On the limit configuration of four species strongly competing systems

We analysed some qualitative properties of the limit configuration of the solutions of a reaction-diffusion system of four competing species as the competition rate tends to infinity. Large interaction induces the spatial segregation of the species and only two limit configurations are possible: either there is a point where four species concur, a 4-point, or there are two points where only three species concur. We characterized, for a given datum, the possible 4-point configuration by means of the solution of a Dirichlet problem for the Laplace equation

Fractional diffusion with Neumann boundary conditions: the logistic equation

Motivated by experimental studies on the anomalous diffusion of biological populations, we introduce a nonlocal differential operator which can be interpreted as the spectral square root of the Laplacian in bounded domains with Neumann homogeneous boundary conditions. Moreover, we study related linear and nonlinear problems exploiting a local realization of such operator as performed in [X. Cabre' and J. Tan. Positive solutions of nonlinear problems involving the square root of the Laplacian. Adv. Math. 2010] for Dirichlet homogeneous data. In particular we tackle a class of nonautonomous nonlinearities of logistic type, proving some existence and uniqueness results for positive solutions by means of variational methods and bifurcation theory.Comment: 36 pages, 1 figur

On the blow-up threshold for weakly coupled nonlinear Schroedinger equations

We study the Cauchy problem for a system of two coupled nonlinear focusing Schroedinger equations arising in nonlinear optics. We discuss when the solutions are global in time or blow-up in finite time. Some results, in dependence of the data of the problem, are proved; in particular we give a bound, depending on the coupling parameter, for the blow-up threshold.Comment: 14 page

Semiclassical states for weakly coupled nonlinear Schr\"odinger systems

We consider systems of weakly coupled Schr\"odinger equations with nonconstant potentials and we investigate the existence of nontrivial nonnegative solutions which concentrate around local minima of the potentials. We obtain sufficient and necessary conditions for a sequence of least energy solutions to concentrate.Comment: 23 pages, no figure

On the logarithmic Schrodinger equation

In the framework of the nonsmooth critical point theory for lower semi-continuous functionals, we propose a direct variational approach to investigate the existence of infinitely many weak solutions for a class of semi-linear elliptic equations with logarithmic nonlinearity arising in physically relevant situations. Furthermore, we prove that there exists a unique positive solution which is radially symmetric and nondegenerate.Comment: 10 page

Microvascular alterations in hypertension and vascular aging

Hypertension and aging are characterized by vascular remodelling and stiffness as well as endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial function declines with age, since aging is associated with senescence of the endothelium due to increased rate of apoptosis and reduced regenerative capacity of the endothelium. Different phenotypes of hypertension have been described in younger and adult subjects with hypertension. In younger patients functional and structural alterations of resistance arteries occur as the earliest vascular alterations which have prognostic significance and may contribute to stiffness of large arteries through wave reflection. In individuals above age of 50 years as well as in subjects with long-lasting elevated blood pressure, vascular changes occur predominantly in conduit arteries which become stiffer. Activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and endothelin systems plays a key role in endothelial dysfunction, vascular remodelling, and aging by inducing reactive oxygen species production, and promoting inflammation and cell growth

Recent advances in mathematical modeling and statistical analysis of exocytosis in endocrine cells

open5noMost endocrine cells secrete hormones as a result of Ca(2+)-regulated exocytosis, i.e., fusion of the membranes of hormone-containing secretory granules with the cell membrane, which allows the hormone molecules to escape to the extracellular space. As in neurons, electrical activity and cell depolarization open voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channels, and the resulting Ca(2+) influx elevate the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, which in turn causes exocytosis. Whereas the main molecular components involved in exocytosis are increasingly well understood, quantitative understanding of the dynamical aspects of exocytosis is still lacking. Due to the nontrivial spatiotemporal Ca(2+) dynamics, which depends on the particular pattern of electrical activity as well as Ca(2+) channel kinetics, exocytosis is dependent on the spatial arrangement of Ca(2+) channels and secretory granules. For example, the creation of local Ca(2+) microdomains, where the Ca(2+) concentration reaches tens of µM, are believed to be important for triggering exocytosis. Spatiotemporal simulations of buffered Ca(2+) diffusion have provided important insight into the interplay between electrical activity, Ca(2+) channel kinetics, and the location of granules and Ca(2+) channels. By confronting simulations with statistical time-to-event (or survival) regression analysis of single granule exocytosis monitored with TIRF microscopy, a direct connection between location and rate of exocytosis can be obtained at the local, single-granule level. To get insight into whole-cell secretion, simplifications of the full spatiotemporal dynamics have shown to be highly helpful. Here, we provide an overview of recent approaches and results for quantitative analysis of Ca(2+) regulated exocytosis of hormone-containing granules.openPedersen, Morten Gram; Tagliavini, Alessia; Cortese, Giuliana; Riz, Michela; Montefusco, FrancescoPedersen, MORTEN GRAM; Tagliavini, Alessia; Cortese, Giuliana; Riz, Michela; Montefusco, Francesc