Asymmetric noise-induced large fluctuations in coupled systems.

Networks of interacting, communicating subsystems are common in many fields, from ecology, biology, and epidemiology to engineering and robotics. In the presence of noise and uncertainty, interactions between the individual components can lead to unexpected complex system-wide behaviors. In this paper, we consider a generic model of two weakly coupled dynamical systems, and we show how noise in one part of the system is transmitted through the coupling interface.

Equivalent probability density moments determine equivalent epidemics in an SIRS model with temporary immunity.

In an SIRS compartment model for a disease we consider the effect of different probability distributions for remaining immune. We show that to first approximation the first three moments of the corresponding probability densities are sufficient to well describe oscillatory solutions corresponding to recurrent epidemics. Specifically, increasing the fraction who lose immunity, increasing the mean immunity time, and decreasing the heterogeneity of the population all favor the onset of epidemics and increase their severity.

Noise-induced switching and extinction in systems with delay.

We consider the rates of noise-induced switching between the stable states of dissipative dynamical systems with delay and also the rates of noise-induced extinction, where such systems model population dynamics. We study a class of systems where the evolution depends on the dynamical variables at a preceding time with a fixed time delay, which we call hard delay. For weak noise, the rates of interattractor switching and extinction are exponentially small.

Tight swimming trunks to prevent post scrotal surgery: an experimental justification.

Purpose: To conduct a study to measure the pressure effects of the different scrotal supports applied on a simulated expanding scrotal hematoma.

Materials And Methods: We created a model of an expanding hematoma with simultaneous pressure recording using a urodynamics system. Pressures were recorded independently first without application of any support.

Synchronous versus asynchronous oscillations for antigenically varying Plasmodium falciparum with host immune response.

We consider a deterministic intra-host model for Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria infection, which accounts for antigenic variation between n clonal variants of PfEMP1 and the corresponding host immune response (IR). Specifically, the model separates the IR into two components, specific and cross-reactive, respectively, in order to demonstrate that the latter can be a mechanism for the sequential appearance of variants observed in actual Pf infections. We show that a strong variant-specific IR relative to the cross-reactive IR favours the asynchronous oscillations (sequential dominance) over the synchronous oscillations in a number of ways.

Effect of state-dependent delay on a weakly damped nonlinear oscillator.

We consider a weakly damped nonlinear oscillator with state-dependent delay, which has applications in models for lasers, epidemics, and microparasites. More generally, the delay-differential equations considered are a predator-prey system where the delayed term is linear and represents the proliferation of the predator. We determine the critical value of the delay that causes the steady state to become unstable to periodic oscillations via a Hopf bifurcation.

Oscillations in an intra-host model of Plasmodium Falciparum malaria due to cross-reactive immune response.

We consider an intra-host model of malaria that allows for antigenic variation within a single species. More specifically, the host's immune response is compartmentalized into reactions to major and minor epitopes. We investigate the conditions that lead to transient oscillations, which correspond to recurrent clinical episodes of the diseases, and how a small delay in the activation of the immune response can lead to persistent oscillations.

An SIR epidemic model with partial temporary immunity modeled with delay.

The SIR epidemic model for disease dynamics considers recovered individuals to be permanently immune, while the SIS epidemic model considers recovered individuals to be immediately resusceptible. We study the case of temporary immunity in an SIR-based model with delayed coupling between the susceptible and removed classes, which results in a coupled set of delay differential equations. We find conditions for which the endemic steady state becomes unstable to periodic outbreaks.

Coupling-induced resonance in two mutually and asymmetrically coupled oscillators.

We consider two mutually coupled oscillators, where we have independent control over the magnitude, sign, and delay of the coupling signal. For appropriate tuning of the coupling constants, there is a coupling-induced resonance where the amplitude becomes large. We investigate the role of nonlinear dissipation and amplitude-dependent frequency correction on the coupling resonance.

Scaling behavior of laser population dynamics with time-delayed coupling: theory and experiment.

We study the influence of asymmetric coupling strengths on the onset of light intensity oscillations in an experimental system consisting of two semiconductor lasers cross coupled optoelectronically with a time delay. We discover a scaling law that relates the amplitudes of oscillations and the coupling strengths. These observations are in agreement with a theoretical model.

Tracking controlled chaos: Theoretical foundations and applications.

Tracking controlled states over a large range of accessible parameters is a process which allows for the experimental continuation of unstable states in both chaotic and non-chaotic parameter regions of interest. In algorithmic form, tracking allows experimentalists to examine many of the unstable states responsible for much of the observed nonlinear dynamic phenomena. Here we present a theoretical foundation for tracking controlled states from both dynamical systems as well as control theoretic viewpoints.

Open-loop sustained chaos and control: a manifold approach.

We present a general method for preserving chaos in nonchaotic parameter regimes as well as preserving periodic behavior in chaotic regimes using a multifrequency phase control. The systems considered are nonlinear systems driven at a base frequency. Multifrequency phase control is defined as the addition of small subharmonic amplitude modulation coupled with a phase shift.