From the Guidelines
A positive feedback loop is a self-reinforcing cycle where an initial change triggers a series of events that amplify the original change, creating an escalating effect, as seen in systems where the length of waitlists increases the probability of dropout, thereby increasing work pressure and burnout among treatment providers 1.
Key Characteristics of Positive Feedback Loops
- They drive systems away from equilibrium toward new states
- Can be beneficial when driving necessary change but potentially harmful when causing uncontrolled escalation
- Occur in various domains, including biological systems, environmental science, social systems, economics, and psychology
Examples of Positive Feedback Loops
- Blood clotting, where injury activates platelets that release chemicals attracting more platelets
- Childbirth, where contractions stretch the cervix, triggering oxytocin release that causes stronger contractions
- Climate science, where melting ice reduces Earth's reflectivity, absorbing more heat and causing further melting
- Social and psychological systems, such as when anxiety produces physical symptoms that create more anxiety
Implications in Real-World Systems
The presence of positive feedback loops, as demonstrated by sensitivity analyses in the context of behavioral health services 1, can lead to increased work pressure and risk of burnout among treatment providers, thereby affecting the supply of treatment and waitlist dynamics. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for managing and predicting outcomes in various systems.
From the Research
Definition of Positive Feedback Loop
- A positive-feedback loop is a simple motif that is ubiquitous to the modules and networks that comprise cellular signaling systems 2.
- Signaling behaviors that are synonymous with positive feedback include amplification and rapid switching, maintenance, and the coherence of outputs.
Mechanism of Positive Feedback Loop
- Recent advances have been made towards understanding how positive-feedback loops function, as well as their mechanistic basis in controlling eukaryotic cell cycle progression 2.
- Positive-feedback loops can be found in various cellular processes, including cell cycle progression, where they play a crucial role in maintaining coherence of outputs.
Examples of Positive Feedback Loop
- Cyclin controls passage through Start and maintains coherence of G1/S regulon expression in yeast 2.
- Polo-like kinase 1 activation is driven by Bora and Aurora A, and its expression is stimulated by Forkhead Box M1 in mammalian cells 2.
Relation to Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC)
- There is no direct relation between positive feedback loop and DIC in the provided studies, as the studies on DIC focus on its diagnosis, treatment, and management 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, the concept of positive feedback loop can be applied to understand the complex mechanisms involved in DIC, such as the activation of coagulation pathways and the consumption of clotting factors and platelets.