Multistability with a Metastable Mixed State

TY - JOUR

T1 - Multistability with a Metastable Mixed State

AU - Sneppen, Kim

AU - Mitarai, Namiko

PY - 2012/9/5

Y1 - 2012/9/5

N2 - Complex dynamical systems often show multiple metastable states. In macroevolution, such behavior is suggested by punctuated equilibrium and discrete geological epochs. In molecular biology, bistability is found in epigenetics and in the many mutually exclusive states that a human cell can take. Sociopolitical systems can be single-party regimes or a pluralism of balancing political fractions. To introduce multistability, we suggest a model system of D mutually exclusive microstates that battle for dominance in a large system. Assuming one common intermediate state, we obtain D+1 metastable macrostates for the system, one of which is a self-reinforced mixture of all D+1 microstates. Robustness of this metastable mixed state increases with diversity D.

AB - Complex dynamical systems often show multiple metastable states. In macroevolution, such behavior is suggested by punctuated equilibrium and discrete geological epochs. In molecular biology, bistability is found in epigenetics and in the many mutually exclusive states that a human cell can take. Sociopolitical systems can be single-party regimes or a pluralism of balancing political fractions. To introduce multistability, we suggest a model system of D mutually exclusive microstates that battle for dominance in a large system. Assuming one common intermediate state, we obtain D+1 metastable macrostates for the system, one of which is a self-reinforced mixture of all D+1 microstates. Robustness of this metastable mixed state increases with diversity D.

U2 - 10.1103/physrevlett.109.100602

DO - 10.1103/physrevlett.109.100602

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 23005273

SN - 0031-9007

VL - 109

SP - 100602

JO - Physical Review Letters

JF - Physical Review Letters

IS - 10

ER -