We show that voltage-sensitive macromolecules can, by the application of the right type of external voltage fluctuation, be focused with great probability into a desired kinetic substate. As an illustration we consider an eight-state model of the Shaker $K^+$ channel driven by dichotomous...

This paper introduces a simple two-dimensional map exhibiting several generic properties reported in excitable systems. The elementary dynamic that is analogous to that of neural elements, is analyzed using phase-plane methods. Bifurcations from non-autonomous to autonomous, and from periodic to...

A number of recent attempts to understand broad priniples of energy transduction in biological systems have focused on correlation ratchets---systems which extract work out of fluctuations which are correlated in time.[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] Correlation ratchets are ``information engines'' analogous...

We explore a simplified class of models we call swarms, which are inspired by the collective behavior of social insects. We perform a mean-field stability analysis and numerical simulations of the model. Several interesting types of behavior emerge in the vicinity of a second-order phase...

A simple model of self-organized learning with no classical (Hebbian) reinforcement is presented. Synaptic connections involved in mistakes are depressed. The model operates at a highly adaptive, probably critical, state reached by extremal dynamics similar to that of recent evolution models....

Swarms of social insects construct trails and networks of regular traffic via a process of pheromone laying and following. These patters constitute what is known in brain science as a cognitive map. The main difference lies in the fact that the insects write their spatial memories in the...

A number of recent attempts to understand broad principles of energy transduction in biological systems have focused on correlation ratchets---systems which extract work out of fluctuations which are correlated in time. Correlation ratchets are "information engines" analogous to Maxwell's...

Two recently suggested mechanisms for the neuronal encoding of sensory information involving the effect of stochastic resonance with aperiodic time-varying inputs are considered. It is shown, using theoretical arguments and numerical simulations, that the non-monotonic behavior with increasing...