ABSTRACTS
Cells Are Integrated Multiprocessing Analog Computing Devices—Part 1
Royal Truman, Amit Singh, and Peter Borger
A computational model of biological cells is presented, conceptualizing them as networks of thousands of coordinated analog computing programs, orchestrated by sensors responsive to environmental cues, particularly chemical concentration gradients. These cellular sensors function as dynamic biological variables, performing decision-making to modulate biochemical processes across a continuum of states. By interpreting cells as information-processing systems, this model elucidates their core behaviors, overcoming the formidable complexity of underlying physicochemical interactions.
Cells Are Integrated Multiprocessing Analog Computing Devices—Part 2
Royal Truman, Amit Singh, and Peter Borger
Cells comprise thousands of intricately designed analog computing units that execute complex biochemical processes. Precisely positioned sensors—implemented in DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, and other biomolecules—respond to continuous signal gradients and generate localized microenvironments that recruit, assemble, and regulate molecular machinery essential for cellular function. These sensor–signal interactions initiate stepwise processes that distinguish an immediate physical recognition goal from a downstream major functional goal, enabling fine-tuned control of rates, timing, and outcomes. Cross-communication among concurrently operating processes supports coordinated adaptation, repair, recycling of obsolete components, and system-wide reproduction while maintaining uninterrupted operation. Cellular logic is implemented through physical interactions, adaptor molecules, and dynamically assembled complexes that realize flexible ‘if–then’ relationships. Unlike conventional digital computers, cells do not separate software from hardware; instead, both are inseparably embodied in adaptive molecular structures whose sensitivities can be modified during execution. This analog computing paradigm provides robustness, scalability, and efficiency that differ fundamentally from digital computation and from purely chemical descriptions. Viewing cells as integrated multiprocessing analog computing devices offers a unifying framework for understanding cellular regulation, autonomy, and biological information processing.
Creationeering®:
A Systematic, Integrated Science-Engineering-Business Paradigm and Educational Program
M.F. Horstemeyer
The creationeering® paradigm offers a suggested path for an individual to progress from scientific inquiry through engineering development to a final product, and this paper introduces the associated K–PhD educational framework. This systematic approach is motivated by the Dominion Mandate in Genesis 1:26–28, whereby God calls mankind to rule and reign over the Earth. Our current K–12, undergraduate, and graduate-level learning environments are not integrated for engineering, causing a lack of knowledge in our culture of people who do not fully understand the engineering process. The systems engineering steps are defined by the following: design, analysis/synthesis, procurement/making, logistics, assembly, performance/function, sustainability, and death/recycling. The business aspects include the following: human personnel, finances, legal, sales/marketing, and management. The scientific method is employed for prototyping within the engineering “analysis/synthesis” step. The K–12 creationeering educational program is broken down into four units for K–2, 3–6, 7–9, and 10–12 grades. An example of engineering a car crash is used to illustrate the points. The undergraduate creationeering curriculum maps each course with each engineering step to provide the student understanding of each class fitting into the degree plan.
The Liberty University undergraduate ABET-accredited Mechanical Engineering Degree Program is used to illustrate the point. The graduate creationeering focus is on developing analysis/synthesis tools for prototyping. Although pieces of this holistic paradigm have been used in educational engineering programs, particularly at Liberty University, a comprehensive K–PhD program like the creationeering paradigm proposed herein has not. In essence, creationeering states: Create the prototype using the scientific method! Create the engineered product! Create the Intellectual Property! Create the business! Then we can serve mankind with the business to meet humankind’s needs.
Mitogenomic Baraminology Analysis and the Search for the
Baraminic Demarcation Values Among Class Mammalia
Matthew Cserhati
Molecular baraminology is a subdiscipline within the science of baraminology. Baraminology in general deals with how to classify organisms into different kinds, or baramins. Molecular baraminology uses a sequence similarity cutoff value to either join two species into the same baramin or separate them into two different baramins. Many mitochondrial and chloroplast genome baraminology studies have been performed, but a specific cutoff value has not been determined. To define this cutoff value, one can measure the range of sequence similarity values among species within the same kind across a large dataset.
