Threshold phenomena for a reaction-diffusion system

We consider the pure initial value problem for the system of equations $\text{ν}{}_{\mathrm{t}}\text{= ν}{}_{\mathrm{xx}}\text{+ ?(ν) ? w, w}{}_{\mathrm{t}}\text{= ε(ν ? γw), ε, γ ? 0}$, the initial data being (ν(x, 0), w(x, 0)) = (?(x), 0). Here $\text{?(v) = ?v + H(v ? a)}$, where H is the Heaviside step function and $\text{a ? (0,}\text{1}\text{2}\text{)}$. This system is of the FitzHugh-Nagumo type and has several applications including nerve conduction and distributed chemical/ biochemical systems. It is demonstrated that this system exhibits a threshold phenomenon. This is done by considering the curve s(t) defined by s(t) = sup{x: v(x, t) = a}. The initial datum, ?(x), is said to be superthreshold if lim_{t→∞ s(t) = ∞}. It is proven that the initial datum is superthreshold if ?(x) > a on a sufficiently long interval, ?(x) is sufficiently smooth, and ?(x) decays sufficiently fast to zero as $\text{¦x¦ → ∞}$.     

The asymptotic behavior of solutions of a system of reaction-diffusion equations which models the Belousov-Zhabotinskii chemical reaction

We investigate the boundary value problem $\text{?u}\text{?t}\text{=}\text{?}{}^2\text{u}\text{?x}{}^2\text{+ u(1 ? u ? rv)}$, $\text{?v}\text{?t}\text{=}\text{?}{}^2\text{v}\text{?x}{}^2\text{? buv}$, u(?∞, t) = v(∞, t) = 0, u(∞, t) = 1, and v(?∞, t) = γ ?t > 0 where r > 0, b > 0, γ > 0 and x?R. This system has been proposed by Murray as a model for the propagation of wave fronts of chemical activity in the Belousov-Zhabotinskii chemical reaction. Here u and v are proportional to the concentrations of bromous acid and bromide ion, respectively. We determine the global stability of the constant solution (u, v) ≡ (1,0). Furthermore we introduce a moving coordinate and for each fixed x?R we investigate the asymptotic behavior of u(x + ct, t) and v(x + ct, t) as t → ∞ for both large and small values of the wave speed c ? 0.     

Entrainment of frequency in evolution equations

The existence of periodic solutions near resonance is discussed using elementary methods for the evolution equation ·u = Au + ?f(t, u) when the linear problem is totally degenerate (e^2πA = I) and the period of f is entrained with ? (T = 2π(1 + ?μ)). The approach is to solve the periodicity equation u(T,p,?) = p for an element p(?) in D, the domain of A, as a perturbation from an approximate solution p₀. p₀ is a solution of the nonlinear boundary value problem 2πμAp + ∝₀^2πe^?Asf(s, e^Asp) ds = 0 obtained from the periodicity equation by dividing by ?, applying the entrainment assumption, and letting ? → 0. Once p₀ is known, the conventional inverse function theorem is applied in a slightly unconventional manner. Two particular cases where results are obtained are u_t = u_x + ?{g(u) ? h(t, x)} with g strongly monotone and

$\text{d}\text{dt}\text{v}\text{w}\text{=}\text{0}\text{d}\text{dx}\text{d}\text{dx}\text{0}\text{v}\text{w}\text{+ ?}\text{v}{}^3\text{h(t,x)}$

, where in both cases D is a certain class of 2π-periodic functions of x.     

Estimates of solutions of impulsive parabolic equations under Neumann boundary condition

In this paper, we prove the relation v(t)?u(t,x)?w(t), where u(t,x) is the solution of an impulsive parabolic equations under Neumann boundary condition ∂u(t,x)/∂ν=0, and v(t) and w(t) are solutions of two impulsive ordinary equations. We also apply these estimates to investigate the asymptotic behavior of a model in the population dynamics, and it is shown that there exists a unique solution of the model which converges to the periodic solution of an impulsive ordinary equation asymptotically.     

