Marcus V. Mesquita

Informational–statistical thermodynamics of a complex system

We apply a statistical–thermodynamic approach to the study of a particular physical system (two sets of nonlinearly coupled oscillators), driven far away from equilibrium. Such a system displays a kind of complex behavior consisting in the so-called Frohlich effect leading in steady-state conditions to a nonequilibrium phase condensation resembling the Bose–Einstein condensation of systems in equilibrium. A kind of “two-fluid model” arises: the “normal nonequilibrium phase” and Frohlich condensate or “nonequilibrium superphase,” which is shown to be an attractor of the system. We work out some aspects of the irreversible thermodynamics of this dissipative complex system. Particular nonlinear properties are discussed and Lyapunov exponents determined. This kind of system gives a good modeling of polar vibration modes in polymers and biopolymers.

Complexity in biological systems

We describe some aspects of complex behaviour that can be present in biopolymers. The study is based on a nonlinear thermodynamics of non-equilibrium, dissipative systems. Such complexity consists of a Frohlich- Bose- Einstein-like condensation and propagation of Schrodinger- Davydov soliton-wave-like excitations, which are of relevance in Bioenergetics. The question of the soliton lifetime under physiological conditions is discussed, and comparison made with experiments performed in the case of an organic molecular polymer. Further complex behaviour apparently present in ultrasonic medical imaging, dubbed the Frohlich- Cherenkov effect, is briefly discussed.

Considerations of Fröhlich's Bose-Einstein-like condensation

Abstract The so-called Frohlich effect — consisting of a conjectured coherent behavior of boson-like excitations in biological and molecular polymers — is fully derived and analyzed in terms of a thermo-mechanical theory. This is the so-called informational statistical thermodynamics, based on a generalization of Gibbs statistical theory to systems far from equilibrium. Moreover, it is shown that when double (or multiple) processes of excitation of the boson system are possible there follows a positive-feedback phenomenon that greatly favors and enhances the effect.

Complex behavior in biosystems: an information-theoretic approach☆

Abstract The particular question of transport of vibrational energy in biosystems is considered within the scope of Frohlich–Davydovs model. It is shown that Davydovs solitary waves, strongly damped in near equilibrium conditions, can display long-range propagation when travelling in Frohlichs condensate. The latter consists in the emergence of a self-organized dissipative structure (in Prigogines sense), resembling a nonequilibrium Bose–Einstein-like condensation in the low-lying in frequency modes of vibration, once a critical level of pumping of metabolic energy is achieved.

An information‐theoretic‐based (MaxEnt) approach to social dynamical systems

Jeffreys‐Jaynes’ Predictive Statistics appears to provide a promising approach for the study of general dynamical systems. We describe an application of such theory to the analysis of the dynamics of interacting social groups. For that purpose the said statistical theory is redirected towards the construction of an equivalent stochastic theory. The working of the formalism is illustrated by applying it to a simplified case of opinion forming in a two‐candidates election.