On the spectra of certain integro-differential-delay problems with applications in neurodynamics

We investigate the spectrum of certain integro-differential-delay equations (IDDEs) which arise naturally within spatially distributed, nonlocal, pattern formation problems. Our approach is based on the reformulation of the relevant dispersion relations with the use of the Lambert function. As a particular application of this approach, we consider the case of the Amari delay neural field equation which describes the local activity of a population of neurons taking into consideration the finite propagation speed of the electric signal. We show that if the kernel appearing in this equation is symmetric around some point a= 0 or consists of a sum of such terms, then the relevant dispersion relation yields spectra with an infinite number of branches, as opposed to finite sets of eigenvalues considered in previous works. Also, in earlier works the focus has been on the most rightward part of the spectrum and the possibility of an instability driven pattern formation. Here, we numerically survey the structure of the entire spectra and argue that a detailed knowledge of this structure is important within neurodynamical applications. Indeed, the Amari IDDE acts as a filter with the ability to recognise and respond whenever it is excited in such a way so as to resonate with one of its rightward modes, thereby amplifying such inputs and dampening others. Finally, we discuss how these results can be generalised to the case of systems of IDDEs.

Optimal control of nonlinear systems represented by differential algebraic equations

An iterative procedure is described for solving nonlinear optimal control problems subject to differential algebraic equations. The procedure iterates on an integrated modified simplified model based problem with parameter updating in such a manner that the correct solution of the original nonlinear problem is achieved.

Available potential energy density for a multicomponent Boussinesq fluid with arbitrary nonlinear equation of state

In this paper, the concept of available potential energy (APE) density is extended to a multicomponent Boussinesq fluid with a nonlinear equation of state. As shown by previous studies, the APE density is naturally interpreted as the work against buoyancy forces that a parcel needs to perform to move from a notional reference position at which its buoyancy vanishes to its actual position; because buoyancy can be defined relative to an arbitrary reference state, so can APE density. The concept of APE density is therefore best viewed as defining a class of locally defined energy quantities, each tied to a different reference state, rather than as a single energy variable. An important result, for which a new proof is given, is that the volume integrated APE density always exceeds Lorenz’s globally defined APE, except when the reference state coincides with Lorenz’s adiabatically re-arranged reference state of minimum potential energy. A parcel reference position is systematically defined as a level of neutral buoyancy (LNB): depending on the nature of the fluid and on how the reference state is defined, a parcel may have one, none, or multiple LNB within the fluid. Multiple LNB are only possible for a multicomponent fluid whose density depends on pressure. When no LNB exists within the fluid, a parcel reference position is assigned at the minimum or maximum geopotential height. The class of APE densities thus defined admits local and global balance equations, which all exhibit a conversion with kinetic energy, a production term by boundary buoyancy fluxes, and a dissipation term by internal diffusive effects. Different reference states alter the partition between APE production and dissipation, but neither affect the net conversion between kinetic energy and APE, nor the difference between APE production and dissipation. We argue that the possibility of constructing APE-like budgets based on reference states other than Lorenz’s reference state is more important than has been previously assumed, and we illustrate the feasibility of doing so in the context of an idealised and realistic oceanic example, using as reference states one with constant density and another one defined as the horizontal mean density field; in the latter case, the resulting APE density is found to be a reasonable approximation of the APE density constructed from Lorenz’s reference state, while being computationally cheaper.

The elliptic sine-Gordon equation: a nonlinear elliptic integrable PDE

In this paper, we summarise this recent progress to underline the features specific to this nonlinear elliptic case, and we give a new classification of boundary conditions on the semistrip that satisfy a necessary condition for yielding a boundary value problem can be effectively linearised. This classification is based on formulation the equation in terms of an alternative Lax pair.

Estimating Lorenz's reference state in an ocean with a nonlinear equation of state for seawater

The study of the mechanical energy budget of the oceans using Lorenz available potential energy (APE) theory is based on knowledge of the adiabatically re-arranged Lorenz reference state of minimum potential energy. The compressible and nonlinear character of the equation of state for seawater has been thought to cause the reference state to be ill-defined, casting doubt on the usefulness of APE theory for investigating ocean energetics under realistic conditions. Using a method based on the volume frequency distribution of parcels as a function of temperature and salinity in the context of the seawater Boussinesq approximation, which we illustrate using climatological data, we show that compressibility effects are in fact minor. The reference state can be regarded as a well defined one-dimensional function of depth, which forms a surface in temperature, salinity and density space between the surface and the bottom of the ocean. For a very small proportion of water masses, this surface can be multivalued and water parcels can have up to two statically stable levels in the reference density profile, of which the shallowest is energetically more accessible. Classifying parcels from the surface to the bottom gives a different reference density profile than classifying in the opposite direction. However, this difference is negligible. We show that the reference state obtained by standard sorting methods is equivalent, though computationally more expensive, to the volume frequency distribution approach. The approach we present can be applied systematically and in a computationally efficient manner to investigate the APE budget of the ocean circulation using models or climatological data.

