title: Conceptual tools for the integration of data.
abstract: We propose to start the analysis of complex systems by systematically identifying the feedback circuits that govern their dynamics. These circuits can be identified without any ambiguity by examining the Jacobian matrix of the system. They provide precious information regarding the number and nature of steady states. Logical descriptions use variables and functions that can take only a limited number of discrete values (in simple cases, only two, 0 or 1). We developed an asynchronous method with continuous time, generalized by using variables with more than two levels and logical parameters. Reverse logics is a synthetic, inductive method. It aims at proceeding rationally from the experimental facts towards models rather than from models to predictions.
authors.affiliation: Centre pour l'étude des phénomènes non linéaires et des systèmes complexes, université de Bruxelles, bd du Triomphe, B1050 Bruxelles, Belgique. rthomas@dbm.ulb.ac.be
authors.forename: René
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Marcelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaufman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006706:Homeostasis; D007700:Kinetics; D008128:Logic; D008954:Models, Biological