On the remarkable values of the rational first integrals of polynomial vector fields

The remarkable values for polynomial vector fields in the plane having a rational first integral were introduced by Poincaré. He was mainly interested in their algebraic aspects. Here we are interested in their dynamic aspects; i.e. how they contribute to the phase portrait of the system, to its separatrices, to its singular points, etc. The relationship between remarkable values and dynamics mainly takes place through the inverse integrating factor.     

Jumps of the fundamental solution matrix in discontinuous systems and applications

This paper deals with differential equations with discontinuous right-hand side. The concept of a solution for a discontinuous system is defined on the basis of differential inclusions using Filippov’s method. We study in particular the behaviour of solutions crossing a discontinuity surface transversally. A formula characterizing jumps of the fundamental solution matrix is derived. As an application of it, the concept of Poincaré mapping is defined for such systems.     

On the behavior of the Lorenz equation backward in time

The sets of solutions to the Lorenz equations that exist backward in time and are bounded at an exponential rate determined by the eigenvalues of the linear part of the equation are examined. The set associated with the middle eigenvalue is shown to project surjectively onto a plane, thereby providing a lower estimate for its dimension. Specific bounds are also found for a cone containing this set.     

On the asymptotic stability of discontinuous systems analysed via the averaging method

The averaging method is one of the most powerful methods used to analyse differential equations appearing in the study of nonlinear problems. The idea behind the averaging method is to replace the original equation by an averaged equation with simple structure and close solutions. A large number of practical problems lead to differential equations with discontinuous right-hand sides. In a rigorous theory of such systems, developed by Filippov, solutions of a differential equation with discontinuous right-hand side are regarded as being solutions to a special differential inclusion with upper semi-continuous right-hand side. The averaging method was studied for such inclusions by many authors using different and rather restrictive conditions on the regularity of the averaged inclusion. In this paper we prove natural extensions of Bogolyubov’s first theorem and the Samoilenko-Stanzhitskii theorem to differential inclusions with an upper semi-continuous right-hand side. We prove that the solution set of the original differential inclusion is contained in a neighbourhood of the solution set of the averaged one. The extension of Bogolyubov’s theorem concerns finite time intervals, while the extension of the Samoilenko-Stanzhitskii theorem deals with solutions defined on the infinite interval. The averaged inclusion is defined as a special upper limit and no additional condition on its regularity is required.     

On the Nagumo uniqueness theorem

By a convenient reparametrization of the integral curves of a nonlinear ordinary differential equation (ODE), we are able to improve the conclusions of a recent generalization of Nagumo’s uniqueness theorem. In this way, we establish a flexible uniqueness criterion for ODEs without Lipschitz-like nonlinearities.     

On the behavior of solutions of a first order nonlinear neutral delay differential equation

The authors obtain results on the asymptotic behavior of the non-oscillatory solutions of a first order nonlinear neutral delay differential equation. A theorem giving sufficient conditions for all bounded solutions to be oscillatory is also proved.     

On the cyclicity of weight-homogeneous centers

Let W be a weight-homogeneous planar polynomial differential system with a center. We find an upper bound of the number of limit cycles which bifurcate from the period annulus of W under a generic polynomial perturbation. We apply this result to a particular family of planar polynomial systems having a nilpotent center without meromorphic first integral.     

Sufficient conditions for the asymptotic stability of nonlinear multidelay differential equations with linear parts defined by pairwise permutable matrices

In this paper a generalization of the delayed exponential defined by Khusainov and Shuklin (2003) [1] for autonomous linear delay systems with one delay defined by permutable matrices is given for delay systems with multiple delays and pairwise permutable matrices. Using this multidelay-exponential a solution of a Cauchy initial value problem is represented. By an application of this representation and using Pinto’s integral inequality an asymptotic stability results for some classes of nonlinear multidelay differential equations are proved.     

On the number of limit cycles of some systems on the cylinder

In this article we give two criteria for bounding the number of non-contractible limit cycles of a family of differential systems on the cylinder. This family includes Abel equations as well as the polar expression of several types of planar polynomial systems given by the sum of three homogeneous vector fields.     

