administering cycle non-specific chemotherapy or more generally the optimal durations of treatment and rest periods during chemotherapy. The performance critera employed to determine the relative merits of the therapy include not only the destruction of malignant cells, but also the sparing of a critical normal tissue. Since these criteria are at odds with one another, the solutions are found which satisfy the Pareto optimality conditions.

Notes: Abstract Oscillations governed by generalized Volterra-Gause-Witt equations to include retardation effects in population dynamics are considered. Models containing either small or significant time delay are discussed. The Krylov-Bogoliubov-Mitropolskii perturbation method and its extension for differential equations with retarded argument is used.

Notes: Abstract A general solution to the dynamical equation for the probability distribution associated withn interacting species is obtained by employing the author's generic canonical expression for the rate functions. Interacting species models with limit-cycle dynamics and no stable equilibrium points feature probability distributions that are asymptotic for large values oft to Dirac δ-distributions concentrated on the limit-cycles, as illustrated here for an analytically solvable two-species model. For ann-species Volterra model, a stationary or temporally-averaged probability distribution should generally be much more complicated than the specialized Poisson form studied by Kerner and others.

Notes: Abstract A set of coupled nonlinear differential equations, determining the concentration profiles and electric potentials valid for isothermal transport of ions and molecules across a diffusion barrier are formulated, using a correction to the limiting expression for chemical potential gradients and the molecular expression for frictional force. These differential equations are similar to Nernst-Planck equations and reduce to these under appropriate approximations. Solutions of these equations valid under specified conditions are presented. Expressions for permeability, concentration profiles of many ion systems are included.

Notes: Abstract The global flow equations of nonequilibrium thermodynamics for a single nonelectrolyte solute and water passing through a membrane are obtained by solving the local equations of motion. The method follows that developed for the general,n-solute case in the previous paper (Mikulecky, 1978). It is easily seen in this simple case that the passage from local interactions, formulated as position dependent frictional interactions in the equations of motion, to ghe global result involves a loss of any simple way of identifying particulars about local information. Two particular cases are analyzed in further detail: the case of no interaction within the pore and the case of constant interaction for both solute and solvent across the pore. In the former case, Onsager reciprocity survives in the global result if a self-consistent definition of the partial viscosity coefficients is used, while in the latter case, reciprocity is lost. Since, in many biologically interesting cases, the presence of interaction of the type considered here is likely to occur, the reciprocity condition should not automatically be assumed to hold.

Notes: Abstract This study is related to a model describing the behavior of barium-treatedAplysia neurons generating regular burst-plateau patterns. The model is represented by an autonomous dynamical system, defined inR 4 and depending on a small parameter. This paper is restricted to the qualitative study of three “reduced systems” deduced from the “complete system”. Part of the study is performed with the use of the qualitative theory of singular perturbations. The predicted behaviors are compared with experimental results.

Notes: Abstract Using linear stability analysis, the qualitative stability properties of open nonlinear chemical systems, in which reactions of any order may occur, will be studied. Systems will be classified in three fundamental classes: trees, cycles and loops, according to their knot graphs. The study of the Jacobian matrix for the kinetic equations of the system shows that the symmetrizability by a particular procedure (calledD-symmetrizability) is a sufficient condition for stability. It has been proved that tree-graphs always satisfy the above condition. For the cycle-graphs, theD-symmetrizability condition leads to a cyclic relation between forward and reverse steady state flows. The stability may be assured, even if the cyclic relation is not satisfied, providing that the “symmetry breaking” be lower than an upper bound; further alternative criteria for stability of cycles have been derived. All these results are independent of the number of diffusive exchanges with the environment.

Notes: Abstract The basis of an analytical description of the behaviour of large random nets of binary elements of the type first investigated in detail by S. A. Kauffman is presented. It is shown that information about the network dynamics can be deduced from quite general considerations of the properties of the state transition graph and matrix. An expression for the matrix elements of the state transition matrix in terms of the Boolean function specification of the net is derived. Using these ideas the distribution of limit cycle lengthsl for a completely random net is calculated and shown to bex 1/l, a result which agrees well with experimental data.

