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.     

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.     

The period function of generalized Loudʼs centers

In this paper a three parameter family of planar differential systems with homogeneous nonlinearities of arbitrary odd degree is studied. This family is an extension to higher degree of Loud?s systems. The origin is a nondegenerate center for all values of the parameter and we are interested in the qualitative properties of its period function. We study the bifurcation diagram of this function focusing our attention on the bifurcations occurring at the polycycle that bounds the period annulus of the center. Moreover we determine some regions in the parameter space for which the corresponding period function is monotonous or it has at least one critical period, giving also its character (maximum or minimum). Finally we propose a complete conjectural bifurcation diagram of the period function of these generalized Loud?s centers.     

On Hopf bifurcation in non-smooth planar systems

As we know, for non-smooth planar systems there are foci of three different types, called focus-focus (FF), focus-parabolic (FP) and parabolic-parabolic (PP) type respectively. The Poincaré map with its analytical property and the problem of Hopf bifurcation have been studied in Coll et al. (2001) [3] and Filippov (1988) [6] for general systems and in Zou et al. (2006) [13] for piecewise linear systems. In this paper we also study the problem of Hopf bifurcation for non-smooth planar systems, obtaining new results. More precisely, we prove that one or two limit cycles can be produced from an elementary focus of the least order (order 1 for foci of FF or FP type and order 2 for foci of PP type) (Theorem 2.3), different from the case of smooth systems. For piecewise linear systems we prove that 2 limit cycles can appear near a focus of either FF, FP or PP type (Theorem 3.3).     

Double resonance with Landesman-Lazer conditions for planar systems of ordinary differential equations

We prove the existence of periodic solutions for first order planar systems at resonance. The nonlinearity is indeed allowed to interact with two positively homogeneous Hamiltonians, both at resonance, and some kind of Landesman-Lazer conditions are assumed at both sides. We are thus able to obtain, as particular cases, the existence results proposed in the pioneering papers by Lazer and Leach (1969) [27], and by Frederickson and Lazer (1969) [18]. Our theorem also applies in the case of asymptotically piecewise linear systems, and in particular generalizes Fabry's results in Fabry (1995) [10], for scalar equations with double resonance with respect to the Dancer-Fu?ik spectrum.     

Non-isochronicity of the center in polynomial Hamiltonian systems

In 2002 Jarque and Villadelprat proved that planar polynomial Hamiltonian systems of degree 4 have no isochronous centers and raised an open question for general planar polynomial Hamiltonian systems of even degree. Recently, it was proved that a planar polynomial Hamiltonian system is non-isochronous if a quantity, denoted by M_2m−2, can be computed such that M_2m−2≤0. As a corollary of this criterion, the open question was answered for those systems with only even degree nonlinearities. In this paper we consider the case of M_2m−2>0 and give a new criterion for non-isochronicity. Applying the new criterion, we also answer the open question for some cases in which some terms of odd degree are included.     

Enumeration of k-poles

Ak-pole in this paper is a regular planar map withk vertices. Poles with even degrees were first enumerated by Tutte [9] in 1962 where he obtained a very simple and elegant expression. Using Brown's quadratic method, Bender and Canfield [2] derived two algebraic equations for the generating function of the poles. But the equations seem to be quite complicated for the odd degree case, and so far no progress has been seen in utilizing these equations to derive any result for the number of poles with odd degree. In this paper, we use hypergeometric functions to enumerate poles. We will show that the odd degree case is indeed very different from, and much more complicated than, the even degree case. Research supported by NSERC.     

On the integrability of systems of second order evolution equations with two components

This paper is devoted to classifying second order evolution equations with two components. Combining the symbolic method and number theory, we give the complete list of such homogeneous polynomial symmetry-integrable systems with non-zero diagonal linear terms. The technique is applicable for more general systems.     

Planar polynomial vector fields having first integrals and algebraic limit cycles

With the help of Abel differential equations we obtain a new class of Darboux integrable planar polynomial differential systems, which have degenerate infinity. Moreover such integrable systems may have algebraic limit cycles. Also we present the explicit expressions of these algebraic limit cycles for quintic systems.     

Slow divergence integral and its application to classical Liénard equations of degree 5

The slow divergence integral is a crucial tool to study the cyclicity of a slow–fast cycle for singularly perturbed planar vector fields. In this paper, we deduce a useful form for this integral in order to apply it to various problems. As an example, we use it to prove that the slow divergence integral along any non-degenerate slow–fast cycle for singular perturbations of classical Liénard equations of degree 5 has at most one zero, and the zero is simple if it exists; hence the cyclicity of any non-degenerate slow–fast cycle in this class of equations is at most 2. Up to now there were many interesting results about Liénard equations of degree 3, 4 and ≥6, but almost nothing is known about degree 5. The result in this paper can be seen as a first stage to study the uniform property for classical Liénard equations of degree 5.     