In this study, the mitochondrial genomes of 1,005 mammalian species were
compared to one another and stored in an online database. For any kind, the lowest sequence similarity value was taken as a possible cutoff value. The distribution of all such minimum sequence similarity values was analyzed over various kinds at the taxonomic level of the genus, family, or order.
For all three taxonomic levels the distribution of minimum sequence similarity values was normal, without showing multimodality. The correlation between the minimum sequence similarity and the number of genera/species in the family or the genus was weakly negative. The correlation between the minimum sequence similarity and the number of species in the order was strong and negative. Since the level of the kind rarely reaches that of the order, only genera and families were examined in more detail. The lowest minimum sequence similarity values for genera and families were 83.2% and 75%, respectively. Since the level of the kind for the mammal species used in the database was between the genus and the family, the sequence similarity cutoff value whereby two species can be classified into either the same or different baramins is within the range of 75–83.2%.
Also, the distribution of mtDNA sequence similarity values for several hybrid
mammals was analyzed to help determine the sequence similarity cutoff value. Hybridization is a strong indication that two species belong to the same kind. The minimum sequence similarity found in this analysis was 86.6%.
Furthermore, a cumulative proportion function curve was plotted to depict
the proportion of mtDNA sequence similarity values over series of sequence
similarity values. Two inflection points between the values of 75–85% indicate
that this might be the cutoff range that determines whether two species belong to the same or different kinds.
Lastly, an online app called the Mitogenome Database was developed that allows users to perform their own mitochondrial DNA-based baraminology studies.
Molluscan Methuselahs:
Extinct Fossil Bivalves that Show Evidence of Extreme Longevity
Jake Hebert and Richard Overman
A previous paper presented strong evidence that fossil Crassostrea oysters lived much longer than their modern-day descendants. This paper presents direct and indirect fossil evidence that other (now extinct) bivalves also experienced great longevity. Ontogenetic growth curves constructed for four genera of Cretaceous and Eocene bivalves from Seymour Island, Antarctica, demonstrate that they exhibited longevity described by mainstream paleontologists as “extreme.” This longevity is difficult to explain in a uniformitarian framework, but whether it is a strong argument for pre-Flood longevity hinges on whether the pre-Flood Antarctic climate was warm or cold. Likewise, studies of extant animals have revealed a positive correlation between greater longevity and greater adult body size, as well as a positive correlation between greater longevity and greater ages at sexual or skeletal maturity. Some fossil bivalves, such as the genus Platyceramus, the rudists (order Hippuritida), and Lithiotid bivalves, were large, slow-growing, and apparently long-lived. However, since these particular bivalves are now extinct, it is not possible to know if their lifespans would have been shortened had they survived to the present day. In light of the Bible’s claim that humans in the pre-Flood world had centuries-long lifespans, this information should be of great interest to creation researchers, since whatever genetic or environmental factors were enabling extreme human pre-Flood longevity were likely also operating in the animal kingdom. These data may add to a growing body of evidence that at least some fossil creatures experienced great longevity.
Unshaken Foundations:
Reclaiming Earth’s History Through Scripture, Science, and the Coherence of Faith—
Paper 2: Scientific Evidence Supporting a Young-Earth Timeline
Jonathan K. Corrado
The second paper in this series delves into the scientific evidence underpinning young-Earth creationism (YEC), challenging deep-time paradigms through empirical observations. It highlights key phenomena, including rapid geological processes, such as those observed at Mount St. Helens, the presence of soft tissues in fossils, carbon-14 in supposedly ancient materials, and ice core layering patterns. These findings support a young-Earth timeline and question assumptions foundational to conventional old-Earth models. Further exploration is given to fossil records, polystrate fossils, and genetic entropy, all of which align with YEC interpretations. This paper systematically integrates scientific discoveries with the theological framework established in the first paper (CRSQ Vol 62, no. 3), emphasizing the compatibility of scientific inquiry with Scripture. This work advances the series by presenting a cohesive, empirical case for a young Earth.