Thermodynamic principles of the behavior of biological systems.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
SEARCH · Search PubMed
Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.
Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The follow-the-leader (FTL) gait is an effective walking algorithm for a legged system to traverse a rough terrain. In an FTL gait, all the legs simply place at the footprints made by the legs ahead of them. By this way the demand on foothold selection is significantly reduced. A special category of FTL gaits, called continuous FTL gaits, provide a smooth body motion during walking and enable the legged system to reach a higher speed. In this paper, a comprehensive study of continuous FTL gaits is presented. The equations for two types of continuous FTL gaits are formulated. The stability of these continuous FTL gaits is studied analytically and verified numerically. Strategies of forbidden area avoidance and special methods of large foot adjustment are introduced. The motion resulting from the use of these strategies and methods is simulated and checked using computer graphics.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
The purpose of this overview is to provide a background for understanding the relation between the biological maturation of the frontal lobes and the development of the psychological concept of executive functions. In the first section, an interactive hierarchical feedback model is presented as a heuristic way of conceptualizing the relationship of the frontal lobes and executive functions to other brain regions and abilities. The following two sections present a synopsis of research on biological maturation and the psychological development of executive functions.
A biocybernetic system has been developed as a method to evaluate automated flight deck concepts for compatibility with human capabilities. A biocybernetic loop is formed by adjusting the mode of operation of a task set (e.g., manual/automated mix) based on electroencephalographic (EEG) signals reflecting an operator's engagement in the task set. A critical issue for the loop operation is the selection of features of the EEG to provide an index of engagement upon which to base decisions to adjust task mode. Subjects were run in the closed-loop feedback configuration under four candidate and three experimental control definitions of an engagement index. The temporal patterning of system mode switching was observed for both positive and negative feedback of the index. The indices were judged on the basis of their relative strength in exhibiting expected feedback control system phenomena (stable operation under negative feedback and unstable operation under positive feedback). Of the candidate indices evaluated in this study, an index constructed according to the formula, beta power/(alpha power + theta power), reflected task engagement best.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Recent experimental work suggests that chemical messengers associated with the neuron membrane serve as a link between macroscopic and microscopic information processes in the brain. Arguments based on the physical limits of computing, on computational parallelism, and on evolution theory suggest that microphysical computing processes enormously enhance the brain's computing power. A number of models are briefly sketched which illustrate how molecular switching processes could be recruited for useful biological functions. The flow of information between microscopic and macroscopic forms is suggestive of processes which occur in a measuring apparatus, and the implications of this analogy are considered.
We use the May-Wigner Stability Theorem (Geman (1984) preprint, Brown University; Hastings (1984) preprint, Hofstra University), to study the Lyapunov and structural stability of "real" large systems. Here are our new main results. For large systems which satisfy certain natural scaling relations (Harrison, Am. Natur., 113 (1979) 659; May (1979) Blackwell Scientific, Oxford), Lyapunov stability tends to increase with increasing complexity. However, at least one aspect of structural stability decreases: both competitive and cooperative effects can rapidly destabilize such a system. Finally, we observe that random matrices which satisfy the hypotheses and stability criterion of the May-Wigner theorem are asymptotically of the form 'rotation followed by multiplication by lambda,lambda less than 1'. This allows an easy analysis of the effects of noise in these systems. We conclude by briefly discussing applications to analysis of stability of systems such as the world economy, power networks, and the immune system.
Biological systems have evolved hierarchical, distributed control structures that greatly enhance their adaptability. Two important determinants of biological adaptability considered here are: (i) the pattern of distribution of self-control capabilities; (ii) the degree of programmability of information processing. In this paper we model organizations as goal-oriented, adaptive systems, possessing properties similar to those of biological systems. We use the notion of implicit control (defined as the capability of self-control that is embedded in a system's own dynamics) in the analysis of the impact of specific patterns of distribution of control and information processing on the adaptability of organizations. A principle of design of organizational information systems, that captures important aspects of adaptability-preserving strategies of information processing in biological systems, is stated in terms of the implicit control concept.
Corresponding to the concept of 'Think globally, act locally and plan regionally' of sustainable development, this paper discusses the approach of planning a sustainable community in terms of systems thinking. We apply a systems tool, the sensitivity model (SM), to build a model of the development of the community of Ping-Ding, located adjacent to the Yang-Ming-Shan National Park, Taiwan. The major issue in the development of Ping-Ding is the conflict between environmental conservation and the development of a local tourism industry. With the involvement of local residents, planners, and interest groups, a system model of 26 variables was defined to identify characteristics of Ping-Ding through pattern recognition. Two scenarios concerning the sustainable development of Ping-Ding are simulated with interlinked feedbacks from variables. The results of the analysis indicate that the development of Ping-Ding would be better served by the planning of agriculture and the tourism industry. The advantages and shortfalls of applying SM in the current planning environment of Taiwan are also discussed to conclude this paper.
A working model of direct computer-organism interaction is described. The model is based on the understanding of the ways/modes, by which information is transmitted in the living organism. Information is transmitted in an organism by different ways. Communication between (among) the streams of different modes of information is provided by particular natural mechanisms--transformers and interconnectors. The model suggests that the functions of the cells, organs and systems of an organism can be monitored, controlled and governed directly by means of nano-computers. The application of a computer enables one to provide early diagnostics and successful treatment using specifically designed computer programs instead of, or in conjunction with, medications or surgery. The computer-organism interaction is being achieved through an effective engagement and interaction of the streams of computer generated information with the streams of information naturally transmitted in the organism.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
A sliding filament model for muscle contraction is extended by including an activation mechanism based on the hypothesis that the binding of calcium by a regulating protein in the myofibrils must occur before the rate constant governing the making of interactions between cross-bridges and thin filament sites can take on nonzero values. The magnitude of the rate constant is proportional to the amount of bound calcium. The model's isometric twitch and rise of force in an isometric tetanus are similar to the curves produced by real muscles. It redevelops force after a quick release in an isometric tetanus faster than the initial rise. Quick release experiments on the model during an isometric twitch show that the "active state" curve produced is different from the postulated calcium binding curve. The force developed by the model can be increased by a small quick stretch delivered soon after activation to values near the maximum generated in an isometric tetanus. Following the quick stretch, the force remains near the tetanic maximum for a long time even though the calcium binding curve rises to a peak and subsequently decays by about 50%. The model satisfies the constraint of shortening with a constant velocity under a constant load. Modifications can be made in the model so that it produces the delayed force changes following step length changes characteristic of insect fibrillar muscle.
Recent measurements have indicated that some of the cardiac cell electrical capacitance is in series with a resistance. The computations of currents in a voltage clamp presented below show that, in this case, there is a danger that capacitive transient currents recorded during voltage clamp experiments may be confused with currents arising through rapid active membrane conductance changes. Secondly, a voltage clamp technique aimed at avoiding capacitive transients, namely the linear or ramp clamp, has recently been introduced. An attempt has been made here to evaluate the usefulness of ramp clamps in studying membrane electrical properties, by computing ramp clamp results and considering the difficulties in reconstructing the original model from these results. It is concluded that such a reconstruction is not feasible.