Notes: Abstract The state-transition matrix description of Kauffman binary networks described in the previous paper is further developed to obtain an analytical expression for the fraction of states involved in limit cycles as a function of the network size and connectivity. The result obtained for totally connected networks agrees with that derived from quite different considerations by other workers. For low connectivity networks the results are in qualitative agreement with the experimental data of Kauffman but there is a quantitative discrepancy which remains to be resolved.

Notes: Abstract Persistence-extinction in simple food chains modelled by Lotka-Volterra dynamics is governed by a single parameter which depends upon the interspecific interaction coefficients, the intraspecific interaction coefficients, and the length of the food chain. In persistent systems with nonzero carrying capacity, two new features predominate. Trophic level influence factors relate persistence on different trophic levels and determine, in conjunction with the persistence parameter, the magnitude of persistence. Equilibrium component ordering, which results in persistent systems, mandates once again that systems need to be studied on the complete ecosystem level; static field measurements reflect species location in the food chain, the total length of the food chain and assume characteristics according to these factors.

Notes: Abstract The study of systems exhibiting a band-pass function is completed for systems whose parameters are time-dependent. In the case of periodic parametric excitations, it is demonstrated that some systems can get into “resonance” for a particular frequency. By studying this problem, a new and probably fruitful approach of some rhythmic behaviours can be made.

Notes: Abstract Analytical techniques are developed which permit objective control of asiist device driving systems. In addition to being objective, the techniques described in this paper are optimal in the sense of minimizing a performance index which consists of a term involving left ventricular power and a term involving deviations of aorta hemodynamic parameters from normal values. Comparisons are included of off-line computations and measurements on dogs with experimentally induced myocardial infarctions undergoing intraaortic balloon pumping.

Notes: Abstract A mathematical model simulating a cell growing in a culture medium is obtained. Using this model, various behavioral patterns of the cell are obtained under different types of disturbances, in particular when (i) a Mg2+ deficiency experiment and, (ii) a split-dose ionizing radiation experiment are carried out, (iii) when disturbances on the rate constants of the biochemical reactions taking place in the nucleus of the cell are applied, and (iv) when the cell's interior components are perturbed. The cell model results obtained agree well with experimental results for the Mg2+ and split dose experiments, and explain the mechanism of the split dose radiation experiment without the need to introduce additional axioms (e.g. healing processes) into the dynamics of the cell. Conditions are obtained which cause the cell to behave in a rapidly growing ‘tumor-like’ mode; it is shown that once the cell moves into this ‘tumor-like’ mode, its behavior is irreversible, i.e. if a disturbance of opposite type is then applied to the ‘tumor’ cell, the cell will not revert back to its original normal behavior.

Notes: Abstract Solution of the equation that describes simulatenous liquid flow and diffusion in a spherical model of the vitreous body of the eye shows that a small dissolved specie can move both anteriorly and posteriorly from a source behind the lens even though there is a slow liquid movement almost entirely in the posterior direction. This results explains why tracer studies using large particles (dyes or colloids) show only a posterior flow, whereas studies using sodium ion show anterior movement as well.

Notes: Abstract The equations relating hybridized RNA to free RNA, in the case of simple hybridization, or to ratio of labelled and unlabelled RNA in competitive hybridization, are derived. Analysis of the equations shows how hybridization data may be used to infer properties of the distribution of components in an RNA mixture, or the relation between two distributions in competitive hybridization. A critical examination of the assumptions underlying the equations indicates that some of then may be violated in certain cases, or have no current support, evidential or theoretical. The consequences of such qualifications for the interpretation of hybridization data are indicated.

Notes: Abstract A method, based on symmetry, is suggested for determining the information content of systems. A comparison has been made between the information for symmetry, topology, and chemical composition. The new information measure increases when the asymmetry of the molecules and the number of atoms in the latter increases. It can distinguish between different molecular conformations, and give a linear correlation with the absolute entropy for homologous series of chemical compounds.

