Some elements for a history of the dynamical systems theory

Fluctuations in auxin levels depend upon synchronicity of cell divisions in a one-dimensional model of auxin transport

Auxin is a well-studied plant hormone, the spatial distribution of which remains incompletely understood. Here, we investigate the effects of cell growth and divisions on the dynamics of auxin patterning, using a combination of mathematical modelling and experimental observations. In contrast to most prior work, models are not designed or tuned with the aim to produce a specific auxin pattern. Instead, we use well-established techniques from dynamical systems theory to uncover and classify ranges of auxin patterns as exhaustively as possible as parameters are varied. Previous work using these techniques has shown how a multitude of stable auxin patterns may coexist, each attainable from a specific ensemble of initial conditions. When a key parameter spans a range of values, these steady patterns form a geometric curve with successive folds, often nicknamed a snaking diagram. As we introduce growth and cell division into a one-dimensional model of auxin distribution, we observe new behaviour which can be explained in terms of this diagram. Cell growth changes the shape of the snaking diagram, and this corresponds in turn to deformations in the patterns of auxin distribution. As divisions occur this can lead to abrupt creation or annihilation of auxin peaks. We term this phenomenon 'snake-jumping'. Under rhythmic cell divisions, we show how this can lead to stable oscillations of auxin. We also show that this requires a high level of synchronisation between cell divisions. Using 18 hour time-lapse imaging of the auxin reporter DII:Venus in roots of Arabidopsis thaliana, we show auxin fluctuates greatly, both in terms of amplitude and periodicity, consistent with the snake-jumping events observed with non-synchronised cell divisions. Periodic signals downstream of the auxin signalling pathway have previously been recorded in plant roots. The present work shows that auxin alone is unlikely to play the role of a pacemaker in this context.

Fractal dimension complexity of gravitation fractals in central place theory

Settlement centers of various types, including cities, produce basins of attraction whose shape can be regular or complexly irregular (from the point of view of geometry). This complexity depends in part on properties of the space surrounding a settlement. This paper demonstrates that by introducing a dynamic approach to space and by including an equation of motion and space resistance, a dramatic change in the stylized static CPT (Central Place Theory) image occurs. As a result of the interplay of gravitational forces, basins of attraction arise around cities, whose boundaries appear to be fractals. This study provides a wealth of spatial fractal complex images which may change the traditional understanding of CPT.

Optimal placement of sensor and actuator for controlling low-dimensional chaotic systems based on global modeling

Controlling chaos is fundamental in many applications, and for this reason, many techniques have been proposed to address this problem. Here, we propose a strategy based on an optimal placement of the sensor and actuator providing global observability of the state space and global controllability to any desired state. The first of these two conditions enables the derivation of a model of the system by using a global modeling technique. In turn, this permits the use of feedback linearization for designing the control law based on the equations of the obtained model and providing a zero-flat system. The procedure is applied to three case studies, including two piecewise linear circuits, namely, the Carroll circuit and the Chua circuit whose governing equations are approximated by a continuous global model. The sensitivity of the procedure to the time constant of the dynamics is also discussed.