The equivalence problem and canonical forms for quadratic Lagrangians

The general equivalence and canonical form problems for quadratic variational problems under arbitrary linear changes of variable are formulated, and the role of classical invariant theory in their general solution is made clear. A complete solution to both problems for planar, first order quadratic variational problems is provided, including a complete list of canonical forms for the Lagrangians and corresponding Euler-Lagrange equations. Algorithmic procedures for determining the equivalence class and the explicit canonical form of a given Lagrangian are provided. Applications to planar anisotropic elasticity are indicated.     

On the number of critical periods for planar polynomial systems of arbitrary degree

We construct a class of planar systems of arbitrary degree n having a reversible center at the origin and such that the number of critical periods on its period annulus grows quadratically with n. As far as we know, the previous results on this subject gave systems having linear growth.     

The Maximum Number of Zeros of Functions with Parameters and Application to Differential Equations

In this paper, we first study the problem of finding the maximum number of zeros of functions with parameters and then apply the results obtained to smooth or piecewise smooth planar autonomous systems and scalar periodic equations to study the number of limit cycles or periodic solutions, improving some fundamental results both on the maximum number of limit cycles bifurcating from an elementary focus of order $k$ or a limit cycle of multiplicity $k$, or from a period annulus, and on the maximum number of periodic solutions for scalar periodic smooth or piecewise smooth equations as well.     

Vector hyperbolic equations with higher symmetries

We list eleven vector hyperbolic equations that have third-order symmetries with respect to both characteristics. This list exhausts the equations with at least one symmetry of a divergence form. We integrate four equations in the list explicitly, bring one to a linear form, and bring four more to nonlinear ordinary nonautonomous systems. We find the Bäcklund transformations for six equations.     

Almost Planar Waves in Anisotropic Media

We investigate corners and steps of interfaces in anisotropic systems. Starting from a stable planar front in a general reaction-diffusion-convection system, we show existence of almost planar interior and exterior corners. When the interface propagation is unstable in some directions, we show that small steps in the interface may persist. Our assumptions are based on physical properties of interfaces such as linear and nonlinear dispersion, rather than properties of the modeling equations such as variational or comparison principles. We also give geometric criteria based on the Cahn–Hoffman vector, that distinguish between the formation of interior and exterior corners.     

Existence of periodic solution of order one of planar impulsive autonomous system

Based on the situation that all the recent research about state-dependent impulsive differential equations is focused on systems which have explicit solutions, this paper try to consider those systems with state-dependent impulsion which have not explicit solutions. We get an existence theorem of periodic solution of order one for a general planar autonomous impulsive system, and, by applying it to a special state-dependent impulsive differential equations we get the concrete conditions of existence of one-order periodic solution of that special system.     

Integrability in a discrete world

We review our findings on integrable discrete systems with emphasis on the discrete integrability detector we have proposed under the name of singularity confinement. We have indeed shown, in a host of examples, that it is possible, by studying the structure of the singularities of discrete systems, to identify the integrable ones. A most important result of this approach is the discovery of discrete Painlevé equations of which a lengthy list exists today. These equations, being integrable systems, are characterised by particularly rich properties which are under active investigation. We present here an overview of these properties and stress the similarities and differences that exist between discrete and continuous Painlevé equations.     

Dynamical behaviour and exact solutions of thirteenth order derivative nonlinear Schr\"{o}dinger equation

In this paper, we considered the model of the thirteenth order derivatives of nonlinear Schr\"{o}dinger equations. It is shown that a wave packet ansatz inserted into these equations leads to an integrable Hamiltonian dynamical sub-system. By using bifurcation theory of planar dynamical systems, in different parametric regions, we determined the phase portraits. In each of these parametric regions we obtain possible exact explicit parametric representation of the traveling wave solutions corresponding to homoclinic, hetroclinic and periodic orbits.     

On the critical periods of perturbed isochronous centers

Consider a family of planar systems having a center at the origin and assume that for ε=0 they have an isochronous center. Firstly, we give an explicit formula for the first order term in ε of the derivative of the period function. We apply this formula to prove that, up to first order in ε, at most one critical period bifurcates from the periodic orbits of isochronous quadratic systems when we perturb them inside the class of quadratic reversible centers. Moreover necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of this critical period are explicitly given. From the tools developed in this paper we also provide a new characterization of planar isochronous centers.     

Existence,uniqueness and stability of pyramidal traveling fronts in reaction-diffusion systems

In the one-dimensional space, traveling wave solutions of parabolic differential equations have been widely studied and well characterized. Recently, the mathematical study on higher-dimensional traveling fronts has attracted a lot of attention and many new types of nonplanar traveling waves have been observed for scalar reaction-diffusion equations with various nonlinearities. In this paper, by using the comparison argument and constructing appropriate super- and subsolutions, we study the existence, uniqueness and stability of threedimensional traveling fronts of pyramidal shape for monotone bistable systems of reaction-diffusion equations in R³. The pyramidal traveling fronts are characterized as either a combination of planar traveling fronts on the lateral surfaces or a combination of two-dimensional V-form waves on the edges of the pyramid. In particular, our results are applicable to some important models in biology, such as Lotka-Volterra competition-diffusion systems with or without spatio-temporal delays, and reaction-diffusion systems of multiple obligate mutualists.