Notes: Abstract The micromorphic theory of Eringen is applied to study the tube flow of blood. The blood is considered to be a deformable suspension, with constitutive relations of the form of those of simple microfluids. By means of energy consideration, a relation is established between the local concentration parameter and the measure of rotationality involving both macro-and micromotions. The tube flow problem is then solved with some analyses on viscosity coefficients and boundary conditions. The results obtained indicate an integrated explanation of various important physical phenomena associated with blood flow, such as the tube size dependence of the apparent viscosity and the non-uniform concentration distribution over a tube cross section.

Notes: Abstract By observing that the n-tuple of rate functionsQ(c) is orthogonal to the c-space gradients of each of the (n - 1) constants of the motion Φ v (c), a generic canonical expression for the rate functions is given in terms of the exterior product of the gradients of the (n - 1) Φ v 's. For models withQ so prescribed from the outset, an analytical general solution is obtainable directly for the system of autonomous ordinary differential equations dc/dt =Q(c). Thus, the generic canonical expression for the rate functions can be utilized to construct analytically solvable models for interacting biological species, as ilIus~rated by examples here.

Notes: Abstract The steady state spatial patterns arising in nonlinear reaction-diffusion systems beyond an instability point of the thermodynamic branch are studied on a simple model network. A detailed comparison between the analytical solutions of the kinetic equations, obtained by bifurcation theory, and the results of computer simulations is presented for different boundary conditions. The characteristics of the dissipative structures are discussed and it is shown that the observed behavior depends strongly on both the boundary and initial conditions. The theoretical expressions are limited to the neighborhood of the marginal stability point. Computer simulations allow not only the verification of their predictions but also the investigation of the behavior of the system for larger deviations from the instability point. It is shown that new features such as multiplicity of solutions and secondary bifurcations can appear in this region.

Notes: Abstract A model for the extraocular plant of the human visual eye tracking mechanisms is discussed. Its sensitivity to variation of controller signal nervous activity is studied in order to determine the type of activity that yields realistic simulations characteristic of typical saccadic eye movements.

Notes: Abstract Mathematical models of predator-prey systems in which the prey species has a three-stage life cycle are studied. Certain stages of the prey life history are allowed to use younger stages as food. It is shown that sufficiently restricted cannibalism can result in an increase in the numbers of adult prey on a sustained basis when cannibalism decreases the vulnerability of a stage subject to predation or increases overall productivity.

Notes: Abstract A general analysis is presented for the thermal behavior of a biological tissue. Energy transport by the circulatory system is assumed to be represented by a modified Fick's law. General boundary conditions are assumed for the two-dimensional model and solutions are obtained for rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical geometries. The effects of blood perfusion rate, metabolic rate, arterial temperature and heat exchange with the environment are considered. Results indicate a region of almost constant temperature in the deeper layers of the tissue and reaffirm the important role which blood flow plays in maintaining homeostasis.

Notes: Abstract The oscillatory aspect in a system having two steady states is studied theoretically using a model of excitable nerve membrane. The condition for the occurrence of oscillatory instability is discussed on the basis of the kinetic picture of nerve excitation in consideration of the non-Markoffian effect caused by ion transport in the system. Small oscillations around a steady state as well as a giant fluctuation between two states are obtained. Results are compared with experiments carried out with squid giant axons perfused intracellularly.

Notes: Abstract An expression for the variance in birth volumes during balanced growth of a cell population is derived. The requirement of this expression being positive and finite allows a discussion of some of the requirements imposed on the mechanisms of growth and division.

Notes: Abstract The phenomenon of axonal transport of material has been well documented (Ochs, 1971; Lasek, 1970; and Grafstein, 1967). This report seeks to establish the role of diffusion—if any—in such a transport process. We report that diffusion cannot account for the observed build-up of material as reported in the literature.

Notes: Abstract The question of how to fit a general cubic model of a multicomponent, interactive growth system to observed data is addressed. A multidimensional-polynomial type of regression analysis is used, with a least-squares criterion. By testing the scheme on a problem with known solution, the way in which the accuracy of the results varies with the number of datum points used is investigated in an heuristic manner.

