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H. Sabelli and L. Carlson-Sabelli. Bios, a Process Approach to Living System Theory. In Honor of James and Jessie Miller. Systems Research and Behavioral Science. 23, 1-14. 2005.

Abstract: Living systems provide a model for nature because the continuity of evolution requires that the same fundamental forms must be expressed at all levels of organization. Studying heartbeat patterns, we found a new type of process—bios. Bios has now been found in a wide variety of processes including biological, meteorological, economic time series and the evolution of galactic distribution, the paradigmatic case of creation. Bios is defined by three measurable properties—diversification, novelty and nonrandom complexity—that characterize it as creative, and differentiate it from random, periodic and chaotic series. Bios seemingly resembles noise but it is generated causally rather than stochastically. Bios can be generated mathematically by bipolar feedback, a newly described process that we conjecture is a generator of creative phenomena at all levels of organization. Varying the degree of diversity and symmetry generates different types of biotic series, including homeobios that models homeostatic cardiac series and parabios that resembles nonstationary economic processes. Computer experiments also show the role of energy, symmetry and diversity in the generation of bios. This suggests ways to foster creativity.

Sabelli, H. and L. Kovacevic 2006. Quantum Bios and Biotic Complexity in the Distribution of Galaxies. Complexity 11: 14-25, 2006. 

Abstract: Bios is a non-stationary chaotic pattern that resembles stochastic noise. New time series analyses identify features of creativity, namely episodic patterns, novelty, increasing variance, and nonrandom complexity. These properties characterize bios, and are absent in chaotic attractors. Biotic patterns are found in biological processes. Here we report the demonstration of bios in two fundamental physical processes. Time series generated with the Schrödinger’s equation display biotic features. Quantum bios is consistent with evidence for quantum chaos. The distribution of galaxies recorded in two recent surveys show a biotic pattern along the time-space axis. This is consistent with the demonstration of fractal features. Bipolar feedback recursions generate increasingly complex patterns (equilibrium, periods, chaos, bios), thus offering a model for the causal creation of complexity.

G. Thomas, H. Sabelli, L. Kovacevic, and L. Kauffman. Biotic patterns in the Schrödinger’s equation and the early universe. InterJournal Complex Systems, 1787, 2006

We regard the generation of complexity as a creative development. Just as the development of an individual organism is creative but originates in a set of determined structures (the genes), the evolution of the universe is creative development from a “cosmic gene”, rather than as the product of chance and selection. The generation of a series of increasingly complex patterns (steady state, periods, chaos and bios) by bipolar feedback A(t+1) = A(t) + k * t * sin(A(t))  (Kauffman and Sabelli, Cybernetics and Systems 1998) provides a model for creative development. Bios is a nonstationary expansive pattern generated by feedback and characterized by features of creativity (Sabelli, Bios, A Study of Creation, World Scientific, 2005). Bios differs from stochastic processes by demonstrable features of non-random causation. Bios differs from chaos in its creative properties: time-limited forms (complexes), increasing variance (diversification), less recurrence than random (novelty) and non random complexity. Sabelli and Kovacevic (Complexity, 2006) demonstrated that biotic processes appear in the Schrödinger equation (using a discrete approximation) and in the distribution of galaxies (recorded in two recent surveys) in the direction going back in time. We re-consider the Schrödinger equation using continuum solutions and show that the biotic behavior is not an artifact of the numerical discrete methods. We demonstrate that the equation generates bios at three different distance scales: atomic, nuclear and Planck (time and distance scale obtaining shortly after the big bang). This raises the possibility that biotic processes may account for expansive and creative phenomena in cosmological processes shortly after the beginning of the universe. 

Hector Sabelli and Lazar Kovacevic. Biotic Population Dynamics and the Theory of Evolution. InterJournal Complex Systems, 1793, 2006

We analyzed published data (Global Population Dynamics Database, NERC Centre for Population Biology) of six animal species and found in five (lynx, muskrat, beaver, salmon, fox) that changes in population size display a pattern characterized by novelty, diversification, non-random complexity, asymmetric statistical distribution, non-uniform recurrence and wavelet plots, and partial autocorrelation. These features characterize bios as contrasted to random, periodic, chaotic, or random walk patterns. Biotic patterns are generated mathematically with recursive models of bipolar feedback A(t+1) = A(t) + sin(A(t)* k * t) that generate periodicity and chaos at lower number of iterations. Biotic patterns have been found in heartbeat interval series, Schrodinger’s wave function, temporal distribution of galaxies, economic processes, meteorological time series, sequences of bases in DNA, and other data (Sabelli, Bios, A Study of Creation, World Scientific, 2005; see also Thomas et al, this meeting). Biotic patterns are also demonstrated in time series generated with multi-agent predator-prey simulations. The observation of biotic patterns in both empirical series and computer models suggests that population dynamics may be largely determined by bipolar feedback processes. We propose that biological evolution results from the generation of novelty and diversity by bipolar feedback resulting from both synergistic and antagonistic interactions, as contrasted to standard evolutionary theory that attributes novelty to random changes and selection to competition and conflict.   

G. Thomas, H. Sabelli. The Future Quantum Computer: Biotic Complexity. 

To be published in Complexity Science in Information Communication Technologies: Interaction Between Living Systems and Information Technologies. Edited by  F. Orsucci and N. Sala . Idea Group, Hershey. 

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Last Update February 22, 2009