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We consider a reaction–diffusion system with discontinuous reaction terms modeled by non-ideal relays. The system is motivated by an epigenetic population model of evolution of two-phenotype bacteria which switch phenotype in response to variations of environment. We prove the formation of patterns in the phenotype space. The mechanism responsible for pattern formation is based on memory (hysteresis) of the non-ideal relays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An obituary for mathematician Alexei V. Pokrovskii is presented.

Abstract: We are concerned with a subharmonic bifurcation from infinity for scalar higher order ordinary differential equations. The equations contain principal linear parts depending on a scalar parameter, 2π-periodic forcing terms, and continuous nonlinearities with saturation. We suggest sufficient conditions for the existence of subharmonics (i.e., periodic solutions of multiple periods ) with arbitrarily large amplitudes and periods. We prove that this type of the subharmonic bifurcation occurs whenever a pair of simple roots of the characteristic polynomial crosses the imaginary axis at the points with an irrational α. Under some further assumptions, we estimate asymptotically the parameter intervals, where large subharmonics of periods exist. These assumptions relate the quality of the Diophantine approximations of α, the rate of convergence of the nonlinearity to its limits at infinity, and the smoothness of the forcing term. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We analyze a simple macroeconomic model where rational inflation expectations are replaced by a boundedly rational, and genuinely sticky, response to changes in the actual inflation rate. The stickiness is introduced in a novel way using a mathematical operator that is amenable to rigorous analysis. We prove that, when exogenous noise is absent from the system, the unique equilibrium of the rational expectations model is replaced by an entire line segment of possible equilibria with the one chosen depending, in a deterministic way, upon the previous states of the system. The agents are sufficiently far-removed from the rational expectations paradigm that problems of indeterminacy do not arise. The response to exogenous noise is far more subtle than in a unique equilibrium model. After sufficiently small shocks the system will indeed revert to the same equilibrium but larger ones will move the system to a different one (at the same model parameters). The path to this new equilibrium may be very long with a highly unpredictable endpoint. At certain model parameters exogenously-triggered runaway inflation can occur. Finally, we analyze a variant model in which the same form of sticky response is introduced into the interest rate rule instead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Connected branches of periodic orbits originating at a Hopf bifurcation point of a differential system are considered. A computable estimate for the range of amplitudes of periodic orbits contained in the branch is provided under the assumption that the nonlinear terms satisfy a linear estimate in a ball. If the estimate is global, then the branch is unbounded. The results are formulated in an equivariant setting where the system can have multiple branches of periodic orbits characterized by different groups of symmetries. The nonlocal analysis is based on the equivariant degree method, which allows us to handle both generic and degenerate Hopf bifurcations. This is illustrated by examples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the dynamics of a scalar piecewise linear "saw map" with infinitely many linear segments. In particular, such maps are generated as a Poincaré map of simple two-dimensional discrete time piecewise linear systems involving a saturation function. Alternatively, these systems can be viewed as a feedback loop with the so-called stop hysteresis operator. We analyze chaotic sets and attractors of the "saw map" depending on its parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the existence of multiple stable phenotypes of living organisms enables random switching between phenotypes as well as non-random history dependent switching called hysteresis, only random switching has been considered in prior experimental and theoretical models of adaptation to variable environments. This work considers the possibility that hysteresis may also evolve together with random phenotype switching to maximize population growth. In addition to allowing the possibility that switching rates between different phenotypes may depend not only on a continuous environmental input variable, but also on the phenotype itself, the present work considers an opportunity cost of the switching events. This opportunity cost arises as a result of a lag phase experimentally observed after phenotype switching and stochastic behavior of the environmental input. It is shown that stochastic environmental variation results in maximal asymptotic growth rate when organisms display hysteresis for sufficiently slowly varying environmental input. At the same time, sinusoidal input does not cause evolution of memory suggesting that the connection between the lag phase, stochastic environmental variation and evolution of hysteresis is a result of a stochastic resonance type phenomenon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bifurcation mechanisms of the development and break up of different operation regimes in a passively mode-locked monolithic semiconductor laser are studied by solving numerically partial differential equations for amplitudes of two counterpropagating waves and carrier densities in gain and absorber sections. It is shown that mode-locking regimes with different repetition rates can be multistable for a wide range of laser parameters and that the harmonic mode-locking regime with two counterpropagating pulses in the cavity can exhibit a period-doubling bifurcation leading to different amplitudes and separations of the pulses. The effect of linewidth enhancement factors in gain and absorber sections on the laser dynamics is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is concerned with Hopf bifurcations in systems of autonomous ordinary differential equations with a parameter. The principal distinction between usual theorems on Hopf bifurcations and our results is that here the linearized equation is degenerate and independent of the parameter. We present sufficient conditions for a parameter value to be a bifurcation point and analyze properties of small cycles arising in the vicinity of the equilibrium. Sublinear nonlinearities play the main role in the results obtained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract The goal of this paper is to develop the Equivariant Degree based method for studying relative periodic solutions in the setiings with lack of smoothness and/or genericity. In this paper, we consider an equivariant Hopf bifurcation of relative periodic solutions from relative equilibria in systems of functional differential equations respecting Γ × S 1 -spatial symmetries. The existence of branches of relative periodic solutions together with their symmetric classification is established using the equivariant twisted Γ × S 1 -degree with one free parameter. As a case study, we consider a delay differential model of coupled identical passively mode-locked semiconductor lasers with the dihedral symmetry group Γ = D 8 ; and, a system of hysterestic electro-mechanical oscillators coupled in the same symmetric fashion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pyragas time-delayed feedback control has proven itself as an effective tool to noninvasively stabilize periodic solutions. In a number of publications, this method was adapted to equivariant settings. In this paper, we consider -symmetric systems of van der Pol and optical oscillators coupled in a cube-like configuration. These systems undergo equivariant Hopf bifurcations giving rise to multiple branches of unstable periodic solutions. We introduce a delayed control term, which ensures stabilization of a selected branch. Group theoretic restrictions which help to shape our choice of control are discussed. Furthermore, we explicitly describe the domains in a two-dimensional parameter space for which the periodic solutions of the delayed system are stable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent rapid growth of the woodpigeon population in the British Isles is a cause for concern for environmental managers. It is unclear what has driven their increase in abundance. Using a mathematical model, we explored two possible mechanisms, reduced intraspecific competition for food and increased reproductive success. We developed an age-structured hybrid model consisting of a system of ordinary differential equations that describes density-dependent mortality and a discrete component, which represents the birth-pulse. We investigated equilibrium population dynamics using our model. The two hypotheses predict contrasting population age profiles at equilibrium. We adapted the model to examine the impacts of control measures. We showed that an annual shooting season that follows the period of density-dependent mortality is the most effective control strategy because it simultaneously removes adult and juvenile woodpigeons. The model is a first step towards understanding the processes that influence the dynamics of woodpigeon populations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We studied topological and metric properties of the so-called interval translation maps (ITMs). For these maps, we introduced the maximal invariant measure and study its properties. Further, we study how the invariant measures depend on the parameters of the system. These results were illustrated by a simple example or a risk management model where interval translation maps appear naturally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]