Notes: Abstract The describing function method is used as a guide to the behaviour of the solutions of the equations of Danziger and Elmergreen, proposed as a model of periodic catatonia. The method suggests that whenever the equilibrium point is unstable it is surrounded by a stable closed periodic orbit. This is confirmed in specific cases by computation.

Notes: Abstract A theory of ambiguous pattern perception is formulated. This theory proposes a feature selector (field of attention) based on the time-sequential discrete property of the attention, a short-term memory for storage of the selected features, and a displayer (perception) to display the consecutively stored features. Since the selected features continuously enter, and since the features can only be stored in the short-term memory for a short period, the features which can be displayed in the displayer vary with time. When all the essential features belonging to one pattern happen to be in the displayer, the picture is perceived to be that pattern; when all the essential features belonging to another pattern happen to be in the displayer, then the picture is perceived to be the other pattern. Thus the picture appears to vary with time and alternate between two patterns. A numerical calculation is presented.

Notes: Abstract The thermodynamics of irreversible processes is derived from the principles of dynamical field theory independently of all elements of thermostatics, in particular the assumption of local equilibrium. Field thermodynamics proceeds from the premise that all driving forces experienced by the molecules in a continuum are conservative and arise from scalar potential functions. Dynamically the temperature potentialT is no different from the pressure potentialp. A field is converted to a force upon multiplication by a scale factor. A potential is converted to potential energy by the same scale factor. To scale the field −∇p to the force per mole of molecular speciesk, the partial molar, volume $$\bar V_k $$ is the scale factor. Similarly the partial molar entropy, $$\bar S_k $$ , scales the temperature field. The transition from the scale factors (which are physical parameters) to the systemic variables, for example $$\bar S_k \to s\left( {x,y,z;t} \right)$$ , is not trivial. From the dynamics and the structure of the derived potential energy function are inducted the conjugate variables such as (p, V I) and (T, s). The meta-mechanical properties of the thermal variables (T, s) are discovered via the local First Law of Thermodynamics, which relates internal energy, thermal flux, and work, and from the local Second Law, which prescribes, the possible partitions of internal energy between kinetic, potential, and thermal energies. From the form of the potential energy come Maxwell's relationships. From the energy partition comes the equation of continuity for entropy, with its important source term. In contrast to earlier theories of irreversible thermodynamics, the dissipation function does not include the stress tensor, a constitutive parameter.

Notes: Abstract The transfer of solute through a membrane separating two aqueous solutions is studied with the time-dependent diffusion equation for composite media. By introducing new independent and dependent variables it is shown that the differential equations and boundary conditions can be transformed into a dimensionless form which does not explicitly depend on the diffusivities of the media. Laplace transforms are used to derive explicit solutions for the solute concentration as a function of position and time. It is shown that at large time the concentration approaches the equilibrium distribution exponentially. Explicit results are given for the decay time as a function of the parameters of the system. In addition, an accurate and simplified expression is derived for the decay time for the case of small membrane permeability. The accuracy of the analytic solutions for the concentration profiles is tested by comparing them with numerical results obtained by solving the diffusion equations by the method of finite differences. Excellent agreement is found.

Notes: Abstract Physiological systems are often modelled by a set of compartments. Alternatively they can be described by the diffusion-convection-reaction equations governing distributed systems. The problem considered here is that of identifying a continuously changing input of some metabolite )tracee), endogenous to the system and hence inaccessible, when a nonlinear or time-varying component is also introduced into the loss parameter, as for example through feedback mechanisms. A tracer is used to determine the steady-state impulse response under time-invariant, linear conditions. A known input of tracer is also administered when the system is driven out of steady state. The integral equations developed utilize the predetermined impulse response, the measured concentrations of both tracer and tracee (output) in some region of the system to estimate the changing loss parameter and the unknown input in a continuous fashion.

Notes: Abstract The equilibrium distribution for a generalQth-order multivariate reaction system is studied. The state transition intensity matrix is developed and examples are given for small numbers of reaction components. A closed-form expression for the equilibrium distribution for systems which are symmetric with respect to the order of component reactions is presented. Numerical examples for three component systems are discussed.