Applications of the method of barriers II. Some singularly perturbed problems

The method of barriers is used to justify asymptotic representations of solutions of two-point boundary value problems for singularly perturbed quasilinear equations of the second and the third order. This paper is a continuation of [1].     

Darboux theory of integrability in the sparse case

Darboux's theorem and Jouanolou's theorem deal with the existence of first integrals and rational first integrals of a polynomial vector field. These results are given in terms of the degree of the polynomial vector field. Here we show that we can get the same kind of results if we consider the size of a Newton polytope associated to the vector field. Furthermore, we show that in this context the bound is optimal.     

On the stability and boundedness of solutions of nonlinear vector differential equations of third order

In this paper, by using Liapunov’s second method, we establish some new results for stability and boundedness of solutions of nonlinear vector differential equations of third order. By constructing a Liapunov function, sufficient conditions for stability and boundedness of solutions of equations considered are obtained. Concerning to the subject, some explanatory examples are also given. Our results improve and include a result existing in the literature.     

Validity of the multiple scale method for very long intervals

For a class of nonlinear oscillation problems containing a small parameter, it is known that a two-scale method using timest and t gives results valid to any desired order for time (1/). We ask when results can be obtained which are valid for (1/²) or for allt > 0. We show that there is an obstruction to introducing a third time scale ² t, and give an example in which this obstruction does not vanish, so that a third scale cannot be introduced, even though the solution exists for all time. The obstruction does vanish if the first order averaged equation vanishes, in which case the three-scale solution actually involves onlyt and ² t and is valid for time (1/²). The obstruction also vanishes if a certain contracting or dissipative condition is met, but in this case the two-scale solution is already valid for all time and the third scale is not needed. These results correspond to known results for the method of averaging, but are here proved for the multiple scale method without use of averaging.     

A singular approach to discontinuous vector fields on the plane

In this paper we deal with discontinuous vector fields on R² and we prove that the analysis of their local behavior around a typical singularity can be treated via singular perturbation. The regularization process developed by Sotomayor and Teixeira is crucial for the development of this work.     

On the 16th Hilbert problem for algebraic limit cycles

For a polynomial planar vector field of degree n?2 with generic invariant algebraic curves we show that the maximum number of algebraic limit cycles is 1+(n−1)(n−2)/2 when n is even, and (n−1)(n−2)/2 when n is odd. Furthermore, these upper bounds are reached.     

Criteria to bound the number of critical periods

In the present paper we study the period function of centers of potential systems. We obtain criteria to bound the number of critical periods. In case that the system is polynomial, our result enables to tackle the problem from a purely algebraic point of view, since it allows to bound the number of critical periods by counting the zeros of a polynomial. To illustrate its applicability some new and old results are proved.     

On the periodic boundary-value problem for systems of second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations

The periodic boundary value problem for systems of secondorder ordinary nonlinear differential equations is considered. Sufficient conditions for the existence and uniqueness of a solution are established.     

Two-dimensional Fuchsian systems and the Chebyshev property

Let (x(t),y(t))^? be a solution of a Fuchsian system of order two with three singular points. The vector space of functions of the form P(t)x(t)+Q(t)y(t), where P,Q are real polynomials, has a natural filtration of vector spaces, according to the asymptotic behavior of the functions at infinity. We describe a two-parameter class of Fuchsian systems, for which the corresponding vector spaces obey the Chebyshev property (the maximal number of isolated zeros of each function is less than the dimension of the vector space). Up to now, only a few particular systems were known to possess such a non-oscillation property. It is remarkable that most of these systems are of the type studied in the present paper. We apply our results in estimating the number of limit cycles that appear after small polynomial perturbations of several quadratic or cubic Hamiltonian systems in the plane.     

Non-isochronicity of the center at the origin in polynomial Hamiltonian systems with even degree nonlinearities

In 2002 X. Jarque and J. Villadelprat proved that no center in a planar polynomial Hamiltonian system of degree 4 is isochronous and raised a question: Is there a planar polynomial Hamiltonian system of even degree which has an isochronous center? In this paper we give a criterion for non-isochronicity of the center at the origin of planar polynomial Hamiltonian systems. Moreover, the orders of weak centers are determined. Our results answer a weak version of the question, proving that there is no planar polynomial Hamiltonian system with only even degree nonlinearities having an isochronous center at the origin.