title: Persistence and failure of mean-field approximations adapted to a class of systems of delay-coupled excitable units.
abstract: We consider the approximations behind the typical mean-field model derived for a class of systems made up of type II excitable units influenced by noise and coupling delays. The formulation of the two approximations, referred to as the Gaussian and the quasi-independence approximation, as well as the fashion in which their validity is verified, are adapted to reflect the essential properties of the underlying system. It is demonstrated that the failure of the mean-field model associated with the breakdown of the quasi-independence approximation can be predicted by the noise-induced bistability in the dynamics of the mean-field system. As for the Gaussian approximation, its violation is related to the increase of noise intensity, but the actual condition for failure can be cast in qualitative, rather than quantitative terms. We also discuss how the fulfillment of the mean-field approximations affects the statistics of the first return times for the local and global variables, further exploring the link between the fulfillment of the quasi-independence approximation and certain forms of synchronization between the individual units.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Physics, University of Belgrade, P. O. Box 44, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Franović
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Mathematics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade, Vojvode Stepe 450, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Todorović
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Mathematics, Faculty of Mining and Geology, University of Belgrade, P. O. Box 162, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Nebojša
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vasović
authors.affiliation: Scientific Computing Laboratory, Institute of Physics, University of Beograd, P. O. Box 68, 11080 Beograd-Zemun, Serbia.
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Burić
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005246:Feedback; D015233:Models, Statistical; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D009991:Oscillometry / Q000379:methods*