A non-autonomous strongly damped wave equation: Existence and continuity of the pullback attractor

In this paper we consider the strongly damped wave equation with time-dependent terms u(tt) - Delta u - gamma(t)Delta u(t) + beta(epsilon)(t)u(t) = f(u), in a bounded domain Omega subset of R(n), under some restrictions on beta(epsilon)(t), gamma(t) and growth restrictions on the nonlinear term f. The function beta(epsilon)(t) depends on a parameter epsilon, beta(epsilon)(t) -> 0. We will prove, under suitable assumptions, local and global well-posedness (using the uniform sectorial operators theory), the existence and regularity of pullback attractors {A(epsilon)(t) : t is an element of R}, uniform bounds for these pullback attractors, characterization of these pullback attractors and their upper and lower semicontinuity at epsilon = 0. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Positive solutions for a fourth order equation with nonlinear boundary conditions

Existence of positive solutions for a fourth order equation with nonlinear boundary conditions, which models deformations of beams on elastic supports, is considered using fixed points theorems in cones of ordered Banach spaces. Iterative and numerical solutions are also considered. (C) 2010 IMACS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Monotone positive solutions for a fourth order equation with nonlinear boundary conditions

This work is concerned with the existence of monotone positive solutions for a class of beam equations with nonlinear boundary conditions. The results are obtained by using the monotone iteration method and they extend early works on beams with null boundary conditions. Numerical simulations are also presented. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nonlinear Schrodinger equation with chaotic, random, and nonperiodic nonlinearity

In this Letter we deal with a nonlinear Schrodinger equation with chaotic, random, and nonperiodic cubic nonlinearity. Our goal is to study the soliton evolution, with the strength of the nonlinearity perturbed in the space and time coordinates and to check its robustness under these conditions. Here we show that the chaotic perturbation is more effective in destroying the soliton behavior, when compared with random or nonperiodic perturbation. For a real system, the perturbation can be related to, e.g., impurities in crystalline structures, or coupling to a thermal reservoir which, on the average, enhances the nonlinearity. We also discuss the relevance of such random perturbations to the dynamics of Bose-Einstein condensates and their collective excitations and transport. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Generalized solutions of a nonlinear parabolic equation with generalized functions as initial data

In [H. Brezis, A. Friedman, Nonlinear parabolic equations involving measures as initial conditions, J. Math. Pure Appl. (9) (1983) 73-97.] Brezis and Friedman prove that certain nonlinear parabolic equations, with the delta-measure as initial data, have no solution. However in [J.F. Colombeau, M. Langlais, Generalized solutions of nonlinear parabolic equations with distributions as initial conditions, J. Math. Anal. Appl (1990) 186-196.] Colombeau and Langlais prove that these equations have a unique solution even if the delta-measure is substituted by any Colombeau generalized function of compact support. Here we generalize Colombeau and Langlais` result proving that we may take any generalized function as the initial data. Our approach relies on recent algebraic and topological developments of the theory of Colombeau generalized functions and results from [J. Aragona, Colombeau generalized functions on quasi-regular sets, Publ. Math. Debrecen (2006) 371-399.]. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Computer simulation of the stochastic transport equation

Trabalho apresentado no 37th Conference on Stochastic Processes and their Applications - July 28 - August 01, 2014 -Universidad de Buenos Aires

About the Use of the HdHr Algorithm Group in Integrating the Movement Equation with Nonlinear Terms

This work summarizes the HdHr group of Hermitian integration algorithms for dynamic structural analysis applications. It proposes a procedure for their use when nonlinear terms are present in the equilibrium equation. The simple pendulum problem is solved as a first example and the numerical results are discussed. Directions to be pursued in future research are also mentioned. Copyright (C) 2009 H.M. Bottura and A. C. Rigitano.

Damage to the central amygdala produces differential encephalic c-fos expression in the water deprivation-partial rehydration protocol

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Finite-well potential in the 3D nonlinear Schrodinger equation: application to Bose-Einstein condensation

Using variational and numerical solutions we show that stationary negative-energy localized (normalizable) bound states can appear in the three-dimensional nonlinear Schrodinger equation with a finite square-well potential for a range of nonlinearity parameters. Below a critical attractive nonlinearity, the system becomes unstable and experiences collapse. Above a limiting repulsive nonlinearity, the system becomes highly repulsive and cannot be bound. The system also allows nonnormalizable states of infinite norm at positive energies in the continuum. The normalizable negative-energy bound states could be created in BECs and studied in the laboratory with present knowhow.

Nonlinear Schrodinger equation with power-law confining potential

Critical limits of a stationary nonlinear three-dimensional Schrodinger equation with confining power-law potentials (similar to r(alpha)) are obtained using spherical symmetry. When the nonlinearity is given by an attractive two-body interaction (negative cubic term), it is shown how the maximum number of particles N-c in the trap increases as alpha decreases. With a negative cubic and positive quintic terms we study a first order phase transition, that occurs if the strength g(3) of the quintic term is less than a critical value g(3c). At the phase transition, the behavior of g(3c) with respect to alpha is given by g(3c)similar to 0.0036+0.0251/alpha+0.0088/alpha(2).