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Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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A Unified Variational Principle for Branching Transport Networks: Wave Impedance, Viscous Flow, and Tissue Metabolism

Authors: Marchesi, Riccardo;

A Unified Variational Principle for Branching Transport Networks: Wave Impedance, Viscous Flow, and Tissue Metabolism

Abstract

The branching geometry of biological transport networks is canonically characterized by a diameter scaling exponent $\alpha$. Traditionally, this exponent interpolates between two structural attractors: impedance matching ($\alpha\approx2$) for pulsatile wave propagation and viscous-metabolic minimization ($\alpha=3$) for steady flow. We demonstrate that neither mechanism in isolation can predict the empirically observed $\alpha_{\mathrm{exp}} = 2.70 \pm 0.20$ in mammalian arterial trees. Incorporating the empirical sub-linear vessel-wall scaling $h(r) \propto r^p$ ($p\approx0.77$) into a three-term metabolic cost function rigorously breaks the universality of Murray's cubic law---a consequence of cost-function non-homogeneity established via Cauchy's functional equation---and bounds the static transport optimum to $\alpha_t \in [2.90, 2.94]$. To account for the dynamic pulsatile environment, we formulate a unified network-level Lagrangian balancing wave-reflection penalties against steady transport-metabolic costs. Because the operational duty cycle $\eta$ between pulsatile and steady states is inherently uncertain over developmental timescales, we cast the morphological optimization as a zero-sum game between network architecture and environmental state. By the minimax theorem---proved here requiring only continuity and strict monotonicity, without global convexity assumptions---the unique saddle point $(\alpha^*, \eta^*)$ satisfies the exact equal-cost condition $\mathcal{C}_{\mathrm{wave}}(\alpha^*) = \mathcal{C}_{\mathrm{transport}}(\alpha^*)$, eliminating $\eta$ as a free parameter. For porcine coronary arteries, this deterministic ground state yields $\alpha^* = 2.72$, while Bayesian marginalization via Monte Carlo over physiological parameter uncertainty predicts a population expectation of $\alpha^*_{\mathrm{MC}} = 2.86 \pm 0.06$. Without requiring fitted parameters, the framework rigorously derives the observed cardiovascular scaling and reduces exactly to Murray's law when dynamic wave modes are absent.

Keywords

Biomathematics, Cardiovascular Research, Physiology, Vascular network theory, Biophysics, Coronary morphometry, Branching exponent, Metabolic optimization, Vessel wall mechanics, FOS: Biological sciences, Vascular allometry, Theoretical hemodynamics, Murray's Law, Mathematical Biology

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
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