1,801 research outputs found
Bifurcation-based parameter tuning in a model of the GnRH pulse and surge generator
We investigate a model of the GnRH pulse and surge generator, with the
definite aim of constraining the model GnRH output with respect to a
physiologically relevant list of specifications. The alternating pulse and
surge pattern of secretion results from the interaction between a GnRH
secreting system and a regulating system exhibiting fast-slow dynamics. The
mechanisms underlying the behavior of the model are reminded from the study of
the Boundary-Layer System according to the "dissection method" principle. Using
singular perturbation theory, we describe the sequence of bifurcations
undergone by the regulating (FitzHugh-Nagumo) system, encompassing the rarely
investigated case of homoclinic connexion. Basing on pure dynamical
considerations, we restrict the space of parameter search for the regulating
system and describe a foliation of this restricted space, whose leaves define
constant duration ratios between the surge and the pulsatility phase in the
whole system. We propose an algorithm to fix the parameter values to also meet
the other prescribed ratios dealing with amplitude and frequency features of
the secretion signal. We finally apply these results to illustrate the dynamics
of GnRH secretion in the ovine species and the rhesus monkey
Fold-Saddle Bifurcation in Non-Smooth Vector Fields on the Plane
This paper presents results concerning bifurcations of 2D piecewise-smooth
dynamical systems governed by vector fields. Generic three parameter families
of a class of Non-Smooth Vector Fields are studied and its bifurcation diagrams
are exhibited. Our main result describes the unfolding of the so called
Fold-Saddle singularity
On a computer-aided approach to the computation of Abelian integrals
An accurate method to compute enclosures of Abelian integrals is developed.
This allows for an accurate description of the phase portraits of planar
polynomial systems that are perturbations of Hamiltonian systems. As an
example, it is applied to the study of bifurcations of limit cycles arising
from a cubic perturbation of an elliptic Hamiltonian of degree four
Sensitivity of Carbon Emission Estimates from Indirect Land-Use Change
We analyze the sensitivity of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from land-use change to modifications in assumptions concerning crop area, yield, and deforestation. For this purpose, we run a modified version of the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD) Agricultural Outlook Model, which was used previously to assess the impacts of energy price increases and biofuel policy changes on land conversion. To calculate the GHG implications of agricultural activity, we use GreenAgSiM, a model developed to evaluate emissions from land conversion and agricultural production. Both models are applied to scenarios that lead to higher US ethanol production. The results are contrasted with the findings of Searchinger et al., and we explain the role of model assumptions to elucidate the differences. We find that the payback period of corn ethanol’s carbon debt is sensitive to assumptions concerning land conversion and yield growth and can range from 31 to 180 years.biofuel, crop yield, greenhouse gas emissions, indirect land-use change.
The Influence of Trust and Attitudes on the Purchase Frequency of Organic Produce
Growth in organic food sales is mainly due to consumers becoming more aware of health issues and environmental concerns. Understanding the drivers of organic consumption is crucial to predict future market outcomes. In this analysis, the authors expand previous research by including general and institutional trust variables in addition to consumer attitudes to examine organic food purchases. Food production is unobservable and hence, consumers need to exhibit trust with respect to organic production and certification. A bivariate ordered probit model applied to U.S. survey data confirms that organic purchases are determined by health, nutrition, and taste. In some cases, general trust and trust in media are statistically significant. Trust in institutions that are involved in the organic certification process is not statistically significant. A hierarchical cluster analysis grouping consumers based on trust and attitudes shows that (dis)trust in the organic certification and supply chain does not hinder organic food market growth
Some results on homoclinic and heteroclinic connections in planar systems
Consider a family of planar systems depending on two parameters and
having at most one limit cycle. Assume that the limit cycle disappears at some
homoclinic (or heteroclinic) connection when We present a method
that allows to obtain a sequence of explicit algebraic lower and upper bounds
for the bifurcation set The method is applied to two quadratic
families, one of them is the well-known Bogdanov-Takens system. One of the
results that we obtain for this system is the bifurcation curve for small
values of , given by . We obtain
the new three terms from purely algebraic calculations, without evaluating
Melnikov functions
On the number of limit cycles of the Lienard equation
In this paper, we study a Lienard system of the form dot{x}=y-F(x),
dot{y}=-x, where F(x) is an odd polynomial. We introduce a method that gives a
sequence of algebraic approximations to the equation of each limit cycle of the
system. This sequence seems to converge to the exact equation of each limit
cycle. We obtain also a sequence of polynomials R_n(x) whose roots of odd
multiplicity are related to the number and location of the limit cycles of the
system.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures. Submitted to Physical Review
Effects of a localized beam on the dynamics of excitable cavity solitons
We study the dynamical behavior of dissipative solitons in an optical cavity
filled with a Kerr medium when a localized beam is applied on top of the
homogeneous pumping. In particular, we report on the excitability regime that
cavity solitons exhibits which is emergent property since the system is not
locally excitable. The resulting scenario differs in an important way from the
case of a purely homogeneous pump and now two different excitable regimes, both
Class I, are shown. The whole scenario is presented and discussed, showing that
it is organized by three codimension-2 points. Moreover, the localized beam can
be used to control important features, such as the excitable threshold,
improving the possibilities for the experimental observation of this
phenomenon.Comment: 9 Pages, 12 figure
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