Cellular Automata based Coupled Nephron Model for Pressure-Driven Oscillations

Coupled nephron model has been evaluated by many investigators using numerical analysis and bifurcation analysis. Cellular automata (CA) framework is a promising approach that captures the emergent behavior by allowing the system to evolve. We have developed and analysed a coupled nephron model using cellular automata framework for both rigid and compliance tubules. In this work, the modeling of coupled nephrons has been attempted through cellular automata for the first time. Ultradiscretization is used to convert the governing equations of the coupled nephron to the CA framework model. The CA rules developed for the coupled nephron model have exhibited in-phase and out-of-phase synchronizations. Regular, periodic and limit cycle oscillation have been observed in the coupled nephron model. Oscillations similar to shock waves have been observed in the CA model. It is known that the nephrons get damaged if the kidney is subjected to shock waves. The proposed CA model offers a rich framework for modeling kidneys and other physiological mechanisms.