Abstract

Sigmoid functions have been applied in many areas to model self limited population growth. The most popular functions; General Logistic (GL), General von Bertalanffy (GV), and Gompertz (G), comprise a family of functions called Theta Logistic ( $$ \Uptheta $$ L ). Previously, we introduced a simple model of tumor cell population dynamics which provided a unifying foundation for these functions. In the model the total population ( N ) is divided into reproducing ( P ) and non-reproducing/quiescent ( Q ) sub-populations. The modes of the rate of change of ratio P / N was shown to produce GL, GV or G growth. We now generalize the population dynamics model and extend the possible modes of the P / N rate of change. We produce a new family of sigmoid growth functions, Trans-General Logistic (TGL), Trans-General von Bertalanffy (TGV) and Trans-Gompertz (TG)), which as a group we have named Trans-Theta Logistic ( T $$ \Uptheta $$ L ) since they exist when the $$ \Uptheta $$ L are translated from a two parameter into a three parameter phase space. Additionally, the model produces a new trigonometric based sigmoid ( TS ). The $$ \Uptheta $$ L sigmoids have an inflection point size fixed by a single parameter and an inflection age fixed by both of the defining parameters. T $$ \Uptheta $$ L and TS sigmoids have an inflection point size defined by two parameters in bounding relationships and inflection point age defined by three parameters (two bounded). While the Theta Logistic sigmoids provided flexibility in defining the inflection point size, the Trans-Theta Logistic sigmoids provide flexibility in defining the inflection point size and age. By matching the slopes at the inflection points we compare the range of values of inflection point age for T $$ \Uptheta $$ L versus $$ \Uptheta $$ L for model growth curves