Nonlinear Volterra equations on a Hilbert space

We consider equations of the form, u(t) = ? ∝₀^tA(t ? τ)g(u(τ)) dτ + ?(t) (I) on a Hubert space $\text{H}$. A(t) is a family of bounded, linear operators on $\text{H}$ while g is a transformation on $\text{D}$_g ?$\text{H}$ which can be nonlinear and unbounded. We give conditions on A and g which yield stability and asymptotic stability of solutions of (I). It is shown, in particular, that linear combinations with positive coefficients of the operators e^Mt and ?e^Mtsin Mt where M is a bounded, negative self-adjoint operator on $\text{H}$ satisfy these conditions. This is shown to yield stability results for differential equations of the form, $\text{Q (}\text{d}\text{dt}\text{) u = ? P (}\text{d}\text{dt}\text{) g(u(t)) + χ(t)}$, on $\text{H}$.     

The asymptotic distribution of weighted empirical distribution functions

Let G_n denote the empirical distribution based on n independent uniform (0, 1) random variables. The asymptotic distribution of the supremum of weighted discrepancies between G_n(u) and u of the forms 6w_v(u)D_n(u)6 and 6w_v(G_n(u))D_n(u)6, where D_n(u) = G_n(u)?u, w_v(u) = (u(1?u))^?1+v and 0 ? v < $\text{1}\text{2}$ is obtained. Goodness-of-fit tests based on these statistics are shown to be asymptotically sensitive only in the extreme tails of a distribution, which is exactly where such statistics that use a weight function w_v with $\text{1}\text{2}$ ? v ? 1 are insensitive. For this reason weighted discrepancies which use the weight function w_v with 0 ? v < $\text{1}\text{2}$ are potentially applicable in the construction of confidence contours for the extreme tails of a distribution.     

Oscillation theorems for second-order functional differential equations

This paper presents some comparison theorems on the oscillatory behavior of solutions of second-order functional differential equations. Here we state one of the main results in a simplified form: Let q, τ₁, τ₂ be nonnegative continuous functions on (0, ∞) such that τ₁ ? τ₂ is a bounded function on [1, ∞) and t ? τ₁(t) → ∞ if t → ∞. Then $\text{y}\text{?}\text{(t) + q(t) y(t ? τ}{}_1\text{(t)) = 0}$ is oscillatory if and only if $\text{y}\text{?}\text{(t) + q(t) y(t ? τ}{}_2\text{(t)) = 0}$ is oscillatory.     

Globally smooth solutions of quasilinear hyperbolic systems in diagonal form

We prove the existence of a large class of globally smooth solutions of the Cauchy problem for the system of n equations u_t + Λ(x, t, u)u_x = 0, where Λ is a diagonal matrix. We show that, under certain monotonicity conditions on both Λ and the initial data u₀, the solution u will be locally Lipschitz continuous at positive times. Since u₀ is a function of locally bounded variation, our result thus provides both for the smoothing of discontinuities in u₀ as well as for the global preservation of smoothness. The global existence results from an a priori estimate of $\text{?u}\text{?x}$, which we obtain by a device which enables us to effectively uncouple the system of equations for $\text{?u}\text{?x}$. Finally, we prove a partial converse which demonstrates that our hypotheses are not overly restrictive.     

Periodic solutions of a quasilinear parabolic differential equation

This paper treats the quasilinear, parabolic boundary value problem $\text{u}{}_{\mathrm{xx}}\text{? u}{}_{\mathrm{t}}\text{= ??(x, t, u)}$u(0, t) = ?₁(t); u(l, t) = ?₂(t) on an infinite strip $\text{{(x, t) ¦ 0 < x < l, ?∞ < t < ∞}}$ with the functions $\text{?(x, t, u), ?}{}_1\text{(t), ?}{}_2\text{(t)}$ being periodic in t. The major theorem of the paper gives sufficient conditions on $\text{?(x, t, u)}$ for this problem to have a periodic solution u(x, t) which may be constructed by successive approximations with an integral operator. Some corollaries to this theorem offer more explicit conditions on $\text{?(x, t, u)}$ and indicate a method for determining the initial estimate at which the iteration may begin.     

The existence of traveling wave front solutions of a model of the Belousov-Zhabotinskii chemical reaction

The boundary value problem $\text{?u}\text{?t′}\text{= u(1 ? u ? rv) +}\text{?}{}^2\text{u}\text{?x′}{}^2$$\text{?v}\text{?t′}\text{= ? buv +}\text{?}{}^2\text{y}\text{?x′}{}^2$ where u(? ∞, t′) = v(∞, t′) = 0 andv(? ∞, t′) = u(∞, t′) = 1 for each t′ > 0 has been proposed by Murray as a model for the Belousov-Zhabotinskii chemical reaction. Here u and v are proportional to the concentrations of bromous acid and bromide ion, respectively. We prove that there is a range of values for b and r over which the boundary value problem has traveling wave front solutions.     

