Recursiveness, Switching, and Fluctuations in a Replicating Catalytic Network

A protocell model consisting of mutually catalyzing molecules is studied in order to investigate how chemical compositions are transferred recursively through cell divisions under replication errors. Depending on the path rate, the numbers of molecules and species, three phases are found: fast switching state without recursive production, recursive production, and itinerancy between the above two states. The number distributions of the molecules in the recursive states are shown to be log-normal except for those species that form a core hypercycle, and are explained with the help of a heuristic argument.Comment: 4 pages (with 7 figures (6 color)), submitted to PR

A complex systems approach to education in Switzerland

The insights gained from the study of complex systems in biological, social, and engineered systems enables us not only to observe and understand, but also to actively design systems which will be capable of successfully coping with complex and dynamically changing situations. The methods and mindset required for this approach have been applied to educational systems with their diverse levels of scale and complexity. Based on the general case made by Yaneer Bar-Yam, this paper applies the complex systems approach to the educational system in Switzerland. It confirms that the complex systems approach is valid. Indeed, many recommendations made for the general case have already been implemented in the Swiss education system. To address existing problems and difficulties, further steps are recommended. This paper contributes to the further establishment complex systems approach by shedding light on an area which concerns us all, which is a frequent topic of discussion and dispute among politicians and the public, where billions of dollars have been spent without achieving the desired results, and where it is difficult to directly derive consequences from actions taken. The analysis of the education system's different levels, their complexity and scale will clarify how such a dynamic system should be approached, and how it can be guided towards the desired performance

Task Allocation in Foraging Robot Swarms:The Role of Information Sharing

Autonomous task allocation is a desirable feature of robot swarms that collect and deliver items in scenarios where congestion, caused by accumulated items or robots, can temporarily interfere with swarm behaviour. In such settings, self-regulation of workforce can prevent unnecessary energy consumption. We explore two types of self-regulation: non-social, where robots become idle upon experiencing congestion, and social, where robots broadcast information about congestion to their team mates in order to socially inhibit foraging. We show that while both types of self-regulation can lead to improved energy efficiency and increase the amount of resource collected, the speed with which information about congestion flows through a swarm affects the scalability of these algorithms

RECURSIVENESS AND EVOLVABILITY IN A MUTUALLY CATALYTIC REACTION SYSTEM

We discuss how recursive production of a proto-cell consisting of a mutually catalytic reaction network is possible. It is shown that a minority molecule species plays an essential role in carrying heredity, in the sense that the molecule is preserved well and controls replication of the cell. The cell state controlled by such a minority molecule is shown to have evolvability. Successive switches over quasi-recursive states are found, caused by extinction of minority molecules. Experimental demonstration of the theory is also discussed.Minority control, hypercycle, origin of life

RECURSIVENESS AND EVOLVABILITY IN A MUTUALLY CATALYTIC REACTION SYSTEM

We discuss how recursive production of a proto-cell consisting of a mutually catalytic reaction network is possible. It is shown that a minority molecule species plays an essential role in carrying heredity, in the sense that the molecule is preserved well and controls replication of the cell. The cell state controlled by such a minority molecule is shown to have evolvability. Successive switches over quasi-recursive states are found, caused by extinction of minority molecules. Experimental demonstration of the theory is also discussed.Minority control, hypercycle, origin of life