The cardiac bidomain model and homogenization

We provide a rather simple proof of a homogenization result for the bidomain model of cardiac electrophysiology. Departing from a microscopic cellular model, we apply the theory of two-scale convergence to derive the bidomain model. To allow for some relevant nonlinear membrane models, we make essential use of the boundary unfolding operator. There are several complications preventing the application of standard homogenization results, including the degenerate temporal structure of the bidomain equations and a nonlinear dynamic boundary condition on an oscillating surface.Comment: To appear in Networks and Heterogeneous Media, Special Issue on Mathematical Methods for Systems Biolog

Well-posedness theory for stochastically forced conservation laws on Riemannian manifolds

We investigate a class of scalar conservation laws on manifolds driven by multiplicative Gaussian (Ito) noise. The Cauchy problem defined on a Riemannian manifold is shown to be well-posed. We prove existence of generalized kinetic solutions using the vanishing viscosity method. A rigidity result is derived, which implies that generalized solutions are kinetic solutions and that kinetic solutions are uniquely determined by their initial data ($L^1$ contraction principle). Deprived of noise, the equations we consider coincide with those analyzed by Ben-Artzi and LeFloch (2007), who worked with Kruzkov-DiPerna solutions. In the Euclidian case, the stochastic equations agree with those examined by Debussche and Vovelle (2010).Comment: Submitted for publication on 23.09.1

A convergent nonconforming finite element method for compressible Stokes flow

We propose a nonconforming finite element method for isentropic viscous gas flow in situations where convective effects may be neglected. We approximate the continuity equation by a piecewise constant discontinuous Galerkin method. The velocity (momentum) equation is approximated by a finite element method on div-curl form using the nonconforming Crouzeix-Raviart space. Our main result is that the finite element method converges to a weak solution. The main challenge is to demonstrate the strong convergence of the density approximations, which is mandatory in view of the nonlinear pressure function. The analysis makes use of a higher integrability estimate on the density approximations, an equation for the "effective viscous flux", and renormalized versions of the discontinuous Galerkin method.Comment: 23 page