Girsanov functionals and optimal bang-bang laws for final value stochastic control

Girsanov's theorem is a generalization of the Cameron-Martin formula for the derivative of a measure induced by a translation in Wiener space. It states that for ? a nonanticipative Brownian functional with ∫|?|² ds < ∞ a.s. and $\text{d}\text{P}\text{?}\text{=exp[ζ(?)] d}\text{P}$ with $\text{E}\text{?}\text{{1}=1}$, where $\text{ζ(?) = ∫?}\text{d}\text{w-}\text{1}\text{2}\text{∫|?|}{}^2\text{d}\text{s}$, the translated functions $\text{(Tw)(t) = w}{}_{\mathrm{t}}\text{-}\text{∫}\text{0}\text{t}\text{?}\text{d}\text{s}$ are a Wiener process under P?. The Girsanov functionals exp [ζ(?)] have been used in stochastic control theory to define measures corresponding to solutions of stochastic DEs with only measurable control laws entering the right-hand sides. The present aim is to show that these same concepts have direct practical application to final value problems with bounded control. This is done here by an example, the noisy integrator: Make E{x²₁}∣small, subject to dx_t = u_t dt + dw_t, |u|? 1, x_t observed. For each control law there is a definite cost v(1?t, x) of starting at x, t and using that law till t = 1, expressible as an integral with respect to (a suitable) P?. By restricting attention to a dense set of smooth laws, using Itô's lemma, Kac's theorem, and the maximum principle for parabolic equations, it is possible to calculate sgn v_x for a critical class of control laws, then to compare control laws, “solve” the Bellman-Hamilton-Jacobi equation, and thus justify selection of the obvious bang-bang law as optimal.     

Convergence of the Kato approximants for evolution equations involving functional perturbations

The existence of a unique strong solution of the nonlinear abstract functional differential equation $\text{u′(t) + A(t)u(t) = F(t,u}{}_{\mathrm{t}}\text{), u}{}_0\text{= φεC}{}^1\text{(¦?r,0¦,X),tε¦0, T¦}$, (E) is established. X is a Banach space with uniformly convex dual space and, for $\text{t? ¦0, T¦, A(t)}$ is m-accretive and satisfies a time dependence condition suitable for applications to partial differential equations. The function F satisfies a Lipschitz condition. The novelty of the paper is that the solution u(t) of (E) is shown to be the uniform limit (as n → ∞) of the sequence u_n(t), where the functions u_n(t) are continuously differentiate solutions of approximating equations involving the Yosida approximants. Thus, a straightforward approximation scheme is now available for such equations, in parallel with the approach involving the use of nonlinear evolution operator theory.     

Analyticity of solutions of nonlinear evolution equations

Analyticity in t of solutions u(t) of nonlinear evolution equations of the form $\text{u′ + A(t, u)u = ?(t, u), t > 0, u(0) = u}{}_0$, is established under suitable conditions on $\text{A(t, u), ?(t, u),}\text{and}\text{u}{}_0$. An application is given to quasilinear parabolic equations.     

On scattering and everywhere defined scattering operators for nonlinear Klein-Gordon equations

Asymptotic properties of solutions of the nonlinear Klein-Gordon equation ?_t²u ? Δu + m²u + f(u) = 0 (NLKG) $\text{u¦}{}_0\text{= θ}$, $\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{t}}\text{u¦}{}_0\text{= Ψ}$, are investigated, which are inherited from the corresponding solutions v of the (linear) Klein-Gordon equation ?_t²v ? Δv + m²v = 0$\text{v¦}{}_0\text{= θ}$, $\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{t}}\text{v¦}{}_0\text{= Ψ}$, (KG) In particular, the finiteness of time-integrals in L_q over R₊ of certain Sobolevnorms in space of the solution is proved to be such a hereditary property. Together with a device by W. A. Strauss and a weak decay result for the (KG) due to R. S. Strichartz, this is used to prove that under suitable restrictions on the nonlinearity, the scattering operator for the (NLKG) is defined on all of L₂¹ × L₂ for n = 3.     

