- V. Paar (Univ. Zagreb) - Link between truncated fractals
and coupled oscillators in biological systems
- Accession Number
- 471FT-0004
- Document Delivery
- 471FT: Document Delivery available
- Authors
- Paar
V. Pavin
N. Rosandic
M.
- Author e-mail Address
- paar@hazu.hr
- Title
- Link between truncated fractals and coupled oscillators in biological
systems
- Source
- Journal of Theoretical Biology. 212(1):47-56, 2001 Sep 7.
- Abbreviated Source
- J. Theor. Biol. 212(1):47-56, 2001 Sep 7.
- Copyright Publisher
- ACADEMIC PRESS LTD, 24-28 OVAL RD, LONDON NW1 7DX, ENGLAND. URL: http://www.apnet.com
- ISSN
- 0022-5193
- KeyWords Plus
- Basin
boundaries. Biochemical
oscillators. Neural
oscillators. Heartbeat
dynamics. Circadian-rhythms.
Arnold
tongues. Model.
Geometry.
Chaos.
Mechanisms.
- Abstract
- This article aims at providing a new theoretical insight into the
fundamental question of the origin of truncated fractals in biological
systems. It is well known that fractal geometry is one of the
characteristics of living organisms. However, contrary to mathematical
fractals which are self-similar at all scales, the biological fractals are
truncated, i.e. their self-similarity extends at most over a few orders of
magnitude of separation. We show that nonlinear coupled oscillators,
modeling one of the basic features of biological systems, may generate
truncated fractals: a truncated fractal pattern for basin boundaries appears
in a simple mathematical model of two coupled nonlinear oscillators with
weak dissipation. This fractal pattern can be considered as a particular
hidden fractal property. At the level of sufficiently fine precision
technique the truncated fractality acts as a simple structure, leading to
predictability, but at a lower level of precision it is effectively fractal,
limiting the predictability of the long-term behavior of biological systems.
We point out to the generic nature of our result. (C) 2001 Academic Press. [References:
67]
- Language
- English
- Publication Type
- Article
- Subset
- Current Contents(R)/Life Sciences.
- CC Categories
- Multidisciplinary in Current Contents(R)/Life Sciences.
- Entry Week
- 2001 week 41
- Reprint Address
- Reprint available from: Paar V. Univ Zagreb, Fac Sci, Zagreb 10000,
Croatia, .
- Institution
- Reprint available from:
Paar V
Univ Zagreb, Fac Sci
Zagreb 10000
Croatia
Univ Zagreb, Fac Sci
Zagreb 10000
Croatia
Univ Zagreb, Univ Hosp Rebro
Zagreb 10000
Croatia