Notes: Abstract The model recently proposed by Dreitlein and Smoes for oscillatory kinetic systems is studied. Diffusion of the oscillating species is taken into account, and bounds on the total number of individuals of each species are determined for both two- and three-dimensional finite regions with various boundary conditons applied. It is found that in general the effect of diffusion on the system behavior is to reduce the maximum possible radius of limit cycles. In particular, in some cases global limit cycle behavior is precluded.

Notes: Abstract The Kedem-Katchalsky equations for fluid flux across membranes may not be adequate for large solvent flows. In particular, for an example of two membranes in series, it is argued that they would predict physically unreasonable behavior. An alternate equation for solute flow is proposed for a simple sieving membrane. For the same example, this equation predicts more physically reasonable results.

Notes: Abstract The geometrical nature of the Elementary catastrophes (Thom, 1969) is reviewed. Histories of the movement of catastrophe manifolds and bifurcation sets are presented for some of the space-equivalent unfoldings described by Wassermann (1975). These unfoldings provide descriptions of the variation with time of the stability of stationary states of associated potential energy functions. Identification of these stationary energy states with stationary states of a system therefore provides a description of its behavior with time. Qualitative descriptions of this type are particularly useful when the complexity of a system prevents a detailed quantitative description. Histories of bifurcation set movements suggest different types of system behavior at different space-like coordinates. This type of theory may be a useful model for the processes leading to differentiation of cells and to emergence of adult forms of a biological organism.

Notes: Abstract Three conjectures are given which predict the existence of unique stable limit cycle oscillations in a class of piecewise linear (PL) differential equations. The equations are appropriate to model biological or other complex systems in which there are switchlike interactions between the elements of the network. Methods are presented which can be used to develop mathematical models which are conjectured to display stable limit cycle oscillations, from qualitative experimental information about relative phases of activity in the dynamical systems. Several illustrative numerical examples are given, and one experimental example from neurobiology is discussed.

Notes: Abstract The formulation and results of the Kalman State Regulator Problem are applied to a mathematical model of the arterial system of a dog to obtain an optimal control for blood pressure. The criterion for optimality is minimum energy per cycle.

Notes: Abstract A mathematical model is developed in state variable form suitable for the study of the control of blood pressure and flow in the mammalian cardiovascular system. The applicability of the model to steady state, both mean and pulsatile, and transient phenomena is demonstrated by the agreement of the results with experimental data. This model was developed to study the neural and renal-endocrine-electrolyte control of cardiovascular functions.

Notes: Abstract As a contribution to the discussion of oscillatory models for interacting species it is shown that two-species Volterra models can never have limit cycles, and a complete enumeration is given of conditions which the parameters of these models must satisfy in order that a part of the phase space be filled with a family of closed curves; sketches of phase portraits are also given. These results complement and correct older results by Bautin and by Coppel on quadratic differential systems. The paper opens with a brief discussion of some more practical aspects of the ecological application of oscillatory models.

Notes: Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present a method for the determination of a solution for a coupled system of first order initial boundary-value problems arising from some biological systems. The physical problem is to determine the suspended and the superficial molecular concentrations of a traced substance passing through an organ containing a tangle of vessels, such as the kidney-ureter system. The approach to the problem is by successive approximation which leads to a recursion formula for the determination of the solution as well as error estimates for the approximations. The recursion formula involves only direct integration which indicates a promising possibility in obtaining numerical results by using a computer. In addition to the determination of a solution, some qualitative analysis of the solution is given. This includes the existence of a unique solution, the continuous dependency of the solution on the data, and the stability problem of a steady-state solution.

Notes: Abstract Previous work (Macey, 1952) in the application of the one-factor theory to the heart is extended. The rate of production of the excitatory state is assumed to be linear. Two possible mechanisms are indicated whereby such a situation might arise. Assumptions are made regarding the mode of action of the chemical mediators on the heart, and an equation is derived relating the heart rate to the frequency of nerve impulses traveling along the cardiac nerves. This result compares favorably with the experimental findings of A. Rosenblueth and F. A. Simeone (1934). Other experimental results are interpreted in terms of the theory.