Existence and comparison theorems for nonlinear diffusion systems

In this paper we prove existence, uniqueness, and regularity results for systems of nonlinear second order parabolic equations with boundary conditions of the Dirichlet, Neumann, and regular oblique derivative types. Let K(t) consist of all functions (v¹(x), v²(x),…, v^m(x)) from $\text{Ω ? R}{}^{\mathrm{n}}$ into R^m which satisfy ψⁱ(x, t) ? vⁱ(x) ? θⁱ(x, t) for all $\text{x ? Ω}\text{and}\text{1 ? i ? m}$, where ψⁱand θⁱ are extended real-valued functions on $\text{}\text{?}\text{gW × [0, T)}$. We find conditions which will ensure that a solution U(x, t) ≡ (u¹(x, t), u²(x, t),…, u^m(x, t)) which satisfies U(x, 0) ?K(0) will also satisfy U(x, t) ?K(t) for all 0 ? t < T. This result, which has some similarity to the Gronwall Inequality, is then used to prove a global existence theorem.     

Finite differences versus finite elements for solving nonlinear integro-differential equations

Consider the nonlinear integro-differential equation $\text{u}{}_{\mathrm{t}}\text{(x, t) = ∝}{}_0{}^{\mathrm{t}}\text{a(t?τ)}\text{?}\text{?x}\text{σ(u}{}_{\mathrm{x}}\text{(x, τ)) dτ + f(x, t)}$, 0 < x <, 0 < t < T, with appropriate initial and boundary conditions. This problem serves as a model for one-dimensional heat flow in materials with memory. The numerical solution via finite elements was discussed in B. Neta [J. Math. Anal. Appl.89 (1982), 598–611]. In this paper we compare the results obtained there with finite difference approximation from the point of view of accuracy and computer storage. It turns out that the finite difference method yields comparable results for the same mesh spacing using less computer storage.     

Bounds on solutions to the boundary-free incompressible Navier-Stokes initial value problem

The integral formulation of the Navier-Stokes initial value problem for boundary-free, incompressible fluid flow is used to establish Volterra integral inequalities on the physical velocity field u_μ(x, t). Standard comparison theorems for Volterra equations are then applied to obtain weakly singular, nonlinear Volterra equations of the second kind for upper bounds on $\text{¦ u}{}_{\mathrm{\mu }}\text{(}\text{x}\text{, t)¦}$. With local existence and uniqueness guaranteed and smoothness of solutions characterized by results on Volterra equations, solutions for bounds may be obtained by standard analytical and numerical methods. A specific example is considered. Existence and uniqueness of local solutions u_μ(x, t) to the Navier-Stokes problem is then guaranteed within the radius of convergence of bounds on $\text{¦ u}{}_{\mathrm{\mu }}\text{(}\text{x}\text{, t)¦}$, thereby precluding local breakdown phenomena. In addition, bounds on $\text{¦ u}{}_{\mathrm{\mu }}\text{(}\text{x}\text{, t)¦}$ are used to obtain improved duration times for convergence of local iteration solutions for u_μ(x, t). Finally, a new technique for establishing sufficient conditions for global existence, based on successive application of Volterra comparison theorems, is indicated.     

Attainable sets for linear stochastic control systems

Let x_t^u(w) be the solution process of the n-dimensional stochastic differential equation dx_t^u = [A(t)x_t^u + B(t) u(t)] dt + C(t) dW_t, where A(t), B(t), C(t) are matrix functions, W_t is a n-dimensional Brownian motion and u is an admissable control function. For fixed ? ? 0 and 1 ? δ ? 0, we say that x?Rⁿ is (?, δ) attainable if there exists an admissable control u such that P{x_t^u?S_?(x)} ? δ, where S_?(x) is the closed ?-ball in Rⁿ centered at x. The set of all (?, δ) attainable points is denoted by $\text{A}$(t). In this paper, we derive various properties of $\text{A}$(t) in terms of K(t), the attainable set of the deterministic control system $\text{x}\text{?}\text{= A(t)x + B(t)u}$. As well a stochastic bang-bang principle is established and three examples presented.     

Asymptotic stability of some quasilinear parabolic equations in divergence form. L∞ results

In this paper we study the behavior of solutions of some quasilinear parabolic equations of the form

$\text{(}\text{?u}\text{?t}\text{) ?}\text{∑}\text{i=1}\text{n}\text{(}\text{d}\text{dx}{}_{\mathrm{i}}\text{) a}{}_{\mathrm{i}}\text{(x, t, u, u}{}_{\mathrm{x}}\text{) + a(x, t, u, u}{}_{\mathrm{x}}\text{)u + f(x, t) = O,}$

as t → ∞. In particular, the solutions of these equations will decay to zero as t → ∞ in the L^∞ norm.