Here I apply Bejan’s Constructal Law of Physics (CLaw) to adaptive networks and the concept of canonical sickness behavior. This model will then be used to predict a form of technology-assisted self-regulation / self- realization (TASR). Although I mention CLaw widely in these pages I must stress the importance of reading Prof Bejan’s text [1] Bejan states, “For a finite-size flow system to persist in time (to live), its configuration must evolve in such a way that provides easier access to the currents that flow through it.” Flow systems (such as lava tubes, lightening bolts, rivers, micro-organisms, trees, vasculature, energy grids, chemical structures, transportation systems, informational networks) are all bounded systems that persist as long as they continue to evolve toward easier access for the currents that flow through them. For example, the fractal patterns seen in rivers, trees, and vasculature is the most efficient way to move matter and energy from a point to a volume. As another example, a single snowflake persists (lives) and grows in complexity as long as it continues to evolve easier delivery of heat to the environment as it freezes. Trees persist and adapt in order to facilitate the flow of water from the ground into the atmosphere. We can observe slime mold evolving from individuals to a single organism that launches its progeny over a 3D landscape model with a resultant network resembling the rail network designed by engineers, and in some cases producing alternate networks that are just as efficient [2]. At the near death experience the EEG shows sudden peak efficiency, top- down connectivity, and theta-alpha-gamma synchrony. Borjigin describes these as “neural correlates of heightened conscious processing at near death.” [3] Based on the Constructal Law of Physics I propose 1. An efficient adaptive brain design that would harness complexity through synchrony and increase individual and group information flow; 2. A basis for canonical sickness behavior and its remediation; 3. The evolution of human technology, as a design in nature, to assist in self-regulation and self-realization (TASR); 4. A win-win solution for self and other; 5. The constructal need for speed and efficiency and flow hierarchy plus the high cost of long distance wiring suggests that the timing in white matter tracts plays a fundamental role in behavioral evolution and sickness behavior. I will discuss each of these topics in more detail below. 1. The Constructal Law of Physics and the efficient adaptive brain can be realized by a system that employs global broad band synchronization (GBBS) over small world networks (SWNs) operating near Self-Organized Criticality (SOC). • A. Global broad-band synchronization (GBBS) is a hallmark of consciousness that has been poorly recognized in the EEG due to common mode rejection. [4] • B. Small world networks (SWN) combine efficiency and resiliency, and exhibit synchrony, memory and adaptability.[5] Embedded SWNs enable the brain to be “optimized for the coexistence of local and global computations: feature detection and feature integration or binding.” [6] • C. Self-organized criticality (SOC) is key to regulating function. ”…three functional properties of the cortex are optimized at criticality: 1) dynamic range, 2) information transmission, and 3) information capacity.” [7] 2. The Constructal Law of Physics suggests that failure to evolve in efficiency and flow leads to terminal dissipation. This is seen in the EEG as sickness behavior (SBeh) and in the dissipations and dysmaturations described by Gerald Ulrich [8]. It may be seen in the white matter tracts as decreased functional anisotropy. [9] I call this largely epigenetically and psychosocially controlled final pathway of chronic disease ‘apoptosis of the self.’ The remediation of sickness behavior is fundamentally the re- establishment of constructal adaptive maturation of flow. As described elsewhere in these pages such remediation fundamentally requires neuroplasticity, network support and novelty detection. 3. As described earlier [2] slime molds may have persisted so many thousands of years because they adaptively evolve networks to increase access to the currents (raw materials, energy, information) that flow through them. Technical designs do not imitate nature - they are part of nature. The constructal law of physics suggests that humans will evolve technical designs that allow optimizing the efficiency and flow of information just as they have for the efficient flow of raw goods, products and energy. This ‘second order cybernetics’ would allow technically assisted regulation and realization of the efficient flow of information and processing. I call this TASR - Technology-Assisted Self-Regulation / Self- Realization. Biofeedback and movement awareness create more efficient flows of body and energy. Neurofeedback and especially live complexity training (LCT) for tranquility (efficiency) and insight (synchronized complexity) can assist in the design of more efficient flows of knowledge. 4. Constructal law says that in order for us, as individuals, to persist in time we must constantly evolve to provide easier access to the currents that flow through us including matter, energy and thought. All other beings have the same agenda and constructal needs in order to evolve flow and persist. Increasing one’s flow at the expense of others may occasionally be necessary but in principle creates maladaptive conflict. The best way to insure our ability to evolve flow is help enhance the flow access in those around us. This win-win flow adjustment is beneficial to the group and the individual. The efficient adaptive individual becomes more awake and self- sufficient by working for the welfare of all (self and other) beings. References [1] Bejan A, et al (2012) - Design in Nature: How constructal law governs evolution in biology, physics, technology, and social organization. Anchor Books. [2] Tero A, et al (2010) - Rules for Biologically Inspired Adaptive Network Design. Science 22 Jan 2010: Vol. 327, Issue 5964, pp. 439- 442. [Abstract] [3] Borjigin J, et al (2013) - Surge of neurophysiological coherence and connectivity in the dying brain. Proc Nat Acad Sci, Aug 14, 2013. [Free Full Text] [4] Pockett S, et al (2009) - EEG synchrony during a perceptual- cognitive task - Widespread phase synchrony at all frequencies. Clinical Neurophysiology 120, 695-708. [Abstract] [5] Stam CJ, et al (2007) - Graph theoretical analysis of complex networks in the brain. Nonlinear Biomed Phys. 2007 Jul 5; 1(1):3. [Abstract] [6] Yu S, et al (2008) - A Small World of Neuronal Synchrony. Cereb Cortex. 2008 Dec; 18(12): 2891–2901. [7] Shew ML, et al (2012) - The Functional Benefits of Criticality in the Cortex. The Neuroscientist. [Free Full Text] [8] Ulrich G (2013) – The Theoretical Interpretation of Electroencephalography. BMed Press. [9] Catani M, et al (2012) - Atlas of Human Brain Connections. Oxford University Press. General References Lucia U, et al (2015) - Constructal thermodynamics combined with infrared experiments to evaluate temperature differences in cells. Sci Rep. Jun 23;5: 11587. [Free Full Text] Bejan A (2014) - Maxwell's demons everywhere - evolving design as the arrow of time. Sci Rep. 4: 4017. [Free Full Text] Razavi MS, et al (2014) - Constructal law of vascular trees for facilitation of flow. PLoS One. 2014 Dec 31; 9(12): [Free Full Text] Bejan A (2012) - Why the bigger live longer and travel farther - animals, vehicles, rivers and the winds. Sci Rep. 2012; 2: 594. [Free Full Text] Bejan A, et al (2010) - The constructal law of design and evolution in nature. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci. 2010 May 12; 365(1545): 1335–1347. [Free Full Text] Bejan A (2005) - The constructal law of organization in nature - tree- shaped flows and body size. The Journal of Experimental Biology 208, 1677-1686. [Free Full Text]