No label defined (Q4247740)

The title is misleading. The authors are mainly concerned with the modelling of biological systems in which `signal' and `transfer' delays occur naturally. The objective of the chosen approach is to devise a mathematical model, consisting of linear ODEs with constant coefficients in which delays have been ``cleverly'' eliminated. -- The preliminary ``physical'' step is an interlinked compartmentalization, and the main step, the replacement of the ODE-system with delays by an `equivalent' one of higher-order without delays. The latter is easy to `study' by means of standard computer methods. It is, however, very debatable whether this ``doctinal'' approach permits a more profound understanding of biological processes. Moreover, the replacement of an ODE-system with delays by one of a higher (finite) order without delays is not mathematically justified. Physically this approach has no provision for phenomena such as: dependence of the effect of a drug on the time of its administration, non-instantaneous adverse drug reactions, aftereffects of physical and mental traumas, incubation time of infections, and so on. For the entire collection see [Zbl 0901.00038].